10 March 2011
By Lata.Mishra
Surgeons at St George’s Hospital had to ensure the woman didn’t suffer labour pains and the foetus was not harmed during the operation
![A doctor demonstrates how Suvarna Kamble lay on the special bed made for her, so that there was no pressure on her stomach A doctor demonstrates how Suvarna Kamble lay on the special bed made for her, so that there was no pressure on her stomach](http://images.aarogya.com/aarogya/images/fall-injures.jpg)
To begin with, doctors created a special bed to ensure Suvarna, 28, was able to lie down on her stomach. Then, a gynaecologist was added to team to ensure the pregnancy part was taken care of. Finally, using a square ‘caution box’, the patient was positioned in such a manner that there was no pressure on her abdomen during the operation. The surgery was a success and Suvarna will soon be back on her feet, doctors said.
Dr Sanjay Jagtap, chief orthopaedic surgeon at St George’s Hospital, said: "Suvarna was brought in extremely critical condition. I was apprehensive as I have never operated upon a pregnant woman’s spine. I thought about the complications and it was tough decision. But her condition was worsening and I decided to go ahead with the surgery. My team responded magnificently."
![Suvarna, a Chembur resident, had injured her spine in a staircase fall Suvarna, a Chembur resident, had injured her spine in a staircase fall](http://images.aarogya.com/aarogya/images/fall-injures1.jpg)
Dr Ashish Waghmare, who was part of the surgery team, said he had never experienced such a tough call. "The surgery had to be wrapped up very quickly. I lost count of the times we glanced at the clock," he said.
Suvarna’s husband Anand said, "My wife fell from stairs and I feared the worst. When we were turned away from a private hospital in Chembur, I could think of nothing but gloom and doom. Doctors there didn’t want to take a chance as she is pregnant. But surgeons at St George’s Hospital are just amazing. They gave my wife a new life. I can’t thank the doctors enough."