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Twins: A miracle unfolds at KPCC KPCC holds medical outreach at Royal Nairobi
Twins: A miracle unfolds at KPCC
By Petterson Njogu
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Damaclyn Magero has conceived thrice since 2019, only for her heart to be brutally crushed all three times. Throughout the entire period, she would have traded anything just to hold her firstborn.
“My husband and I tried to start a family for such a long time. It felt like forever. I started doubting everything since the baby we wanted seemed to be so near, yet so far,” said Damaclyn.
In 2019, Damaclyn suffered two miscarriages, at 16 weeks and 10 weeks respectively. As if that was not agonizing enough, in 2020 at 26 weeks she lost her pregnancy once again.
Miscarriage can be defined as a spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 20th week. Studies reveal that about 9-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and there is a huge chunk of women who miscarry before they even know they are pregnant.
Dr. Peter Michoma, KNH consultant Obs/Gynaecologist, who also doubled up as Damaclyn’s primary doctor disclosed to Newsline that she had a condition known as ‘cervical incompetence,’ which occurs when weak cervical tissues lead to premature birth or loss of a healthy pregnancy.
When she got pregnant again in 2021, she was very anxious about whether this time around, her unborn baby would reach full term.
She went for her routine ultrasound and the scan revealed that she was carrying twins. It was overwhelming for them to take in, a situation her husband described as bittersweet.
“It is one thing seeing my wife lose a baby but watching her go through such pain of losing twins would have not been easy for us,” said Damaclyn’s husband, who was very emotional holding the twins during discharge in mid-June 2022.
To avert past losses and disappointments, Dr. Michoma had advised Damaclyn that the pregnancy would be monitored and supervised, and it was important to get her admitted as soon as possible for observation purposes.
Damaclyn was admitted on 7th December 2021 at 11 weeks of pregnancy. She went for a Shirodkar stitch procedure where stitches are done around the cervix (neck of the womb) and tied to prevent the cervix from opening too early during pregnancy. A compulsory bed rest ensured another miscarriage did not occur.
She had been at Kenyatta Prime Care Centre’s maternity wing for the last eight months.
“This is no ordinary celebration. It is a significant miracle unfolding; thanks to the great facility that KNH is and the excellent teamwork at 9D and NBU. Kudos to all of you” concluded Ms. Doris Kimbui-Manager Nursing and Clinical Services at KPCC.
Damaclyn thanked all the nurses for the care and emotional support she received during her long stay at KPCC.
“We have been with her since day one and we are so glad that today she gets to leave with her two boys in her arms. Her resolve and endurance are commendable; she inspired all of us throughout her pregnancy journey,” said Ms. Marylin Margai, Manager at KPCC maternity wing during a farewell party just before discharge.
During discharge, Damaclyn was showered with gifts and a cakecutting ceremony that culminate her eight-month stay at our facility. KPCC wishes long and healthy lives to Damaclyn and her two boys.
PHOTO | PETTERSON NJOGU
