Sharon O., 19

Sharon is the first-born in a family of seven children and lives with her siblings, mother, and stepfather in a three-room mud-walled house. Her mother is unemployed, while her stepfather is the sole provider, relying on casual and menial jobs to support the family. Sharon dropped out of school in Form Two due to financial challenges and, when well, enjoys styling her siblings’ hair. Sharon began feeling unwell and visited a nearby health centre for treatment. During routine investigations, she was found to be pregnant and was advised to begin attending antenatal clinic (ANC). She attended three ANC visits, walking over thirty minutes to the facility each time. One evening, Sharon developed abdominal pain, which she initially assumed would resolve on its own. The pain persisted for two days and gradually worsened, but she pretended to be well in the evenings when her parents were home. On the third day, when her parents were away, a neighbour heard her crying in pain and, after learning she had been suffering for two days, quickly arranged for a motorcycle rider to rush her to the hospital for urgent care. At the hospital, Sharon was diagnosed with obstructed labour and underwent an emergency caesarean section. During surgery, the baby’s extraction was difficult and complicated, but eventually a live female infant was eventually delivered successfully. Prolonged obstructed labour can make a caesarean section difficult because the baby’s head becomes deeply impacted in the pelvis after being stuck in the birth canal for a long time. This pressure also leads to caput (swelling of the baby’s scalp), which makes the head harder to deliver. As a result, the surgical team may face challenges during extraction, increasing the complexity of the procedure. Following the emergency caesarean section for obstructed labour, the patient remained stable during the initial 3–5 days of routine postoperative monitoring. However, between day 6–10, she developed signs of a surgical site infection, including pain, redness, fever, and purulent discharge from the incision site. She was started on intravenous antibiotics and daily wound care. Sharon’s baby experienced severe birth asphyxia at delivery, was resuscitated, and later admitted to the nursery. Sadly, the baby passed away the following day. This loss deeply affected Sharon, and during her period of grief, she was unable to properly care for her surgical wound as advised. By approximately day 12–18, the infection progressed to wound dehiscence, where the surgical incision partially opened. Due to the infected and non-healing wound, the patient was taken back to theatre for surgical wound debridement to remove infected and dead tissue and promote proper healing. After the procedure, she required regular wound dressing, continued antibiotics, and close monitoring. During the third to fourth week (around day 20–30), she developed persistent fever and abdominal pain raising concern for a possible intra-abdominal abscess, requiring further investigations, stronger antibiotic therapy, and continued inpatient observation. Because of the postoperative surgical site infection, wound dehiscence requiring debridement, and suspected intra-abdominal infection, the patient required prolonged hospitalization for intensive wound management, antibiotic therapy, and supportive care, eventually stabilizing and being discharged after 42 days of inpatient treatment. Sharon learned about Helpster Charity when a hospital clerk visited the wards to collect patients’ insurance details. After explaining that she had no health insurance and could not afford to pay for her care, she was referred to a social worker for financial assessment. Through this process, she was introduced to Helpster Charity and considered for support.

Sharon was brought to the hospital after complaints of abdominal pains, after an emergency caesarean surgery, she developed a surgical site infection. She was admitted and treated on Augementin, Iv meropenem, Gentamicin, methyldopa, tramadol among other drugs. She was also taken back to surgery where surgical debridement was done. Sharon recovered, with her wound properly healed and could even walk around . She was eventually discharged on orals.

Sharon underwent emergency caesarean section for obstructed labour and later developed by post-operative surgical site infection and intra-abdominal abscess. She was taken back to theater for surgical debridement and secondary wound closure since the incision site was open. Following surgical debridement, secondary wound closure, and appropriate antibiotic therapy, her condition is gradually improving. Although Sharon experienced serious and potentially life-threatening complications, her prognosis is favourable with continued medical care, proper wound management, and close follow-up. However, she remains at increased risk of complications in future pregnancies due to the midline uterine incision and previous infection, and will require specialised obstetric care. With sustained medical support, adequate nutrition, and psychosocial assistance, Sharon is expected to make a full recovery.