By Wanangwa Mumba
About half of nearly 120
million women who give birth each year experience some kind of complication
during their pregnancies and between 15 million and 20 million develop
disabilities such as severe anaemia, incontinence, damage to the reproductive
organs or nervous system, chronic pain, and infertility. Maternal disabilities
have received relatively little attention, because they are often concealed.
A 19 year-old young lady from
the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Ngokwe in Machinga district survived
this condition. After giving birth to a baby boy in November, 2013, she started
experiencing unbearable pelvic pain. The lady had a combination of obstructed
or prolonged labour and infection during and after labour (sepsis). These
conditions are usually associated with severe postpartum infections and
increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and
neurological injuries, as well as a condition called "Foot Drop" that
makes walking difficult and chronic pelvic pain.
In
spite of all the pain, the young lady saw nothing strange because she perceived
it as a mere consequence of childbearing. This was perpetuated by the fact that
she was then an adolescent mother and adolescent mothers often lack knowledge,
experience, and strength than older mothers hence they are susceptible to
complications during pregnancy. Teens are least likely, of all maternal age
groups, to get early and regular prenatal care.
The
condition greatly affected her and her family as she walked with difficulties
and the pain was unbearable. Consequentially, she started suffering from
psychological problems like feeling isolated from the community. As a
subsistence famer, the condition also affected her crop production and this
meant hunger.
Early
in the year 2014, YONECO, through its trained parenting facilitators,
introduced community support structures for parents (Parenting Circles) in some
parts of Machinga district. The circles operate in such a way that the members
share their personal experiences, challenges and successes in the course of
upbringing children. Furthermore, the groups also provide help and guidance to
other members in regards to parenting skills. In addition, they discuss various
issues pertaining to child rights and protection since the family, as a basic
unit of the society, is better positioned to enhance the promotion of
children’s rights.
The
process of sharing personal challenges helps the members to identify with
others, break down isolation, and give hope to those struggling with seemingly
insurmountable difficulties in parenting. It was through one of such forums
where the case of the 19 year-old was brought to light. Some members of the
group enlightened her parents that their daughter’s condition is curable and
they were advised to seek medical attention.
The
circle facilitator guided and supported the young lady and her parents and
after seeking medical help, the condition has been cured and her life has
turned back to normal.
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