Just as humans we breath in and breathe out air, we just can’t survive without the air that is around us. Immediately there is no supply of oxygen, life begins to end.
In the same way babies in utero are rather surrounded by fluid called amniotic fluid (water). It’s main function is to protect, nourish, and support the new born in uterus to grow and develop properly.
This fluid should not break before term, if it does it gives room for possible infection to the baby and the uterus, since the protective barrier around the baby is broken. It can lead to malformations in baby if the amniotic fluid around the baby is reduced significantly
If you break your waters before labor sets in during pregnancy. Report to the hospital immediately for help. Your baby in utero cannot survive without the amniotic fluid around them. Don’t wait till the next day… Think about what happens to a fish when taken out of water…Your baby begins to struggle for life
For most births, the waters break before birth occurs, but in the picture below baby was born with sac/and amniotic fluid intact. It happens 1 in about 80,000 births. Isn’t it wonderful!!!
The cord connects the baby to her mum in utero. It performs several functions including carrying oxygen and nutrients to the unborn baby for growth and development
Some factors like a long cord, polyhydramnios etc can cause the cord to wrap around the neck of the new born baby. Some causes are unknown and it can not be prevented during pregnancy
The image describes exactly what happens when there is cord around the neck in Utero!
If the baby’s body compresses the umbilical cord, it reduces blood flow to the baby and can cause asphyxia.
It can intend cause still birth and complications if it’s very tight and not detected early.
During vaginal delivery when a midwife detects cord around the neck of a baby she will make sure she takes steps to prevent the baby from getting asphyxia. She may call for help if need be.
Baby may need some resuscitation after birth if asphyxia sets in.
Cooperate with your midwife during delivery to avoid further complications.
For most babies with cord around the neck, it is loose and can be easily slipped over the baby’s head during delivery.
Once this is done the baby can be born safely without any complications. In a few cases when it is very tight an emergency cesarean section can be done to prevent asphyxia and further birth complications.
Nuchal cord or cord around the neck cannot be prevented during pregnancy. It is usually detected during birth. For every birth once the head is delivered, the midwife uses her fingers around the neck to determine if there is a cord around the neck. If it’s loose she can easily slip it over the baby’s head.
She was shouting… Jesus! Jesus! Jesus….. Then tongues followed… “Hebababababa….. “
Her baby was in fetal distress and needed an emergency cesarean section to save the baby’s life.
She never thought this will ever happen in her life
She had 3 previous vaginal deliveries and this time the story is different.
She could not accept the fact that she has to go through an emergency cesarean section.
The health team spoke to help calmly, played some music to sooth her and finally agreed to do the procedure.in no time baby was out and fit.
She was also out without any issues.
Its really a problem that women still attach so much fear to caesarian section.
We still see women who have gone through caesarian section as though they are weak or less of a woman
We still criticize women for going through caesarian section
We fail to educate ourselves about it
Its important to prepare your mind or learn about caesarian section even if you are going for a vaginal birth.
During a vaginal birth, even in a very healthy pregnancy emergencies can occur and you will need to have a caesarian section.
In fact emergency cesarean sections are a major part of the total number of operations done in many hospitals
Hope you learn a lesson from this
And please let me add that, having a successful caesarian section is a blessing from God. It is not against any religion to have caesarian section! Don’t risk your life unnecessarily!
Don’t leave your pregnancy to chance!
You can join our Pregnancy class to learn more 0242281957
I PLANNED TO START ANTENATAL AT 6 MONTHS – ECTOPIC GESTATION
Hmmmm Midwife Sally, talking about early scan, I got pregnant late December 2023 and my whole plan was to wait till my 6 month then I go to the hospital. Not that I couldn’t afford ooo but I just felt that’s the time I want. On January 19, my partner started giving me pressure so I called a midwife friend @ KATH to help me because I was told the policy of service there is by referral but I preferred my antenatal and labor there. Sister, I went to KATH on January 21st because the pressure from my partner was massive. Only for me to go and have a scan to confirm but was told it’s an ectopic pregnancy. I cried papa. I was safe at the moment so my friend walked with me to the theater to undergo the necessary surgery. By His grace, the doctor said he didn’t remove my fallopian tube because it’s very healthy. Just imagine if I had waited.
Long story short, truly the early scan is very very important. God was speaking to me through my partner.
After the birth of your baby, its not over. The delivery of your placenta follows.
Within 30 minutes after birth the placenta should separate and be delivered.
It’s a very critical time and if not well managed can lead to serious complications like bleeding which is life threatening.
The placenta has membranes covering it, lobes that faces the mum(maternal surface) and a smooth part that faces the baby. The cord has two arteries and a vein.
The midwife/ doctor has to inspect the the placenta to make sure everything came out. There should be no missing lobe. The membranes should come out completely.
Any retained product can possibly prevent the uterus from contracting and cause bleeding.
Retained products can also get infected and cause problems several days later.
If after birth whilst in the recovery room or at home your bleeding doesn’t subside but you are actively bleeding call the team to re examine you.
Severe lower abdominal pains which is extreme after birth should also be reported for re examination.
Doing so in time can save your life!!!
Bleeding after birth is the no. 1 cause of maternal mortality worldwide.
You can Book a one on one session, Buy your baby Items, Book for an interview or other matters and also Buy a copy of our book and it has all the information you need! from us. 024 228 1957
EDD – 11/05/24 DOD – 11/05/24 Through C/S First time mum
My pregnancy Journey was very comfortable and smooth. I’ve not had any issue throughout; no vomiting, no spitting of saliva , no shortage of blood everything was intact. Just that I got exhausted along the line which is normal.
My contractions started on 10th March 2024 @ midnight. I managed through to morning called my sister to come drive me to the hospital cox initially I taught I could drive myself to the hospital because there was no bloody show, no water break too but contractions were very regular. Then I heard the doorbell, it was my Dad and my Uncle. They brought a bad news but didn’t know how to tell me. The long and tall of it is that my mum had passed. I couldn’t control my tears , having contractions and crying hmmmm it wasn’t easy at all for me. Who will bath my baby now, I had to put myself together at a point and make a decision, which I did with God being my helper. Got to the hospital around 1pm, was checked and I was only 1cm eeii with all this regular contractions only 1cm yooooo. Evening at 8pm was 2cm, meaning I was just not progressing. They had to do what they will do by putting some infusions , contractions became more painful but still slow progress now 5cm the next morning around 10am.
Baby in distress now so emergency SC. I even opt for it before they could say anything. I signed and was prepared for the Theater within 30mins by 12:30 in the afternoon my bundle of joy was out and crying. We stayed at the hospital ( Ga East Municipal Hospital ) 3days and was discharged. Reaching home, i want back to watch video on wound care after CS by Midwife Sally and Midwife Eunice, took my medications on time, eat well and got a support person.
Guys, within two weeks my wounds healed. I even had sex with my husband in the within a few weeks. hahahaha
In fact I will encourage everybody to take the classes seriously coz it has helped me a lot. Thanks Midwife Sally for adding me Thanks midwives God bless you all Thanks to the Doctors and Nurses of Ga East Municipal Hospital, Kwabenya. ( ANC , Delivery Suite and Obs & gyne) God bless them for me. God bless all mums and mums to be on the platform. #OnGod
From mum.. Sally’s Pregnancy School Join our Pregnancy class to learn more 024 228 1957
You can Book a one on one session, Buy your baby Items, Book for an interview or other matters and also Buy a copy of our book and it has all the information you need! from us. 024 228 1957
I was 37 weeks gone and woke up on the Saturday morning eagerly looking forward to eating my choicest food.My mom had come around to help me with my house chores so I quickly rushed to the hospital (a private one)for my antenatal and return to savour my fufu and then beans with plantain which was on fire.
Prior to this antenatal visit,that was a week before my Doctor realised through a scan that the fluid around baby was low(a condition called oligohydr…something something) so he encouraged me to drink more water and rest well if possible..I did that drinking almost three litres per day.So on this fine day I went and unfortunately the fluid was virtually finished around the baby.He requested for an Immediate emergency section.
My reaction: Growing up I heard women who did CS was a sort of curse..thus hearing this from the Doctor I literally begged him if he could wait to see improvement(But thank God for his patience…together with his wife who was also a doctor,they sat me down and counselled me on the benefits of having the CS ,which will go a long way to save my life and that of baby).After the session I cried …i mean really cried still wondering why it had to be me.
Hubby was not around as at that time(he had been transferred to another region)so I called to inform him amidst tears. However before leaving the hospital I prayed a quiet heartfelt prayer that God should take control. You wont believe it…I felt peaceful within me. My side sorted I went home to pack my things still praying.
Immediately I opened the gate to enter my home..I heard my mother scream ”Jesus I will not allow that .My daughter will not undergo any knife-me twem w) Yessu Din mu”(apparently Hubby had just called her to inform her).Upon seeing me she enquired why and that I shouldnt allow the Dr to do any surgery.
To cut my story short I went back to the hospital before five ,got prepped up by the abled nurses and the Drs wife who were so nice and encouraging me trying to make jokes to cheer me up. At six pm ,was wheeled to the theatre(I had never entered one before) and everything happening looked like a movie to me. The anesthetist was so kind and also spoke kind words as he administered the injection.. when the Doctor came in to do the surgery he said a word of prayer which made me more calmer as he began.
Sometimes God works in mysterious ways we never understand. As baby was brought out the umbilical cord was apparently tied twice around his neck who had not been seen during my scans. The Doctor and everyone was surprised. As he removed the cord lo and behold i heard the cry of my first baby.. very loud and all I heard after was congratulations
I was glad I listened to my Doctor and also Gods intervention through the prayers cos I could have easily lost my life and that of baby if I had allowed the myth surrounding surgery and the fact that I wanted to push myself to override the needful thing to do.Imagine pushing in this situation…hmmmm..so grateful to God.
Anonymous mum
Join our Pregnancy class to learn more. 024 228 1957
ou can Book a one on one session, Buy your baby Items, Book for an interview or other matters and also Buy a copy of our book and it has all the information you need! from us. 024 228 1957
As we battle maternal mortality in Africa, it’s important that we also look at petty things that women do that contribute to these occurrences and how we can prevent them from happening. Some are listed below
They do not start antenatal early. This can be dangerous especially if only a home pregnancy test was done. What if it’s realized that is an ectopic gestation. Other conditions will also be identified and treated promptly to prevent further complications
They refuse to take their medications. Some women on medication specific to their conditions will not take it. This can aggravate their symptoms etc… Preeclampsia, diabetes, sickle cell etc
They don’t come for review. Review is very important. Medical staff can identify what you can not see as an expectant mum. Laboratory investigations can also help
Some women do not report early when there is a complication. Early diagnosis and treatment is key, in the treatment of any condition. Of you feel unwell the best is to report early
They give birth with birth attendants that are not skilled or trained
They are not able to recognize the danger signs of pregnancy, example.. Severe headache, palpitations etc
Some deliberately refuse to adhere to simple instructions
Refusing medical procedures like cesarean section, blood transfusion etc
Some clients when they are referred to another hospital, they refuse to go due to fear. Worsening their conditions in general
Poor self care practices. Not eating well, poor personal hygiene etc. This makes women anemic and prone to infection
They take information from people who are not health professionals. “Home doctors”. This is dangerous since it can affect you negatively
After birth some women will not wait a little before starting pregnancy. How can you get pregnant again just after a few months of having a caesarian section. This can result in ruptured uterus if you are not properly monitored
Not saving or planning for your birth is another factor. There are instances when one needs money for emergency procedures, but due to financial constraints there is delay and it can cost the woman’s life
Taking steps to address these few issues will go a long way to avoid the needless maternal deaths in Africa.
, having contractions and crying hmmmm it wasn’t easy at all for me. Who will bath my baby now, I had to put myself together at a point and make a decision, which I did with God being my helper.
