Daily Health Tips: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is the last day of October!!! Who would have thunk it! 😀 And just before y’all start judging me, that wasn’t an error. That’s my special brand of ‘thought’ 😀 😉

We can’t let the month of October pass by without celebrating the fact that the month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is abnormal growth of the cells of the breast. Though it is more common in women, it can also occur in men. It is important to examine your breast regularly and note if there are changes. Some changes that may signify cancer, to look out for include:
• A lump or thickening of breast tissue that feels different from surrounding breast tissue
• A lump in one or both armpits
• Change in the skin of the breast eg giving the appearance of orange peel/skin of an orange
• Change in the shape, size or general appearance of the breast
• Nipple discharge (especially if it’s bloody) or recent inversion of the nipple
• Scaly skin around the nipple

Breast cancer may be inherited and so having a family history of breast cancer puts one at greater risk of having this. Other risk factors for breast cancer include:
• Being female
• Starting period at an early age….earlier than 12 years
• Starting menopause at a later age
• Hormone therapy during menopause
• Obesity
• Having first baby at age older than 35 years
• Increasing age: The older one is, the more at risk of breast cancer one gets
• Exposure to radiation like X-rays. That’s why people who work in environments where these tests are done have to wear protective clothing when running the tests.
• Drinking alcohol

If breast cancer is caught early, one has a greater chance of survival. Treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage of the disease, type of breast cancer, grade, size and how sensitive the cancers cells are to hormones. Treatment options include surgery (removal of lump or removal of whole breast or removal of lymph nodes), chemotherapy (medications that destroy cancer cells) and radiotherapy (using irradiation like X-rays to destroy cancer cells).
• Prevention of breast cancer in people with average risks includes:
• Eating healthy
• Keeping a healthy weight within the BMI
• Exercising
• Stopping or limiting alcohol use
• Speaking to your doctor about screening options open to you. Mammograms used to advocated for women 40 years and over. The new recommendation from American Cancer Society earlier this month recommends annual mammogram for women at moderate risk of cancer from 45 to 54 years of age and then every two years from 55 years onwards. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force mammogram guidelines recommend screening from 50 to 74 years.

So, be sure to discuss with your doctor so he can advice on your best options based on your personal history.

For related topics, please click on the links below:

Daily Health Tips: Breast Lump In A Man

The halfway mark.

Pinkie Swear?

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Daily Health Tips: What Can I Drink To Help Me Slim Down?

Q: Hi doctor, please what can I do or drink to make me slim down?

Q: Please what is the best way for losing weight and big tummy?

Q: Good morning Dr. Please, how does one get back a flat tummy after delivery?

A: The most popular question I receive on this facebook page and on my blog is ‘how do I lose weight generally’ or ‘how do I lose weight after a baby?’

I’ve answered this question often enough but it bears repeating for everyone who would like to know. I also have addressed this liberally in my book, Just For The Health Of It. You can get a copy by clicking on the ‘shop now’ button our facebook page.

So, here goes:
Okay, the most popular question from yesterday was how to lose the pregnancy belly. Honestly, I’ve got no easy answers. It’s diet and exercise….oh and breastfeeding. But breastfeeding is not very helpful if one is not exercising and watching their portions. Again, the dictum of feeding for two here doesn’t also count.
The diet to focus on is the very same one we talk about all the time: fruits, veggies and complex carbs with focus on healthier cooking methods (less frying etc). Exercise should focus, initially on pelvic floor exercises especially if you’re leaking urine when you cough or laugh. To locate your pelvic floor muscles, try holding your urine when you feel pressed. If you are successful, then you have located the muscles you need. Then empty your bladder and lie on the floor. Contract those same muscles and hold the contraction for about 5 seconds and then relax it for about 5 seconds. Gradually build this up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds. Repeat this about 3 times a day. Once you no longer leak, you’re ready for your exercises.

Have you noticed how it is usually easier to lose the baby weight after your first baby and harder afterwards? 😀 Focus on building up your stamina gradually especially if you were not very active in pregnancy or before. Please remember to always contact your doctor before starting any vigorous exercise program. As you get into the groove, get down with your aerobics, strength training and sit-ups et al.

This is where breast feeding comes in, if you’re exercising and eating right, breastfeeding can help lose weight…as much as 300 calories per day. Does tying a wrapper tightly round your waist help flatten tummy? Honestly, I’ve heard people who swear by that technique. So, what I’ll say is, if it works for you, why not? Just don’t tie so tight as to stop blood flow 😀

How soon to start exercise after having a baby? Well, it depends on how active you were before and during pregnancy. If you were very active, you can start some light stretches as soon as you feel able. However, generally, we advise 6 – 8 weeks after birth to allow for a post-natal check to have been done. Again, start small and allow your body to get into the groove.

And for all those who asked questions about breastfeeding, this should not be a problem as once you position the baby correctly to the breast, milk is ‘produced’ for the baby through a let-down reflex. So, it is almost a misnomer to say one doesn’t produce enough. It is not very common. So, nursing mothers should ensure that they drink copious amounts of water and put their babies to the breast. If beast feeding problems continue, see your doctor with your baby to ensure that the baby is latching on to the breast properly.

For more on this subject, please click on these links:

Daily Health Tips: How Do I Lose My Tummy Bulge After Having A C Section…Girdle vs Healthy Lifestyle.

Daily Health Tips: I’m Not Comfortable With How Fat My Fiancée Is. Any Magic Pill For Him?

Have a great evening 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: How Can I Reduce My Alcohol Intake?

Q: Please advice on what to do concerning beer intake every night. Is it possible for me to reduce the bottle intake to 1 or 2 or how can l really stop it?

A: Can you reduce your beer intake? Absolutely!

Let’s define some concepts first:

Alcoholism is a disease which is chronic and often progressive and includes problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect (physical dependence), or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

It is also possible to have a problem with alcohol, even when it has not progressed to the point of alcoholism.  Problem drinking means drinking too much at times, causing repeated problems in your life, although you’re not completely dependent on alcohol.
So, you have done the first thing which is make a decision that this has to reduce or stop. I wish I could tell you that that was your hardest decision….unfortunately, I can’t. It will get slightly tougher before it gets better…but you can very well do it.

You can stop gradually by reducing the number of times you drink in a day and then a week, month etc.

Or you can quit cold turkey by stopping all at once. If you choose this the under-listed may be helpful:
• First set a date by which you want to stop and stick with it.
• Discuss your decision with your family and friends and hopefully, they will support you through the process.
• Stay away from your usual hangouts where you’re usually tempted to take alcohol
• You may also want to reduce visits/interactions with your drinking buddies who may make you backslide 🙂
• Find new hobbies that keep your mind busy and help you maintain your resolve.
• If you drink more than two alcoholic drinks each day, drinking less will help to lower your blood pressure. A regular-sized bottle or can of beer or a regular-sized glass of wine are each equal to a single alcoholic drink.
• Remind yourself of the diseases associated with alcohol like hypertension, cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, diseases of the pancreas and liver, psychological and psychiatric problems, loss of libido etc

Have a good night, y’all 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Pot-Belly!

Q: Hello Ma I’ve a pot belly and I want to trim it down. Please, advice on what to do. Thank you

A: I’ve been getting a lot of questions on pot bellies, big tummies after child birth or just big tummies…after nothing, full stop:D So, I’ll reproduce part of a post I’d written on this subject (the trio of diet, exercise and stress). Remember that you can always visit my bloghttp://www.chatwithdrketch.com and type in any subject you want to know about in the search box. You will be presented with all my posts on that subject. There’s a lot I’ve written on weight loss et al 😉

I hate to be the one to break it to you…but alcohol is not the only thing that gives you a pot belly!:D Pot belly is caused by consuming way too many calories and these can be from your chilled bottle of beer or from your huge bowl/basin of rice (especially polished white rice) or yam. It is important to know what to eat, how to eat it and how much of it to eat.

The bad thing about tummy fat, is that it is not on the outside. It is actually on the inside, around the organs. So, no amount of sit-ups can touch this fat…exercise can help tighten abdominal muscles (especially for those who just put to bed) but it won’t get to the fat around organs (visceral fat). This fat is associated with some disease conditions like Diabetes Mellitus etc.

A diet full of junk food (meat pies, doughnuts) is unhealthy on a lot of fronts. It contains empty calories which give you calories you don’t need and make you demand even more calories in a short while. They also cause your blood sugar to yo-yo (jumping up) jumping up and down in a way that doesn’t help blood sugar control. A diet that is also full of white carbs like white bread, polished rice etc is also not ideal for the same reason. So what should we eat? A balanced diet…a diet that contains all food groups in sufficient amounts for the body to use them efficiently.

I have had cause to describe the ideal plate of food several times: Half the plate should be filled with vegetables, a quarter with complex carbohydrates like beans, local rice (like Ofada/Abakaliki/brown/wild rice), sweet potatoes, oatmeal etc and the last quarter with protein (fish, chicken etc). Remember that carbs are necessary to provide the energy needed for our daily activities. So, do not ‘demonise’ (:D) them….however, not all carbs are created equal. Complex carbs are superior because they supply energy and fibre and some also supply minerals and vitamins.

Then remember portion control. Reduce the plate size you usually use, if you need to lose weight. This automatically reduces the quantity of food you can eat.

Remember also to make a conscious effort to chew your food properly and take your time. Don’t wolf it down…or inhale it 😀 Chew intentionally so as to give your brain sufficient time to process the signal from your brain which says that you are full. Have you observed that when you rush your food, you move from being very hungry to being completely stuffed! There’s no in-between, where you realize that you’re full before you get to the stuffed part. That’s because your brain didn’t have enough time to process that info before you became ‘over-full’.

Note that, even if a food is considered healthy, it doesn’t mean you should eat as much of it as you want. For instance, beans is healthy on so many levels but it also high in calories and so you still need to stick to the portion described. Moderation in everything!!

Exercise is critical because it makes your heart strong, improves your body’s ability to break down food, resist diseases and generally provides a feel-good attitude. It also helps you lose weight. Mathematically, exercise helps to burn what you have eaten such that, if you do enough and watch your portions, at the end of the day, there will be a food balance between what you have burnt and what you have taken in. If you have not been engaged in any exercise for a long time, please see your doctor before you start any vigorous regimen. A minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week is essential for good health. Try to get this exercise anyway you can: walking, dancing, skipping, arm wrestling, pillow fights etc. All the activities count and help you keep you fit, trim and healthy. If you use the gym, that’s great. You can get the instructor to put you on a regimen that involves aerobics, strength training (training with weights) and then focus on troublesome spots like your tummy etc. (in that order) or suggest useful regimens that are helpful.

Finally, I will talk about stress because quite a number of us are stressed out. Stress causes the release of a hormone called Cortisol which, amongst other things, causes fat to be deposited around our tummy. So, reduce your stress consciously by figuring out how to better cope with your sources of stress or even eliminating the stresses that you have control over. It’s your life after all.

I suggest you also click on this link to read my post on low glycemic eatinghttps://chatwithdrketch.com/2014/02/16/daily-health-tips-low-glycemic-eating-whats-that/

Have a good night, y’all 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Is There Any Side Effect Of Drinking Cold Water In Pregnancy?

Q: Good day Dr. please, is there any side effect of cold water/drinks during pregnancy on labour and baby after birth? Thanks in advance

A: This question has been asked again and again in different ways. Can my baby get pneumonia if I drink cold water in pregnancy? Can the baby become asthmatic etc? The answer to all of these is a resounding no. There are so many stories and taboos surrounding pregnancy that we need to address, really. Some pregnant women are practically banned from drinking cold water during pregnancy for this and other unclear reasons. There’s no medical basis for any of these stories. If you have a cold and you’re staying off cold water and filling up on warm fluids, I get it! 😀 However, if it’s for any of the ‘traditional reasons’ kindly ask for an explanation if you’re uncertain. Your doctor is always a great and useful resource. For more on pregnancy myths and what my professional opinion of them are, please click on these links:

Our Take On Some Pregnancy Myths

Click to access excerpts-1-from-jfthoi.pdf

Whenever I am pregnant, I not only drink cold water but actually take a lot of ice cubes because I can’t just seem to get cool enough! I’m constantly sweating and generally feeling hot! 😀 And I can tell you for a fact that none of my children were born asthmatic or with pneumonia! Having said that, as with everything else, moderation is key!

What you may notice though when you drink cold water is that baby moves around. This is, theoretically because the uterus/womb is close to the digestive tract such that the cold water in the digestive tract stimulates the baby to move. Women who feel concerned about their baby’s movements are sometimes asked to do this and check for baby’s movement.

I hope this helps.

Have a good night 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: My Son Sucks His Thumb

Q: Hello Dr. What should I do to stop my baby from sucking on his thumb? Please!

A: Interesting question!
Children suck their thumbs at an early age as a means of soothing themselves or coping with stress/anxiety or even when bored. Usually, this habit would stop between the ages of 2 to 4 years old. If it continues longer than that your baby’s teeth start to give way to accommodate the thumb leading to a situation where your baby’s upper teeth no longer align properly with the lower teeth. It can also lead to speech problems.

How do you stop a child from sucking his thumb? Hmm, I’m sure that lots of people can share a lot from their personal experiences eg tying up the thumb, putting terrible tasting stuff on it like vinegar, mustard, bitter leaf, nail polish etc. In some instances, these harsh methods get children to stop this habit but they probably latch on to another habit, like bed wetting. So, we do not advocate any of these.

What can you do as a parent? Well, if the child is not 6 years yet, ignoring the thumb sucking is an option. Don’t go into a big fuss and fight about it. He’s more likely to stop because some children teased him about it that the fact that you screamed about it.
Talk to him about why sucking his thumb is a bad idea. Talk to him about germs that he’s giving free access into his body etc and be sure to praise him when he’s not sucking his fingers/thumb. In fact, you could go as far as providing a reward to re-enforce this good behavior.

Remember that before the age of 6 years, we still believe that your baby will kick this habit all by himself. He usually does about the age of 4-5 years.
A personal example that may help…my son didn’t suck his thumb or fingers but he always bit his finger nails. I tried several times to get him to stop with no luck. Then, one day, when I got back from work, I told him a story…a true life story. Interestingly, the intent of telling the story was not necessarily because it was an opportunity to get him to stop biting his nails. I feel I had told him worse stories with no impact 😀 But, I had a particularly nauseating encounter at work that day. So, I told him about a colleague I had who always bit his nails. I told him this guy (my colleague) always had a heavy scent of saliva around him and anytime he came close to me, I would feel like throwing up. That particular day, we had to work together for a prolonged period of time and so, it was torture for me!

And that was it! I noticed a few weeks later that I had not seen him bite his nails for a while and asked him about it…praised him, more-like 😀 That was when he reminded me of the story that I had told him! That story for him…was the deal breaker! So, if your son is still a baby, he’ll probably kick this habit himself. If he’s a little more grown, find the right deal breaker 😀

Have a good night, everyone 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Parenting For The Uninitiated!

Parenting! Not the easiest of jobs, aye? And we’re constantly learning! I tell my first daughter that she’ll always be my learning curve because I experienced motherhood for the first time through her and I pass through every stage of her life, learning what it feels like for the first time.

I remember her first day in nursery school. I was so excited. My daughter was going to proper school for the first time. This clearly set me apart from all the other mothers that still had their children in reception and/or crèches. Then she graduated…yes, graduated!!! From nursery school, no less 😀

The day she started attending Primary School, I thought my heart was going to burst with pride. I kept looking around to see if everyone had observed that my level had changed. I now had a child in Primary school and so after dropping the Nursery school crew, I moved on to the big school. My goodness, I had arrived 😀 I remember her first class party in primary school! I went to town. I bought her the prettiest dress I could find and decked her out in it with bows and ribbons et al. She looked like a bejeweled princess in school. Imagine my shock when we got to school and I saw other children very casually dressed in jeans and tees! It was now a case of ‘were they under-dressed?’ or ‘were we over-dressed?’ Well, the activities of the day were helpful in clearing this up. Class party days were fun days dedicated to bouncy castles and all manner of fun that involved jumping up and down. Definitely, not the sort of activities I had in mind when I was convinced that she had to be a bejeweled princess:D And so, I learnt, that class parties were fun, informal events. That was one of my first lessons but by no means the last I learnt with my first child. The other mummies already had other children (who they had probably had their schooling from) or perhaps friends who advised them better 😀

I’m sure you’re wondering what I did when it was time for Secondary School. I could not wait to tell everyone. This was not one of those instances where you wished and hoped that people noticed a change of status. Oh no! I told everyone who cared to listen and people who were also minding their business. I found a way of interjecting the gist into every conversation. I’m sure people found me an absolute bore! 😀 Lord help you all when we get into university. That will certainly inspire another book! 😀

And so the story continues! 😀 If you want to follow my hilarious journey of parenting while picking up tips on pregnancy, immunizations, diapering, preventing childhood infections, feeding children right etc, get details from the book, Just For The Health Of It. You can get a copy via the shop now link on our facebook page. Or you can get it through:

1) Jumia.com. Just click on this link http://www.jumia.com.ng/jumia-books-just-for-the-health-of-it-with-dr-ketch-179486.html and get a copy. You have the option of paying when the book is delivered to you or paying online. This service is available all over Nigeria.

2) Another option for those in Lagos is Laterna Bookshop on 13, Oko-Awo Close, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Street,. Victoria Island.

3) If you’re outside the country, please visit Amazon through this link http://www.amazon.com/Just-Health-Ketch-Pregnancy-Parenting/dp/9789398026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426246647&sr=1-1&keywords=just+for+the+health+of+it+with+dr+ketch+olalere+nkechi

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Daily Health Tips:  Healthy Food tips for recuperation

Have you ever recovered from a bout of illness and found it difficult to get your appetite back? You know that situation where everything you eat tastes like sawdust? Most of us have probably gone through this. The question below typifies someone going through the same experience and then you get some great tips for dealing with this, the next time it dares come your way! 😀

Q: Hello Dr Ketch, I have just recovered from a bout of malaria. I have not had malaria for over two years and so this really destabilized me. I was really ill for about two weeks. Even when the fever resolved, I struggled to get my strength back. It’s been about a week after my illness, but my appetite is still not what it used to be. I basically force myself to eat every day. Is this appetite loss normal and what can I do to get my appetite back?

A: Thanks a lot for writing in and I’m glad to hear that you no longer have a fever…even if you’re not entirely back to your normal self. It is not unusual to experience some loss of appetite during and soon after a bout of illness. Unfortunately, your body needs nutrients more than ever at this time…to build up damaged body tissues and heal.

Here are some tips to help you get back into the groove of eating normally 😀

  • Focus on portion sizes and try to eat small portions during each meal. You can use smaller plates (to stop you from feeling overwhelmed by lots of food on one plate).
  • Remember that you can have 5 small meals: breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack and then, dinner. Good snack options are fruits, nuts, yoghurt etc
  • If you cannot stand any snack at this time, go for a nourishing drink. This provides the nutrients you need in a drink form. Complan is one such nourishing drink, which contains proteins, carbs, fats, minerals and vitamins. It has all the nutrition of a complete meal in a drink form. These nutrients replenish the body stock and help healing and convalescence.
  • There is a lot of focus on repairing damaged tissues at this time, so be sure to include proteins in your choice of meals. Good examples include fish, chicken, beef, milk, cheese, eggs, Complan etc. For more on protein sources, please click on https://chatwithdrketch.com/2015/06/26/daily-health-tips-how-can-i-get-more-proteins/
  • In the same vein, starchy foods are also needed to help you build up your energy. So get at least one serving per meal. Good examples are rice, potatoes, bread.
  • Attractive looking foods also look appetizing and are more likely to tempt a sluggish palate/appetite 😀
  • Exercise also helps to work up an appetite. You may not have the energy to get back into your regular exercise routine…assuming you had one before 😀 But taking a walk before meal times can help improve your appetite.
  • As a result of the energy needs at this time, it may be necessary to have some foods that we ordinarily would not suggest 😀 😉 And so, at this time, ice cream, butter, full cream milk etc may be used to supplement energy needs. Please note that this is just for this period of appetite loss. Once you got it back, kindly ease off 😀 Remember a second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips 😉
  • Cold drinks and even cold foods may be easier to also tolerate at this time. Be sure to stay hydrated by taking in sufficient fluids. Eat and drink slowly, generally during this period to enable you keep more down.

These tips should get you firmly back on your way to health and great appetite. In the meantime, keep your head high and your spirits up. Trust me…this too shall pass 😀

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Daily Health Tips: Protein In Urine During Pregnancy

Q: Hello doc, pls how can one avoid protein in urine during pregnancy?

A: A high blood pressure reading in pregnancy with protein in urine is a worrying situation. Blood pressure readings are interpreted as same, pregnancy or no pregnancy. Any level more than 140/90mmHg is seen as hypertensive. A woman may already be hypertensive before pregnancy and on medication. She may be found to be hypertensive before 20th week of pregnancy in which case it is believed she had previously undetected high blood pressure or she may be discovered to have high blood pressure after the 20th week, in which case it is believed that this high blood pressure is pregnancy-induced (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: PIH). This would usually resolve within 6 weeks of having a baby. If a woman with PIH goes on to develop protein in urine, she is at risk of preeclampsia (in which protein leaks from kidneys into urine) or eclampsia (in which the woman experiences fits and seizures)

The risk of preeclampsia is higher in women who have had this condition in a previous pregnancy, first pregnancies, women who get pregnant after the age of 40 years, women who are obese and women with multiple pregnancies or those who have a long interval between babies (greater than 10 years) or short interval between babies (less than 2 years) etc

High blood pressure in pregnancy needs to be addressed as this poses a danger to both mother and baby. It may affect the flow of blood and nutrients to baby leading to slow growth or pre-term delivery. It may also lead to eclampsia or separation of placenta from the uterine wall before the baby is born.

Your doctor will determine the best course of action and may prescribe medications (to reduce blood pressure, or to even prepare your baby’s lungs for life outside the womb given the anticipation of preterm delivery), hospitalization to monitor you or delivery of the baby if the doctor believes the womb is now a hostile environment for the baby due to any of the dangers mentioned above.

There are varying thoughts about strategies thought to help prevent this condition. However, ensuring that risk factors are reduced by reducing weight, eating and living healthy may be helpful strategies.

For more on blood pressure, please click on the links below:

Daily Health Tips: Blood Pressure – The Fact Behind The Figures

Daily Health Tips: Pre-hypertension

Daily Health Tips: My High Blood Pressure Risks

Be sure to make your antenatal classes interactive. Ask your doctor questions about your health and indeed your blood pressure readings if they are cause for concern.

Have a great evening, y’all 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!

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Daily Health Tips: Menstrual Flow With Clots After Having A Baby

Q: Hello Doctor. I just put to birth, one month plus now and I am having heavy menstrual flow with clots. A scan had been done but no retained products of conception were found; the uterus is clear. Please what should be done?

A: Bleeding after having a baby is normal. When the placenta separates from the wall of the womb, the open blood vessels start to bleed. And so for the first couple of days there is bleeding composed of blood, bacteria and tissue from the area of separation. In the first few days, the discharge is made up of more blood making it bright red in colour which changes to pinkish and eventually yellowish/whitish as the uterus contracts and seals up open blood vessels. This process is supposed to be over within 2 to 4 weeks. Some may extend to about 6 weeks!

Heavy bleeding that occurs within 24 hours of putting to bed is called primary post-partum (after delivery) haemorrhage (bleeding) and any bleeding that occurs between 24 hours and 12 weeks is known as secondary post-partum haemorrhage (PPH).

Bleeding can be caused by any remnant of the product of conception which may be a piece of membrane or part of the placenta or it could be caused by a uterus that has not contracted properly to stop the bleeding. Infections are also a common cause of secondary PPH.

People who are more prone to having PPH include those who are anaemic, obese people (BMI above 35), those who had a history of bleeding in pregnancy due to placenta previa or placenta abruptio, having ha a PPH in a previous pregnancy or having had more than 4 children etc. During labour, women who are older than 40 years or deliver through Cesarian Section, have an episiotomy, have an induction or forceps delivery etc are also likely to experience PPH.

For primary PPH, focus is on ensuring that placenta has been delivered, that there are no remaining membranes left in the uterus and that the uterus has contracted. Different procedures to effect this will be instituted as the doctor deems it.

If the bleeding is due to infection as can happen with secondary PPH, antibiotics will be instituted.

Depending on how heavy the bleeding is, blood transfusion may also be given. In all of this be guided by your doctor and ensure that if this bleeding continues with clots, is still bright red, you start to feel dizzy or get irregular heartbeats, please get to the hospital immediately.

Finally, ensure that you are under the care of an obstetrician.

For related posts, please click on

Daily Health Tips: Placental Abruption!

Daily Health Tips: Placenta Previa

All the best.

Have a great evening everyone 😀

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