Esther J., 37

Julius Esther is a 37-year-old housewife and expectant mother who lives with her husband in a rented single room. Her husband works as a driver earning approximately 30,000 naira monthly, which is not enough to cover their basic needs, especially with the added costs of pregnancy. Esther became concerned when she passed her expected date of delivery without feeling any labour pains. She visited PHC Gonin Gora where a scan was done and findings of a post-date pregnancy and placenta previa were made. She was referred to General Hospital Sabo for a Caesarean section, however her husband was unable to raise the funds needed for the surgery. Fortunately, a Helpster hospital representative who was present at the facility overheard their situation and introduced them to Helpster Charity. The family gratefully accepted and were directed to Epsilon Specialist Hospital where Esther could receive the care she urgently needs.

Esther Julius was admitted to the hospital after experiencing complications during pregnancy of post date and placenta previa that required an emergency Caesarean section (C-section). Due to the urgency of her condition, the medical team acted quickly to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. The emergency Caesarean section was successfully performed, Esther delivered a healthy baby. Both mother and child responded well to treatment and received the necessary post-operative care e.g (IV fluids, IV antibiotics (cipro, gent and flagyl) and analgesics also). After a period of observation and recovery, Esther and her baby were confirmed to be in good health and were discharged from the hospital on oral medications and counseled to follow up . They have now returned home safely to continue their recovery and enjoy this new chapter as a family.

Esther presented as a high-risk obstetric emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention. Given her partial placenta previa and post-date pregnancy, an ELSCS was the only safe option to ensure a successful maternal and fetal outcome. Without surgical intervention (Emergency Lower Segment Caesarean Section), both mother and baby face life-threatening risks including severe uncontrolled bleeding during labour and fetal distress, which could have resulted in maternal and neonatal death.