Many interventions given at home by non professionals can lead to fatal consequences for expectant mums. Its important that we pay attention to professional help or guidance during pregnancy. A few examples have been listed below
1. Do not manipulate her abdomen in any way. If she has a breech presentation, excercise can help at times. Try to turn the baby at home can lead to bleeding and lose of the baby
2.Do not try to keep her at home if she is bleeding or manage it at home. It can lead to her death if its not managed properly
3.Do not give her unprescribed medications whether it is orthodox medicine or traditional medicine. You will never know how it will affect her and her unborn child. If she is ill report to the hospital
4. Do not prevent her from assessing medical and professional care. This can be life saving. A support person should rather be encouraging. Do not take the role of a doctor or midwife. This can be fatal to her
5.Do not beat or abuse a pregnant woman. Dont expect too much. Rather give her a helping hand when need be.
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She went into labor and decided to report to the hospital.
At the hospital her fetal heart rate was not checked.
Only a vaginal examination was done and she was told dilation has not started she should go back home.
She went home and after a few days she realized her vaginal discharge has increased. She reported back to the hospital.
This time the fetal heart was listened to but it could not be heard.
Induction was done and a still birth was the result.
Lessons… Baby could have been saved if the fetal heart rate was checked to rule out fetal distress.
Even if it had already occurred it will have been seen earlier and baby delivered to prevent further complications it can bring to the mum.
If you are in the first trimester where the fetal heart is not being heard with a fetoscope at least be sure you feel pregnant. Know how you feel. If pregnancy symptoms stops suddenly kindly do report
Every little thing counts
Don’t leave the hospital without you checking on fetal heart
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You may have noticed that at every antenatal clinic especially within your second trimester your midwife or doctor begins to measure your abdomen with a tape measure.
They want to know exactly if your bump is growing as expected.
There is a relationship between the size of your abdomen and the growth of the baby in weeks
It can be used to determine the following
Small for date
Fetal growth restriction
Twin Gestation
Normal growth weight
Big baby
Your doctor or midwife will do further investigations if any abnormality is suspected.
You can speak to them to know if all is well with your bump.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
Use extra pillows to make yourself comfortable during sleep.
