chatwithketch

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.

Do you remember staring at your newborn’s umbilical cord stump and wondering…

“What exactly am I supposed to do with this?”

Should you clean it?
Leave it alone?
Use spirit? Antiseptic? Water?

Let’s clear up the confusion.

Some years ago, the standard advice was to wipe the stump with rubbing alcohol (methylated spirit) after every diaper change. However, it was later discovered that this could delay the healing of the stump.

The current focus is simply keeping the stump clean and dry.

If it becomes dirty, clean it gently with clean water, then pat it dry with clean absorbent paper or a towel. Rubbing alcohol is generally not necessary unless your doctor specifically recommends it.

After every diaper change, fold the front of the diaper below the stump so it is exposed to air and can dry naturally.

Over time, the stump usually changes colour – from yellowish-green to brown and finally black, before it eventually falls off.

Resist the temptation to pull it off, even if it looks like it’s hanging by a thread 😊

During healing, you may occasionally notice a little dried blood or discharge at the base, which is usually normal.

However, if the area becomes red, swollen, warm, foul-smelling, or your baby develops fever, this could indicate an infection. In that case, please see a doctor immediately.

New parents – what were you told to use on your baby’s cord stump? Spirit, antiseptic, or just water?

Do you remember the first time you had to discipline your child?

I don’t mean correcting them gently or giving them “the look.”
I mean the first moment you realised that love alone was not going to be enough.

Remember that tiny baby you brought home from the hospital?
The one with the toothless smile, the giggles, the little human who forgave everything?

And then one day, that same little angel does something that makes you stop and think…

“Oh dear… we have arrived at this stage.”

That moment when you realise that raising a child is not only about cuddles and laughter.
It is also about teaching boundaries.

Discipline does not have to be physical. It can mean teaching children to clean up after themselves, to wait their turn, to accept “no,” and to understand that actions have consequences.

These small lessons are not always easy. In fact, I think that sometimes they hurt us more than they hurt the child 😊

But raising children is not only about protecting their happiness today.
It is also about preparing them to become responsible adults tomorrow.

Sometimes, love has to say no.

Tough love and teaching delayed gratification, when given with wisdom and affection, may be one of the greatest gifts a mother can give her child.

What do you think? 😊

Last week’s tip was to buy your vegetables whole.

But, how you cook them can destroy up to 20% of their vitamins.

Cooking Veggie Tip #2

Do not overcook your vegetables.

Instead, lightly steam them in a pot with spices as desired.

Excess heat can break down and destroy 15 – 20% of some vitamins found in vegetables.

Light steaming helps preserve these nutrients while still making the vegetables enjoyable to eat.

For instance, if you’re planning to cook efo riro this weekend, steam the leaves first. Apart from being healthy, this significantly reduces oil needed by 40%

Small changes in how we cook our food can make a big difference to our health.

– Dr Ketch

A baby can develop tooth decay before their second birthday.

Today is World Oral Health Day, so let’s talk about something many parents don’t realise.

Q: At what age should a mother start brushing for her child?

A: Great question!

Taking care of your baby’s mouth actually starts from birth.

If oral care is delayed, babies can develop a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when teeth are exposed to sugary liquids for long periods,  such as milk, juice, or sweetened substances, especially during sleep when saliva production decreases.

Here are a few tips to help protect your baby’s teeth:

1. Start cleaning early
   Even before teeth appear, gently clean your baby’s gums once a day using a piece of moist gauze or soft cloth wrapped around your finger.
2. Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears
   Brush your baby’s teeth twice daily. Use a small amount of toothpaste. Before your child learns to spit, use non-fluoridated toothpaste (toothpaste without fluoride)
3. Avoid sleeping with bottles
   Do not allow babies to fall asleep while feeding on the breast or with bottles containing milk, juice, or sweetened fluids. This keeps teeth from prolonged exposure to sugar.
4. Be careful with pacifiers
   Do not coat pacifiers with honey or sugary substances.
5. Transition from bottle to cup early
   As your child grows, begin introducing a cup and gradually reduce bottle use.

Starting oral care early helps ensure strong, healthy teeth for life.

– Dr Ketch