Silver Cross OB Doctor and Staff Save Morris Mother and Baby After Uterine Rupture

What began as a routine labor and delivery turned into a dramatic race against time when a rare uterine rupture threatened the lives of both Selina Najdanovich and her baby girl Audrey in late 2025.

But thanks to the swift, coordinated response of the Silver Cross Hospital obstetrics team, a moment of crisis became a story of extraordinary, lifesaving care.

About Uterine Rupture

Uterine rupture is a rare life-threatening condition, happening in fewer than one in 8,000 pregnancies and less than one percent of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) attempts. When it happens, the wall of the uterus tears open, leaving the fetus without the protection of the uterus and causing life-threatening consequences for both mom and baby.

“It is a true emergency that places the mother’s and the fetus’ lives in danger of the highest order,” explains Silver Cross Medical Group obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Husam Marsheh, who delivered baby Audrey. “Once it happens, the woman will be bleeding profusely internally, and the fetus blood supply is compromised. Minutes separate baby from irreversible brain damage or worse.”

Silver Cross an Easy Choice for Morris Couple

At 37, Najdanovich was concerned her age might be an issue when it came time to deliver her second child; that’s why she and her husband, Nick, of Morris chose Silver Cross in New Lenox for a second time.

“Our first child, Dean, was born exactly two years ago at Silver Cross, and although he was full term, he had to spend two weeks in the NICU there due to a respiratory infection,” she said. “And they were great!”

So the now-38-year-old high school social worker wanted that same reassurance as she was getting ready to deliver her second child in late October. Especially since she had some health issues during pregnancy, including kidney stones.

Najdanovich was due Oct. 31 and went in for an induction and attempted VBAC Oct. 29. She and the baby were doing well, but the induction wasn’t producing the expected results, so Dr. Marsheh recommended a cesarean section for first thing Oct. 31.

But around 8 a.m. that day, Najdanovich said she began having increased pain in her lower abdomen. And even with an epidural, the pain hit a 10.

“My nurse, Fernanda, was wonderful. She got the charge nurse and then contacted Dr. Marsheh. The rest was a blur. The last thing I remember thinking was, ‘I don’t think my baby and I are going to live through this,’” she said, becoming emotional at the memory.

But when she woke up a couple hours later in delivery, her husband was holding their new baby, Audrey, who was healthy and weighed in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces; and 21 ½ inches long.

“I felt like in that moment, what had happened was a miracle,” she said.

That and quick work by the OB team at Silver Cross, said Dr. Marsheh.

A Culture of Excellence

“Around 8 a.m., the patient experienced a sudden increase in labor pain and a change in the fetal heart tracing,” he said. “Without delay, the caring nurse went into action and after quick assessment, she made the right decision of mobilizing the nursing staff and contacting me.”

Within moments, the patient was stabilized, and after a quick assessment, Dr. Marsheh suspected a uterine rupture and immediately mobilized an emergency C-section.

In record time, Najdanovich was moved from her room to the operating room and placed under general anesthesia with a full team of Silver Cross caregivers surrounding her. The uterus had indeed ruptured, but the placenta was intact, and baby Audrey was still connected to the umbilical cord.

“She still was getting oxygen,” a relieved Najdanovich added.

Her husband later told her that the doors to the delivery room hadn’t quite closed, and there already was a chime for a new baby born – theirs! A healthy baby who didn’t even require a trip to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

“I heard Dr. Marsheh had the instruments ready for a hysterectomy, but he managed to save my uterus,” she added gratefully. “We’re not planning to have any other children, but it saved me from having to deal with those emotions as well.”

Najdanovich and baby Audrey were released to home after three days. She credits Dr. Marsheh and the entire Silver Cross mother/baby team for saving her life and the life of her baby.

“They were just wonderful.”

Dr. Marsheh had high praise as well for the staff around him.

“This is a culture of competency, of safety,” he said. “No one component of the puzzle could have been achieved alone. A feat of a caesarean section, from decision in the patient’s room to delivery in the operating room in a matter of six minutes…it was a symphony of teamwork and part of our culture of excellence at Silver Cross.”

To learn more about Women and Infant Services at Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org