From Survival to Mission : The story behind the birth of Mother’s Comfort

Becoming a mother was a life-transforming experience for me. My own birth experiences took me on a deeply personal journey and ultimately inspired me to focus on supporting underprivileged pregnant women.

During my first pregnancy, I was fortunate to have a highly experienced gynaecologist and access to a well-equipped birthing centre. I believed I had done everything possible to ensure a safe and seamless delivery. However, at 33 weeks of pregnancy, everything changed.

I developed a severe case of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and experienced a near-death situation. The chances of survival for both my baby and me were becoming increasingly uncertain. My gynaecologist and the medical team worked tirelessly to stabilise me, and I underwent an emergency caesarean section. I spent a week receiving care in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), while my baby spent approximately a month in the Neonatal Nursery Unit (NNU).

That experience made me realise just how critical timely and quality maternal healthcare can be.

Because of my history of PIH, my gynaecologist advised me to receive close antenatal care in future pregnancies to minimise the risk of complications. In my second and third pregnancies, I followed this advice and worked closely with my medical team to take the necessary precautions. Despite these measures, I developed PIH again and required emergency caesarean sections at 35 weeks and 36 weeks respectively. Thankfully, these experiences were not as critical as my first pregnancy, largely because the risks were identified and managed early.

Through these experiences, I came to understand the invaluable role that my gynaecologist and the healthcare team played in protecting my life and the lives of my children. I often reflect on what might have happened if I had not had access to timely antenatal care, skilled medical professionals and the resources needed to respond to complications.

It was then that I began to put myself in the shoes of mothers who do not have the same access.

Many pregnant women face barriers that prevent them from receiving essential antenatal and postnatal care. For some, the cost of registering for maternity services is already beyond their means. Others face financial hardship, limited access to healthcare facilities, lack of information or other circumstances that make it difficult to receive the care they need.

I realised that some maternal and newborn deaths may be preventable if women have timely access to appropriate antenatal, delivery and postnatal care.

Many women are not as fortunate as I was.

My story is not exceptional, nor is it unique. Every woman has a story, and every mother deserves the opportunity to receive the care and support she needs to have a safe pregnancy and a healthy beginning for her child.

This is why Mother’s Comfort was born: to improve the quality of life of underprivileged pregnant women by helping them access the care, support, information and resources they need throughout pregnancy and motherhood.

What began with my own experience became a purpose: to help ensure that no woman is denied the opportunity for a safer pregnancy simply because she cannot afford the care she needs