Lucy A., 17

Lucy is the younger of two siblings and lives with her father, her sister, and her sister’s child in a modest two-roomed mud house. She dropped out of school while in Form One and is currently unemployed. Her father is elderly and relies on small-scale farming, leaving the family dependent on her sister, who earns a living through casual, low-paying jobs. Despite these challenges, Lucy dreams of becoming a salonist in the future. At 17 years old, Lucy began to notice that she had missed her menstrual periods. Concerned, she shared this with her sister, who supported her and provided money for a visit to a nearby health facility. After undergoing a pregnancy test, Lucy was confirmed to be expectant. With her sister’s encouragement, Lucy made efforts to attend antenatal care (ANC) clinics to monitor her pregnancy. Despite significant challenges, including lack of transport, she managed to attend four visits, often walking for more than two hours each time. This reflected her commitment to the health of her unborn child. However, one night Lucy developed severe abdominal pain, particularly around the site of a previous caesarean section scar. The following morning, she informed her sister, who promptly took her to a nearby health centre. Upon assessment, healthcare providers recognized the need for specialized care and urgently referred her to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further management and a possible emergency caesarean section due elevated blood pressure (pre eclampsia) which meant that the baby had to be delivered as soon as possibe to avoid complications on the unborn baby and the mother due to the elevated blood pressure.

Lucy was brought to the hospital with complaints of abdominal pains on a previous caeserean surgical site,she was diagnosed with preeclampsia , and UTI in pregnancy and wheeled to theatre for an emergency surgery. The surgery was a success and post surgery she was advised in early ambulation, her catheter was removed after 24 hrs and the dressing on her surgical site removed after 72 hrs. She was administered morphine, pcm, ceftriaxone, nefidipine, IV dexamethasone among other drugs. She responded well to medication, her blood pressure became stable and was eventually discharged on orals. A call to her home revealed that she was well recovered and had gone back to her normal life.

Lucy, a 17-year-old expectant mother, was taken for an emergency caesarean section due to pregnancy-induced hypertension / Preeclampsia (PET), Urinary Tract Infection during pregnancy, and severe pain at the site of a previous caesarean surgical scar. These complications placed both Lucy and her unborn baby at significant risk. Without timely medical intervention, conditions such as preeclampsia can progress rapidly and may lead to life-threatening complications including seizures, organ failure, severe infection, or rupture of the previous uterine scar. In severe cases, these complications can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. However, with prompt surgical delivery, close monitoring, and appropriate medical treatment, the chances of stabilizing Lucy and protecting the life of her baby improve significantly. Continuous post-operative care and management of her blood pressure and infection will be essential for a safe recovery. Lucy successfully underwent a caeserean surgery, and her blood pressure monitored and managed post operation, she is set to make a full recovery.