Newborn baby receives 13 stitches after face injury during emergency C-section
Denver hospital incident leaves family questioning safety of emergency cesarean procedures; baby girl required plastic surgery after severe facial cut
A Denver family is seeking answers after their newborn daughter, Kyanni, suffered a deep facial wound during an emergency C-section, requiring immediate plastic surgery and 13 stitches.
Reazjhana Williams was excited and ready for the birth of her daughter when she arrived at a Denver hospital in June 2021. Her anticipation quickly turned to panic when doctors couldn’t detect her baby’s heartbeat, prompting an emergency cesarean section.
Within moments, Kyanni was born—but instead of immediate bonding, the newborn was swiftly handed over to a plastic surgeon. Her mother’s initial joy turned into confusion and worry when she noticed a large, deep cut across her daughter’s face.
Unexpected emergency
“They gave me a pill to speed up my labor, and a few minutes later, I was rushed into an emergency C-section,” Reazjhana told local news station KDVR. The events unfolded rapidly, leaving her and the baby’s father, Damarqus, stunned by the severity of the injury.
Immediately after birth, the medical staff recognized the extent of the wound and urgently referred Kyanni to plastic surgery, where she required 13 stitches.
Family demands answers
Reazjhana expressed frustration and confusion over the ordeal. “I tried to be understanding about what happened, but seeing my baby’s face like that—it’s a lot,” she said. Kyanni’s grandmother later shared that the doctors explained the baby’s head was positioned extremely close to the placenta wall, complicating the surgical procedure.
“I’ve never heard of anybody having to deal with their baby’s face looking like this after a C-section,” Reazjhana said.
Denver Health, the facility involved in the incident, issued a formal statement addressing the family’s concerns. “Denver Health has been in contact with the family directly. While this is a known medical complication in emergency C-sections, our focus is always on providing care in the best interest of the mother and child,” the statement read. “At Denver Health, the safety and well-being of our patients is our number one priority.”
Despite the explanation, the incident has raised questions about the safety and standards of care during emergency cesarean procedures, leading to public concern and attention.
A GoFundMe page, set up to assist the family with medical expenses resulting from the incident, has already raised more than $11,000.
Kyanni’s father, Damarqus, noted the strain this injury has placed on the family, particularly the discomfort it has caused their newborn daughter. “It’s upsetting. She’s not comfortable,” he stated.
As the family grapples with both the physical and emotional aftermath, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with emergency childbirth procedures. The Williams family hopes their experience will encourage deeper discussions on medical safety practices and transparency in hospitals, ensuring fewer parents face a similar trauma.
