“Francisca has had diabetes since she was six years old,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Francisca is now a 38-year-old mother of six living in Guatemala, and she is currently pregnant for the ninth time. “She works in the home, caring for her children and the household,” says WK, “her husband is a farmer.”
Francisca’s type 1 diabetes puts her at high risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth. “Her last pregnancy resulted in some major complications that led to a miscarriage in the final weeks of term,” explains WK. Francisca is afraid that this will happen again.
Francisca is now 28 weeks pregnant, and, “without intervention, she is at risk of complications that could put both her and her baby’s lives in danger,” continues WK.
For $337, Francisca will receive the prenatal care she needs, including case management, labs, medication, transportation, and lodging. “Treatment will prevent Francisca and her baby from experiencing the effects of pre-eclampsia or any other complications associated with the combination of diabetes and pregnancy,” explains WK. Pre-eclampsia is a disorder that is characterized by high blood pressure and excessive protein in the urine. If it is left untreated, it can result in dangerous outcomes for both mother and child.
“We will provide her with her prenatal care and accompany her to the hospital several times before her delivery so she can get to know the staff. And when the day comes she will be prepared and confident and able to enter the system smoothly,” reports WK.
“Thank you for caring about us when no one else would,” Francisca shares gratefully.