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Healthy Beginnings with Wendy Obosa, Bénin (2026)

12/08/2026

There are things that can affect how well placenta works, and they are known as RISK cents FACTORS.
Knowing them help you and your doctor or midwife protect your health and that of your baby.

HERE ARE THE COMMON RISK FACTORS TO NOTE 👇

1. High blood pressure
High blood pressure or preeclampsia can affect blood flow to your placenta.

2. Abdominal trauma
A direct blow to your tummy or a fall can cause your placenta to separate early.

3. Previous placenta problems
If you had placenta previa or placenta abruption in your previous pregnancy, there is a slight risk for it to occur again.

4. Multiple babies
Carrying two or more babies can put more workload on the placenta.

5. Smoking and Alcohol consumption
Smoking and drinking alcohol carry reduce oxygen supply to the placenta and baby.

6. Substance Abuse
Consumption of illicit drugs like co***ne can trigger the placenta to separate or detach too early.

7. Previous Caesarean section (C/S)
Scars on the uterus can sometimes affect where the placenta implant itself.

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISKS
1. Monitor your blood pressure and adhere to your medication if you are hypertensive.

2. Avoid substance abuse, smoking and alcohol consumption.

3. Tell your doctor or midwife about any fall or trauma to your belly.

4. Wear seatbelts properly during pregnancy.

5. Go for your antenatal checkups and take your prenatal vitamins.

6. Eat nutritious food and drink enough water

NOTE 👇
- Having a risk factor does not mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy. It simply means you need to be closely monitored for early detection and also to ensure you and your baby safety.
- Not all placenta problems can be prevented but the risk can be reduced.
- Always be honest with your doctor or midwife. Hiding relevant health information from them can be dangerous. Remember they want the best for you and your baby.

Don’t forget to ask questions if you have any. Please follow for more health tips Healthy Beginnings with Wendy Obosa

10/08/2026

Every kick, roll, and flip from the baby in your womb is a message that says: "Mama, I’m doing okay" ❤️

The easiest way to understand this message is through KICK COUNTS.

WHAT ARE KICK COUNTS?
It’s simply paying attention to how often your baby moves in your tummy from 28 weeks.
The movements include flipping, kicks, rolls, and quick sharp punch or poke. It’s the easiest way for the mother to check if baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients through the placenta.

HOW ARE KICK COUNTS DONE?
1. Begin kick counts from 28 weeks of pregnancy
2. Study your baby and choose the right time your baby is most active. Babies are usually more active after a meal, in the evening, or when the mother lies on the left side. Don’t waste the moment because your baby wants to talk to you.
3. You can count while sitting or lie down comfortably. Ensure you count every movement until you get to 10.
4. Note how long it took to get 10 movements in 2 hours or less. Most babies complete 10 movements with 30 minutes to 2 hours ✅
5. Do this daily to keep track , using a phone, notebook and pen. Try to be consistent. It will help you know your baby movement patterns.
6. Pay detailed attention to the pattern in order to know what’s normal. Babies usually follow their usual patterns, except something isn’t right.

Remember 👉 If you have anterior placenta, kicks may feel softer, but you should still feel movement. Knowing your baby pattern will help.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR MIDWIFE 👇
🚩You feel fewer movements than usual
🚩No movements for 2 hours when baby is usually active
🚩 Movements suddenly stop

Go to the hospital and see your doctor or midwife immediately. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t drink cold water or lick salt to test it.
It’s better to be checked and be told baby is okay, than miss one emergency.

HAVE THIS IN MIND 👇
1. Every baby is different. Don’t compare your previous babies with the current one or even your neighbors own. Count for the baby you are currently pregnant with to know the pattern.
2. Be consistent. Try to count around the same time each day.

Save this post for later and also share with a pregnant woman 🤰
Please follow for more pregnancy tips 💚

07/08/2026

We’ve talked about placenta previa and placenta positions. Today let’s talk about “Placenta Abruption”.
👇
Placenta abruption simply means the placenta feeding and protecting your baby has detached or separated from the wall of the womb early before the baby is ready to be born.

The placenta is the baby lifeline. So when it detaches, the baby may not get enough oxygen and blood, and the mother can also lose a lot of blood. That’s why it’s an emergency.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PLACENTA ABRUPTION?
1. Vaginal bleeding
This is the most common sign. The blood can be light or heavy.
2. Stomach pain or cramping
It can be mild or severe. Your tummy may feel tense or hard.
3. Frequent contractions that don’t stop
This can make your bump feel tight all the time.
4. Lower back pain, especially if there’s no bleeding. This usually happens when blood is trapped behind the placenta, and it’s known as "concealed abruption”.

Please know this 👉 Not everyone will have all the signs and sometimes there’s no bleeding or symptoms at all. So always trust your instincts and report to the hospital if you see any of these.

HOW SERIOUS IS IT?
How serious it is depends on:
1. How much of the placenta has separated. The more the placenta separates, the more serious it is.
2. How far has your pregnancy gone. The later in pregnancy this happens, the better baby’s chances of survival.

This may sounds scary, but the truth is, a very small number of babies may not survive a severe abruption.
Here’s the good part 👉If you get to the hospital quickly, your healthcare team can do a lot to keep you and your baby safe.

YOUR CARE TEAM CAN DO THIS IF YOU REPORT TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME 👇
- Check you and baby immediately with scans and close monitoring.
- Decide on the safest delivery plan. This may mean caesarean section (C/S) to get baby out safely.
-Treat any bleeding to keep you stable.

DON’T FORGET THIS 👇
1. Bleeding, severe pain, or a hard tummy in pregnancy is never normal
2. Don’t wait at home to see if bleeding or any other symptoms will stop. Go to the hospital immediately
3. You are NOT wasting anyone’s time. If something feels wrong, speak up. It’s better to check you 10 times and find nothing, than miss 1 emergency.
4. Lasting, don’t forget to attend all antenatal visits. It can help detect risk factors and enhance close monitoring.

05/08/2026

Few days back we talked about PLACENTA PREVIA and someone asked:
“Nurse Wendy Obosa, are there other positions for the placenta? And how do I know where it should rightly be?”

Yes there are. Let’s talk about it 👇

The 5 Main Placenta Positions:

1. Anterior Placenta:
Here, the placenta is attached to the front wall of your womb, towards your belly.
It can act like a pillow. You may feel baby’s kicks softer or later. You don’t need to panic with this because baby is still fine.

2. Posterior Placenta:
The placenta is attached to the back wall of your womb, towards your spine.
You will likely feel kicks stronger and earlier because the placenta is not acting like a pillow in front.

3. Lateral Placenta:
The placenta is on the left or right side of your womb.
Usually no effect on pregnancy or delivery.

4. Fundal Placenta:
The placenta is at the very top of your womb, which is known as the "Fundus". The fundus in medical simply means the top opposite the opening.
This is one of the most common and safest positions.

5. Low-Lying Placenta
The placenta is sitting low, close to the cervix (tip of the womb).
This requires monitoring. Most placenta move up as the womb grows, but if it’s still low at 36 weeks, it can become placenta previa.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PLACENTA IS?
Through ultrasound scan.
From as early as 10-12 weeks, we can see where the placenta is attached. In fact, in early pregnancy the placenta is even bigger than the baby, so it’s easy to see.

PLEASE, make it a culture to always ask your sonographer 👉"Where is my placenta located?"

CAN PLACENTA POSITION AFFECT HOW YOU FEEL YOUR BABY MOVE?
Yes. Mainly with Anterior Placenta.

Because the placenta is in front like a cushion, baby’s kicks and punches may feel softer.
Some mothers with anterior placenta say they didn’t feel strong movements until much later.

Please take note of this 👉 Softer kicks because of anterior placenta is normal.
BUT If you notice a sudden big change or baby is moving much less than usual, report to the hospital immediately. That rule is for everyone.

With posterior placenta, movements usually feel sharper and stronger.

DOES PLACENTA POSITION AFFECT LABOUR AND DELIVERY?
You can still have a normal va**nal delivery. The placenta position alone doesn’t decide it.

BUT here is the EXCEPTION👇

If the placenta is still covering or too close to the cervix at 36 weeks, va**nal delivery is not safe. A Caesarean section (C/S) will be planned to protect you and baby.

Additionally, REMEMBER Anterior placenta can sometimes mean baby is more likely to face "up" during labor. This can make labor a bit longer and more painful, but delivery route is still usually normal 📌

LET’S DO A TAKE HOME 👇
1. Any placenta position can have a healthy pregnancy, apart from the exceptions that need special planning.
2. Don’t joke with your scan, so that you and your doctor or midwife know where the placenta is and how your baby is doing.
3. Learn to count your baby’s movements daily, especially from 28 weeks.
4. The duty of your placenta is to feed and keep your baby safe. Where it sit is an information that will help your doctor or midwife plan the safest care for you and your baby.

Please follow Healthy Beginnings with Wendy Obosa for more tips.

03/08/2026

During pregnancy, the placenta is the organ that usually attach itself to the top or side or side of the womb. It’s function is to feed and give oxygen to the baby.

In placenta previa the placenta grows in the lowest part of the womb and partially or completely covers the tip of the womb (cervix).

IS IT COMMON?
In early pregnancy, it’s very common for the placenta to be low but as your womb grows, the placenta usually moves up on its own.
As it get to the third trimester, the placenta is suppose to be at the top so the cervix is clear for delivery.

When this does not occur, then it’s known as Placenta Praevia.

HERE ARE THE TYPES OF PLACENTA PREVIA 👇
1. Low-lying: Placenta is close to the cervix but not touching it. About 2-3cm away. This is also known as Type 1 lacenta previa.

2. Marginal: Placenta edge is touching the cervix but not covering it. This is also called Type 2 placenta previa.

3. Partial: Placenta is covering part of the cervical opening. The partial placenta previa is also type 3.

4. Complete: Placenta is covering the entire cervical opening. This is the most serious type and also called Type 4 placenta previa.

CAUSES OF PLACENTA PREVIA👇
1. Womb with unusual shape
2. Had many pregnancies before (multiparity)
3. Pregnant with two or more babies
4. Scar on the womb from previous caesarean section (C/S), surgery, or abortion
5. IVF or other assisted conception
6. Previously had placenta previa
7. Manual removal of placenta in past delivery

Although, the exact cause is sometimes unknown.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PLACENTA PREVIA?
- The main sign is sudden, painless va**nal bleeding. It often starts around the end of 2nd trimester or beginning of 3rd trimester
- The bleeding can be heavy and it may stop on its own, but can start again days or weeks later
- Some women also feel mild cramps

Note👉 This bleeding can be dangerous for both mother and baby if not managed 📌

HOW DO YOU MANAGE PLACENTA PREVIA TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR BABY SAFE?
1. Ensure regular scans. This is done to check where the placenta is.
2. Attend all antenatal appointments. This will help your doctor or midwife monitoring you and your baby.
3. Have enough rest. Your doctor may advise you to avoid heavy work, travel, and s*x
4. Report any bleeding immediately. Even if it stops.
5. Planning to deliver in a hospital is a must. This gives room for emergency response. Don’t also forget to pack your hospital bag early.
6. A caesarean section is usually needed, especially for marginal, partial, and complete types. Vaginal delivery is not safe when placenta is blocking the way.

Always remember 👉 Bleeding in pregnancy is never normal.
Don’t wait at home. Go to the hospital immediately.

31/07/2026

Head down (cephalic) is the safest position for delivery but sometimes va**nal delivery still isn’t safe due to some of these reasons 👇

1. Placenta Previa
In this situation, the placenta is sitting low and covering the opening of the womb where baby is supposed to pass through.

What can occur 👇
- Heavy bleeding for the mother if va**nal delivery is tried.
- Baby’s life is also endangered

2. Baby is too big (macrosomic)
If baby is very big, the head can get trapped.

What can occur 👇
- The head can get stuck leading to suffocation.
- Baby might suffer injury such as fracture of the clavicle, pronounced swelling and fluid accumulation in the baby’s scalp, brain damage due to lack of oxygen etc.
- Mother can suffer perineal tear and pelvic joint displacement.

3. Mother pelvis which is the birth canal is too small or tight
Some women have a narrow pelvis, or male-type of pelvis. This is more common with short women less than 150cm.

What can occur?
Labour can get obstructed and baby may not pass through safely.

4. Baby is facing the wrong way
Baby’s head is down, but baby is facing your belly instead of your back. This is known as occipital posterior position.

What can occur?
Labour can be very painful and take much longer. This can result in mother and baby exhaustion.

5. Problem with the umbilical cord
Some babies have cord wrapped round their necks. Also, cord can be too short or can slip out before the baby’s head (cord prolapse).

What can occur 👇
- Baby can suffocate if cord tighten during delivery.
- The cord can get squeezed and cut off oxygen to baby during labour.

6. Mother prone to seizures
Labour can increase the risk for convulsion for women who are at high risk.

What can occur?
- Brain bleeding can occur for the mother
- Oxygen supply can also be cut off from the baby

What Can be Done 👇
Cooperate with your doctor or midwife to ensure a safe delivery plan.

Remember 👉 having a C/S does not mean you failed. It shows you are brave and prioritize your safety and that of your baby.

29/07/2026

Early this week we talked about baby positions. Today I would like us to talk about why some babies take these positions, the risks, and how you can keep your baby safe.

1️⃣ Transverse lie which is baby lying sideways

Causes
- Placenta praevia: This is when the placenta is low in the womb
- Carrying twins or more, which can result in baby not having enough space to turn
- Too much water around baby, which is also known as polyhydramnios
- Fibroids in the womb blocking baby
- Short umbilical cord

Possible risks if baby stays in this position
- Labour can take longer
- Baby’s face may look swollen after birth
- Cord prolapse can occur. This is a situation where the cord come out before baby and cut off oxygen. It is an emergency.

What can be done?
Planned or elective Caesarean section is the safest. Vaginal delivery is not advised for transverse lie.

2️⃣ Breech positions which has to do with baby coming out with buttocks or feet first

Causes
- Twins or multiple pregnancy
- Womb with unusual shape
- Having had many babies before. This is known as grandmultiparity
- Too much amniotic fluid
- Baby’s own condition, which involve some fetal abnormalities

Possible risks if baby remains in this position
- Cord prolapse, which is of higher risk in breech babies than cephalic (head-down)
- Head getting stuck during delivery
- Water breaking early
- Baby not getting enough oxygen if delivery is delayed
- Bleeding in baby’s brain from quick pressure on the head

What can be done?
1. External Cephalic Version. This is when your doctor gently tries to turn baby from outside
2. Elective Caesarean section which is the safest for most breech babies
3. Vaginal Breech Delivery only in selected cases and when it meet these criteria 👇frank or complete breech, normal baby size, good mother pelvis, and it must be done by a doctor or midwife who is skillful with breech delivery.

3️⃣ Oblique lie which involve baby lying diagonally

Cause
- Baby’s head is too big for the pelvis, resulting in cephalopelvic disproportion
- Placenta praevia or fibroids in the way
- Short umbilical cord

Possible risk that can occur
- In early labour, too much water can rush out at once
- Cord can slip out and that can result to cord herniation. This is dangerous

What can be done?
If baby doesn’t turn head down during labour, Caesarean section is advisable once active labour starts. Vaginal delivery is not safe.

Most importantly, know that most babies turn head-down on their own before 36-37 weeks.
And even if they don’t, your obstetric team have safe plans for you.

What you can do now 👇
1. Keep up with your antenatal visits
2. Plan to deliver in the hospital
3. Trust your care team and choose the safest option for you and your baby.

Disclaimer: Image used for education purposes only.

27/07/2026

Not every baby comes head first. Some babies present with other body parts. Let’s talk about it 🤰👇

1. Cephalic Position: Head Down ✅
This means baby is lying in the womb with the head pointing down towards the va**na. It is the safest position.

See why 👉 The head is the biggest part. When it comes first, the rest of the body usually follows easily.

2. Breech Position: Bottom or Feet First
This means baby is sitting instead of moving downward with the head.
There are 3 types:
- Complete Breech: Baby’s buttocks is down, with both hips and knees bent. Looks like baby is sitting cross-legged.

- Footling Breech: One or both of baby’s feet are pointing down to come out first.

- Frank Breech: Baby’s buttocks is down, but legs are straight up towards the head.

Breech position is risky because after the baby’s body is born, the head which is the biggest part can become trapped aid not well managed. Although it is riskier, va**nal delivery is still possible but need skilled care.

3. Transverse Lie: Sideways
Baby is lying across the womb, like a seatbelt. Head on one side of the mother’s abdomen, feet on the other. It is also a risky position.

See why 👉 Baby cannot come out this way naturally. Delivery must be planned carefully with your obstetrician and midwife.

4. Oblique lie: Diagonal
Baby is lying at an angle, about 45 degrees. Head near one hip bone and butt near the other. It is an unstable position.

See why 👉 Baby can still turn to head down ( cephalic) or slip into sideways (transverse). That is the reason it needs close monitoring.

What Should be Done ✅
1. Your doctor or midwife checks your baby with hands (palpation) and scan.
2. Plan hospital delivery. The reason for this is, if baby is not head done your care team can plan the right care early.

What you Shouldn’t Do ❌
1. Don’t try to turn baby yourself.
2. If your baby is in an oblique or transverse position don’t labour at home trying to push.

In our next post, we will talk about 👇
- The risks linked to these positions
- What can be done to keep your baby safe

If you are looking forward to it, comment “safe” or drop a ❤️

Remember 👉 this is for awareness and education purpose. Always speak with your obstetrician or midwife

24/07/2026

Cord around baby’s neck is also known as Nuchal cord. What this means is that the umbilical cord that connects the baby to the placenta is wrapped around the baby’s neck once or more during pregnancy.

What Causes it?
It occurs naturally and may be due to the following:
1. Baby’s activeness in the womb. Babies kick and turn a lot in the womb. During this process, the cord can wrap around the baby’s neck as he or she moves.
2. Some babies naturally have long cord, which can tie round their neck.
3. Twins or more babies have more movement s and issues of space which can contribute to this situation.
4. Lots of amniotic fluid can create more space for baby to move and somersault, which can make it possible for umbilical cord to tie round neck, hand or even leg.

What it’s not?
It is not caused by the mother sleeping position or what she possibly ate ❌

Possible Risk during Labour 👇
- Difficulty delivery baby’s head. If the cord is tight, your doctor or midwife may need to loosen the cord before proceeding with the delivery,
- Sometimes cord compression may occur. This can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby.
- In rare cases, if the compression is severe or not properly managed, it can lead to the baby becoming distressed.

What Your Doctor or Midwife Will Do 👇
1. Baby heart beat will be monitored to ensure baby is not distressed.
2. Once the head of the baby is born during delivery, your midwife or doctor will kindly check for the cord and gently slip it over the head.
3. If baby shows any sign of distress, delivery will be fastened to help baby.

What you can Do 👇
- Don’t panic. Most babies that experience this are born healthy.
- Attend all your antenatal visits and keep up with you ultrasound.
- Ensure you deliver in a facility with skilled birth attendants.
- If you notice reduce movement from your baby, report to your care team immediately ⚠️

22/07/2026

Tips that can help you sleep better in pregnancy 👇

1. Eat well nourished meals at the right time. Avoid going to bed immediately after eating.

2. Drink enough water and also do it smartly. Drink more in the morning and afternoon. Reduce water 2 hours to bed time to avoid frequent urination disrupting your sleep.

3. Take a warm bath, pray, or listen to calm music before going to bed .

3. Avoid scrolling your phone once it’s bed time, to avoid staying awake unnecessarily.

4. Establish a routine sleep pattern by going to bed same time every day.

5. Get comfortable by using pillows between your legs, under your belly and behind your back.

6. Learn to sleep on your left side, known as left lateral position. This will help increase blood flow to your baby.

7. Do mild exercise during the day. It will help you sleep better at night.

8. Empty your bladder and bowel right before bed.

9. Do not over work yourself. Stress can make sleep harder. Do all you need to do one step at a time. It’s okay if you couldn’t complete the chores as scheduled.

10. Calm your mind. Your mental health matters. Talk to your partner, doctor or midwife if anything troubles you.

Don’t forget 👉 sleeping well in pregnancy is not luxury. It’s part of ANC.

Please share this with a new mom.

Healthy Beginnings with Wendy Obosa

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

07/08/2026

05/08/2026

03/08/2026

31/07/2026

29/07/2026

27/07/2026

24/07/2026

22/07/2026

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