29-Week Pregnant Woman Suffers Brain Tumor Hemorrhage, Endures Pain to Protect Fetus; Taipei Veterans Hospital's 30-Member Medical Team Saves Both

(CNA reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 12th) On Monday morning, as most people were preparing to start their busy week, over 30 cross-disciplinary medical staff had already gathered in the operating room of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, uniting to save a 29-week pregnant woman who was enduring intense pain from a brain tumor to protect her unborn child. Ultimately, both mother and baby survived, turning crisis into miracle.

The story began late last Friday night. Dr. Chen Wei-ming,院长 of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, shared via message today that a young expectant mother, 29 weeks pregnant, visited the emergency department due to severe headaches. After an MRI scan, she was diagnosed with a recurrent brain tumor accompanied by hemorrhage. Over the weekend, her headaches worsened progressively, accompanied by unilateral limb weakness, nausea, vomiting, and gradually impaired consciousness.

Despite enduring excruciating pain in bed, her only thought was: 'Let the baby stay in my womb one more minute—every extra minute means greater maturity.' Hoping to reduce complications associated with premature birth, she could not use standard intracranial pressure-lowering medications, relying instead on minimal steroid support.

Driven by this unwavering 'unstoppable maternal love,' she held on until the operating room doors opened on Monday morning. Around 7 a.m., more than 30 medical professionals from various departments—including anesthesiology, obstetrics, neonatology, and neurosurgery—gathered, holding their breath in anticipation.

Previously independent specialty teams worked in tight coordination and calm response. When a faint yet powerful 'Wah!' finally echoed from the operating room, neonatal intensive care unit director Dr. Tsao Pei-chen examined the newborn and announced: 'Good! No intubation needed.' The tense atmosphere eased slightly as five pediatricians immediately transported the infant in an incubator to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Once the baby’s safety was confirmed, the anesthesiology team instantly switched from obstetric anesthesia to neuro-anesthesia for high intracranial pressure. Previously avoided potent drugs, due to fetal concerns, were now fully deployed to stabilize the mother’s heart rate and blood pressure. The life-saving operation for the mother continued until around 1 p.m., concluding with complete removal of the hemorrhaged tumor and scalp suturing.

One week after surgery, Dr. Chen Wei-ming reported that the 30-something young mother can now walk independently, speak and laugh naturally, repeatedly expressing gratitude to the medical staff. She has been transferred out of intensive care, practicing mobility exercises, and met her baby yesterday.

'In my heart, Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the best hospital in the world,' said Dr. Chen. The collaboration across four teams throughout the weekend, the medical staff’s tireless dedication, sweat, tears, and professional commitment, intertwined with the mother’s courage, together created this most moving miracle of life. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150612

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