Phoenix Woman in Hacienda Arizona Nursing Home Delivers Baby While in Vegetative State, Despite being in Coma for 14 Years - Leading Arizona Obstetrician Discusses Unusual Nature of the Pregnancy ...

MESA, Ariz., Jan. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A woman delivered a newborn baby unexpectedly this weekend in a Phoenix nursing home despite being in a vegetative state for over 14 years.  Dr. Greg J. Marchand MD, a leading Arizona Obstetricians discussed the delivery with CBS news, including the very unusual scenario of caring for the pregnancy of a mother who is in a vegetative state.  Dr. Marchand discusses all aspects of this type of high-risk pregnancy, from discussing the abuse of this helpless patient to the unusual delivery of a woman who is unable to communicate or push. 

"Being in a vegetative state is very different from being in a coma or being brain dead," said Dr. Marchand.  "This is a woman who can feel pain but can't communicate with the outside world.  The delivery of someone is in a vegetative state requires a great deal of monitoring, as well as a special type of delivery called an 'assisted second stage.'  This requires a special vacuum device to literally suck the baby out of the uterus because the mother is unable to push."

Dr. Marchand also commented on the very strange series of events that led to a medical staff at the hospital failing to identify a patient's pregnancy even in the third trimester.  "It's disturbing and difficult to explain," said Dr. Marchand, "In all but the most morbidly obese patients pregnancy is quite obvious by the third trimester, and should be especially so to anyone with any kind of medical training.  It is very unfortunate that the pregnancy was not recognized, as this led to a very risky situation. A delivery of an infant to a mother in a vegetative state requires intensive monitoring to be performed safely.  Without this monitoring it is a miracle that the baby survived uninjured."

Dr. Marchand is available for interview to discuss the physiology of this high risk pregnancy.  For more information about Dr. Marchand, his surgical techniques and his research please visit or contact Maria Sainz at (480)695-5211.

To see the Fox News video and print coverage involving Dr. Marchand please visit:

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SOURCE Marchand OBGYN PLLC