An Italian mother and her newborn baby are fighting for their lives after maternity ward doctors got into a bloody brawl as she tried to give birth, according to a report.
Laura Salpietro, 30, suffered severe blood loss and had to have a hysterectomy while her newborn son Antonio had two cardiac arrests following the bungled delivery in Messina, Sicily, Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reports.
The dispute began when Ms Salpietro, her waters broken, arrived at the Polyclinic Hospital and doctors started arguing over whether she should give birth naturally or by Caesarian.
Incredibly, the argument between gynaecologist Vincenzo Benedetto and maternity unit doctor Antonio De Vivo became physical as the pair traded blows in the delivery room, the report said.
Ms Salpietro eventually gave birth by Caesarian but they delay allegedly caused severe complications to both her and her son.
Her husband Matteo Molonia said he pleaded with doctors to stop fighting and tend to his distressed wife.
"I risk losing my family because the medical team decided to start arguing in the delivery room," he said.
"It's incredible I still can't believe two so called professionals would behave in such a way."
Mr Molonia said Dr Benedetto’s hand was covered in blood following the fight.
Both doctors have been suspended by the hospital over the incident and Mr Molonia said he may take legal action.
This story really shocked and saddened me.
Subject: Mum, newborn 'critical' after doctors brawl 
August 30th 2010, 1:52 am
