Running the numbers

It was antenatal day at the clinic today. I almost never pay attention to the numbers but today the midwife was tied up with other things so I had to do patient's records and also the government record books so I interacted with the numbers more than I usually do. 

22 pregnant patients, 8 for their first visit. Of these, 4 were past 30 weeks (well into their third trimester). They just didn't think they needed to come to the clinic for anything before this. 

14 were there for their second or third visit. Of these 10 (!) had either stayed the same or LOST weight from their previous visit. This surprised me but I guess it shouldn't have. Parts of Uganda have had drought instead of the first rainy season and crops failed. Since folks eat what they grow, there is little food. They have planted again in this second rainy season but nothing is ready to harvest yet. Most people in this area are down to one meal a day. It was obvious in the ladies in the clinic today. 

1 patient had swelling in her feet and trace protein in her urine so got referred into town for lab work. 

1 patient was highly suspicious for twins so she got sent into town for ultrasound. 

2 patients had UTIs so got antibiotics.

2 patients tested positive for malaria so got IV lines with drips. 

Just your average Monday in the clinic...... I guess not completely average, no one came in active labor.