Seven years ago, at 30 weeks into a seemingly low-risk pregnancy, I unexpectedly began to bleed. Doctors diagnosed me with complete placenta previa^[1]. Then, while on bed rest at 32 weeks, my placenta suddenly ruptured^[2], leading to an immediate emergency cesarean section.

I became one of about 10% of women giving birth in Nigeria^[3] to experience a preterm birth^[4], which means before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Now, as a...