chatwithketch

It’s my birthday today

I’m grateful for another year of life, growth, lessons, and purpose.

More importantly, I’m grateful for you…for being part of this journey, reading, engaging, learning, and growing alongside me.

Thank you for being here.

Here’s to many more years of healthy living, together.

If a pregnant woman drinks cold water, her baby may get pneumonia.

Seriously?!

It’s already a stretch to believe that drinking cold water causes pneumonia in adults… but now an unborn baby too?

No. This is completely fictional.

Pneumonia is caused by infections, not by the temperature of the water you drink. And your baby is well protected inside the womb. What you drink does not directly expose your baby to infections like that.

So, drink your water however you like it – just stay hydrated

Sometimes, the trigger for asthma is right inside your home.

Tuesday May 5 is World Asthma Day

If you’ve ever been told your child has asthma, you’ll remember that moment – the panic, worry, fear, and the thoughts of what life will now look like. But it doesn’t always have to be that way.

One major trigger for asthma is something many of us don’t even think about – dust mites.

These tiny organisms live in fabrics like pillows, bedding, curtains, and stuffed toys. They thrive in warm, moist environments and feed on dead skin cells we naturally shed. As we go about our daily activities – making beds, dusting, and generally moving around, they can become airborne and trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.

So how do you reduce them?

• Dust with a damp cloth or oiled duster to prevent particles from becoming airborne

• Vacuum instead of sweeping with a broom

• Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers

• Wash bedding and stuffed toys weekly with hot water

• Reduce carpets, heavy curtains, and upholstered furniture where possible

• Keep the moisture and humidity low and reduce clutter. These would reduce the breeding places of the mites.

With simple hygiene measures, asthma can be better controlled and flare-ups reduced.

That embarrassing ‘sound’ down there is more common than you think

Many women notice a feeling of looseness after childbirth or experience what is often called ‘vaginal farts.’ It can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it is actually quite common.

This happens when the vaginal walls expand, allowing air in, and then release it. Unlike regular gas, it is usually odorless. It can occur during exercise, sex, or even simple movements like getting up from a chair.

So, what can you do about it?

The answer is simple – pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises.

Try tightening your pelvic muscles as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold for about 10 seconds, then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat several times a day. You can do this anywhere – at your desk, in a queue, or while watching TV.

With consistency, you should begin to notice improvement in about 6 – 12 weeks.

These exercises don’t just help with this issue – they also support childbirth, improve sexual function, and reduce the risk of urinary leakage later in life.

Remember that this is common and manageable. There’s no need to feel embarrassed.

However, if symptoms persist despite exercises, please see your doctor for further evaluation.

Some motherhood mistakes don’t show up until much later…

When I had my first baby, of course, I had a baby book. I took loads of pictures and filled it up properly. There was hardly any empty page. First lock of hair, outline of the foot, that first wrinkled picture, first birthday… everything was in there.

By the time I had my second baby, I was a bit more blasé… been there, done that, if you get what I mean ☺ So, fewer pictures, fewer moments captured, fewer things written down. With my last baby, it was just terrible. I didn’t even buy a baby book. I could not, for the life of me, remember to take pictures. It was a difficult time in my life, so yes, I have an excuse… but honestly, when the time comes, that excuse doesn’t really hold water.

And the time came.

Every now and then, my daughters would bring out their baby books and we would sit and reminisce. My son would join in and then start asking about his own – his baby book, his stories, his pictures.

At first, I managed it… small small explanations here and there. But then the questions became more direct. And I could see it on his face… That look of, ‘I’m not quite sure she loves me the same way… how come my sisters have all this and I don’t’”

That was it for me.

We brought out every single picture we could find. I bought the biggest baby book I could find, and we got to work. My second daughter and I sat down and put it all together. It wasn’t perfect. There were gaps – no handprints, no footprints at certain stages… but when we were done, it looked amazing. Even if I say so myself ☺

So please, don’t find yourself in this kind of situation. Get the baby book. Take the pictures. Write the stories. Start from day one… even ‘baby’s first picture at home.’ 😄

You don’t want to go through what I did!

Happy New Month!!!

And just like that, we have entered month 5 of the year that was spanking new, just a few ‘days’ ago!

Something light and funny to enter the month with.

Have you heard any of these?
You must always have a safety pin on your person otherwise evil people may steal the baby from your tummy.

Or

Do not let people cross your leg when you’re sitting down. If they do, your baby will look like them.

Are they facts or fiction?

Thankfully, they are both fiction!☺️

What other myths about pregnancy or health in general, have you heard?

You don’t have to be addicted to alcohol for it to be a problem.

Alcoholism is a chronic condition where a person becomes preoccupied with alcohol and continues to drink despite the harm it causes.

But long before that stage, there is something called ‘problem drinking’ when alcohol begins to cause repeated issues in your life, even if you’re not dependent on it.

So how do you stay in control? Before we had guidelines such as:
• Drink in moderation
• Men: no more than 2 drinks per day; Women: no more than 1
• Limit weekly intake – 14 drinks for men, 7 for women
• Avoid binge drinking (more than 4 drinks at once for men, 3 for women)
• Have at least 2 alcohol-free days each week

But now, that recommendation has changed. Alcohol is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen alongside substances like tobacco and asbestos. To clarify, a group one carcinogen is the highest risk category for cancer.

So, bottom line, people, the safest level of alcohol is none ☺️

I didn’t say so – the World Health Organization did!

Stay safe!

Should you stop folic acid because of fibroids in pregnancy?

Folic acid does NOT make fibroids grow.

Fibroids do not feed on folic acid. They feed on hormones and that is the reason why they may become bigger in pregnancy and tend to shrink during menopause.

Please, ensure that you take your folic acid so as to ensure your baby has no neural tube (spinal cord) defects and be sure that your pregnancy is properly supervised by your doctor/medical team.

Yes. You can breastfeed while pregnant.

This is a common concern for many mothers, especially when the older baby is still quite young. In most cases, it is safe to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy. Some mothers even go on to breastfeed both the newborn and the older child after delivery – a practice known as tandem nursing.

However, your body is now supporting both a pregnancy and breastfeeding, so taking care of yourself becomes even more important. Eat well, stay hydrated, and get as much rest as you can.

You may notice a few changes along the way. Breast tenderness can increase, and milk supply may reduce as the pregnancy progresses. Some babies may also notice a change in the taste of breast milk, especially towards the later stages of pregnancy.

There is often concern about uterine contractions during breastfeeding. While the hormone responsible for milk let-down can cause mild contractions, it is usually not strong enough to trigger preterm labour in a healthy pregnancy.

Having said that, if you have a history of premature labour or any pregnancy complications, it’s important to speak with your doctor for personalised advice.

Remember – Breastfeeding during pregnancy is generally safe, but listen to your body and seek medical advice if you have any concerns.

Many people swear by Agbo, but is it really as safe as we think?

Agbo is widely used across different groups of people, with some claiming they haven’t visited a hospital in years because of it. It is often believed to treat conditions like malaria, typhoid, infections and many other life problems

Now, I get a bit cautious when one remedy claims to cure so many different things. It raises important questions.

Some studies suggest that certain herbal components in Agbo may have antioxidant properties, which could offer some health benefits. However, that’s only part of the story.

Many Agbo mixtures contain alcohol and other additives, and there are no standardized dosages. This makes it difficult to know what exactly you are taking, how much is safe, or how it might interact with other medications.

There are also concerns about how these mixtures are prepared and sold, often under unhygienic conditions. In addition, some ingredients may trigger allergic reactions or cause harm, especially in children.

So, until more research clearly defines what is in Agbo, how it works, and how it should be used, it’s best to approach it with caution.

World Malaria Day, celebrated on Saturday, the 25th of April, reminds us that safe, tested, and proven treatments remain the best option when dealing with malaria and other illnesses.