Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary significantly among women. One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is a missed period; some women may notice little or no changes at the beginning. Some symptoms may become more apparent afterwards. These may include fatigue, frequent urination, nausea, tender or swollen breasts, and food aversions or cravings. However, a confirmatory pregnancy test is recommended.

It is important for you to know that getting early and regular care is important for your health and the health of your baby. Therefore, the earlier you see a health care provider to start antenatal care the better. Attending early and regular antenatal care in a good health facility is important for your health and for the health of your baby.

Generally, pregnancy is a normal healthy process for the majority of women. However, some common health problems may occur during pregnancy. Antenatal care can help spot and treat these and other problems before they turn into serious complications.

These include:

High blood pressure, Diabetes, Infections, Excessive vomiting, Anaemia, Poor blood circulation, Varicose veins, Kidney problems, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Aches and pains

Getting antenatal care is good for you and your baby. Women who attend regular antenatal care usually:

Have healthier babies, Don’t tend to have premature babies, Get treatment for health problems early so they are less likely to cause serious complications for them or their babies

Your doctor will give you a schedule of all the visits you should have while pregnant. Most experts suggest you see your doctor:

About once each month from 4th week through 28th week

Twice a month from the 28th week through the 36thweek

Weekly from 36th week to birth

If you are older than 35 years or your pregnancy is high risk, you'll probably see your doctor more often.

During the first antenatal visit, you can expect your doctor to:

Ask about your health history including diseases, operations, or previous pregnancies

Ask about your family's health history

Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam.

Take your blood and urine for lab tests

Check your blood pressure, height, and weight

Calculate your due date

Answer your questions

At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy.

Later antenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your doctor will check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected. Most antenatal visits will include:

Checking your blood pressure

Measuring your weight gain

Measuring your abdomen to check your baby's growth.

Checking the baby's heart rate

While you're pregnant, you also will have some routine tests. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as blood test to check for anaemia, your blood group &genotype, HIV, and other factors. Other tests might be offered based on your age, personal or family health history, your ethnic background, or the results of routine tests you have had.

The following types of food are very important during pregnancy

Grains - Bread, wheat, oatmeal, cereal, etc.
Fruits - Fruits should be eaten mostly fresh. Juice that is 100% fruit juice is also helpful.
Vegetables -
Protein foods - meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products,nuts, and seeds.
Dairy - Milk and products made from milk

Antenatal vitamins are safe and important to take when you're pregnant. However, you must consult your healthcare provider before taking any drug and supplements. Generally, you should not take any over the counter (OTC) medication while pregnant unless approved by a healthcare provider.

They include:

Urine test
Rh factor testing
Blood Group
Blood tests for infections such as HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, etc.
Test to determine your blood level – called packed cell volume (PCV) or haematocrit level
Ultrasound
Glucose Screening

Ultrasound helps determine the viability and wellbeing of the baby. It can also be used to determine the sex of the baby. Dating scan, NT scan, Anomaly scan and Growth scan are important sonographies to be done.

If any of the following signs occur, the woman should be taken immediately to the hospital or health centre.

vaginal bleeding
convulsions/fits
severe headaches with blurred vision
fever and too weak to get out of bed
severe abdominal pain
Fast or difficult breathing.
Abdominal pain
Feels ill
Swelling of fingers, face and legs

Don’t panic, get help and go to the nearest health facility.

During your antenatal visits, talk with your doctor or midwife about your labour and delivery options. You may want to write them down as a birth plan: Where to deliver your baby; who to deliver your baby; Resources needed etc.

But try to be flexible. No labour and delivery can be predicted or planned. So give yourself permission to change your mind at any time. And be prepared for your childbirth to be different from what you planned. If an emergency arises, your doctor has a responsibility to ensure your safety and your baby's safety. You may still share in decisions, but your choices may be limited.

Caesarean section (CS) is often advisable when a woman’s pelvis is too small and / or the baby is too big for vagina delivery, or the baby is lying horizontally (across) in the womb

Signs of labour vary for pregnant women; the following are signs of labour:

Uterine contractions
Passage of jelly-like discharge mixed with blood, also called “show”.
Breaking of the fore water with passage of clear water through the vagina.
Jelly-like discharge

Family planning, by definition, is deciding the number and spacing of your children; through the use of contraception: such as abstinence, natural planning, or hormonal birth control.

Every person who is sexually active is eligible to receive family planning services.

Abstinence, condoms, intrauterine contraceptive deuce (IUCD), hormonal pills and implant, calendar method.

It is very rich in antibiotics that help to keep baby healthy. it also aid excretion, helping babies pass stools early and excrete excess bilirubin. It helps to prevent jaundice.

See a healthcare provider early for further examination and care to prevent mother to child transmission of the HIV.

Yes! You are welcome to bring anyone you are comfortable sharing pregnancy information with or who is assisting with your pregnancy.

You do not have to be alone with this. Depression, anxiety or any mental illness can be really rough. Many people struggle with psychological symptoms during pregnancy.

Your antenatal care provider can help you get treatment, counselling and support for any mental health issue. Please talk to your health care provider about this.

Husbands should support their wives financially for antennal care clinic, provide moral support, go with them to antennal clinic, and ensure women take their antenatal drugs routinely. The husband should also save money towards delivery.

Fibroid uterus, Polyps, Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, Foreign body in uterine cavity, Genital cancers of as uterus & cervix

Removal of uterus (womb)

• Laparoscopic removal of uterus (Laparoscopic Hysterectomy)
  a) Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)
  b) Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
• Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
• NDVH-Non descent Vaginal Hysterectomy
• Vaginal Hysterectomy

i)Quick recovery time.
ii) Less painful Post surgery.
iii) Cosmetically better.
iv) Less blood loss during surgery.

Varying on the type of surgery & condition of the patient. Doctor will advice you on how soon you can return to work.

Pregnancy which is outside uterus is ectopic pregnancy. The various common sites are:

A) Fallopian tubes
B) Ovaries
C) Broad ligament
D) In the abdomen