In the month of August, 10 infants and 4 women were enrolled in our programs.
Of the 10 babies, 5 were orphans, the mother of 1 was critically ill in the ICU, the mother of another prematurely stopped producing breast milk, and the remaining 3 were underweight. Nurses visited 144 babies this month and are currently following a total of 245 babies. Seventy-five babies are on formula and 230 tins were distributed.
Of the women admitted, one had eclampsia, two had severe infections, and one experienced a ruptured uterus. Twenty-three home visits were made this month to sick women.
Here are a couple stories:
Baby care story: Jean was 19years old and having her first baby. On July 15th she began to bleed spontaneously. Luckily she made it to the hospital in time for an emergency C-section. Her baby boy cried as he was lifted from her body; he was a strong healthy baby weighing 5.5lbs. Soon after the surgery, mother and baby were deemed stable and transferred to the postpartum ward where they would remain for the next several days. On July 18th Jean complained of heart palpitations. In the capital city, in the district hospital, in the ward, Jean died before a nurse responded to her complaint. Jean’s death tragically illustrates the inadequacy of the health care system. She may have died from an infection or from internal bleeding or something else. No one will ever know why she died at 19. Her son will never again feel her warmth, taste her milk, or hear her voice. Nurses directed her relative to the office of Joyful Motherhood, located on the same campus as the hospital, and they were admitted to our program.
Mother care story: On 21st August, 2018 Juliet started convulsing. Staff at the rural hospital where she was, started her on medication to try to stop her seizures then transferred her to the referral hospital in the capital city. When she arrived her baby was delivered by C-section. The baby took his first breaths but did not cry. On August 26th her baby died. On August 28th, Juliet was discharged home to her village.
Each of the remaining 12 admissions for the month of August has an equally heart-rending story. For many, these stories include the death of a baby or a mother. These tragedies indelibly mark the lives of family members left behind. However, they (the sister or mother of the woman who gave birth) make a conscious decision to continue forward and care of the vulnerable survivor. They do this at great personal cost. And, thanks to you, those who find their way to Joyful Motherhood are granted the necessary support to multiply their efforts. Sacrifice + support = hope…. and later joy.
