By Nicholas Fogelson, M.D. and Chukwuma Onyeije, M.D.

Early reports described the story of Tracy Hermanstorfer as a “Christmas Miracle”. It has also been described as  inspiring, heartwarming, and “wonderfully appropriate for the season.” Others have referred to her saga as a nightmare with a happy ending.

On Christmas Eve 2009, Ms. Hermanstorfer was admitted to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Spring, Colorado after her water broke.  Ms. Hermanstorfer suffered a cardiac arrest during labor with her child Colton.  After immediate resuscitative efforts failed, nearby Maternal Fetal Medicine physician (Dr Stephanie Martin) performed an emergency cesarean section.  In the minutes following the delivery, Ms Hermanstorfer regained circulation and breathing, and is now doing well. Her infant also went on to survive and is apparently well…

The case of Tracy and Colton Hermanstorfer continues to baffle and amaze those who learn about it.

Over at the academicobgyn.com website, Dr. Fogelson and I review the case and provide our ideas regarding the possible causes for this miracle.  Do you agree with our assessment?  Is there anything we forgot?

You can read the full article at : http://academicobgyn.com/2010/01/10/an-obstetrical-analysis-of-the-christmas-miracle/

Thanks!

Posted via web from onyeije’s posterous