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Ectopic pregnancy: Matters arising

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Finding out I was
pregnant with a baby when my last child, Olivia, was only 10 weeks’ old elicited plenty of laughs from everyone but me. I was completely overwhelmed and overtly emotional.
“In the morning of that fateful day, I noticed something unusual: I started to bleed while in the bathroom. I called our family doctor who questioned me about my condition.
“I later went to his clinic and the outcome of the investigation almost turned my life upside down.
“Through an ultrasound scan, it was discovered that I had an eight-week-old foetus growing in my fallopian tube and there was nothing we could do to change it,’’ Mrs Anne Chukwu, a housewife, says.
The woman’s plight is not an extraordinary case, as several women have undergone a similar fate of having ectopic pregnancy, while some hapless ones even died as a result of its rupture and bleeding.
Medical experts describe ectopic pregnancy as one of the high-risk pregnancies; saying that it is pregnancy outside the normal internal cavity or womb.
The fact that this odd kind of pregnancy could occur be in the abdomen, pelvic, ovary or fallopian tube makes it a high-risk pregnancy, they add.
The experts insist that ectopic pregnancy poses a danger to the health of both the mother and the baby.
Dr Nathaniel Adewole, a gynaecologist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, says that ectopic pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, adding that it affects 0.2 per cent of every five pregnancies.
“When it is ruptured, it could lead to anaemia, internal bleeding or even death,” he says.
Adewole says that one of the early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy is abdominal pain, which crops up due to the location of the pregnancy, adding that in some cases, the woman may not even know that she is already pregnant.
The gynaecologist says that when the pregnancy is located in the womb, the normal cavity, the womb can expand up to 1,000 times of its normal size to accommodate the growing foetus.
“But when the pregnancy is located in the fallopian tube, there will be a problem because the tube cannot expand,” he says.
Adewole says that if the fallopian tube is totally blocked due to some abnormalities, it will be unable to transport the fertilised egg to the womb and this could lead to ectopic pregnancy.
“It is common among women of childbearing age and it has contributed to the high rate of maternal death in the country.
“This is because in some cases, a woman might collapse and die because of this abnormal kind of pregnancy,’’ he adds.
However, Adewole says infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease are one of the predisposing factors to fallopian tube blockage.
“Treatment of ectopic pregnancy could be by operation if it is not ruptured; sometimes, it could melt by itself before the person even notices it,” he says.
Adewole, therefore, advises women to go to hospital for proper scanning and tests whenever they presume that they are pregnant or if they have abdominal pains, insisting that they should never resort to self-medication.
Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Obende, a gynaecologist at Garki Hospital, Abuja, says that poor management of infections, congenital problems and contraceptive medications are some of major factors that could cause ectopic pregnancy.
He explains that symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pains, bleeding and dizziness, among others, depending on the stage of the pregnancy.
“It may be due to congenital problems, complications or infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or abortion-induced infections that can destroy the fallopian tubes.
“Some drugs like ‘progesterone’, ‘Copper-T Intra-uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD)’ can be dangerous; if a woman has ‘Copper-T IUCD’ in her system when she becomes pregnant, there is a higher possibility that the pregnancy could be ectopic.
“Copper-T IUCD is a method of preventing pregnancy; women put contraceptive inside the womb to prevent pregnancy.
“A woman with ectopic pregnancy may present with missing of menses (emenorrhea); some will present with pain, vaginal bleeding and many will become dizzy, have shock or even die,” he says.
Obende expatiates that the womb has muscles that could expand to accommodate a baby, “but for the fallopian tube, such expansion is not possible and so, the tube gets ruptured after seven weeks”.
He, however, insists that doctors ought to investigate the possibility of ectopic pregnancy whenever a woman of reproductive age complains about missing her period and having lower abdominal pains.
He adds that the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy should be based on a high index of suspicion.
He says that ultrasound scan and pregnancy tests could be used to ascertain the position of the pregnancy if the pregnant woman reports early to hospital.
“But when a test is carried out and there is no foetus found in the woman’s womb, you suspect ectopic pregnancy,’’ he says.
Obende stresses that the treatment for ectopic pregnancy could involve the removal of the affected portion of the fallopian tube and the growing foetus, so as to prevent bleeding and death.
“For others, you can use medical management, which involves injecting some drugs that will kill the foetus before it grows to the extent of causing any damage.
“But you can only do that if the woman reports at the hospital early before rupture occurs and for those who come in when there is rupture, we cannot use this kind of medical management.
“We, therefore, conduct surgical operation because if the fallopian tube bursts, the woman will start bleeding until she dies,” he says.
Obende, nonetheless, says that proper diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease could prevent infertility and ectopic pregnancy in future.
He also advises women to avoid contracting PID such as gonorrhoea and abortion-related infections, saying that such infections could damage the fallopian tube and thereby, cause ectopic pregnancy.
All in all, observers insist that even though pregnancy is a thing of joy, pragmatic efforts should be made to avoid factors that predispose a woman to have ectopic pregnancy, which is a source of sorrow.
Nwachukwu writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 

Jacinta Nwachukwu

Rivers State chairman, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Lilian Okonkwo (left), addressing newsmen during a road walk to commemorate International Women’s Day, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Rivers State chairman, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Lilian Okonkwo (left), addressing newsmen during a road walk to commemorate International Women’s Day, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

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Women

The Desire Of Every Woman In Marriage

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A woman needs a man that is honest,  trustworthy,  nice,  loving and financially stable.
There are no two ways about finance in marriage. No matter the level of love, If there is no money,  it is always difficult.


Referring to the Biblical belief in Genesis 3:Your desire  shall be unto you……..
That is one aspect  the woman expects her husband to take care of.
A woman wants a husband that is not lazy,  at least helping to do one or two things.   A man that is educated and intelligent.
She knows that there is a trait that her husband has.  Traits of taking care of people,  giving freely to people and caring for her family.
A woman wants to love a husband that has family interest at heart. A man that spends time with his family,  remembering his family even as he is away from home.
A woman should not antagonise her husband because of one error or the other. No matter the level of offence he may have committed, you still show some love.


According to the Scripture, it is with wisdom that the women builds her home.
It is not as if the woman will not monitor her husband, but to certain limit.  Don’t be a monitoring spirit.  Don’t allow anything to take your joy.
Don’t loose trust in your husband.
The idea of checking your husband’s phone should be discouraged. The more you check your husband and his phone, the more you loose your joy.


The home should not be a battle ground for a woman and man.  A woman should be able to ask herself if the check on her husband will pay her any good.
Draw a line to a point where you checkmate your husband’s activities.
A woman wants a man that will love her and telling her you love her will be all she desires.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

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Women

What Women Want In Yet-To -Be Husbands

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What women want in their yet-to- be husbands matters a lot as far as marriage is concerned.
A woman desires a good fnancial prospect. Interestingly, some modern women place a man’s financial potential as more desirable than they have in the past.
Many decades ago, women ranked it lower on the list. It still comes in after items like love and maturity, but perhaps today’s women realise that a good economic partner is good husband material.
Good health has been an important characteristic for women through the 20th century and remains so these days. One might argue that because we’re living even longer, health plays a huge role in the success of a marriage. Women are anxious to know that their partners are healthy to be able to run the family together.
You discover that in most faith based organisations, would- be couples are mandated to go for medical tests to ascertain their health status as it concerns HIV/AIDS, Genotype and other related ones. This according to stakeholders is to ensure that couples raise healthy families.
Ambition has become less important to women over time, though it still being considered even if women nowadays are thriving in the workforce competing with the male folk. It may be because more women are thriving in the workforce, they want a husband who has earning power but are not looking for him to be the sole provider.
More women want husbands with pleasing disposition. They may not want a man who is always moody. A man who is always cheerful is whom they desire.
Surprisingly, a man’s likes do not rank as high on women’s list of wants as it used to. Until recently, women are more willing to accept a man for who he his, despite the inevitable mood he may be.
Sociability from both men and women rank very high on their marriag material list. And for both sexes, it has been steadily moving up the list for many years. The rise of the “love marriage,” a partnership based on attraction rather than practicalities (like wealth or status) might mean that married couples are more likely to be friends and have mutual circles of friends.
A lot of couples want to associate with others and then socialise. Attending parties of other friends forms part of their marriage requirements.
Women have placed education and intelligence top making it one of their most desirable male traits for decades. This timeline coincides with more and more women receiving college education themselves. Once education becomes important in women’s lives, it is a more attractive trait in potential husbands.
Of course when a woman is educated, she is likely to go for an educated man. When they are gainfully employed, their income boost the family affairs faster.
Today, women are much more attracted to men who are interested in home and family than they ever have been. Men who have desire for their home and children is whom they desire.
After a days job, a man will come home to ensure that his children are comfortable. Because most women today are expecting to be in dual-earner relationships, they want husbands who will be happy and willing to contribute at home. More women today even report that they hope he will take the lead at home.
A woman wants a man who is emotionally stable and mature. Growing big physically is not the issue but maturity in the heart.
Men, too, place a heavy emphasis on a potential wife’s emotional maturity, signaling that it is a key quality for a stable partnership. Women seem to look past appearance to the heart of the matter.
A woman wants a man who is not easily provoked. Dependable character is what some women want in marriage.
Women want husbands that they can count on, and this has not changed in recent years. Yes, women look to their spouses to be lovers and friends, they also want them to be supportive and trustworthy. They want to know that their husbands will be there and remain loyal. Men, too, desire dependable character from their yet-to be wives.
Mutual attraction and love from the first appearance is what they want till they become old.
The highest-rated characteristic women seek from men is mutual attraction and love. Some no longer look for a man who will provide everything, afterall they are also educated and are gainfully employed, they want to be in love.
For some women, even when the man do not provide household needs, the love shown on her is enough. When women had no job prospects and needed to marry, they desired love . The women’s movement has not only helped women pursue careers, it has also given them more choice in love.

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Women

Echoes Of IWD : Need To Invest In Women

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As this year’s Internatinal Women’s Day (IWD) has come and gone, there are calls from different quarters on the need to invest in women so that we can achieve accelerated growth.
It was, indeed, a thing of joy when Rivers Women Unite For Sim, took delivery of large quantities of sanitary towels and some bags of rice provided them for this year’s celebration.
Many young women expressed joy that they got such gesture since some of them have financial problems getting sanitary towels whenever they are on.
Some secondary school students were also lucky to have a share of the benefits. They also got some sanitary towels.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs organised a platform to celebrate and honour the women for the remarkable jobs they perform in their homes and society.
Addressing women on the occasion, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, noted that women from time immemorial have been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights and stressed that IWD across the globe is pivotal all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life.
Dr. Uranta said that IWD, which started in 1911 and celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day that provides women a platform to address economic inclusion, participation in political and public life.
She said the day was set aside to look into lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices as well as other challenges facing women around the globe.
The Hon. Commissioner, who described March 8 as a day to celebrate the socio-economic, cultural and political achievements of women, emphasised that it is a day that offers women the opportunity to reflect on progressive achievements.
Noting that it is an opportunity to call for change, she stressed that it is also an opportunity to celebrate acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women who did extraordinary things and are remembered in history.
She noted that the IWD2024 theme:”Invest In Women, Accelerate Progress”, is timely and apt because according to her, to achieve gender equality, we must ensure that the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them.
Her words: ” We must see investing in women as a human right issue and consider investing in women as a social tool to eradicate poverty since women are helpmeet in the homes while a handful are breadwinners in their respective families”.
The commissioner urged women to uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves, be it furthering formal education, developing a new skill as well as learning a trade.
“Shun idleness, always find something positive and productive to do, regardless of your age, social status and financial capabilities”, she said.
In a paper presentation, Dr. Dabota God’swill Jumbo, reiterated that investing in women would attract good and positive dividends to herself and the society at large and noted that it is essential in addressing poverty, hunger and climate change.
The guest speaker said women need more opportunities in elective and appointive positions, hence the need to encourage and support them in politics.
According to her, when you invest in women, they will be able to create safer environment devoid of gender-based violence.
In a goodwill message, the spokesperson, Rivers Women Unite For Sim, Mrs Charity Deemua appreciated the organisers for making it possible for women to gather and celebrate themselves.
She commended those who created a day like March 8 of every year to celebrate women and regretted that the girl-child was seen as a second-class person decades ago.
The former commissioner, Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, described those who taught it wise for women to celebrate as conquerors, tough and strong.
International Association of World Peace Advocates, a world-class organisation with the United Nations, honoured different categories of women.
In Cross River State, 150 women were empowered with about N15m to boost their small and medium scale businesses.
According to stakeholders, the women empowerment is vital in addressing social, economic and political challenges and will make them self-reliant.
An NGO, Association of Professional Women Engineering Technologists (APWET), said it’s aim is to promote professional excellence among engineering personnel, advocating for women and girl-child education.
With what we saw in terms of response to women’s call on issues affecting them from relevant authorities, we are optimistic that the women will do better whenever they are empowered.
If we must kick out cervical, breast and other forms of cancer in women, underage marriage, prostitution, we must invest in women.
There were goodwill messages from National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC, Nigeria Association of Female Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.

By: Eunice Choko-Kayode

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