Hyderabad, 21st October 2026: Doctors at Yashoda Hospitals, Malakpet, took on a complex case involving a woman in her late 30s whose pregnancy was complicated by childhood-onset polio, severe spinal curvature (kyphoscoliosis), restrictive lung disease, and moderate pulmonary hypertension. With multiple conditions posing significant risks to both mother and baby, her care demanded exceptional expertise and meticulous planning.
Pregnancy places extra demands on the lungs and heart. For a woman whose chest cannot expand fully and whose lungs already work under strain, these demands can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood, a condition known as type II respiratory failure. Such combinations are uncommon, and each case needs an individual plan.
At around 34 weeks, the patient was admitted with breathlessness. A team of obstetricians, pulmonologists, cardiologists, anaesthetists and neonatologists reviewed her together. She received non-invasive breathing support and intensive care monitoring. After a thorough pre-anaesthetic evaluation, a planned caesarean section was performed under regional anaesthesia, avoiding the risks of general anaesthesia on compromised lungs.
The baby, born late preterm and of low birth weight, developed respiratory distress syndrome, which is common in babies born before full term. The newborn was shifted to the neonatal ICU and supported with non-invasive CPAP. As the breathing difficulty eased, support was gradually withdrawn and the baby was maintaining oxygen levels without assistance. The mother & baby were later discharged in a stable condition with home oxygen, night-time breathing support and follow-up with her specialists.
“Women with long-standing spine and lung conditions can and do become pregnant, but they need specialist attention well before delivery,” said Dr. Jyothsna M V, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. “Early involvement of the lung and cardiology teams, careful timing of delivery, and the right choice of anaesthesia can reduce risks for both mother and baby. Pregnancy planning and regular antenatal review matter greatly in such situations.”
Dr. Satyapriya Sahoo, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad added: “Babies born even a few weeks early may need breathing support. When the neonatal team is present at delivery and treatment starts quickly, many babies improve in a matter of days. Follow-up after discharge, including growth, hearing, eye and developmental checks, remains very important for every preterm baby.”
This case shows why women living with long-standing lung, heart or spine conditions need early planning when they are expecting. With the right guidance and specialist support, a pregnancy can be prepared for well. Speaking to a specialist before conceiving helps the care team get ready in advance. Regular antenatal visits allow problems to be caught in good time, and breathlessness during pregnancy should never be ignored or put down to “normal” discomfort. For babies born early, care does not end at discharge. Growth, hearing, eye and developmental check-ups in the months that follow are an important part of giving every preterm baby a healthy start.