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Postpartum Bleeding: 5 Things You Should Know

June 16, 2020 by Adeola Adebo

Postpartum Bleeding: 5 Things You Should Know

It has been nine long months!

Your beautiful body has been through a lot of changes during this emotional period, all to climax at delivery. Noone could have warned you enough about intense labour pains you felt or prepared your emotions adequately for that cesarean section (C-section). Unlike what is portrayed in the movies, your body doesn’t automatically bounce back to normal after delivery. After all that hardwork, it would need some time to recover.

Recovery may take weeks to months after childbirth. You may experience some symptoms as your body attempts to return to its pre-pregnancy state.

One of these symptoms is Postpartum Bleeding, which is bleeding from the vagina after delivery.

If you’re a new mother experiencing this, or a new father wondering why your partner still bleeds and cramps even after your baby is here, this article is for you!

We’ve compiled a list of five things you need to know about postpartum bleeding.

Whether you had a vaginal or C-section delivery, some bleeding is expected after chilbirth — Some bleeding is expected after childbirth
Source: Shutterstock

What Is Postpartum Bleeding?

Vaginal birth and C-section moms experience some level of postpartum bleeding. The blood seen after childbirth is called lochia.

Lochia is actually not just blood, it also contains mucus, white blood cells and pieces of the womb’s lining, all mixed together in a bloody discharge. It looks very similar to your normal menstrual flow. Unlike period flow which typically lasts for 3-5 days, lochia may extend for up to six weeks after delivery.

What To Expect

In the first few days and weeks after delivery, your flow would look very similar to period blood; bright red but slightly heavier. It is also possible for you see pieces of tissue or what look like clots along with the blood.

As the days progress, the blood is expected to turn pink or brown in color. Also, the volume of discharge and size of the clots would begin to decrease. By the second week, the discharge will likely change to a white or yellow color. At this point, the bleeding may become inconsistent and your flow irregular.

After about three to six weeks, the bleeding is expected to stop.

If you delivered your baby through a caesarean section (C-section), your flow would be likely less than what occurs in a vaginal delivery. Regardless, you would probably still see some blood.

There Will Be Some Cramping !

Another thing to expect during your recovery period is postpartum cramping, also known as Afterpains. This usually accompanies postpartum bleeding and eases as the bleeding decreases. Postpartum cramping occurs because your uterus is trying to contract and shrink back to its normal size; thus causing lower abdominal pain that often feels like menstrual cramps.

These pains are most intense during the first two to three days after giving birth; when post partum bleeding is the heaviest, even though it might take about six weeks for your urerus to return back to its pre-pregnancy state.

For mothers who are breastfeeding, these pains would likely be more intense. When your baby suckles, a hormone called oxytocin is released.

Oxytocin causes your womb to contract. This intensifies the cramps. The cramping is more intense for first-time moms because your uterus has more muscle tone than a woman who has given birth more than once.

How Can You Manage The Bleeding?

At first, regular pads and tampons may not suffice as your flow would probably be heavier than your normal monthly menstrual period. Therefore, you may need to wear a hospital maternity pad to contain the bleeding.

Mums initially need thicker than usual highly absorbent pads after childbirth — Regular pads don’t often do the trick.
Source: Canva

As the weeks pass, and your bleeding slows, you can transition to a regular menstrual pad.

Once the bleeding is light enough, or you are only seeing slight discharge, you can switch to a panty liner.

Experts recommend that tampons and menstrual cups should be avoided during this period so that your vagina can properly heal. Also, take caution to change your pads regularly to prevent infection.

For mothers who experience afterpains, applying a warm heating pad or hot water bottle could bring some much needed relief. Pain relievers like an Ibuprofen or Paracetamol could also be taken with approval of a doctor.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

While it is completely normal to expect bleeding after delivery, care should be taken not to confuse postpartum bleeding with postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), which could be deadly.

Here are some warning signs that you need to contact your doctor immediately;

If your maternity pads constantly get soaked within an hour
You notice bright red bleeding that doesn’t lessen after a few days
Foul smelling discharge
A fever of 38°C or higher
Dizziness or faint feelings
Irregular and racing heartbeats
Large and numerous blood clots (about the size of a tomato)

Large blood clots on your menstrual pad is a bad sign — If you see blood clots the size of a tomato on your pad, contact your doctor immediately
Image: sutterstock

Regardless of how much information you may gather beforehand, having a baby is a major transition phase in your life. You may never be fully prepared for the changes your body and mind would undergo throughout the whole process.

This is entirely normal and you would need sufficient time to adjust. However, if you feel uncomfortable about anything, physically, emotionally or mentally, please reach out to your doctor or another health professional for advice.

We are here to help you.

References

Nic Hopkirk 2020, Lochia: Everything You Need to Know About Bleeding After Birth, Goodtoknow, Viewed on 28 May, 2020, <https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/pregnancy/lochia-everything-you-need-to-know-about-bleeding-after-birth-432111>
Rebel Wylie 2019, Postpartum Period: What You Need To Know About Bleeding After Birth, BountyParents, Viewed on 28 May, 2020, <https://www.bountyparents.com.au/expert-advice/postpartum-bleeding-period-after-birth/>.
Stephanie Watson 2018, Is Postpartum Bleeding Normal, Parenthood, Viewed on 28 May, 2020, <https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/is-postpartum-bleeding-normal>

Ectopic Pregnancy; Hauwa’s Story

June 16, 2020 by Adeola Adebo

Hauwa started feeling the pain in her tummy two days ago. It started as a dull, ache. It gradually got worse even after taking some tablets of over the counter medication.

Her period was two weeks late.

She hadn’t given it much thought until now, although questions like “Could I be pregnant? I have some of the signs kept on popping up.

What’s causing this pain and why wouldn’t it go away?” Eventually, she decided to visit the general hospital near her house.

Sever abdominal pain after a positive pregnancy test could point to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy — Severe Abdominal Pain Should Always Be Reported To A Doctor

During the consultation, the gynaecologist asked a number of questions. One of which was, “Had she any history of Sexually Transmitted Infection?” to which she affirmed. She explained that she was prescribed antibiotics. However, this was after several weeks of failed self-medication and worsening symptoms.

The doctor examined Hauwa. Furthermore, she asked her to get a pregnancy test and ultrasound scan done immediately. The pregnancy test came in positive but the ultrasound showed an empty womb! Where then was this pregnancy?

After a detailed search, an abnormal sac was found close to her ovary. There was a heartbeat.

The diagnosis was a ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy.

Hauwa was truly pregnant but the pregnancy was not in her womb!

How do pregnancies happen?

What’s An Ectopic Pregnancy?

From double lines on test strips to early morning nausea. From missed periods to positive blood tests. The news of conception is one that is often wrought with mixed feelings. In some cases, tears of joy, in others, absolute shock and disappointment.

A positive pregnancy test and an empty womb on ultrasound scan is see in ectopic pregnancy — Getting Pregnant
Source: Shutterstock

Regardless of the mode of reception, conception has occurred and more often than not, the fertilized egg has attached to the mother’s womb before she is even aware of it. This attachment provides a means for the growing baby to get the oxygen and nourishment necessary for its survival.

Any pregnancy in which this physical connection, between mother and child, occurs in any other site outside the womb is regarded as an Ectopic Pregnancy.

The most common site of ectopic pregnancy occurrence is the fallopian tube. Other less common sites include the ovary and the abdominal cavity.

What is an ectopic pregnancy

Causes & Sites

Ectopic Pregnancies are caused by any factor which prevents or causes a delayed transport of the fertilized egg through the fallopian tube. This leading to its attachment to the any part of the abdomen, ovaries, various parts of the fallopian tube, or cervix instead of the womb.

These factors may be inherited from parents or acquired at a point during a woman’s life.

Some of these factors include:

Complications of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) (e.g Pelvic Inflammatory Disease),
Masses or tumours of the ovary
Poorly done abortions
Smoking
Fertility treatments and
Previous ectopic pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancies can occur in the parts of the fallopian tube, abdomen, ovary and cervix — A section of the female reproductive system showing spots where an ectopic pregnancy can occur

What Does It Feel Like To Have An Ectopic Pregnancy?

In Nigeria, Ectopic Pregnancies make up 2-5% of all women’s health related emergencies. This statistic rises with every day. As it is with some health conditions, ectopic pregnancies don’t show symptoms till a rupture happens.

The common warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are:

light vaginal bleeding
lower abdominal pain.

As the pregnancy goes on, other observable symptoms like:

Observing you have missed your menstrual period
A swelling in your tummy may occur

In extreme situations of tubal pregnancy, the tubes may rupture, resulting in heavy bleeding. Other symptoms of this life-threatening situation may include lightheadedness, fainting spells and shock.

Is It Preventable?

It is essential to note that depending on the location, an ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed normally. In fact, the embryo cannot survive and the growing tissue may result in life-threatening bleeding if left untreated.

As a precaution for mums, it is advisable to conduct a scan. This determines the actual pregnancy site, especially if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy.

There is no hard and fast rule for prevention. The key to reducing its incidence lies in reducing the risk factors. Certain practices that have proven to be effective include:

Safe Abortion Practices

This serves to reduce the risk of an infection occurring after an abortion procedure. Whenever an abortion is necessary, a government certified hospital with qualified medical personnel is the best option.

Safe Sexual Behavior

Limiting the number of sexual partners and proper contraceptive education/use would help women like Hauwa reduce the risk of contracting certain STIs which may eventually result in Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases that can increase the chances of an Ectopic Pregnancy.

Safe Contraception

Every woman who aims to reduce her predisposition to ectopic pregnancies should consult qualified gynaecologists before selecting a plan. Furthermore, progesterone-only pills, as well as Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs) may increase the risk of Ectopic Pregnancies.

Lifestyle Modifications

Smoking has been observed to increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy by up to four times. Therefore, women of reproductive age (12- 51 years) are advised to refrain from smoking².

Seeking Medical Care Early

When infections arise, women are advised to promptly seek proper medical care. Proper treatment would ensure that the risk of a recurrence is minimal and the threat of an ectopic pregnancy in the future is greatly reduced.

Can Ectopic Pregnancies Be Managed?

An ectopic pregnancy, especially in the fallopian tube, is an emergency. Most ectopic sites are not wired to house and sustain a growing baby. If left undetected, it can rupture and cause heavy internal bleeding. This is totally different from threatened abortion.

Although it can lead to death in severe cases. Once discovered, the way Hauwa’s condition will be handled depends on the stage of the pregnancy as well as her physical condition at the time of diagnosis.

The most probable options include medical management with the administration of abortion medications, like Trophotoxics, at the site of the ectopic pregnancy. In addition to this, surgery might be required, especially in severe cases. Depending on the location of the pregnancy, a damaged ovary or tube may be removed.

Why do I keep loosing pregnancies?

You are not alone in this

Sadly, this condition is not unique to Hauwa, as a number of women in our society suffer this from time to time. In most cases, the pain is obvious to the people around them and family and friends may be at loss for what to do and how to help.

Therefore, everyone needs to have information on how to handle this situation as it takes a great toll on the emotional and mental health status of an affected woman.

Fortunately, a diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy is not a death sentence if discovered on time. With one tube and ovary you will still go on to have pregnancies in future .

References

Abdulkareem, Talal & Eidan, Sajeda. (2017). Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Prevention and Management. 10.5772/intechopen.71999.

Deborah Weatherspoon 2019, What Causes Upper Stomach Pain, Medical News Today, Viewed on 26 May, 2020, <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324591>.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2020, Ectopic Pregnancy, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Viewed on 26 May, 2020, <https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/ectopic-pregnancy/>.

Taran, Florin-Andrei & Kagan, Karl & Hoopmann, Markus & Wallwiener, Dr. Diethelm & Brucker, Sara & Huebner, Markus. (2015). The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy. 10.15496/publikation-11970.

10 Nigerian Foods That Boost Breast Milk Supply

May 27, 2020 by Adeola Adebo

Nigerian Foods That Increase Breast Milk Supply

In Nigeria, traditional postpartum care remains an age-long custom. This celebrated activity is commonly called omugwo in Igbo, ojojo omo in Yoruba and wanka’n jegoin Hausa. As expected, mothers place a lot of attention on Nigerian foods that boost breast milk supply. Thankfully, this article contains the list you’ve been searching for to increase breast milk production.

During this highly anticipated period, new mothers(especially first-timers) are usually encouraged to rest as they ease into their new roles as mothers. An important aspect of this role is child nourishment, new mothers are usually put through indigenous methods to improve milk production.

Believe it or not….

Nigerian mothers depend largely on regular suckling by the infant to boost breast milk supply. That is, the more a baby suckles at its mother’s breast, the more milk is produced. It would interest you to know that this is not just a superstition, it is a known scientific fact.

Therefore, the best way to improve breast milk production is to keep on nursing your baby on demand. To achieve this, moms use the power pumping technique. This is 3-4 intermittent pumping sessions for 10 minutes with breaks in between.

However, for some mothers, this is strategy is often insufficient as they often deal with pain while breastfeeding and struggle daily to produce enough milk for their babies.

If you’re like the typical mom who can’t bear the sound of their lovely baby’s cries of hunger, we’ve got you covered with this list of Nigerian foods that will help you increase the rate at which your breast produces milk.

List of Nigerian Foods That Boost Breast Milk Production

1. Fura de nunu ( Milk and Millet Gruel)

This is a common beverage originating from the Fulani people of West Africa. With Fura de nunu, you have a rich, delicious blend of fermented cow’s milk (nunu) and millet dough (fura).

In addition to refreshing you on a hot afternoon, Fura contains many essential nutrients which improve breast milk production.

It would interest you to know that Nunu is an excellent source of protein, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A, C, E and B complex. Fura is also contains essential amino acids, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and micronutrients. If taken regularly, this is a sure way to increase the production of very rich breast milk for your little one.

2. Kunu (A Northern Nigerian Gruel)

Another staple beverage that is quite popular in most parts of Nigeria, especially the north, is Kunu. Commonly made from millet, rice, sorghum, tiger nuts, guinea corn, maize, or a mixture of some or all of these, this locally made drink is just the right thing for you!

Furthermore, Kunu contains lactic acid, carbohydrates, proteins, and fat which are essential for normal body function. This drink would definitely leave you feeling nourished.

In addition, you get more breast milk to nourish your baby.

3. Pap

Popularly known as Akamu, Ogi, Eko or its fancier name, African Corn Porridge, this is a fermented pudding cereal made from millet, maize or sorghum. It is a ready-to-eat food packed with numerous essential nutrients like carbohydrate, B vitamins, folic acid, vitamins A and C, potassium, zinc and others.

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - pap — Pap is highly nutritious and helps in boosting breast milk production

Considering its highly nutritious content, it is no wonder why so many of our mothers swear by this meal to help increase breast milk production. Please note that Pap is best taken with milk and sugar to give you a satisfying experience.

4. Moringa

This nutrient packed plant is a great source of vitamins and minerals, nursing mothers would get more out of these than most other vegetables. It is a multi-purpose herbal plant, that is, all parts of this plant can be used as it contains varying amounts of essential amino acids, anitoxidants, carotenoids and many other nutrients.

Research has proven that infusing this plant into your meals is an effective means of improving your mother’s milk production. Moringa leaves can be added to soups, salads, or simply taken in juice form.

5. Carrots

Eating carrots is a great way to boost lactation as they contain vitamin A and potassium, both of which help to improve the quality and quantity of breast milk.

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - carrots — Eating carrots are a great way to increase your supply as well as loose weight

As a plus, they’re a great way to lose that stubborn baby fat. They can be snacked on, juiced or eaten raw in the form of salads. Carrots are available everywhere and may just be the boost your mammary glands need.

6. Kaun (Pot-ash/ Keun / Akanwu)

Potash is a general name for potassium-containing compounds. Kaun, a lake- salt, is an ancient Nigerian food additive used in traditional cooking that has been known to add flavour and improve the taste of a dish. It’s a form of potash. Other sources are from palm kernel shells and dried, roasted unripe plantain peels.

Most women do not know that kaun is also helpful when nursing babies. Its high mineral content can serve a great stimulant for lactation. Potash should be taken in moderation in its cooked form. Excessive amounts (more than a teaspoon daily) can cause upset tummy. It can cause uterne contrations and thus must be avoided in pregnancy,

7.Watermelon

Sweet and juicy watermelons are another great addition to this list of lactogenic foods. This fruit is rich in fiber, fructose and a variety of minerals and vitamins. Additionally, its remarkably high water content would keep you hydrated, get your milk flowing and keep your baby full.

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - watermelon

You can slice, dice or even blend this it in addition to other fruits to make a delicious smoothie. In addition, watermelons can be grilled.

8. Ofada Rice

Known globally as brown rice, locally grown Ofada /Abakaliki Rice is an effective addition to your diet as a nursing mother because it contains a variety nutrients like minerals, vitamin B and E. It also contains hormonal stimulants that help to improve lactation and increase breast milk production.

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - ofada — Ofada (Brown Rice) is an effective addition to your meal to increase breast milk production

If you’re also planning to lose that persistent baby fat, you should definitely switch white rice for a well prepared bowl of ofada rice and sauce.

9.Garlic

Garlic is popular for improving the immune system but do you know that it can also help improve breast milk production? Commonly used as a seasoning or spice in traditional cooking, garlic has a rich supply of enzymes, vitamins and minerals that help improve milk production.

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - garlic — Garlic is a natural breast milk booster

But remember to go easy on this one, it’s notorious for causing body odours, especially when taken in large quantities. Therefore, its best to approach this with necessary caution.

10.Water

Breast milk is essentially made up of water. Therefore, staying hydrated is crucial to breast milk production. And what better way to stay hydrated than to drink lots of water?

Nigerian foods that boost breast milk production - water — Drink up to 2.5l of water daily to boost your milk supply especially after breastfeeding

A minimum of 8 glasses per day is the target! Remember, the goal is not only to increase the quantity of breast milk you produce, but also to improve its quality.

Yeah…we know we said 10 but there’s more……

Ewe bombo (awalagbo in Yoruba)
Uda and other herbs used to make pepper soup for pregnant women
Tiger nuts and dates
Ginger ( preferably freshly grated in warm water)
Cumin
Fenugreek (It’s called “hulba” grown in Northern Nigeria ladies!)

Finally, an overall healthy diet is key, not only to help nourish your newborn, but also to nourish you.

Learn more about foods that increase your breastmilk supply

Perineal Bottles: Relief For Mums After Vaginal Birth

May 27, 2020 by Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit Founder - Edie & Amy Co

Mums often complain of discomfort while sitting or peeing after undergoing a vaginal birth. This is often due to stretching and tearing that may occur in the perineal area (the diamond-shaped space between the thighs which consists of the openings to the vagina, urethra, and anus). Furthermore, hemorrhoids (swollen veins inside the rectum or in the skin surrounding the anus) are also a source of discomfort. Thankfully, perineal bottles provide relief and are really easy to use!

The truth is, healing from an episiotomy or a tear, or managing hemorrhoids after childbirth is uncomfortable enough.

Using a perineal wash bottle with either warm or ice-cold water while you pee brings welcome relief. There are several designs. The curved and the regular bottle.

medline cleansing bottle, 8oz. - Walmart.com

How do I keep my perineal bottle clean?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Keeping your bottle clean is easy:⠀⠀⠀

Wash the cover and bottle once daily with warm soapy water. Simply fill the bottle, shake and squeeze to flush the nozzle with the soapy water.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Don’t leave water in the bottle for more than 24 hours.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Discard your bottle after one year of use.⠀⠀

We love perineal bottles because they are portable and provide relief from natural but often uncomfortable challenges mums face (hemorrhoids, post-delivery tears and scars, and monthly periods).

The Edie and Amy Company currently stocks the Medline brand. Order one, or two for yourself from us.
Price N1500. Visit our Instagram page to learn more.

Excessive Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

May 14, 2020 by Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit Founder - Edie & Amy Co

Bukola was 6 weeks pregnant and worked at the Lekki branch of a retail bank. This was her first pregnancy. She covered the customer service desk. The bouts of retching, nausea, and vomiting often disrupted her day. She couldn’t keep her meals down. In fact, tiredness, dizziness, dry mouth, and a heavy pounding in her chest were quite common in this period.

On more than one occasion on her way to work, she would have to get off at the Lekki Admiralty Bustop to throw up before getting to the office. It got so bad sometimes she would faint at work and would have to be rushed to the hospital. This was followed by several days on admission and time off work.

Imagine suffering from nausea and vomitting in pregnancy every day and having to brave Lagos traffic! — Lekki Admiralty Bustop, Lagos

Bukola was experiencing was a rare condition known as “Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

“Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is the most severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy”. HG leads to dehydration, disruptions in metabolic and electrolyte imbalances as well as weights-loss.
Ogunyemi, Fong, Isaacs et al. Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Emedicine Medscape. 2017 Jan. Emedicine

What causes it?

The exact cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is unknown. Interestingly, several theories suggest that the following may be at play:

The effect of a combination of genes in a mothers DNA
Hormonal changes in pregnancy
The liver and gut not functioning as they should.
Changes in a mother’s sense of smell during pregnancy
A stomach infection with a bacteria called H. Pylori

Excessive vomittingin pregnancy can take it's toll — Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is the most severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Who then is at risk?

If you are a first time mum,
have ever had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in your previous pregnancies,
you are pregnant with more than one baby ( a set of twins, triplets etc)
or you have a tumour in the womb associated with pregnancy (trophoblastic disease) you are predisposed to having this hyperemesis gravidarum

For some mums, nausea and vomiting resolve after the first trimester. However, some mums go on to struggle. They are often in and out of the hospital till they finally give birth to their babies.

You should visit the hospital in the following situations:

if ever the bouts of vomiting don’t stop and you can’t hold even sips of fluid down,
you feel constantly dizzy, disoriented and unable to focus
and your heart is pounding (i.eyou become aware of your heartbeart)

Eventually, you may need to be admitted. Subsequently, you may be given fluids and medication to correct the imbalances caused and to stop the vomiting.

Finally, no matter the cause of your hyperemesis gravidarum, it’s bound to take its toll.

The implications…..

financial (health bills), physical (weakness, weight-loss, poor appetite), and logistical (work interruptions, having to make arrangements to get to and fro or stay in hospital); can leave a mum frustrated or feeling bad about herself.

Know this…. no matter how many times you have to be admitted for care, or stay home from work, having HG does not mean you are lazy or weak as a mum… it happens to the best of us.

Miscarriage or pregnancy loss — Having to go in and out of hospital can take its toll on you

7 Signs of Hunger in Newborn Babies

April 25, 2020 by Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit Founder - Edie & Amy Co

Signs of Hunger in Newborn Babies

Babies are usually good communicators. The trouble is we don’t often pay attention or know what to look out for. The following are common signs that your baby is hungry:

Baby signs of hunger, baby feeding, feeding baby.

7 Signs of a Hungry Baby

Baby keeps opening the mouth
Sticking out the tongue
Making sucking movements
Baby is constantly bringing their hands up to their mouth and chewing their hands
Moving their limbs as though crawling or cycling in the air
Turning their head towards the chest or breast of whoever is carrying them
Crying and being irritable. Crying is a late sign of hunger and some babies may get so worked up that they won’t want to latch onto your breast or teat of the bottle or they could latch onto your nipple in their haste and annoyance. This, I assure you, will bring you exquisite pain.

A satisfied baby is relaxed with inactive limbs, may turn away from your chest, lets go from breast or bottle feeding, and falls asleep.

Babies tend to cluster feed at times when they are experiencing rapid growth. Cluster feeding is characterized by showing signs of hunger more frequently than usual (frequently observed by mothers who schedule their baby feeding times at intervals as opposed to feeding the baby on demand).

What is Cluster Feeding?

Cluster feeding is when the baby seems to be hungry and wants to feed frequently over a short period of time. It is very normal with newborn babies.

A baby who usually feeds every 3 hours may demand food every 2 hours for a span of 3 days. For breastfeeding mothers, it’s nature’s way of increasing your milk supply by demanding more milk from you in response to your baby’s next stage of growth characterized by the need for larger quantities of milk. Growth spurts can be observed at 2 days old, 3 months old, and 6- 9 months old.

How can I tell if my baby is getting enough?

This is a question asked by new mums all over the world. Newborn feeding constantly leads to friction between new mothers and their mothers and mothers-in-law in Nigeria. The anxiety this causes tempts us to introduce water or formula in the first few days of life when our actual goal was to breastfeed exclusively.

These conflicts stem from:

Lack of knowledge of individual and general signs of hunger and feeding patterns in your newborn.
Inadequate knowledge of the normal progression of weight gain/fluctuations
Lack of knowledge of the signs that a baby is being adequately nourished.
Poor infant feeding practices or alternatives when challenges arise.

Causes of Pregnancy Loss or Miscarriage

April 1, 2020 by Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit Founder - Edie & Amy Co

The true cause of 25-60% of pregnancy losses is unknown. Where it is known the causes could vary from medical conditions affecting the baby itself to those affecting the mother.
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Most pregnancy losses within the first trimester are due to genetic disorders in the baby which are not compatible with life.

Thereafter,

structural or functional abnormalities with the body of the mother’s womb or placenta or cervix,
pre-existing medical conditions in the mother such as sickle cell disease, poorly controlled diabetes or hypertension, pre-eclampsia and thyroid disease,
hormonal imbalances,
incompatibilities with the mother and baby’s blood group (eg. Rhesus incompatibilities),
immune diseases such as antiphospholipid syndrome,
infections and
trauma are common causes of stillbirth.

Some of these conditions may threaten the ability of the mother’s body to sustain the pregnancy to its completion. They do this directly or cause abnormalities in the unborn baby that may not be compatible with its survival.

Useful advice for going back to work after a miscarriage

What causes miscarriages?

The true cause of 25-60% of pregnancy losses is unknown. Where it is known the causes could vary from medical conditions affecting the baby itself to those affecting the mother.

Why Is Finding Out the Cause Important?

The essence of exploring the causes of pregnancy loss with your health provider (where possible) is to set in motion a plan of action. The aim is to permanently correct any abnormality, manage any chronic condition proactively. Thus, we may be better prepared to forestall a repeat pregnancy loss the next time the mother conceives.

With the guilt that follows miscarriages, some individuals believe that sexual intercourse, strenuous exercise or work can lead to miscarriages. On the contrary, there is no known evidence to support this notion.

A story of still birth

What do you Feel When a miscarriage Occurs?

Sometimes a pregnancy loss may be silent ie. the mother may not observe any obvious signs coming to the knowledge of what has occurred during a routine check or after a missed period.

Common symptoms include:

bleeding of various degrees,
passage of the fetus or bits of tissue from your vagina,
abdominal cramps of various degrees, fever,
lower back pain and loss of previously felt symptoms of pregnancy such as breast fullness, nausea.

Once a total or imminent pregnancy loss is confirmed, your health care provider will need to ensure that your womb is completely empty. This is verified through a series of tests which would include an ultra sound scan as well as give you medication and/or perform a surgical procedure on you.

What causes miscarriages ?

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2.1 EdieandAmy collects the above-mentioned information using forms, email, physical requests, cookies, web tokens and pi-sync.
2.2 When you send email or other communications to EdieandAmy, we may retain those communications in order to process your inquiries, respond to your requests and improve our services. When you access EdieandAmy’s services, our servers automatically record information that your browser sends whenever you visit a website.
2.3 We use the above-mentioned information for research, regulatory compliance, marketing, business development, listing on pharmaceutical and medical directories, publicity, human resources management, recruitment, events planning
and hosting, in-house security and analysis, key business operation, processing or carrying out tasks to fulfill business goals or objectives and purposes that are agreed with the Data Subject.
3. Consent and Access Rights
3.1 We require your consent for the processing of your data. We shall obtain your consent for individual matters, where any document deals with different matters.
3.2 If we intend to use your data for a purpose which is different from the purpose for which your data was obtained, we will seek your consent prior to the use of your data for that other purpose.
3.2 In the event of any merger, acquisition or other arrangement whereby EdieandAmy sells or transfers all, or a portion of its business or assets (including in the event of a reorganization, dissolution or liquidation) to third parties, you hereby consent that your personal data held with EdieandAmy can be transferred or assigned to third parties who may become the controllers and/or processors of your personal data that was held by EdieandAmy prior to such merger, acquisition or other arrangement. EdieandAmy shall at all times ensure that you are notified when your personal data is intended to be transferred to third parties in the circumstances outlined in this clause.
3.3 No consent shall be sought, given or accepted in any circumstance that may engender direct or indirect propagation of atrocities, hate, child rights violation, criminal acts and anti-social conducts.
3.4 You may withdraw your consent, in writing, at any time and may request access to your personal information in our possession at [ ]. We can, however, deny you access to the information where we determine that your request is unreasonable.
3.5 You reserve the right to request the modification or amendment of your personal data in our possession.
3.6 In all cases of access or modification / amendment of personal information, we shall request sufficient identification to enable us to confirm that you are the owner of the data sought to be accessed or modified / amended.
4. YOUR RIGHTS
You have rights in relation to the way we handle your personal data. These include the following rights:
a) where the legal basis of our processing is consent, to withdraw that consent at any time;
b) to ask for access to the personal data that we hold;
c) to prevent our use of the personal data for direct marketing purposes;
d) to object to our processing of personal data in limited circumstances; and
e) to ask us to erase personal data without delay:
(i) if it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed;
(ii) if the only legal basis of processing is consent and that consent has been withdrawn and there is no other legal basis on which we can process that personal data;
(iii) if you object to our processing where the legal basis is the pursuit of a legitimate interest or the public interest and we can show no overriding legitimate grounds or interest; and
(iv) if the processing is unlawful.
f) to ask us to rectify inaccurate data or to complete incomplete data;
g) to restrict processing in specific circumstances e.g. where there is a complaint about accuracy;
h) to ask us for a copy of the safeguards under which personal data is transferred outside of Nigeria;
i) the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing, including profiling, except where necessary for entering into, or performing, a contract, with EdieandAmy; it is based on your explicit consent and is subject to safeguards; or is authorised by law and is also subject to safeguards;
j) to prevent processing that is likely to cause damage or distress to you or anyone else;
k) to data portability;
l) to be notified of a personal data breach which is likely to result in high risk to their rights and freedoms;
m) to make a complaint to NITDA or any other regulatory body; and
n) in limited circumstances, receive or ask for their personal data to be transferred to a Third Party (e.g. another company which the client has dealing with) in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.
5. Personal Data Protection Principles
When we process your personal data, we are guided by the following principles, which require personal data to be:
a) processed lawfully, fairly, in a transparent manner and with respect for the dignity of the human person.
b) collected only for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes.
c) adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed.
d) accurate and where necessary kept up to date.
e) removed or not kept in a form which permits identification of data subject for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed.
f) processed in a manner that ensures its security, using appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage.
6. User Responsibility
You are required to familiarise yourself with this policy and to ensure that the information you provide to us is complete, accurate and up to date.
7. Data Security
6.1 EdieandAmy implements and maintains appropriate safeguards to protect personal data, taking into account in particular the risks to you, presented by unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss, destruction of, or damage to their personal data.
7.2 Safeguarding will include the use of encryption and pseudonymisation where appropriate. It also includes protecting confidentiality (i.e. that only those who need to know and are authorised to use personal data have access to it), integrity and availability of the personal data. We regularly evaluate and test the effectiveness of those safeguards to ensure security of our processing of personal data.
7.3 You should be aware, however, that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect the security of your information and are constantly reviewing and enhancing our information security measures, we cannot guarantee absolute security. EdieandAmy, therefore, accepts no liability for any damage or loss, however caused, in connection with transmission over the internet or electronic storage.
8. Links to third party sites
The EdieandAmy website may contain links to other websites owned and operated by third parties. These links are provided for your information and convenience only and are not an endorsement by EdieandAmy of the content of such linked websites or third parties. The information that we collect from you will become available to these websites if you click the link to the websites. These linked websites are neither under our control nor our responsibility. EdieandAmy, therefore, makes no warranties or representations, express or implied about the safety of such linked websites, the third parties they are owned and operated by and the suitability or quality of information contained on them. This Privacy Policy does not apply to these websites, thus, if you decide to access these linked third-party websites and/or make use of the information contained on them, you do so entirely at your own risk. EdieandAmy accepts no liability for any damage or loss, however caused, in connection with accessing, the use of or reliance on any information, material, products or services contained on or accessed through any such linked websites. We advise that you contact those websites directly for information on their privacy policy, security, data collection and distribution policies.
9. Third Party Access
9.1 EdieandAmy will only share personal information with other companies, entities or individuals in the following limited circumstances:
a) We have your consent.
b) We provide such information to other professional advisers or other trusted businesses or persons for the purpose of processing personal information on our behalf. We require that these parties agree to process such information based on our instructions and in compliance with this Privacy Policy and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
c) We have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (i) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request, (ii) enforce applicable terms of service, including investigation of potential violations thereof, (iii) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, or (iv) protect against imminent harm to the rights, property or safety of EdieandAmy, its users or the public as required or permitted by law.
9.2 EdieandAmy is at all times, responsible for the security and appropriate use of that data as long as it remains with EdieandAmy.
10. Violation of Privacy
10.1 We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you of any personal data breach and let you know the steps we have taken to remedy the breach and the security measures we have applied to render your personal data unintelligible.
10.2 All suspected breach of personal data will be remedied within 1 (one) month from the date of the report of the breach.
10.3 If you know or suspect that a personal data breach has occurred, you should immediately contact the EdieandAmy team at info@wildfusions.com .
10.4 EdieandAmy will not be responsible for any personal data breach which occurs as a result of:
a) an event which is beyond the control of EdieandAmy;
b) an act or threats of terrorism;
c) an act of God (such as, but not limited to fires, explosions, earthquakes, drought, tidal waves and floods) which compromises EdieandAmy’s data protection measures;
d) war, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), invasion, act of foreign enemies, mobilisation, requisition, or embargo;
e) rebellion, revolution, insurrection, or military or usurped power, or civil war which compromises EdieandAmy’s data protection measures;
f) Pandemics or epidemics;
g) the transfer of your personal data to a third party on your instructions; and h) the use of your personal data by a third party designated by you.
11. Data Retention
EdieandAmy shall retain and use your Personal Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your request and contract with EdieandAmy and a maximum of [•] after the expiration or termination of the contract or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and security laws. At your request, at any time, your Personal Data which is in the custody of
EdieandAmy may be deleted unless we are required by law to retain such information for a certain period of time so at to comply with our obligations under the law.
12. How to Contact Us
For any enquiries you have in relation to this Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact us info@wildfusions.com