Dear Doctor ‘P’ 18

Send your question to:
pregnant@integral-advisory.com
Answers are provided jointly by our team of doctors

Our Team of Experts
Dr. Blassio Omuga
Lecturer, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi
Consultant Obstaetrician/Gynaecologist
Based at Doctor’s Plaza, Clinic No.18, Kenyatta National Hospital

Dr. David Kiragu
Consultant Obstaetrician/Gynaecologist
IPS Building, 1st Floor, Kimathi Street, Nairobi

Dr.Wetson Khisa
Consultant Obstaetrician/Gynaecologist
Nyaku House, Hurlingham, Nairobi

Dr. Kituyi Adelaide
Consultant Paediatrician
Based Afya Royal Clinics
Uchumi Hyper, Mezz Floor, Ngong Road ,Nairobi

No mothering instincts!
I am mother to a two-and-a-half year old son. Since I had him I have not had any maternal instincts. I fear it will be like this forever. I see him like I see everyone else and pretend to all about how much he means to me. When can I do to have that overwhelming love that a mother should have for one’s baby? I feel guilty.

Under such circumstances, it is normal to feet guilty. But you can work it out. Review your relationship with the father of your child.  Ask yourself whether all through your pregnancy you warmed up to the fact that you were going to be a mother. And what was the quality of your prenatal and post natal care, what were the social and emotional circumstances. Again, what was your economic situation, and what were your priorities at the time of your pregnancy?

At present try and give more attention to your child. Get information about children. Read easily understood books and magazines. Socialise with fellow parents(especially those in your situation). You may also seek family counseling and spiritual guidance to embark on self discovery. Also look back on your upbringing to rekindle memories of how your parents interacted with you. You may discover an element that will ignite a spark, warming your heart’s attitude towards your child. The magic of parental love will then be aroused. Seek the professional help if the situation does not improve.

Will my baby be normal?
I am 34 years and now 15 weeks pregnant with my second child, after nine year gap. I have experienced pelvic pains since I was four weeks pregnant. My doctor prescribed abnormal somadril and folic tablets which have helped. My weight is also high, at 97kgs; I also experienced severe backaches. My worry is I may get an abnormal baby due to my advanced age, and the problems that I am experiencing. I would like an advice of how to go about my diet. Again I was a heavy drinker before I discovered that i was expecting but I stopped immediately after confirming I was pregnant.

Your age is advanced but has not reached the critical age of 36 years when chromosomal abnormalities increase in number. The pelvic pain is to be expected an early pregnancy. This can be managed and need not affect the baby. You need to continue with a balanced diet for healthy baby growth. Any effort to reduce weight in pregnancy may adversely affect the baby and should be undertaken after delivery. A good antenatal care should solve all your problems.

Alcohol consumption is not advised in pregnancy. The brain of the baby is growing then. When alcohol enters into the baby’s system it is preferentially used, and not glucose as should be the case. This is a power energy source. It is also toxic to other tissues. In addition it affects internal body that the baby depends on. Now that you stopped, closely monitor your pregnancy. In case of problems, antenatal care should address the issues effectively. Please relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

Unparallel growth rate
I needed to know what determines the baby’s growth. That is if two babies are both nine months old, chances are that one will look bigger than the other. Why is this so? I also would like to know if breast milk for all women is the same.

Different growth rate in babies partly depends on the condition of development in the womb. Smaller babies tend to continue being small after birth. Congenital malformations arid malnutrition cause growth retardation. Disease occurrence also affects child growth and development, as does psychological disturbances such as an abnormal parent-child relationship. It can be a cause of alarm depending on the disparity in growth rate. A medical check up is necessary to establish the cause

Breast milk, in all women is relatively the same in composition and nature Some mothers have breast milk that causes breast milk jaundice (yellowing of the skin identified in breastfed babies who are at least a week old), but this is rare. Note that exclusive breast feeding is recommended for the first four to six months.

Chemical use-is it safe?
I am two months pregnant and I have been using a cream called hips to uplift my hips.
I am still using it but I am worried that might affect the baby. Please advice.

Any cream is not advisable for use in pregnancy, unless absolutely necessary. While pregnant, hip pains occur and hip lifting may be a problem. This is best managed by postural changes, exercises and good diet. Whenever necessary get rest. Use prescribed analgesics (painkillers) and supplements. Be careful about use of chemicals in pregnancy. It can affect your baby’s development.

END: PG18/8