Two mothers in Argentina had potentially one of the worst experiences a new mother could have - they were each handed the wrong baby at the hospital and they only realized they were caring for the wrong baby some three weeks after the baby was born.
To make matters worse, the hospital was not the first to notice the error, but the mothers did. The two mothers happened to strike up a conversation when they returned to the clinic three weeks after giving birth on the same day.
"I spent three weeks with a baby that was not my daughter but I gave her all my love and knew that the other mom would do the same," she told local news broadcaster C5N.
Maria Gerbeno, 37, said she had an inkling that the baby girl she took home was not hers. Doctors had told her the new arrival, delivered by C-section, weighed 6lb 8oz. But clinic staff presented her with an 8lb 4oz girl delivered by breech birth. However, the nurses presented her with an 8lb 4oz girl delivered by breech birth.
As it turns out, Gerbeno was accidentally handed Veronica Tejada's baby girl, who was also born on that fateful day. She said the clinic dismissed not only her concerns, but also those of the other mother, Veronica Tejada. Both women gave birth on September 30.
"I told them that could not be, but they said I must have misunderstood. I never got any answers," she said.
When the two new moms started chatting, they soon realized the birth weights of their respective kids matched up to the ounce.
Maria promptly filed out a criminal complaint and asked a judge to order a DNA test. The results confirmed the mothers had been sent home with each other's daughters.
With the help of therapists, the two prepared themselves for the truth, which DNA tests confirmed.
"We talked on the phone and exchanged photos online," Gerbeno said.
Once it was clear a mistake had been made, the two mothers met to swap infants - and finally hug their own.
"Thank God this nightmare is over," Gerbeno added.
