False labour
According to Dr. Blasio Omuga, an obstetrician, false labour is a condition where a woman has labour pains that may not increase in intensity or frequency, and where labour does not progress. The contractions are weak and irregular and may not cause the cervix to dilate. Labour pains in a natural delivery increase with time…
Read MoreEctopic pregnancy
What Is It? Dr. David Kiragu Explains Ectopic in layman’s terms means ‘out of place’. Ectopic pregnancy refers to a condition, in which a fertilised egg is implanted outside the uterus. The uterus is divided into two main parts. The upper part is known as the fundus uteri. This is where a fertilised egg is normally…
Read MoreStop mother to child HIV infection
A mother can minimize the risk of HIV transmission to her child by taking certain measures to prevent transmission of the virus after delivery. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? HIV is the short form for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Discovered in the early 1980s, it is commonly thought to have developed from a…
Read MoreCaesarean section
Dr. David Kiragu Explains Why And How The Operation Is Done Undergoing a Caesarean section just a few years back was something so rare, that those who delivered this way, did not speak publicly about it. Many people have argued that giving birth naturally, brings more satisfaction to mothers (when one is able to push…
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Vaginal examination — What it is and what to expect
Vaginal examination requires sensitivity Parting her legs to have a vaginal examination is one of the most challenging moments for a woman, especially if it is happening to her for the first time. Considering that it requires you to put aside your privacy for a while and to allow somebody else to ‘intrude,’ a vaginal…
Read MoreUterine Rupture – What it is and why it happens
Uterine rupture is a tear in the wall of the uterus, most often at the site of a previous caeserean section (C-section). In a complete rupture the tear goes through all layers of the uterine wall. The consequences of uterine rupture can be dire for mother and child. Fortunately, these ruptures are relatively rare for…
Read MoreDangers of prolonged labour
Prolonged labour suggests that labour has failed to progress normally, and is causing difficulties for the mother and child. Labour is said to have prolonged if it does not complete within 18 hours for first time mothers and 12 hours for mothers who have had a prior delivery. What could cause prolonged labour? Inadequate intensity…
Read MoreRuptured UTERUS
A real life account as witnessed by a maternity nurse Her blood pressure was low and her skin pale because of losing a lot of blood. The baby was getting distressed because its oxygen supply was interrupted. It was an extremely dangerous situation for both mother and child. Alice (real name withheld) was rushed to…
Read MoreChanges in your weight during pregnancy
In today’s society, most people (especially women) view wait gain with trepidation. The pregnancy period has a mandatory and compulsory weight gain requirement, for healthy foetal growth and development as well as energy source for mums
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Was Adam, then, Eve’s “Midwife?”
To be or not to be present. Should fathers be present at birth of their children? Do they have a role – other than watching? There are varying opinions on the presence of a father in the labour ward during child birth. Should he or should he not witness it? Many mums and dads have no…
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