Josephine A., 19

Josephine is the firstborn in her family and lives with her son, her mother, and three siblings in a two-roomed, mud-walled house. She is a teenager who dropped out of school in Class Eight and is currently unemployed. Josephine hopes to one day learn hair plaiting skills and eventually open her own salon. She learned about Helpster Charity after seeing a poster displayed at the health facility where she attended her antenatal care clinic. Josephine reported that she realized she was pregnant after noticing prolonged sleep and frequent nausea. She went to a nearby clinic where the pregnancy was confirmed, and she immediately enrolled for antenatal care. She attended three ANC visits, walking for over 30 minutes to reach the health facility. One Thursday evening, she began experiencing abdominal pains. In the early hours of Friday morning, she was rushed to the nearest health facility. After complications developed, and it was noted that the unborn baby was getting into distress, she was referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further management.

Josephine was brought to Siaya referral for an emergency caesarean surgery after undergoing fetal distress. The surgery was a success and she gave birth to a male child. Post operation she was treated on ceftriaxone, flagyl, morphine and tramadol among other medications. She responded well to medication and was discharged on orals after a gynacolgy clinic was booked for her.

Josephine’s prognosis following an emergency caesarean section for fetal distress with grade III meconium staining is generally good from a maternal perspective. With appropriate post-operative care, she is expected to recover well physically from the surgery, with a low risk of long-term complications.