Caren A., 18

Caren is the third-born in a family of five and lives with her parents and siblings in a two-room house. She dropped out of school in Form One due to financial challenges and is currently unemployed. Her father has been unwell for some time, leaving her mother as the sole provider, relying on odd jobs to support the family. When well, Caren enjoys listening to music. Caren is a known epileptic with a family history of epilepsy and has been on and off medication. After missing her menstrual periods for a month, she informed her mother, who encouraged her to begin antenatal clinic visits, which she started attending. One day, while visiting her grandmother, she suddenly developed convulsions. With the help of a neighbour, she was rushed to a nearby facility in a semi-conscious state, stabilized, and later referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital. An ultrasound confirmed an intrauterine fetal death at 28 weeks. In addition to epilepsy, further assessment revealed eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by seizures and high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Because eclampsia can rapidly threaten the mother’s life through complications such as stroke, organ failure, or severe bleeding, the medical team performed an emergency caesarean section to quickly remove the baby and stabilize her condition. Caren learnt about Helpster Charity at the hospital when she and her mother raised concern, days later after they had been admitted, that they would not be able to afford paying the hospital bill.

Caren a known epileptic was wheeled for an emergency surgery after suffering episodes of epileptic fits, she unfortunately lost her baby. Post operation she was admitted for management where she was administered ceftriaxone, flagyl, paracetamol,tramadol among other drugs. She responded well to medication and her surgical site was healing as expected and she could even walk, she was eventually discharged on orals and a follow up and booked for her.

Caren presented with convulsions and was diagnosed with eclampsia in a pregnancy complicated by epilepsy, and ultrasound confirmed an intrauterine fetal death at 28 weeks. Her condition was life-threatening and required immediate emergency caesarean section to prevent further seizures, stroke, severe bleeding, and other complications. She received urgent treatment, stabilization, and close monitoring. With continued medical care, medication adherence, and follow-up for blood pressure and seizure control, Caren is expected to recover physically and regain stability.