One evening, in my 33rd week of pregnancy, I started to feel a stabbing pain under my ribs on the right. The pain didn’t stop after an hour, so I went to the emergency room at the hospital in Kladno, where they immediately took me to the delivery room and performed a cesarean section. Then I only remember that the paramedics were taking me somewhere else. I only later learned that it was to the U Apolináře hospital, where I underwent surgery for bleeding into the abdominal cavity. I also remember another short ambulance ride, after which I woke up in the emergency medicine department at the VFN. I spent 14 days there, where I underwent several cycles of plasmapheresis and dialysis. During my stay, I was selected for biological treatment, which I still use today.

Two weeks later, I was transferred to the postpartum ward at the U Apolináře hospital, and the next day my daughter Eliška, who had been in the premature babies ward in Kladno until then, was also brought in. They took very good care of us at Apolinář and released us the day before Christmas, so we were able to spend Eliščina’s first Christmas Eve at home. I have only had good experiences with the staff at Apolinář and the VFN as such.

Thanks to their care, I am still here and can enjoy life with my family. Although the birth of our daughter was not entirely standard and the complications associated with the birth were quite serious, no one scared me and everyone approached me with a calmness that I appreciate. I would like to thank everyone who took care of me.

Petra Hladká

Together with my nephrologist colleagues, we coordinated the care of my mother, who had a life-threatening condition, atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. This genetically determined disorder involves inadequate immune processes that can lead to serious damage to numerous organs. Thanks to excellent cooperation, we managed to save her life, and she will also avoid long-term consequences.

doc. MUDr. Michal Koucký, Ph.D., head physician of the maternity hospital