All women who have a vaginal delivery have the wish that their perineum will remain intact with the delivery of their baby. This is not always the case. Many women experience perineal trauma with childbirth, either perineal tearing or an episiotomy or both. The most...
Before answering this question, what is the postnatal period needs to be considered. Postnatal care considerations will vary for each postnatal time period. The postnatal period starts after the third stage of labour (delivery of placenta) has been completed. It can...
Urinary incontinence is a common and distressing pregnancy and postpartum problem. It is usually urinary stress incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when the bladder sphincter muscle does not function well enough to hold in urine in the bladder. Recently I was...
I want to breastfeed my baby Breastfeeding is feeding your newborn with milk directly from your breasts and not from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can nourish their newborn...
Below is information on the most common breastfeeding challenges. Engorged breasts The signs of engorged breasts are: Larger, heavier and tender breasts. Breasts hard and painful and warm to touch. Swelling of breasts. Firm nipples and areola. What can be done about...
When do I need contraception after I have had my baby? Breastfeeding will give some protection, especially while you are fully breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should not be relied on exclusively, as unplanned pregnancies do occur while breastfeeding and even before your...
How can I avoid keloid in my Caesarean section scar? Keloid forms if there is overhealing of the skin wound and in this case the Caesarean section scar. Often it has a familial tendency. It is more prevalent in highly pigmented people, especially women of African...
Why is my tummy numb above my Caesarean scar? This occasionally happens and is unpredictable. It is due to the disruption of the nerve supply in the abdominal wall because of the Caesarean section incision. What can be done about it? Nothing. Over time normal skin...
I think I have postnatal depression! Baby blues After having a baby, up to 80 per cent of women may develop the ‘baby blues‘. This most common when milk is coming in which is on about day three after birth. You will typically be tearful, crying with minimal or any...
I have bleeding from my rectum. Is that ok? This is not an infrequent question at the 6-week postnatal visit It is usually due to an anal fissure. An anal fissure results from tearing the anal mucosa with passage of hard large stools. What can be done about it? You...
When can we start having sex again? Sexual intercourse can be resumed once the lochia discharge ceases Will it hurt? Unfortunately it can be somewhat uncomfortable initially particularly after a vaginal delivery. After a vaginal delivery there has often been damage to...
When will my skin and tummy muscles get back to normal? Immediately after having a baby the abdominal wall feels loose and the skin feels dry. Pigmentation changes persist and occasionally are even worse for a while. Some women will experience stretch marks. ...
My vagina is still very stretched out. Will it ever return to its original size? After a vaginal delivery a woman will often notice that her vagina looks and feels more loose and open. This is particularly apparent with sexual intercourse. It can have an impact on the...
*Saturday morning appointments are not available for initial antenatal visit.
