By KPC Reporter
Agness Atieno cradles her newborn, nicknamed ‘Baby Miracle,’ with disbelief and deep gratitude.
In her arms is a child who defied biology—surviving an abdominal ectopic pregnancy, a rare and life-threatening condition where a foetus develops outside the uterus.
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For eight months, the baby grew among Atieno’s internal organs rather than within the womb.
Last week, a high-risk surgery at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) ensured both mother and child survived against staggering odds.
The delivery was anything but routine. Doctors found the placenta had attached itself to major abdominal blood vessels and the intestines, creating a high risk of fatal bleeding.
To save the mother’s life, surgeons delivered the baby but left the placenta inside to be naturally reabsorbed—a rare and complex decision reserved for extreme cases.
The success followed a tightly coordinated, multidisciplinary effort. Sonographers first detected the abnormality, prompting intervention led by Maternal-Foetal Medicine specialist Dr. Kays Muruka.
“This baby grew by chance,” Dr. Muruka said, underscoring the gravity of the case.
He urged expectant mothers to seek ultrasound services in the first trimester to detect such high-risk pregnancies early, noting that many are often fatal.
The life-saving operation was carried out by a veteran surgical team led by Dr. Gabriel Eliazaro and Dr. Owila Edward, supported by anaesthetists and nurses.
For Atieno, a mother of two teenagers aged 15 and 16, the journey to Ward Six was marked by confusion—and determination.
“I started experiencing what I believed were normal monthly periods in August,” she recalled.
“When a doctor later told me I was pregnant, I was shocked. He advised that the pregnancy was too risky and suggested termination, but I firmly refused.”
She sought a second opinion and was placed on medication, but the pregnancy remained turbulent.
During a trip, she fell ill and was told at a local facility that the baby had died.
Heartbroken, she returned home—only for a Community Health Promoter to detect signs of life during a routine visit.
“The baby suddenly started kicking during a follow-up examination, which surprised the medical team,” she said.
Referred to JOOTRH, doctors confirmed the pregnancy was developing in the abdominal cavity. She was stabilized, counselled, and rushed into emergency surgery at 3:00 PM.
“When I came to, I was overjoyed to find that I had a baby. I am so grateful to the team at JOOTRH. The care and cleanliness here have been excellent,” she said.
Born at 38 weeks, ‘Baby Miracle’ is now receiving specialized care in the Newborn Unit for a fever, as Atieno recovers in Ward Six.
“I haven’t given him an official name yet,” she said with a smile.
“For now, we just call him ‘Miracle Baby,’ because he truly deserves it.”
Editor’s note: This story was first published by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
