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]]>Lewu, Team Lead at Girlsaide Initiative and Convener, Keep All Mothers Alive, KAMA, Project, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Sunday that the well-being of the woman immediately after birth would determine when to resume sexual intercourse after childbirth.
According to her, resumption of sexual activity can commence from 42 days or six weeks after delivery or childbirth, if the woman’s overall well-being is great.
“The vaginal area can feel sore and painful after childbirth and there might be stitches after perineal tearing during the birth.
“Therefore, the woman’s body after pregnancy needs to recover and go back to normal.
“If she resumes sexual intercourse without allowing the body to recover, there can be complications such as: bleeding, infections, poor healing, painful sex, break down of perineal tear and other health problems,” she said.
Lewu said the time couples could resume sexual intercourse after childbirth had been a topic of controversy and discord in some homes.
“The popular trimesters of pregnancy are the first, second and third, but there is a fourth component which we call ‘Puerperium.
“The ‘Puerperium’ is also a critical period in the life of a woman that has just had a pregnancy and it is the first 42 days or six weeks after delivery.
“This 42-day period is not set on stone. The well-being of the woman is what determines when to resume sexual intercourse as a couple,” she said.
The gynaecologist said that not all women could resume sexual activities six weeks after child birth as some might not have experienced smooth deliveries.
“A woman could have had a difficult pregnancy, difficult delivery, postpartum mental health challenges, stress, fatigue, absence of physical or emotional support, loss of libido and multiple babies.
“And in some instances, she just does not feel like resuming sexual intercourse yet. So, it is inadvisable to say once it is six weeks, a woman must resume sexual intercourse.
“Her overall health and wellbeing must be thoroughly observed, and she must be ready.
“This is not the case in all women, some have smooth deliveries, and their libido or sex drive simply bounces back within the six weeks’ period, ” she said.
Lewu urged husbands, families and friends to support women immediately after delivery so that they could recover and resume all their activities as soon as they could.
“Provide physical support. Help with cleaning, cooking and care of the baby so the woman can nap and sleep as new babies can keep women up all night!.
“Husbands should speak encouraging words and show appreciation to their wives, this is not the time to criticize, rather be a source of joy and admiration, remind her of how beautiful she is and how motherhood is additional beauty on her.
“If she has any medical or delivery related complication, ensure she uses her medications and go for follow up and care.
“In most cases, this is a phase, and it will surely pass,” Lewu said.
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]]>She said rather, what a woman might experience was bleeding.
Lewu, Team Lead at Girls Aide Initiative and Convener, Keep All Mothers Alive (KAMA) Project, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka.
“Women need to be aware that you can’t menstruate while pregnant. What you are experiencing is bleeding in pregnancy.
“When a woman is pregnant, she no longer menstruates or observes her period. But women who are pregnant can have other form of bleeding that may look like a period in early pregnancy or at first trimester.
“For example, there can be a small amount of bleeding when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This is called implantation bleeding. It usually happens around the same time a woman would normally get her period.
“Other things can also cause bleeding, like miscarriage, cervical polyps, infections, molar pregnancy, increase blood flow in the cervix or an ectopic pregnancy which is when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than in the uterus.
“An ectopic pregnancy is even a medical emergency. As a doctor, I have seen too many women assuming it is menstruation, which is not in pregnancy,” the gynaecologist said.
Lewu said that any bleeding during pregnancy should be reviewed by a healthcare provider to rule out any possible life or pregnancy threatening cause.
“Any symptom in addition to the bleeding, please go and see a doctor immediately to identify the reason for the bleeding and address it.
“A proper medication is needed because majority of pregnant women do not have implantation bleeding and that is why any bleeding while pregnant must be reviewed by a doctor. You can’t assume it is implantation bleeding.
“If you think you may be pregnant and have pain or bleeding, see the doctor for observation and care,” said the gynaecologist.
Source: NAN
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]]>Lewu, team lead at Girlsaide Initiative and Convener, Keep All Mothers Alive, KAMA, Project, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Sunday that such smoking men and women were “smoking away their babies”.
She said that cigarette contained many harmful chemicals such as nicotine, cyanide and carbon monoxide that could affect fertility in both men and women negatively.
“In women of childbearing age, smoking can speed up the loss rate of eggs, and they would not conceive as efficiently as non-smokers.
“In pregnant women, smoking can cause miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, anomalies in babies, damage baby’s lungs, and also cause preterm contractions and even make baby small for his or her age.
“Later in life, sons of smoking mums can have low sperm count.
“In men, smoking can reduce sperm count, affect ability of sperm to move, causes abnormal sperm with damaged DNA, reduce volume of semen and decrease the sperm’s ability to fertilise egg,” she said.
Lewu said that a smoking man or woman could also put their partners at risk through second hand smoke and they could suffer all the associated health risks.
She, however, said that quitting smoking was one of the best natural ways to boost fertility.
According to her, if you quit smoking, fertility will improve, but does not reverse the decreased egg supply in women.
“Sadly, most people are not aware of the reproductive risks of smoking.
“And, we need to start educating and making people understand that smoking is a risk factor for infertility. So, they need to stop,” Lewu said.
Source: NAN
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]]>The post How abuse of painkillers can cause infertility -Gynaecologist appeared first on Frontpageng.
]]>Lewu, Convener, Keep All Mothers Alive (KAMA) Project, said on Monday in Awka that the consistent use of NSAIDs had negative effects on women’s menstrual cycle and ovulation.
She described NSAIDs or painkillers, as members of a drug class that reduces pain, decreases fever, prevents blood clots and in higher doses, decreases inflammation.
“Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) have also been implicated in infertility. The consistent use or abuse of these drugs prevent ovulation and lower progesterone levels in young women.
“It prevents follicle from breaking to release egg, and when egg is not released, there is nothing to fertilise by the sperm.
“Painkillers work mostly by blocking a particular pathway. This pathway is needed to achieve ovulation if blocked, a ripe follicle may not ovulate leading to Luteinised Unruptured Follicle (LUF) or other mild dysfunction,’’ she said.
Lewu said consistent use of NSAIDs or painkillers should be discouraged among women trying to get pregnant.
She urged young women to consult a physician for proper prescription, timing and restrictions before using painkillers.
“For those using painkillers for few days for menstrual pain, you have already ovulated before the period, so except your cycle is very short. NSAIDs should not affect your menses, ovulation and fertility.
“For those using NSAIDs consistently for other medical conditions, they are more at risk treating underlying cause. They need to find an alternative drug or therapy.
“There are other groups of analgesics that can be used in place of NSAIDs. If NSAID are to be used, it should be prescribed, timed and restricted. So, stop NSAIDs abuse,” she warned.
The gynaecologist also urged women to visit a doctor when they experienced ovulation or menstrual disorders and fertility issues, saying that there were other causes aside painkillers.
“Please note, if you have ovulation or menstrual disorders and fertility issues, you cannot assume it is only NSAIDs, consult a specialist,’’ she advised.
Source: NAN
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