Tabitha W., 19

Tabitha is the firstborn in a family of five siblings and a devoted single mother of two young children. She comes from an underprivileged family and lives with her parents, who rely on small-scale farming to survive. Their limited income is barely enough to provide food and other basic necessities, making it difficult to afford healthcare and other essential expenses. Although she completed Form Four, financial hardship prevented her from pursuing further education or securing stable employment. Tabitha was referred from Hopkins Crescent Hospital after developing sudden severe lower abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, and a severe headache. She had been using a contraceptive implant placed under the skin of the upper arm to prevent pregnancy, and was unaware that she had conceived. An ultrasound scan revealed retained products of conception, and she underwent Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA), a procedure that uses gentle suction to remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Owing to the heavy blood loss, she developed significant anemia and required a blood transfusion. She was admitted for close monitoring, further treatment, and supportive care until her condition stabilized.

Tabitha presented with an incomplete abortion complicated by severe blood loss, resulting in life-threatening anemia. The decision to perform manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) to remove the retained pregnancy tissue and administer a blood transfusion was appropriate and lifesaving. Her prognosis is good because she received timely treatment before developing severe infection or irreversible organ damage. With continued follow-up, iron replacement where indicated, counseling, and appropriate family planning, she is expected to make a full recovery and regain her normal health.