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Your stories on childbirth and maternal healthcare around the world	Your stories on childbirth and maternal healthcare around the world
2015-05-28 10:05:06 UTC	2015-05-28 11:20:09 UTC (about 1 hour later)
While progress has been made on ensuring that more women survive childbirth, basic maternal healthcare remains out of reach for millions of women. Around 800 women die each day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.	While progress has been made on ensuring that more women survive childbirth, basic maternal healthcare remains out of reach for millions of women. Around 800 women die each day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
As the UN prepares to phase out its millennium development goals, which included the target of cutting maternal deaths by 75%, we asked readers to share their stories of maternal healthcare provision. Here are some of the responses we received.	As the UN prepares to phase out its millennium development goals, which included the target of cutting maternal deaths by 75%, we asked readers to share their stories of maternal healthcare provision. Here are some of the responses we received.
‘I gave birth on my wedding day. The baby was three months early’	‘I gave birth on my wedding day. The baby was three months early’
Toyin Ojora-Saraki, Nigeria	Toyin Ojora-Saraki, Nigeria
I gave birth to twins – on my wedding day – in an urban maternity hospital in my home country of Nigeria. The birth was three months premature, and midwives and doctors were present, but there was a fatal delay in finding an anaesthetist to enable an emergency caesarean section by general anaesthetic since an epidural was neither offered nor available.	I gave birth to twins – on my wedding day – in an urban maternity hospital in my home country of Nigeria. The birth was three months premature, and midwives and doctors were present, but there was a fatal delay in finding an anaesthetist to enable an emergency caesarean section by general anaesthetic since an epidural was neither offered nor available.
I had been preparing for the birth in the UK, receiving prenatal care in London from consultants. As it was a multiple birth, prenatal consultants provided consistent care in the months leading up to my due date. However, I had to prepare for my wedding in Nigeria and had to travel to the country before my due date. I was assured that it should be fine to return home, get married, and make it back to London in time to give birth.	I had been preparing for the birth in the UK, receiving prenatal care in London from consultants. As it was a multiple birth, prenatal consultants provided consistent care in the months leading up to my due date. However, I had to prepare for my wedding in Nigeria and had to travel to the country before my due date. I was assured that it should be fine to return home, get married, and make it back to London in time to give birth.
Yet on my wedding day, and within only 24 hours, I got married, gave birth three months prematurely, and lost one of my twin babies in childbirth. We were fortunate, however, that as soon as the emergency arose, I immediately received two of an indicated three steroid injections to help my babies’ lungs mature faster.	Yet on my wedding day, and within only 24 hours, I got married, gave birth three months prematurely, and lost one of my twin babies in childbirth. We were fortunate, however, that as soon as the emergency arose, I immediately received two of an indicated three steroid injections to help my babies’ lungs mature faster.
I came close to death myself, having become severely anaemic. I had to fight to save my life and the life of the surviving twin. In getting through this harrowing process, my child and I are very lucky to be here today. The care following the birth was diligent, but uncomfortable and difficult due to a lack of modern resources.	I came close to death myself, having become severely anaemic. I had to fight to save my life and the life of the surviving twin. In getting through this harrowing process, my child and I are very lucky to be here today. The care following the birth was diligent, but uncomfortable and difficult due to a lack of modern resources.
Three days after giving birth in the hospital, I suffered from painful engorgement and had to express my breast milk. The nurses treating me handed me a white plastic bucket, without explaining what I should do. They began pressing my breasts to pump milk into the bucket, leading to a lot of crying and pain on my part.	Three days after giving birth in the hospital, I suffered from painful engorgement and had to express my breast milk. The nurses treating me handed me a white plastic bucket, without explaining what I should do. They began pressing my breasts to pump milk into the bucket, leading to a lot of crying and pain on my part.
Knowing that an experience like mine is all-too-common for mothers and infants around the world is heartbreaking, but it could have been worse, because, in fact, 14% of Nigerian women give birth without anyone present. Some of these women – if they survive – suffer permanent birth injuries. Stillbirths often go unrecorded, let alone lead to counselling. This is why I started the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, which works to improve maternal, newborn, and child health across the continent.	Knowing that an experience like mine is all-too-common for mothers and infants around the world is heartbreaking, but it could have been worse, because, in fact, 14% of Nigerian women give birth without anyone present. Some of these women – if they survive – suffer permanent birth injuries. Stillbirths often go unrecorded, let alone lead to counselling. This is why I started the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, which works to improve maternal, newborn, and child health across the continent.
	Related: What are the millennium development goals on child mortality and maternal health all about?
‘Healthcare is underfunded in Poland, but I got the care I needed’	‘Healthcare is underfunded in Poland, but I got the care I needed’
Claudia, Poland	Claudia, Poland
I decided to share my story because I was very satisfied with the care I received in a public hospital in eastern Europe and I thought this might go against the usual complaints we hear about public healthcare in this part of the world.	I decided to share my story because I was very satisfied with the care I received in a public hospital in eastern Europe and I thought this might go against the usual complaints we hear about public healthcare in this part of the world.
At 35 weeks of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with pregnancy cholestasis [a liver condition], which meant I had to stay in hospital until 37 weeks, when a baby is considered full term, and have an induced labour. I received excellent care for the almost three weeks while I was in hospital, from a team of midwives in Warsaw. I even got to choose a vegan diet.	At 35 weeks of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with pregnancy cholestasis [a liver condition], which meant I had to stay in hospital until 37 weeks, when a baby is considered full term, and have an induced labour. I received excellent care for the almost three weeks while I was in hospital, from a team of midwives in Warsaw. I even got to choose a vegan diet.
At this hospital, women in labour are taken to newly renovated rooms, where conditions are very good: there is a bath, a private toilet, birthing balls and mattresses and many other items to use for finding comfort during labour. I gave birth with the midwife on call, who was extremely patient and discreet.	At this hospital, women in labour are taken to newly renovated rooms, where conditions are very good: there is a bath, a private toilet, birthing balls and mattresses and many other items to use for finding comfort during labour. I gave birth with the midwife on call, who was extremely patient and discreet.
I’m just happy to say that we got this very warm, thoughtful care at a public hospital despite health systems in Poland and the rest of eastern European countries being systematically underfunded. While I was in the hospital, I read a notice on the wall which said that state support for this hospital covers about two-thirds of the cost of a birth and that they do need support from donations and philanthropists, but it seems that they do manage in the end to find the funds they need. Or they manage somehow to compensate with love and care.	I’m just happy to say that we got this very warm, thoughtful care at a public hospital despite health systems in Poland and the rest of eastern European countries being systematically underfunded. While I was in the hospital, I read a notice on the wall which said that state support for this hospital covers about two-thirds of the cost of a birth and that they do need support from donations and philanthropists, but it seems that they do manage in the end to find the funds they need. Or they manage somehow to compensate with love and care.
‘My mother didn’t see a doctor for her entire pregnancy’	‘My mother didn’t see a doctor for her entire pregnancy’
Name withheld, Malawi	Name withheld, Malawi
This is not my birthing story but my mother’s. She had my brother at age 16 and me at 18 in Malawi. My mum never talked about her pregnancy or childbirth experiences, and it was only recently, on a return home to see her, that I found out she had given birth at home with both of us. She was with her mother-in-law and older sister both times, and she was in labour for two days with my brother. Living in the UK, my idea of homebirths is very different from my mother’s experience. She didn’t see a doctor or health professional for her entire pregnancy or labour. There was a health clinic about an hour’s drive away on public transport, but she says she never considered it an option. Her friends had all given birth at home with traditional birth attendants, and her mother-in-law had said that going to the clinic went against the family tradition of women delivering in their villages.	This is not my birthing story but my mother’s. She had my brother at age 16 and me at 18 in Malawi. My mum never talked about her pregnancy or childbirth experiences, and it was only recently, on a return home to see her, that I found out she had given birth at home with both of us. She was with her mother-in-law and older sister both times, and she was in labour for two days with my brother. Living in the UK, my idea of homebirths is very different from my mother’s experience. She didn’t see a doctor or health professional for her entire pregnancy or labour. There was a health clinic about an hour’s drive away on public transport, but she says she never considered it an option. Her friends had all given birth at home with traditional birth attendants, and her mother-in-law had said that going to the clinic went against the family tradition of women delivering in their villages.
Things were tense with her first labour, but luckily my brother didn’t require vital care when he finally arrived. Mum says she felt that God had watched over her during that labour. She says that now women in Malawi don’t have to go through the same thing, and it is the norm to go to a clinic for at least one visit, even if you are delivering in your village. All of my friends still in Malawi have received all the basic care that I would receive here in the UK, but they’re mostly in the city. My hope is that every woman gets the choice to get the care they need.	Things were tense with her first labour, but luckily my brother didn’t require vital care when he finally arrived. Mum says she felt that God had watched over her during that labour. She says that now women in Malawi don’t have to go through the same thing, and it is the norm to go to a clinic for at least one visit, even if you are delivering in your village. All of my friends still in Malawi have received all the basic care that I would receive here in the UK, but they’re mostly in the city. My hope is that every woman gets the choice to get the care they need.
	Related: Empty promises mean African mothers are dying of preventable diseases \| Dr Joachim Osur
‘The public health system is very good in Germany’	‘The public health system is very good in Germany’
Anna, Germany	Anna, Germany
I had monthly pre-natal check-ups up to two months before delivery, then bi-monthly check-ups until delivery, done by my gynaecologist-obstetrician. There was a week-long prenatal class to prepare for the delivery, paid for by public insurance. We hired a housekeeper as I was too large to do the usual share of domestic work. Also, privately I got weekly massages, weekly lymphatic drainages, weekly private antenatal lessons, bi-weekly pre-natal yoga classes, weekly osteopathy and acupuncture sessions, weekly prenatal pilates and aqua fitness classes. I also saw a personal trainer every week.	I had monthly pre-natal check-ups up to two months before delivery, then bi-monthly check-ups until delivery, done by my gynaecologist-obstetrician. There was a week-long prenatal class to prepare for the delivery, paid for by public insurance. We hired a housekeeper as I was too large to do the usual share of domestic work. Also, privately I got weekly massages, weekly lymphatic drainages, weekly private antenatal lessons, bi-weekly pre-natal yoga classes, weekly osteopathy and acupuncture sessions, weekly prenatal pilates and aqua fitness classes. I also saw a personal trainer every week.
After the delivery and two nights in hospital, we were discharged to go home. A midwife visited every day for 10 days after we arrived home. We had also hired a maternity nanny to look after the baby. A paediatrician close to our house checked the baby after two weeks. For my personal antenatal care, my insurance paid for one weekly class. Privately, I attended four others. The public health system is very good in Germany, although we live a comfortable life in an affluent part of Germany’s wealthiest city. Instead of buying a new car or expensive furniture, we paid for excellent care.	After the delivery and two nights in hospital, we were discharged to go home. A midwife visited every day for 10 days after we arrived home. We had also hired a maternity nanny to look after the baby. A paediatrician close to our house checked the baby after two weeks. For my personal antenatal care, my insurance paid for one weekly class. Privately, I attended four others. The public health system is very good in Germany, although we live a comfortable life in an affluent part of Germany’s wealthiest city. Instead of buying a new car or expensive furniture, we paid for excellent care.
‘My sister-in-law gave birth in an overcrowded refugee camp’	‘My sister-in-law gave birth in an overcrowded refugee camp’
Samantha, Kenya and Canada	Samantha, Kenya and Canada
My husband spent 10 years in Daadab refugee camp in Kenya, and his sister gave birth there. She was one of the lucky ones who received care at a clinic, and that saved her life because she had to have an emergency caesarean. Most of her friends gave birth in their homes in the camp, sometimes for cultural reasons and sometimes because they simply didn’t have a choice. The camp is so crowded, and is growing with around 1,000 births each month, apparently. I’m so grateful that my nephew survived and is now a healthy little boy in Tanzania, where they were able to emigrate.	My husband spent 10 years in Daadab refugee camp in Kenya, and his sister gave birth there. She was one of the lucky ones who received care at a clinic, and that saved her life because she had to have an emergency caesarean. Most of her friends gave birth in their homes in the camp, sometimes for cultural reasons and sometimes because they simply didn’t have a choice. The camp is so crowded, and is growing with around 1,000 births each month, apparently. I’m so grateful that my nephew survived and is now a healthy little boy in Tanzania, where they were able to emigrate.
In comparison, I gave birth in Canada with a midwife present throughout the birth. I had weekly check-ups and had visiting home-care for the weeks after. I always felt safe and cared for, and knew that if any complications arose there would be help at hand. How is it fair that my son had a much greater chance of survival at birth than his cousin?	In comparison, I gave birth in Canada with a midwife present throughout the birth. I had weekly check-ups and had visiting home-care for the weeks after. I always felt safe and cared for, and knew that if any complications arose there would be help at hand. How is it fair that my son had a much greater chance of survival at birth than his cousin?
‘I could have saved my first child if I had had the chance to learn about maternal and child health’	‘I could have saved my first child if I had had the chance to learn about maternal and child health’
Daw Nwe Nwe (sent via World Vision), Burma	Daw Nwe Nwe (sent via World Vision), Burma
I had never heard about antenatal and postnatal care for mothers when I was expecting my first three children. I did not understand the importance of immunisations and nutrition. When World Vision started working in our community, I got to learn about the importance of maternal and child healthcare.	I had never heard about antenatal and postnatal care for mothers when I was expecting my first three children. I did not understand the importance of immunisations and nutrition. When World Vision started working in our community, I got to learn about the importance of maternal and child healthcare.
I think I could have saved my first child if I had the chance to learn about maternal and child healthcare earlier. Now, I always attend maternal, child health and nutrition awareness sessions. I also received iron tablets.	I think I could have saved my first child if I had the chance to learn about maternal and child healthcare earlier. Now, I always attend maternal, child health and nutrition awareness sessions. I also received iron tablets.
I realised that I was not eating properly while I was expecting my first three children. But while I was expecting my fourth child, I ate nutritious foods and followed what I had learned, so there were no problems during delivery. I only breastfed my daughter until she was six months old. She is healthier than my other children. Now, I promptly go to the clinic when my children are sick. I am afraid I might lose them like my first child.	I realised that I was not eating properly while I was expecting my first three children. But while I was expecting my fourth child, I ate nutritious foods and followed what I had learned, so there were no problems during delivery. I only breastfed my daughter until she was six months old. She is healthier than my other children. Now, I promptly go to the clinic when my children are sick. I am afraid I might lose them like my first child.
‘I lost two brothers at a young age due to no access to basic medical facilities’	‘I lost two brothers at a young age due to no access to basic medical facilities’
Darjat, Pakistan	Darjat, Pakistan
I was born in a mountain village 750km away from Islamabad, Pakistan. My grandmother was there but no health worker was present. During the time of my birth in 1959, [we] only [had] the indigenous knowledge of elder women, but during my kids’ time, they were provided with all the preventative vaccines and check-ups before and after birth in the small village, and later in the town and city. My wife also had access to basic check-ups before and after deliveries. I wish we had had basic medical facilities in the village where I was born. I lost two brothers at a young age due to no access to basic medical facilities.	I was born in a mountain village 750km away from Islamabad, Pakistan. My grandmother was there but no health worker was present. During the time of my birth in 1959, [we] only [had] the indigenous knowledge of elder women, but during my kids’ time, they were provided with all the preventative vaccines and check-ups before and after birth in the small village, and later in the town and city. My wife also had access to basic check-ups before and after deliveries. I wish we had had basic medical facilities in the village where I was born. I lost two brothers at a young age due to no access to basic medical facilities.