WHY DO WE PASS A CATHETER DURING BIRTH/ CESAREAN SECTION?
During birth, women are encouraged to empty the bladder. This helps the baby’s head to descend or come down. A full bladder can slow the progress of labor.
If you can urinate freely you will be encouraged to do so. But if not your midwife will empty the bladder with a catheter
If you have to go through a caesarean section, it’s usually mandatory to have a catheter in place. A full bladder can cause injury to the bladder. The bladder is close to the uterus so if not emptied when the doctor is performing the operation, he/She may cause injury to the bladder
Always cooperate with your doctor or midwife for the best outcome
Some times you wonder why you are still shouting, having all the pains and your midwife is still asking you to hold on!
She checks and says, it’s only 1 cm dilated.
After a long wait or 4 hours, she rechecks and says it just 3cm.
You feel it’s been too long and the pain is unbearable so you should push your baby out.
This is why you should cooperate with your doctor or midwife.
The cervix which is the opening of the cervix should open from 1cm to 10 cm to allow the baby’s head to be birthed followed by the body.
Cervix should not be felt any more when your doctor or midwife performs vaginal examination.
If it’s still felt and you push through it, you can tear your cervix which is difficult to repair and requires special skills. Bleeding can also be severe.
Only push when your doctor or midwife has confirmed that you are fully dilated. (10 cm and no cervix can be felt on vaginal examination)
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
Join our Pregnancy class to learn more if you are expecting.0535764057. Outside Ghana click here to join
Auntie Sally! Let me ask you? Can you get pregnant even after taking emergency contraception. Could that be the cause of my ectopic gestation?
I did my search.. I was also alarmed since she was not the first client asking me this question. Let me share what I got with you.
Emergency contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy in situations where no protection was used and there is a possibility of pregnancy to prevent it. Usually effective within the first 72 hours.
“The Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring has received three reports of ectopic pregnancy following use of a progestogen-only emergency contraceptive pill. This is a reminder that women who have amenorrhoea (or other symptoms suggestive of pregnancy) following use of progestogen-only emergency contraception should have a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, the possibility of ectopic should be considered”
My main concern now is the #misuse of emergency contraceptives among ladies. It is not supposed to be used as a regular method of family planning. The earlier it is used , the more effective it is within 72hours.
1. Use a regular family planning method and don’t depend on it as a family planning method. Only use when it is an emergency.
2. If you took one and still missed your period talk to your doctor to rule out pregnancy ! Very important.
3. Use a regular family planning method if you want to avoid pregnancy except in times of emergencies as the name suggests! Talk to your midwife about the options available!
4. Thanks, Share with a friend. Let’s stop misusing emergency contraceptives. Before I go lets also remember it does not prevent STI’s like HIV/AIDS… Visit the family planning unit to learn more.
Have you ever wondered how you survived 9 months in your mums womb!
Thanks to this magical organ which forms when a woman gets pregnant.
It serves as a connection between mum and baby.
It has three parts, the maternal surface that attaches to the mothers womb, the fetal surface which faces the baby and the cord which contains a vein and two arteries that transport oxygen, nutrients and other needed substances.
The placenta during pregnancy attaches to the upper part of the uterus. It produces hormones that help to maintain pregnancy.
The placenta at a point during pregnancy, when baby is fully matured may stop functioning effeciently. It is important that all pregnant women do not allow their pregnancy to go beyond 42 weeks gestation. At 41 weeks you and your doctor should decide mode of delivery if labor has still not set in.
It can also have problems like placenta previa where placenta, is not in the right location. It can cause problems, but can be managed
After delivery placenta is birthed. A retained placenta or portion remaining after delivery can cause bleeding. Report to the hospital immediately you have severe bleeding after delivery.
After delivery, some cultures have different ways of handling it. If requested, it will be given to you under hygienic conditions. You decide what to do with it as your culture permits.
Afternoon Midwife Sally. I want to ask this question, is it safe for pregnant women to do belly massage, I mean those traditional massages offered by elder women in the society? for example when the baby’s head hasn’t dropped down this elders can massage the belly to initiate the head to drop down. Are this massages clinical proven to be ok.
Sally: In my line of duty, we have experienced similar cases where women go to untrained persons for their baby’s to be turned. Example when a baby is breech they try to maneuver the baby to get into the right position without any scan, special skills or proper monitoring
Some come with placenta abruptio. Placenta separating prematurely due to the maneuver. Which further results in bleeding and complications.
It’s important you to seek help from trained professionals.
This is a home remedy that is believed to prepare the uterus for birth. It enhances normal uterine contractions It may help to prevent post date and post maturity. Incidence of caesarian section, artificial rapture of membrane and forceps delivery may be reduced.
The best time to start taking it is around 30 weeks of gestation. Start with a cup a day. See how it works for you. The maximum is 4 cups a day.
Just like any other herb has pharmacological effects kindly note these points if you are taking it
If your false contractions becomes strong stop taking it.
Use the tea prepared from the leaves not its fruits
Its not really needed if you have given birth many times successfully vaginally
Do not start it within the first and second trimester
If you have done a previous caesarians section, you cant use it. Avoid it.
Do not use it if you are expecting twins, breech presentation and also have hypertension.
Mums with history of preterm birth, placenta previa should not use it.
When babys head becomes visible and doesn’t go back any longer You know you are almost through
Your midwife will encourage you to bear down with your last energy
Tears can be prevented if you had already prepared your perineum with a
perineal massage,
Kegels exercise
Pelvic tilts
Squats etc
During the birth cooperate with your midwife
Assume a position that will open your pelvis widely and reduce tears and complications
Also speak to your midwife about how you can prevent perineal tears
#Crowning is often referred to as the “ring of fire” in the birthing process. It’s when your baby’s head becomes visible in the birth canal after you’ve fully dilated. It’s the home stretch — in more ways than
Helps in the neurological development of the baby
