The picture of the week
Umbilical hernia during pregnancy in a young multiparous woman in Mozambique
Manuel Napúa - Beira Operations Research Center, Mozambique
2013-08-27
This photograph shows an umbilical hernia during pregnancy, which is of clinical importance because treatment requires consideration of both the mother's condition and the safety of the unborn baby.
Umbilical hernia could be due to increased pressure on abdominal wall because of uterus enlargement during pregnancy. This pressure can push part of intestines or abdominal tissue through a weak spot. In some cases pregnancy can weaken abdominal muscle and lead to hernia.
This picture belongs to a 27 year old and multiparous woman, who has already 8 children. This young mother has never sought family planning methods, mainly because the nearest rural hospital is located 280 km far from her house. This pregnancy required to be managed by a caesarean section in the rural hospital, which was a big problem for the family to manage the transport and pay the costs.
Manuel Napúa, medical doctor and researcher at Beira Operations Research Centre and participant of GFMER training course, facilitated the transfer of this woman to the hospital, where she underwent a successful caesarean section. The mother and the baby boy are both healthy. Despite the fact it is a happy end, Manuel draws our attention to the unmet needs of family planning methods in his country, which still remain a great challenge.