Promise from Uganda raised $303 to safely deliver her baby.

100%

$303 raised, $0 to go

$303

raised

to go

Promise's story
Promise's update

November 26, 2015

Meet Promise, a 14-year-old girl living in Uganda with her mother and siblings. “She currently works weaving mats and as a farm laborer,” shares our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation, “but she hopes to someday be a business woman.”

Promise is pregnant with her first child. “She has a small pelvis so she will need a Cesarean section to avoid obstructed delivery,” explains the Kellermann Foundation. Cesarean sections offer high-risk expectant mothers, like Promise, a safer option in delivering their babies.

For $303, Promise can receive the Cesarean section in addition to the necessary antibiotics and antenatal and post-operative care. The Kellermann Foundation expects that after the procedure, both the mother and child with be healthy.

“She is looking forward to raising her child and will be happy as long as it is healthy,” says the Kellermann Foundation, “a good education is what she wants for him or her.”

“Blessings to all the people helping,” says Promise.

Meet Promise, a 14-year-old girl living in Uganda with her mother and siblings. “She currently works weaving mats and as a farm laborer,” sh...

February 23, 2016

Promise safely delivered her baby but did not require a C-section.

Our medical partner in Uganda, the Kellermann Foundation, shares that Promise “was able to deliver naturally and did not need a C-section.” While the outcome was unexpected, Promise and her new baby are healthy and recovering.

Our medical partner in Uganda, the Kellermann Foundation, shares that Promise "was able to deliver naturally and did not need a C-section." ...

November 26, 2015
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Promise was submitted by Sheila Hosner at The Kellermann Foundation.
December 17, 2015
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Promise's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 23, 2016
FUNDING ENDED
Promise is no longer raising funds.
January 8, 2016
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Promise was scheduled to receive treatment at Bwindi Community Hospital in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
February 23, 2016
TREATMENT UPDATE
Promise's treatment did not happen. Read the update.

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

C-Section w/Antenatal Care

Diagnosis
Procedure

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Expectant mothers with the following conditions are recommended for C-sections: two previous C-sections, twins in same sack, twins with previous a C-section, pelvic abnormalities, improperly-positioned babies, large babies, prima gravida at a young age, and other uterine conditions or operations. Obstructed labor causes great pain in the mother, and neglected obstructed labor is a major cause of both maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. At Bwindi Community Hospital, elective Cesarean sections are recommended for expectant mothers who are predicted to have obstructed labor.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

One of the most severe and distressing long-term conditions following untreated obstructed labor is an obstetric fistula, a hole which forms in the vaginal wall. Fistulas lead to urinary and stool incontinence. In developing countries, fistulas are commonly the result of prolonged obstructed labor, which could have been prevented by a C-section.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Malnutrition is common in poor areas of Uganda. A patient with stunting or a contracted pelvis will need a C-section. Additionally, the rate of teenage pregnancy is higher in poor families. A young, first-time mother is more likely to need a C-section because her pelvis is not fully developed.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Mothers attending antenatal classes are identified by community health nurses as potentially needing C-sections. As her expected delivery date nears, the mother arrives at the hospital and is seen at outpatient triage. If she arrives before her due date, the mother is sent to the mother's waiting hostel for up to one month. When at term, the mother is sent to obstetrics. The obstetrician takes her history and admits her to the maternity ward. She receives family planning counseling. Blood samples are taken, and surgery is scheduled for the next day. Procedures are explained to the patient and her attendant, and consent for surgery is obtained. An anesthetist reviews the patient's history and determines what type and amount of anesthesia is required. Before surgery, an IV line is inserted. The patient receives the antibiotic Ampicillin and 500 ml of saline IV fluids. A urinary catheter is inserted, and the patient is taken to the operating theater at her scheduled time. The surgery is performed and an IUD is inserted, if requested by the patient. A midwife is present to receive the baby. The baby is examined by the midwife and kept warm. The mother is monitored for 30 minutes in the theater, then returned to the maternity ward. She continues to be monitored. With her new baby, the mother will stay in the hospital approximately 5 to 7 days. She will have a daily review by a medical officer. She will receive antibiotics and painkillers three times a day.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment can save the lives of the mother and the baby and prevent long-term complications from obstructed labor.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are always risks to surgery. Possible risks include reactions to medications or anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. However, for mothers who are at risk of obstructed labor, a C-section is the safer alternative.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

This treatment is not easily accessible. It is only available at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. The other referral hospital is more than a three-hour drive away. Most expectant mothers who will need C-sections are identified by the community nurses who visit the surrounding villages on a regular basis.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients who have not been to antenatal care and have not had a scan may not know they are at risk for obstructed labor. They may try to deliver at home or in a local health center.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Mohammed is a 3-year-old boy living in Kenya. He is the older of two siblings, who are raised by their single mother. Mohammed enjoys singing and is always cheerful. Mohammed has clubfoot on both feet. This causes his feet to turn inward instead of pointing straight. Despite doctors' attempts to correct this condition through the use of casts on his feet immediately after birth, there has been no improvement. Consequently, Mohammed can't walk, stand, or wear shoes like other children because his feet are too twisted. Fortunately, Mohammed traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Mohammed's procedure. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play like other children. “I look forward to seeing my son standing upright and walking normally like other children.” Mohammed’s mother said.

Josophat lives with his wife and grandchildren in Malawi. His seven children are all married, and living in their own homes. Josophat did not complete primary school, and is now a small-scale farmer, growing maize for both consumption and commercial purposes. Recently, an old building collapsed outside his house, resulting in injuries to both of his legs. He was rushed to a nearby health center, where he was advised to seek treatment at our medical partner's care center Nkhoma Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with knee and ankle fractures, and he requires surgery to ensure proper healing. Presently he is in pain, and unable to work. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Josophat receive treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform fracture repair surgery, enabling Josophat to return to his farming, free of pain. Now, Josophat needs help to fund this $636 procedure. Josophat says: “I am looking forward to treatment and recovery.”

Mao is a 46-year-old mother from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal province with her husband and 13-year-old daughter. Her husband works as a security guard at a clothing factory, and her daughter is in the 6th grade. Mao looks after the household and does small jobs around the village to supplement the family income. In her free time, she likes going to the local market with her daughter and preparing new recipes. Mao was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture on her left forearm. She is unable to use her arm for every day tasks, and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 20th, Mao will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will help her forearm move easily again. Now, Mao needs help to fund this $483 procedure. Mao says, "I hope I can care for my family again. I want to be able to take care of my family's home, and not be in pain anymore."

Promise's Timeline

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.