Brain-dead mother gives birth and saves lives through organ donation

New Delhi: A tragic turn of events unfolded for the family of 38-year-old Ashita Chandak when she suffered a brain stroke on Feb 7, during the eighth month of pregnancy. She was admitted to the hospital with severe brain damage and was kept on ventilator support to facilitate a pre-mature caesarean delivery of a baby girl, who now remains in ICU on ventilator support.

On Feb 13, after medical professionals determined there was no chance of recovery, Ashita was pronounced brain dead. The doctors approached her family for organ donation, to which they agreed. Subsequently, the medical team harvested both kidneys, liver, and corneas for transplantation procedures.

In conversation with TOI, Ashita's father-in-law, Rajesh Rampal, recounted that on Feb 7, Ashita, employed as a customer support manager at a private firm, experienced a sudden brain stroke during her eighth month of pregnancy. Upon rushing to Artemis Hospital, she suffered a cardiac arrest.

Despite administering CPR, she remained unconscious. Medical staff placed her on ventilator support and recommended an immediate caesarean section. The baby girl was delivered that day but required ventilator support as well.

Rampal mentioned this was her first pregnancy after six years of marriage to Rajul Rampal, a business development executive.

Brain death refers to the irreversible loss of brain functions, which must be certified by a team of experts as per the law. Once the patient is declared brain dead, multiple organs and tissues can be harvested, including the heart, kidney, liver, and pancreas, among others. However, the heart can be donated up to the age of 55-60 years only.