Dr Elfriede Swarts

27/05/2026

A key vaccine that helps protect your baby against three serious diseases even before delivery.

Protects against:
✓ Pertussis (Whooping Cough) — especially dangerous for newborns
✓ Tetanus — causes severe muscle spasms and can be life-threatening
✓ Diphtheria — can affect breathing and damage vital organs

When to get it:
Between 27–36 weeks of pregnancy (best between 28–32 weeks)

Why it matters:
Newborn babies cannot receive their first pertussis vaccine until around 6 weeks of age. This vaccine provides crucial early protection during that vulnerable window.
Important: Recommended in every pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccinations.
Protect your baby before their first breath.

25/05/2026

Menopause is more than just hot flushes. It can affect sleep, mood, energy levels, memory, weight, and overall wellbeing — yet many women feel unprepared for the changes their bodies experience during this stage of life. The more we talk openly about menopause, the easier it becomes to separate myths from facts and help women feel informed, supported, and understood.

Because menopause isn’t the end of anything it’s simply a new chapter.

23/05/2026

Not all Hospitals have Breastpumps to use when something happens.

It is.always best to be sure you have your own.

20/05/2026

Yes, flu vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy and may be an important option to consider. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe flu complications, which is why vaccination can offer valuable protection for both mother and baby. You can receive the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, ideally before flu season begins.

Benefits include:
- Lower risk of severe illness and hospitalisation
- Transfer of protective antibodies to your baby
- Protection for your newborn during the first 6 months of life
- Reduced risk of pregnancy complications, including premature birth

Protecting yourself means protecting your baby too.

18/05/2026

Many women avoid pap smears because they feel nervous, uncomfortable, or think they’re unnecessary but cervical screenings remain one of the most important preventative health checks for women. A pap smear can help detect abnormal cell changes early, often before cervical cancer develops. The procedure is quick, and early detection can make a life-changing difference. Your health deserves attention too.

16/05/2026

12/05/2026

Today is International Nurses Day and we celebrate and honour the incredible nurses who care with compassion, strength, and dedication every single day. A special thank you to Sr. Alet Smit for the care, kindness, calm reassurance, and support you bring to every patient at Dr Elfriede Swarts’ practice. Your hard work and gentle presence never go unnoticed. 💙 Thank you for the difference you make in so many lives today and every day.

10/05/2026

Today we celebrate the women who shape lives with love, strength, wisdom, and endless care. 💚 Behind every strong woman is often another remarkable woman who helped guide the way. From the lessons passed down through generations to the quiet support that never goes unnoticed — mothers truly leave a lasting impact on our hearts and lives.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms, grandmothers, mother figures, and caregivers who continue to nurture, inspire, and uplift those around them.

08/05/2026

Somewhere in her 40s or early 50s, a woman's body begins to shift. Sleep becomes unpredictable. Temperature fluctuates without warning. Emotions arrive with unexpected weight. The cycle she has known her whole life quietly begins to change. This is perimenopause and eventually, menopause. And yet so many women experience this transition in silence, unsure if what they are feeling is normal, uncertain whether to mention it, half-convinced they should just get on with things. It is normal. It is significant. And it does not have to be endured alone. Menopause is not the end of anything. It is a passage into a different chapter. One that, with understanding and support, many women describe as one of their most grounded and themselves they have ever felt.

05/05/2026

A lot of women aren't sure when to see a gynaecologist or what exactly we do. So let's talk about it. A gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in the female reproductive system. That includes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and va**na — and everything connected to them hormonally, physically, and emotionally.
We see women at every stage of life:
— Teenagers navigating new changes
— Women managing cycles, contraception, or pain
— Those trying to conceive
— Pregnant women and new mothers
— Women entering perimenopause and beyond
You don't have to be pregnant to come. You don't have to be in pain to come. And you are never "overreacting" by wanting answers.

01/05/2026

Today we celebrate the people who show up every day — in their work, their homes, and their lives. To our incredible team and every hardworking individual, thank you for the care, dedication, and resilience you bring into the world. Happy Workers’ Day 🤍