While Mokgadi Magdeline Morekhure of Alexandra managed to survive breast cancer, she has been left battling with a heavy swollen arm as a result of the lymphedema she contracted because of the illness.

Lymphedema is the swelling in a limb caused by a blockage of the lymph glands that are left unable to drain lymph fluid from the arm or leg concerned. It can be painful or uncomfortable and is generally caused by lymph node removal or damage during cancer treatment.

Heavy, swollen arm

Morekhure’s story goes back to 1980 when she discovered a lump in her breast while pregnant with her fourth child. She was advised to consult doctors who conducted various tests and diagnosed her with breast cancer. She had surgery to remove her breast and to stop the cancer spreading.  

However, the removal of some of the nearby lymph glands left her with a heavy, swollen arm.

“At first it was difficult to admit but I’ve since accepted it. Occasionally I get stares from people who seem not to understand, otherwise I’m fine,” said the 66-year-old mother of four.

According to a local clinician, Dr Violet Setati, the removal of a breast goes together with removing the lymph nodes.

“These carry cancerous cells, and in the case of Morekhure they have blocked the lymphatic system causing heaviness and swelling of her arm. This is not common for most survivors. It depends on an individual,” Setati explained.

Lymphedema not painful

“Removing a breast is a very serious operation. You can’t do it without tampering with the lymphatic system, although generally most patients don’t experience lymphedema. They come out fine,” she said, and adds that Morekhure would have lost her life had she not had the surgery.

“She has survived a life-threatening disease, and although she now has lymphedema, it is something she can cope with,” Setati said.

While the lymphedema is not painful and Morekhure is able to do normal duties, she has other challenges. As part of her routine physiotherapy she has been told that she needs to wear a specialised double sleeve to help reduce the weight and flatten the limb.

“But my problem is that it is quite expensive. I cannot afford it,” Morekhure said. – Health-e News.

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Ramatamo Sehoai

Childbirth can be a stressful time for many new moms. Preparing for the arrival of your baby while dealing with the physiological changes your body is going through can be a lot to handle.

Enlisting the help of a doula can help assuage your fears and manage your anxiety.

Mother of three, Tarryn Walton, gained invaluable knowledge about the aspects of pregnancy with the birth of each of her children. She became a doula to share this experience with soon-to-be moms to ensure they have the best possible experience.

“I believe parents should be well supported, prepared and informed of all their choices before their first pregnancy and birth so that they have the best chance of experiencing a birth that is positive and empowering,” she says.

Read more: This 31-week pregnant woman says no doctors will take her

Over the past two years, Walton, has helped more than 50 moms. Here she shares the key things you need to know if you’re considering making use of a doula’s services.

1. A doula is a walking talking mommy handbook

A doula is there to provide emotional, informational and physical support to parents during pregnancy, labour and birth.

“It is so important to understand your options and rights during childbirth and to have a team who understands and supports your wishes,” says Walton.

During pregnancy a doula will answer questions about what to expect during labour and what your options are. As well as helping you find relief from various symptoms such as leg cramps, insomnia and nausea.

“Often there are little questions that pop up and, if left unanswered, can niggle and create discomfort and anxiety,” explains Walton.

Read more: This pregnant woman’s Facebook post may have saved her baby’s life

You can book the services of a doula at any stage of your pregnancy. While some mothers prefer to just use their services for labour and birth, some women enlist a doula’s help early on.

“Pregnancy is a journey and having your doula join you early in the process, gives her time to get to know you and provides opportunity for her to give you information that may be helpful throughout the pregnancy. It also means you have someone to answer all the possible questions that arise at various stages of your pregnancy,” says Walton.

2. She’s your BFF in the delivery room

If you’ve ever had a baby before, you know there are a lot of people in the labour and delivery room. In fact, you get so used to being naked and having doctors check your dilated cervix that you probably wouldn’t care if an entire class of med students came in.

Thing is, as helpful and amazing as your medical team may be, they file in and out. Nurses change shifts regularly and the OB comes in to manage pushing and delivery, says doula Erica Chidi Cohen, co-founder of LOOM and author of Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood – and Trusting Your Body.

A doula will be by your side the whole time – even if you have one of those 72-hour labours. “I believe doulas do their best work in hospitals,” she says.

But, you may think, my partner will be by my side! We took those birthing classes! He or she is going to coach me through it.

The thing about labour is that it can be a lot for even the most supportive partner to handle.

“It’s hard for your partner to see you in pain. It sends them into a trauma response and for some, it incapacitates them,” says Cohen. So the extra calming support from a doula can be key to getting you through.

Read more: 7 common things that can cause premature birth

Walton also emphasises that a doula does not replace your partner’s role during labour and birth.

“A good doula knows how to involve the dad and will never undermine his role during the birth process,” she explains.

3. They stick around once your baby is born

A doula doesn’t just peace out once your bun is out of the oven. It would be an understatement to say that that post-birth, your body is a bit… off.

Your vagina is bleeding, your boobs are bursting with milk, you’re leaking pee and your uterus is cramping back into its original position. Luckily, a doula has your back through all of this.

“We help moms with breastfeeding, help them change clothes or pads, help get them comfortable and settled,” says Walton.

“At the post-natal visit, a doula provides the opportunity for the parents to talk about their perceptions and experiences during the birth and answers any questions pertaining to the birth experience or new baby. We also check for any signs of postpartum depression.”

Ready to make use of a doula’s services? You can find a list of certified doulas on the W.O.M.B.S website.

This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za
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Megan Flemmit and Jessica Migala

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in Limpopo is concerned about new infections in unborn babies as pregnant women are not being tested due to the shortage of HIV test kits.

Pregnant women not being tested

The local TAC branch has confirmed that several clinics in the Vhembe and Mopani districts are without HIV test kits, resulting in patients being sent back or referred to other institutions without being tested. Hospitals have also been impacted, with Elim Hospital – the oldest public health facility in the province among them. Here too patients are being sent away without being tested, despite their willingness to know their HIV status.

“We are worried about the shortage of HIV test kits in government medical centres, which include hospitals and clinics. It is negatively affecting our fight against HIV as pregnant women are not being tested, which might lead to babies being born HIV positive. And the worst part is that the Department of Health has kept quiet and they are not doing anything to address the situation,” said TAC Provincial Manager, Moses Makhomsani.

He said they have been trying to address the situation with the provincial department of health “for quite some time” without success, as no one from the department is willing to take responsibility.

‘I was so disappointed’

“We are also concerned about people who are being raped and sent home without being tested for HIV due to the shortage of kits at the clinics, as this might lead to new unnecessary infections. The department is failing the nation as they cannot encourage people to get tested and know their status, but then fail to supply test kits. This is a crisis we do not need as a country,” he said.

“I was so disappointed when I went to Elim Hospital hoping to get tested for HIV, only to be told to come back another day. I was told that the hospital was out of the testing kits, which left me asking myself how come a hospital as big as this one can run out of the kits. I am still shocked even now,” said Sylvester Mulaudzi.

Earlier this year Health-e reported on poor service and shocking conditions at Elim Hospital, and how this was negatively affecting thousands of residents who rely on the hospital for medical services as it’s one of the more easily accessible hospitals in the district.

Claims refuted

“How can a hospital be out of test kits, whereas they keep on encouraging people to get tested? How do they expect us to get tested when the hospital does not even have test kits?” said Mulaudzi. A spokesperson at the hospital said they did have a few test kits, but they were extremely limited and reserved for pregnant women only.

However, Limpopo Department of Health spokesperson Thabiso Teffo refuted the TAC’s allegations, saying that the institutions have enough stock.

“I can assure you that all these claims are not true. We have enough test kits at all those mentioned clinics and hospitals. It is just that we no longer do confirmatory tests if a person tests negative. We have never received any complaints from any of our institutions regarding stock shortages,” said Teffo. –  Health-e News.

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Ndivhuwo Mukwevho