I work with MSF by going into my community to explain to young people

what to do if they are ill, and about family planning.

I tell pregnant women to consult a health care provider,

and if they transfer you to the hospital, that is welcome

because the hospital can provide resources that you cannot get in the health center.

During the seventh month of my pregnancy,

I went to the clinic for a regular prenatal visit.

They told me that the pregnancy was almost to term

and the baby was in a transverse position.

They said I should get ready to come to the hospital to give birth.

I was ready to come here on a specific date,

but before that date, I started having contractions.

When they got very strong, I went to the health center.

They asked me to get transportation to the hospital.

My family went to go find a motorbike.

When they found one, I got on the motorbike

with the midwife and we left for the hospital.

It cost 10 dollars.

We left Kalembe at 10 a.m.

and stopped to rest in Kassouka around 11.

Then we went on [for another hour] to the hospital.

I was admitted to the delivery room.

I knew the baby's position was wrong.

I was afraid he might have died during the trip.

Dr. Claudine told me the baby still alive

and that she would take me to the operating room for the Cesarean.

The contractions were strong and I was in pain.

They gave me a spinal block so the surgeon and the assistant

could talk to me during the operation.

I heard a high voice and I wondered

"Who is that?' "What is the sex?"

When they told me it was a boy, I was very happy.

He does not have a name yet.

[Even though] he has been here in the land of humans for three days,

but newborns are given a name at home by their father.