The shared challenges of giving birth

"Many of the complications that threaten the lives of pregnant women and girls are preventable. The most common include haemorrhage, obstructed labour, and infections. Undiagnosed hypertension can also lead to eclampsia — a life‑threatening condition.

Madina Salittu, a midwife at Shinkafi General, explains: “Sometimes hypertension is linked to insecurity, fear, and anxiety. Many women don’t have access to antenatal care, and their blood pressure is not monitored.”

Anaemia is another major risk factor linked to obstetric complications. “If we receive 90 pregnant women, it’s likely that 70 will be anaemic, which increases the need for blood transfusions,” adds Otse."

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Photos from Shinkafi, Zamfara state Nigeria by Amarachi Nnoli for MSF. September, 2025