NYC Gazette

A Staten Island mother and her baby are celebrating their birthdays one year after a life-saving medical intervention at NYU Langone. Zachary Cortes was born on his mother Zamala's 39th birthday, marking a significant milestone for the family.

"Zack was my birthday gift," said Zamala Cortes. "I also think that it’s a gift to him to have his mom’s birthday."

For Zamala and her husband Eric, the pregnancy was unexpected due to her previous battle with breast cancer and subsequent chemotherapy. After receiving treatment for uterine fibroids at NYU Langone's Center for Fibroid Care, Zamala became pregnant.

“It is just amazing having a child,” she expressed. “I would go through what I went through again just to have Zack.”

In March 2024, two weeks before her due date, Zamala experienced contractions and contacted Dr. Olivia P. Myrick from NYU Langone. Despite initial normal assessments, Dr. Myrick decided not to send Zamala home due to her discomfort.

“We made the decision to go ahead and deliver the baby that day,” Dr. Myrick explained.

During preparation for delivery, Zamala fainted due to a placental abruption, which led to an emergency cesarean section.

“The placental abruption was sort of secretly happening,” noted Dr. Myrick.

The medical team acted quickly with a massive transfusion protocol, stabilizing Zamala after significant blood loss.

“When I woke up in the ICU, my husband said, ‘We have a healthy baby boy.’”

Zamala acknowledged concerns about maternal health statistics among African American women but praised NYU Langone for its attentive care.

“I always had feelings of dread and fear about going to the hospital and giving birth,” she said. “But with NYU Langone, it was different.”

Dr. Sarah A. Shawki emphasized the importance of teamwork in such situations: “From the obstetricians to the anesthesiologists, every role is vital in providing the best care possible.”

Reflecting on her experience, Zamala advised other women: “Trust yourself... You must advocate for yourself.”