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In Sierra Leone, Every Pregnancy Is a 'Chance of Dying'
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Konteh changed into his scrubs, then a sterile gown, which a nurse tied behind his back. Standing about 5-foot-3, he climbed up a small two-step stool next to the operating table in a pair of large rubber boots.
Marah lay on her back, with her arms spread out, making a T-shape. One nurse checked her blood pressure, another prepared to administer a general anesthesia through an IV in her wrist.
Marah lay still and quiet, except for the nervous twitching of her right big toe.
There was no oxygen, heart monitor or blood available. The air-conditioner remained off, despite the heat and humidity. An overhead light shone brightly on Marah's belly, which a nurse sterilized with an orange-colored wash.
At 8:39, the doctor and all the nurses stepped back, held out their hands with palms up, and prayed for a safe surgery.
"In the name of Christ our Lord, amen," they finished, in one voice, crossing themselves.
Konteh nodded at one of the nurses, who pushed a syringe full of anesthesia into Marah's veins, and she was out in seconds.
At 8:40, Konteh drew the scalpel down the center of Marah's belly. Four minutes later, a tiny head appeared in the incision. Konteh gently pulled the baby fully free. A nurse cut the umbilical cord and Konteh handed the infant , a girl, to Isatu Kamara, the mid-wife on duty.
Kamara hurried the silent baby over to a small examining table and pressed its chest with her forefinger.
"Nothing," she said. "No sign of life."
She turned the baby over.
"This is a fresh stillbirth," she said. "This baby has just died."
