Mom Who Died After Giving Birth: Patient's Family Refused To Go To The ER, Hospital Says

John "Jan" Christian, husband of Katherine Zeta Bulatao whose death made the news recently after six hospitals allegedly refused to admit her, is asking for breast milk donations.

It can be recalled that 26-year-old Katherine gave birth on Friday, April 24, to her third child via a home birth, with the help of a midwife. However, after a successfully delivery, she began to bleed heavily, supposedly as a result of a retained placenta (mataas na inunan). They were advised to get treatment from a medical facility.  

Katherine was then brought to a lying-in center where another midwife cut the baby's cord, but the placenta still remained inside her body. A retained placenta could result to excessive bleeding and infection and could threaten the mother's life, although it was not mentioned if this was the case with Katherine.

According to John, he and some relatives brought his wife to at least 6 hospitals after that, but all of them refused to admit the patient for a variety of reasons.

What other parents are reading

Mataas Na Inunan: Did Woman Who Died After Childbirth Suffer From A Retained Placenta?

Hospital Gives Newborn A Face Shield When They Sent Him Home

North Caloocan Doctors Hospital allegedly asked them to find another hospital because they did not have an ample supply of blood, reports GMA News.

In a Pep.ph report, John said they took Katherine next to Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center. 

"Pina-fill up po ako ng form at yung nanay ni Misis, tiningnan niya kung may available operating room.

“Pagbaba po nila, wala na raw pong bakante.

“Nung walang bakanteng kuwarto, itinuro po kami sa FEU Medical Center sa Dahlia St., Fairview," John said, adding that Katherine was still conscious during this time.

Far Eastern University Hospital-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) in Caloocan City allegedly required a Php 30,000 downpayment for them to proceed with the operation. 

They also tried to have the patient treated at Bermudez Hospital, Skyline Hospital, and Grace General Hospital, but no obstetrician-gynecologist was on duty, allegedly.

According to John in his conversation with Pep.ph, Katherine was pronounced dead on arrival at the Sapang Palay General Hospital.  

What other parents are reading

10 Questions Every New Mom Asks After Giving Birth, Answered!

Is It Normal to Bleed for More Than a Month After Giving Birth?

Allegations not true

The management of Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center has denied that the hospital refused to admit Katherine, after the story went viral.

Speaking to Pep.ph, Dr. John Rosello Madrid said the patient arrived at Commonwealth Hospital at around 6:30 pm, approximately 3 and a half hours after her home birth. Dr. Madrid is the hospital's assistant administrator. 

"Sa emergency triage area, dun siya nakita ng triage nurse namin who immediately took her vital signs.

"At that time, patient was conscious, coherent.

"In-advise namin yung patient to go inside the emergency room (ER) area in order to be properly assisted and managed."

However, he said the patient's family refused because they wanted her to be admitted instead. 

But he stressed that the patient's transfer from North Caloocan Doctors Hospital was not coordinated, thus they were not aware of the patient's condition. 

What other parents are reading

A Handy List of Emergency Numbers and Apps to Save on Your Phone

'A Week After My Emergency CS, Bright Red Blood Gushed Out!'

"Hindi pa namin alam, wala pa kaming diagnosis ng patient.

“What we really do is dapat ma-assess talaga sa ER.

"So, I understand with the admitting office namin, hindi pa ito naa-assess sa ER. Of course, they’re having difficulty finding and securing a room. 

"Kasi, of course, we are handling COVID-19 suspect patients.

"We are advising na dalhin muna sa ER yung pasyente kasi inaayos pa yung room na puwede nilang gamitin," Dr. Madrid clarified.

He said he wasn't sure why the family suddenly decided to transfer the patient to another hospital.

Nonetheless, he said they were informed that they needed to sign a waiver. 

What other parents are reading

How To Get Pregnant With PCOS: Know The Treatment To Help You Conceive

Does Your Doctor Suspect You Have APAS? Here Are The Treatments He May Prescribe

FEU-NRMF Medical Center likewise denied John's allegations that the hospital refused to admit the patient because the family could not produce Php 30,000 for the downpayment.

In a Facebook post on April 27, 2020, the hospital stated that this is not their policy.

"When a patient seeks medical treatment from FEU-NRMF Medical Center, it is customary to provide cost estimates upon the request of prospective patients.

"Naturally, some procedures may cost more than public hospitals which are subsidized by the government.
"But we do not require a down payment as a precondition to giving the patient the required medical treatment."

"Under these circumstances, it is still the choice of the patient to receive medical treatment.

"And yet, it is the strict policy of the hospital never to reject or to deny urgent medical attention to the patient whose condition is life threatening," the statement reads. It was signed by Dr. Nolan Pecho, FEU-NRMF's Chief Medical Officer.

Breast milk for baby Kamilla

On Facebook, John appealed to moms who can donate breast milk for his newborn daughter.

"Hihingi po sana ako ng konting tulong sa mga nanay na pwede po makapag donate ng breast milk para po sana kay baby Kamilla ko.

Those who would like to extend their help may reach John Bulatao at Banahaw Street, Brgy 183, Mt. Heights Subdivision, Caloocan City.  

What other parents are reading

How Breast Milk Promotes Healthy Brain Growth May Have Finally Been Explained

Hindi Mo Kailangang Punuin ang Freezer ng Breast Milk Pagbalik Mo sa Trabaho

Karel Marquez Donates Breast Milk to a Preemie Baby in Need

Moms, Your Breast Milk Can Tell You How Healthy You Are