Some information about your pregnancy should be at your finger tips You should ask your midwife or doctor whether these specific things are within normal and what you can do After reading take your antenatal book and check Its not enough if you are just told all is ok!
Your blood pressure (BP) Your Haemoglobin level (HB) Your expected date of delivery (EDD) Your placenta location Your specific health condition, example previous c/s, diabetes, fibroids etc Sickling status Your weight gain
The placenta with nourishes the baby with nutrients and oxygen during pregnancy is supposed to be located in the upper part of the uterus. If it is in the lower segment, we call it placenta previa
In placenta previa the location of the placenta is low and it comes with risk.
Some of the risk include
1. It can lead to bleeding during pregnancy and at birth. The placenta can detach pre maturely because it’s not in the right position
2. It can lead to preterm birth
3. It can affect the growth of the baby since the placenta is not in the right position
A scan can help diagnose placenta previa. If it is diagnosed, your doctor can help you go through the pregnancy with ease.
Your birth should be planned and the hospital you give birth should at least have a theatre and blood bank in case you need it.
In severe forms of placenta previa, your activity level will be limited and a cesarean section will be the mode of delivery. You will also be monitored closely throughout the pregnancy.
Our pregnancy class will help you go through your pregnancy with ease
Many women believe there is wound literally in the stomach or abdomen after birth, they resort to so many preparations and concoctions to heal this wound that is left in the stomach after birth. Sometimes trying to heal this wound rather bring them more issues since the stomach does not really play a part during labor. Is it the uterus they call stomach or this is to help new mum take good care of themselves.?Let’s learn
During birth the baby is actually in the uterus/womb and attached to the mother via the placenta. The placenta is what connects mum and baby. After baby is born in the 2nd stage of labor as shown in the diagram, the 3rd stage follows which is the birth of the placenta.
After the birth of the placenta the uterus continues to contract which makes it smaller, the smaller it becomes the more bleeding is also prevented. So literally we are more concerned about the place where the placenta detached to heal properly and regain its strength.
Within the next six weeks after birth contractions will continue and the uterus will continue to become smaller. The uterus sheds of all the left over blood gradually over time and it’s called lochia. It is a natural process and will cleanse itself. The tips you will need to make sure you are safe and free from infection include
Strict personal hygiene, bath twice daily
Change pad frequently and wear clean cotton panties
Take prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection
Eat nutritious meals rich in vitamins and minerals to promote healing
Passive exercise, like walking, and deep breathing exercise
Report immediately if you have severe bleeding, pain or offensive discharge
Remember, breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract after birth. Breastfeed baby
Rest is also medicine. Get people to help you so you can have enough rest
These basic things will keep you healthy, there is literally no #wound in your stomach. You only need to take care of your self after birth. If you feel sick talk to your midwife/doctor . #Share to help someone. #MidwifeSally#maternityleave health #yemkro
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
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.
Your midwife or doctor may have told you your baby is not lying in the womb as expected.
In breech presentation it means the presenting part of the baby is the buttocks and it has some implications during birth
Though vaginal birth is possible it depends on several factors, for example.. Is it your first time giving birth? The weight of the baby, the skill of the midwife among others
Depending on the stage of the pregnancy, the breech presentation may turn. As the pregnancy grows its likelihood of it turning especially in the last weeks of pregnancy reduces.
Your midwife or doctor may teach you some exercises to help the baby turn. It may or may not turn in some cases. Not all are also fit for some exercises. Speak to your midwife or doctor
It’s important to plan your birth and also listen to your doctor or midwife’s recommendation. In some cases a cesarean section may be requested
Sign up for our pregnancy class to learn more +233 24 228 1957
Regarding the pregnant woman whose husband doesn’t help emotionally or with house chores.
I went through same this year. Alhamdulillah, my boy will be 4 weeks tomorrow. I was not ready for a second child now because I was seriously searching for a job, but the pregnancy came anyways and I kept it. Because there was no money, I started antenatal in my 5th month. He gave me money for antenatal only once till I gave birth. The rest of my hospital visits, I funded it.
I was doing a Teller training at one of the banks in Greater Accra, even though I was not on salary, the Tellers there were giving me something for transport and that was my savings too. From which I go to the hospital and cook during weekends. I will leave the house before 6am and sometimes come home after 9pm when they sent me to one of their branches . I will come and meet dirty dishes (from morning till evening ), dusty room etc and I will have to do all that before I go to bed and sometimes even cook for him to eat at that time.
He isn’t working currently but claims he is doing his business via online and also having his meetings through phone calls. What he help with was bathing the little girl for school and he will watch Tv and sleep the whole day till I come back from work. I saved money and bought all my hospital list items. Not even 10gh from him to buy diaper or baby dress. I did everything by my self. I was always stressed from work, and weekends too I have to fetch water, wash and prepare stews and soups for the whole week use of which I don’t even eat from.(and I do that with my money). 2 weeks to my due date, I took leave from the recruitment company that posted me to the bank.
That was then I had enough rest. My due date was past so I had to be admitted and induced, thankfully, the induction was successful and I had my boy on the 17th of last month. When we were discharged, we could not go home ooo because he was not having money to pay. We had to sleep there till the next morning before his friends sent him money for us to go home. We had no food at home when we were discharged, the 800gh they paid me after I did some Relieving duties was what we depended on till my mom brought me some food items.(God bless them for them for us). Tell that mom she can make it.
She should just tell her mind that she in this alone, and she will make it by his grace. Heerr, my boy is very strong ooo and he’s growing fast too and healthy. Sorry for the long message. I can’t comment on the post because some family members and friends are on your page as well but you can share it for her to read and be motivated and believe in God that she can do it
Sally’s Advice… If your husband is loving and caring… Hold him well
In utero it is expected that baby gains some weight till birth. The estimated normal weight for a new born baby is 2.5 to 3.5 kg.
It’s important to note that some factors can cause your baby to have less weight. Let’s discuss them
Poor nutrition. If the mum does not eat a well Balanced diet with the right amount of nutrients it can cause the baby to have less weight than expected
Pre eclampsia. If you have pre eclampsia and it’s not properly managed it can affect the weight of the baby. Baby will be smaller than expected
Infections. Infections like malaria ,urinary tract infection etc can affect the baby negatively if not treated promptly
Genetics can also play a role in the weight of your baby
Poor lifestyle choices. In general the outcome of your pregnancy can be affected by your Lifestyle. Avoid unprescribed medications, exercise regularly and maintain strict personal hygiene
Always work with your doctor if you have concerns about your baby’s weight gain
Sign up for our pregnancy class to learn more +233242281957
TYING THE WOMB AFTER BIRTH For many women how they look and feel becomes an important aspect of postpartum recovery.
During pregnancy the uterus grows from being a pelvic organ to an abdominal organ. There is an increase in shape and size which is very significant.
For the abdomen during pregnancy, there are many other factors that determine the size of your bump
Abdominal fat, gas, mass, size of the baby or fluid. All these can affect how the abdomen looks like even after pregnancy.
It’s important to Tackle all these if you want the abdomen to look flat after birth
The uterus in itself takes about 6 weeks to go back into its pre-pregnancy state. So you need to be patient with your self
The first is for you complete your postpartum period. For the uterus to contract, make sure your blood level is high before delivery. Low blood level can cause bleeding and uterus will not contract .
In case you notice bleeding or any form of severe pain report early. Retained products can prevent your womb from contracting . Also your midwife can teach you how to rub the uterus so it contracts. Also breastfeed your baby it helps the uterus to contract.
Contractions of the uterus is what will make the uterus look smaller.
Other things you can do to get the womb or abdomen reduced is by burning the fat you accumulated during pregnancy. Exclusive breastfeeding helps, Exercise and also choosing the foods you eat is very important.
After birth the water in your body will also come out as urine in the first few weeks and this also helps to reduce your weight .
You should also choose the foods you eat carefully to reduce gas in the abdomen. If you have any mass, eg fibroids etc , see a gynaecologist and plan how it can be removed
When it comes to tying the abdomen after birth, it can be done from the first day after birth if the woman had vaginal birth . There should be some considerations, You should feel well and comfortable, it should not be tight on you and you should be able to breathe without struggling. Also choose a binder that works and fits perfectly. If you feel pain, uncomfortable, or experience any complications, stop and report to your doctor. It should not be tight. Start gradually and don’t wear it for a long period of time. You can prolong the time as you heal. Follow the recommended duration given by the manufacturer of the abdominal binder or cosset you use. It should be approved for medical use by the governing body in your country
If you can cesarean section I advise you wait until the wound has healed and your doctor allows you to use it. Do not tie your abdomen just after cesarean section except it’s for the sole reason of promoting comfort and reducing pain. In that case the abdominal binder should be loosely applied. Also speak to your doctor first
In conclusion combining a healthy diet, exercise, self care and using an abdominal binder can help you get your postpartum body back into shape and improve a positive self image
You can also speak to coach who will help you better in your journey
Your blood pressure (BP)
during pregnancy and at birth. The placenta can detach pre maturely because it’s not in the right position
Strict personal hygiene, bath twice daily
and he’s growing fast too and healthy. Sorry for the long message. I can’t comment on the post because some family members and friends are on your page as well but you can share it for her to read and be motivated and believe in God that she can do it
