Behind every tiny cry in the NICU lies a story of strength, patience, and pure miracles.  

A baby born too soon isn’t weak — they’re a little fighter learning to breathe, grow, and love the world one heartbeat at a time.  

Every extra day inside the womb, every minute of care in the incubator, every mother’s touch matters deeply. 

Because every tiny baby deserves a big chance.

Every breath, every heartbeat, every cuddle — counts. 💜  

What Is Preterm Labour

Preterm labour means the onset of uterine contractions and cervical changes before 37 weeks of pregnancy.  

The earlier it happens, the higher the risks — but with timely medical care, outcomes can greatly improve.  

 Common Causes

- Previous preterm birth  

- Cervical weakness or short cervix  

- Twin or multiple pregnancy  

- Infections (especially vaginal or urinary)  

- Placental problems (abruption, previa)  

- Maternal factors such as stress, smoking, or uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension  

Early Warning Signs

- Regular contractions or abdominal tightening before 37 weeks  

- Pelvic pressure or low back pain  

- Watery or bloody vaginal discharge  

- Leaking fluid (possible membrane rupture)  

- Decreased fetal movements  

If you notice any of these don’t wait.

Early hospital assessment can stop or delay labour and protect your baby’s life.

Prevention & Care

- Regular antenatal check-ups  

- Screening and treating infections  

- Cervical cerclage or progesterone support when needed  

- Adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition  

- Hospital monitoring and steroid therapy for fetal lung maturity  

Dr Raban And Forest Park Specialised Hospital, we stand with every mother and every preemie — because tiny babies deserve extraordinary care.

As an obstetrician, I’ve witnessed how every minute can change a baby’s future.Dr Rabab Mustafa

#DrRababCares #WorldPrematurityDay #PretermLabour #MaternalHealth #NeonatalCare #ForestParkHospital #Zambia #WomenHealth #Motherhood #Hope

 💛 Doctors Are Human Too

Being a doctor doesn’t mean being available 24 hours a day.

We get tired.  

We need rest.  

We have families, homes, sleep, and a life outside the hospital.

Sharing my number with a patient is an act of trust 

not an invitation to call at midnight for non-urgent issues,  

and not a permission to cross personal boundaries.

If someone has been unwell for hours, it’s unfair to wait until 12 AM to call the doctor  and then refuse to visit the hospital. 

What meaningful medical help can be given over the phone at that time?

Respect goes both ways.

Every physician deserves:

• Clear working hours  

• Resting time  

• Privacy  

• And the basic courtesy of being contacted at reasonable hours  unless it's a true emergency

Being reachable does not mean being on call for the whole world.

Let’s remember: doctors are humans, not machines.  

Respecting a doctor’s boundaries is part of respecting their care.

💛 Dr Rabab Cares

#DrRababCares

 Scientific Fact Friday

Did you know that your feet can actually get bigger during pregnancy?

This is a completely normal physiological change that happens to many women.

🧠 Why does this happen?

- The hormone “Relaxin” loosens the ligaments in the feet, causing the arch to flatten.

- Increased body weight adds more pressure on the foot, making it slightly longer or wider.

- Fluid retention during pregnancy can make shoes feel tight or uncomfortable.

- Changes in posture and gait shift pressure on different parts of the foot.

📌 When does it usually start?

It can begin in the second trimester and become more noticeable in the third trimester.

📌 Is it permanent?

About 60% of women keep a slightly bigger shoe size even after delivery. 

For others, the size partially returns to normal.

🦶 What can help?

- Supportive, comfortable shoes  

- Avoid very flat or thin soles  

- Elevate your feet when possible  

- Gentle stretching  

- Consider maternity-friendly footwear

⚠️ When to seek medical review?

- Severe swelling

- Swelling in one foot only

- Pain with redness

- Shortness of breath or sudden swelling (red flag)

Pregnancy: even your shoes might need a maternity upgrade! 😅👟🤰

#FunnyFridays  

#DrRababCares  

#PregnancyFacts  

#WomenHealth  

#MotherhoodJourney  

#PregnancyChanges  

#OBGYNTips  

#PregnantLife  

#MaternityCare  

#LusakaMoms  

#ForestParkHospital  

#ZambiaHealth

 Family Planning Series – Week 8:

( Injectable Contraceptives )

 What are Injectable Contraceptives?

They are hormonal birth-control injections that prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.  

The most common types are:  

• Depo-Provera  150 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate | IM | Every 3 months (13 weeks)
• Sayana Press  104 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate | SC | Every 3 months (13 weeks) 
• Noristerat 200 mg Norethisterone enanthate  IM | Every 2 months.

How They Work ?

1️⃣ Inhibit ovulation.  

2️⃣ Thicken cervical mucus to block sperm.  

3️⃣ Thin the uterine lining to prevent implantation.  

Advantages :

✅ Very effective (97–99% if taken on time).  

✅ Long-acting and reversible.  

✅ Safe for breastfeeding (after 6 weeks postpartum).  

✅ Can reduce menstrual pain and bleeding.  

✅ Suitable for women who can’t take estrogen.  

⚠️ Possible Side Effects:

- Irregular bleeding or no periods.  

- Mild weight gain or bloating.  

- Headache or mood changes.  

- Delayed fertility return (4–10 months) after last dose.  

- Slight bone density reduction if used for more than 2 years.  

- Does not protect against HIV or STIs.

 📋 Guideline Notes (WHO & ACOG):

- Start within first 7 days of menstruation or 6 weeks postpartum.  

- Keep injections on schedule (every 8–13 weeks depending on type).  

- If > 2 weeks late → rule out pregnancy before reinjection.  

- Regular BP check and counseling about delayed fertility are essential.  

💬 Key Message :

Injectables are safe, effective, and convenient — but timing and follow-up are everything.  

They don’t protect against STIs, so condoms are still important for protection.  

#DrRababCares

 #FamilyPlanning #Injectables #DepoProvera #Noristerat #SayanaPress #Contraception #ReproductiveHealth #WomensHealth #OBGYN #Lusaka #ForestParkHospital

 💛 To Every Mother Who Has Lost a Child

There are no words deep enough for such pain.

No time that truly heals it,

and no heart that ever forgets.

Dear mother  your grief is sacred.

You are not weak for crying,

you are human for loving so deeply. 🤍

You carried life, and love, and hope.

And though your arms may feel empty,

your heart still beats with his farewell. 

Please remember 

your motherhood didn’t end with goodbye.

It simply changed shape,

and now it lives in every heartbeat of love that remains.

اللهم اربط على قلب كل أم فقدت طفلها،

واملأ أيامها بالصبر الجميل والسكينة التي لا تزول. 🤍

 Farewell, Little Olive ❤❤

Some souls are too pure, too brave,

to stay long in this world.

Little Olive fought with a courage far beyond his years,

with eyes full of light,

and a smile that made pain look small. 

Now heaven embraces him —

no tubes, no tears, no fear —

only peace, and light, and eternal rest. 🤍

To his mother, and to every mother who has walked this road —

your love has not ended,

it has simply crossed into a place

where angels hold what you once held.

> اللهم اجعله من طيور الجنة،

وارزق أمه الصبر الجميل،

واجعل لقلبها نورًا ورحمةً لا تنطفئ. 🤍

With compassion and prayers,

Dr Rabab Cares

 Not Every Breast Pain Means Something Serious

Many women visit their gynecologist because of breast pain or a small lump —and that’s okay, because most women trust their OB-GYN first.

But here’s the truth:

 the breast is actually a surgical organ.

Your gynecologist’s role is to listen, examine, and guide you to the right specialist when needed. 

Most Common (and Usually Benign) Reasons for Breast Pain or Lumps

 Hormonal changes (Fibroadenosis / Fibrocystic changes)

– Common before the period.

– The breast feels tender or slightly swollen, then returns to normal afterward.

 What helps: a supportive bra, reducing caffeine and salty foods, and simple pain relief if needed.

Fibroadenoma

– A soft, mobile lump under the skin.

– Usually benign, but should be confirmed with an ultrasound.

 Mastitis or Abscess

– More common while breastfeeding.

– The breast becomes red, warm, painful ± fever.

– Needs medical evaluation and antibiotics or drainage if required.

 See a Doctor Immediately If You Notice:

• A hard or fixed lump
• Bloody nipple discharge
• Skin or nipple retraction
• Swelling under the arm

💛 The Takeaway:

Not every breast symptom means cancer  but every change deserves attention.

Start with your gynecologist, and follow up with a breast surgeon if needed.

Early care saves lives. 🤍

📸 Attached below:

A simple visual guide for Breast Self Examination —

Because awareness starts with knowing your own body. 

#DrRababCares 

#WomenHealth #BreastAwareness #SelfExamination #Gynecology #LusakaDoctors #EmpathyInMedicine

 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease  The Silent Damage 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is one of the most common  yet often overlooked  causes of chronic pelvic pain and infertility in women.

🔹 What it is:

PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs — mainly the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries — usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.

🔹 How it happens:

It often begins as a lower genital infection that spreads upward to the upper reproductive tract — especially when left untreated or self-medicated.

🔹 Symptoms to watch for:

• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Abnormal vaginal discharge (with odor or color changes)
• Pain during intercourse
• Irregular bleeding
• Fever or chills
• Sometimes, symptoms are mild or even silent — which makes early diagnosis crucial.

🔹 Long-term risks:

• al damage leading to infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy)
• Chronic pelvic painTub

🔹 Prevention & Care:

• Regular screening for STIs
• Seeking medical care promptly after any pelvic infection
• Avoiding self-medication or delayed treatment
• Using protection when needed
• Partner evaluation and treatment when indicated
• Remember: PID can start quietly but leave a lifetime impact.
• Early detection saves future fertility — and your health is worth that attention.

#DrRababCares 

#WomenHealth #PID #PelvicPain #ReproductiveHealth #STIawareness #InfertilityPrevention  #ObGyn