Written by Khady Thiam Edited by Jarrin Ahmed
Pregnancy is a very delicate process: life is being created and transported out through a vessel that is responsible for caring, loving, and protecting it. Not only is one responsible for their own well being, but for that of the human being growing inside of them. To this end, women experience countless symptoms and effects that result from pregnancy. Childbirth is the most painful process that anyone can go through. It is also a very precarious task. One must have a full army of professionals to help, the proper medical equipment to facilitate the process, family and friends who offer moral support, and full confidence that they are capable of providing life.
In the vibrant West African country of Senegal, the chief role of a woman is to be a wife and mother. There aren’t many independent women who obtain careers and generate their own conditions of living. When asked what they strive to be when they grow up, the majority of young Senegalese girls respond: to become a wife, and to have kids. An education and career are second to the duties of the domestic sphere. As a result of this, women are pressured to have kids, usually back-to-back once they get married. This societal and intergenerational pressure imposed upon women, especially during their early 20s or at the beginning of marriage, plays a significant role in this expectation.
However, there are many risks associated with giving birth back to back, including premature birth, fatigue, placental damage, anemia, a very low birth weight, and unfortunately, stillbirth. Due to these practices, Senegal’s maternal mortality rate has reached 315 deaths for every 100,000 births, which is over 10 times the United States’ rate (19 deaths for every 100,000 births). A woman should be able to rest and nurture her body back to health after childbirth before considering the possibility of having more children.
Ndeye Fall, a 35-year-old mother of five, explains how after being pregnant for the fifth time, she experienced fear and depression for three months straight. She expresses her anticipation of what was to come, and acknowledged that it was not going to be easy. She experienced frustration towards herself and the healthcare community for not providing a way to protect her from risky pregnancies and childbirth. She says that the number one issue is the lack of healthcare facilities that cater to women's needs and provide appropriate remedies.
There has been recent improvement with this issue across Senegal. Women are more aware of the various options available to them, including different types of contraception they can use to avoid unintended pregnancies. These include certain contraception implants that can be removed at any time. They are also more aware of their potential for a fulfilling life beyond just motherhood, including opportunities as entrepreneurs and in other areas. Although the larger issues, such as lack of proper healthcare equipment and facilities, cannot be solved overnight, there are still measures we can take to tackle the issue that remains prevalent in Senegal and worldwide.
Take Action: Donate to MSI United States to avert pregnancy-related deaths in Senegal by providing women with access to contraception.
References:
Reducing Maternal Mortality in Senegal. MSI United States. 2023
Family Planning, Get the Facts About Pregnancy Spacing. Mayo Clinic. Dec, 2022