Kaduna pregnant women embrace antenatal care after PHC renovation

Maryam Ibrahim, a 24-year-old mother, once harbored deep fears about childbirth, fueled by neighbors' stories of difficult labor and perceived neglect in hospitals. These anxieties haunted her through the early stages of her pregnancy, leaving her questioning what might go wrong during delivery. However, her fears began to dissipate after a health worker encouraged her to register for antenatal care at the newly renovated Sabon Tasha Primary Health Care Centre in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

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It was clean and organised. The nurses welcomed me warmly and patiently answered every question I asked. Nobody made me feel ignorant because it was my first pregnancy.

Upon her first visit, Ibrahim was struck by the transformation of the facility. The healthcare workers greeted her warmly, patiently explained procedures, and made her feel comfortable, dispelling her initial apprehension. "It was clean and organised. The nurses welcomed me warmly and patiently answered every question I asked. Nobody made me feel ignorant because it was my first pregnancy," Ibrahim recounted. This positive experience motivated her to attend every scheduled antenatal clinic, with each visit further bolstering her confidence and easing her worries.

During her antenatal visits, Ibrahim received comprehensive care, including blood pressure checks, monitoring of the baby's growth, and nutritional guidance. The healthcare providers also educated her on danger signs during pregnancy and prepared her mentally for labor and delivery. "They checked my blood pressure, monitored the baby’s growth and taught us about nutrition. They explained danger signs during pregnancy, what to expect during labour and even prepared us mentally for childbirth. I stopped seeing pregnancy as something to fear," she shared.

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They checked my blood pressure, monitored the baby’s growth and taught us about nutrition. They explained danger signs during pregnancy, what to expect during labour and even prepared us mentally for childbirth. I stopped seeing pregnancy as something to fear.

When labor pains began, Ibrahim's husband immediately took her to the Sabon Tasha center, where health workers, some residing on-site, attended to her promptly. Throughout the labor, she received continuous encouragement from the nurses, who stayed by her side, offering support and reassurance. "I was crying because I thought I couldn’t continue, but the nurses kept holding my hands; they kept telling me, ‘You are doing well. Keep breathing. Your baby is almost here.’ They never left me alone," she recalled. The experience culminated in the birth of a healthy baby boy, transforming her fear into joy.

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I was crying because I thought I couldn’t continue, but the nurses kept holding my hands; they kept telling me, ‘You are doing well. Keep breathing. Your baby is almost here.’ They never left me alone.