Beryl A., 18

Beryl is the only child of her parents. Her parents separated when she was still very young, after which she was raised by her maternal grandmother. She currently lives with her grandmother and cousins in a small two-room mud-walled house. Due to financial and family challenges, Beryl was unable to complete her primary school education and dropped out before finishing. In her free time, she enjoys reading books. Some months back, Beryl began feeling unwell and decided to seek medical attention at a nearby health facility. During routine examinations at the facility, she discovered that she was pregnant. Because of challenges with mobility and limited support, she managed to attend only two antenatal clinic visits during the course of her pregnancy. On the day she was brought to the hospital, Beryl started experiencing severe abdominal pain while at home, which caused great concern to her grandmother. Fearing that something was wrong, her grandmother quickly rushed her to the hospital for urgent medical care. Upon examination, the doctors noticed that Beryl had significant difficulty moving. She later explained that she had lost sensation and strength on the left side of her body following a Caesarean section she underwent at the age of 14 during the delivery of her first child. Weakness affecting one entire side of the body can significantly interfere with normal childbirth. During vaginal delivery, a mother needs strong and coordinated muscle contractions of the abdomen, pelvis, and lower body in order to effectively push the baby out. When one side of the body is weak or partially paralyzed, these muscles cannot work together properly. This reduces the mother’s ability to generate adequate pushing force, making normal delivery difficult and potentially dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Considering Beryl’s medical history, her limited mobility, and the complications observed during examination, the medical team determined that a normal vaginal delivery would pose serious risks. For the safety of both Beryl and her unborn baby, the doctors recommended and prepared for an emergency surgical delivery. Beryl’s grandmother learned about Helpster Charity through a community health volunteer who had previously volunteered with the organization during community outreach activities. The volunteer informed her that Helpster Charity assists vulnerable patients who are unable to afford medical treatment and encouraged her to seek help from the program. Through this referral, Beryl was able to access the medical care and support she urgently needed.

Beryl came to the hospital with complaints of abdominal pains , history of convulsions and left sided paralysis. She was taken for and emergency caesarean surgery, which was successful. Post surgery she was transferred to post natal ward where her vitals were monitored, orals sips after 6hours was commenced, catheter removed in 6 hours. She was also administered ceftriaxone,mefromadazole, dexamethasone, oxytocin among other drugs. She was eventually discharged on orals with a physiotherapy clinic booked for her .

During pregnancy and labour, effective pushing requires strong coordination of the abdominal, pelvic, and lower limb muscles. Because Beryl has weakness affecting one side of her body, her ability to generate adequate pushing effort during labour is significantly reduced. This increases the risk of prolonged or obstructed labour, which could endanger both the mother and the baby. In addition, Beryl presented with severe abdominal pain during late pregnancy and had a previous history of cesarean section at a young age. Taking into consideration her neurological condition, her limited mobility, and the potential risks associated with vaginal delivery, the medical team determined that surgical intervention was the safest method of delivery to protect the health and life of both the mother and the unborn child. Before surgical intervention, Beryl’s prognosis is guarded but manageable with prompt medical care. Her underlying left-sided hemiparesis increases the risk of complications during labour, particularly the inability to push effectively and the possibility of prolonged labour. However, with timely medical intervention, careful monitoring, and delivery through a controlled surgical procedure, the likelihood of a safe outcome for both mother and baby becomes significantly higher