Mariama delivers babies everday at the SOS Clinic in Bakoteh, The Gambia.

The Gambia has the 19th highest infant mortality rate in the world with 71.67 deaths per 1,000 live births. There are few adequate facilities that help mothers prepare for maternal care. In response, SOS instituted a maternity ward in the SOS Clinic of Bakoteh.

The maternity ward has now been operational for almost two years. It has quickly become a place of reference for hundreds of local women in need of quality pre-and post-natal care. 

Join us today for a day in the life of Mariama - one of the midwives working at the SOS Clinic.

With over 14 years of experience, Mariama has worked in many places and seen many things. From very poor and difficult conditions to much better ones, such as in the SOS Clinic of Bakoteh. "For the Gambian standards, we are one of the best equipped clinics for deliveries," says Mariama.

9:00 a.m.  Isatou, a Senegalese woman arrives accompanied by her mother-in-law. She's in advanced labor and might deliver quickly - as it is her second child. As both beds of the delivery room are free, Mariama settles the woman there to perform a regular check.

9:45 a.m. Bintou, almost arrived at term, comes in with her sister. She is in severe pain and thinks her baby will come today. Unfortunately for her, her contractions are not linked to the beginning of labor. All Mariama can do is to give her something to relax, settle her in one of the three beds of the labor room and hope labor will come shortly.

"Some handle pain better," explains Mariama. "We cannot do much but give them some pills to help them relax. Here, there is no epidural. Women suffer. But African women are very strong!" she adds.

A mother with her newborn baby girl.

11:45 a.m. Just as Mariama finishes her post-delivery care, the cleaning lady comes to inform her that a woman has just arrived with her new-born baby boy. She did not make it in time to the maternity clinic and delivered in the taxi. "This happens regularly," explains Mariama. "Women here often wait until the last minute to come. It can create some complications, but in this case, it looks like both the mother and the baby are fine."

Mariama assist the mother and makes sure she's alright and does not need post-delivery assistance. "Many women are unaware that they could need some stitching and proper post-delivery care in some cases. As very few of them come back once they have delivered, I usually prefer to give them some antibiotics to prevent post-delivery complications," says the midwife.

Soon, both mothers are transferred to the post natal area: two rooms where they will stay for a period of up to 24 hours if they want to. In many other community clinics, women and their babies are discharged just a few hours after birth.

1:15 p.m. Mariama can now enjoy a bit of quiet time, where she fills in the birth registry and clinic cards of the new-borns and their mothers.

1:30 p.m. The second shift arrives. Mariama briefs her two colleagues about her morning and hands over all the cases while paying everyone a last visit. Isatou and her baby girl are found deep asleep one against the other. Both are recovering from the efforts provided earlier on, but unlike a few hours ago, Isatou now has a peaceful and contented smile on her face, the one of a happy mother who has finally met her long awaited baby.

Mariama can now go home and have a well deserved rest knowing that she and many other midwifes contribute every day to reducing maternal and infant mortality.

You can help SOS continue to combat maternal and infant mortality. Make a donation today.