chatwithketch

Sometimes, what we call ‘bad behaviour’ is actually something we don’t understand.

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.

Autism is a developmental condition that affects how a child communicates and interacts with others.

Some children may:
• Not respond when their name is called
• Avoid eye contact
• Prefer to play alone
• Have delayed or unusual speech
• Repeat certain movements
• Struggle to understand simple instructions

In many of our communities, these children are often misunderstood.

A child who does not respond is seen as rude.
A child who avoids interaction is seen as difficult.

But this is not stubbornness.

Autism is not bad behaviour. It is not a spiritual problem.

There is no cure, but early support can make a big difference.

With the right help, these children can learn, grow and live meaningful lives.

What they need most is understanding.

Not punishment.
Not labels.
Not shame.

If you are concerned about a child, please speak to a healthcare professional.

Let’s be more aware and do better.

Storing breast milk? Here are 5 things you must know.

1) Hygiene is key – Wash your hands and use clean/sterilised containers

2) Know your storage times
Room temp: up to 6 hours
Fridge: up to 5 days
Freezer: up to 6 months

3) Store it properly – keep at the back of the fridge, not the door

4) Handle with care – thaw in the fridge or warm water
Do NOT microwave
Do NOT refreeze

5) Portion and label
Store in small amounts
Label and use the oldest first

“Doctor, I was told to reject a Caesarean section… no matter what.”

This is advice many women hear.

Sometimes from family.

Sometimes from well-meaning friends.

But let’s talk about it.

Fact or Fiction?

“If doctors advise a Caesarean section, reject it.”

Answer? Fiction

Every pregnancy is different.

What happened to your mother or sister does not determine how your own labour will go.

There are situations where a Caesarean section becomes the safest option – not because something has gone “wrong,” but because it is the best way to protect both mother and baby.

Labour may not progress as expected.

The baby may become distressed.

Other medical concerns may arise.

In those moments, your doctor is not trying to take something away from you.

They are trying to ensure a safe outcome.

Choosing to ignore that advice can put both mother and baby at risk.

And let’s address something important.

Having a Caesarean section does not make you less of a woman.

It does not reduce your strength.

It does not take away from your motherhood.

What matters is this: A healthy mother. A healthy baby.

As we wrap up the first quarter of the year, remember that making the right decisions, even when they’re hard, is what truly matters.

Happy April Fools’ Day Eve

It started with what I thought was just a stubborn fever…

Do you remember your first pregnancy? Where are all my mothers at?! 😄

I remember mine very vividly.

At the time, I was doing my internship and working in a very busy Emergency Room. I kept having what I thought was a fever… and that familiar Nigerian symptom – internal heat 😄

I ignored it and kept going. (Disclaimer: please don’t do this! 😄)

Then things got worse.

Every time I smelt perfume, I would throw up.
I had a constant unpleasant taste in my mouth.

Naturally, I thought – malaria!

Matters came to a head when I practically shut down my kitchen.

I couldn’t stand the smell of anything in it. Vanilla, strawberry, banana… all the baking essences suddenly became unbearable. Every visit to the kitchen ended with me throwing up in the bathroom 😦

But the bathroom was not safe either.
Even the scent of my detergent became offensive!

At that point, a small voice in my medically trained brain finally asked:

“Could you be pregnant?”

I was shocked.

My husband was in Port Harcourt, I was finishing my internship… and I certainly hadn’t planned to do pregnancy alone!

Eventually, I went to check.

Not the most orthodox way 😄… I went straight for a scan.

And yes – I was pregnant.

Since then, I always empathise when I hear stories of women who didn’t realise they were pregnant early on.

For a first-time mother especially, it’s not always obvious what to look out for.

And just to put things in perspective…

I am a medical doctor… and I didn’t even know I was pregnant 😄

Mothers, when did you first realise you were pregnant…especially the first time?

Most people use one chopping board for everything…

And that could be a problem.

One of the most common mistakes in the kitchen is cross-contamination – when bacteria from raw foods (especially meat, poultry and seafood) are transferred to foods that are ready to eat.

And it often happens through something as simple as chopping boards and sponges.

So, what should you do?

1) Use separate chopping boards

• One for fruits and fresh vegetables (especially for salads)

• One for raw meat, poultry and seafood

• One for other produce

In my home, we keep it very simple:

Red or yellow boards = raw foods

White boards = ready-to-eat foods

2) Use separate sponges

• One for washing raw meat utensils and boards

• One for regular dishes

Same system:

Red sponge = raw foods

Blue/green sponge = regular use

This simple habit helps prevent bacteria from spreading in your kitchen.

It may seem like a small thing… but it can make a big difference to your health and your family’s health.

Quick reminder from last week:

Do not overcook your vegetables.

Do you use separate chopping boards in your kitchen, or is everything done on one board?

This is a question a mother asked me.

Q: Hello Dr Ketch, my baby is 10 months old. She doesn’t like baby food… not even milk. She takes very little solid food. My mother-in-law is telling me to stop breastfeeding so she can eat properly. I did exclusive breastfeeding for 7 months. What should I do?

A: First of all, well done for exclusively breastfeeding your baby. That is a big deal!

Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs in the first 6 months of life and also helps build strong immunity. That is why we strongly recommend it.

However, after 6 months, babies need additional foods, especially because breast milk alone does not provide enough iron at this stage.

Now to your concern…

You do NOT need to stop breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is recommended up to 2 years.

What you are experiencing is actually quite common.

Many babies resist weaning. They are used to breast milk and may initially reject new foods, textures and tastes. Even adults resist change, so imagine a baby

Exclusively breastfed babies usually look very healthy as they eat and absorb all the delicious nutrients in breast milk.

What you should do:

• Continue breastfeeding

• Offer a variety of healthy foods

• Be patient and consistent

• Introduce one new food at a time

• Avoid relying on processed foods

Weaning is not always easy, but it is very important and requires patience.

Explain to your mother-in-law, very gently, that breastfeeding is not the problem. In fact, it is beneficial and should continue alongside proper weaning

So, do not stop breastfeeding to “force” your baby to eat

This is a question a reader sent to me recently.

Q: Dr Ketch, I am on the contraceptive implant. I had it inserted on March 16 last year and had no problems then. But this year I started spotting and it has been almost a whole month. I also have tummy cramps, leg cramps and I am always in a bad mood. Is this normal?

A: Yes, this can happen.

For those who may not know, the contraceptive implant is a small device inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It protects against pregnancy for about 3 years.

It works by releasing a hormone called progestin, which:
• prevents the ovary from releasing an egg
• thickens cervical mucus so sperm cannot reach the egg

Because of these hormonal changes, menstrual patterns can change.

Some women may experience:
• longer or irregular periods
• lighter periods
• or even no periods at all after some time

Other possible side effects include mood changes, headaches, nausea, acne, and cramps.

These symptoms usually settle within 3 to 6 months after insertion.

The implant is also a good option for breastfeeding mothers because it does not contain estrogen and therefore does not interfere with breast milk production.

However, please see your doctor if:
• bleeding becomes very heavy
• symptoms persist beyond a few months
• you develop severe headaches
• you notice a breast lump or yellowing of the eyes

Also note that this method is not suitable for women with breast cancer.

I hope this helps.

– Dr Ketch

One look at your belly and suddenly everyone knows your baby’s gender

‘Low belly – boy.’

‘High belly – girl.’

But is that actually how pregnancy works?

Early in pregnancy, the uterus sits higher in the abdomen. As pregnancy progresses and delivery approaches, the baby’s head often moves down into the pelvis.

If belly position truly predicted gender, it would mean everyone starts by carrying girls and ends up carrying boys before birth – which obviously doesn’t make sense.

The truth is that how a pregnancy ‘carries’ depends on many factors, including:

The mother’s body structure

Muscle tone

The baby’s position

The stage of pregnancy

It has nothing to do with the baby’s sex.

So, the verdict is Fiction!

What predictions did people make about your pregnancy?

Did they get it right?

Most coughs are harmless.

But if a cough lasts more than 2–3 weeks, it should be investigated.
Today is World Tuberculosis Day, commemorating the discovery of the TB bacterium by Dr Robert Koch in 1882.

Here are 5 things everyone should know about Tuberculosis (TB):
1) TB mainly affects the lungs
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs, although it can affect other parts of the body.

2) A persistent cough is a major warning sign
Symptoms may include:
• Cough lasting more than 2 – 3 weeks
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood

3) TB spreads through the air
When someone with active TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the bacteria can spread to others especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.

4) Some people carry TB without symptoms
This is called latent TB. The bacteria remain in the body but inactive. However, it can become active later, especially if the immune system becomes weak.

5) TB is treatable
Treatment involves a combination of medicines taken for several months. Completing the full course is very important to prevent drug-resistant TB.

In many countries, including Nigeria, the BCG vaccine given at birth helps protect children from severe forms of TB.

Remember:
A cough that lasts more than 2–3 weeks should never be ignored.