Dr A. Mapanga Gynaecologist

06/10/2025

Cerebral palsy is a condition whereby one has a permanent disorder that affects their movement and posture. These problems are usually identified during infancy or early childhood . A child may present to paediatricians with delayed milestones, abnormal muscle tone , or abnormal postures and movements.

🌸They may also present with the following:

Seizures ( fits)
Speech and swallowing difficulties
Vision or hearing impairment
Learning difficulties
Poor growth
Drooling saliva
Behavioural and emotional challenges

🌸What causes cerebral palsy?

CP results from brain injury or abnormal development of the brain, especially areas controlling movement.

🌸Prenatal (during pregnancy) causes :

Brain malformations
Infections during pregnancy, especially Rubella, CMV, and toxoplasmosis
Maternal illnesses such as thyroid disease, uncontrolled DM, high blood pressure
Poor placental function
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Genetic factors

🌸Perinatal( During labour and delivery) causes:

Birth asphyxia/ fetal distress ( lack of oxygen)
Complicated labour, e.g, cord prolapse/cord around neck/placenta abruptio)
Prematurity
Low birth weight

🌸Postnatal ( After birth) causes:
Severe jaundice
Brain infections (Meningitis)
Head injury

🌸Most cases of cerebral palsy result from events before or around birth, so prevention is mainly on good maternal care and properly managed labour and delivery. While not all cases can be prevented, many risk factors can be reduced by good obstetric care.

05/10/2025

4 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every minute.

Breast cancer can have a variety of symptoms, especially when more advanced.
Early diagnosis increases the chances for successful treatment.

05/10/2025

October is .🩷

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional immediately 👇🏿

01/10/2025

Happy new month!

23/09/2025

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published a clear statement on the safety of paracetamol use in pregnancy, stating that there is no confirmed link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and autism in children.

Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed.

Managing pain and fever during and after pregnancy is really important for the wellbeing of women and their babies. Pain can impact a woman’s physical and psychological health, while unmanaged fevers can pose risks for both the mother and unborn baby.

You can read the RCOG’s advice for pregnant people on the use of paracetamol to manage fever and pain here: https://brnw.ch/21wW1xA

23/09/2025

Pregnancy makes your body work harder to keep both you and your baby cool. Very hot weather can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and fatigue.

Here are some ways to stay safe and comfortable:

🌸Stay well hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.

🌸Rest often – Try to avoid overexertion and give your body enough time to recover.

🌸Dress comfortably – Wear light, loose-fitt💐ing clothes to help your body cool down.

🌸Stay indoors when possible – Keep cool in well-ventilated or air-conditioned spaces. A cool shower or bath can also be refreshing.

🌸Protect yourself outdoors – If you must go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun.

19/09/2025

Been a minute.....☺️

Have a happy weekend you all. Keep on smiling 😃

15/09/2025

🌸Many pregnant women often complain of swollen feet during pregnancy. In most cases, it is normal to have swollen feet, especially if both are symmetrically swollen. This is due to physiological changes in pregnancy, which cause increased fluid retention as well as increased blood volume. It may also happen due to pressure from the uterus as it grows, which slows down blood flow from the legs back to the heart. The swelling usually gets worse towards the end of the day and after standing or sitting for a long time.

~If your feet are swollen, you can relieve the swelling by resting with legs elavated (above level of heart).
~Avoid standing or sitting down for a long time. Instead, try and walk around to improve circulation.
~Wear comfortable shoes
~Drink plenty of water
~Lie down on the left side more

🌸Swelling of feet can sometimes be a danger sign, especially if it’s sudden and severe (involving face and hands as well). In severe preeclampsia ( pregnancy induced hypertension with complications) there is swollen feet associated with high blood pressure, and one may be experiencing severe headaches, blurred vision or right sided pain under ribs..In such cases one needs to seek medical attention urgently.

11/09/2025

Tracking of periods can be done by simply writing down menstruation dates, using a calendar, or using period tracking applications on smartphones.

The first day of vaginal bleeding is your day one. The period length is how long menstrual bleeding lasts, its usually 2 to 7 days. Menstrual cycle length is the time between one period up to when one starts their next period ( count number of days from day one up to day before next period starts) . The normal menstrual cycle is 21 to 35 days. This varies from one woman to next, and in one woman may also vary at different times of her reproductive life. Most applications will automatically calculate this information for you using the data you input.

Tracking is useful for knowing one's pattern for individual daily planning , to have the information ready when one sees their gynaecologist, to calculate dates in case of pregnancy, and some use it as a way of contraception. Talk to your healthcare provider and learn how you can be in sync with your feminine health.

18/08/2025

A true friend supports you and allows you to grow , they only step in to protect you from harm. They are there to stop you from falling....

Happy new week!

11/08/2025

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMAJbGuV5/

312 likes, 4 comments. “Nine months later…..labour and childbirth”

07/08/2025

Lactational amenorrhea refers to the period during breastfeeding when the periods are absent. It is due to hormones released by the body when baby suckles, which prevents the release of eggs from o***y, hence no me**es.

This lactational amenorrhea can be used as temporary contraception method during the first 6 months of giving birth.

It is effective only if the following criteria are met:

- Baby is less than 6 months
- Exclusively breastfeeding with baby suckling at the breast
- The mother has not had any menstruation since giving birth
- Frequent breastfeeding, especially at night

If a woman is not exclusively breastfeeding ovulation may return 4-6 weeks after giving birth. In breastfeeding women, it may return later depending on breastfeeding patterns. In obese women, periods may even return earlier. Using a breast pump , expressing milk or bottle feeding may result in lactational amenorrhea not working as it requires the baby to actually suckle at the breast for it to work effectively.

Talk to your healthcare provider and find out what family planning method works for you after giving birth.