As part of its efforts to reduce maternal mortality countrywide and guarantee safer deliveries for first-time mothers, and particularly teen mothers, nurses in the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) have established a support group to educate young mothers on the various steps of delivery.
The support group, which was formed late last year and is endorsed by the management of the hospital, has been positively impacting this targeted group, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), which says through the group’s efforts the education received by the teen mothers has led to better outcomes as issues the mothers may encounter are identified and dealt with earlier.
According to a DPI report, Sister Shannon Haynes, Ward Manager of the Birthing Room of GPHC’s Maternity Unit, explained that the initiative was taken after it was observed that pregnant teens have “a hard time” before, during and after delivery. “What we observed is that our teenaged mothers were not properly educated on the delivery process. So, we began by visiting the clinics where they initially signed [into] and began talking with them in order to make them aware of the delivery process; what happens before during and after delivery. We really assisted them in dissolving the myths and addressing other issues they may encounter during their pregnancy.”
Sister Haynes noted that most of the young, first-time mothers have heard varying stories about this part of the process and become worried. Even before the establishment of the support group, nurses spent a lot of time calming the mother during the labour process.
“Another thing we observed is that throughout delivery, they are always screaming and we realised that they were not educated enough on the labour process, that was why they were screaming. Therefore, we taught them about the do’s and don’ts and their outcomes and over time, I have observed this has helped.”
Sister Haynes explained that the nurses at the unit form a bond with the pregnant teens, so they are more comfortable with the staff, especially as the time for delivery draws near. Critical to this initiative is the role of parents or guardians of the teens who are also expected to be there every step of the way.
“There were nurses in the teenage group that were assigned to ensuring when these patients came, they became familiar with their faces, they are comfortable with them since they have been with them before… At delivery, if it is that they need the guardian with them in the birthing room, we would allow that whether it is a mother or aunt or even if it’s a caregiver,” Sister Haynes added.
Teen pregnancies, according to the Ward Manager, are to be referred to the Maternity Unit for observation. This assists the team in determining very early whether the mother is likely to have complications and to recommend if a vaginal birth or a cesarean section is the best option for delivery.
The group also focusses on the social aspect of the teen’s pregnancy and how it would affect her and how she can be reintegrated into society
Social Worker attached to the Maternity Unit, Shellon Purlett explained, “Because they would have become pregnant whilst underage, their case is referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency, but we counsel them first and the most important question we ask is what next? What are their future plans? Objectively, we want to see that child, although she is now a mother, we want to see her finish school, write CXC or do a remedial class.”
