Shoes For a Pregnant Woman
BY the time you can’t fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothes, chances are you are still fitting into your shoes, right? Maybe—but maybe not. Pregnancy comes with a host of physical changes in a woman’s body; her feet are a key factor. Changes in the feet may include swelling (oedema), ‘flat feet’ and general…
Read MoreI regret my decision – Grief after an abortion
A true story as narrated to Emma Odaba by Rahab* (*not her real name)Â 22-year-old Rahab had an abortion because she wanted to maintain her ‘dignity’; she did not want people to see her pregnant out of wedlock. However, two years later she regrets it, saying that having the abortion was the worst mistake she has…
Read MorePost abortion syndrome
Grace Ojiambo, Executive Director of Crisis Pregnancy Ministries, Nairobi examines Rahab’s feelings about her abortion. RAHAB’S situation has happened to countless couples; when one faces a crisis pregnancy, they are so stressed that they can’t think objectively. At that point, the crisis pregnancy is the Goliath in their lives that they must kill. Usually the…
Read MoreSex during pregnancy
IF you are pregnant or planning to be you have probably found a lot of information about sex before pregnancy and sex after childbirth. But probably much less about sex during pregnancy. This may be attributed to some cultural tendencies or other factors that seem to dissociate expectant mothers from sexuality. This is a topic…
Read MoreCan 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…
Read MoreWhat next – After your first antenatal clinic?
What happens after that first antenatal clinic visit? How many more times should you attend clinic and when? After the first antenatal clinic Now that some basic tests and investigations have been carried out to determine the state of your pregnancy, it is upon you to heed your care providers’ advice and to monitor the…
Read MoreVirgin 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?…
Read MoreSperm allergy
Allergic reaction to sperm, known as sperm allergy, semen allergy or human seminal plasma hypersensitivity, sounds like a bad dream, but it is real – though rare. What is sperm allergy? It is a condition where either the man or woman, develops an immune reaction to sperm. The cause is a rare allergic reaction to…
Read MorePregnancy complications — alarm signs revealed
During pregnancy one may experience discomfort in varying degrees. It is important to differentiate between normal discomfort, and alarm signs of pregnancy complications. Normal discomfort includes fatigue, excessive salivation, cravings and pica (urge to eat nonfood items). Others are vomiting early in the morning, heartburn, a need to urinate frequently, and backache. But there are…
Read MoreBaby stuck during birth – causes and solutions
As I watched the 22-year-old first-time mum go through the motions of delivery, it dawned on me that the baby’s passage was not clear. My suspicion? Baby stuck during birth. The pregnant mum had arrived at the hospital at around seven in the evening, in labour. I was on night duty. After admitting her immediately, I called…
Read More