Mum 1

Gm. I’m still wondering if ante-natal and post natal counselling is given.
I had an episiotomy before an svd. It’s been abt 5yrs now but I still haven’t got over it. It has had a toll on my ‘initimate’ life.
Guess expectant mothers can be counselled regarding such likely procedures during delivery, healing process and how to overcome the likely psychological effect.

#mum 2
I had a serious vaginal tear which wasn’t sutured properly cos de tear wasn’t straight n de workload of de midwife at dat night was many so she was in a hurry. It took me more than 6wks fr the wound to heal and ma problem now is de wound left a scar n anytime i Ve sex there is always a sharp  small tear on de scar which is very painful

During Child birth many women especially first time mums are given a cut within the perineum to expedite birth for various reasons. It is important to  educate yourself about episiotomy before your labor sets in. Especially self care and pain management after the procedure.
Though it is helpful in some cases some women have been left with complications that affect their quality of life especially their sex life. There is no need to hide this and suffer in silence.

Talk to a gynecologist or a surgeon if you are having problems with its healing process or having a toll on your life.

Always include this in your birth as to whether you want the procedure to be done or not. It is not and should not be a routine. Ask your midwife how you can prepare your perineum to prevent tears and episiotomy.

Hope my colleague Midwives will do this procedure only when it is very necessary and not routinely. Let’s educate our clients well during antenatal and after the procedure to minimize its complications

Thanks. Until our voices are heard there will be no change. Share with a friend or midwife we need some more education on this. Thanks

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🔴Have you ever wondered why you had that lower abdominal pains after birth? Even becoming worse during breastfeeding?  It feels like a painful menstruation. This is why..

🔴The uterus for the past 9 months have expanded to accommodate your growing fetus.

🔴After birth it contracts to get back into its normal shape and size. By 6 weeks after birth it should go Back to its pre pregnancy state.

🔴The contraction/pain you feel helps the uterus to become smaller  and as well go back to its pre pregnancy state. Yes it’s painful especially if it’s a subsequent birth.

🔴As you breastfeed the uterus contracts since the hormone #oxytocin is also produced. It is responsible for the contractions that cause the lower abdominal pains.

🔴This pain can be managed by taking some prescribed analgesics and also sleeping on the abdomen. If you had a Caesarian section assume a comfortable position.

🔴Have enough rest, passive exercise and adequate hydration is also helpful.

🔴If lower abdominal pain is very severe with profuse bleeding. Speak to a doctor /midwife

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My two-month-old baby is exclusively breastfeeding. For a week now my baby hasn’t passed stools. I am worried. Could it be that my baby has constipated?

It’s interesting to know that babies who are breastfeeding rarely constipate

What usually happens is that they are able to use most of the nutrients that breast milk contains.

Breast milk contains more than 90 percent of water. It’s therefore not needed to add any water.

Baby’s have their own pattern when it comes to passing stools. Normal baby’s can pass seven to ten stools a day. It’s normal for some babies to go to the toilet daily or even after each feed.

Some babies pass stools weekly or every three days. Some weekly. In some cases every two weeks.

What is needed is to study your baby and also know their pattern. If your baby’s stool pattern changes, that is when you should be concerned about it.

Example if your baby passes stool once in a week and it changes to become five times a day or more, you should be more concerned.

Do not give breastfeeding babies gripe water, cod liver oil whilst you are exclusively breastfeeding. They may end up causing more harm than good.

Continue to breastfeed your baby to help aid in bowel movement. Remember the more breast milk you give the better.

Report if there is a change in the normal stool pattern of your baby.

Remember breast milk is the baby’s perfect meal and has no equal substitute. If you have problems breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor about it.

It also contains all the required nutrients in the right proportion and readily available. It contains antibodies that prevent them from diseases as well. Don’t deny your baby this golden opportunity.

Mums should also watch what she eats as this may also affect the stool pattern of your baby. Foods eaten should be nutritious. If the mother is on any medication, verify with your doctor to know if it affects breastfeeding in any way.

If the baby does not pass stool for more than two weeks. Please consult your midwife or doctor.

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She was pregnant and putting on so much weight. Every one around noticed it but thought it was just due to the pregnancy. No one asked her about it but wondered in their minds what was really going on

She ended up having eclampsia, a condition that occur as a result of high blood pressure. Her blood pressure went up too. Excessive weight gain is also one thing that can occur but if not properly monitored it will go unnoticed.

During pregnancy, your weight gain is very important. You should gain weight but it should not be excessive

Throughout your pregnancy you should gain approximately 10 to 12.5 kg during pregnancy.

Anytime your weight gain is becoming excessive, your midwife or doctor would do further investigations just to make sure it’s a healthy weight gain

Other factors like your nutrition, medical conditions, twin gestation will also be ruled out

Ask your midwife or doctor if your weight gain is within normal.

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Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder usually passed down from parent to child. People with sickle cell disease have abnormal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body.

In an adult red blood cells can live up to 120 days before they wear off or die, but in a sickle cell patients it takes about 10 to 20 days. It takes a shorter time. This is the cause of the anemia in sickle cell. There is also jaundice due to the excessive breakdown of the red blood cells. The cells that are sickle shaped can stick to each other occlude vessels and cause crises, pain and also reduce blood flow to certain organs. Symptoms depend on the organ affected.

Before pregnancy/marriage… Go for #genetic counseling you and your spouse. It’s best if both of you do not carry the gene. If both couples carry a trait the likelihood of having offspring with sickle cell is high. People can either be carriers, sickle cell or Non carriers. Your doctor will explain more what it means to be AA-no trait , AS&AC – trait/ carrier’s , SS&SC-sickle cell disease., among others. Based on his/her findings he will counsel couple so they can make an informed decision.

Women with sickle cell disease can get pregnant but should make sure they are fit. They should they go for preconception care where the doctor confirms they are fit. If there is a deficiency it is corrected first and all infections treated as well. It’s advisable for them to take a form of contraception to avoid unplanned pregnancy.

During pregnancy you will need close monitoring. Take prescribed medications, rest exercise. Enough fluids and avoid stress. Foods rich in iron, vitamins and protein in recommended. Report to the hospital immediately you feel sick. Prompt treatment is essential. Regular antenatal visits is beneficial.

Delivery should be in a #hospital with specialized care and monitoring. Plan your delivery together with your midwife and as well cooperate with her.

After #birth continue to take your prescribed medication and rest. Let people help you. More fluids, go for follow up clinics

They need support from relatives and spouses to stay healthy. It is not a communicable disease and can be managed with close monitoring and dedicated medical staffs. In case there is crises send client to the nearest facility as soon as possible.

Midwives in the periphery compound should refer clients to hospitals for specialized antenatal care. They should as well be handed over to community health workers for home visits and other support they may need.

If you already in the marriage/relationship you can still go for counseling if both couples are carriers or one has sickle cell. Children with sickle cell have specialized clinics in most hospitals and can be managed effectively. Thanks. Kindly #SHARE

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Sometimes as an expectant or new mum you are caught up with lots of voices and advice from different sources.

Give this! Do this, do that! It can be really frustrating

I have seen women have complications due to pressure from people around them

Babies have equally suffered due to wrong information!

The point you should always remember is that everyone is different

What works for you may not work for others

Ask your doctor or midwife before following advice or instruction from your “home doctors”.

Things can go wrong if you just follow any advice without verifying from your doctor!

Get the right information from health care professionals and a support group that is monitored

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🔴During pregnancy you may realize that your feet and arms are swollen. It does not occur in every woman. Your ring, bracelets or anklets become tight on you.

🔴Some may be due to the natural changes that occur during pregnancy. In this case you realize though your hands and feet are swollen, your BP and urine protein and other vitals are normal. You may not need any treatment. It will go away after pregnancy

🔴On the other hand, you have swollen hands and feet. It comes along with other signs and symptoms like #headache, #highblood pressure, #protein in urine and #epigastricpain.

🔴It’s important to report swollen hands and feet to your health care provider to rule out other conditions like pre eclampsia. The earlier it is detected the better the out come.

🔴To reduce the swelling…. It is advice that…

1. Do not assume a particular position for a long time. Sit-walk-rest. Mix your activities

2. When sitting you can rest your feet on a small chair

3. During sleep rest the legs on pillows. The next morning you will realize it has reduced

4.Your nutritionist will also advise on dietary changes.

You may not be able to tell whether it’s the normal one or not. Talk to your doctor about swollen hands and feet. If diagnosed with pre eclampsia kindly adhere to treatment. It is the leading cause of maternal health complications In Ghana.

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At term your baby should be head down. The presenting part of the baby should be the head. In medical terms “occiput anterior” . If the head is delivered first the rest of the body easily follows

But unfortunately it is not the case for everyone. Some baby’s present even at term with either the buttocks, hand, foot, shoulder and in some cases in a transverse lie.

This makes normal delivery in some cases a bit difficult.

Thanks to our midwives and doctors. A lot of these cases are detected earlier through palpation of the abdomen. Scan is also requested and that also helps to diagnose most of these cases before the birth of your baby.

If a breech birth is diagnosed earlier, within the second trimester. There is a likelihood for the baby to turn into the right position before birth. Your midwife will teach some exercise that will be helpful to you.

If detected late or the baby does not change position at term, It’s important to discuss mode of delivery with your healthcare provider.
Natural delivery may be allowed depending on findings like baby’s weight, mothers parity, skill of the healthcare provider among others.

In some cases a caesarian section will be requested to save both the life of the baby and mother.

It’s dangerous to allow traditional birth attendants to try to turn the baby. It has led to serious problems and even death of some mums. Do not allow this!

Cooperate with your health care provider to provide the best solution.

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EDD: 08/1/2024
God’s time: 08/12/2023
At week 30, a few minutes after I had visited the washroom around 1:30 am and had gone back to sleep, I felt my bed was wet. I initially thought I had passed urine but I checked and it was odorless and colorless. This liquid kept gushing from my vagina . Hubby and I were confused and got alarmed.

At 1:45a.m I called my Gynae and he confirmed it was my water that was broken. He advised me to be stable and report to the hospital later in the morning.
We got to the hospital around 6:30 am and I was examined and diagnosed with “premature raptured membrane ” . I was admitted on strict bedrest. I kept losing liquor and contractions were aborted every day because they were recurring. I was given injection to help build baby’s lungs and antibiotics.

After managing the condition for 5 weeks at the hospital, I was scheduled for a CS at 36 weeks. When I got to 35 weeks 5 days, I went into active labor again around 7a.m. Contractions couldn’t be aborted, I was going to be prepared for the theater when my gyn decided to check for dilation. At 8:15a.m I was 5cm gone and was given the chance for vaginal delivery. I was immediately transferred to the lying ward for monitoring. I began to have the urge to push and was again transferred to labor ward. At 8:45a.m through the mercies of God, after 2 pushes my 💙 Prince Charming💙 arrived weighing 2.1kg. Even though he born preterm, his vitals were fine and there wasn’t the need to go to NICU but was rather monitored until we were discharged the following day. Thanks to Midwife Sally and her team for the various teachings that enlightened my knowledge about pregnancy and delivery.

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One of the important things to do as a mum before leaving the hospital is to make sure you have inspected your baby before going home.

Here are a few things to note

🔴Make sure baby is able to breastfeed before going home.

🔴Check the back of the baby to make sure there is no dimples, holes or any thing abnormal (Spina bifida)

🔴For girls make sure the vestibule has two holes. The vagina and the urethra.

🔴In boys make sure you can feel the testis within the scrotum

🔴Your baby should not have fever, jaundice or any ill health while you are going home

🔴Make sure your baby has passed the first stool, meconium before going home

🔴The hands and limbs should be equal

🔴Make sure there is no abnormal discharge from the nose, eyes and ears.

If you suspect any other abnormal thing do report to the hospital.

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