Women's health with Dr Rasheedah

I started out hoping to do an educative post on miscarriage with facts and figures as per usual but I'm going to personalise this week's post. I was watching an episode of 'This is us', the one where Kate had a miscarriage (those who know, know!lol) and It brought back soo many memories. Just a few key points about miscarriages, it is common! 1 in 4 women will have one in their lifetime! It is painful sometimes physically but most times mentally! We do not talk about it enough! Well I’ve had 2..the first one wasn’t too bad as I lost it quite early, wasn’t really prepared and didn’t get excited long enough to feel bad enough. My second miscarriage experience however wasn’t so great, I never talk about it but sometimes I find myself wondering if it was a baby boy or girl, if he/she would have shared similarities with their siblings or be completely different, when would they have walked or talked...so many what ifs. I found out I was pregnant, my family and ...

All week on the Instagram page I’ve been sharing bits and bobs relating to the journey to conception and trying to conceive. Whilst a lot of the time the focus tends to be on abnormality, this post will focus on trying to conceive with no underlying medical diagnosis or concerns. Before we proceed, at this point you should have come off any contraception method you are on! It’s an amazing time when you and your partner decide that you’re ready for the patter of tiny feet and are ready to take the leap. For a lot of couples the journey is straight forward and short but for some, it’s a long and tedious journey. However before you go down this road I’ve drawn up key topics to address besides the obvious financial implications for the future (lol). Prenatal Vitamins I never miss an opportunity for health promotion but it’s amazing how little  the average Nigerian woman knows about  the benefits of prenatal vitamins especially folic acid. Folic acid , also know...

So this week I had planned a very medical post with all the technicalities but after attending a session with Hauwa Ojeifo (a life, mind and mental health coach) and  follow on conversations from this I thought perhaps it will be a good time to blog about mental health and wellness in its totality. The last published WHO report on mental health in Nigeria (2006) highlights the sad state of mental health facilities and services which unfortunately persists 12 years later. I would like to give honourable mentions to all individuals and organisations that are working to change this narrative one of which is She Writes Woman founded by Hauwa. As women, society expects a lot from us, from earning an income, birthing and raising children, looking after husbands/partners all this whilst still looking good and upholding religious responsibilities. Not easy!  We worry about everything and everyone else sometimes and usually our default to the Question “how are you?” Is “I’m...