When mission co-worker
Dr. Carol Brees performed a cesarean section on Razia at Memorial
Christian Hospital in Sialkot, the baby was already dead. Carol
was dismayed. Razia had previously had three cesarean deliveries
and only one living child. With this pregnancy, she had diabetes,
which, untreated was probably the cause of her previous losses
as well. At her one visit to the antenatal clinic she had been
told that her blood sugars were high and she should be admitted
to the hospital. Razia went home instead.
Carol explained that if she wanted another child, it would
take intensive antenatal care. Otherwise, she probably would
continue to lose pregnancies. Razia and her husband have few
resources and live far from the hospital. She elected to have
a tubal ligation so that she will have no more babies. That
difficult decision may well have saved Razia’s life.
Razia’s story is by no means unique. It is the rare
woman Carol sees at Memorial Christian Hospital who has not
lost at least one pregnancy. Many of these losses could have
been prevented if women had easier access to adequate health
care. Transportation is often an issue, especially during the
monsoon. Education is another issue. Many women don’t
come for care until late in their pregnancies because they believe
it is unlucky to admit they are pregnant before they are actually
showing. Many women are so discouraged after several losses
that they don’t believe a healthy baby is possible. Usually
this is couched with the phrase “Allah ki marzi, hai.”
That is, “It’s God’s will.”
“Thankfully, it is not God’s will that mothers
and children die unnecessarily!” writes Carol. “Please
pray for us as we seek to demonstrate that to the women who
deliver here—and even more that they might know an abundant
life.” |
