Welcoming a newborn into the world is an exhilarating experience for families, filled with joy and anticipation. However, it can also be a source of anxiety, especially for first-time parents who are unsure of what to expect. To alleviate these concerns, Mediclinic Newcastle’s highly qualified obstetricians and gynecologists, Dr Peter Chukwu, Dr Linda Majola, and Dr Lethabo Kekana, discuss various points on childbirth, birthing options and what families can expect at Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward.
Firstly, one of the most critical decisions in planning for childbirth is choosing between a natural birth and a caesarean section. According to the Mediclinic Newcastle specialists, the mother’s health and medical history play a significant role in this decision-making process.
Speaking on the subject, Dr Chukwu explains that the decision should be made with careful consideration, as a mother’s medical history is crucial in determining the safest option. He notes that caesarean sections are generally recommended when continuing pregnancy or labour could be harmful to the mother or baby, or when vaginal delivery is deemed unsafe.
“Severe medical conditions, such as severe heart failure and cerebral aneurysms, contraindicate vaginal delivery because bearing down efforts are not permitted,” states Dr Chukwu. “Other conditions, like genital herpes during the last six weeks of pregnancy, are also contraindicated to prevent neonatal infections. However, mothers with conditions such as hypertension or diabetes can still have natural births.”
With extensive experience in managing high-risk pregnancies, Dr Chukwu emphasises that if a pregnant woman arrives at Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward feeling unwell, the highly skilled and experienced nursing staff will assess her condition, contact her doctor, and initiate treatment based on telephonic instructions until the doctor arrives.
Moreover, the Maternity Ward also offers foetal monitoring during pregnancy and labour, allowing doctors to access real-time CTG monitoring via an app. This state-of-the-art programme, known as telly-space monitoring, ensures that new mothers and their babies receive only the best care.
Elaborating on the teamwork and extreme focus placed on each and every mom-to-be at Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward, Dr Chukwu says, “Some conditions, such as preparations for twins and triplets, placenta previa, a BMI over 50, and previous second-trimester miscarriages, are managed solely by obstetricians. Other conditions like diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy are co-managed with colleagues such as physicians, dietitians, and paediatricians.”
Additionally, due to expecting mothers faced with the decision of a natural or C-section birth, Dr Majola highlights the pros and cons of natural birth and caesarean section, stating, “As a gynaecologist, my preferred method of delivery is vaginal birth, due to quicker healing and less morbidity. However, it’s important to consider situations where a caesarean section is the safer option, such as when the baby is very large.” More on this, the doctor points out that the physical stature of expecting mothers is taken into consideration, as a smaller pelvis may complicate natural birth.
He further notes that planned caesarean sections offer the advantage of knowing exactly when the baby will arrive and what to expect. However, Dr Majola does reiterate, “If there is no medical indication for a caesarean section, we prefer to deliver the baby naturally. But if complications arise, we opt for a caesarean section.”
Furthermore, Dr Kekana underscores the implications of choosing between natural birth and a caesarean section.
“Having a caesarean section increases the risk of complications in later pregnancies and other surgeries. “Repeated caesarean sections can lead to conditions such as placenta previa and placenta accreta.”
As explained by the doctor, placenta previa occurs when the placenta attaches low in the uterus, potentially causing severe bleeding. Whereas, placenta accreta involves the placenta growing too deeply into the uterine wall, which can result in severe blood loss after delivery.
Ensuring that expectant mothers are well-informed about the long-term effects of natural birth, Dr Kekana highlights the risk of prolapse, where the vaginal walls stretch, allowing pelvic organs to bulge into the vaginal area. However, she concurs with Dr. Majola on the benefits of natural births. “The benefit of vaginal birth over caesarean section includes a shorter hospital stay, typically only one day longer for a caesarean,” she notes.
When entering the private hospital and observing the maternity staff dedicated to assisting and caring for expectant mothers, Dr Kekana commends the highly trained, woman-centred team at Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward for their exceptional support. As highlighted by Dr Kekana, the post-natal care provided includes clinical assessments, vital signs monitoring, assistance with urination, eating, drinking, breastfeeding advice, and maternal nutrition.
Adding to Dr Kekana’s statement regarding the professional and comprehensive care moms-to-be can expect from Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward, Dr Majola states, “Mediclinic Newcastle is extremely patient-oriented. Every patient is seen by a specialist, and care continues up to six weeks post-delivery, including check-ups and pap smears for cervical cancer prevention.”
Upon entering the maternity ward, expectant mothers are placed under the expert care of Sister Gwen Williams, the Unit Manager of Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward and an esteemed recipient of the prestigious International Daisy Awards. Under Sister Williams’s leadership, the highly experienced nurses provide comprehensive guidance and support throughout the entire process, ensuring that each mother’s stay at Mediclinic Newcastle is a memorable and positive experience. From admission to discharge, the nursing staff play an invaluable role in caring for mothers and their new babies. These kind souls and committed smiling faces alleviate an immense amount of anxiety and stress through their professional and passionate processes.
To further place expectant parents’ minds at ease and to familiarise pregnant moms with the highly skilled specialists available at Mediclinic Newcastle, each doctor shared a brief profile:
Dr Chukwu is a highly experienced gynaecologist and obstetrician, with over 10 years of experience managing high-risk pregnancies. Dr Chukwu qualified as a medical doctor in 2002, before qualifying as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in 2019 and doing his residency at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria.
After qualifying as a doctor, he moved to South Africa in 2006, bidding farewell to his home country (Nigeria). This saw him joining Madadeni Provincial Hospital in 2007 where he stayed for seven years, before moving to Ulundi for a brief period. Subsequent to this, he began specialising as an obstetrician and went on to the George Mukhari Academic Hospital, north of Pretoria near the township of Ga-Rankuwa. He then joined the Mediclinic Newcastle team in March 2021.
Dr Lethabo Kekana is a highly dedicated and qualified Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, who completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (previously known as Medunsa) in 2003. She then went on to obtain her Fellowship from the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of South Africa at the Colleges of Medicine South Africa in 2016.
After graduating and specialising as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Kekana was initially based in Ladysmith, before moving to Vryheid and then joining the Mediclinic Newcastle team in June 2021.
Passionate about women’s health, Dr Kekana said she finds her work incredibly rewarding. “There’s no greater joy than helping a patient who struggled to conceive finally bring a healthy baby into the world,” she shares.
As a father of five, Dr Majola completed his MBChB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and obtained his Fellowship and Master’s in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is a compassionate and attentive doctor who is dedicated to ensuring expecting moms are guided and cared for throughout their entire pregnancy and birthing process. “My patients can always contact me with any concerns,” he assures.
From the nursing staff to the specialists, Mediclinic Newcastle’s Maternity Ward exemplifies professionalism and is distinguished by its nurturing environment. Thus, expecting parents can rest assured that they are in excellent hands at the Northern KwaZulu-Natal based private hospital.
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