Saving Lives at Birth in Kawempe amidst COVID-19

Protecting Mothers and Newborns Through Safe Birth Care

During this reporting period, the Saving Lives at Birth project continued to support pregnant women with essential antenatal care (ANC), counseling, and safe delivery services. These efforts aim to ensure that both mothers and newborns receive timely medical attention and guidance throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

A total of 19 pregnant women attended antenatal care (ANC) services during the quarter. These mothers were supported at different stages of pregnancy, with approximately 5 attending in their first trimester, 8 in the second trimester, and 4 in the third trimester. During these visits, mothers received routine health assessments, pregnancy monitoring, and ANC counseling on nutrition, birth preparedness, danger signs in pregnancy, and newborn care. The counseling sessions also emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups and delivering in health facilities where skilled care is available.

Some of the mothers were identified with pregnancy-related health risks, including cases of pre-eclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy that can endanger both mother and baby if not properly managed. These mothers received close monitoring, guidance on medication adherence, and referrals for further management when necessary to prevent complications.

During the same period, 7 mothers safely delivered their babies with the support of skilled health providers. Five of the deliveries were normal vaginal births, while two required cesarean sections due to previous surgical scars that made normal delivery unsafe. Timely medical decisions and skilled obstetric care ensured that both mothers and newborns were protected during delivery.

One of the mothers who had a normal delivery presented with Rhesus (Rh) negative incompatibility, a condition that can affect future pregnancies if not managed promptly. Immediately after delivery, she was given Anti-D immunoglobulin, an important intervention that prevents complications in future pregnancies and protects the health of both mother and child.

Through continued ANC counseling, risk identification, and safe delivery support, the project is helping families better understand maternal health and the importance of seeking care early. The program is also strengthening community confidence in health services by ensuring mothers receive compassionate and skilled care throughout pregnancy.

These results demonstrate the importance of early antenatal attendance, consistent monitoring, and skilled birth support in saving lives and preventing complications. As the project continues, we remain committed to reaching more mothers with lifesaving maternal and newborn health services, ensuring that every pregnancy is safer and every newborn has a healthy start to life