To understand postpartum depression, it is necessary to understand the chemical, social, and psychological changes that occur when a woman gives birth. The term refers to a variety of physical and emotional changes that many new mothers experience. Medications and counseling can be used to treat PPD.

After childbirth, hormone levels begin to fall rapidly. There’s no conclusive evidence that this decline contributes to depression. Pregnancy raises levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, by 10 times. After that, they begin to decline rapidly. The levels of these hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels within three days of childbirth.

It’s also possible to develop depression due to the social and psychological changes that accompany having a child.

Postpartum depression is a common occurrence for new mothers. Women who have given birth to a child are more likely to suffer from a more severe and long-lasting form of postpartum depression. It is estimated that one in a thousand women will suffer from postpartum psychosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression.

When it comes to postpartum depression, the symptoms can be difficult to spot. Following childbirth, many women experience the following symptoms:

• Inability to fall asleep
• Food habits change
• Severe fatigue
• Lower libido
• Mood swings on a regular basis.

When you have Postpartum Depression, you may also experience other signs and symptoms of major depression that aren’t typical after childbirth, such as:

Feeling disinterested in your baby or a lack of connection with the baby.

 Constantly crying, often for no apparent reason.

• depressed mood
• Extreme rage and irritability
• Dissatisfaction
• A sense of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness 
• Suicidal or homicidal thoughts
• Thoughts of harming another person
• Inability to focus or make decisions

Hacey provides support for women, especially those who are expecting or nursing a baby. Our work in maternal health, has enabled us assist numerous women. Visit the website at hacey.org for more details.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post The Symptoms of Postpartum Depression: What Is It? appeared first on HACEY.

Midwifery makes a difference by providing care for both women and babies. When it comes to midwifery care, women and their families benefit from a combination of prevention and support, early identification and prompt treatment or referral of complications, as well as respectful and compassionate care during a crucial time in their lives. During pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, midwives work to enhance women’s own abilities as well as the normal processes of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

When it comes to any health system, midwifery is a critical component, and the implementation of high-quality midwifery services will help to strengthen efforts to reform health systems. Midwives play an important role in ensuring that the woman, her baby, and her family receive the appropriate care at the appropriate time. Women and babies require midwifery care in all settings, including those where there are no midwives or where midwives’ scope of practice is restricted. The care of women in these situations should be provided by other health-care professionals, such as doctors and nurses, community health workers, and others who have received specialized training in midwifery skills. In such circumstances, it is likely that healthcare professionals will need to collaborate in order to ensure that women and babies receive the comprehensive care that they require.

HACEY is joining the celebrations with the Midwives’ Society and other midwives around the world as the world marked International Midwives Day.

For more information on our maternal health project, please visit hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post Midwives Are Life Savers for Women appeared first on HACEY.

When you are planning to have a baby, it can be a thrilling and challenging time in your life. If you are experiencing emotional changes at this time, don’t be surprised. With pregnancy comes the normal feeling of apprehension and dread about what’s ahead. This is a stressful time for a lot of people, especially when they realize that they are facing significant changes that they cannot fully prepare for or control.

Stress can also be associated with the pregnancy itself. Apart from having to deal with hormonal and physical changes, you may also be anxious about things like antenatal tests, especially if you’ve had a bad experience in the past, such as a miscarriage.

During pregnancy (during the ‘antenatal’ period) and after birth (during the ‘postnatal’ period), both women and men can experience mental health problems.

Certain conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, can be brought on by pregnancy for some people (less common). Pregnancy depression affects up to one to ten women and one in every twenty men. In addition, many women experience anxiety and depression at the same time during their prenatal period.

Certain factors can increase your chances of developing anxiety and depression while pregnant. Here are some of them: past or current problems with your mental health, feeling you don’t have enough support, going through a difficult time, such as a difficult time in your relationship, past or current abuse of any kind, and drug and/or alcohol problems.

For all expectant mothers and their partners, it is a good idea to keep track of their mental health and well-being throughout their pregnancy. Look for signs that you might require assistance and prepare to act if the situation calls for it.

If you’ve been feeling consistently bad (e.g. sad or worried) for more than two weeks, if you’re having negative thoughts and feelings that are starting to interfere with your ability to function normally, or if you’re showing signs of depression such as losing interest or feeling hopeless or unable to cope, then it’s time to seek advice from a healthcare professional. In addition, you may experience overwhelming anxiety or worry most of the time, which may result in panic attacks or the development of obsessive or compulsive behavior.

For more information on our maternal and mental health, check www.hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post Understanding Mental Health And Complications During Pregnancy appeared first on HACEY.

The health of a mother during pregnancy and after childbirth is critical to her physical and mental well-being, as well as her ability to provide love and proper care to her newborn child at birth and many years afterward.

Maternal health and the quality of life of their children are critically important, which is why it is so critical to place a strong emphasis on maternal health during pregnancy and after childbirth. The development and health of their unborn child are the primary concerns of most pregnant women. Nonetheless, it is critical for expectant mothers to have regular prenatal visits not only to ensure the health of their child but also to ensure their health during and after pregnancy.

While a woman is pregnant and throughout her prenatal doctor visits, any existing health risks can be identified and measures taken to prevent any ongoing health problems, not only for the child but also for the mother herself.

During pregnancy and childbirth, every mother should have access to high-quality care, and every child should have a healthy start in life as well. Birthing a child should be a joyful occasion, but it is often a source of anxiety for many women around the world. Women die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth at a rate of more than 800 per day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). When given the proper resources and care, the vast majority of these deaths could be avoided. For the sake of themselves and their unborn child, HACEY encourages pregnant women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. HACEY has been impactful in providing facilities that will be of benefit to pregnant women.  Hacey.org provides additional information on our maternal Health.

Visit www.hacey .org for more information on our maternal health project.

Written By Adegboye Michael

The post The Role of Maternal Health Care During and After pregnancy appeared first on HACEY.

It is critical that both the mother and the newborn infant have a thorough physical examination and evaluation within one hour of birth, six hours after birth, as well as during the first 24 hours following birth and before being discharged from the hospital to their home. For this reason, it is recommended that mothers stay at the hospital for at least 24 hours after delivery. This is in order to ensure close monitoring of both mother and child. This also provides the mother with an opportunity to relax.

Following the immediate postpartum period, a minimum of three visits is advised within the first six weeks after delivery. This is usually done 2–3 days after birth, 7–14 days after birth, and 6 weeks after delivery, according to a standard schedule. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider which components of postnatal care may be offered at or near to the patient’s home by community-based or primary care health practitioners, and which components could be provided efficiently at the healthcare facility level.

It is critical that women receive high-quality postpartum care from a qualified healthcare professional. The care provided at the time of birth and in the immediate postnatal period should be provided by a skilled birth attendant, who is defined as “an accredited health care professional – such as a midwife, doctor, or nurse – who has been educated and trained to proficiency in the skills needed to manage normal (uncomplicated) pregnancies and childbirth, as well as the identification, management, and referral of complications in women and newborn babies.”

Additionally, competent birth attendants are available to provide care during later postnatal care visits to a hospital institution. Postnatal care can be given in part or in full by a variety of various cadres of healthcare professionals at the community level, including in certain cases by a community-based health care worker in some contexts. The provision of a comprehensive package of postnatal care at all levels is essential in all circumstances. This includes clear referral channels in place for mothers or babies who develop problems or sicknesses that need additional investigation and management.

For the mother and her family, childbirth and the period immediately following childbirth are significant social and cultural events that must be celebrated. In order to successfully begin their new life together, it is critical that a supportive atmosphere exists in which a mother, her infant, and their family feel well educated and equipped.

All postnatal care consultations should be conducted in a setting where the mother and infant may be seen together by the same healthcare professional at the same time. This should be in a room or area that is warm and bright, well ventilated, and where the appropriate level of privacy can be maintained.

It is essential that the health and well-being of both mother and child be prioritized during the postnatal care consultation. A ‘debriefing’ and discussion of what happened during pregnancy and birth, as well as whether or not there were any issues or challenges, gives for a better understanding of what could happen in future pregnancies. Options for family planning should be explored and made available.

A woman’s understanding of the possible consequences of any tests or investigations performed during and after pregnancy should be addressed with her once the findings of such tests or investigations have been reviewed with her.

It is a good time to assess maternal co-morbidities and determine whether the mother has been checked and treated for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, syphilis, anemia, hypertension, or diabetes while she is expecting the baby. When a mother has a new baby, she will have the opportunity to bond with her child, nurture and feed her child. She will require support and advice during this time, as well as the ability to express any concerns she may have about herself and her newborn child.

To learn more about our maternal health project, Visit www.hacey.org 

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post Motherhood and Assessment of Postnatal Care appeared first on HACEY.

Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and child. It increases a child’s vulnerability to other diseases and causes growth and development to be stunted in the short term. It is connected with a significant economic impact, including a direct loss of productive government labor or educational opportunities. An increased incidence of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, premature labor, fetal distress, congenital infections, fetal death in utero, stillbirths, and intrauterine growth restriction has been linked to malaria exposure during pregnancy.

Most often, Pregnant women stand at  higher risk of developing severe and complex malaria than other people. Despite the availability of effective therapies, malaria remains a serious public health problem, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of childhood and maternal death. This is because children have undeveloped and weaker immune systems.

Pregnant women who, because of poverty or a lack of education, do not seek antenatal care and do not have access to preventive malaria treatment may have issues when the disease progressed to an advanced stage. This may result in abortion, stillbirth, early delivery, low birth weight kids, or a high rate of mortality in pregnant women as a result of the situation.

For pregnant women in areas of stable transmission of malaria, World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a three-pronged approach to controlling and combating malaria. They include; intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), as well as prompt and effective case management of malaria.

It is critical for pregnant women to avoid malaria during their pregnancy in order to avoid serious consequences. Pregnant women are delicate, and maintaining their health is essential.

For more information regarding Maternal health visit our website, at hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post Combating Malaria Infections During Pregnancy appeared first on HACEY.

Follow-up care is an extremely crucial part of antenatal care, as it can detect and prevent early pregnancy-related issues, such as hypertension and diabetes, which can have significant effects on the fetus.

Prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Despite eating a healthy diet, your body will still require supplements in order to keep up with the additional work it is doing. Other nutrients included in folic acid and pregnancy multivitamins are essential for supporting neural tube development, infant growth, and anemia prevention.

While antenatal education offers encouragement, it also teaches you details about dealing with pregnancy. This includes how your child is growing, what to anticipate when you give birth, and how to take care of your child right after birth. 

Your spouse might not be aware of the other side of pregnancy, the one in which dad plays a vital role. Antenatal care informs and educates expectant parents on what they can do to help. It is unclear where everyone fits into the big picture for anticipating parents, but a skilled prenatal care practitioner can help.

It is thrilling and wonderful to be pregnant, but it can also be challenging and demanding at times. Fortunately, there is a lot of support available. You will explore birthing alternatives, newborn care, breastfeeding, immunizations, and family planning throughout antenatal care.

HACEY is entirely dedicated to improving the well-being of pregnant women both during and after pregnancy. We have had a significant impact on pregnant women’s health as a result of our Maternal and Impact Health Projects.

For more information on these projects, please visit www.hacey.org. You can also access our donation page via www.hacey.org. your donation goes a long way to improve the health system

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post Importance of Antenatal Care to Families appeared first on HACEY.

The gesture which is presented under the project name “Impact Health Project”, was to reduce maternal mortality by improving the quality of real health service provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formation and improving quality of service.

The items are to help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology in the state.

The items donated include 30,000 doses of IPTp-SP (Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) and 10,000 Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, to promote the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

Others items are 275 android smartphones to Oyo State Ministry of health for improving maternal health response aside from training of 370 health workers at the primary healthcare centers across the state.

The Project Lead, HACEY Health Initiative, Kemi Omole, while speaking after a brief ceremony held in Ibadan, said the organization has “always been particular about increasing the life, livelihood of children and mothers, girls and women and this is no exception.

“So, anything at all that helps to improve the maternal health outcomes is what we always venture into and this is like an opportunity for us to do that as we have always done”, she said.

On the choice of Oyo State for the donation, Omole said, “We have had a long-standing relationship with Oyo State going back to about 13years, we have several projects that we have been implementing here and I think it also has to do with the kind of receptiveness we get here.

“The state government welcomes people and we don’t get that harsh treatment. At times you go to some states and the kind of reception you get is not good enough but Oyo state has been very receptive to us.”

The Founder and Managing Director, IPRD Solutions, Dr. Keith Hanna, said the organization is excited to be working with other stakeholders in developing and deploying impact health, stating that it is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the technical team highly experienced in developing and deploying advance digital solutions across the world.

According to him, “We developed impact health working with majorly international health care organizations, world-class researchers and many software partners. We believe it’s crucial to be close to where our software is deployed. We spent like two years listening to the needs of your state, working very closely with HACEY Health Initiative, who have been tremendous partners on the ground.”

The Co-founder, HACEY Health Initiative, Mr. Isaiah Owolabi, in his remarks, explained that the “Impact Health project is a health intervention of HACEY Health Initiative, supported by our partners: Intellectual Property and Research Development (IPRD) Solutions and Argusoft, which aims to reduce maternal health services provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formations and improving quality of service.

“The Impact Health Platform comprises mobile and web-enabled applications which am to improve coverage and quality of healthcare delivery, supervision, support, and motivation for providers, especially in hard to reach communities

“The goal of the Impact Health Project is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology.

“HACEY Health Initiative’s Impact health project has supported in the collection of health information across 21 local governments in the state, covering over 60,000 households using the Family Health Survey mobile application. We have also trained 350 health workers and officials across 95 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in implementing LGAs on the use of the Quick ANC application for the administration and capturing of IPTp-SP and malaria rapid diagnostic tests.”

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Oladipo, on his part, said the state is open to development partners in its bid to scale up the health of the residents.

Oladipo who was represented by Dr. Oyewole Lawal, said, “The support from development partners supplement what government is already doing. This government has open doors policy that fosters partnership with any agency that can support the state.

“The state cannot do it alone, and we feel that, if we have such partnership, it will improve not only healthcare service delivery but education, agriculture, and every other thing.”

He assured that the government has integrated supporting supervision, quarterly supervision across all health facilities in the o monitor their activities and see how facilities are managed.

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji, expressed appreciation of the state to the donor, stating that the support has over time helped to complement the effort of the state government in improving the healthcare service delivery of the people.

He assured that the state will make good use of the facility in a way that would encourage more investment by supporting partners and donor agencies.

The post HACEY Health Initiative Donates Multi-million Naira Medical Tools to Oyo Government appeared first on HACEY.

Follow the guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing) and avoid anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus. If in your third trimester (more than 28 weeks pregnant), you should be particularly attentive to social distancing.

What should I do if I develop symptoms of coronavirus while pregnant?

If you show symptoms and suspect you may have contacted COVID-19, inform your doctor or midwife immediately that you have the symptoms. If symptoms are getting worse, this may be a sign that you are developing a more severe infection and require urgent care.

What effect will coronavirus have on my baby if I am diagnosed with the infection?

If you have the virus, it is unlikely to cause problems with your baby’s development, there is also no evidence yet to show that coronavirus infection in early pregnancy leads to miscarriage.

Transmission of the coronavirus from a woman to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth is not common. To date, the virus has not been found in breastmilk nor the water surrounding the baby in the womb.

Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to grow. You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby and keep all surfaces clean. You should always wear a medical mask, during any contact with the baby.

After delivery, should a baby be immediately placed skin-to-skin and breastfed if the mother is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19?

Yes. Immediate and continued skin-to-skin care should be encouraged, this will help balance the baby’s temperature. Skin-to-skin also helps the mother and child to bond better, and encourage early breastfeeding which also reduces mortality.

Mothers should stay safe by taking simple preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places, close contact with people, regular washing of hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub, coughing into bent elbow or tissue and disposing of the tissue immediately.

For more information on COVID-19, check here and here.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

The post Maternal Health & COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions appeared first on HACEY.

Everyone in Bomo village agreed that life had been unfair to Amina. Forced into early marriage by her parents in a weak attempt to ‘provide’ for her family and uphold their honour, Amina had to give up her dreams of becoming a Nurse despite being the best student in the village’s only primary school. After marriage, Amina became pregnant. Unfortunately, Amina developed a fistula during her delivery — she was delivering at home and went through a long, difficult labour. Eventually, the baby did not survive.

Amina has been suffering from Fistula for many years, not knowing about treatment or having access to it.

Obstetric Fistula

According to World Health Organization, Amina is one of the 50,000 to 100,000 women globally affected by Obstetric Fistula annually. Obstetric Fistula is an abnormal opening between a woman’s genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality: obstructed labour.

It can occur between the vagina and rectum, ureter, or bladder and results in incontinence of urine or faeces. Complications may include depression, infertility, and social isolation.

Causes 

An Obstetric Fistula occurs when a mother has had a prolonged and obstructed labour, with no access to emergency medical care, such as a C-section. During this type of labour, the mother’s contractions continually push the baby’s head against her pelvis. As a result, soft tissues caught between the baby’s head and the pelvic bone become compressed, restricting normal blood flow. This accounts for 76 to 97% of Obstetric Fistula occurrence.

Without an adequate blood supply, tissue sections will die off, resulting in holes known as “Fistulae”. It appears between the mother’s vagina and her bladder or rectum. These holes (Fistula) will cause incontinence, and if left untreated, the woman will uncontrollably leak urine, stool, or sometimes both, for the rest of her life.

Also, because the mother often labours in pain for days, her baby usually dies as a result. Thus, obstetric fistula is a double-edged pain for mothers – physical, emotional and psychological pain. Stillborn birth happens 85% to 100% of the time in this scenario.

The United Nations Population Fund has labelled Obstetric Fistula as one of the most severe and tragic childbirth injuries.

Prevalence

According to research, more than 2 million young women live with untreated Obstetric Fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa today. In developing nations, women who suffer from obstetric fistulae are under 30, while 50-80% of women under 20, like Amina, develop obstetric fistulae in resource-poor countries. The youngest patients are 12–13 years old.

According to a careful study, Obstetric Fistula is very common throughout the world, but the percentage dwindled in the late 19th century during the rise of gynaecology. In addition, this era experienced the introduction of safe childbirth practices, especially deliveries at local hospitals instead of the home. This drastically reduced rates of obstructed labour and obstetric fistulae in Europe and North America. The condition is now entirely preventable and correctible. 

The majority of Obstetric Fistula cases occur in poor rural areas of developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa such as (Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia) and much of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal).

Symptoms & Effects of Obstetric Fistula

Obstetric Fistula symptoms are urinary incontinence or faecal incontinence, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, repeated vaginal or urinary tract infections, and irritation/pain in the vagina or surrounding areas. Acid from the urine, faeces, and blood causes severe burn wounds on the legs from the continuous dripping. The leaking causes nerve damage and results in loss of mobility.

Most times, women limit their intake of liquid and water to avoid dripping, leading to dehydration and worsening their condition. If these symptoms are not treated, it can lead to kidney failure, which inevitably leads to death. 

Obstetric Fistula also leads to social ostracization and stigmatization. In several rural areas, e.g. Burkina Faso, this condition is viewed as a divine punishment and curse for sexual misconduct rather than a medical condition.

Often, these women or young girls are isolated and sentenced to living in secluded huts and abandoned because of the odour caused by the infection. They are also divorced by their husbands, shunned by their community, and experience shame and social segregation.

Despair, depression, shame, fear of future pregnancy are some of the psychological effects women suffer from Fistula. In addition, it causes severe mental depression, and thoughts of suicide are also visible to escape the shame and emotional torture.

Repair and Prevention

However, due to advances in science and technology, most obstetric fistulas are surgically correctable. Therefore, there is a need for the government in areas where obstetric Fistula cases are prevalent, particularly in Africa and Asia, to create policies that grant women in rural areas access to free medical treatment.

Also, good delivery services and professional medical personnel should be readily available in rural areas to save the unborn child and prevent the occurrence of Obstetric Fistula.

In the same vein, the government should introduce pregnant mothers to programs that help improve their nutrition. Family planning campaigns should also be improved upon in rural areas where having many children is a norm.

Most importantly, child marriage should be avoided and frowned at, attaching a fine to such crime. This is because the age of the first pregnancy is one of the factors that cause an Obstetric Fistula.

The girl child should be provided with access to quality education, not early marriage. Of course, early marriage will hurt her future, and the possibility of Obstetric Fistula’s occurrence will have damaging physical, mental, and social effects on the child and her future.               

Written by Bamidele Oyewumi.

Edited by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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The post Obstetric Fistula: Repair and Prevention appeared first on HACEY.