29-Week Pregnant Woman Suffers Brain Tumor Hemorrhage, Endures Pain to Protect Fetus; Taipei Veterans Hospital's 30-Member Medical Team Saves Both
A 29-week pregnant woman in Taiwan suffered a brain tumor hemorrhage but endured severe pain to protect her unborn child. A 30-member cross-disciplinary medical team at Taipei Veterans General Hospital successfully performed emergency surgery, delivering the baby and removing the tumor, resulting in a safe outcome for both mother and infant.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:43 (5h 13m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 13, 2026 at 09:46 (9h 3m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 12th) On Monday morning, as most people were preparing to start their busy week, over 30 cross-disciplinary medical staff had already gathered in the operating room of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, uniting to save a 29-week pregnant woman who was enduring intense pain from a brain tumor to protect her unborn child. Ultimately, both mother and baby survived, turning crisis into miracle.
The story began late last Friday night. Dr. Chen Wei-ming,院长 of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, shared via message today that a young expectant mother, 29 weeks pregnant, visited the emergency department due to severe headaches. After an MRI scan, she was diagnosed with a recurrent brain tumor accompanied by hemorrhage. Over the weekend, her headaches worsened progressively, accompanied by unilateral limb weakness, nausea, vomiting, and gradually impaired consciousness.
Despite enduring excruciating pain in bed, her only thought was: 'Let the baby stay in my womb one more minute—every extra minute means greater maturity.' Hoping to reduce complications associated with premature birth, she could not use standard intracranial pressure-lowering medications, relying instead on minimal steroid support.
Driven by this unwavering 'unstoppable maternal love,' she held on until the operating room doors opened on Monday morning. Around 7 a.m., more than 30 medical professionals from various departments—including anesthesiology, obstetrics, neonatology, and neurosurgery—gathered, holding their breath in anticipation.
Previously independent specialty teams worked in tight coordination and calm response. When a faint yet powerful 'Wah!' finally echoed from the operating room, neonatal intensive care unit director Dr. Tsao Pei-chen examined the newborn and announced: 'Good! No intubation needed.' The tense atmosphere eased slightly as five pediatricians immediately transported the infant in an incubator to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Once the baby’s safety was confirmed, the anesthesiology team instantly switched from obstetric anesthesia to neuro-anesthesia for high intracranial pressure. Previously avoided potent drugs, due to fetal concerns, were now fully deployed to stabilize the mother’s heart rate and blood pressure. The life-saving operation for the mother continued until around 1 p.m., concluding with complete removal of the hemorrhaged tumor and scalp suturing.
One week after surgery, Dr. Chen Wei-ming reported that the 30-something young mother can now walk independently, speak and laugh naturally, repeatedly expressing gratitude to the medical staff. She has been transferred out of intensive care, practicing mobility exercises, and met her baby yesterday.
'In my heart, Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the best hospital in the world,' said Dr. Chen. The collaboration across four teams throughout the weekend, the medical staff’s tireless dedication, sweat, tears, and professional commitment, intertwined with the mother’s courage, together created this most moving miracle of life. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150612
Stand with the truth—your support safeguards press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First News' app to instantly access the latest updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
(CNA reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 12th) On Monday morning, as most people were preparing to start their busy week, over 30 cross-disciplinary medical staff had already gathered in the operating room of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, uniting to save a 29-week pregnant woman who was enduring intense pain from a brain tumor to protect her unborn child. Ultimately, both mother and baby survived, turning crisis into miracle.
The story began late last Friday night. Dr. Chen Wei-ming,院长 of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, shared via message today that a young expectant mother, 29 weeks pregnant, visited the emergency department due to severe headaches. After an MRI scan, she was diagnosed with a recurrent brain tumor accompanied by hemorrhage. Over the weekend, her headaches worsened progressively, accompanied by unilateral limb weakness, nausea, vomiting, and gradually impaired consciousness.
Despite enduring excruciating pain in bed, her only thought was: 'Let the baby stay in my womb one more minute—every extra minute means greater maturity.' Hoping to reduce complications associated with premature birth, she could not use standard intracranial pressure-lowering medications, relying instead on minimal steroid support.
Driven by this unwavering 'unstoppable maternal love,' she held on until the operating room doors opened on Monday morning. Around 7 a.m., more than 30 medical professionals from various departments—including anesthesiology, obstetrics, neonatology, and neurosurgery—gathered, holding their breath in anticipation.
Previously independent specialty teams worked in tight coordination and calm response. When a faint yet powerful 'Wah!' finally echoed from the operating room, neonatal intensive care unit director Dr. Tsao Pei-chen examined the newborn and announced: 'Good! No intubation needed.' The tense atmosphere eased slightly as five pediatricians immediately transported the infant in an incubator to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Once the baby’s safety was confirmed, the anesthesiology team instantly switched from obstetric anesthesia to neuro-anesthesia for high intracranial pressure. Previously avoided potent drugs, due to fetal concerns, were now fully deployed to stabilize the mother’s heart rate and blood pressure. The life-saving operation for the mother continued until around 1 p.m., concluding with complete removal of the hemorrhaged tumor and scalp suturing.
One week after surgery, Dr. Chen Wei-ming reported that the 30-something young mother can now walk independently, speak and laugh naturally, repeatedly expressing gratitude to the medical staff. She has been transferred out of intensive care, practicing mobility exercises, and met her baby yesterday.
'In my heart, Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the best hospital in the world,' said Dr. Chen. The collaboration across four teams throughout the weekend, the medical staff’s tireless dedication, sweat, tears, and professional commitment, intertwined with the mother’s courage, together created this most moving miracle of life. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150612
Stand with the truth—your support safeguards press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First News' app to instantly access the latest updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
FAQ
What was critical in saving both mother and baby in this surgery?
Pre-coordination among multiple specialties and precise timing between delivery and tumor removal were key.
Why couldn't standard intracranial pressure drugs be used?
Drugs with teratogenic or fetal blood flow risks are restricted during pregnancy.
What is the prognosis for the newborn?
At 29 weeks, survival rates are high with NICU care, and complications can be minimized.
What is this hospital's strength?
Its ability to rapidly mobilize multidisciplinary teams and advanced neonatal facilities.
How common are similar cases?
Brain tumors during pregnancy are rare, but this hospital has prior experience and established protocols.