Zebiba is 26 years old and is one of the women’s health group leaders. She’s also a mother and has experiences of giving birth both at home and in a health centre.
During her latest pregnancy Zebiba visited the health centre for vital antenatal check-ups, checking both on her health and that of her unborn baby. She received a tetanus vaccine and iron supplements to prevent anaemia.
She was prepared for her delivery. Zebiba had saved money, had food, clothes and soap to take to the hospital and got the phone number for an ambulance from the local health centre.
When Zebiba went into labour, starting to experience contractions, she used one of the motorcycles purchased for the project to travel to the health centre – enabling her to get there safely in just 20 minutes.
This was crucial, as when she gave birth the child was asphyxiated. “The midwives saved my child’s life” explains Zebiba, through their urgent support and care.
Zebiba describes how grateful she is for the medical care and attention she received.
“When we give birth at home we may face different complications, like bleeding, or our child may die. At home we don’t get any emergency support. The cleanliness of the health centre is better too.”
Zebiba also received postnatal care, including medication for abdominal cramp and oxytocin. Her newborn baby received eye ointment and there were no further complications.
“Before the women’s health groups, most people did not want to stay for postnatal care. After giving birth we rushed to go home.”
The groups stimulate discussion on shared knowledge of complications in delivery, the advantages of giving birth at a health centre and how to prevent problems such as malaria, by spraying homes and sleeping under a bed net.
Zebiba says, “After the training on how to lead a women’s health group, I understood it was about facilitating discussions instead of teaching.”
This work is only possible thanks to the kind supporters of Women and Children First. To help more women and children survive and thrive in Ethiopia and around the world, please consider making a donation.