By Ruth Serwaa Asare
“Every baby deserves that first strong cry. It’s not just a sound of life, it’s a sign of survival.”
Those were the words of Dr Hilda Mantebea Boye, paediatrician at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, when she appeared on the GTV Breakfast Show alongside Dr Theodore K. Boafor, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Korle Bu and member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG).
The two doctors were speaking on the topic of birth asphyxia, a condition in which newborns are deprived of oxygen at birth. They warned that the absence of a first cry is often the earliest sign of distress.
“We often ask mothers, ‘Did your baby cry at birth?’ Because when a baby cries loudly, it usually means the brain is getting oxygen. But when there’s silence, and the baby needs help to breathe, then we worry,” Dr Mantebea explained.
She noted that birth asphyxia is the second leading cause of newborn deaths in Ghana after prematurity, with severe long-term consequences for survivors. “If a baby doesn’t get oxygen at birth, the results can be devastating — death, developmental delays, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy. The tragedy is that many of these cases are preventable.”
Dr Boafor explained how the complication develops, stressing that even normal labour carries risks when it lasts too long. “During contractions, babies temporarily lose oxygen supply from the placenta. If labour drags on for hours, that deprivation becomes dangerous. That’s when you see distress, and if it’s not managed quickly, it translates into asphyxia,” he said.
While some hospitals are able to save distressed babies through emergency caesarean sections or resuscitation, the doctors admitted that shortages of equipment, theatre space, and trained staff often make the difference between life and death. “There are times we diagnose distress and want to intervene, but the theatre isn’t ready, or equipment isn’t available. Unfortunately, we sometimes lose babies,” Dr Boafor said.
Dr Mantebea urged women and families to take pregnancy preparation and antenatal care seriously. “We need women to prepare for pregnancy, monitor their health, and attend the recommended eight antenatal visits. Don’t wait until your tummy shows or stay away because of superstition. Early and consistent antenatal care helps us detect risks and prevent complications.”
The two experts concluded that with stronger health systems, better awareness, and active parental involvement, many of these tragedies can be prevented.
As Dr Mantebea put it: “Every baby deserves that first strong cry. It tells us the baby is alive, breathing, and ready to thrive. No child should be denied that chance.”
