My expected date of delivery (Edd) was 26th April 2024. Per the ANC policy at my hospital, a pregnant woman is supposed to have her membranes swept by the doctor when she gets to 38 weeks. They did the sweeping for me at 38 weeks which I was 2cm dilated by then that was on 19th April and when I came home I started having this on and off contractions hopefully thinking baby would come the next day but that wasn’t the case.
Throughout the weekend I started loosing the mucus plug and seeing the bloody show. So when I went on with my usual daily walks, squats and sex to help kick start labor. On 22nd April I went to see doctor again and he repeated the sweeping and I was 3cm dilated. I came home and started having the contractions again but it tapered off the next morning that was on 23rd April.
I went on with my house chores and in the afternoon at 2:45 pm I wanted to take a nap. While sleeping I felt this long and painful contractions and it stopped, and then another one came again but with this one, my water broke at 3:30pm so I quickly called my husband to pick me up to the hospital. Upon arrival at 4pm I was 4cm dilated and the contractions kept coming without rest in between. By 6:15 pm I was 10cm dilated and was taken to the delivery room, I pushed 4 times and my rainbow baby was born at 6:30pm weighing 3.2kg.
I thank all the midwives and everyone one here on this great platform. Your teachings and questions made me learn a lot from this group. God bless us all.
Definition for a membrane sweep: A membrane sweep is a common procedure performed after 39 weeks of pregnancy to induce labor naturally. It’s performed by a healthcare provider and involves them inserting gloved fingers into your cervix to loosen your amniotic sac from your uterus.
After 5 doses of 50mcg of cytotec, the cervix wasn’t opening so I opted for c/s, that was on Monday.
The doctors shift ended and a new one came. On Tuesday morning, I saw thick meconium liqour and reported to the midwives they told me they are busy
the doctor is now using my cervix to teach students, all I endured.
On Wednesday I realised things aren’t going well, my heart was beating faster and my baby’s movement slowed, I told them one midwife said ” you are annoying do u think you are the only one in labor”
A doctor came to check me and said they will augment me , that I refused because after the 5 doses of cytotec I could rupture my uterus.
My husband and I insisted on caesarean section but they didn’t mind us….. had to call one old midwife I know to make arrangement for me
At 3pm on Wednesday I took my Anc book and left to another hospital. The doctor too said am not their client after a long talk and begging she agreed to do the c/s but we paid some amount
my baby’s breath wasn’t good instead of them to refer they left the baby there.
Baby could not make it…. I learnt my lesson the hard way!…. From Madam A. B
You cannot carry your baby for 9 months and end this way. This is highly unacceptable. Advocate for your self. Not all health workers are really bothered. Some complications come be due to negligence.
Choose your hospital and health care providers carefully. Be responsible for yourself. I always say change your facility or request for a referral if you are not receiving the care you need.
We can change this stories if we begin to speak out!
So I saw my bloody show Tuesday morning though I had started having little inconsistent contractions form Sunday. I monitored to see if contractions will pick up so I go to the hospital. The whole of Tuesday, nothing happened, just on and off contractions. Then Wednesday dawn, I started having contractions that were coming every thirty minutes then it went off.
Later in the morning it started again and I saw another show. Around 12pm, I realized my bump had become very hard, the contractions were not coming and baby’s activities had gone down. I called hubby and we rushed to the hospital. When we got there I told the midwife my story and they sent me to the labor ward for examination.
In my mind I had dilated about 4 going to five bi anaa six mpo aa, they said 2. And I was like I have had contractions since dawn ooo.. So the nurse started a ctg to examine baby and my contractions. The contractions were getting intense and painful but dilation was not taking place. As for vaginal examination, I did it like Nov Dec , doctor will check, midwife will check, after two hours, I was checked and was at 4. Sister, I just cried.
I remember telling my hubby so God didn’t listen to all our prayers to make this birth easy and without complications. After another hour, midwife said I had to be prepared to theater for cs… Be like after all this pain? After another hour they checked and I had reached 6 but the pain was too much. Hubby couldn’t stand the pain and we realized baby’s heartbeat was going down.
I was given pain medication and made ready for theater. The midwife checked me again and I had reached 9cm but doctor wasn’t happy because baby was in distress. When we got to the theater I had a very strong urge to puupuu, I told them and they asked me to go ahead. While lying I head the doctor say give me episiotomy something something then I felt a sharp pain down there.
Then he again asked them for a #Vaccum machine. I was asked to follow my urge to puupuu and I did heavily then I felt something leave my vagina… Oooh my baby was out but he wasn’t responding. I started crying and asked the theater attendants if he is okay. They assured me and just like that, I didn’t even care about the suturing they were doing under there but to hear my boy cry.
After few minutes of resuscitation, I heard him cry and I dropped some tears of joy too. They showed him to me, cleaned me up and sent us to the ward. God is good, and yesterday, he really proved himself so to me.
Thanks to everyone for the love and to Midwife Sally , God bless you for your wonderful education. It helped a lot.
What’s a vacuum Delivery : During a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, a health care provider applies the vacuum — a soft or rigid cup with a handle and a vacuum pump — to the baby’s head to help guide the baby out of the birth canal. This is typically done during a contraction while the mother pushes. – – Source : Mayo Clinic
One of the commonest concerns of new mums is the flow of breast milk.
The common complaint health workers get is my breastmilk is not flowing, what should I do?
It’s important for every mum to know that before your baby is born, your body is ready to provide food. That’s how amazing God is! Food is ready before the baby comes. The first breast milk the breast produces is called colostrum and can sometimes be expressed even before birth if breast examination is done for a pregnant woman.
After you have your baby the doctor / #The midwife will put the baby to breast immediately within the first 30 minutes. You don’t need to see breast milk flowing before you do that.
The #The secret here is that the more you breastfeed the more breastmilk is produced. That is how it has been designed.
So if you want to have more breastmilk, feed! feed! and feed! Feed the baby on demand and it should be exclusive.
Once you add #milk substitutes etc, your feeding time reduces and your body assumes that you do not need more. With time your breastmilk supply will reduce because you are not breastfeeding regularly
So the fact is that you need to stay #hydrated and healthy whilst breastfeeding so you take more fluids, soups, drinks and nutritious meals.
But if you don’t give #breastmilk more regularly, it’s of no use. Your supply will cut down since body assumes you don’t need more
#Breastfeeding is an act that has to be learnt and properly done for best results. Seek help from your midwife or lactational consult where needed. If done right the result is always amazing.
It’s important to understand what happened to your body during pregnancy . The uterus enlarged to accommodate the growing baby. Your body retained more fluid and the abdominal muscles was also stretched during pregnancy. It took 9 months…This was a gradual process
In the same way after birth the body will need time to go back to its pre pregnancy state.
And yes the uterus will take about 6 weeks to go back to its original state
Also know it’s not just the uterus. The fluid in the body adds to your weight and looks after birth . The abdominal muscles will be lax and and the fat in your body will also be present. All this adds up to make your abdomen and body look big. Not forgetting the weight you gained during pregnancy
To reduce it. Here are simple things you can do .
Start postnatal Exercise after birth
Breastfeeding helps a lot
And also diet modification is very important . Nutritious meals in adequate proportions.
Some may need some physiotherapy as well
And yes let me add that be gentle and patient with yourself. Yes getting your body back after birth is possible but it takes time and effort
No matter what you are still beautiful! And a great mum. Never forget that!
Speak to your midwife or doctor for possible referral to resources near you! Nutritionist, fitness coach, physiotherapist, post partum birth coach etc
Pregnant? You can sign up for our pregnancy class to learn more +233242281957
My abdomen is not as big as I expected- 1st pregnancy
This is because it is you first time pregnancy and the abdominal muscles are still tight.
It hasn’t been stretched before. It will not look as big as a mum who has delivered before.
So you don’t have to worry or compare your abdomen to another persons pregnancy
In second or third pregnancies because the abdominal muscle has been stretched before there is already some amount of laxity in the abdominal muscles and so it can grow bigger than that of a first time mum
Also remember other things like fluid, fat or any mass can make the abdomen look bigger.
So you don’t really need a big abdomen to feel all is going well.
Your doctor or midwife will also be checking on your fundal height as well as your scan. This will give your doctor insight on the well being of the baby. If he has not complained that you have intra uterine growth restriction, you should be at ease and enjoy your healthy pregnancy!
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
PINK-The color of your new born baby at birth should be pink. Baby may not need help with breathing at birth. It shows that baby has enough supply of oxygen to all parts of the body
BLUE-If the palm and feet are blue, it indicates a sign of cyanosis, a sign of reduced oxygen. Cyanosis or reduced oxygen is more severe when the chest region is blue. Baby may need some form of resuscitation.
YELLOW SKIN- Baby is jaundice and will have to be seen immediately to prevent complications. It can also be een in the eyes, nail beds, palm and sole of the feet. Furthermore investigation and Phototherapy will be needed
PALE- If your new born baby looks pale kindly let your midwife or doctor check on the baby too. They may have to check if cord is not bleeding or any other issue is apparent.
Call the attention of your doctor immediately
Report if your baby is blue, pale or yellowish in color.
If your baby is dark in color and you cannot see the pink color, check the palm or the sole of the feet. It should not look pale or bluish.
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
#BreechPresentation simply means the baby is not coming with the head. It’s coming or presenting with the buttocks. Speak to your midwife or doctor about it
Discuss mode of delivery. It’s extremely important!
It’s seen via scan or the midwives palpation of the abdomen
Never allow untrained persons to try to turn your breech baby
Work together with your health care provider for the best outcome
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
