Mothers around the world: Hiwot

The World Health Organization is following six women around the world to compare their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. Here, Hiwot from Ethiopia describes her experience of having a baby.

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Damiana Mamani: Bolivia "It was an incredible experience " Samah Mohamed : Egypt "The birth was natural and easy" Hiwot: Ethiopia "Sometimes I wish I did not have her"

Renu Sharma: India "There were 25 women but just nine beds" Bounlid: Laos "My labour lasted 36 hours" Claire Roche: UK "I gave birth on Christmas Day"

Hiwot Abraham, 17, has given birth to her first baby.

She named her daughter, who was born on January 2, Elizabeth.

Hiwot's mother was with her when she gave birth

Hiwot said she appreciated the care she received from her doctors. But she said her hospital's facilities were poor.

She told the WHO: "I was especially surprised that the hospital had no running water.

"The only water we had was from a bucket."

She added: "I'm happy that Elizabeth was born healthy and that we are finally home.

"But I must admit that being a mother hasn't come naturally during these first few days.

"I'm not getting much sleep. Life seems harder now. Sometimes I even wish I didn't have her."

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Seven months

When she was seven months pregnant, Hiwot told the WHO: "I don't know if I'm expecting a boy or a girl. I hope it will be a boy, because boys are stronger. What I pray for most is that my baby will be healthy."

Hiwot's family have turned one of the rooms in their house into a little restaurant to earn some money to look after the new baby.

She added: "I wake up at 5.30am each morning to prepare breakfast for our customers and work until it gets dark."

Following a visit to an antenatal clinic, she said: "No one has told me what to expect during labour and that's the part I'm most nervous about."

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Five months

Describing her relationship with her boyfriend, Hiwot told the WHO: "We didn't use contraception."

'What I pray for most is that my baby will be healthy'

"When I became pregnant, I decided to keep the baby. I also decided to leave school."

Hiwot says her nearest antenatal clinic takes half an hour to get to.

She is due to have monthly check-ups there.

The WHO says Hiwot is lucky, because only 27% of Ethiopian women receive antenatal care during their pregnancy.

Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in Ethiopian women aged 15 to 19.

In Ethiopia, only 9.7% of women have a skilled assistant, such as a midwife, doctor or nurse, with them when they give birth.

The WHO says all women should have access to such care.

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Where the women live

Photos courtesy of the World Health Organization.