Midwifery with Martha

  Danger Signs in Pregnancy Every Mother Should Know In every hospital setting, nurses and doctors always   “sing”   about danger signs in pregnancy.  We repeat them again and again, not to scare mothers, but because  knowing these signs can save lives . Pregnancy is not an illness, but it is a time when changes happen quickly in a woman’s body. Some signs may look small or harmless, yet they can mean something serious. That is why  every pregnant mother must know the danger signs  and seek help.  Vaginal Bleeding Bleeding at any stage of pregnancy is  not normal . Whether it is light or heavy, painful or painless, it needs medical attention.   Severe Headache A strong headache that does not go away, especially when combined with dizziness or blurred vision, can be a sign of  high blood pressure in pregnancy . Blurred Vision Blurry vision, or sudden vision changes is  dangerous  and should never be ignored. Sudden Swelling...

  What’s the difference  Commonly Confused Midwifery Terms (Made Simple) In midwifery, some terms sound alike but mean very different things. Understanding the difference is important for safe care of both mother and baby. Here are some commonly confused terms explained simply. APH vs PPH APH (Antepartum Haemorrhage):  Bleeding from the vagina  before the baby is born , usually after 28 weeks of pregnancy. PPH (Postpartum Haemorrhage):  Heavy bleeding that happens  after the baby is born . Main difference:  One happens before delivery, the other after delivery. GHPT vs CHPT GHPT (Gestational Hypertension):  High blood pressure that develops  during pregnancy  and usually disappears after delivery. CHPT (Chronic Hypertension):  High blood pressure that was present  before pregnancy  or continues after delivery. Main difference:  One starts in pregnancy, the other existed before pregnancy. IOL vs AOL IOL (Induction of L...

  Clinical placement has taught me that nursing, and especially midwifery, is not just about skills, it’s about how you carry yourself, it’s about attitude, connection , and how you show up every day. These are five things I intentionally avoid during my clinicals placement , because they shape the kind of midwife I am becoming. 1. Talking Back to Nurses I don’t talk back to nurses. They are my seniors and my teachers in the ward. Even when I’m tired, confused, or upset, I remind myself that I am there to learn. Talking back creates unnecessary tension and ruins the image of a student. I choose to listen, accept guidance, and grow. Being humble makes a better person and I’ve learned to respect my seniors, no matter the situation. 2. Gossiping About Nurses  I avoid gossiping, about nurses with other students. Gossip creates a negative environment and sets a disrespectful mindset . I don’t believe in learning through complaints or side conversations. I want to maintain professio...

  What is first stage of labor? Is the period between the onset of labor until full dilation. It is divided into two phases, Latent phase and Active phase of labor.  Differentiation between the phases of first stage Latent phase Is characterized by moderate, irregular or adequate contractions and cervical dilation from 1cm to 4cm. In primigravida it can last up to 8 hours and multigravida is shorter than 4-6 hours (Not initially evident) It differs from women to women. Active phase Is characterized by adequate a strong uterine contractions and cervical dilation from 5-10cm. Duration in primi and multi takes 3-6 hours, or it doesn’t go beyond 10 hours. Management of first stage of labor Provide emotional support and reassure the patient  Nurse the patient on the left lateral position  Monitor vital signs (BP, HR, Urine, temperature, FHR) Insert Intravenous line Assess for contractions in 10 mins, the frequency, duration and strength  Print CTG to monitor fetal we...

Before we dive deeper into midwifery complications, here’s a simple guide to help you understand  10 major conditions  you’ll meet in maternity care. In the next posts, I’ll explain each one of these in detail, including causes, signs, dangers, and midwifery management, but for now, here are the  basic definitions  made easy and clear. 1. Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) Excessive bleeding after the birth of the baby, usually more than  500 ml after vaginal delivery  or  1000 ml after a cesarean section . 2. Placenta Previa A condition where the placenta is implanted  low in the uterus  and partially or completely covers the  cervical opening . 3. Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy (CHPT) High blood pressure that  exists before pregnancy  or is diagnosed  before 20 weeks  of gestation. 4. Gestational Hypertension (GHPT) High blood pressure that develops  after 20 weeks  of pregnancy  without protein in the u...

MidwiferywithMartha If I’m being honest, I didn’t fall in love with nursing from the beginning. In fact, for a long time, I was simply showing up, not because I wanted to but because l just had to. Three years into my journey, midwifery found me in a way I can’t fully put into words. Because the first time I stepped into maternity care, I realised this wasn’t just a job. It was a calling. A place where you witness women at their strongest, most vulnerable, most beautiful. A place where life begins. A place where a midwife can make a woman feel safe, heard, respected, and protected during the most intense moment of her life. Suddenly, nursing wasn’t just tasks and procedures, it became connection, presence, and purpose. Midwifery taught me to see the strength of women, the miracle of life, and the soft power of being the calm in someone’s storm. It brought out qualities in me I didn’t know I had,patience, confidence, gentleness, and a deep sense of calling. That’s when I realised: This ...