Putali Thapa's story

Related pages: Nepal | Maternal Health

When Nepalese mother-to-be Putali Thapa collapsed at work in the fields she was in her 10 month of pregnancy. Her mother, Asari, says: "Putali was full term so I guessed the baby was coming. Although I didn't know how to help delivering the baby, I thought that she shouldn't be left alone."

Her family and the local community eventually decided she should be taken to the local hospital at Baglung, which is supported by the Nepal Safe Motherhood Project that we fund.

At the hospital Putali was unconscious for three days and received two pints of blood. Unfortunately, when the baby was removed it was already dead.

Putali's story illustrates the dangers associated with pregnancy and childbirth in Nepal. The Safe Motherhood Project, which is managed by Options Consultancy Services, is leading to increase use and quality of midwives and obstetric care.

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