by Dr. Tom Catena
Asha Adam was expecting twins when she made the long journey from her home in Umdulu village to Mother of Mercy Hospital. What was meant to be a routine checkup quickly became something far more urgent.
During her evaluation, the medical team recognized that Asha’s pregnancy was high-risk. Both babies were in abnormal positions, and Asha was suffering from hypertension and dangerously high blood pressure. The staff immediately admitted her, knowing that delivering at home—where over 80% of births in the Nuba Mountains still take place—could put all three lives in jeopardy.
When Asha went into labor, the first twin was delivered safely. But complications began with the second. The baby was lying sideways (a transverse position), and the umbilical cord had prolapsed, cutting off oxygen supply. The team had seconds to make a decision.
An emergency C-section was performed to save the baby—and Asha.
The newborn required 20 minutes of intense resuscitation. The room was silent except for the steady determination of the medical staff who refused to give up. Finally, the baby took a breath.
Today, both twins are thriving, and Asha has fully recovered. She repeatedly expresses her gratitude to the staff of Mother of Mercy Hospital, whose swift action and skilled care saved her family.
Asha’s story is a powerful reminder of the critical importance of delivering in a hospital equipped to handle emergencies—especially in remote regions like the Nuba Mountains, where complications can turn deadly within minutes.