Miriam A., 15

Miriam is a 15-year-old girl from a very poor family living in a low-income community marked by unemployment, limited social services, and inadequate access to healthcare. Her family survives on irregular casual labour that cannot meet basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, making healthcare a luxury they often cannot afford. Low parental education, stigma surrounding teenage pregnancy, long distances to health facilities, lack of transport, and inability to pay for services have prevented Miriam from accessing regular antenatal care and essential maternity services, placing both her and her unborn baby at significant risk. Miriam arrived at the hospital in labour accompanied by her mother, complaining of severe lower abdominal pain that had progressively increased in frequency and intensity and was not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication. The pain radiated to her back. Three weeks earlier, she had been treated for a urinary tract infection in pregnancy after presenting with foul-smelling yellow vaginal discharge. She had been informed that this infection could make her go into labour earlier than expected and from assessment, she had also been told to ensure she delivers her baby at a hospital setting since it may be likely she undergoes caeserean section because her pelvis was a little too small for the baby to pass through. Miriam had learned about Helpster Charity through a community health promoter and during previous antenatal visits, where she had been advised that she might require a caesarean section and should try to prepare financially. Concerned about her inability to afford the procedure, she approached the community health promoter, who referred her to this facility so that she could receive support from the organization if surgery became necessary. When she arrived at the health facility, the pain she was experienced was confirmed to be labour pains, after assessment, and it was also confirmed that she has cephalopelvic disproportion. A caeserean section had to be conducted

Miriam came to the hospital in labour accompanied by her mother with complains of lower abdominal pain, progressively increased in frequency and intensity not responding to analgesics , she reports that pain radiating to the back. Three weeks ago she had been treated for U.T.I in pregnancy after presenting with history of p.v discharge which was fowl smelling yellowish in colour. On examination, laboratory and ultrasound investigation, she was diagnosed with cephalopelvic disproportion in fetal distress. Medical team recommended for emergency ceaserian section to be contacted immediately to save both mother and the baby. Operation was successful and Was admitted for some days and gained stability and discharged on good condition.

When Miriam arrived at the hospital, the clinical findings confirmed cephalopelvic disproportion with fetal distress, meaning the baby could not safely pass through the birth canal and was already showing signs of danger due to lack of adequate oxygen. This situation was time-sensitive and life-threatening for both mother and baby, leaving emergency caesarean section as the only safe option to prevent serious complications such as prolonged obstructed labour, uterine rupture, severe bleeding, infection, or loss of the baby. Following urgent surgical intervention and close post-operative care, the outlook for both Miriam and her newborn is positive. With proper recovery, follow-up, and postnatal care, they are expected to do well.