Saving Lives at Birth; Maternal Health in Uganda

Say hello to Eva, or Momma Eva as she has become affectionately known as here at the Shanti Uganda Birth House. Eva, whose married, Muslim name is Hawa, has recently spent some time at Shanti, awaiting the birth of her most recent baby.  This is her sixth child, and third to be born at the Birth House. With the help of our groundskeeper Kato acting as a translator, we spoke to Eva about her decision to return twice over for her labours and births of her children.

Eva is 30, and has been married for many years already. She describes her husband, a farmer, as a good man who supports and loves her. The staff at Shanti have seen this first hand; her husband came almost everyday to visit her, bring her food and bring their children to visit her during her time at the Birth House. He also arrived shortly after the birth to meet his new baby.

Eva arrived early, staying a few weeks before giving birth. During her time with us, she was  kind and giving, helping new mothers with breastfeeding and bathing, and watching their newborns so they could take a much needed nap. She also became very friendly with the staff, helping out with cooking and socialising under the awning during the hot afternoons.

Originally from Kampala, she now lives in the  small town of Buuyaka, approximately two and  half miles from the Birth House. Her father passed away while she was a child and so she had to leave school early. She has a large family, with five brothers and four sisters, and now six children of her own. We were lucky enough to meet her oldest, her daughter Beat, the day after the birth of her youngest, her third daughter.

Eva has many positive things to say about Shanti and why she has chosen to return here for her last three births. She speaks of the beautiful grounds and excellent care provided at Shanti, and thanks Shanti Uganda for building this maternity center. She comments that the care provided at other facilities during her first three births was not the same quality as she has received at the Shanti Birth House. She also praises Shanti’s affordability, saying she has shared Shanti widely within her village and it is now well known there.

During the end of our conversation Eva mentions that her third child was the tenth to ever be born at Shanti upon its establishment here six years ago. Although she intends to have tubal ligation and thus no other children after this birth, she will continue to come for postnatal care, bring her children for their vaccinations, and share her experiences with other local women. We will miss Momma Eva and we look forward to seeing her during her future visits to Shanti.