Despite everything, life in Kyiv continues. Little Ukrainians come into this world without asking permission and without checking the clock against the enemy's actions. And here they are greeted by happy mothers and true guardian angels – doctors who work tirelessly to ensure that the start of a new life is happy and safe. At the Kyiv Perinatal Center, 11 babies were born tonight (including one set of twins). UNN spoke with the doctors who were on duty tonight.
In the midst of the Russian attack on the capital, a boy named Demyan was born at the Perinatal Center. The delivery was performed by obstetrician-gynecologist Violeta Chernega.
The doctor said that contractions began before the alarm started in the capital, and the woman in labor managed to receive pain relief. But when the air threat spread to Kyiv, the woman needed to be moved to a shelter.
I thank our entire team – they, as always, acted as needed. After all, the girl could not go down on her own after the pain relief
According to the doctor, all medical staff know how to act in such situations. The medical facility has implemented appropriate protocols that exist not just on paper but are regularly applied. They take into account possible aspects and complications, challenges and needs not only of patients but also of the smallest patients – those who have just come into this world.
"For us in such situations, the main thing is the safety of the patient and the child," says Chernega, telling the story of Demyan's birth, and adds that the usual delivery room in the building outside the shelter would have been more comfortable, but when safety is the priority, the delivery room in the shelter, even if not so familiar for work, becomes a true fortress of calm.
Childbirth in a bomb shelter, fortunately, does not happen at the Perinatal Center every day or every night. But all medical staff are ready for such challenges. And the shelters of both branches of the Perinatal Center have everything necessary, and are equipped not only with rooms for childbirth, but also operating rooms, beds for expectant mothers, for mothers with newborns, incubators for infants who need special care, and rooms for those accompanying patients.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Vladyslav Yavir, who was the responsible duty doctor at the center's branch on Lobanovskoho Street tonight, says that work is constantly in full swing, not just tonight: "Ambulances arrive, bring patients – waters have broken and immediate action is needed. Fortunately, we have a well-coordinated team, everyone knows how to act. In such moments, when the enemy attacks, this is especially important."
During the alarm, everyone moves to the shelter. It was under the explosions of Russian missiles tonight that Demyan came into the world. Doctor Violeta Chernega says that the birth was physiological – that is, it did not require additional surgical intervention, the woman in labor was only given pain relief. But even in the equipped and safe bomb shelter, the woman had reasons to be nervous: her older daughter and grandmother were outside the shelter of the Perinatal Center. But, fortunately, they did not neglect their safety and went down to the metro.
Doctor Violeta Chernega added: "The mother is great, and the father too. A wonderful boy was born. We were all very happy that a new life appeared at a time when the enemy is trying to take it away from us."