PREGNANCY LOSS

 Practicing as a gynaecologist I experience numerous challenges from day to day. Tackling difficult deliveries in labour ward, dealing with acute haemorrhage in Caesarean section, and breaking bad news to patients about a cancer diagnosis or a pregnancy loss. The emotional impact can vary widely depending on factors such as the stage of pregnancy, personal circumstances, cultural and religious beliefs, and previous experiences with pregnancy.

Many people experience profound grief and a sense of loss following a miscarriage or stillbirth. This loss can be compounded by the hopes, dreams, and expectations they had for the pregnancy and the future of their family. It's normal to feel sadness and even depression after a pregnancy loss. Some people may struggle with feelings of emptiness, despair, or a sense of failure.

Individuals may blame themselves or feel guilty about the loss, even though pregnancy loss is often beyond anyone's control. This guilt can be especially common among women who may wonder if they did something to cause the miscarriage or stillbirth. Pregnancy loss can create significant anxiety and fear about future pregnancies. Individuals may worry about experiencing another loss or struggle with feelings of anxiety during subsequent pregnancies.

My first-trimester pregnancy loss caused great emotional trauma for me and my husband. We had been trying for almost a year and had already announced the pregnancy and later had to break the bad news to everyone. The worst part was getting back to work and dealing with a lot of pregnant women every day. The support from my husband, family, and work colleagues helped me recover.

Three months after the miscarriage I was not on any birth control and wondered why I hadn’t seen my period yet. The pregnancy test was positive and I didn’t dare to do an ultrasound! I discovered that I was 11 weeks pregnant and it turned out to be an uneventful pregnancy and I gave birth to a happy and healthy baby girl!

 

 

CHALLENGES OF WORKING WOMEN

 

 Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a working woman. My mother was a housewife and would occasionally teach music at home. As a little girl could sense, she felt bored and frustrated looking after me and my brother 24/7. With my dad working out of town most of the time she felt very lonely, and her lack of financial independence made her life more challenging.

I made it to medical school in my Middle Eastern hometown, immigrated to South Africa, and now I am a qualified Gynaecologist. It has been an amazing Journey. Now I am a mother to a 15-month toddler. I would not have survived with my full-time job without the help of my mother looking after the baby.  With my dad always being away from home, only now he can understand the challenges of motherhood and raising babies.

Recently FIGO ( International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) had a talk with women in the healthcare sector of various low and middle-income countries. One of the biggest challenges voiced by women working in healthcare is how difficult it is for them to balance professional and personal commitments such as childcare and family care. Half of the women interviewed mentioned the need to take career breaks or slow down their professional progress to meet their family responsibilities. 

They also mentioned the higher expectations placed on women to participate in social and communal life, and feelings of guilt linked to the way they divided their time between their careers and their families. For some, taking on additional leadership responsibilities did not feel realistic considering what they were already juggling.  

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That is me and 3 months Aryana, going back to work in March 2023 from maternity leave. she was on formula, and was already used to my mother who lived in our complex which made the transition easier. 
 

A HISTORICAL REVIEW ON FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

 International Women’s Day is coming up on the 8^th of March. This year the theme is” Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” The history of female empowerment is complex and shaped by social, cultural, and political shifts. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the suffrage movement sought to secure women's right to vote, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for gender equality. The first wave of feminism focused on legal rights, but subsequent waves addressed broader issues.

 

The mid-20th century witnessed the second wave, emphasizing reproductive rights, workplace equality, and challenging societal norms. The introduction of birth control pills in the 1960s further empowered women to control their reproductive choices, and it allowed them to be able to make more career choices. The 1970s and 1980s brought strides in workplace equality, with more women entering previously male-dominated professions.

 

The third wave, emerging in the 1990s, embraced diversity within the feminist movement, recognizing intersectionality and addressing issues faced by women of different backgrounds. The fight for equal pay gained momentum, and awareness grew about the importance of breaking gender stereotypes.

 

In recent years, the #MeToo movement has shed light on issues of sexual harassment and assault, fostering conversations around consent and accountability. The push for more representation in leadership roles, gender-neutral policies, and equal opportunities remains crucial to ongoing empowerment efforts.

 

While significant progress has been made, challenges persist, such as the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in certain fields, and societal expectations. The history of female empowerment is a dynamic journey, marked by achievements and ongoing efforts to dismantle barriers and achieve true gender equality.

 

We have come a long way from not being able to vote, open a bank account, making an endless number of babies to having way more freedom. We can cherish this and make sure the future is brighter. 

INTRODUCTION

I would like to use this platform to promote women's health. I am an obstetrician and gynecologist. I encounter a lot of women from various age groups with different needs. It may be a teenager with severe dysmenorrhea, a teenage pregnancy, a postpartum woman, or a post-menopausal woman. I try to provide them with proper physical and emotional guidance. 

There are many advances in the medical field, but there is more room for research and medical advances in women's health.