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Dr.Ambrose Igwe Daniel, Jaba, Kano (2026)

27/03/2026

MA*****NA IN PREGNANCY.

Ma*****na, also called Cannabis, is completely prohibited in pregnancy due to very high risks of harm to your baby.

Several relevant organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have recommended total abstinence from Ma*****na during pregnancy.

♨️ Some of the feared harm to your baby include-

🕹Low Birth Weight.
🕹Growth Restriction in the womb.
🕹Premature Birth (delivery before 37 weeks).

🕹Poor Brain development-
This can lead to many problems like attention and memory deficits, poor problem-solving skills, and behavioral problems, later in the life of your child.

🕹Withdrawal syndromes.
Can cause symptoms like tremors, excessive crying, increased startle response, and seizures in your child.

🕹Stillbirth.

♨️ Risks to Mother.

🔹️Anemia in pregnancy.
Ma*****na has been shown to increase the risk of blood shortage in pregnant women.

🔹️Pregnancy-induced Hypertension.
Ma*****na can cause various degrees of high blood pressure in pregnancy.
This is related to its negative effect on blood vessels.

🔹️Placental Abruption.
Ma*****na use can lead to premature separation of the placenta from your womb wall, thus cutting your baby off from oxygen and nutrients. It's also tied to the effect of Ma*****na on blood vessels.

🔹️Risk of chronic Lung diseases, or lung cancer.

NOTE.

📍Because it is a natural or herbal product doesn't mean it is safe. Many natural herbs are poisonous.

📍Whether it is for medical purposes, or for recreational use, ma*****na is not safe.

📍Avoid all forms of it- Smoking, va**ng, edibles, or topical applications. The risks are the same.

📍If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, and you use Ma*****na for nausea or sleep problems, contact your obsteteician for alternatives.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY 🤰
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❤️

26/03/2026

WHAT CO***NE DOES TO PREGNANCY.

Co***ne in pregnancy should be completely avoided. The risk of harm is both to mother and child.

What makes co***ne really bad during pregnancy is that it crosses the placenta rapidly, and gets stored in Placental tissues from where it is continuously delivered to the baby.

So one dose of co***ne can keep your baby constantly exposed to co***ne for a long time during the pregnancy.

♨️ Some harmful effects of co***ne to the mother include-

● Placental Abruption.
Co***ne can initiate a separation of the placenta from the wall of your womb, disconnecting your baby from life support prematurely.

● Hypertensive Emergencies.
Co***ne narrows blood vessels. This can create various Hypertensive disorders like Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia.

● Preterm Birth.
Co***ne increases risks of preterm labor and delivery.

♨️ Harmful effects to the Baby.

~ Fetal Growth Restriction.
Co***ne narrows blood vessels, thus reducing supply of oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

~ Low Birth Weight.
The narrowing of blood vessels by co***ne can also lead to low birth weight.

~ Neonatal Complications.
Your baby may have complications at birth on account of co***ne exposure during pregnancy.
Some these problems include-
Difficulty feeding, seizures, Lethargy.

~ Neurological Impairment.
Your baby may develop Long-term effects like language, attention, and memory deficits, learning difficulties, and cognitive problems.

📍 If you're pregnant and use co***ne, call for help immediately. Do not stop by yourself.
Seek professional guidance.

Cessation of co***ne will reduce risk of harm to your pregnancy.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY 🤰
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❤️

25/03/2026

OPIOIDS IN PREGNANCY.

The use of opioids during pregnancy is associated with significant health risks.

Opioids are considered during pregnancy only after carefully weighing maternal stability with fetal safety.

The benefits must always outweigh the risks. And the drug must be given under careful supervision of health personel, and for a short period.

Long-term use can lead to severe withdrawal symotoms in the newborn.

The illicit use of opioids in pregnancy is totally discouraged.

However, if you suffer from opioid addiction- called Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), seek professional help for treatment.

Do not stop suddenly. Sudden cessation of opioids can be even more harmful to your pregnancy (may cause severe distress and death to your baby).

The commonly used medications for Opioid use Disorder (OUD) include- Buprenorphine, or Methadone.

🔻 Major Complications of Opioids in pregnancy include-

♨️ Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
A group of withdrawal symptoms that typically begin within 72 hours after birth.
These symptoms include- Tremors, seizures, irritability, high-pitched cry, difficulty feeding.

♨️ Placental Abruption.
Opioids can lead to premature separation of the placenta from your womb, with severe bleeding. This means blood supply is cut off from your baby, and can lead to fetal death.

♨️ Pre-eclampsia.
A type of hypertension in pregnancy with severe complications.

♨️ Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.
Your water can suddenly break when the pregnancy has not reached full term (at least 37 weeks), on account t of opioid use.

♨️ Low Birth Weight.

♨️ Fetal Growth Restriction.
Opioids can slow down your baby's growth in the womb.

♨️ Congenital defects (birth defects).
Your baby may be born with physical malformations.

♨️ Stillbirth.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY 🤰
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❤️

24/03/2026

TO***CO IN PREGNANCY.

All forms of Smoking during Pregnancy, including and especially passive smoke significantly increases health risks for both mother and child.

During Passive smoke, you're not smoking actively, but you're close to someone who is, inhaling all the smoke that they puff out.

Passive smoke is more dangerous because you're inhaling all that stuff, and blowing none out. The man who is actively smoking is puffing out most of what he draws in.

Quitting smoking has great benefits, no matter the point at which you make the decision. It is however best to quit early.

Some of the Complications of to***co use during pregnancy include-

📍Miscarriages.
Research suggests that to***co increases the risk of miscarriage by 24-32%.
It causes chromosomal or DNA abnormalities that eventually result on miscarriage.

📍Premature labor/Delivery.
To***co use has been associated with premature birth (delivery before 37 weeks)

📍Placental Problems.
To***co can create Placental problems by interfering with the integrity of the blood vessels.

📍Blood Flow Issues.
Ni****ne in to***co affects blood vessels and restricts blood flow.
Carbon monoxide from the smoke easily knocks off oxygen in your blood, and reduces oxygen delivery to your baby.

📍 Fetal Growth Restriction.
To***co can reduce the growth rate of your baby in the womb, because it affects blood flow and reduces oxygen and nutrient supply.

📍Developmental Delays.
Children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to have Developmental delays, with poor lung and brain development.

📍Long-term Effects.
Children born to mothers who use to***co are at greater risk of developing problems like Asthma, recurrent respiratory infections, obesity, and cognitive issues later in their lives.

📍Infant mortality.
Children born to smokers are at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The child dies suddenly without any prior illness, or warning symptoms.

🔻 NOTE.
● Seek professional counseling if you desire to stop smoking.

● Your doctor may recommend Behavioural therapies, or Ni****ne Replacement Therapy (NRT).

● Again, by all means, avoid secondhand or Passive smoke.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY 🤰
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❤️

23/03/2026

HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS PREGNANCY.

The first and most important point to note is that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume in pregnancy, no matter how "small."

Alcohol should be stopped not just when you become pregnant, but while trying to conceive. It means you should have stopped drinking way before the onset of pregnancy.

When you drink alcohol in pregnancy, it crosses quickly through the placenta and enters your baby's blood.

In your own blood, it is metabolized (broken down) immediately into something harmless and removed from your body.

But in your baby's blood, it stays longer, because your baby's liver is not mature enough to handle the toxicity of the alcohol you ingested.

Your baby's alcohol levels can therefore remain high for a long time, and do lifelong damage to your baby.

Some of the problems of alcohol in pregnancy include-

● Birth defects.
● Miscarriages
● Stillbirths
● Premature labor/ delivery.
● Low birth weight.

● FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
Probably the most devastating complication of alcohol in Pregnancy.

It refers to a variety of lifelong health problems including- physical, behavioral, and learning disabilities that result from prenatal alcohol exposure.

The most severe form is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It manifests as abnormal facial features, re****ed growth, and central nervous system abnormalities.

With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, your child may experience-
~ Speech and language delays.
~ Difficulties with Learning, and intellectual disabilities.
~ Attention deficits and hyperactivity.
~ Behavioral problems.
~ Vision or hearing problems.
~ Problems with coordination, memory, and judgement.

🔻 NOTE.
📍Again, there is NO safe type or amount of alcohol in Pregnancy. Avoid all forms of alcohol during pregnancy.

📍If you were drinking before realizing you're pregnant, stop immediately.

📍If you are struggling to stop, seek help from your doctor or other healthcare provider. They may invite support groups or refer you to treatment programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY.
Stay tuned...

❤️

20/03/2026

DRUG ABUSE IN PREGNANCY.

All forms of substance abuse in pregnancy can have very harmful effects on both you and your baby.
Their effects on your baby can be life-long.

Some of the most commonly abused substances in pregnancy include-

♨️ OPIOIDS.
Examples are: He**in, Morphine, fentanyl, etc.
These easily cross the placenta to your baby, and can cause physical abnormalities in your baby.
They also have long-term effects like- low IQ, Cognitive and Attention deficits (ADHD), and Behavioral problems.

♨️ ALCOHOL.
Alcohol can lead to severe lifelong disabilities in your baby, including physical, intellectual, and behavioral.
These disabilities are collectively expressed in a condition called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Alcohol causes irreversible brain damage. And this can result to developmental delays.
There is no safe amount, or safe time to take alcohol during pregnancy.

♨️ TO***CO.
To***co smoking, including secondhand smoke has been associated with miscarriages, preterm births, Low birth weight, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth.
Secondhand smoke (passive smoking) after birth can cause sudden infant death syndrome.

♨️ MA*****NA.
The active ingredient in ma*****na called Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), crosses the placenta easily and has significant health risks for both mother and child.

Ma*****na has been linked to low birth weight, fetal growth restriction (THC compromises blood flow through the placenta, affecting delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus),

♨️ CO***NE.
Co***ne readily crosses the placenta, and can cause fatal problems for both mother and child.
Some of these problems include- severe hypertension and stroke in the mother, miscarriage, premature rupture of Membranes, growth restriction, and poor brain development.

♨️ AMPHETAMINES.
Have been linked to birth defects, prematurity, Placental problems, withdrawal syndromes, and behavioral problems in the child.

Because they easily cross the placenta, they also easily cause miscarriage, premature labor/delivery, Low birth weight, and stillbirths.

🔻 If you suffer from addiction to any of these substances, do not attempt to stop on your own, seek professional counsel.

There are standard protocols for withdrawal from these substances to avoid withdrawal syndromes.

If not done properly, withdrawal Symptoms can have even more fatal effects on you and your baby.

If you have opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, or any other substance addiction, it important to seek counseling and care before pregnancy. The care and monitoring should continue even during the pregnancy.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY🤰
Stay tuned...

❤️

19/03/2026

TIPS FOR SKINCARE

🔻 Below are some bodycare practices with great benefits, no matter your skin type:

🔹️During a shower or bath, do not scrub hard on your skin.

I know you need to feel clean, but Scrubbing too hard, especially around the mucous membranes on your face may cause various degrees of skin irritation and worsen already existing skin conditions like acne.

🔹️Avoid creams and other skincare products with harsh chemical ingredients, especially skin toning or whitening preparations.

🔹️Apply sunscreen before going outdoors, especially if you live in a region with lots of sunshine.

This can help to prevent cancer from UV Light exposure, and slow wrinkling of your skin.

Do not use sunscreen in infants less than 6 months of age.

🔹️Wash your clothes and bed covers regularly, and change your undergarments daily or twice daily, as your skin type may require.

If you're very active, or perspire profusely, or have oily skin, you may need to change more frequently.

🔹️ Stop smoking.
Smoking makes your skin age faster.
It makes your skin more susceptible to various skin diseases, and slows down wound healing.

🔹️Manage your stress effectively.
Stress has negative effects on the body, and can have adverse manifestations on your skin.

Stress reduces your body's immunity and thereby can cause certain skin diseases like Atopic dermatitis (eczema) to find expression.

Stress can also induce flare-ups of acne, pimples and other skin conditions.

Generally, an excessively stressed body is more likely to age faster.

🔹️ Consistently get adequate sleep.

More on Your Health.
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19/03/2026

MEDICATIONS TO AVOID IN PREGNANCY.

A good number of medications out there are not safe for use in pregnancy.

Never self medicate during pregnancy. Always tell your doctor if you develop any ailments.

Medications You MUST AVOID in Pregnancy.

♨️ Isotretinoin- has high risk of teratogenicity (can cause serious birth defects).
♨️ Thalidomide- also very teratogenic. Can cause defects in your baby's limbs, ears, heart, and central nervous system.
♨️ Methotrexate/ Mycophenolate- can cause miscarriage. They're also linked to birth defects involving the head and limbs.
♨️ Leflunomide- can be toxic to your pregnancy, because it stays long in your body.
♨️ Valproate- a medicine used to stop seizures. It has great risks of birth defects, especially in your baby's heart, brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects, e.g spinal bifida).
Valproate blocks folic acid in your body.
♨️ Warfarin- causes fetal warfarin syndrome (a deformed nose, and limb defects). Avoid especially in the first trimester.
♨️ Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) ingibitors, e.g Lisinopril, Captopril. And Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) e.g Losartan, Valsartan, Telmisartan.

These are commonly used medications for high blood pressure control. But during pregnancy they can cause kidney, lung, and skull deformities in your baby.
♨️ Tetracyclines (e.g doxycycline)- causes tooth discoloration, suppresses bone growth, and can damage your baby's liver.

Medications you should use with HIGH CAUTION ⚠️

⚠️ Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septrin). Can cause malformations in the first trimester, and kernicterus (damage in the brain due to jaundice) after your baby is born. If there are alternatives, avoid septrin.
⚠️ Aminoglycosides e.g streptomycin has been linked to irreversible deafness in the newborn. Use only if that is the only option to save mother or child.
⚠️ Fluoroquinolones e.g ciprofloxacine.
Can damage your baby's cartilage and bone formation, and cause problems with limb development.
⚠️ Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) e.g Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.
Most Commonly used pain medications. Can cause premature closure of a blood vessel in your baby's heart called- Ductus arteriosus in late pregnancy. Avoid after 32 weeks.

Some research suggests Ibuprofen can cause problems in early pregnancy too.

More on Your Health in PREGNANCY.
Stay tuned...

❤️

18/03/2026

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN PREGNANCY.

The primary reason for dietary supplementation during pregnancy is to boost your intake from food and close any nutritional gaps.

Dietary supplementation is not an excuse to cease from nutritional diligence.

Pregnancy demands much more than your usual intake, and not many women are able to keep up with their body's increased nutritional demands in pregnancy. Hence the need for supplements.

Below are some Essential Supplements.

✅️ Folic Acid (folate).
Should be started even before you get pregnant. Boosts fertility, and prevents neural tube defects (a type of birth defects involving the brain and spinal cord).
It is dosed at 400-600 micrograms (mcg)/day.

✅️ IRON.
Iron reduces the risk of maternal anemia by around 30-60%.

✅️ IODINE.
Very important for brain and thyroid gland development in your baby. Many countries recommend it routinely during pregnancy.
It is dosed at 150-200 mcg/day.

✅️ VITAMIN D.
For bone development and a strong immune system.
Dose is 10-15 mcg/day, or 600 IU/day. Your doctor may go as high as 4000 IU/day.

✅️ OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS (DHA/EPA)
Provide a powerful support for brain and nervous system, and Eye development.
Dosed at 200-600 milligrams (mg)/day.
Your doctor may go as high as 1000 mg/day if you're at risk of a preterm birth.

✅️ CHOLINE.
For Brain development.
Often insufficient in the diet, and lacking in many prenatal vitamins. Look out for choline in your prenatal vitamins.
Dose is around 450 mg/day.

OTHER IMPORTANT VITAMINS.

These are important, but not mandatory in supplements, because they're relatively abundant in most diets.

🔹️ CALCIUM.
Crucial for bone growth and teeth development.
🔹️ VITAMIN C.
Protects your cells including your baby's, and boosts immunity.
🔹️ ZINC.
For immunity and general growth and development.
🔹️ The B VITAMINS.
Essential for most of the metabolic processes which power your baby's growth and development.

AVOID.

📍High levels of Vitamin A.
Can do harm to your baby.
📍Avoid high doses of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E particularly).
Many antioxidants produce the opposite of their beneficial effects at very high doses.

🔻 Always check with your doctor before starting any supplements.

More on Safe Medications in Pregnancy.
Stay tuned...

❤️

17/03/2026

🔸️FACIAL HYGIENE

The Care for your face is particularly important because it houses all the major gateways to your body- your eyes, your nose, your mouth, and your ears.

Most of the contagious diseases are transmitted through these routes on your face.

So proper care for your face will go a long way in preventing many diseases.

🔻 The first and most powerful strategy for adequate face and skin hygiene is HAND WASHING.

Many of the infections affecting your face and skin, your eyes, your respiratory tract, and ears are connected to improper Hand hygiene.

Adequate hand hygiene will prevent more than half of the common problems that plague your face like acne, and also prevent infections that enter your body through the channels on your face.

The key is to Remember to Wash your Hands or at least use a Hand sanitizer before you touch your face, including your eyes, your nose, and your mouth.

🔻 A few key times to wash your hands with regards to facial care include :

🔸️Before applying your contact lenses
🔸️Before touching an acne or a pimple
🔸️Before rubbing your eyes or blowing your nose.

OTHER TIPS FOR FACIAL CARE.

🔹️Use a tissue to rub your eyes when they itch, or to adjust your glasses.
🔹️Use disposable tissue for your nose.
🔹️Don't touch your face if you really don't have to.
🔹️Wash your face twice daily with soap and running water to remove accumulated Sebum (skin oil), debris (dead skin) and dirt, and keep the pores on your facial skin open.
🔹️Don't scrub too hard on your face, use soft clean towels on your face, and dab when you clean.
🔹️Maintain simplicity in your use of face or skin care products. Be wary of skin toning or whitening formulations.
🔹️Use moisturisers if you have dry skin, eye drops if you have dry eyes.
🔹️A daily balanced diet will give your face all the nourishment and toning it needs.
🔹️Drink adequate amounts of water. Drinking water is the surest way to keep your facial skin hydrated, and healthy.
🔹️If you have any recurrent skin condition, don't self medicate, see a dermatologist (a Medical Doctor who specialises in skincare and skin diseases)
🔹️Wash and dry your beddings regularly.

More on Your Health.
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17/03/2026

HERBAL MEDICINES IN PREGNANCY.

Many women use diverse herbal preparations to deal with common symptoms during pregnancy.

These preparations no doubt contain active ingredients that may give you some relief. However, they are not all safe for use in pregnancy.

♨️ They are not safe because-
~ They have not been subjected to rigorous testing, so you have no idea what you're drinking or eating.
~ Many of these herbs contain lots of other chemical substances that may be harmful to your pregnancy, apart from their active ingredients.
~ They lack standardized dosing. This makes it easy to overdose on the active ingredients and harm your pregnancy.
~ Most of these herbs have not been tested specifically for safety in pregnancy. So using them is a gamble.

✅️ Some Commonly used safe Herbs include-

🌿 Ginger.
Widely used for morning sickness, nausea. Safe in moderate amounts.
🌿 Moringa leaves.
Has abundant nutrients. But too much is not good in pregnancy.
🌿 Fluted pumpkin leaves (Ugu leaf).
Can be used to manage anemia due to its high iron, and folic acid content.
🌿 Peppermint leaves.
Effect for bloating, indigestion, and other stomach problems.
🌿 Slippery Elm Bark.
Used for heartburn and indigestion.
🌿 Red Rasberry leaf.
Recommended for strengthening the uterus (womb), especially in the third trimester.
🌿 Bitter leaf.
Used in early pregnancy for various symptoms, but should be used cautiously. It can cause developmental problems for your baby, at high doses.
🌿 Aligator Pepper.
Very useful for its antioxidant properties (it can help your body's immune system and function, and reduce risk of inflammation and disease).
🌿 Lemon and Lemon Grass.
Used for fever and cold symptoms.
🌿 Oats and Oat Straw.
Used generally for nourishment, due to its high density of nutrients.
🌿 Neem Leaves (Dogonyaro).
Often used for malaria and fevers, but generally considered NOT SAFE in pregnancy.
🌿 Chamomile.
Commonly used in Germany as a relaxant. Helps in mild insomnia (sleeplessness).

AVOID.
♨️Neem(Dogonyaro) leaves and high amounts of Bitterleaf. They may cause premature Uterine contractions and other fetal problems.
♨️Avoid herbal preparations with many things mixed in one, or that contain ingredients you do not know.
🔻 Always inform your doctor before you take any herbal medicine.

More on Safe Medications in Pregnancy.
Stay tuned...

❤️

16/03/2026

SAFE ANTIFUNGAL MEDICATIONS IN PREGNANCY.

The choice of antifungal medication to use during pregnancy depends on severity of infection and the stage of the pregnancy.

Where possible, oral antifungal medicines should be avoided.
The topical ones are generally preferred in pregnancy.

Safe antifungal medicines in pregnancy include-

TOPICAL MEDICINES.
● Clotrimazole, Miconazole, are considered first-line and safe in all stages of pregnancy, from 1st to 3rd trimesters.

They're effective for va**nal thrush (vulvova**nal candidiasis), and cutaneous candidiasis.

These medicines are minimally absorbed. This means they're hardly absorbed into your blood, so they mostly remain within the skin (most fungal infections are superficial i.e on the surface)

They also come in pessary formulations that you can insert directly into your va**na.

● Nystatin cream.
Another safe alternative for va**nal fungal infections.

● Terbinafine, Ciclopirox, Butenafine, Naftifine, and Oxiconazole, are also safe topical antifungal medicines, but must be used with caution.

ORAL MEDICINES.
● Oral Nystatin.
Generally safe in pregnancy for oral thrush (oral fungal infection). It is safe because it is hardly absorbed into your blood from the intestines.

● Amphotericin B.
Is the preferred antifungal medicine for serious /Systemic fungal infections in pregnancy.

It is generally safe, but has risk of maternal toxicity.

● Fluconazole.
High doses, or prolonged use of fluconazole should be avoided, especially during the first trimester.

Research shows it has some teratogenic effects (can cause birth defects), and miscarriage in early pregnancy.

Most guidelines advise against the use of oral fluconazole, especially where topical options can be used.

AVOID.
~ Ketoconazole.
It is associated with risks of fetal malformations.
~ Griseofulvin.
Also has risks of fetal defects.
~ Voricobazole and Flucytosine- can cause serious harm to your baby.

More on Safe Medications in Pregnancy.
Stay tuned...

❤️

Dr.Ambrose Igwe Daniel

27/03/2026

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