Sarah A., 16

Sarah is the third-born child in her family and lives with her parents, siblings, and newborn baby in a two-room mud-walled house. She is currently a Grade 9 student and depends on her parents, who both work as casual labourers, for support. She first learned about Helpster Charity while receiving care at the hospital. During the December school holidays, while visiting her aunt, Sarah noticed she had missed her menstrual periods. Her aunt took her to a nearby health facility where tests confirmed she was pregnant. After counselling, she returned home in January and continued with her studies. She attended five antenatal clinic visits, often walking more than 30 minutes to reach the hospital. On a Friday evening after school, Sarah developed abdominal pain that persisted overnight and worsened throughout the following day. She was rushed to Siaya County Referral Hospital and admitted in labour. However, the baby failed to descend due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), resulting in arrested labour. An emergency Caesarean section was therefore performed to ensure safe delivery.

Sarah was taken for an emergency caesarean surgery, the surgery was a success and she was taken to the post -natal ward. While in the ward she was administered ceftriaxone,flagyl, tranexamic among other drugs. Her catheter was removed after 2 days, ans ambulation encouraged. The dressing on her surgical site was removed after 72 hrs. She was able to respond well to medication ans she was eventually discharged on orals. A follow up clinic was booked for her to check how she was recuperating.

Sarah underwent an emergency caesarean section secondary to arrested descent caused by cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), a condition where the baby’s head could not adequately pass through the maternal pelvis despite adequate labour efforts. Prognosis following surgery is generally good with timely intervention, appropriate postoperative care, infection prevention, pain management, and close monitoring for complications such as postpartum haemorrhage, wound infection, anaemia, or thromboembolic events. Maternal recovery is expected to progress steadily, although future pregnancies may require careful obstetric evaluation due to the history of CPD and caesarean delivery