Nurture your hobbies during Covid

 

Hidden treasures

It’s true. We all work better under pressure. As my non-profit writing list grows longer, and my list of briefs (list? What list?) grows shorter, the motivation for research wanes.

What will we be like in the post-covid world that, those in the know, say we have another five years to endure? I remember learning about communicable diseases in my nursing training, the plagues, and outbreaks, the epidemics but it was so ho hum. That was THEN. But this is NOW.

Luckily, I did not throw the baby out with the bathwater when we downsized. It was difficult knowing what to keep, and what to give away. I held on to a few items that have sustained me this last year – and hopefully in the next five years to come.

These are:

A tiny blue and white sewing basket given to me by my Ouma when I was five. In it, I remember there was an embroidery cloth and some thread. I made a hash of the cloth, but somehow the little sewing basket stayed with me all these years. Today it holds the essentials – thimble, embroidery scissors, tape measure, pins, sewing needles, crochet hooks – all the bric-a-brac needed by crafters.

My calligraphy and scrapbooking box of goodies. How pleased I am that I did not turf these out when I thought ‘When will I do calligraphy again?’

A golden tin of postcards. I started collecting postcards in the mid 60’s. In my childish handwriting I started categorising them ‘Burgie’s Postcard Collection No 1’ etc. In my teenage years this seemed to be a lame thing to do. I did not have time for post-cards when I was nursing or bringing up my family. Some of the postcards are dated from the Second World War. I am pleased I did not give this tin to charity.

Then there was an eclipse carbon copy book of letters my Ouma wrote mostly to family when she enjoyed a couple of luxury cruises just after the war.  Reading them, I am getting to know the grandmother I only knew when she was old and ill – irritable, frustrated and short-tempered. I forgive her now that I understand living with Parkinson’s and having a mastectomy in the sixties wasn’t exactly fun.

Over the years, people gave me music books that I couldn’t really use because we had an organ, not a piano, at home. Now that I have access to the community piano, I have a good supply of music to learn from.

I also kept some of my favourite recipe books. One is on bread making. Now that yeast is readily available in supermarkets, I am learning about this art. Breadmaking takes time and patience. Your dough has to be just right, adding enough flour to make it soft and pliable, not too much to make it heavy, not too little that it’s sticky. Out of the draft, in a warm spot, you wait for the yeast to do its magic while you watch the dough bubble and rise. Then it’s kneading again, shaping and leaving to prove. When the oven is piping hot, the final baking begins, the final rising, browning and crisping of the crust. Fresh and piping hot from the oven … pure heaven on earth.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Now’s the time. What are you waiting for?

Help. My baby is breech!

What does this mean? Why does it happen? Will your baby turn the right way down, and when will this happen? Is there anything you can do to help? Should you prepare for a c-section?

These are some of the questions you may be asking.

What does breech mean?

Breech means that, unless baby turns, s/he will be born bottom first. Born the wrong way round is possible, but there are risks with the possibility of complications – these being, Mom and baby may go through a long and difficult labour and birth, the umbilical cord could get pinched, and what about the placenta (afterbirth)? To avoid these complications, having a c-section may be unavoidable.

Babies should be born head first because the head being hard, it opens up the birth canal. It’s the biggest part of the body which means that once the head is through, birthing the rest of the body is a breeze.  

Most breech babies are diagnosed in the second trimester, and luckily, most of these have turned the right way up by the time a woman is ready to go into labour.

There are four types of breach.

·         Bottom first when both legs are straight (next to the ears)

·         Both legs are tightly crossed

·         One or two feet come first when one (or both) legs are straight

·         ‘Incomplete breech’ when both legs are loosely crossed – this type of breech is most likely to turn on its own

This can be seen on a scan.

Why does it happen?

Some women have a small pelvis that’s easier for a bottom to fit into. Most often though it’s because, during the second trimester, the baby is still small and moving a lot. Breech is more likely to happen with twins, especially the second twin.

Will my baby turn – and can I help my baby turn?

As your baby grows, space to move around gets smaller. They usually position themselves for birth sometime during the last few weeks of pregnancy. You can make it slightly easier for your baby by getting down onto your hands and knees, bottom-up when your baby moves around a lot. This is not guaranteed to help. Some midwives pride themselves in ‘manipulating’ and turning the baby externally. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn’t.  

What are the risks?

Breech babies can cause the waters to break too early, increasing the risk of infections and premature labour, the umbilical cord slipping into the vagina and premature birth. These babies are also more likely to be stressed.

Risks are minimised when a c-section is planned and booked. That is why it’s so important for women to see a doctor or midwife during their pregnancy – to help avoid/prevent/minimise complications.  

 

Diagram from: Comprehensive Maternity Nursing: Katharyn A May and Laura R. Mahlmeister 

 

 

 

 

The best part about being pregnant .....

The second trimester – Your pregnancy Honeymoon

Once you get over the first three months of pregnancy, the second phase (or trimester) is a breeze and most women thoroughly enjoy this stage. If your pregnancy wasn’t planned, you’ve come to terms with the idea of being called MOM. If this is a long-awaited pregnancy, you may have been apprehensive about spilling the beans to CNN, but now that you’ve reached this important milestone, it’s congratulations and smiles all around – especially to eager-awaiting grandparents. Even morning sickness is (usually) something of the past.

Your hormones have settled down, your heart is coping with the extra blood load, you’re enjoying a healthy appetite, and the baby’s vital organs are fully developed. It is only a matter of baby growing now, and somewhere around five months, you’ll feel the first flutters of life. Your sex life is better than ever, your man is excited about being called dad, and you have the energy of a zillion teenagers. Your hair is shiny, your skin glowing, and the little belly bump you’re showing is a gentle reminder to the world that you’re special!

This time is mother nature’s ‘reward’, a little gift to you for bringing another life into this world – so make the most of the next three months. If this is your first baby, lazy-morning-lie-ins won’t happen for the next 21 years. So, relish them while you can. Make time for your man – his nose will be put out of joint when baby arrives and takes over your body, your days and nights (and entire budget). Plan ahead; hoard gifts for Birthdays and Christmas, look for ante-natal classes in your area, find out about day-care, read up about breastfeeding, search for baby specials and stock-pile disposable nappies. Test-drive strollers, google nursery décor ideas, apply for maternity leave, research maternity benefits.

You won’t be sorry you did this when you hit your final trimester and your energy levels slump, nausea (sometimes) returns, and your body begins to object to the burdens of pregnancy. 

Picture from my booklet: Childbirth Education is Fun! Artist: Collette Edmonds.

 

Tips for when you come home from hospital

When you come home from the hospital, your journey to recovery has only just begun.

 

Everyone likes coming home from hospital, but patience, this is only a start to your recovery. It can take weeks, if not months to feel well again. During recovery, you’ll need to honour follow-up appointments to your doctor/specialist, you may need some form of nursing care (wound dressings, injections, blood tests, physiotherapy) and report problems (take pictures with your cell phone and send these to your doctor) e.g., swelling, rashes, bleeding or signs of inflammation or infection.

There may be more recovery challenges than you realise. You may be experiencing some or all of the following.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

While it’s normal to feel ‘worn-out’ after an illness, trauma or surgery, feeling ‘tired all the time’ can be frustrating and disheartening. This may be caused by:

ü  What you’re eating: Look up convalescent diets for your condition on the internet.   

ü  If you’re anaemic, your doctor has probably prescribed a supplement. Try debittered Molasses. The natural sugar content will also help to boost energy levels.

ü  ‘Power-naps’ during the day are great revivers.

ü  Stress wears you out. Remember that a problem shared is a problem halved.

Breathlessness:

It’s not only Covid that can take your breath away. Respiratory infections, lung diseases and inflammation can leave you feeling exhausted and out of breath. Learn to slow down. Physiotherapist, Sam Holtzhuizen, currently specialising in helping Covid patients to recover, says that because prolonged coughing can be exhausting, it’s important to learn to breathe properly and control coughing spasms. Sam teaches cough suppression techniques like sipping water, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, sucking ice and cough lozenges, using distraction and relaxation. It also helps to sleep in a semi-upright position.

Sleeplessness:

Exhaustion doesn’t enhance sleep. Sleeplessness can be exaggerated by stress and worry. Make sure you’re comfortable, don’t watch TV before turning in, try herbal supplements like zinc and magnesium, Rescue Remedy and herbal tea like Camomile – or a cup of warmed milk sweetened with honey.

No appetite?

Food = energy. If you’re not eating, you’re running on empty. When food has lost its taste, and you’re not hungry (maybe feeling nauseous) try eating small, nourishing snacks more often.

Depression:

This is the number one enemy of recovery. It’s a misunderstood symptom that you simply can’t ‘snap’ out of on a whim! It takes time, work and determination to find those happiness hormones again. Choose to do the things you enjoy, reach out to family and friends – there’s no shame in being honest and telling them how you’re feeling. Start by venturing outdoors and spending more time in the sunshine. Gradually add walking (ideally barefoot) to this schedule.

Constipation:

All the above can contribute to ‘blocking up’ your system adding to recovery blues. Circumstances are different. Speak to your pharmacist about a treatment plan. If this does not help, do speak to your doctor.

Top tips:

ü  Boost your immune system

ü  Treasure every day (the good, the bad, and the ugly)

ü  Take up a hobby – read, listen to music, handcrafts

ü  Meditate and pray

ü  Start a project. 

Photography: Aloise Ireland

Breastfeeding advice when you are pregnant

Can I breastfeed?

Pregnant women who are learning about the amazing benefits of breastfeeding, may be asking ‘Can I breastfeed if……..

·         I have had Covid?

·         If I have been vaccinated against Covid?

·         If I haven’t been vaccinated?

·         If I have Covid now?

·         If I have HIV?

·         If I am on chronic medication?

·         If I have to go back to work?

The good news is a resounding YES to all of the above, but let’s understand specific circumstances.

If your Covid test is currently positive, and depending on how well or sick you are, your breastmilk will not be contaminated with the virus – in fact, your immune system will be making antibodies that can protect your baby. Unfortunately, because this virus is airborne, it’s a respiratory infection that’s spread in the air, on hands and from surfaces. Breastfeeding mothers need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to wearing a mask and washing their hands, and breasts. If a mom is ill, during the critical period, it may be helpful for her to express her milk, and ask her partner/friend to feed her baby. As long as stringent hygiene measures are taken, EBM (expressed breast milk) can be used. It’s important to keep breastfeeding so that your breastmilk does not ‘dry up’.  

If you have had Covid or been vaccinated, anti-bodies in your breastmilk will be good for your baby – and yes, you can breastfeed. (Confirmation by Professor Salome Maswime from Global Health). If you have not been vaccinated, understand that it’s important to keep your immune system healthy and to stick to non-pharmaceutical measures to avoid getting the virus; i.e., social distancing, masking and hand washing.

When it comes to HIV, it’s important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to keep their viral load as low as possible by taking Anti-retroviral medication regularly and at the same time every day. Skipping meds gives the virus an opportunity to multiply, increase the viral load and interfere with the body’s immune system and disease control.

Women taking medications for a number of chronic conditions need to get advice from their specialist / pharmacist and lactation consultant. It is reassuring to know that many medications are not harmful to babies. However, mothers who are taking cytotoxic, radioactive and anti-thyroid drugs (other than propylthiouracil) are unfortunately, unable to breastfeed.

Rare medical conditions when babies are unable to tolerate breastmilk are:

• Galactosaemia – This is when galactose collects in the blood. It’s a rare genetic metabolic condition when the baby is unable to metabolize sugar called galactose
• Phenylketonuria – or PKU, is a rare inherited condition that causes an amino acid called phenylalanine to build up in the body
• Maple syrup urine disease – fortunately, this is a rare but serious inherited condition. It means the body cannot process certain amino acids (the "building blocks" of protein) and causes a harmful build-up of toxic substances in the blood and urine
• Breastmilk jaundice – Although this condition is more common, it’s usually not severe. It can begin in the first or second week after birth and usually resolves on its own. Depending on the severity, breastfeeding can continue, but it can sometimes make jaundice worse or last longer than 8 – 12 weeks. Mom may be advised to stop breastfeeding, express and freeze her milk to use later when jaundice has resolved.

 

Working moms can breastfeed. Depending on her circumstances and working environment, women can arrange to:

• Bring her baby to work

• If there is a nursery close by or at her place of work, she can use her tea and lunch breaks to fit in with breastfeeding schedules

• Express her breast milk at work, refrigerate it for her carer to feed to her baby the following day

• Mom can breastfeed in the morning and again when she comes home from work.

When we understand that breastfeeding in the first 6 months at least (ideally for the first year) benefits your baby’s health not only during babyhood and childhood, but can influence long-term illnesses like hypertension and diabetes in later life, any inconveniences on Mom’s part is a life-long (never to be repeated) gift for your child.