A urine infection during pregnancy doesn’t always show symptoms.

No pain. No burning. No fever.

But it can still cause:

- Preterm labour

- Low birth weight

- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

- Early contractions

- PPROM(pre term premature rupture of membrane)

That’s why a quick urine dipstick at every ANC visit is essential — not optional.

Why does UTI happen more in pregnancy?

- Hormonal changes relax the urinary tract

- Slower urine flow → stasis

- Weakened immune response

- Higher glucose in urine

- Easy ascending infection

How do we detect it?

- Urine dipstick at every visit

- Urine culture if needed (gold standard)

Prevention:

- Drink 1.5–2 L water daily

- Don’t hold urine

- Wipe front to back

- Empty bladder after intercourse

- Avoid vaginal washes

- Cotton underwear

- Control blood sugar

Treatment (safe options):

- Nitrofurantoin (avoid near term)

- Cephalexin

- Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid

- Fosfomycin single dose

Always complete the full course.

we screen early, treat early, and protect both mum and baby.

One simple test can prevent a major complication.

#DrRababCares 

#UTIinPregnancy 

#AntenatalCare 

#MaternalHealth 

#PreventPretermBirth 

#SafeMotherhood

 Breastfeeding as a Method of Contraception (LAM Method)

 Family Planning Series Week (9)

Many mothers don’t know that exclusive breastfeeding can act as a natural method of contraception but only under strict medical conditions.

What is LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method)?

A temporary family planning method based on:

• Exclusive breastfeeding
• Baby feeding day & night
• No return of menstruation

📌 When Is It Effective?

LAM works ONLY if all 3 conditions are met:

1️⃣ Baby is less than 6 months old

2️⃣ Mother has NO periods since delivery

3️⃣ Fully or nearly fully breastfeeding

No bottles

No long gaps (>4 hours day / >6 hours night)

✨ If any condition changes → LAM stops working immediately.

✔️ Effectiveness

Up to 98% effective when used correctly.

Very safe for both mom and baby.

Zero hormones.

❌ When LAM is NOT recommended

• If periods returned
• Baby older than 6 months
• Mixed feeding (formula + breast)
• Mother cannot breastfeed frequently
• Mother has medical issues affecting milk supply

🔄 When to Switch to Another Method

As soon as:

Baby reaches 6 months

Periods return

Baby sleeps long stretches

Supplementation begins

Recommended next-step options:

Progestin-only pill, Implant, IUD, Sayana Press, Depo, or condoms — depending on medical history.

💙 Final note

Breastfeeding is beautiful — but it’s not a guaranteed contraceptive unless used exactly as guided.

If you need help choosing the safest method after childbirth, you are welcome to visit me at Forest Park Hospital.

#FamilyPlanning #DrRababCares #LAM #Breastfeeding #Contraception #PostpartumCare  #WomensHealth

 THE GYNECOLOGIC RED FLAGS THAT SHOW UP ON THE SKIN NOT THE PELVIS

Most women think gynecologic issues only show up “down there.”  

But the truth is… your skin often speaks first.

Here are the skin changes I wish every woman noticed:

1️⃣ Jawline acne  

Often the first whisper of hormonal imbalance or ovarian dysfunction.

2️⃣ Dark patches on the neck or underarms  

A silent sign of insulin resistance long before the cycle becomes irregular.

3️⃣ Sudden hair thinning  

Can indicate low estrogen, thyroid imbalance, chronic stress, or B12/Iron deficiency.

4️⃣ Dry, flaky skin + fatigue  

 Classic hypothyroidism, especially if paired with heavy or irregular periods.

5️⃣ Itchy skin with no visible rash  

 Sometimes related to estrogen metabolism or liver overload during cycle shifts.

6️⃣ Pigmentation around the mouth  

Often linked to hormonal fluctuations more than sun exposure.

📋 GYNECOLOGIC GUIDELINE (Simple & Clear)

WHEN TO CHECK YOUR HORMONES:

• Jawline acne  

• New pigmentation without sun exposure  

• Sudden hair loss  

• Heavy or irregular periods  

• New breast tenderness + mood shifts  

WHEN TO CHECK YOUR THYROID:

• Dry skin  

• Hair shedding  

• Unexplained fatigue  

• Feeling unusually cold  

• Weight fluctuations  

WHEN TO CHECK INSULIN/METABOLIC MARKERS:

• Dark neck/underarm patches  

• Sudden lower-abdomen weight  

• Carb cravings  

• Irregular cycles  

WHEN TO SEE YOUR GYNECOLOGIST URGENTLY:

• Skin changes + cycle changes  

• Skin changes + pelvic pain  

• Skin changes + unexplained 

💚 KEY MESSAGE:

Skin changes are not just cosmetic  they can be the earliest signs of hormonal or gynecologic imbalance.  

Listen to what your skin is trying to tell you.

💛 Dr Rabab Cares  Because women deserve answers, not confusion.

#DrRababCares 

#WomensHealth  #HormonalHealth 

#SkinSigns #WomensWellbeing  #HormonalBalance 

#ThyroidHealth #InsulinResistance #PCOSAwareness #EndocrineHealth

#AfricanWomen

Most women don’t ignore their symptoms because they don’t care —

they ignore them because they’re exhausted, multitasking, or scared of sounding “too worried.”

A woman can feel something is “not quite right"

but keeps moving anyway because:

• She doesn’t want to seem dramatic.

• She’s carrying a home, a family, a workload… and herself.

• She was raised to tolerate pain and “keep going.”

• She fears hearing “Everything is normal” and walking away feeling embarrassed.

• Or she simply prioritizes everyone else above her own body.

But here’s the quiet truth:

The body never malfunctions suddenly  it sends early messages.

It whispers… then warns… then screams.

And the earlier you listen, the safer you are.

🌿 Common “whispers” women tend to ignore

1️⃣ New pelvic pain that keeps coming back

Even if it’s mild.

Could be endometriosis… a cyst… pelvic floor tension… or just inflammation 

but it’s never “nothing.”

2️⃣ Changes in your period

Heavier… lighter… more painful… irregular… new clots.

Your menstrual cycle is one of the most honest mirrors of your health.

3️⃣ Spotting after intimacy

A common symptom women hide.

Sometimes hormonal  but sometimes the first sign of cervical or endometrial changes.

4️⃣ Bloating that isn’t linked to food

If the abdomen feels “different,” full, heavy, or tight without a clear reason 

this whisper deserves attention.

5️⃣ Unusual discharge

Color changes, smell, itching, or thickness —

your body is literally sending a message in real time.

6️⃣ Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

Often dismissed as stress or lifestyle…

but could be anemia, thyroid issues, B12 deficiency, or chronic inflammation.

💛 A simple rule I teach all my patients:

If something new… unusual… persistent… or “not like you” appears don’t ignore it.

Your body is talking. Listen early.

Your health is not a luxury.

Your pain tolerance is not a badge of honor.

And your intuition is not too sensitive — it’s usually right.

💛 Dr Rabab Cares — because early answers save women’s lives.

#DrRababCares 

#WomensHealth  #PelvicPain  

#WomensWellbeing #EndometriosisAwareness #FibroidsAwareness #OvarianCysts 

#PID #PelvicFloorHealth 

 #PreventiveCare

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