Three Journeys of Motherhood in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

First-Time Expectant Mother

For 22-year-old Kayla, being pregnant for the first time has been a journey of discovery, one that has been guided by the reassuring hands of her healthcare providers.

When asked if there was at least one thing she wished someone had told her about pregnancy, with a laugh she admits “everything”.  Not a person of many words, it is easy to observe the special bond and trust she shares with her healthcare provider, Nurse Pierre.

Kayla attends the Canouan Health Centre regularly, ensuring that both she and her unborn daughter receive the best possible care. Routine checkups, fetal monitoring, and ongoing health education have given her the confidence she needs as she prepares for the next phase - motherhood.  She is excited to welcome her baby girl!

At 36 weeks, Kayla will be referred to a clinic on mainland St. Vincent and deliver her baby at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in the capital city Kingstown.  Nurse Pierre explains that deliveries are not made at the Canouan clinic, however a room is readily available to facilitate any emergency.

Clients may travel between Canouan and mainland St. Vincent by plane or ferry service.  It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel by plane and 2.5 hours by ferry.

Young Mother of Twins

Uonique is a 19-year-old mother raising 6-month-old twin girls.  For her, adjusting to life with twins has been both exhausting and exhilarating. Sleepless nights, double feedings, and endless diaper changes are part of her daily routine, but she faces it all with a smile and is thankful for the unwavering support of her mother, partner, family, and healthcare team.

“When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I was in shock and started to cry.  I called my mom, and her response was that God has blessed you with twins and we will take care of them.”  

Although she recognized that many sacrifices would have to be made, that reassurance from mom was very comforting.

Pregnancy was not easy for her, but she said “September 3rd, 2024, was the happiest day of my life”, the birth of her baby girls.  She was finally able to see and most of all hold them and exclaimed “this is what love is, it is a nice feeling”.

Uonique credits having a support system in place during her pregnancy as very important. 

 “My mom, boyfriend, boyfriend’s mother, friends and family were there for me. My aunty Cindy was even my midwife when I went to St. Vincent to have the twins and Nurse Pierre attended to me here in Canouan. I felt good knowing that all these people were taking care of me.”

For anyone that might face a similar situation, Uonique remarks “one thing I would say is not to give up, it will be frustrating knowing that you have to take care of them, sometimes you might be by yourself, but it is ok at the end of the day someone will be there to help you out.”

Uonique’s commitment to regular postnatal visits has helped her navigate the challenges of early motherhood, ensuring that her babies are developing well. Immunizations, growth monitoring, and check-ins for maternal mental health have all played a role in keeping her and her twins healthy.

The Experienced Mother

Shanel never imagined she would be pregnant again later in life; she is now expecting an unexpected third child. With two children, a nine-year-old son in primary school and a fifteen-year-old daughter in secondary school, she initially struggled with concerns about being an older mother.

Noting the excitement of both children at the news of another sibling, she joked that her daughter often teases her about being viewed as the grandmother when taking the child to school.

“I worried a lot at first, second guessing myself because of my age” she admits. “Would I have complications? Would I have the energy to do this all over again?”

But consistent antenatal care at her community clinic and the encouraging presence of her husband have helped her embrace this new chapter.

She is also comforted by the reassurance of her healthcare providers and with this excellent care and trust in her nurse, she could have a safe and healthy pregnancy, just like before. 

“My husband and I look forward to meeting this little one, it is a blessing.”

Shanel’s experience highlights the importance of healthcare accessibility and quality for women at all stages of pregnancy. Through regular checkups, prenatal screenings, and emotional support, she has gained the confidence to welcome her third child with open arms.

A Shared Commitment to Maternal Health and Safety

Despite their different journeys, these three women share a common bond: consistent access to quality healthcare, trusting relationships with their doctors and nurses, and a strong support system.

However, ensuring maternal and child health is not without challenges, especially in the face of natural disasters like hurricanes.

Nurse Pierre, a dedicated maternal health nurse at the local Canouan health centre, recalls the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1st, 2024.

“After the impact of Hurricane Beryl, I contacted clients I could reach and advised them to go to the mainland for antenatal services,” she explains.

For antenatal clients in Canouan, the aftermath of the hurricane posed serious health risks. Widespread damage to infrastructure, limited access to clean drinking water, and stagnant floodwaters created dangerous conditions, increasing the threat of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.

“The safety of our mothers and babies was our top priority,” Nurse Pierre adds. “We had to assess each case ensuring they could continue receiving essential maternal and newborn care without unnecessary exposure to health hazards.”

Through quick action, coordination with mainland health facilities, and strong community support, expectant mothers were able to continue their antenatal care despite the challenges. This underscores the importance of disaster preparedness in maternal and child health services.

On World Health Day 2025, we celebrate the mothers, the families, the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to ensure that every woman, regardless of circumstances, receives the care she needs for a safe and healthy motherhood journey, even in times of crisis.