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Dr. Kofi Kwaw-Asante holds over 16 years of experience and runs a private practice in South Africa, as an obstetrician and gynecologist. He obtained his undergraduate medical degree in 2009 and master’s in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2016, both from the University of Pretoria.In 2017, Dr. Kwaw-Asante founded his private practice, Life Fourways. He is registered with the Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Society Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology (SASOG).
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Lightning crotch refers to a sharp, shooting pain in the crotch area, mainly the pelvis, rectum, and vagina, as you near your due date. Several would-be-mothers describe this pain as the “jab or punch” in the crotch from the inside. Some mothers say that it feels like the baby is poking them with a knife from the inside. So, why does lightning crotch occur, and is it normal? Read on to know more about lightning crotch, its symptoms, and natural ways to manage it. [mj-toc] What Is Lightning Crotch And What Does It Feel Like? [caption id="attachment_886701" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Lightning crotch is an occasional, shooting, sudden, and stabbing nerve pain across the pelvis, vulva, or rectum. You may experience it when you are nearing the due date for childbirth. It is a sudden flash of pain, like an electric shock or jolt, that radiates down the legs (1). The spasms or pain can occur any time of the...
Expecting mothers are excited about their baby’s kicks during pregnancy. These kicks start after a particular [simple_tooltip text="gestational" tooltip="Period from conception to the birth of the baby." ]age and keep reminding you of the life that is growing inside and will soon be in your arms. The kicks also enable fathers to connect with their babies. Moreover, the baby’s kicks indicate good fetal health and development. Therefore, most doctors advise you to keep track of these movements to ensure the well-being of the growing baby. The below post shares some facts about the baby’s kicks and a chart that helps track your baby’s movements. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/pregnancy-week-by-week_00378489/" title="Pregnancy Week By Week - Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes"] [mj-toc] Interesting Baby Kick Facts After reading these facts, you cannot but marvel at the miracle called pregnancy. 1. Kicks generally signify normal development and health of a baby The baby kicks usually indicate that your baby is developing well inside the...
Excessive salivation during pregnancy is common, especially at the early stages. You may salivate more and, at times, even drool when pregnant. Hypersalivation is also known by other medical terms such as ptyalism gravidarum and sialorrhea (1). The condition may occur along with nausea and vomiting. Read this post as we tell you whether or not it is normal for pregnant women to salivate more and how to manage the condition with or without medications. [mj-toc] Increased Salivation In Pregnancy: Is It Common? Excess salivation is common during the first stage of pregnancy, although it reduces as the months pass by. However, if you have nausea, it may continue in the second trimester as well, and sometimes lasts until the delivery. An average person produces around 60 ounces of saliva in a day (2). When pregnant, this amount goes up. You may notice the change if you are salivating more than usual or have difficulty swallowing the saliva because of...
The tailbone or coccyx is a small triangular bony structure situated between the upper buttocks (1). It stabilizes your sitting posture, and most muscles, tendons, and ligaments pass through the tailbone. The tailbone pain, coccyx pain, or prenatal lower back pain, also known as coccydynia, is a sharp or dull pain at the end of the spine. If the pain is severe, it is called ‘bruised tailbone.’ Some pregnant women might experience this pain due to various reasons. Although there is no cure for this pain, some simple stretching exercises could help in reducing the pain to some extent. However, if the pain stays for a couple of days or if it gets worse, it is best to consult your doctor. In this post, MomJunction presents information on why some women might experience tailbone pain during pregnancy and ways to reduce it. [mj-toc] Why Does Your Tailbone Hurt During Pregnancy? As your fetus grows, the pressure increases in the lower...
As a woman approaches her expected delivery date, she anticipates contractions before labor onset. However, this may not happen in some, and the doctor may suggest artificial labor induction to initiate contractions and facilitate childbirth. Labor induction and augmentation are widely chosen techniques among several women during childbirth. However, before opting for this practice, you must know its pros and cons. Read on to learn the reasons, risks, and noteworthy facts about induction and augmentation of labor. [mj-toc]What Is Labor Induction? Labor induction is the artificial ripening of the uterine cervix to stimulate the uterine contractions and facilitate a vaginal birth. When the body is ready to deliver the baby, it will signal the pituitary glands to release oxytocin to start the uterine contractions. The release will also cause loss of the cervical mucus plug and facilitate ripening of the cervix, which in turn will help with the onset of uterine contractions. These contractions will gradually increase in intensity and...
If you are pregnant and wondering, “can I get a tattoo while pregnant?" You might want to consider some crucial factors before getting a tattoo in pregnancy to avoid the risk of contracting infections such as hepatitis. Although the risk is low, an infection in pregnancy can be challenging to manage. Some mothers may want a tattoo based on certain pregnancy memories, such as when they felt the first kick. Nonetheless, ensuring that sterilized needles and instruments are used for tattooing may reduce the risk if you cannot avoid getting one. Read on to learn more about tattoos during pregnancy and why getting a tattoo during pregnancy may not be wise. [mj-toc]Is It Safe To Get A Tattoo Done During Pregnancy? You may have a tattoo if you wish during pregnancy. However, generally, it is not recommended mainly due to the following reasons. There might be a risk of contracting infections, such as hepatitis and HIV, if you get a...