chatwithketch

Are you a new mum trying to figure things out? Well, this is for you!

Do you remember trying to sit down after you delivered your baby? If you had an episiotomy (a surgical tear to help ease the passage of the baby), you probably froze in shock at the pain, right? Well, I did 😀 It was just plain excruciating to attempt to sit, much less, adjust yourself to a more comfortable sitting position. Then, do you remember the first time after that when you tried to pass gas? It was sheer agony! Agony that melts away as you behold the bundle of joy that was a result of that process 😀 Now, if you haven’t had your baby yet, this may sound very scary, but there’s a solution for this pain.

Ever heard of a Sitz bath? It’s a warm water bath that helps cleanse the perineum. Just in case you wondered, the perineum is that space between the rectum and the genitals. The right temperature is the one that you can handle without sustaining burns. Putting a few drops of this water on the inner surface of your wrist can help confirm this.

Plain warm water is sufficient but some people add salt to the water which is soothing. Your doctor may also suggest other things he/she may want you to add to the water.

Do you wonder what to do with your baby’s umbilical cord stump? How many times to clean it? What to clean it with? Methylated spirit, antiseptic lotion or water? Or perhaps you should just ignore it, hoping against hope that nature does its thing and the stump falls off when it should, leaving your baby with a nice looking navel?

For details of how to get your Sitz bath running, how to care for your baby’s cord and answers to all those questions you have on pregnancy, taking care of baby and weight loss afterwards, get a copy of 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 linkhttp://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

Hello y’all 😀

How has your day been? I have had an absolutely fabulous day…lying down on my bed! 😀

By popular demand, I reproduce the recipe for yoghurt here. I have had a lot of people asking about it in recent times.

Remember that yoghurt is full of healthy bacteria that may help fight vaginal infections, prevent brittle bones (osteoporosis) in old age because of the calcium content and help digestion amongst other uses. And now for my home made brew…without fancy machines and stuff…

• Get your measuring cups, warm water, a clean dish towel,, some already made (store bought yoghurt with pro-biotics, an airtight container and milk. This recipe uses powdered milk
• Mix one cup of milk with 4 cups of warm water. Whisk it all up.
• Scoop out one cup of the mixture and add a quarter cup of your already made yoghurt with pro-biotics (Any already-made yoghurt will do, really)
• Then pour the mixture from the point above to the milk mixture and whisk.
• Pour in an air-tight container and cover with the tea towel.
• Do not move, mix or stir the mixture during the ‘setting’ process. Leave it for at least 4 hours. I usually leave mine overnight and wake up to a jar of fabulous home-made yoghurt!

So, mix up your own batch and after the first go, feel free to mix and match the recipe as you like. As you can see, there was no added sugar to mine 😉 If you ant a healthy sugar kick, you can blend some fruits eg banana ith the yoghurt. Tastes….delumptious!

This recipe can also use bottled milk in which case it has to be warmed before (not boiled) before use and repeat all other steps as above.

Q: Sorry to bother you again. I am 32yrs and a mother of 5. I have serious problem with my body weight. I weigh about 140 kg. What health tips can you give me to enable me lose weight healthy and proportionally? I have used Chinese herbs, all to no avail. I don’t have enough stamina for workouts because I easily feel dizzy, though I engage in some non-strenuous exercises. I need your help. Thanks.

A: Hi Madam, it’s good to know you have been making efforts to lose weight and more impressive that you want to do it the healthy way. There are over a million weight reduction programs out there, placing emphasis on exercise, dieting and losing weight fast. However, most of these do not look at the healthier, more lasting lifestyle changes which proffer better results.

It’s quite simple to understand, if you take in more than you burn out, you add weight, and if you eat fewer calories, than you burn, you lose weight. But, this is not the case for everyone, genetically, some people have found themselves bigger than others and no matter how hard they try, nothing seems to work.

Weight loss, is not an event, it is a continuum. It takes time, commitment and motivation. It’s not only changing what you eat, and spending so much money in a gym to exercise. It’s a permanent lifestyle modification. From changing how you see food, keeping a diary of the calories you take in, as well as keeping a track of your progress, involving the whole family, to managing your emotions, being absolutely patient, paying attention to meal times and getting motivation from support group.
Concerning your diet, it’s better not to look for any ‘short cut’ or ‘quick-fix’ pills; not only do they make you feel deprived, you tend to add more weight so quickly the moment you stop them. Eat only during mealtimes, watching what you eat. A balanced diet, with more of vegetables (leafy salads, green veggies),high fiber diet (beans, oatmeal, wheat), and fruits (apples, oranges, watermelon, berries) which tend to fill your stomach faster, and thereby reduce the quantity of what you eventually consume. Avoid snacking in-between meals, eat slowly, and also don’t eat to your full. The rule is divide your stomach into three parts, 1/3rd for food, 1/3rd for water, and the remaining 1/3rd for air. Avoid emotional eating, many of us do this, eating when you are stressed or angry; when you just got paid, and you feel the need to reward yourself for ‘all the hard work’, and then take yourself out to a fast food restaurant. Avoid banning certain food…the tendency is you’ll overindulge when you get the opportunity to; rather eat less of the unhealthy foods.

Concerning exercise, I would advise you take it on slowly, and stop when your body cannot tolerate it any more. You may also need to see a doctor to evaluate you in respect of the dizziness and also give you advice on the type and extent of exercise appropriate for you. You can however engage in simple exercises like walking and breathing exercises.

It may also help to get busy, with activities that don’t require sitting for long, like watching TV. Drink a lot of water, and join a support group to remain motivated. Hope all of this helps, in achieving your desired goals and remaining there. Best wishes!

****This post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger.

Have a great night, beautiful people grin emoticon

Q: Hello Dr Ketch, please I want to know how to get rid of washer man’s finger. It’s really spoilt 6 out of my 10 finger nails. Thanks so much.

A: So sorry you are experiencing this. I can just imagine what you may be going through. From the description of your symptoms, it’s rather difficult to say exactly what is going on with your finger nails/ hand. The term washerman’s finger, which you used may have beclouded what you really wanted us to address. Then mentioning your fingernails being spoilt, gives it the picture of a fungal nail infection. There are quite a number of conditions that can affect the hands, fingers and the nails, some of which can be a bit challenging to diagnose and even treat. I would advise you see a doctor, who would be able to have a look at your hands, fingers and nails; examine them and then advice you on what to do.

Washerman’s hand is a skin condition in which the skin of the hands or feet loses its elasticity and tugor. There is wrinkling of the fingers and feet and they become white, like no blood is flowing in them. It is more pronounced after the hands or feet have been immersed in water for a long period of time.
Fungal infections are quite difficult to treat and can be very disturbing especially those affecting the nails. It can affect one or more finger or toe nails, more often the big toe or little toenail. It may cause white or yellow patches on the nail; the end of the nail may lift up, and there may be complete destruction of the nail. This will require antifungal tablets for months.

If any of these is what you describe, I would advise you avoid immersing your hands in water for long periods. If however, the nature of your job does not allow this, then getting a waterproof pair of gloves may be of some help. You can also moisturize the hands frequently with a moisturizing cream like coconut oil and keep them dry most of the time. Hope this helps!

****This post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger.

Have a great night, beautiful people 😀

Q: Good evening ma’am. Please, I need advice. How can I select the sex of my child because I need a male child. I don’t have any gynecological problem…just a boy child. Thanks.

A: Dear Madam, you are quite fortunate that you have no gynecological problem. Of every 10 women who present to hospital, at least 1-2 of them will have a gynecological problem.
In the African setting, a lot of emphasis is placed on the male child. I can appreciate that you may be going through a lot of pressure. However, I would want you to know that children are gifts from God, and sex selection is not determined by you or anyone else. The selection process is done by Him.

Scientifically, there are the X and Y chromosomes. Each individual has two sex chromosomes. XX in females and XY in males. During fertilization, one chromosome is derived from each parent. Usually the Y chromosome is derived from the male (because they alone have the Y chromosome) and the woman can only give the X chromosome (because she has just X chromosomes). If the Y chromosome is not donated or selected from the male during the fertilization process, then a female child is formed, on the other hand, if the Y chromosome is selected(from the male/father), then a male child is formed.

In my opinion, it’s not really the sex of the child that matters, but how you raise them and make them your pride at all times. I am from a family of five girls and we all have made our parents proud; with 3 medical doctors, an engineer and a psychology undergraduate. I have retained my father’s name and added it to my husband’s name, just to ensure the name doesn’t ‘die’ as is believed in the absence of a male child.

There are quite a number of unconventional methods for the selection of the sex of your child, having to do with meeting your husband at particular periods of your menstrual cycle. However, these have not been backed up by research and I cannot guarantee its effectiveness. Modern scientific research has also made sex selection possible, during invitro fertilization. This is however, very expensive and not readily available.

I hope you are able to and appreciate the beautiful blessings God has given you and find peace and satisfaction with whatever God grants you, whether male or female….a blessed child is the ultimate 😀 Cheers!

****This post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger.

Have a great night, beautiful people 😀

Q: Hello Dr. Please, my girlfriend is about 11 weeks pregnant now but she always complains of tiredness. All the time, she’s vomiting especially if she smells anything with slight or strong odour. Sometimes after meals she vomits. Can this still be the part of early symptoms of pregnancy?

Secondly at what week can we do our pregnancy scan to be able to ascertain the actual age of the pregnancy? What type of foods should she be taking? Kindly recommend. Thanks for your good work. May the love of the lord continue to be with you.
A: Hello sir, Congratulations! I can sense the feeling of excitement in you, knowing your child is on the way. I am also happy that you are taking on the responsibility of taking care of her (in fact both of them). I do pray she has a stress-free pregnancy and a safe delivery.

The symptoms she has been experiencing are normal especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. A normal pregnancy lasts between 38-42weeks, with an average of 39weeks. Medically, this period is divided into 3 phases depending on the growth and development of the child, as well as changes in the mother. These phases are known as trimesters, when we divide the whole duration of pregnancy, that is 39 weeks by 3, we have 13; so each trimester is 13 weeks long.

In the first trimester, the woman feels so ill (especially if it’s her first pregnancy). She feels tired, vomits a lot, has a loss of appetite (although in some, the appetite increases), food, as well as other smells become offensive (especially the food she prepares herself). She may develop some unusual desires for food like wanting to eat only snacks, only drinks, or just fruits (which she ordinarily wouldn’t request for). She looks pale, starts storing fluid in the body and may have symptoms of malaria, respiratory infection, or urinary infection, in addition.

It’s important that she books in a health care facility as early as possible, so that she can be monitored and any deviation from the normal first trimester symptoms, would be identified early and managed appropriately. As I have mentioned, malaria, and other infections are quite common too, and have symptoms similar to the early pregnancy symptoms, so it may be rather difficult to differentiate, except by someone who is experienced and trained. It is worth mentioning, that these conditions, may lead to pregnancy loss if not managed appropriately. If you notice any worsening of symptoms, fever, bleeding from the vagina, abdominal pains, or excessive vomiting, please present in hospital, as soon as possible, as these may be indicators of more sinister problems.

Dating pregnancy is best done with the use of the last menstrual period. That is the first day of the woman’s last normal menstrual flow. However, if she is not sure of her dates, then a scan can be used. To date pregnancy, a first trimester scan gives the most appropriate approximation. The earlier it is, the more accurate it is likely to be, so I would advise you have your scan now, since she’s still in her first trimester.

Dietary recommendations for pregnant women emphasize the need for increased calorie intake, to meet the demands of both mother and child. This will include a balanced diet, rich in all the various classes of food viz-a-viz proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and also lots of water. Special focus should be on fruits and vegetables, as these not only boost the immune system, and protects the mother and baby from falling ill, they are also important in the development of the child’s brain and nervous system. Women, who were consistent in taking fruits during pregnancy, were noticed to have babies with smother skin, fine hair and stronger bones. The emphasis should be on quality and not quantity, so you don’t end up with obesity, having a big baby and all the complications that come with that.

Most importantly, do book for you antenatal clinic as soon as you can, as the clinic not only provides care for the mother and child, but a lot of health education takes place. Besides, it’s an avenue for social interaction, where you get to meet ‘biggy belles’ like you; learn from them, share your experiences and maybe make a friend for life 🙂 you never know!

****This post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger.
Have a great night, beautiful people 😀

Q: Hi DR. What causes the vagina to release a lot of air? It feel like fart from the vagina. Why is there a lot of air inside? And I haven’t had sex 4 a while.

A: Vaginal farts are much more common than you may think. However, many women would rather not talk about it because, it may be somewhat embarrassing! Vaginal farts occur when the vaginal walls expand, pulling in lots of air, and then collapse back to release this air. They are usually odorless, in contrast to anal farts. It can happen with exercise, sex, and with sudden movements like getting out of a chair.

To get rid of them, performing exercise like squats, or Kegel exercises are recommended. This is done by trying to hold your vagina together, tightening it like trying to hold urine. Hold these contractions for 10 seconds, then release for another 10 seconds. This should be done several times a day .You can do these exercises anywhere; while waiting on a queue, working at your desk or while watching TV. It may take 6-12 weeks of exercise to see results. These exercises can strengthen the pelvic wall muscles and help keep the vaginal walls from expanding. These exercises provide other benefits like facilitating childbirth, enhancing orgasm, and decreasing the chances of having a leaky bladder later in life.

Try keeping your legs together as much as possible, and also avoid using tampons when you are not menstruating.
The best advice is to think of vaginal farting as natural and fun instead of embarrassingJ

****This post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger.

Have a great night, beautiful people 😀

If you have had a baby and you wonder how you can ever return to your size pre-baby size, well, this is for you!

I remember those years before I had my first baby! I see some of those pictures and I gaze in awe. I had my first baby and once she was six weeks old, I was back on the beat doing my exercises to get back to my BC (before child) status

Then came along baby number 2…and suddenly, it wasn’t so easy to get back to my pre-pregnancy state. I managed it at the end of the day though…but it was with tightly gritted teeth, loads of sweat and oodles of perseverance.

Then came baby number 3 and my metabolism finally gave up. Every food I ate was duly converted to calories and stored in embarrassing areas of my body like my lower belly and my hips. Again, I worked at it, even harder this time!

In between, I tried some magic berry pills that were supposed to speed up your metabolism so fast it made your head spin! Well, I can tell you for a fact that my head spun, not from how fast my metabolism was converting fat to muscle but by how I could have ever considered there was an easier way…than sweating and grunting through it!

Did it get better afterwards? Nope, it became a constant battle to get the weight off and make it stay that way. And so I decided to do something about it! And do something about it, I did. Want to know what I did to lose all the baby weight? 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

Q : Hi Doc. Please, is it advisable for a nursing mother to either take lemon water or lemon and ginger tea?

A: Just like pregnancy, breastfeeding may place some restrictions on what you eat, and drink. This is because the things you consume are passed to your baby through your breast milk.
Lemon and lemon water are beneficial to the digestive system as they have been found to reduce gas and bloating in both mother and baby. Ginger is also beneficial, as it has been found to improve lactation. Even though they may be beneficial to both mother and baby, it should be noted that these may interact with certain drugs and increase risk of gastrointestinal problems, stomach ulcers and allergic reactions like breathing difficulty, or swelling of the lips, tongue or face.

I would advise you talk with your doctor before commencing any of these or other herbal supplements, especially so if you are taking medications for other health conditions, or at risk of certain diseases.

*****The answer to this post was contributed by a guest doctor blogger

If this lemon is being taken for weight loss, please read my thoughts on that: https://chatwithdrketch.com/2015/01/11/daily-health-tips-weight-loss-the-role-of-lemons-and-exercise/

Have a good night y’all 😀