Elicah S., 20

Elicah is a young girl from an extremely disadvantaged background. She was forced to drop out of school in Form Three due to severe financial hardship. She lost her father three years ago, leaving her mother solely responsible for raising six children. Following her father’s death, extended family members withdrew their support, leaving the family to struggle alone. The family lives in a single-room house and faces daily challenges in meeting basic needs. They fetch water from a distant river, walking long distances to access it. Life is marked by constant hardship and uncertainty. Elicah’s mother earns a living through a small-scale business, cooking porridge and selling it door-to-door. Despite her efforts, her income is minimal. On most days, she earns approximately KES 90, which is barely enough to provide a single meal for the family in the evening. Due to these harsh circumstances, Elicah had to abandon her education. However, she continues to nurture her dreams of returning to school and becoming a doctor, hoping to transform her life and support others facing similar challenges. Elicah was brought to our facility shortly after delivering her baby at a nearby clinic. Following delivery, she developed heavy vaginal bleeding that persisted despite routine postnatal care. She complained of lower abdominal and pelvic pain, dizziness, and progressive weakness. She heard about Helpster Charity at the clinic that referred her to our hospital. She and her mother had expressed concern that they would not afford care at a high level hospital, because they did not even have enough money to pay for the delivery at the clinic. They do not have any health insurance cover. On examination, Elicah appeared anxious and pale, with clinical signs of acute blood loss. She was tachycardic with borderline low blood pressure. Abdominal examination revealed a well-contracted postpartum uterus, making uterine atony an unlikely cause of the bleeding. Perineal and speculum examination revealed active bleeding from a deep cervical laceration extending from the external os upwards, consistent with a third-degree cervical tear. A diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage secondary to a third-degree cervical tear was made. She required urgent surgical repair of the cervical tear to control the bleeding and prevent further complications.

Elicah was brought in the facility after normal delivery at a private clinic where she developed complications of heavy vaginal bleeding that persisted despite routine post-delivery care. She complained of lower abdominal and pelvic pain, dizziness, and increasing weakness. On examination and laboratory findings,a diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage secondary to a third-degree cervical tear was made. Was treated for some time and responded well to medication and discharged on a good condition.

Following successful surgical repair of the cervical tear and appropriate medical management, Elicah’s condition is expected to stabilise and improve steadily. The vaginal bleeding is likely to stop completely, and her symptoms of dizziness, weakness, and pelvic pain will gradually resolve as her body recovers from the blood loss. With continued monitoring, medication, and supportive care, her hemoglobin levels are expected to improve, and she will regain strength and functional ability. Prognosis is good