https://www.facebook.com/641371655728095/

Neonate Ward - Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Hospital, Changzamtog, Thimphu (2026)

28/05/2026

𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬

As we stepped into May, we continued to send home our tiny fighters home hale and hearty.

By the time Phub Lham (in sky blue sweater) found out she was pregnant, she was already 23 weeks along. She had only attended two antenatal care visits when she went into preterm labour at 27 weeks and delivered a baby weighing just 1070 grams at Eusa Hospital in Phobjikha. The baby was airlifted immediately by the BEAR Team and reached our NICU within three hours. The baby promptly required surfactant treatment and remained on ventilator support for four days, after which she needed CPAP, HFNC, and oxygen support until six weeks of age. She also required two courses of paracetamol to close an extra blood vessel in the heart (patent ductus arteriosus). Remarkably, the baby reached full feeds within a week and steadily gained weight, doubling her birth weight to 2060 grams by two months of age, after which she went home without any major complication of prematurity.

Sangay Zangmo (in white tshirt) and her husband were pleasantly surprised to learn that they were expecting twins in their first pregnancy. However, she experienced a dreaded complication of multiple pregnancy—preterm labour—and delivered her twin babies at 30 weeks, weighing 1.8 kg and 1.39 kg. While both babies required CPAP and HFNC respiratory support, the first twin was off oxygen by nine days, whereas the second twin required oxygen for six weeks. Both went home with healthy weights of 2.3 kg and 2.5 kg. The babies' aunt (in brown top, standing) was the pillar of strength for the parents and a second mother to the babies throughout the NICU stay.

Phurpa Lhamo (in black polka dot top) approached her third pregnancy with caution, having had two previous second-trimester miscarriages. She developed intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and also received a cervical cerclage to preserve the pregnancy. However, she once again developed preterm labour and delivered her baby at 29 weeks, weighing 1.5 kg. Her baby required surfactant treatment for immature lungs and oxygen support for five weeks. The baby reached 2.4 kg when she went home at six weeks.

All three sets of parents were fully committed to caring for their babies, with their continuous presence at their babies’ sides, always hands-on in learning how to care for their preterm infants, and practising extended hours of kangaroo care for up to 16 hours a day. Their love and care, coupled with the babies’ fighting spirit, ensured healthy outcomes in all the above cases. We congratulate the parents for their triumphant NICU journeys and wish them all the very best raising their preterm babies.

28/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲: 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐚

Pema Wangmo presented to Dangdung hospital with extremely high blood pressure and was referred to JDWNRH. She was found to have pre-eclampsia with less blood flowing to her baby through the placenta. Therefore, she had to undergo C-section delivery at 30 weeks, delivering her baby with weight of 1.35 kg. We admitted the baby immediately to the NICU and since the baby’s lungs were so immature we had to put him on the ventilator for 3 days, after which we continued CPAP breathing support for another 2 weeks, then HFNC breathing support till 5 weeks. In total, the baby was on oxygen support for almost 2 months before being able to go home, having double his weight to 2.7 kg.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes a pregnant woman’s blood pressure to become too high and can damage organs like the liver and kidneys. For the mother, this can lead to serious problems such as seizures (called eclampsia), stroke, or bleeding issues. For the baby, the condition reduces blood flow through the placenta, which means less oxygen and nutrients. This can cause slow growth, low birth weight, or even early delivery. The good news is that healthcare workers check blood pressure and urine regularly during pregnancy to catch it early, and with proper care most mothers and babies do well.

Registering a pregnancy early - ideally in the first 1-2 months - is very important to help prevent or catch pre-eclampsia in time. When a mother registers pregnancy early, healthcare workers can measure your blood pressure and check your health before any problems start. They can spot risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney issues early on. For women at high risk, healthcare workers will recommend low-dose Aspirin, which has been shown to greatly lower the chances of developing pre-eclampsia. Early registration also means the mother will get regular check-ups throughout pregnancy, so if her blood pressure begins to rise, healthcare workers can act quickly – with medicine, rest, or early delivery if needed. Without early registration, pre-eclampsia can go unnoticed until it becomes severe, putting both mother and baby in danger. In short, the sooner you register, the sooner you can be monitored and protected.

Since August 2024, the Ministry of Health has rolled-out low-dose Aspirin as a way to prevent pre-eclampsia in women who are at high-risk of developing it. Low-dose Aspirin prevents prematurity and fetal growth restriction, thus improving outcomes for both mother and baby.

16/04/2026

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟑-𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬

First-time mother Ruchita and her husband Anuj were overjoyed to learn they were expecting twins. However, their Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist advised caution, as the twins shared a single placenta—known as monochorionic twins—a condition associated with complications rarely seen in dichorionic twins (who have separate placentas). Ruchita was enrolled in a high-risk pregnancy follow-up at the MFM twins’ clinic. Due to overdistension of the uterus, she experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24 weeks and was admitted for hospital management.

Over the next five weeks, meticulous ultrasound monitoring, vigilant checks for signs of infection, a completed course of steroids to accelerate the twins’ lung development, and regular assessments of their wellbeing allowed the pregnancy to continue. Ultimately, signs of infection prompted delivery at 29 weeks. The twins weighed just 1.23 kg and 1.4 kg at birth.

The first (and smaller) twin had extremely premature lungs, requiring ventilator support immediately after birth and four doses of surfactant within the first 12 hours. After six days on a ventilator, the baby was transitioned to CPAP, and then to high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) support after five weeks. The second (and larger) twin also had premature lungs, initially requiring CPAP and one dose of surfactant. However, on day three, a right lung air leak (pneumothorax) was detected, managed with a week of ventilator support and a chest tube for five days. This twin also required treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (an abnormal blood vessel connection). Both twins received antibiotics for maternal chorioamnionitis. While the first twin could not be weaned off oxygen and was discharged on home oxygen therapy with a concentrator, the second twin required oxygen support for six weeks.

After 88 days in the hospital—two weeks past their original due date—the twins were finally discharged home, each weighing a healthy 2.5 kg or more. Throughout their hospital stay, alongside the parents, it was their maternal grandmother who fed them, provided kangaroo care, offered early stimulation and oil massage, transitioned them to oral feeds, and later helped the mother with breastfeeding. After such a turbulent beginning, when each day felt touch-and-go, it was a miracle that both twins fought through their critical medical conditions and made it home healthy.

We wish the parents and family all the very best in raising their twins, knowing the journey remains delicate until the children are older and fully vaccinated. The twins will be followed up in our specialized high-risk newborn clinic until two years corrected age to ensure normal growth and development. Congratulations, Ruchita and Anuj.

𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

16/04/2026

𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

Every year, countless babies arrive too early, facing steep odds in their first weeks of life. The following stories follow three families through the terror, hope, and heartbreak of preterm birth—and celebrate the fragile strength of our smallest citizens.

Yangzom (first picture in gray hoodie) and her husband were terrified when she went into premature labour at 34 weeks. Their relief was immense when their baby weighed over two kilograms and could stay by her side – roomed-in rather than rushed to intensive care. But being a late preterm infant came with challenges: the baby struggled to breastfeed and soon developed low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), requiring admission to the NICU for feeding support and intravenous fluids. It took six days to wean her off the IV fluids, and another five before she was strong enough to go home.

Having lost a preterm baby before, Pema Yangzom (first picture in mask) and her husband were cautiously optimistic when they learned they were expecting twins. Their caution was justified: Pema had a known history of hypertension, making this a high-risk pregnancy. Under close surveillance by Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists, both twins were diagnosed with fetal growth restriction – a condition in which babies fall behind expected growth milestones. Pema also underwent a cervical cerclage, a procedure in which the cervix is stitched closed to prevent preterm birth. Yet despite the best available care, she delivered her twins at 28 weeks, each weighing just 900 grams. Both needed intensive breathing support and surfactant treatment for immature lungs. While the first twin made steady progress, the second could not be weaned from the ventilator and passed away after five weeks. The surviving twin required breathing support and oxygen for ten weeks and received treatment for infection, electrolyte imbalance, jaundice, and anemia. After eleven weeks in the NICU – and having doubled his birth weight to 1.8 kilograms – he was finally well enough to go home.

Tshering Tshomo (second picture) was diagnosed with placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta covers the outlet of the uterus. At 25 weeks, a threatened miscarriage put both mother and baby at grave risk. Due to worsening complications, she delivered at 32 weeks; her baby weighed 1.7 kilograms and needed breathing support and oxygen for nearly six weeks before being discharged at 2.4 kilograms.

Preterm babies are our smallest and most vulnerable citizens. Many maternal conditions increase the risk of preterm birth. Yet much of that risk can be safely reduced and effectively managed – by planning pregnancies, optimizing medical conditions before conception, registering the pregnancy early, attending all antenatal visits, consulting Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists and obstetricians for any medical or pregnancy concerns, and planning delivery in a hospital setting. These steps help ensure the best possible outcome for both mother and child.

(𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)

16/04/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞: 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

In the last two weeks, we continued discharging babies born earlier this year who required care in our newborn ICU. In today’s edition, we share the stories of four sets of parents.

Sonam Zangmo and her husband (first picture) were overjoyed to learn they were expecting twins. However, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists cautioned that she was carrying monochorionic twins—a pregnancy with higher risks—and placed them under close, frequent monitoring. As anticipated, a complication arose: fetal growth restriction, where one twin lagged behind the other. When continuing the pregnancy became life-threatening for the smaller twin, the specialists decided to deliver at 33 weeks. The larger twin weighed 1.5 kg, the smaller just 990 grams. The larger twin needed CPAP breathing support for only 2 days and IV fluids for 4 days. The smaller twin required CPAP for 2 weeks, treatment for infection, and had a slower growth trajectory. After 6 weeks, with the smaller twin now nearly 1.8 kg and the larger 2.7 kg, we were able to send them home together.

Purni Maya (second picture, standing, in black shirt), expecting her third child, had her water break at 30 weeks and went into preterm labour, delivering a baby just under 1.3 kg. Due to immature lungs, the baby needed CPAP support and oxygen for a full month. A dangerous bacterial infection required two weeks of antibiotics. Just as the infection came under control, the baby developed feeding intolerance and an intestinal infection, forcing us to withhold feeds for several days. These setbacks left the baby weak and anemic, requiring a blood transfusion. Yet this resilient baby overcame every challenge and went home at 6 weeks, weighing a healthy 1.8 kg.

Chumith Lepcha (second picture, in red checked shirt) had prayed to carry her third pregnancy to term—she had previously delivered a preterm baby who needed ICU care. But her worst fears came true when she went into preterm labour at 33 weeks. Her baby weighed only 1.2 kg, far below the expected 2 kg for that gestational age, due to symmetrical fetal growth restriction. After overcoming breathing difficulties with CPAP and HFNC support for 10 days, plus initial feeding intolerance, the baby achieved steady growth. This was thanks to mother’s milk and continuous kangaroo care provided by both parents—sometimes up to 18 hours a day. Within a month, the baby reached 1.8 kg and went home healthy.

Leela Maya’s (not in picture, husband in brown jacket) pregnancy was complicated by rising blood pressure, which restricted her baby’s growth in the womb. At 36 weeks, she delivered a baby weighing only 1.6 kg. With an aggressive feeding strategy, mother’s milk, both parents staying by the baby’s side, and kangaroo care exceeding 12 hours daily, the baby gained weight steadily and went home within two weeks, weighing more than 1.8 kg.

These stories highlight the vital role of both parents in the NICU—providing mother’s milk, practising kangaroo care as much as possible, and working closely with our nurses to help their babies overcome medical challenges. We share these accounts to honour their immense sacrifices, resilience, and love, while also underscoring key public health messages: pregnancy planning, early registration of pregnancy, timely antenatal checkups, hospital delivery, and adequate postnatal care. We wish all these families a happy and healthy future ahead for their precious babies.

(𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)

26/03/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬!

As we stepped into March, we were able to send some more babies home after a tumultuous time in the NICU. Yet even in the midst of the intense pressure and uncertainly, moments arise that reaffirm our purpose – why we do what we do. Today, we’re honoured to share five more extraordinary stories of babies and their parents who beat the odds and went home hale and hearty.

A first-time mother, Sangay Tshomo (wearing white sweater with black stripes) was diligently attending all the antenatal care visits when she developed a dreaded complication of premature rupture of membranes. Under antibiotic cover she was put on close monitoring by the Obstetric team as she took injections to accelerate her baby’s lung maturity. However, at 32 weeks she had to undergo emergency C-section as her baby showed signs of fetal compromise. The baby weighed a healthy 1.55 kg, required CPAP breathing support for only 3 days, antibiotic cover for 5 days, and IV fluids for 4 days. After 3 weeks the baby reached an impressive 1.75 kg and was discharged home.

Rita Chhetri (wearing grey pullover) was carrying twins in her 2nd pregnancy. While she too was diligently following up with all her antenatal care visits, she developed one of the complications of carrying twins – preterm labour due to overdistension of the uterus. She was referred from remote Bara PHC to Samtse hospital, and then to JDWNRH since babies would require NICU care. Her twins were delivered at 31 weeks and weighted 1.46 kg and 1.41 kg. Both babies required CPAP breathing support for 9 and 14 days respectively. Both twins also developed feeding intolerance, one of the known complications in preterm babies; therefore, it took almost 2 weeks to reach full feeds and stop IV fluids. After 33 days, we were able to send them home weighing 1.925 kg and 1.81 kg respectively.

Leki Choden (wearing black and white dress) had to undergo an emergency C-section at 31 weeks as she went into preterm labour and had past history of C-section. The baby weighed only 1.4 kg and required intensive treatment for immature lungs (surfactant therapy) right after birth. Miraculously, the baby was off CPAP breathing support by the 4th day, and reached full feeds the next day. Without any other major complications, the baby went home after 33 days weighing 1.85 kg.

Namgay Pemo (wearing black jacket) had not even realized that she was pregnant when she came to hospital for severe abdominal pain. Not only was her pregnancy diagnosed, she was also found to have pre-eclampsia, a serious complication which leads to high blood pressure, kidney and liver damage, seizures, growth restriction in babies, as well as abortion/stillbirth. Namgay’s abdominal pain was due to bleeding before birth (antepartum hemorrhage) due to which she delivered a preterm baby at 31 weeks weighing 1.7 kg. The baby required CPAP breathing support for 3 days and reached full feeds within 5 days. After 18 days we sent the baby home weighing 1.9 kg and breastfeeding well.

In her 3rd pregnancy this time around, Nim Lhamo (pictured with her mother and older son) was careful to attend all her scheduled antenatal care visits because of a past miscarriage. However, she unexpectedly went into preterm labour and presented to Paro hospital. She was expeditiously referred to JDWNRH where she made it just in time to deliver her baby at 31 weeks weighing 1.7 kg. Although the baby was off CPAP support within 3 days, due to immature lungs she developed chronic lung disease of prematurity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) which led to a prolonged requirement of oxygen and hospital stay of almost 6 weeks. We sent her home weighing a healthy 2.7 kg.

These narratives go beyond marking milestones; they reveal the true nature of premature birth, the strength it demands, and maternal health's enduring influence. They underscore what is essential: preconception counseling, steady antenatal care, expert consultation with Maternal-Fetal Medicine for complex pregnancies, delivering in a hospital, and holistic support for every mother. Because every single child deserves the strongest start in life.

24/03/2026

"𝐀 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥" - 𝐃𝐫.𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐬' 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 '𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐡𝐨!"

The last few months in our Neonatal ICU have been nothing short of a whirlwind. We’ve seen a surge in admissions – so many of them preterm – along with an unprecedented number of twins. But amid the intensity, there are moments that remind us why we do what we do. Today, we’re honoured to share four remarkable stories of babies who defied the odds and went home in February:

1. Gonka Om (baby with pink hat) suffered from a dangerous complication of pregnancy known as Pre-Eclampsia, which leads to high blood pressure, kidney and liver damage, seizures, growth restriction in babies, as well as abortion/stillbirth. In order to save herself and her baby, Obstetricians had to deliver the baby at 29 weeks weighing a mere 940 grams. Due to severely premature lungs, the baby required surfactant treatment, ventilation, and oxygen support for almost 2 months. The baby also required treatment for patent ductus arteriosus and infection, but overcame these medical conditions and went home after 9 weeks with a healthy weight of 1.75 kg.

2. Dawa Dema (baby wearing white frock and brown hat) gave birth prematurely at 29 weeks due to placental abruption (a condition where the placenta gets detached from the uterus before birth) with weight of 1.45 kg. As a result, her baby was born with immature lungs requiring surfactant treatment, ventilation, and prolonged oxygen treatment for 2 months. We were finally able to discharge the baby at a healthy weight of 2.78 kg.

3. Dorji Lhamo (baby in pink blanket) suffered from preterm premature rupture of membranes at 27 weeks, a dangerous condition where amniotic fluid surrounding the baby gets drained out leading to underdeveloped lungs and potentially risking infection. Under antibiotic cover she delivered a preterm baby at 28 weeks weighing just 1.16 kg. Due to immature lungs the baby required CPAP and oxygen treatment for more than a month, before going home after 7 weeks weighing a healthy 1.8 kg.

4. Choki Wangmo (baby in brown blanket) developed high blood pressure during pregnancy which led to growth restriction in her baby, potentially risking abortion. Hailing from remote Dhur in Bumthang, she traveled to Thimphu to sought consultation from Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists who helped prolong her pregnancy till 34 weeks with her baby weighing 1.4 kg. As a result of this meticulous monitoring and prolongation of pregnancy, the baby required just 3 days of oxygen support, and reached full feeds within 2 days, underscoring the importance of timely referral of complicated pregnancies to Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists for optimization of care.

These stories are more than milestones. They’re windows into the reality of premature birth, the resilience it demands, and the lifelong impact of maternal health. They remind us of what’s non-negotiable: preconception counseling, consistent antenatal care, timely consultation with Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists for complicated pregnancies, delivering in a hospital, and surrounding every mother with holistic support. Because every child – every single one – deserves the strongest possible start.

18/01/2026

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐬: 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

This past week, we celebrated the long-awaited homecoming of some of our tiniest warriors, whose journeys in the NICU were nothing short of legendary.

For first-time parents Dorji Peldon and Sangay, the joy of expecting twins was shadowed when they learned their pregnancy was Monochorionic Monoamniotic - a rare condition, occurring in only about 1 in 10,000 pregnancies, where twins share both a placenta and an amniotic sac. When Dorji went into preterm labor - a known risk with twin pregnancies—she delivered at 29 weeks. Their babies weighed just 1090 and 1130 grams. While the first twin required immediate surfactant treatment for underdeveloped lungs, the second remained stable for three days. Tragically, on the fourth day, an infection took away the second twin. Heartbroken but resilient, the parents poured their love and strength into caring for their surviving child. After two months - marked by challenges with breathing and feeding due to prematurity - their first twin grew strong enough to go home, weighing a healthy 2045 grams.

Tshering Lham and Ugyen approached their twin pregnancy with cautious hope. Their eight-year-old son (seated in between the twins) had been born at 27 weeks weighing only one kilogram necessitating a 3-month NICU stay, and another stint in the NICU was the last thing they wished for. Yet, at 24 weeks, Tshering again went into preterm labor. With careful support from the Obstetric Team, she carried her pregnancy to 26 weeks, delivering twins weighing 925 and 890 grams. The infants faced nearly every challenge of extreme prematurity: immature lungs needing prolonged breathing support, infections, anemia requiring transfusions, feeding difficulties, heart and kidney issues, chronic lung disease, and retinopathy needing laser treatment. Through it all, Tshering, Ugyen, and Tshering’s mother formed a steadfast trio of care and courage. After 92 days in our NICU, both twins finally went home, each weighing over two kilograms.

We rejoice with both families as they begin life at home with their babies, and we extend our warmest wishes for continued health and growth. We salute the indomitable spirit of these little fighters and the unwavering resilience of their parents. This success was woven together by the parents’ profound love and sacrifice, the remarkable healing gift of mother’s milk, the nurturing magic of Kangaroo Care, and the dedicated, gentle support of our NICU team.

16/12/2025

𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

A few days ago, in a moment bittersweet for both parents and caregivers, we said farewell to a special group of fighters: our preterm babies, who after months in our care, were finally strong enough to go home. Each of their journeys highlights the fragility and incredible resilience of new life, and the critical importance of maternal health.

Som Maya’s Story (in light brown jacket): After years of struggling to conceive, Som Maya and her husband welcomed twins via IVF done in India. Despite careful antenatal care, her twin pregnancy led to preterm labor at just 26 weeks. Born weighing only 820 and 910 grams, their lungs were severely underdeveloped, requiring immediate surfactant treatment. Tragically, sepsis claimed their second twin – a heartbreaking loss for the parents as well us in the NICU. The first twin faced a gauntlet of prematurity: necrotizing enterocolitis, anemia, feed intolerance, and chronic lung disease of prematurity. Yet, with unwavering strength and relentless care from her mother, she braved every challenge. After two and a half months in our NICU, she went home a healthy 1.89 kg.

Thinley Chezom’s Story (in pink jacket): Overjoyed with their first pregnancy, Thinley and her husband were diligent with all the requisite antenatal visits. Yet, at 27 weeks, she delivered a baby girl weighing just 1 kg. The baby’s premature lungs required urgent surfactant treatment and, later, two separate rounds on a ventilator for apnea (a condition in preterm babies where they apparently forget to breathe) and pneumonia. With severely damaged lungs, he needed oxygen support for three months, alongside treatment for anemia, jaundice, and heart complications. After 95 days of a courageous fight, he graduated from our NICU, also weighing a robust 1.89 kg.

Yeshi’s Story (blue jacket): Yeshi conceived after 16 years of marriage, but at 32 weeks, her baby arrived early. Weighing 1.87 kg, the newborn required oxygen for 9 days as we carefully escalated feeds and trained the parents in specialized care of their preterm baby. After a 16-day stay in the NICU, the family went home with their baby, whose weight had climbed to a healthy 2.015 kg—a testament to dedicated care by the parents and our team.

Sonam Dema’s Story (baby held by niece in black jacket): Sonam Dema’s baby was delivered near her due date but weighed only 1.59 kg due to fetal growth restriction. We determined the cause to be the mother’s alcohol use during pregnancy, which led to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This condition carries lifelong implications for growth and development. While her NICU stay was less medically complex, her path forward requires vigilant follow-up. She was discharged after 34 days at 1.91 kg, but her story is a sobering reminder of alcohol’s devastating impact on an unborn child.

These stories are shared not just as milestones, but as powerful lessons. They underscore the realities of premature birth, the lifelong journey it can begin, and the profound effects of maternal health choices. They highlight the non-negotiable importance of preconception counseling, consistent antenatal care, hospital delivery, and holistic care for every expectant mother. Every child deserves the strongest possible start.

03/11/2025

“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧.” – 𝐀 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

When Karma Tshomo welcomed a new pregnancy after a previous loss, she did everything in her power to protect it. However, fate had other plans - she went into spontaneous preterm labour and delivered at 26 weeks – the limit of viability in Bhutan. Her son entered the world weighing a mere kilogram, his lungs so fragile he was immediately rushed to the NICU. He was placed on a ventilator and given surfactant treatment, but his underdeveloped lungs were not yet ready for the world. He endured multiple bleeds from the lungs, requiring numerous blood transfusions.

After two weeks, he was off the ventilator, only to be put back on two weeks later by severe apnea—a terrifying condition where preterm babies seemingly “forget” to breathe because of underdeveloped brain connections which normally stimulate breathing. In between he went to the brink of death requiring extensive resuscitation to bring him back.

Being born with such underdeveloped lungs and the prolonged breathing support his lungs needed resulted in chronic lung disease of prematurity, akin to what afflicts elderly people and long-time smokers. For three long months, he relied on oxygen support, before we could finally stop it. After spending more than three days breathing completely on his own, we discharged this tiny fighter into his mother's arms—coincidentally, just one day before his original due date. He weighed a triumphant 3 kilograms, minus a symbolic 5 grams – a healthy outcome despite of the arduous journey he had undertaken.

Karma joked through a beaming, relieved smile that she was finally taking her baby home, a day before he was even meant to arrive. Her son’s journey is not over; he will need close follow-up for two years to ensure he grows, meets his milestones, is able to see and hear well, and stays healthy. We celebrate Karma and her husband, whose resilience never wavered, their unwavering courage to hang in there with their baby, and we salute the tremendous fighting spirit of their tiny baby.

Neonate Ward - Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Hospital

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

26/03/2026

24/03/2026

18/01/2026

16/12/2025

03/11/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category