pregnancy

"It's like working with your eyes closed": Delivering babies in Yemen's civil war

Years of brutal civil war have pushed Yemen's healthcare system to collapse. From a maternity ward in the battle-scarred city of Abs, MSF midwife Tamara takes us through the challenges of welcoming new life into this unstable world.

08 Feb 2021 / 4 minute read

Kirsti Rinne

Midwife

Surprise twins: How working for MSF makes me feel connected to humanity

After a non-stop night on a maternity ward in Cameroon, US midwife Kirsti reflects on the unique moments she shares with her patients

24 Apr 2020 / 7 minute read

Kirsti Rinne

Midwife

“Some things are not OK”: Struggle and strength on a maternity ward

When the odds of survival are against two premature baby girls born in Cameroon, US midwife Kirsti finds that amidst suffering and loss there is still hope

23 Apr 2020 / 6 minute read

Claire Harper

Midwife

The difference between life and death: A dramatic delivery in DRC

At Walikale hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, midwife Claire and her team need to make some quick decisions to save a tiny life...

21 Oct 2019 / 5 minute read

Blogs Team

Four powerful blogs from Doctors Without Borders - May 2019

From finding hope in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, to a deeply personal post about humanitarian mental health, here are four powerful stories from our work around the world this month...

06 Jun 2019 / 4 minute read

Hannah Thompson

Midwife

A midwife in DRC: "Women deserve excellent care, the world over"

From morning clinics to late-night emergencies, UK midwife Hannah shares her experience working in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of Congo

07 May 2019 / 6 minute read

Constance, Claire and Esperance celebrating international women's day

Claire Harper

Midwife

A joyful experience: Celebrating International Women's Day in DRC

Music, food and the opening of a life-saving new maternity building. US midwife Claire has a party to plan...

15 Apr 2019 / 8 minute read

Obulejo Stephen Melebi

Midwife

Innovation: How ultrasound is saving lives in South Sudan

Stephen is a midwife from South Sudan, working with MSF in Malakal camp to provide care to people displaced by conflict. In this post, he explains how new kit and training in "point-of-care" ultrasound scans are helping midwives like him make life-saving diagnoses.

12 Nov 2018 / 5 minute read

Christine Tasnier

Midwife

Ethiopia: “She named her baby Nyamire. It means decision”

Christine Tasnier is a midwife from the UK, currently working in Ethiopia’s Kule Refugee Camp – home to around 54,000 people fleeing conflict in neighbouring South Sudan.

06 Nov 2018 / 8 minute read

Pippa Letchworth

Obstetrician / Gynaecologist

Obstetrics in Nigeria: Meeting the “real heroes”

Pippa is an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant from the UK on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Jahun, part of northern Nigeria’s Jigawa state – an area where high numbers of women and children die during childbirth. In this blog, she shares her experience of meeting a local surgeon.

02 Oct 2018 / 3 minute read

Lanice Jones

Doctor

48 hours on the frontline of maternity care

At a maternity project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s non-stop emergency medicine for Lanice, a Canadian doctor on her fourth assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF). She blogs about life, death and learning on the frontline of medical care.

24 Sep 2018 / 11 minute read

Kariantti Kallio

Anaesthetics

“War isn’t just about gunshot wounds”: Maternity care in Bangui

Welcome to Castors maternity hospital, the “first and last line of defence” for mothers and newborns in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic. Finnish anaesthetist Kariantti, just back from his second assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF), shares his experience of arriving at the lifesaving hospital.

10 Sep 2018 / 5 minute read

pregnancy

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