Dr. Rabab Mustafa . Ob/GYN Lusaka

30/03/2026

😥Pelvic pain isn’t always gynecological.

Some women walk into the clinic convinced that every pain in the lower abdomen must be related to the uterus or ovaries.

And sometimes… it’s not.

🤔Pelvic pain can be misleading.

What feels like a “gynecological problem” may actually come from a completely different system.

Here are some important non-gynecological causes we should never overlook:

🔹 Urinary causes

Urinary tract infections, bladder irritation, or even kidney stones can present as pelvic discomfort.

🔹 Gastrointestinal causes

Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or even appendicitis may mimic gynecological pain.

🔹 Musculoskeletal issues

Pelvic floor tension, muscle strain, or lower back problems can radiate pain to the pelvic area.

🔹 Nerve-related pain

Sometimes, nerve irritation or compression can cause persistent, confusing pelvic symptoms.

🔹 Psychological factors

Chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional strain can manifest as real, physical pelvic pain.
As doctors, our role is not only to treat… but to listen carefully, think broadly, and avoid tunnel vision.

And for patients:

Not every pelvic pain means something is wrong with your reproductive organs.
Sometimes, the body is asking us to look deeper.

Good medicine starts with asking the right questions.

28/03/2026

✨ Vaginal Ultrasound in Early Pregnancy
Is it safe? Should we be worried?

💡 Why do we use va**nal ultrasound early in pregnancy?

In the very early weeks of pregnancy (usually before 7–8 weeks), the pregnancy is still very small.

A transva**nal ultrasound (TVS) gives a clearer and more accurate view compared to abdominal ultrasound.

It helps us to:

Confirm that the pregnancy is inside the uterus (exclude ectopic pregnancy ⚠️)

Detect the gestational sac, yolk sac, and fetal pole earlier.

Identify the fetal heartbeat sooner 💓

Assess causes of pain or bleeding in early pregnancy.

🛑 The common fear:

“Will va**nal ultrasound harm the baby or cause miscarriage?”

✅ The medical truth:

No, it does NOT harm the pregnancy.
The probe does NOT reach the uterus
It stays inside the va**na only
It uses sound waves (not radiation)
It is considered safe and routinely used worldwide.

🤍 When is it especially important?

Early pregnancy with pain or bleeding
Suspected ectopic pregnancy
Uncertain dates or irregular cycles
Previous history of miscarriage.

⚠️ Gentle reassurance:

Some women may feel slight discomfort, but it should not be painful when done properly.

🌿 Final message:
Transva**nal ultrasound is not something to fear… it’s something that protects you and your pregnancy.
Early and accurate diagnosis can save lives both the mother’s and the baby’s.




**nalUltrasound

26/03/2026

🌸 Cervicitis When the Cervix Speaks Quietly

🧠 What is Cervicitis?

Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix often subtle, sometimes silent… but never insignificant.

It can be infectious or non-infectious, and in many cases, it goes unnoticed until complications appear.

⚠️ Common Causes

🔬 Infectious:

Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Gonorrhea
Trichomoniasis
Ge***al herpes

🌿 Non-infectious:

Chemical irritation (douches, spermicides)
Allergic reactions (latex condoms)
Cervical trauma (after procedures or childbirth).

🤍 Clinical Presentation

Some women have no symptoms at all, but others may present with:

Abnormal va**nal discharge
Postcoital bleeding
Intermenstrual spotting
Pelvic discomfort
Dyspareunia.

🔎 On examination:

Erythematous cervix
Friability (bleeds easily on contact)
Mucopurulent discharge.

🧪 Diagnosis

High va**nal & endocervical swabs
NAAT testing for STIs
Pap smear (to rule out dysplasia if indicated).

💡 Always think beyond symptoms screening is key.

💊 Management

🎯 Targeted treatment:

Based on identified organism (e.g., antibiotics for chlamydia/gonorrhea).

⚡ Empirical treatment:

In high-risk patients or when follow-up is uncertain

🤝 Partner management:

Treat sexual partners to prevent reinfection.

🚫 Avoid:
Irritants (douching, harsh products).

⚡ Why It Matters

Untreated cervicitis may lead to:
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility
Increased risk of HIV transmission
Adverse pregnancy outcomes.

👩‍⚕️ Clinical Pearl

Not every discharge is “just an infection”…
Sometimes, it’s the cervix asking for attention.

Dr Rabab Cares 💛

24/03/2026

🤰Preterm Labour in Multiple Pregnancies
Why twins don’t always wait…

Not every pregnancy follows the same timeline…

And in multiple pregnancies, nature often decides to act earlier than expected.

🧐Preterm labour is one of the most common and serious challenges in twin and higher-order pregnancies.

In fact, more than 50% of twins are born before 37 weeks.

🤔Why does this happen?

• Uterine overdistension → the uterus is “full” earlier
• Cervical insufficiency → increased pressure on the cervix
• Placental factors (especially in monochorionic twins)
• Higher rates of complications like preeclampsia, anemia, or growth restriction.

💥Who is at higher risk?

• Short cervix (

21/03/2026

Today is World Down Syndrome Day 💛

A day that reminds us that every extra chromosome carries a story… a life… a family… and a future that deserves understanding, support, and respect.

As an Obstetrician, I see awareness not just as a message… but as a responsibility.

One of the most important steps in early pregnancy care is the First Trimester Anomaly Scan (11–13+6 weeks).

This scan is not “just routine”

It plays a crucial role in early detection of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down Syndrome.

Through:
• Nuchal translucency assessment
• Nasal bone evaluation
• Early structural review

We can identify a significant proportion of cases early, allowing:

✔ Better counseling
✔ Informed decisions
✔ Proper follow-up and care planning.

Today, let’s use this moment not only to support… but to educate.
Because awareness doesn’t start at diagnosis .

It starts with good antenatal care.

💛 Every baby deserves the best start
💛 Every mother deserves the right information.

20/03/2026

Eid Mubarak 🌙
Not every Eid feels the same…
Some come quietly, carrying reflection more than celebration.
And maybe that’s okay.

Because Eid is not only about joy
It’s about healing, gratitude, and the gentle reminder that we’re still here… trying, growing, and caring.

In between the hospital shifts, the long nights, and the emotional moments we carry as doctors…
there are still small lights worth holding on to.
Wishing you a peaceful Eid, a lighter heart, and moments that feel real. 🤍

Dr Rabab Cares

19/03/2026

🌸 Perimenopause… When Your Body Starts Whispering Before It Changes

There’s a phase many women go through…

Not quite menopause. Not quite “normal” anymore.

💥It’s called Perimenopause.

And one of its most frustrating and misunderstood symptoms?

🔥 Hot Flushes (Hot Flashes)

💭 What do women actually feel?

Sudden intense heat… especially in the face and chest
Flushing of the skin
Sweating (sometimes drenching)
Palpitations
Followed by chills 😵‍💫

And the worst part?
👉 It can happen anytime…
During a meeting, while sleeping, or even in the middle of a conversation.

🧠 Why does it happen?
Hot flushes are not “just hormonal mood swings.”

They are linked to:
Fluctuating estrogen levels
A sensitive thermoregulatory center in the brain (hypothalamus).

👉 The body literally misreads temperature signals
and reacts as if it's overheating.

⏳ When does it start?

Perimenopause can begin:
As early as late 30s or early 40s
And last for several years before menopause.

⚠️ Many women don’t realize what’s happening…
They think:
“I’m just stressed”
“Maybe it’s anxiety”
“Something is wrong with my heart”.

💡 What makes hot flushes worse?
Stress & anxiety
Hot environments
Spicy food ☄️
Caffeine ☕
Smoking 🚬

🩺 Can we help?

Absolutely 💛
Management options include:
Lifestyle adjustments (cooling strategies, layering clothes)
Weight control & exercise
Cognitive behavioral strategies
Hormonal therapy (when appropriate)
Non-hormonal medications

💬 The real message
Hot flushes are not “just a symptom.”
They are a signal.
A reminder that a woman’s body is transitioning…
and deserves understanding, not dismissal.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms…
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to “just tolerate it.”
💛 Let’s talk. Let’s understand. Let’s care.

17/03/2026

🤔Bartholin cyst vs abscess… why some women can’t even sit?

A small lump… that can turn into unbearable pain overnight.

Many women notice a swelling near the va**nal opening and ignore it assuming it’s something simple.

😊But not all swellings are the same.
A Bartholin cyst is usually painless.
It forms when the gland’s duct gets blocked, leading to fluid accumulation.

But when infection sets in…
It can rapidly turn into a Bartholin abscess.
And that’s when everything changes.
Severe pain.
Difficulty walking or sitting.
Tender, swollen area.
Sometimes fever.

🤔This is not something to “wait out”.

🧐Early assessment can make a huge difference
from simple management… to preventing unnecessary suffering.
Your body always speaks.
Don’t ignore the signs.

Dr Rabab Cares 💛

16/03/2026

🤰Rh Negative Mothers: What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

During pregnancy, one of the routine blood tests every woman undergoes is blood grouping and Rh factor testing.

While many people are familiar with blood groups like A, B, AB, or O, fewer understand the importance of the Rh factor, especially during pregnancy.

🤔What does Rh negative mean?

The Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells.

If the protein is present → the blood type is Rh positive
If the protein is absent → the blood type is Rh negative

💥This becomes important during pregnancy if:
The mother is Rh negative and the baby is Rh positive.

🧠Why can this be a problem?

If a small amount of the baby’s blood enters the mother’s bloodstream, the mother’s immune system may recognize the baby's red blood cells as foreign and produce antibodies against them.

This process is called Rh sensitization.
Once these antibodies are formed, they can cross the placenta in future pregnancies and attack the baby’s red blood cells, potentially leading to a serious condition known as:

⛈Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN).

🧨When can sensitization occur?

Sensitization may occur during:

Delivery
Miscarriage or abortion
Ectopic pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy
Invasive procedures (such as amniocentesis)
Abdominal trauma

🤗The good news: It is preventable

Modern obstetric care has made this condition largely preventable.
Rh-negative mothers are given an injection called Anti-D immunoglobulin (often known as the Anti-D shot).

This injection prevents the mother's immune system from forming harmful antibodies.

👁When is Anti-D usually given?

Anti-D may be administered:
Around 28 weeks of pregnancy
Within 72 hours after delivery if the baby is Rh positive
After miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
After bleeding episodes
After certain medical procedures
Why early testing matters.

😊Knowing your blood group and Rh status early in pregnancy allows your healthcare provider to monitor and manage the pregnancy appropriately.

With proper care, Rh negative mothers can have completely healthy pregnancies and babies.

💡 Advice for mothers

If you are pregnant, make sure to:

✔ Know your blood group and Rh factor
✔ Attend regular antenatal visits
✔ Inform your doctor immediately if you experience bleeding during pregnancy
Early care makes all the difference.

14/03/2026

Happy World Doctors’ Day

Today is a reminder that being a doctor is more than a profession.

It is the long nights, the difficult decisions, the silent worries about patients even after leaving the hospital, and the responsibility we carry every single day.

As an OB-GYN, I have the privilege of witnessing some of the most powerful moments in life the beginning of a new life, the strength of mothers, and the trust families place in our hands.

Medicine is not always easy.

But it is always meaningful.
To all doctors around the world thank you for your dedication, compassion, and resilience.

And to my patients in Lusaka and beyond thank you for trusting me to be part of your journey.

Dr Rabab Mustafa

12/03/2026

11/03/2026

👸👱‍♀️Vaginal Infections in Pre-Pubertal Girls What Parents Should Know

Many parents are surprised when their young daughters complain of va**nal itching, redness, or discharge before puberty.

The truth is that va**nal irritation and infections can occur in young girls, and in most cases they are simple and treatable.

💥Before puberty, girls have lower estrogen levels, which makes the va**nal area more delicate and more sensitive to irritation.

🎯Common Causes

🔹 Poor hygiene or wiping from back to front
🔹 Tight clothing or synthetic underwear
🔹 Bubble baths, soaps, or scented products
🔹 Prolonged moisture from wet clothes or swimming
🔹 Threadworms (pinworms) causing itching, especially at night
🔹 Occasionally bacterial infection.

👁Symptoms to Watch For

• Vaginal itching or burning
• Redness around the v***a
• Yellow or green discharge
• Pain during urination
• Scratching, especially at night.

🤗What Parents Can Do

✔ Teach girls to wipe from front to back
✔ Use plain water or mild soap only externally
✔ Avoid scented soaps, bubble baths, and wipes
✔ Choose cotton underwear
✔ Change out of wet clothes quickly

👏When to See a Doctor

Parents should seek medical advice if:
• Symptoms persist for more than a few days
• There is foul-smelling discharge
• Pain or fever appears
• Bleeding occurs

Early evaluation helps rule out infection and ensures the child receives safe and appropriate treatment.

💡 Good hygiene and simple habits can prevent most cases.
Your child’s comfort and health always come first.
Dr Rabab Cares