Local News

The Ministry of Health today issued a press release in connection with the pregnancy case of a Corozal woman who delivered at the Northern Regional Hospital.  According to the initial findings by the Ministry of Health the patient, Michel Gonzalez was diagnosed with twenty three weeks gestational age by a medical officer at the Corozal Community Hospital on July 2.  The officer asked that an ultrasound be performed. 

On the 15^th August, Gonzalez presented an ultrasound which was performed at a facility in Chetumal, Mexico which suggested twin pregnancy and an expected delivery date of September 3. 

At that point she was re-evaluated at CCH and diagnosed with twin pregnancy and also high risk due to blood pressure complications.  Gonzalez was then referred to the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town.  On her next visit on August 20 at the NRH, she was assessed and informed that she was with twin pregnancy at 38 weeks gestational age by a second ultrasound which was privately performed. 

Gonzalez was then advised to do a C-Section on 3^rd September.  She attended prenatal clinic twice thereafter and was again assessed at the CCH with the same diagnosis.  On the 3^rd September Gonzalez was seen, evaluated and booked for her C-Section at the NRH.  She gave birth on September 4 to a single male fetus under normal conditions. 

According to the release it was only until then that the doctors discovered that it wasn’t a twin but a single pregnancy.  Gonzalez was immediately informed by the surgical team which comprised of one obstetrician, two pediatricians, one anesthesiologist, one medical officer, one operating room nurse, one certified registered nurse anesthetist and one circulating nurse. 

The release goes on to say that Gonzalez was given reassurance during her recovery in the maternity ward and offered counseling before being discharged on the 6^th September because of her grief since her expectation was not met. 

The release informs that ultrasounds like many other imaging diagnostic tests may have limitations and in the case of pregnancy, the older the gestational age, the higher the probability of error in determining fetal growth and development.  The Ministry of Health says its main concern remains the health and wellness of the mother and her new baby and they will continue the investigation in order to better counsel the mother and her family. 

Love News contacted several radiologists for opinions but although we were declined interviews, we understand from a professional that ultrasounds are not always accurate.  We were informed that if the ultrasound is done early in the pregnancy and twins are diagnosed, there are chances that a woman can miscarry and one of the babies is absorbed by the body.  It is also possible for the ultrasounds to have been erroneous the same way in which a woman may be diagnosed with a single pregnancy only to find out at delivery that she is having twins.