Schizophrenia is a mental health condition caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Its symptoms are usually psychological, and include hallucinations, delusions, and muddled thinking. This is why schizophrenia is normally referred to as a psychotic illness. In the first few months of pregnancy, a developing baby derives its thyroid hormone needs from the mother.…
Pregnancy
2 million women and girls suffer Obstetric Fistula – Ban Ki-Moon
On the 23rd of May, during the commemoration of the International Day to End Fistula, the United Nation's Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, called for an end of fistula within a generation. In his statement, he pointed out that though great progress has been made on maternal and newborn health by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),…
WHO confirms Zika virus strain has spread to Africa
The World Health Organisation (WHO), has confirmed that a strain of the Zika virus has been found to be present in Cape Verde, an island country of volcanic archipelagos found off the western coast of Africa. Scientists at the Insititut Pasteur Dakar confirmed that it is the same strain of Zika found in the Americas, known as the Asian…
SAD! 150 pregnant women die every month in Kaduna – NURHI
The Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) has reported an alarming rate of maternal mortality in Kaduna State, putting the figures at 5 pregnant women dying per day, and 150 pregnant women dying per month, on the average. This was disclosed by the Kaduna State NURHI team leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Kabiru, who cited poverty as the main cause. “We are…
Dad’s love letter to mothers, melted hearts all over the world. MUST READ!
Grab your tissues, because the beautiful words below will surely make you emotional. US Jane the Virgin actor, and movie director, Justin Baldoni, welcomed his little girl Maiya late June last year. Justin went through a torrent of emotions as he experienced his wife's pregnancy and labour. He decided to pour out his heart in a heartfelt…
Too much folic acid in pregnant women raises the risk of Autism, says new research.
Even while still trying to conceive, folic acid is one prenatal supplement you will surely be advised to take. How is it then possible that there is a downside to this most important nutrient needed to prevent neural tube defect in a developing foetus? New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg College of Public Health suggests…
8 Common mistakes couples make when trying to conceive
The period a couple is trying to conceive (TTC) is definitely one of the most difficult in their lives. It’s a physically challenging time, as well as an emotionally draining one. In addition to this, our society is not particularly forgiving to childlessness, and in most cases the woman is at the receiving end. In a bid…
How To Know When You Are Fertile: Signs Of Ovulation
Just as every woman is different, the signs of ovulation also vary from one woman to another. Ovulation, which is the release of a mature egg from an ovary, occurs halfway through a woman's cycle, on the average between 10-16 days before a period; though this varies with different women. Once the egg is released, it…
How About An Infertility Announcement Photo-shoot For A Change?
Infertility is a very sensitive topic and not one to be joked about; but this couple wants you to know that finding the humour in your infertility struggle can be a good coping mechanism. Having suffered infertility themselves before finally taking the decision to adopt two boys, Whitney and Spencer thought it would be nice to create something…
15 Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
“Am I pregnant?" A question usually asked with bated breath when a woman starts noticing some signs in her body, a few weeks after she’s had unprotected sex. It is a question asked either out of expectation or with trepidation, depending on if the woman is trying to get pregnant or not. Obviously, the most accurate way…
“If it quacks like a duck, it obviously is a duck!” Nigerian mom shares her near-death postpartum pre-eclampsia experience
Pre-eclampsia is a condition which normally presents as a combination of high blood pressure, excessive swelling, and protein in the urine of a pregnant woman. It usually happens towards the end of pregnancy; but can also start much earlier. It is a serious condition, which if left untreated can result in eclampsia; where the associated…
Pregnancy Week 41
What's your baby up to? Well your baby hasn't grown much since last week. He is just waiting it out in your warm and cozy cocoon. Provided your placenta is still supplying nutrients, your baby is doing alright. How are you doing? At this point, you are so fed up with waiting and probably under pressure…
Pregnancy Week 40
Hurray! You made it to the official end of your pregnancy. It's been a long 280 days, what a well cooked baby you have in there! What's your baby up to? Your baby now weighs around 3.4kg and measures about 51.2cm from head to toe, about the size of a watermelon. Baby boys are usually heavier than…
Pregnancy Week 39
What's your baby up to? Your baby is officially “full term” this week. He now weighs about 3.28kg and measures about 50.7cm from head to toe. He is still piling on more body fat to keep warm after birth, especially in the elbow, knees and shoulders. Your baby still gets a steady supply of nutrients and antibodies from…
Pregnancy Week 38
What's your baby up to? Your baby is now tipping the scales at about 3.1 kg and measures around 6cm long from head to toe. Your baby is still growing a bit and filling up every inch of space in your womb. Though his space is cramped up, he is still as active as he's always…
Pregnancy Week 37
What's your baby up to? Your baby weighs about 2.8kg and measures around 48.8cm long from head to toe. Your baby is ready for the outside world, and there's hardly any more room left to kick around in; but he still needs a little more time for his brain and lungs to fully mature. Get your nail clips…
Pregnancy Week 36
What's your baby up to? Your baby now weighs a whopping 2.7kg (6 pounds) and measures about 47.4cm long from head to toe. He will continue to gain a little more weight until he is born. Your baby may have dropped lower in your pelvis with his head "engaged" in preparation for birth. By now, your…
Pregnancy Week 35
What's your baby up to? Your baby now weighs about 2.5kg and measures about 46cm long from head to toe. At about the size of a pineapple, he doesn’t have much room to do flips and somersaults, but he is still very active and kicking as before. His kidneys are functioning, liver is processing waste,…
Pregnancy Week 34
What's your baby up to? Your baby now weighs around 2.1kg and measures around 45cm from head to toe. Your baby's skin is increasingly smooth as he continues to gain weight. He is getting ready for his exit from your cozy womb. His lungs continue to mature for the outside world, with the production of surfactants escalating at…
Pregnancy Week 33
What's your baby up to? Your baby now weighs around 1.9kg and measures about 43.7cm from head to toe. He will keep adding more weight in the coming weeks. He's grown so big and has taken up most of the space in your uterus. As a result, his kicks and movements are more pronounced, and also…
