How do the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown influence South African pregnant women?
Being pregnant amid the world-wide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus is particularly stressful and pregnant moms across the country express their concerns.
Information for pregnant women and their families These Q&As relate to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and pregnancy – guidance for healthcare professionals: Version 6 –
If this is your first baby, you will be quite surprised by your baby’s appearance. Instead of the picture-perfect little angel, your baby will most probably look bluish, and covered with blood and cream-cheese-looking sticky stuff (Vernix).
Gestational Diabetes develops during pregnancy and may persist after the birth. Due to advances in medicine, most diabetic women have healthy babies.
The profound mystery and spirituality of birth can never be understood with the mind, they are known through the heart.
Yes … It is time to acknowledge that despite advances in contraceptive advice and access, policy reform lacks implementation.
Low birth weight babies may experience complications, such as brain bleeding, respiratory distress syndrome and intestinal problems.
Challenges are aggravated by lack of support by teachers and peers and babies are not supported in schools. Teacher and school attitudes vary widely and many teenagers feel that the teachers “gave up on them”.
Radimo (2011) explored the experiences of teenage mothers after the birth of the baby and found that the post natal period is perceived to be stressful and overwhelming.
It is wrongly assumed that the adolescent father is unconcerned about the pregnant girl, her safety or the well-being of the child. If he accepted the pregnancy and wants to be involved, it is important to include him in planning alternative solutions regarding the child’s future.
Few teenagers are delighted to become pregnant without having planned to do so, and most feel nothing but shock, worry, and in some cases, despair.
The “morning after” or “post-coital” pill are recommended for backup or emergency use and should not be used in place of ordinary contraceptives. It does NOT cause an abortion …
Teenagers do not know how the contraception works, when they are fertile and the impact of incorrectly or inconsistently using the pill or how to use the condom correctly.
Consistent and correct usage is a dilemma, resulting in unprotected sex and unplanned pregnancy. Many teenage girls initiate contraception only as part of post-natal care after an unplanned pregnancy.
Many parents are worried that too much information will encourage teenagers to experiment with sex. Because of thier own discomfort about the topic, they are unable to provide accurate sexual education.
Teenage pregnancies are associated with increased rates of alcohol abuse and substance abuse, lower educational level and reduced earning potential in teen fathers.
A third of unplanned pregnancies will end in abortion and the other two thirds will result in adolescent parenthood.
Even if a normal vaginal delivery is planned, unexpected complications
necessitating an emergency caesarean delivery can arise.
