Delivering Miracles: Empowering Maternity Care for a Healthy Journey to Motherhood

Gebrekiristos Health Centre is a safe haven where compassionate care and exceptional support is provided to expecting mothers from the last days of pregnancy to their time of delivery. The maternity care at the centre is dedicated to providing unparalleled services and guidance, ensuring a pleasant and healthy journey into motherhood. Here is the story of some expecting mothers who came to the health centre for delivery.

From the moment you step into the serene and welcoming environment, expecting mothers experience a warm embrace and a sense of belongingness. Aynalem Legesse is already 34 weeks pregnant, and she came to the centre a day before. She is resting in her bed in the maternity care hoping for a safe and healthy delivery of her third child.

At Gebrekiristos Health Centre, each pregnant mother is treated as unique by skilled healthcare professionals, including eight midwives and support staff, who are committed to delivering a comprehensive and personalized care through a mother’s delivery.

Asnaku Gizachew is 36 weeks pregnant from DillaFerera kebele (sub-district) in Shebedino town and it has been three days since she was admitted into the maternity care centre. She was having labour-like symptoms when we met her and is expected to deliver soon.

“As it is my first pregnancy, I was stressed but now I feel at ease because I am under the wonderful care of the health workers. They provide meals and check on my status more frequently,” says Asnaku.

Wossen Giro is the director of Gebrekirstos Health Centre and she works tirelessly to strengthen the maternity care at the health centre. She says there are 5-8 mothers who come to the health centre every day for delivery.

“Our commitment to the mothers’ well-being extends beyond the delivery room. Gebrekiristos Health Centre provides a comprehensive postnatal care inclusing support with breast feeding right after delivery to ensure a smooth transition into motherhood. We believe that every mother deserves our unwavering support and guidance during this transition.”

Birtukan Dafersa just deliveredher fourth child at Gebrekiristos Health Centre after staying at the maternity care for a few days. She is grateful for the support of the health care professionals at the centre as they helped her have a smooth delivery. She hopes that her child will one day become a health professional and gives similar service to mothers in the future.

While Birtukan had her fourth baby, Berhane Berasa is extremely happy to welcome her firstborn. She stayed in the maternity care for three days before giving birth.

“Being a mother gave me a great feeling that I never had before. I am really grateful to the health workers for their keen care and support. I am committed to ensure that my child gets a good education so that she becomes a teacher and serves her community.”

“We offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the expecting mothers’ specific health needs, from daily prenatal check-ups to diagnostic screenings. Our holistic approach embraces evidence-based practices while respecting the mothers’ birth plan, educating, and preparing them for a safe delivery and healthy motherhood,” says Wossen.

Gebrekiristos Health Centre’s maternity care aims to set an example to have a “home delivery-free” community in Shebedino town and helps create a community where expecting mothers can bond with each other, share stories and wisdom, and encourage peer support as well.

By Terefework Fekadu and Demissew Bizuwork