Dr Ayman holds the newborn flanked by Yvonne and husband Michael/HANDOUT
In many African societies, pregnancy loss and miscarriages are often topics that go undiscussed.
Couples often suffer in silence, unable to express the grief of losing an unborn child.
For Yvonne and Michael, their journey to parenthood was marked by three heartbreaking miscarriages.
The couple’s first loss came as a complete shock. Just a day after discovering they were expecting, they lost the pregnancy.
It was a scenario so unusual that even the doctors couldn’t provide any explanation for what happened.
“We didn’t know what was happening. In our first pregnancy, we didn’t realise we were pregnant until a day like today, and then the very next day, we lost it. When we visited the doctor, she couldn’t explain why, and she attributed it to blighted ovum. That was it—there was no follow-up. We just moved on,” they shared.
Determined to try again, they conceived for the second time. This time, they proceeded with antenatal care and attended check-ups for 8 weeks.
Still haunted by the memory of their first loss, the couple hesitated to undergo an ultrasound.
“For our second miscarriage, at least we knew beforehand. We went back to our doctor, and she continued with the usual antenatal care. A few weeks later, around eight or nine weeks, she suggested we get an ultrasound, but we didn’t want to risk it, so we decided not to go through with it,” they explained.
Before reaching the 12-week mark, they lost the pregnancy once more.
Even after seeking medical attention, the doctors couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment of the loss, as the fetus still measured only five weeks instead of the expected nine.
The third pregnancy brought renewed hope, as it lasted longer than the previous two.
During this time, Yvonne experienced all the classic signs of pregnancy, which strengthened the couple’s optimism. However, their fears were soon realized when Yvonne began experiencing contractions.
Dr. Ayman Mostafa, a fertility expert at Nairobi West Hospital holding Yvonne and Michael's baby/HANDOUT
After seeking medical help, doctors performed a manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) procedure.
“After the third loss, we just stayed still. We didn’t do anything. We thought, ‘Okay, let’s take a break.’ Mentally, it was taking a toll on us,” they said.
Emotionally, mentally, and physically drained, the couple decided to take a break before trying again.
They sought advice from a gynecologist at Nairobi West Hospital, a facility where they had previously taken a loved one for treatment.
Unlike their earlier experiences, where doctors couldn’t explain the cause of their recurrent pregnancy losses, the medical experts at Nairobi West Hospital carefully considered every detail of their journey.
This marked the beginning of their successful path to parenthood. The doctors conducted various procedures that helped the couple conceive their first child.
According to Dr. Ayman Mostafa, a fertility expert at Nairobi West Hospital, the hospital recommends a laparoscopic procedure in cases of recurrent miscarriage.
This procedure is often a good alternative before considering in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that helps individuals facing fertility issues by fertilising an egg with sperm in a laboratory, then transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the uterus.
Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgery, helps address infertility by allowing doctors to diagnose and treat conditions like endometriosis, scar tissue, or blocked fallopian tubes, which can hinder conception.
“When dealing with a couple facing pregnancy difficulties, we first take their history and conduct various blood tests. Sometimes, we discover problems like endometriosis or recurrent miscarriage.
In these cases, laparoscopy can be a solution to facilitate conception,” Dr. Mostafa explained.
He also recommended hysteroscopy to address infertility issues and improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Hysteroscopy procedures allow doctors to diagnose and treat uterine problems like polyps, fibroids, and scarring, which can prevent successful implantation and pregnancy.
Both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy play an important role in infertility treatment, particularly when other options have not been effective.
“Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are crucial steps in the infertility journey,” Dr. Mostafa affirmed.
Michael and Yvonne are among the fortunate couples who sought medical help after experiencing pregnancy loss and infertility.They encourage other couples who have faced similar challenges to also seek second opinions and explore medical options for resolving their issues.
