Ensure Safe Motherhood for Women in Rural Nepal

Following a full day of dressing wounds and providing ANC care to pregnant mothers from her community, the late May afternoon was nearing its end at the Khijikati Health Post as Midwife Menuka prepared for a meeting with a group of local stakeholders. As she strung the colorful garlands to welcome her guests, Menuka saw a pregnant woman and her husband walking towards her in the distance. As the couple approached, Menuka recognized Kamala, a patient she had seen just recently for an ANC visit. Ushering her into the birthing center, Menuka assessed Kamala and realizing that she was showing signs of early labor, reviewed with the young mother what the typical process was for labor and delivery.

“I told her about the types of sensation she’d be likely to experience during early and active labor and asked her to let me know if she experienced anything that I didn’t explain,’’ said Menuka, leaving Kamala to rest.

After the meeting with the Nepali Health Facility Operation and Management, Menuka returned to find that Kamala was beginning to actively labor, so she prepped the delivery room and kept an eye on Kamala’s vitals.

More than three hours had passed since Kamala’s arrival at the birthing center, but even though she was clearly in labor, her contractions were irregular and Menuka was becoming concerned.  Kamala began pushing, but Menuka’s experience and the training she’d received from One Heart Worldwide left her doubtful that her patient’s efforts would have much success as the baby’s head was having trouble getting through. After several more unsuccessful attempts, Manuka realized she would need to perform an episiotomy in order for the baby to get through. 

Within a few minutes of the procedure, Kamala delivered an unresponsive baby boy. “We started suctioning, but the baby was still flat, explains Menuka.

“But as we were about to begin resuscitation, he gave a faint cry, so we continued stimulating and using suction. Then he let out a loud cry!’’ Menuka laughs dryly, “I’ve never been so happy to hear a baby cry!” She then immediately returned to Kamala’s side to reassure her that her baby boy was healthy and all would be well.”

“These types of complications always scare me. Every delivery is unique and comes with its own challenges,” sighed Menuka. “But now that the we have ambulance service and proper medical equipment, handling these situations is much easier than before.” 

One Heart Worldwide provides training to Auxiliary Nurse Midwives like Menuka, as well as structural renovations and equipment for hundreds of birthing centers across Nepal. Women like Kamala motivate and inspire us to never give up, no matter how difficult or frightening a situation may seem.