Manvi’s urgent flight to NICU
Manvi never expected that, at 34 weeks, her pregnancy would take a turn for the worse.
Manvi never expected that, at 34 weeks, her pregnancy would take a turn for the worse.
She also never expected to welcome her daughter into the world in another city.
“Things moved so quickly that day, but one thing is certain – I couldn’t have done it without the New Zealand Flying Doctors,” Manvi says.
It was Sunday, 10 August, when Manvi was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and admitted to Christchurch Hospital to monitor her rising blood pressure.
“I was on the maximum levels of medication possible, but my blood pressure would not come down. They started to think I would have to deliver my baby early.”
The problem was, there was no room in Christchurch Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Doctors knew that if the baby arrived, NICU would be required.
“They told me there was a space in the Dunedin Hospital NICU and they wanted to fly me there. It was scary, going to another city and potentially delivering my baby by myself.”
On 14 August at 2.30 pm, Manvi and her husband Gurjeet were told they were sending Manvi to Dunedin.
Just two hours later Manvi was on the New Zealand Flying Doctor plane. They decided that Gurjeet would stay in Christchurch with their two-year-old daughter Gulnaz and would drive to Dunedin when they knew a little more.
They didn’t know then what was about to happen.
“On the flight my blood pressure got even worse. Everything felt so overwhelming but the incredible midwife, nurse and pilots on board were so calm, supportive and reassuring”
By 9.30 pm that night, Manvi had delivered her baby girl Fiza by emergency caesarean section.
Gurjeet arrived in Dunedin at 2 am the next morning.
“Thanks to the swift response and compassionate care of the New Zealand Flying Doctor service, I made it safely to Dunedin where I could welcome my precious daughter into the world.”
Manvi and Fiza spent two weeks in Dunedin Hospital before returning home to Christchurch.
Today, Fiza is happy and healthy, putting on weight and hitting all her milestones. Gulnaz loves being a big sister.
“That last minute flight to Dunedin was unexpected and nerve-wracking, but it was the right thing to do. My daughter is here, safe and well.”
Manvi says she is so grateful to the New Zealand Flying Doctor team.
“The New Zealand Flying Doctor Service gave me such exceptional care and support during one of the most challenging times of my life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being there when we needed you the most. You are truly life savers and absolute gems!”