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Inspiring Moms of May: Pakistani Mom Travels 12 Hours For A Safe Birth

News

By Hannah Rael

At Direct Relief, May is for moms. Throughout the month, we will regularly honor mothers around the world who inspire us. Today’s story comes from staff at Murshid Hospital and Health Care Centre – our partner in Karachi, Pakistan.

Wasila Zahoor is one of the many mothers around the world who are willing to do everything necessary for the health of their babies. At the Murshid Hospital and Health Care Centre (MHHCC), settled on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, miraculous and heart-warming stories like hers are a daily occurrence.

The hospital – a Direct Relief partner since 2005 – admits those from the Balochistan coastal areas who are unable to afford the costs of a normal birth delivery and are in risky, complicated pregnancies.

On April 25, Wasila was admitted to the hospital at 35 weeks pregnant – a point in time commonly associated with a hospital visit. But in this circumstance, she was under a state of emergency. She had been experiencing a significant reduction in fetal movement and was in great fear of losing her baby. For Wasila, the thought of losing her child was unbearable as she has lost three babies within the past seven years.

All of these past births occurred at Wasila’s home with a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA). Because her home is located about 12 hours away from the hospital,  getting to MHHCC was a long, rough journey. But she knew it was one she had to make for her unborn child to survive.

As noted by both the MHHCC and the 2013 State of the World’s Mothers Report, the lack of availability of appropriate facilities and personnel are the key contributors to high maternal and infant mortality rates.

Thankfully, the trained staff at the MHHCC Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is not unfamiliar with cases requiring emergency obstetric care. In April alone, MHHCC delivered 102 babies, with 34 undergoing a Cesarean Section – the typical method used in desperate cases because it is often seen as the best way to save both the mother and child. And Wasila was no different; she was advised and opted for a C-Section the day after she was admitted.

And in this case, luck and experienced personnel were by her side as tears changed to cheers and Wasila gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Wasila’s strenuous journey to receive care demonstrates a commitment to her unborn child of true motherly love and devotion.

To support mothers around the world like Wasila this Mother’s Day, donate on our website, here.

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