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 Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 12:14pm On May 11, 2020 |
Before I continue my update on Contraception let me list some of the changes you experience after childbirth that you may not expect 1 Lochia or post birth discharge is not just blood, it changes from bright red to pink to yellow and then colorless. Its duration also varies, it could be anything from 2 weeks to 2 months 2For a FTM breast milk may not come in immediately. It could take as much as 48hrs . And when it comes it could make your b****t so hard and swollen and painful. The best thing to do is try and massage with hot water and get baby to feed to reduce the pain. 3 Your stomach will still look pregnant for up to 3 or more days after delivery. It takes time for your stomach to go back in size and this differs from person to person 4 Expect a bit of cramps after giving birth particularly stronger when breastfeeding and even sometimes when your baby cries. 5Your expanded feet may not go back to its old size and if it does go back it may take a couple of months 6 Some of the pregnancy symptoms will still continue for some time. I still had that funny pregnancy taste and was still salivating excessively a week after giving birth. Your complexion may not come back immediately. No need to worry eventually your old self will emerge 7 Body shaking hunger and thirst particularly breastfeeding mothers. This is not the time to diet you need to eat regular meals. It was scary for me when this happened because I felt like I was going to faint. I got to find out it happens when you skip meals and are breastfeeding 8 Constipation is also a normal occurrence. Try and increase your intake of vegetables and fruits and if it is so bad please speak with your doctor 4 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 1:34am On May 11, 2020 |
beeijeoma: |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 1:33am On May 11, 2020 |
Today I will be looking at Contraception/Family Planning after Childbirth Contraception or family planning is basically any means by which you prevent getting pregnant even though sex is happening regularly. There are so many different forms of contraception out there but the most important thing is finding the one that suits you. After the birth of a baby a woman looses so much in terms of blood and various mineral and vitamins. The body takes some time to get back to its pre pregnancy form and even the stress that comes from taking care of a baby makes it necessary to take some time before having another baby. The average woman is usually okay to go back to the other room six weeks after childbirth. It is expected that by this time her lochia(post pregnancy blood discharge) has stopped and any tears and bruising has healed. It is possible to get pregnant 2 months after giving birth. Once you are back to the other room pregnancy can occur at anytime and if you don't want another kid you need to actively prevent it. Exclusive breastfeeding has been touted as helping to prevent conception and from my experience it works when your baby is not eating solids yet ie when your baby is less than 6 months old. My first kid I had no period for 10 months while I was breastfeeding, and my period was back just one month after I weaned him. The 2nd was 2 years plus before I got my period back but for my 3rd I got my period about 8 months after he was born but for my newborn I got my period 2 months after delivery. I will say breastfeeding can be used but the risk is high because it is quite unpredictable in its patterns and you may could get pregnant even before you get your periods back. The various contraceptive methods I know about and have actively used are Safe period/Calendar method This is quite good if you know your body, are disciplined and good at record keeping. The only problem here is that the other room activities have to be planned and you must have regular cycles.The average woman has a 28 day cycle and that is what I have. Day 1 is the first day of the period and lasts till Day 5. Day 6,7 and 8 is my safe period meaning I can do and undo in this time frame without fear . Day 10 to day 22 I abstain or if it must happen a condom must be used this is the unsafe period when pregnancy can occur. Day 23 till the day my period shows up which is on day 28 is also a safe period . It worked for us perfectly because I was in sync with my body and the times we did it during my unsafe period and without any form of protection I fell pregnant. Condom This is good for both pregnancy and std prevention but as a married person I will tell you categorically ko le work. It will fail you when you least expect it. My hubby and I did this for 2 years but I got pregnant eventually. Sometimes the intensity in the other room gets to you and it just maybe that one time you get carried away and boom you are pregnant. Unless you are very sure that you can be consistent then you can go on with this method Withdrawal Method This is when a man does not ejaculate into the female during intercourse. He pulls out so there is no deposit of semen that can lead to pregnancy. It works for some people but not me. The risk here is very high and it is not too reliable as one can get carried away during the act . Oga may not be able to pull out on time and madam sef may not want him to. Emergency Contraception ( Postinor 2) This is contraception that is used from 0 to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. It is simply tablets that you take by mouth and it works by preventing you from ovulating and generally making the reproductive tract environment unfavorable for contraception. This method works but its not for everyone because it comes with side effect and for people with a family history of high blood pressure its best to stay away from it. It also distorts your period as it may come earlier or later than it should. It is also not for regular use. It is meant to be used only in emergency situations and should not be used as a primary method of contraception Intrauterine device This is called IUD and they are of two types hormonal and non hormonal. The non hormonal is just the copper IUD with no additives . It is t shaped and has a rope attached to it, the t shaped side will be in the uterus while the rope end will be hanging in the birth canal. I have never used this but 80 % of my friends use this and it has not failed any of them. The hormonal is the same except for some added hormones that aid pregnancy prevention. The main thing is that you need to check regularly that the rope is still hanging there, if it is not it means the IUD has been displaced and needs to be found. The nest step is back to the hospital where you fixed it. This method lasts for 3 to 10 years depending on the type and brand. Once you remove it conception can take place almost immediately and you can do the do anytime you like without any worries. My plan is to get this fitted in the next 1 or 2 months and I will give updates on how the procedure went and how I am adjusting to it The above items are the ones I am more familiar with but you have other methods like The pill The injection Vastectomy and Tubal Ligation Will be back to complete the update on the other methods 3 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 12:20am On May 11, 2020 |
Emoreni:Thanks exam done and dusted |
| Romance › Re: My Parents Won't Allow Me Marry Outside My Tribe by beeijeoma: 11:54pm On May 10, 2020 |
My parents are of different tribes and they have been married for 51 years. I married from a tribe different from both my parents been married for 11 years. I never looked at tribe while dating, just didn't see the issue. The most important thing is love and character. |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 12:37am On Apr 28, 2020 |
Emoreni:Emoreni Bros I appreciate the mention. I am so sorry . I have been trying to conclude some exams I am writing. Will be free by1st week in May and will be back in full force. 1 Like |
| Family › Re: How Do I Handle A Husband Who Wants To Have Sex Almost Everyday? by beeijeoma: 12:33am On Apr 28, 2020 |
Julietsim: I just could not help myself . This your story reminds me of my hubby and I when we were dating. I have a high libido but my oga get higher libido . I was so scared to marry him at one point because I was worried that I would not be able to cope. We have been married for 11 years now and we dated for almost 10 years as well and we are good. It is still shacking you hubby, before you know it the frequency will start to reduce. Just hang in there but meanwhile buy KY jelly to use as a lubricant. Also after each do get water that is steaming hot (not too hot that it will burn you o)and face towel or even your regular bath towel, dip in the water , squeeze out the excess and apply the hot towel to your veejay. Its like magic by the next day you should not feel as sore. 6 Likes 3 Shares |
| Health › Re: Pregnancy Are You Pregnant Or Going Through A High Risk Pregnancy,,lets Talk by beeijeoma: 7:22pm On Feb 22, 2020 |
Sashafm:The first thing is to use a good hospital so you can trust your doctors judgement. If the doctor says you need to be induced then its best to do the induction. I have 4 kids and I was induced for 3 out of the 4. It went well with no complications. If you are already overdue and all is well with you and the baby the doctor will probably suggest induction and not a c section. The final choice is yours you could decline induction and go straight to a c section 8 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 7:06pm On Feb 22, 2020 |
Shopping for baby as a FTM It is exciting to shop for baby as a FTM and it is really easy to end up buying things you don't need. I would advise buying good quality stuff as you can use them for your other kids. The items you need to buy are 1 Baby clothing Babies experience growth spurts a couple of times in their first year of life and the standard sizing for their clothes is as follows. I buy mostly Carters and Gerber because they are of good quality and not too expense Newborn----- I bought newborn items when I had my first and my kid wore it for 1 month before it became too small. Limit the number of items you buy 2 or 3 is fine 0 to 3 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 9 months 9 to 12 months The items I bought are Sleepsuits 7 Bodysuit 7 Shawl/Blanket 2 large and 2 small Mittens 1 they keep falling off I use socks as mitten Socks 10 to 12 I don't buy shoes till my kids are about 9 months so they wear socks a lot and socks are usually age 0 to 6 months or 0 to 12 months Going out outfits . I buy just 4 when they are 0 to 3 months and increase the number as they get older Hats 3 Bibs 4 Baby bath items Baby bath invest in a strong one you can use for other kids Towel 2 Face flannel or towel 4 Sponge 1 Baby soap . I prefer liquid soap to bar soap . Bar soap melts quickly and can become messy. Liquid also last longer . If you soap your baby in the morning and decide to give a night bath you do not need to use soap again. Using too much soap can dry out the baby's skin Baby lotion Baby oil Vaseline (unscented) I use this as a barrier cream for the diaper area to prevent rashes. Use it after bathing and at every diaper change Note do not buy baby powder the general consensus is that it can cause respiratory problems for babies Baby feeding Baby bottles 8 ------I buy a lot of this because I wash and sterilize all the bottles myself at the end of the day . If I am not there whoever is feeding baby just picks the bottle and use . I do this to prevent baby getting sick from bottles that are nit well sterilized Breast pump------------------I buy manual electric is too expensive for me . Milton sterilizing tablets/ Sterilizer----------- I buy the sterilizing tablets Hot water flask Baby Accessories Baby bed -------------- Its not a necessity for me . I co sleep with my babies. It is easy this way because of bf exclusively Baby wardrobe --------Not necessary if you have a wardrobe that has space Baby carrier -------------Not compulsory the only time I bought it I ended up returning it to the store . I just wasn't comfortable Baby rocker---- Its a good investment as baby can play and sleep in there Diapers------------ Do not buy too many of the smallest size as babies overgrow them quickly. I buy just 1 box of size 1 and more of size 2 and so on Wipes------------- Unscented is best just in case your baby has allergies Comb-------Buy a good comb with blunt teeth . There is nothing like baby comb its usually more expensive and no different from a standard comb Baby bag----To me this is optional I only bought with my first. Any standard bag will do. The only plus here is that the baby bags come with a changing mat which is quite useful Push chairs / strollers---------------------------Not needed only useful if you live outside Nigeria Car seat-------------Good if you have a car This is just from my personal experience and it is not a comprehensive list 10 Likes 2 Shares |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 12:18am On Feb 22, 2020 |
LUGBE:I am sorry I have been away. Will update this weekend |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 1:59pm On Oct 27, 2019 |
Umbilical cord care The cord is what joins the mother to the baby in her womb and it is where the baby gets blood and nutrients as well as oxygen from the mom. Once the baby is born that connection is no longer needed and the cord is severed or cut. The severing of the cord leaves the baby with a stump that is held with a plastic called a clamp. The stump needs to dry up and fall off leaving the baby with a king of scar which is the belly button When I had my kids I was told to buy methylated spirit and cotton wool. This is basically all you need . I would clean the cord area in the morning and evening when bathing the baby as well as anytime I did a diaper change. Frequent cleaning helps it dry quickly and prevents it from getting infected and having a bad odor. It is also important to try and keep the cord area dry as it takes longer to dry up if it keeps getting wet. Sometimes the cord dries and is just hanging on by a thin piece, you may be tempted to try and remove it please do not do so as this may cause more harm than good. it is best for it to dry fully and fall off on its own. For some kids after the stump has fallen off the area may still look a bit raw just keep cleaning with the spirit and cotton wool until it dries . The above was what I experienced 10 and 6 years ago when I had my sons. If an item is not recommended by your doctor please do not use it for cord care. I have seen instances where people are using toothpaste just to make the cord dry quickly. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 1:42pm On Oct 27, 2019 |
waley007:Sorry for not responding on time been tied up with a couple of issues. From what you typed she should have had the baby now . I don't really know why she keeps having malaria . I had malaria once in one of my pregnancies and after that I started sleeping under a mosquito net and never had it again. As per fear it is a normal thing with every pregnant woman but excessive fear is not too good. Just try and reassure her as best as you can. As long as she is using a good hospital and she has your support with God on her side, she will be okay. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 5:55pm On Oct 16, 2019 |
Continuation Epidural is used when a woman does not want to experience pain during labor and delivery. It is like anesthesia and causes one to loose sensation from the waist down so the mother is in labor but she is not experiencing any pain. The epidural is administered via the spine and it is usually administered between 4 and 5cm. I remember when it was time for the epidural I was asked to sit and arch my back outwards, my back was cleaned with antiseptic wipes and the catheter through which the drugs will be administered was put in my spine via an injection. It was not really painful just like a pinch and immediately the drugs entered my system that was it . I didn't feel any pain from the contractions but I was not able to move my legs as I was numb from the waist down. A monitor was attached to my stomach to keep track of the baby's heartrate and my contractions. I was scared when I was going to be injected but I am so glad I took the epidural. I had experienced labor pain 2ce before so I was grateful for the pain relief. It has its risks just like any other procedure some people suffer from headaches, back ache but I was lucky I didn't experience any of that . Some people also find it hard to push with an epidural but I did not , my baby was out in less than 15mins. I noticed that it slowed down my labor so I was given Pitocin to help speed things up. After I got home I noticed my hip area was a bit weak kind of and it maybe because of how my legs were positioned during delivery Assisted delivery is just delivery using forceps or a vacuum . I am not sure how common this because I do not know anyone that has gone through the process. It is used when the mother in labor is unable to push on her own so the doctor uses the vacuum which is like a suction or the forceps to help deliver the baby. Cesarean section or CS is delivery by surgery and is used for a variety of reasons. You have cases where it is termed emergency surgery meaning the mother is already in labor or has tried a normal delivery but something now happens along the way that has brought about a need for surgery. Some of the reasons for emergency CS are 1 Distress or tiredness of the baby. This is when the baby's heart rate starts dropping dangerously during labor 2 Tiredness of the mom . If the mom has been in labor for so long that she is exhausted and the baby is not forthcoming the next step is CS 3 The baby does not descend into the birth canal even though the cervix is dilating. Elective CS is when CS is planned even before the mother goes into a labor. This usually happens when the doctor has decided that the mother and baby would be at risk if labor is allowed to proceed . Some of the reasons are 1Preexisting conditions . If a woman has conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease sometimes the best option is CS particularly when the conditions are unable to be fully controlled with medication 2Size of the baby . Some babies are just too big at birth to be delivered naturally. This is why scans are done to keep up with the baby's weight 3 Pregnancy complications such as placenta previa which is when the placenta is covering the cervix making it impossible for the baby to be delivered normally 4 if the mother has had surgery like fibroid surgery. CS is usually recommended 5 If the mother has small hips CS may be the next option The surgery itself does not usually last too long and most times spinal anesthesia similar to the epidural is used so the mother is awake during the procedure but she wont feel any pain. An incision is made in the lower abdomen through to the uterus and the baby is brought out, most people say they feel a kind of pulling when the baby is being brought . Once the baby is out the mothers abdomen and uterus is stitched back and plaster or bandage is attached to the surgery site and the mother is moved out of the theater for observation. The baby is cleaned up and brought to the mom. After a couple of hours the mom is moved to her room and she will be in hospital for at least 72 hours after delivery for monitoring. By this time most mothers are moving around on their own and not in too much pain. The main issue with CS apart from risk associated with any surgery is the pain that comes after the surgery. The best thing is to ask for painkillers when the pain is much and as the days go by the pain reduces. You will also be educated on how to care for your surgery site 5 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 10:26am On Oct 15, 2019 |
Today I will write on Labor and Delivery because a lot of my readers are about to be FTMs. Labor is basically the process you go through to deliver your baby. Delivery itself could be normal delivery, assisted delivery and then delivery by caesarean section. For FTMs I know the main question is usually how will I know I am in labor. There are 3 main things most women experience that will let them know labor is close or that it is in progress 1 Rupture of membrane. This is just your water breaking, it could be a lot at a time or it could just be trickles. The minute your water breaks you do not need to wait for any other sign . Please head straight to the hospital. The water which is the amniotic fluid is a form of sustenance for the baby and once it is no longer there the next best step is delivery of the baby. There is also a higher risk of infection after the water has broken so it is best to just go to the hospital. Not everybody experiences this membrane rupture, my membrane never ruptured on its own for my 3 kids the doctor had to rupture it himself so even if your water does not break and you are experiencing other signs you may be in labor. 2 Loss of mucous plug. This is a discharge that is made up of mucous and a bit of blood and it is usually a sign that labor is close. For some people it still takes a couple of days after they loose the mucus plug before they go into labor while for others it may start same day. If you loose your mucous plug just observe and see if contractions start before you head to the hospital . I did not loose my mucous plug in any of my pregnancies before I went into labor. 3 Contractions . For me personally this is my main sign that labor has started. From 2nd trimester most mothers begin to experience practice contractions called Braxton hicks and this continues till the end of pregnancy. This practice contractions are not usually painful just uncomfortable kind of and you actually feel your stomach harden up. Once you hit your 37th week which is early term delivery meaning most people go into labor from this time upwards, you may begin to find it difficult to distinguish between Braxton hicks and real labor. The distinguishing factor is that if you were standing up and you start having Braxton Hicks and you decide to lie down if the contractions stop then it is not real labor. Real labor does not stop until your baby is delivered and even if you lie down, sit down it continues and it gets more painful and becomes more frequent. Once this is happening chances are labor is in progress. As a FTM it is better to go to the hospital as soon as labor starts. Since it is your first time the hospital is the safest place for you don't wait it out at home. You do not know how your labor will progress it is best to be where you can be monitored by medical personnel Once you get to the hospital, you will be checked to see if you are actually in labor. This check is done by way of vaginal examination, the nurse or doctor will wear gloves and put their hand in your veejay to check your cervix and how far you have dilated . For FTMs there is no reason to be scared of VE once you do not tense up your muscles it wont be painful. For most hospitals once you are 2cm dilated they admit you and set up the drip line, most places do not encourage you to eat once you have been admitted. I remember when I had my first kid I went for my normal antenatal and the doctor said I needed to be admitted immediately, I managed to convince him that I needed to go home and get my things and he allowed me. The first thing I did when I got home was eat pounded yam and okro because I was like I need energy to go and push this baby out . At the hospital you will be given a bed and the nurses will keep checking on you at intervals to monitor your progress. Your BP, babys heart rate will also be checked at intervals. The contractions will keep coming and it will help get your cervix to open to the desired width which is 10cm. Most times you will know when you are getting to 10cm because you will start to feel like you want to pee and poop at the same time' Once you are 10cm you will be moved to the labor room that is if you are not already in there and the next step is pushing you baby out. When it is time to push it is important to listen to the person taking the delivery .Some nurses will ask you to hold your ankles while others will place you legs in a stirrup and then you will be asked to push when you feel a contraction, when you are pushing you place your chin on your chest and kind of look between you legs and bear down and push as if you are seriously constipated. If you are not sure when you are contracting tell the nurse so she can tell you when to push. If you are pushing when you are not contracting nothing will happen, it is the force of your pushing and the force of the contraction that helps push the baby out. You will continue pushing till the babys head is right at the veejay entrance , the nurses will usually tell you they can see the head and most times this is when they give you an episiotomy if you need it. Once baby's head is out you will be asked to stop pushing, please listen , they ask you to stop so they can check that the babys cord is not around his neck. If it is they will remove it before asking you to push the rest of your baby out. Once the baby is out, a nurse will show you so you can see the sex they will cut the cord and then deliver your placenta. Both you and your baby will be cleaned up and then moved out of the labor room to your assigned room or bed. For some women after they have reached a certain stage in labor their contractions begin to slow down instead of increasing and this is why doctors will decide to give Pitocin to speed up labor. It just helps to make your contractions stronger and speeds up you labor. I will be back to write on the other delivery methods later today or tomorrow 14 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 9:30am On Oct 15, 2019 |
snowblaq:I am so sorry about what happened to you. I lost 2 babies too so I can understand how you feel right now. It is well with you. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 12:03pm On Oct 14, 2019 |
olufummy02:The best way to confirm if you are fully healed is during your 6 week check up. The doctor or nurse will check and tell you. As per the oda room its best to wait until doctor clears you so you don't injure yourself in the process. |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:58am On Oct 14, 2019 |
waley007:You are welcome. Please do not give your wife gin or any form of alcohol. It does not make a child sharp if anything it can cause developmental problems in the long run. Alcohol is a kind of stimulant so definitely the baby will react once it gets into their blood stream. Some doctors even ask women not to drink coffee during pregnancy talk less of gin. As long as your wife has been taking her prenatal vitamins and eating well there is no reason why you baby will not be healthy, strong and sharp. On bathing a baby I will do a writeup in my subsequent post but if she births before then you can watch videos on you tube. The thing is to remove fear from your mind, babies are not as fragile as they look. 4 Likes 1 Share |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:48am On Oct 14, 2019 |
Behappie:A baby's birth size is usually more of genetics, as long as both parents are big chances of the baby being big is high. The period when babies add the most weight is from 28 weeks or during the 3rd trimester it may help if one cuts back on carbohydrates and avoids things like soft drinks and juice. if one was eating 2 wraps of eba you can cut it down to 1 and instead add more vegetables. Even with cutting back some babies still turn out big. Breastfeeding makes one very hungry and it burns like 500 calories everyday. If the mom is eating healthy food she should be fine and the stomach will go back to normal in good time. Pregnancy is full of all manners of discomfort from the beginning to the end . The list is endless nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness , loss of appetite, feeling hot some days cold on some days, backache, leg ache , abdominal cramps, headache, catarrh and blocked nose, hip and joint pain, swollen feet, tooth ache, blurry eyesight, dry and itchy skin and a host of others. Its not easy for pregnant women and some women experience a lot of these all through the pregnancy. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:31am On Oct 14, 2019 |
Felixamos:Thks for your comment . Flat tummy after delivery is achievable and I don't think its painful it just takes commitment. The key word is diet and exercise. I would advice any ftm to take it easy on the issue of weight loss and getting a flat tummy , it took 9 months to grow a baby so don't expect that your body will immediately snap back after you give birth. Some people are lucky they regain their shape fast but for majority of people it takes time. The best time to start working on yourself if you are breastfeeding exclusively is at the 6month mark after you have introduced your baby to solids , if you are not breastfeeding exclusively 6 weeks after birth you are good to go. You just need to cut back on your carbohydrate intake, increase your fruits and vegetables and avoid sugary drinks. Then add some form of exercise 15 mins a day and you will definitely see your stomach flatten. 2 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:20am On Oct 14, 2019 |
prettysom:My dear the pregnancy symptoms you are experiencing are normal and there is really nothing you can do about it. What I also noticed is that the older one gets the more exhausting pregnancy is. You alone know how you are feeling, don't let anyone make you feel like you are neglecting your duties. If you have the energy to do housework do it , if you cant leave it. When I was pregnant for number 3 I was on bedrest from 14 weeks till I delivered, my hubby had to do the cooking and shopping and caring for the older kids because we didn't have help. He did not complain because on a normal day I am not a lazy person, the situation just could not be helped. Hopefully all your symptoms will start to ease by the 2nd trimester and you will be strong enough to do stuff around the house. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:10am On Oct 14, 2019 |
cerpvad:For my 1st and 2nd kids my episiotomy was fully healed by 6 weeks. I saw my doctor for my 6 week checkup and he gave me the all clear, and the oda room activities resumed immediately. For my 3rd kid no episiotomy by 1 month after delivery my lochia had stopped so I was back in the oda room . I was so embarrassed when my doctor asked if my hubby and I were having sex because ordinarily one should wait for the 6 weeks clearance. I could not lie o, I just kept looking down. Thk God my hubby was there so we both shared the embarrassment together. Please note that bodies differ in terms of how quickly cuts heal. If your wife has passed the 6 week mark and she is still not okay down there please let her be. Its best to wait until that area is fully healed. 3 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 5:20pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
rosalieene:From my experience it is safe. Just like any other medical procedure once it is done a professional there should be no problems. The only side effects I felt after was a bit of weakness in my hips for a few days after delivery. 2 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 5:16pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
AyosMan:Am glad to hear your wife is not anxious it just means she is ready and eager to see her baby. Pain is part of childbirth, all you can do is pray for her to be strong and for labor to be fast . If two scans say it is a boy then I believe its a boy. The scans for my kids were 100 % accurate. But I have also heard of cases where they get it wrong hopefully yours wont be one of them. Wish you and your wife a safe delivery. |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 5:11pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
Gavorche:Breast will sag whether you breastfeed or not . I know women who have breastfed 3 kids and still have firm boobs and so also women who breastfed only one and the boobs are completely sagged. It is all a matter of genetics that is why they say when getting married look beyond the physical. As women age the body changes the only way out is if one decides to do breast lift and augmentation. 6 Likes |
| Family › Re: My Husband Always Tells Me To Leave His House During Quarrel by beeijeoma: 5:02pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
Op truly your hubby has been disrespectful to you but all marriages go through teething problems . Mindset is very important in marriage and you need to decide from the beginning if you want in or out. 2 years in marriage is still early days and you guys are trying to understand each other and establish your boundaries. Words hurt but after a while you just shrug it off . If I go down memory lane and think of some of the names my hubby has called me I would have left him a long time ago. We have been together for 10 years now and I am enjoying my marriage like mad. If you and your hubby are talking and he starts getting upset keep quiet and say nothing. The day you know he is calm and okay go and talk to him and air your grievances. . Fighting and arguing does not help issues will only escalate. My husband is always worried when he gets annoyed and I don't talk he prefers arguments but I am now an expert in keeping mute. The only thing I cannot take is beating any other thing I just ignore. Just like you are a professional and well travelled are so many other women who are dealing with marital issues. If he says leave ignore him, if he leaves ignore him. If you ask him to do something for you and he forgets ignore and do it yourself. Don't let anger rule your heart choose to apply wisdom . 31 Likes 1 Share |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 4:43pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
Herroy:Thanks for this . Please mothers be careful if you decide to lie down and breastfeed. My write ups are mainly from my own personal experience. I tried sitting up and breastfeeding but my baby fell out of my arms one day hence the need to lie down. Once you have a baby the days of deep and sweet sleep are non existent for a while . Another option could be that while madam is breastfeeding the baby while lying down, oga or whoever is around to do omugwo could sit with madam and the baby and watch over them while madam catches some sleep. 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 4:36pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
Mac12:I don't think anything is wrong and you cant really call a baby under 1 year fat . My first kid was big and everywhere I took him then his 2nd name was orobo, but as he grew older his weight adjusted . He is 10 now and at a normal weight. As babies become more active they tend to loose weight or rather their height catches up with their weight. Just continue to feed your baby like you have been doing and then reevaluate after the baby starts walking or after his first birthday. If you think he is still overweight by then you can now start looking for ways to bring his weight down 8 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 4:26pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
Thanks to everyone that has added to the write up, no one has monopoly of knowledge and we all learn everyday. For my readers am glad you guys are enjoying the summary and finding it useful. This will encourage me to write on more topics. All comments are appreciated and welcome my motto is peace with all men. 3 Likes |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 4:23pm On Oct 13, 2019 |
[quote author=chayoski post=83102930][/quote]I will do a write up on the different type of delivery methods and will include the epidural . Thanks for reading 1 Like |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 11:30am On Oct 13, 2019 |
Surprising things you may not know about newborns 1. Some babies are born without eyelashes and eyebrows, but it grows as the baby gets older 2. In the 24 hours after birth you may notice baby spitting up saliva or bubbles. This is normal they are just spitting up the remnant of amniotic fluid. 3. The first poop from your baby is dark green or black looking. This is meconium that has been sitting inside your baby's digestive tract. It is usually kind of sticky as well . It is also a sign that your baby is getting fed and his or her digestive system is working. The quantity varies from baby to baby and usually by the next day or day after the poop changes to the normal yellow mustard color that is characteristic of baby poop 3 Newborns hiccup a lot. They can have hiccups up to 10 times a day. Once this happens just breastfeed the baby and they will be fine 4 Newborns kind of jump or shake like they are scared. This is also very normal. The baby has been enclosed in a tight space for 9 months and when they move while in the womb they touch your insides and all. but now when they move they don't feel anything around them so it is kind of startling for them. Hence the jumpy kind of reaction. 5 Newborn babies eat a lot . If you are breastfeeding don't be surprised if your baby cries for food every 2 hours day and night. It is normal for some babies. My first kid would breastfeed all night, if the breast falls out of his mouth he would scream. I quickly learnt to breastfeed him lying down as that was the only way I could sleep 6 Newborns are prone to Jaundice . Please ensure you check your baby's eyes and skin after you have been discharged from the hospital as jaundice causes yellowing of the eyes and skin . It is not good for babies as it is caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. If you notice this take the baby to the hospital asap 7Newborn babies breath fast and they breathe in a funny way too. Just keep an eye on the baby to be sure that its not more than just the regular breathing 8 Newborn babies are born with 3 soft spots on their head 2 at the back and 1 in front. The frontal one is the most noticeable and it pulsates when you look at it. Do not do anything to it as it is normal and will close on its own after sometime 9 Newborn babies can cry. Do not let this scare you most times its either they are hungry, need a diaper change or they just want to be carried. As you and your baby get to understand each other you will be able to tell exactly why your baby is crying. 10 Babies are born with wrinkled and sometimes dry skin. This is normal because of the amniotic fluid they have been in. Use the normal baby soaps and lotions and before you know it your baby's skin will be smooth Dos and Don'ts of newborn care 1 Do not put silverbird eucalyptus oil on a baby's soft spot. It can cause burns 2 Do not put your baby directly under a ceiling fan or facing standing fan to avoid colds and coughs and breathing issues 3 If your baby is unwell and you have tried home remedies please head to the hospital once 24 hours have passed with no improvement 4 Do not use anything to press the babies belly button just do normal cord care and your baby will be fine 5 Do not give newborns any medicine except it is prescribed by the doctor. No paracetamol, no vitamin c,, no cod liver oil, no antibiotics .It is not necessary. 6 Please do not give your baby any form of agbo or herbal medicine sometimes they cause more harm than good. 7 Baby should sleep under a mosquito net to avoid the baby catching malaria 8 Always put barrier cream on your baby at each diaper change. Vaseline is best and will help prevent your baby from getting diaper rash 9 Never give a baby under 1 year of age honey. It can make them seriously sick. These are the things I remember now will update if anymore come to mind 61 Likes 4 Shares |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 10:38am On Oct 13, 2019 |
Anonymous29:Thank you for enjoying my write up. Yes the thoughts are overwhelming . Fear of labor pain, fear of how to care for the baby , fear of if you will be a good mom. You are not alone it is the same for all FTM. Anytime I start getting scared back then I would just think of all the women that have kids and just be like this person did it, that person did it. Why would my case be different. You just have to push all those thoughts and fear out of your mind. I am a realist and I don't like sugar coated information just give it to me the way it is. I don't know anything that can ease labor and delivery except epidural . If it is available in your hospital take it. My first two kids was normal delivery while my 3rd was with epidural. The epidural birth was completely pain free in fact I was watching TV till it was time to push. Labor and delivery is painful but it is not unbearable and it only last for some time. Its good to have a family member with you to help rub your back when the contractions come and in your mind just focus on the fact that the baby you have been growing inside you is almost here. As a FTM what surprised me most was not even the labor pain but the pushing part. I just felt the baby would slide out once you get to 10cm cervical dilation. Pushing the baby out is a bit tough as well and you have to get it right. I will do a write up on how to push during labor in a later post. Be strong and yow will be fine 25 Likes 4 Shares |
| Health › Re: Caring For Yourself And Baby As a First Time Mum by beeijeoma(op): 10:24am On Oct 13, 2019 |
futuremoma34:Thanks I am glad you find the write ups useful . We all worry about what the future holds but it is best to have a positive mindset that everything will turn out alright eventually. As a FTM just prepare yourself mentally that it will be tough sometimes but you are strong enough to handle it. Taking care of a baby is something you learn and before you know it you will become an expert. If you have any doubts how to care for the baby google is there to guide you . You can also ask medical personnel or other experienced moms Based on the current economy I would say try your best to keep your job. The expenses that come with having a baby is not something you can easily calculate. Having a baby is not cheap at all. I was a banker too when I became a FTM . I was always exhausted during pregnancy but I could not leave my job as my hubby was just doing small business here and there pending when he gets a job. I was so happy when it was time to go on maternity leave. I would say go on your maternity leave first, see how things work out. If possible during the leave start looking for another job that will not take up your time like banking does. After your leave if you are unable to get another job still resume back, try it out for a month and see if you can cope . If you cannot then you can decide to leave but put plans in place for a steady source of income. 25 Likes 1 Share |
. Delivered 5weeks ago, tho I started taking care of myself and baby from 2nd week, since there's no one to stay with me. My tear site seems to be healing slowly(or so I think as a ftm). All stitches has removed but d site still looks like a wound.
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