Herat, Afghanistan - It was a cold winter day when the midday silence at the Family Health House (FHH) in Fushkan Village, Pashtoon Zarghoon District, was broken by the hurried footsteps of Parigol, who was pregnant and in active labour, and her husband.

Seeing the pain on the woman’s face, the FHH midwife immediately guided her into the labour room to assess her condition as the husband waited anxiously by the doorway. Parigol’s face was pale, her body trembling as the contractions intensified. 

The couple lived a modest life. With a meager income, mainly from the husband’s employment as a school guard, they faced challenges accessing medical care. Two years earlier, during her second pregnancy, Parigol lost her baby due to pregnancy complications exacerbated by failure to receive immediate medical care because of delayed transfer to the hospital. The experience left a painful memory on the couple.

It was also the reason for Parigol’s evident fear as she tearfully pleaded to the midwife: “I don’t want to go anywhere else… I’m scared, my baby must survive.”

Understanding the mother’s apprehension, the midwife proceeded to deliver the baby, alert for any complications. Fortunately, there were no immediate danger signs. Medical equipment and supplies for the delivery were ready, and the midwife offered not only medical care but also emotional support.

After a long and exhausting labour, the cries of Parigol’s newborn finally filled the room. The mother’s expression shifted from fear to disbelief and then to joy.

“Thank God… my baby is alive,” Parigol whispered, holding her baby close.

When the mother and baby’s conditions stabilized, the midwife gave them a Mama & Baby Kit, which contains basic hygiene supplies, such as clothes, diapers, blankets and soap, provided by UNFPA to new mothers and babies. Parigol and her husband shared their joy with her female friends from the village who visited her.

Parigol returned home that day as a new mother, leaving behind the traumatic experience from the second pregnancy. The recent childbirth brought her renewed hope and trust in maternal health care because of the quality of services she received from the FHH, supported by UNFPA and the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan.