How pregnant woman, baby died because husband refused C-section
Man shares experiences of pregnant women at the hospital.
A Nigerian woman has sparked online conversations about maternal health, medical consent, and gender roles in healthcare after sharing her harrowing experience from a local hospital where she witnessed two tragic maternity-related deaths in just a few days.
In a post that has since gained traction on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the user revealed that she was at the hospital for a minor fever when she witnessed two separate but eerily similar incidents — both involving pregnant women who were advised by doctors to undergo a caesarean section (CS), but whose husbands refused consent.
First Incident: Delayed Consent, Fatal Outcome
According to her account, the first tragedy occurred when a doctor recommended a CS procedure due to the woman’s condition. However, the husband declined, insisting that since her due date was just two days away, they should wait. He took his wife home — only to return later with her bleeding profusely.
Despite being rushed in for surgery, the woman tragically did not survive. The status of the unborn child remains unknown. Hospital staff and other patients were reportedly shaken by the outcome, and there was visible tension surrounding the man’s initial refusal.
Second Incident: Baby Dies in the Womb
In the second case, another pregnant woman was similarly advised to undergo a CS, but the husband again refused. Tragically, the delay led to the death of the unborn baby in the womb. Doctors eventually had to carry out a CS to extract the lifeless infant.
Medical Consent Laws and Ethical Dilemma
These incidents highlight a recurring ethical and medical dilemma in parts of Nigeria, where some hospitals still require spousal consent before major surgical procedures — even in emergency situations.
Healthcare professionals at the facility, particularly nurses, were described as visibly distressed, with many lamenting the fact that they were legally unable to act without the husbands’ approval, despite clear medical risk.
Public Reaction and Call for Reform
The emotionally charged story has triggered widespread debate on social media. Many users are calling for urgent health policy reforms, especially in relation to emergency obstetric care. There is growing advocacy for women’s autonomy over their healthcare decisions, particularly when delays can result in preventable maternal or infant deaths.