Umbilical Cord

AN ENCOUNTER WITH CORD PROLAPSE SHE seemed just like any other patient when she was brought into the labour ward. I was informed by her minders that hers was a delivery emergency. I welcomed her and immediately requested her to change into a hospital gown as I took her details. She gave her name as…

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Post-partum Haemorrhage

In the previous edition of Pregnant, Dr. David Kiragu explained what Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) means, the two categories – Primary and Secondary – and the fact that PPH can lead to maternal death. PPH is largely unpreventable. The majority of patients who get PPH have no history or clinical features that would be predictors of…

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Rejection in Pregnancy

Comment by Grace Ojiambo Executive Director, Crisis Pregnancy Ministries, Nairobi. JUNE’S story may be familiar to some of us. As you read it, you could probably identify with her. Many women who have a crisis pregnancy go through horrifying times during and after the pregnancy which they didn’t really have to go though. Most such…

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Can you have Sex during pregnancy?

SOME MEN SAY ••• Oscar: I think pregnant women look really nice, but that’s as far as it goes. I cannot bring myself to imagine having sex with a pregnant woman. I am not married yet, but even if I were and my wife was pregnant, I would wait until after she has delivered. It…

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Virgin pregnant without penetration – Is it possible?

Pregnant without penetration – sounds mythical? Can you get pregnant from being fingered? It surprises many, but yes, it can happen, even to a virgin! In my work I have had rare but occasional cases of ladies claiming be virgins, though pregnant. The question they ask is – how did it happen? Is it possible…. really possible?…

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Another girl? I want a boy

Through the advice of a doctor, a couple can improve the chances of conceiving a baby of the sex they desire, explains Dr. Blasio Omuga Determining the sex of the child is an interesting subject. Some may dismiss it as an issue completely beyond their control. In fact there are those who state that a child…

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I am nervous about ultrasound scan

I am nervous about ultrasound scan Is it the same as an X-ray? during which trimester is it safe? Will it harm my baby? When  I went for my first ultrasound scan I was very nervous,’ says Nancy Bartilol who is expecting to deliver in October 2006. Every mother has reason to be afraid of…

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Multiple births pregnancies

1. Premature/preterm labour or birth Multiple pregnancies often end earlier than single birth pregnancies. The result is that the babies are born before all their organs are fully developed. They usually have low birth weight and on many occasions require aided breathing and feeding. Such babies need additional care after delivery but unless they have…

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Does your man know how pregnancy will change you?

Dramatic physical and emotional changes your man should expect If your man says to you, ‘I need to take you to the hospital’, because you are vomiting from nausea, it may be because you are not talking enough about how pregnancy will affect you. Does your man really know what lies ahead and how much pregnancy will change…

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Her relatives withheld vital information

A real life account as witnessed by a maternity nurse Mary was rushed into the hospital at around nine o’clock that night while I was on night duty. Her two relatives said it was an emergency and insisted she must be admitted at once. This surprised me as no diagnosis had been carried out. I asked what…

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