Pregnancy is a fascinating experience for everyone; yourself, your spouse and virtually everyone around you. Like most situations where expectations increase with each passing week, it is important to invest the right amount of time and resources. It is difficult to become a new person, as such adapting to the new experience is more profitable. And for a process that starts and ends successfully for most, the main caution is to avoid actions or inactions that can affect the mother or the baby. Along the way, few will experience difficulties and with appropriate care and access to good health care, these issues are dealt with favourably. Ensuring a successful pregnancy requires a series of actions that put in place the necessary things that are needed during every stage of pregnancy. It is necessary to curb excesses, particularly in our lifestyle choices.

1. Dr. Henry Osazuwa
M B B S ( B e n i n ) , F WA C S ( O & G )
Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist
The Essential Keys To A
Successful Pregnancy

3. Pregnancy is a fascinating journey from start to finish !

4. Pregnancy is a fascinating journey from start to finish !
Priceless
PREPARATION
PATIENCE
CAUTION
EFFORT
DECISIVENESS

5. Most women will have a normal pregnancy and delivery
Pregnancy is efficient and sustains itself – Conception to Childbirth
7 Billion & counting!

6. Important to curb excesses,
particularly in lifestyle.
Invest
TIME
&

7. Antenatal care is essential
The content and personnel is key

8. You don’t need to change yourself entirely.
ADAPTATION is necessary.

9. Above everything

10. Never too late!
Before pregnancy – Preconception care.
Folic acid supplementation
Control of medical conditions
Preparation

11. Alcohol
Smoking
Coffee
Change in lifestyle

12. Healthy nutrition – Balanced diet; Protein, Carbohydrate,
Fats, Fruits, Vegetables
Avoid refined food
- High sugar content

13. Exercise and physical activity.
Inactivity can be harmful
More fatigue
Leg swelling
Thrombosis

14. Specialised care provided for pregnant women by PROFESSIONALS
Antenatal care

15. Not enough to present yourself in the hospital - Content matters.
A good example – Ultrasound scan;
targeted to answer specific questions.
Nuchal translucency
Foetal anatomical scan
Growth scans

16. Screen for specific problems in the mother and the baby
- History, Investigations and examination.
Age
Number of Children
Blood group/Genotype
Foetal anomalies
Poor foetal growth
Blood sugar
Blood pressure

17. Identify & prompt treatment of conditions in the mother/Baby
Immunization (Tetanus toxoid)
Prophylaxis Rhesus negative(Rhogam)
Medications for prevention
Anaemia (Supplements – Pregnacare; PregMum; Pharmaton)
Malaria ( Fansidar/Swidar; Paludrine)

18. Pregnancy can raise anxiety levels and there are often fears.
Naturally there are questions.
Education & Information
You should be educated about the normal changes and symptoms.

19. Information should be correct and verifiable.
Specific to your personal situation.
Direct channels for complaints.
You should have somebody to call at all times.

20. Antenatal class by different professionals.
Emphasize
Normal symptoms
Lifestyle
Nutrition
Exercise
What to expect in labour
Care for the new-born.

21. Most women will have a normal delivery.
Often required is support and a dedicated team of professionals.
Childbirth

22. Mode of delivery – should be decided by 36 weeks.
First timers –most are allowed to attempt vaginal birth
and will deliver normally.

23. For some, Caesarean delivery in inevitable – To ensure safety.
2 or more previous CS.
Big baby or Narrow pelvis.
Placenta praevia
Abnormal lie/Presentation
Poor progress in labour
Baby in distress
Some indications for Caesarean delivery.

24. Pain relief in labour – Companionship, Injections and Epidural.

25. Emotional & social support
Pregnancy can be stressful.
Companionship
Reassurance
Domestic assistance
Someone to share fear & anxiety

26. Emotional & social support
Support – Husband, relatives, Care providers.