Tahmina J., 22

Tahmina Jannat is a 22-year-old mother of two young children, Saiful and Tanisha, who hoped to safely welcome another baby while living with her husband, Somir Ahmed, and mother-in-law, Asma Begum. Somir is the family’s only earning member and makes only BDT 7,000 per month as a day laborer, leaving them unable to afford emergency maternity care or the cost of traveling to a distant tertiary hospital. After nearly two days of prolonged labour, Tahmina developed severe oligohydramnios, reduced fetal movement, and fetal distress; although she was initially advised to go to a tertiary center, the family could not manage the referral, so Seba Hospital arranged for an emergency doctor to travel approximately 100 km to treat her. Without urgent Caesarean delivery, the baby could suffer severe oxygen deprivation, brain injury, stillbirth, or death, while Tahmina could face infection, severe bleeding, uterine complications, and other life-threatening consequences. With support from Helpster Charity through volunteer Tanjila Shahin Ema, timely treatment became essential to protect both Tahmina and her unborn baby.

According to the doctor, an urgent Caesarean section (LUCS) is necessary to safely deliver the baby and reduce the risks caused by severe oligohydramnios and fetal distress. Timely delivery can help prevent prolonged oxygen deprivation and significantly improve the baby’s chances of a healthy outcome. It will also protect the mother from complications associated with prolonged labour and ruptured membranes. Without timely treatment, the baby may develop severe oxygen deprivation, brain injury, or other life-threatening complications, including stillbirth.