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Access Bank, HACEY Health Initiative Team Up to Curb Female Genital Mutilation

by Women Times on

As part of one its initiatives of supporting women, Access Bank PLC has partnered with HACEY Health Initiative to commemorate this year’a International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The programme was held across  high prevalence zones and about 1,240 individuals  benefited from the education in Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ebonyi.

Specifically, eight schools — two schools from each of the four states — were targeted, leading to 1,068 students being impacted by the  campaign.

As a result, nine religious centres — three in Osun State and two religious centres each from Oyo, Ekiti and Ebonyi — were reached.

These efforts have contributed to the fight against FGM in Africa. However, the war is far from over. Findings by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), most women in several African countries — including Egypt, Somalia, Gambia and Sierra Leone — believe the practice should be upheld. Therefore, as a global community, we need to amplify efforts to  eradicate the practice of FGM.

As the world continues to celebrate women this month, Access Bank’s W Initiative, through the platform of its forthcoming conference, would continue its charge to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and foster women inclusion, the bank said.

In addition, the conference will provide a platform for women and their male counterparts to learn from vibrant thought leaders about the role we must play towards achieving gender parity by #Embracing Equity from a personal, sectorial and industry-led perspective.

Globally, “minority” groups have suffered some of the greatest inhumane treatments in history. From racism to colourism and sexism, these acts have adversely and irreversibly affected millions of people across the world.

Of those minorities, women have suffered many iterations of cruelty, and female genital mutilation (FGM) may be said to be the cruelest.

This ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia is considered a violation of human rights against children as it is mainly performed on girls between infancy and 15 years of age.

FGM has risked the lives of over 200 million young women in 30 countries of Africa, according to WHO reports, and Nigeria alone accounts for 10 per cent of global cases. The report identifies Osun state as having the highest prevalence of circumcised women in the country (77 per cent), closely followed by Ebonyi (74 per cent) and Ekiti (72 per cent).

This practice has, over time, been seen to have far-reaching, almost absolute and fatal consequences. These consequences range from complications in childbirth to hemorrhage and death.

Cumulatively, over 2,000 young girls, CBOs, traditional rulers and policymakers participated and benefitted from the programmes in the three states. In addition, about 500,000 Nigerians were reached virtually with information, education and communication materials.

Furthermore, to ensure impactful and scalable results, traditional leaders, government and community leaders were engaged in dialogue sessions to advocate for the abandonment of FGM practices in their various communities.

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Health

5 Reasons Why Some Women Bleed After Sex

by Women Times on

By: Ayobami Sanusi

 

Bleeding after sex is a little bit more common among women than their male counterparts. The medical name for this is “postcoital bleeding”. Sadly, many women experience bleeding after sex more frequently than not.

Some minor things can cause bleeding, but if you notice yourself bleeding more often, it is important to seek professional help from your doctor. According to Susan York Morris on Healthline, below are reasons why some women bleed after sex.

1. Losing virginity

This is very normal because women are born with a hymen that covers the vaginal opening. While having intercourse for the first time, it will tear causing the woman to bleed. This is the reason why some women may bleed after having sex for the first couple of times.

2. Sexually transmitted diseases(STI)

One of the symptoms of STI is bleeding during sex amongst many other symptoms. This is common among people who have chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If you find yourself bleeding after sex, it could be that you have STI.

3. Cancer

Bleeding after sex is also a common symptom of cervical or vaginal cancer. It could be that you have cancer. You should not hesitate to see your doctor immediately.

4. Vaginal dryness

If the vaginal is dry, it can lead to bleeding. One of the major factors leading to vaginal dryness is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Other factors include, having intercourse before being fully aroused friction during intercourse douching chemicals in feminine hygiene products, laundry detergents, and pools.

5. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)

As a woman gets older, especially when she stops menstruating, her body produces less estrogen. When the estrogen levels are lower, several things happen to the vaginal.

As a result of the low estrogen level, the body produces less vaginal lubrication making the vaginal dry and inflamed. It also reduces the elasticity of the vagina. The vaginal tissues become more fragile and are susceptible to tearing and irritation which can lead to pain and bleeding.

 

 

 

Credit: Nigerian Tribune

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Health

Firms Partnered to Launch AI-driven Portable 3D Breast Ultrasound Scanner to Help Women in Nigeria, Others

by Women Times on

Abdul Latif Jameel Health, part of international diversified family business Abdul Latif Jameel, has announced a new distribution agreement with iSono Health, a medical technology company in San Francisco, USA, with the vision to transform breast care with automated imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).

The partnership, announced on the first day of Arab Health 2023, the Middle East’s most influential healthcare event, will see Abdul Latif Jameel Health become the exclusive distributor of iSono Health’s ATUSA scanner in the Global South, making it available to hundreds of millions of women in an initial 31 countries covering the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The female-founded iSono Health is transforming breast imaging with a first-of-its-kind, compact automated whole breast ultrasound system featuring a unique wearable accessory and an intuitive, intelligent software for automated image acquisition and analysis. The patented and FDA cleared ATUSA system is a compact ultrasound scanner that captures 3D images through automated scanning of the whole breast in just two minutes, independent of operator expertise. The device connects to laptop or tablet for real-time image acquisition and 3D visualization; the data is transferred to a secure cloud for storage. The ATUSA system is designed from ground up to seamlessly integrate with machine learning models that will give physicians a comprehensive set of tools for decision making and patient management.

Maryam Ziaei, PhD, Founder and CEO, iSono Health, said: “This new partnership is a significant milestone in our history and an important step forward in making our ATUSA scanner accessible to millions more women across the world. Working with Abdul Latif Jameel Health will empower so many more women to access the healthcare they need, to improve patient experiences and to bring peace of mind.
“We have been able to develop a scanner which takes two minutes to scan and makes breast imaging painless and convenient. We’re very much looking forward to bringing this technology to the region and making a lasting, sustainable impact.”

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer; one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Access to personalized and efficient breast imaging is critical in every step of patient journey from screening to detection to treatment, surgery, and monitoring. The ATUSA system is designed to offer enhanced efficiency, consistent accuracy, and a comfortable patient experience, therefore making 3D breast ultrasound imaging accessible to patients and physicians at point of care, around the world.

The agreement will see Abdul Latif Jameel Health distribute the ATUSA scanner across the Middle East and North Africa as well as African markets including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, in addition to South Asia covering India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and Southeast Asian territories of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Brunei.

Akram Bouchenaki, Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Health said: “Working with Maryam Ziaei, and Shadi Saberi, co-founders with PhDs in Engineering, and the whole iSono Health team has made it clear what a perfect synergy we share in our vision to improve access to healthcare, eliminate the disparity in health equity across the world, and how using state of the art health tech will help us achieve these goals. Their ATUSA scanner is one of the most innovative pieces of technology I have witnessed in my career, and I know it will very soon become one of the most valuable products used by physicians and for healthcare systems. This is an important moment for those in medical imaging but more importantly for women’s health across the Global South.”

Last year, Abdul Latif Jameel Health announced the creation of its new international commercial ecosystem, helping to accelerate access to modern medical care and drive health inclusivity across the Global South. The network of confirmed partners will cover key markets across a wide geographic area and will see on-the-ground distribution of Abdul Latif Jameel Health approved products into hospitals, clinics and medical institutions to fast-track health inclusion for those who need it most.

Akram Bouchenaki added: “At Abdul Latif Jameel Health, we are delivering on our promise of offering an integrated ‘one-stop’ managed service to medical devices, pharmaceutical products, diagnostic and therapeutics manufacturers to afford them multi-market access more rapidly than they could manage individually. We will distribute their products to the populations that can most benefit from them sooner, meeting unmet medical needs, driving healthcare inclusivity, and in parallel, opening the unrealized commercial potential of these markets.”

Since its launch in 2020, Abdul Latif Jameel Health has developed strong relationships with renowned health partners utilizing innovation and industry disruptive approaches to deliver healthcare in more efficient ways. Partners include Butterfly Network, EQRx, Cyberdyne, Evelo Biosciences, Melody International, Holoeyes Inc., and now, iSono Health.

Abdul Latif Jameel Health was created as a response to the ongoing global disparity in access to modern medical care, focusing on accelerating healthcare inclusion across the Global South. Reflecting the Jameel Family’s long-established commitment to innovating for a better future, Abdul Latif Jameel Health works in the commercial environment to address tangible real-world needs today, for a better tomorrow. It works with partners from around the world to open and grow new markets for distribution of existing solutions and investing in the future of MedTech.

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Health

Eritrea Launches Strategic Plan On Implementation of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child And Adolescent Health

by Women Times on

The Ministry of Health, Eritrea, launched the Strategic Plan for the Implementation of Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health – Nutrition and Health Aging (RMNCAH – NUT & HAA) 2022-2026. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of the Honourable Minister of Health, Mrs. Amina Nurhussien at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers.  The Ministry of Health led the development of the strategic plan and the UN Agencies: WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNAIDS jointly supported the process both technically and financially.

 

The RMNCAH & HA Strategic Plan 2022–2026 aims to guide the implementation of high-impact evidence-based interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and older people outcomes towards the attainment of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good health and well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender equality). Ensuring universal access to comprehensive, high-impact, quality, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and healthier ageing services to all Eritreans along the continuum of care in an equitable and efficient manner is the main mission of this document.

 

The Ministry of Health called for accelerated action and increased investments in line with the costed strategic plan to meet the SDG targets by 2030. This will aid accelerated progress towards ending all preventable deaths of women, newborns, children and realization of the health and wellbeing of adolescents and elders in Eritrea.

 

 

 

 

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Health

CoWHA, Health Initiative for African Women Launched

by Women Times on

A continent-wide and dedicated women’s health initiative was launched to advocate for and implement solutions to improve healthcare for women in Africa. 

The Coalition for Women’s Health In Africa (CoWHA) is the first initiative emanating from a conference held in February, in Kenya, where private healthcare firms, organisations and governments met to interrogate and carve out a novel approach to better healthcare systems on the continent.

COWHA is a joint initiative by principal founding members, Organon, (a women’s healthcare focused pharmaceutical company) the African Health Business consultancy (AHB), Hologic and BD, as founding members.

Managing director of Organon South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Abofele Khoele said: “Gender equity in access to health, and in other parameters of society is an ideal for which Organon has laboured since its inception just over a year ago, and this is illustrated in its vision in creating a better and healthier every day for every woman. This vision is at the core of the organsations mandate, it is entrenched within the DNA of the company, and thus Organon is pleased to have found shared commonality with the African Health Business, Hologic and all the key stakeholders present at the launch.”

Khoele noted that knowledge and deep research lie at the heart of COWHA. So too does dialogue and policy development while creating overall awareness and a universal knowledge base for the public. “COWHA will focus on the three strategic pillars namely Knowledge and Research, Policy and Dialogue and lastly Action, all of which are mission critical to achieving the stated objective of advancing women’s health. The first pillar of knowledge and research aims to directly tackle the big challenge of the gender data gap, as well as the global north-south divide in data. Local research to drive local solutions is incredibly important in ensuring appropriateness and relevance to our African setting. The second pillar talks to activities that lay the foundation for coherent policy frameworks that will allow all of Africa to rise together, leaving no woman behind. The final pillar aims to translate intent into material outcomes by leveraging synergies, resources, consolidating efforts of governments and the private sector to have continent-wide impact.

In closing Khoele emphasised that the health stakeholders need to continue what they have been doing, but with more determination and structure. “We must continue with health systems strengthening, with programs of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment and with initiatives that provide access to lifesaving and life-changing devices and medicines.”

Other notable speakers who attended the launch included the Her Excellency Dr Ergogie Tesfaye Minister of Women and Social Affairs in Ethiopia, the minister officially launched the coalition and shared her resounding support for COWHA. In her address she highlighted the many disparities’ that women faced and how continued and determined action by the governments, private sector and the public at large is key to the success of attaining better healthcare and services for women.

Guests also got the opportunity to contribute to the mandate of COWHA by drafting on the mission board their vision for women’s health in Africa, these comments demonstrated that the success that COWHA aims to attain in its goals can only be achieved through collaboration.

 

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Health

Why Women Are More at Risk of STDs —Experts

by Women Times on

Maternal health experts have urged women to take the prevention of sexually transmitted infections seriously, noting that they are more prone to them because of their anatomy.

According to the experts, women are more at risk of contracting STDs than men because the female genital tract has a wider surface area than those of men.

They also stressed that sexually transmitted diseases can have tremendous impact on women than men.

They noted that STDs can destroy the female reproductive system and cause infertility in women if left untreated.

Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise in separate interviews, the gynaecologists stated that most women with STDs are not even aware that they have them, noting that they only get to know when they go for a test.

One of the experts and a former chairman, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Dr. Joseph Akinde, told our correspondent that women with STDs are asymptomatic and therefore do not seek treatment, unlike the men that often manifest symptoms and go for treatment.

Akinde, who is also the Medical Director of Living Spring Hospital, Ejigbo, a private medical facility in Lagos, stated that STDs cause more damage in women than in men.

The gynaecologists explained, “In a number of instances, women, when they have an infection, the infection may be asymptomatic, and yet it is doing the damage.

“But with men, it is always symptomatic. That women do not manifest symptoms does not mean that they do not have them. The disease is in them, but they do not have symptoms.

“For example, if a man comes down with gonorrhea, he is going to have excruciating pain in the next five days. But a woman can have gonorrhea and may not know while the thing is causing serious damage to her system.

“So, STD has higher damage on the woman than the man. Women can know that they have it by going for a test. If a woman has problems getting pregnant, if she is married, those are the things that could make her go for a test.”

The physician, however, said that women with STDs might experience low abdominal pain and vaginal discharge as symptoms.

Akinde said, “A woman may have STD in her system but will not know and thus could be transmitting the infection sexually to a man.”

The gynaecologist stressed further said STDs have a more severe impact on women than on men, stressing that women with STDs can experience chronic ill health, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility.

He said, “It damages their reproductive system. It causes a tubal blockage, the woman cannot get pregnant naturally. STD has a great psychological and social effect on women.”

To prevent it, Akinde advised women to avoid multiple sex partners.

 

 

 

Credit: Punch

 

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Health

What Women Should Do to Prevent Breast Cancer – Prof. Ogu

by Women Times on

By Isa Isawade

Prof. Rosemary Ogu, a Consultant from Diamond Helix Medical Assistant in Nigeria has advised women to embark on lifestyle modification as a way of preventing breast cancer.

Prof. Ogu, who is also the President-elect of the Medical Women Association, urged women of 40 years and above to have a mammogram done once a year.

She said that about 40 women died of cancer on daily basis in Nigeria.

She disclosed that one out of eight women would have breast cancer in their lifetime, adding that, on average, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes.

According to her, around the world, one woman dies of breast cancer every 13 minutes, and 40 Nigerian women die daily from breast cancer.

Ogu who is also an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), said that breast and cervical cancers were the highest killers of women worldwide.

She, therefore, said a cancer diagnosis was no longer a death sentence, saying that the death rate was declining because of early detection and early treatment.

Ogu urged everyone to be involved in the awareness and prevention campaign, saying that breast cancer occurs in both male and female genders.

She stated that regular personal checks were key for prevention.

She mentioned some of the preventive measures as more low-fat food, high-fibre diets of natural foods, and daily exercise.

She recommended a brisk walk of about 30 minutes daily to reduce the hormonal level, stress level, and cancer-causing agents in the body.

Ogu also recommended the reduction of alcohol intake, reducing stress, and improved sleep to prevent cancer in the body.

Professor Ogu delivered this enlightenment during a one-day breast cancer sensitisation programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

She advised NDDC staff to become intentional about eating reduced fat and carbohydrate diet, adding that they should avoid a sedentary lifestyle and reduce alcohol intake.

 

 

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Health

ICN Boss Urges Individuals To Go For Regular Mental Health Check

by Women Times on

The Provost of the Institute of Counselling in Nigeria (ICN), Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire has urged Nigerians to visit professional counsellors and psychotherapists regularly for a mental health check to ensure they are in the right frame of mind considering the increasing rate of suicide, depressions and other related issues in the country.

She made this known recently during an event tagged “Online marathon mental health Awareness Campaign” organised by ICN to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day with the theme “Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for All a Global Priority”, marked every year on 10 October. The marathon conversation online was packaged with thought-provoking input and insights which enabled the institute to reach out to millions of people.

In line with the effort, a recent report revealed that 3 out of every 10 Nigerians have one form of mental illness or another. Also, World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that after nearly three years, the social isolation, fear of disease and death, and strained socio-economic circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to an estimated 25% global rise in depression and anxiety.

Also, it reported that around 11 people per 100,000 per year die by suicide in the African region, higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people. It added that mental health problems account for up to 11 percent of the risk factors associated with suicide.

“As a matter of fact, individuals need to go for a regular mental health check with a counselor or therapist just as we do with our physical health. There is no need to wait for signs before this. However, when an individual finds it difficult to live life optimally, finding it hard to cope with life then there is a need to talk to a counselor. This differs from person to person.”

She added, “I believe that mental health should be given utmost priority. As a matter of fact, a health check should not be complete without the inclusion of mental health check. Well-being is the bedrock of a balanced functional life hence the need to make the importance of well-being known across the globe.

“Well-being covers the emotional, physical, social, and psychological areas of human existence. Innovation of Channels with which the need for well-being can reach the whole world should be the most important conversation right now.”

Oko-Igaire explained further that it is difficult to concentrate and give one’s best if the mind is not settled which might lead to low productivity. “To get the best out of a team, everyone must be in their best and balanced mental state. This is the only way maximum productive output is guaranteed,” she stated.

Commenting on the impact the institute is making in the field of counselling and psychotherapy in Africa, she said “The Institute is big on training, partnerships, and collaborations, that’s the key! We are intentional about producing professional and certified counselors across Africa. We also collaborate with the state and federal government as well as partnering with NGOs to ensure that the gap of ignorance is bridged and mental health can be accessible to all.”

She added, “It can be proudly said that Institute has been able to train over two thousand individuals and a wholesome number of corporate organisations.

“We are looking forward to reaching more people across Africa and the world at large through more local and international collaborations, partnerships, and making use of technology as a tool to reach more lives in the future.”

 

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Health

Polaris Bank Commemorates Breast Cancer Month

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Polaris Bank has said that increased awareness, advocacy, and support will go a long way to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in the country.

The Bank’s Group Head of Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike made this known in Lagos while reiterating the Bank’s unwavering commitment to stem the breast cancer scourge among women, in commemoration of October Breast Cancer Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, and prevention.

Mr. Ezurike noted that healthcare is one of the pillars of Polaris Bank’s CSR, stressing that its partnership with relevant public-spirited NGOs like Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE) and Societal Healthcare Organisation (SHO) has enabled it to contribute significantly to the reduction of breast cancer in the country.

The Polaris spokesman further noted that “In partnership with the aforementioned NGOs, we have covered five key milestones namely; awareness, advocacy, capacity-building, prevention, and treatment in an ongoing effort to reverse the negative impact and trend of the scourge and other related health complications.”

“We have screened over 20,000 women including female staff members of the Bank through our prevention program, donated three ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices, sponsored the treatment of over 30 indigent cancer patients, and organized a 10-km walk with over 2,500 participants to draw public attention to the breast cancer scourge,” he said.

The President of COPE, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie, commended Polaris Bank for the support, care, and encouragement they have so far received from the Bank, stressing that the Bank has been a strong force behind their Screening Counseling Referrals Education, Enlightenment, and Nurturing (SCREEN) initiative for nearly 20 years now.

“For some time, we had difficulty getting the required support for the women. Some of our women used handkerchiefs; some used tissues to fill up their bras. But we are grateful for the timely support of Polaris Bank. They were able to donate prostheses that ensured our breast cancer survivors lived better lives”, Anozie added.

Polaris Bank also has a number of other initiatives targeted at improving the well-being of the womenfolk in general in the country. It recently organized a 3-day intensive capacity-building workshop in Northern Nigeria on life-saving skills for fifty (50) community midwives and health extension workers, randomly selected from 80 percent public and 20 percent private hospitals in Kano state in partnership with SHO.

The Executive Secretary of SHO, Dr. Mahmoud K. Dankadai commended Polaris Bank’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and children in Nigeria, especially in the North. He noted that the Bank had provided a number of medical consumables such as umbilical cord scissors; latex sterile gloves; delivery mats; surgical blades; cord clamps; povidone-iodine; baby oil; hand sanitizers and facemasks in addition to the 3-day training for participants.

Additionally, in seeking ways to address social issues affecting women, and the most vulnerable groups in Northern Nigeria, Polaris Bank also working in concert with a northern-based NGO and women-focused group, Sisters-Keepers Initiative, organized a conference in Kano to exchange ideas on the scourge of child neglect, physical abuse, domestic violence, illiteracy, street begging, and child labour.

The Grand Patron of Sisters-Keepers Initiative, Hajiya Halima Yusuf, expressed the readiness of her group to work in conjunction with Kano Concerns Citizens Initiative, other NGOs in the North and the leadership of traditional institutions to drill down the impact of the conference.

The Bank is currently in its second-year partnership arrangement with Pacegate to uplift the girl-child through the provision of educational supplies in 13 secondary schools across 7 states of the country including Kano, Abuja, and Kogi to curb the impact of global warming on the education of the girl-child who is usually at the receiving end of environmental degradation.

Polaris Bank’s consistent support for Nigeria’s health sector was recently recognized as the “Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year” by the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), the nation’s premier Health Award body.

Polaris Bank, adjudged the Digital Bank of the Year, is a future-determining Bank committed to delivering industry-defining products to individuals and businesses.

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HealthLifestyle

Reducing The Risk of Clots During Pregnancy

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Having a baby is a special time in a woman’s life, a period that is meant to be filled with excitement and delight. However, bringing new life into the world is a delicate process and a level of caution is required to avert pregnancy-related conditions that can risk the lives of the expectant mother and her unborn baby.

Shockingly, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all global maternal deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum for a Nigerian woman is 1 in 22, compared to 1 in 4 900 in developed countries.

There are various factors that put pregnant women at risk for maternal deaths, with blood clotting – also referred to as venous thromboembolism, or VTE – one of the leading causes.

 “Expectant women are at risk of experiencing blood clots during the pregnancy, at childbirth, or up to three months after delivering their baby,” says Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “And, while anyone can develop blood clots, they should be aware of the risks that are associated with this condition during pregnancy.”

 

Why does pregnancy pose a higher risk?

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are five times more likely to experience blood clots compared to women who are not pregnant. There are various reasons for this. During pregnancy, a woman’s estrogen levels are higher than normal, which increases the chance of developing a clot, and a pregnant woman’s blood contains higher levels of clotting proteins and lower levels of anti-clotting proteins

 – which is the body’s way of safeguarding against too much blood loss during childbirth.

 

Other clotting risk factors include the fact that blood vessels around the pelvis area are pressed upon by the growing baby, resulting in less blood flowing to the legs. This is a common phenomenon at the midpoint of a pregnancy, says Dr Okoye.

“Another key issue is restricted movement towards the end of the pregnancy, or if the mother has to undergo bed rest after delivery, especially if she has had a C-section. A C-section is a surgery that could cause some damage to blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of a blood clot,” she advises.

Know your medical history

If a pregnant woman has a personal or family history of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder, or any long-term medical condition such as hypertension, lupus, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or lung and heart-related ailments, she must highlight it with her doctor or midwife at the onset of the pregnancy, cautions Dr Okoye.

“Expectant women and new moms should do regular visits to their antenatal and postnatal clinic and be as open as possible with their obstetrician/gynecologist or midwife up until a few weeks after delivery. Raise any medical concerns – this way, the medical team will be able to address possible threats and reduce the risk of clotting. This is especially relevant for first-time moms, who may not know what to look out for.”

Be aware of these signs

The WTD campaign highlights the following warning signs:

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually the leg, groin, or arm, is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Signs to look out for include pain or tenderness, often starting in the calf, swelling on the ankle or thigh or the affected limb, redness or noticeable discoloration, and warmth around the affected area.

If part of that clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it can block blood supply and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which may be fatal. Signs of a PE include unexplained shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain (which may be worse upon deep breaths), rapid heart rate, and light-headedness or passing out.

If a diagnosis is made, make sure you adhere to the recommendations and medications prescribed by the doctors to keep the situation under control.

Gain peace of mind

A mother-to-be must do everything possible to ensure that she has a safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and recovery period. Throughout this time, don’t be afraid to raise things that are bothering you, with your doctor. Before you go to a medical appointment, write down a list of any concerns that you have, and take the list with you.

“It’s easy to get so caught up in what is going on during a medical check-up that you could forget to address pertinent issues,” says Dr Okoye. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about things that are bothering you. Even if it seems like a small issue, it’s important that you have peace of mind, and stay safe, during your pregnancy,” she concludes.

In addition to medical care, there are several activities and exercises that can be done while pregnant to promote body fitness and mental wellness. For instance, take brisk walks in your neighbourhood or engage in a well-structured fitness plan designed by a qualified fitness instructor in consultation with your doctor, to keep you fit, healthy and feeling upbeat.

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