Maurine A., 40

Maureen is a mother of seven children, four of whom are alive and attend school through bursary support, while three have passed away. She lives with her husband in a two-room mud-walled house with an iron-sheet roof. Her husband is a peasant farmer and the family's main source of income. Maureen has a history of epilepsy and was unable to attend school because of financial hardship, while her husband dropped out in Class Two. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the radio. At 25 weeks of pregnancy, Maureen developed abdominal pain and generalized body weakness and sought care at Rang'ala Mission Hospital. Following clinical assessment, she was referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for specialized obstetric care because of her pregnancy and history of convulsions. During the referral process, the healthcare team at Rang'ala, who had previously been introduced to Helpster Charity by a volunteer, informed Maureen about the organization's medical support after she expressed concern that she would not be able to afford treatment at the referral hospital. On arrival at Siaya County Referral Hospital, she was admitted to the maternity unit for close monitoring, further evaluation, and appropriate treatment to safeguard both her health and that of her unborn baby.

Maurine was admitted to the hospital after presenting with recurrent episodes of convulsions during pregnancy, a condition requiring urgent inpatient management due to the significant risks posed to both the mother and the unborn baby. On admission, she underwent a thorough clinical assessment, close maternal and fetal monitoring, and appropriate laboratory investigations to guide treatment. During her hospital stay, she received comprehensive medical care, including levetiracetam for seizure control, nitrofurantoin to treat the diagnosed urinary tract infection, paracetamol (PCM) for pain and fever relief, and Ranferon to replenish iron stores and support maternal haemoglobin levels. She also received other supportive medications, adequate hydration, nutritional support, and regular obstetric reviews. Her treatment was well tolerated, with no reported adverse drug reactions. Following treatment, Maurine showed gradual clinical improvement. The convulsions came under control, her general condition stabilized, and the symptoms related to the urinary tract infection improved. Repeated clinical assessments confirmed satisfactory maternal recovery, while fetal well-being remained reassuring throughout her admission. Having achieved a stable condition, she was discharged home on oral medications with instructions to complete the prescribed treatment, attend scheduled antenatal follow-up appointments, continue her anti-seizure medication as directed, and promptly return to the hospital if she experienced recurrent convulsions, severe headache, reduced fetal movements, vaginal bleeding, leakage of liquor, or any signs of labour.

Maureen has epilepsy complicated by a urinary tract infection during pregnancy, making her pregnancy high risk. Convulsions require careful control because both uncontrolled seizures and some anti-seizure medications may affect the unborn baby. Seizures can reduce the baby's oxygen supply, increasing the risk of fetal distress, preterm birth, growth restriction, placental abruption, or pregnancy loss. Untreated urinary tract infection may progress to pyelonephritis or sepsis and trigger preterm labour. With prompt treatment, close obstetric monitoring, seizure control, and appropriate antibiotics, the prognosis is cautiously favourable for both mother and baby.