Woman in labor survives 107 blood transfusions

Mother, 27, and twins survive what doctors called a "miracle," after birth in 27th week of pregnancy.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
preemie family 311 (photo credit: HIllel Yaffe)
preemie family 311
(photo credit: HIllel Yaffe)
A 27-year-old Zichron Ya’acov woman gave birth prematurely to twins in her 27th week of pregnancy and had to receive 107 pints of blood and its components at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera after a cesarean section.
In what doctors said was a “miracle,” both she and her twins survived and are doing well.
Iris Oringer discovered that her waters broke; she was rushed to the hospital for a cesarean (on her birthday) and found she suffered from an infection as well. But her uterus was unable to contract, and she suffered from massive bleeding.
In addition to the large number of transfusions, she also received the very expensive Factor 7 to promote clotting of her blood.
Prof. Motti Helek, head of obstetrics/gynecology and an expert in high-risk pregnancies, said he had done all he could to keep the pregnancy going as long as possible, but the sudden leak of amniotic fluid made it impossible.
The discovery of the infection created a dramatic situation in which the fetuses had to be removed immediately.
Nearly every relevant expert at Hillel Yaffe, including neonatologists to care for the tiny infants, were on the scene. The 107 transfusions were more than they could remember having been given at the hospital.
The team succeeded in stabilizing Oringer, and she was sent to intensive care, Within a few days, she recovered well and was moved to obstetrics.
Ten days later, she sits in the neonatal intensive care unit with her wins. Still looking a little pale, she said on Wednesday: “It’s hard to believe that my entire blood capacity was replaced and I am still here. It was not the gift I expected, but the team clearly gave me my life back. I’m just waiting for the twins to get stronger and to take them home.”
Helek said it was a privilege to see the complex teamwork end in the saving of the mother and her babies.