Tracy Atieno O., 18

Tracy is the firstborn of three siblings and has never met her father. Her mother gave birth to her while in Form Two and currently works as a hawker in Kisumu to support the family. Tracy lives with her grandmother, a peasant farmer, together with her siblings, uncle and newborn baby in a mud-walled house with an iron-sheet roof. She is a Form Four candidate preparing for her final examinations and previously attained a C+ grade. She hopes to become a clinician and enjoys listening to gospel music. Tracy discovered she was pregnant after missing her menstrual periods. With support from her teachers, she remained in school and attended all eight antenatal visits despite having to walk a long distance to the clinic. She later developed severe abdominal pain and was admitted to Sega Mission Hospital. Due to a non-reassuring fetal status, she was urgently referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital at approximately 4:00 a.m. for emergency surgical intervention to protect both her life and that of her baby.

Tracy underwent an emergency Caesarean section, which was successfully performed, and she was subsequently transferred to the post-operative ward for monitoring and further management. While in the ward, she was administered ceftriaxone, Flagyl, morphine, and other prescribed medications. Her urinary catheter was removed later in the afternoon when she was well oriented to the place and time and ambulation was encouraged. She responded well to the treatment and showed satisfactory clinical progress. She was eventually discharged on oral medications, with a follow-up clinic appointment scheduled to monitor her recovery and ensure that the surgical wound was healing well.

The prognosis for an 18-year-old undergoing an emergency cesarean section (C-section) for non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) is generally favorable for the mother, with a high likelihood of a quick recovery, although the risk of short-term complications is higher than a planned procedure. While the procedure is intended to prevent adverse outcomes, it is associated with increased risks for the neonate compared to elective deliveries.