Friday, April 10, 2026
Home Blog Page 36

Preeclampsia: All You Need to Know

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
9

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition which often starts after the 20th week of pregnancy, although it can occur earlier. Preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure in a pregnant woman –including one who may not have had any high blood pressure issues before. Pregnant women with preeclampsia also have the presence of protein in their urine. Additionally, they often have excess swelling in the feet, legs, and hands. 

When not diagnosed early enough, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia -a serious condition which in some cases, can be fatal for both mother and/or baby.

Causes of Preeclampsia

The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia — are not known. Experts however believe it begins in the placenta — the organ that nourishes the fetus throughout pregnancy. 

Risk Factors for Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia develops only as a complication of pregnancy. Risk factors include:

  • History of preeclampsia. A personal or family history of preeclampsia significantly raises your risk of preeclampsia.
  • First pregnancy. The risk of developing preeclampsia is highest during your first pregnancy.
  • New paternity. Each pregnancy with a new partner increases the risk of preeclampsia over a second or third pregnancy with the same partner.
  • Age. The risk of preeclampsia is higher for pregnant women older than 40.
  • Obesity. The risk of preeclampsia is higher if you’re obese.
  • Multiple pregnancy. Preeclampsia is more common in women who are carrying twins, triplets or other multiples.
  • Interval between pregnancies. Having babies less than two years or more than 10 years apart leads to a higher risk of preeclampsia.
  • History of certain conditions. Having certain conditions before you become pregnant — such as chronic high blood pressure, migraine headaches, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, a tendency to develop blood clots, or lupus — increases your risk of preeclampsia. –Source: Mayo Clinic

*The information following is obtained from WebMD

Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia

In addition to swelling, protein in the urine, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia symptoms can include:

A pregnant woman should seek immediate care if:

  • She has sudden and new swelling in her face, hands, and eyes (some feet and ankle swelling is normal during pregnancy.)

Continue Reading Next Page

 

Thank You!

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
6

Last Saturday, Mummy Tales was feted in this year’s Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) awards, where it won in the Best Topical blog category. This is the second award for the blog –the first being in 2014 where it also won in the same category.

I began this blog in 2011, and to be nominated thrice during this period (2013, 2014 and 2016) and winning twice, is nothing but a great encouragement.

My 2014 award.
2014 award.

I am very grateful to you, dear Mummy Tales readers, for the support that you continue to give the blog through different ways: reading the posts, sharing your motherhood experiences, commenting on posts, asking questions, sharing the posts with your friends, and of course -voting for the blog. I thank you.

When I started out my motherhood journey, I realized there was so much that I didn’t know (that’s why I started the blog), and five years later, there is plenty that I still don’t know, and I continue to learn so much from fellow moms every day. What I learn is what I share here with you, because none of us can truly say that we are experts in parenting. It is my hope that the information I pass on the blog encourages someone, inspires someone, educates someone and makes you grateful for the blessings you have in your life.

My 2016 award.
2016 award.

I dedicate this year’s award to my two boys –Kitty and Ello, who continue to humble me each day and teach me so much about life. Without them, this blog wouldn’t even be -literally. Lastly, I am most grateful to their father for being such a great partner and a very present dad to our sons.

So thank you once again and I invite you to continue reading Mummy Tales, as I carry on sharing our motherhood experiences and creating awareness on issues of maternal health.

God bless you.

Mummy_Tales

Remember to keep updated with latest posts by following Mummy Tales on Facebook and Twitter: @MummyTales

Maryanne.

From Designing Buildings to Designing Clothes: the Story of Hellen Njue

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
1

A few years ago, Hellen was in a lustrous career -an architect, designing buildings for clients in different parts of the country. And then, just like that, she dropped it for apparel. She became a fashion designer. Mummy Tales writer SYLVIA WAKHISI brings us more on this designing mom.

As an architect, Hellen loved her job, which she did with passion and diligence. But as days went by, she began having an unsettling feeling. Something somewhere just wasn’t sitting right.

“I was indeed in a dream career, one that anyone would dream of having. But I began feeling unfulfilled, and as the feeling became stronger, I felt the need to make that bold decision to leave,” says Hellen, who is in her early thirties.

Hellen with her daughter Maya Anelisa.
Hellen with her daughter Maya Anelisa.

As expected, it was not a decision that went down well with some of her friends, who chided her for abandoning such a prestigious career that provided so many opportunities for her. But her mind was made up. She was done.

Her mind was now settled on fashion.

“I had never attended a fashion and design school, but I knew it was what I wanted to do. As I started the business (in 2010), I actually had no plan,” she confesses.

But with a strong will, Hellen began conceptualizing and creating her own pieces which she made from kitenge fabric. At that time, Hellen says the young women she came across –her peers – had not quite embraced the kitenge, which they felt was for the older generation. But whenever she made an outfit and wore it, they would have a change of mind about it.

Vitenge_Neshelle9b

Within no time, Hellen started selling vitenge fabrics and designing outfits from them. Today, she is the proud owner of Vitenge Neshelle, a fashion line that specializes in Congolese kitenge fabrics. She also designs outfits for men, women and children, clutch bags, sandals, beaded sandals and doll shoes.

“My goal is to always make the kitenge modern and suave so as to fit my client’s day-to-day needs. Participating in big fashion runways is a big dream which she hopes to achieve someday,” she says.

Hellen is grateful to God for a team of friends who have been instrumental in the success of her business, as well as her husband whom she terms as her number one fan.

Vitenge_Neshelle7b

Motherhood

Hellen’s daughter – Maya Anelisa Ndoli is 1 year and five months old. Motherhood has been an exciting journey for her, with its own share of untold tales, lessons and experiences.

“To carry a pregnancy and bring forth a child is an interesting journey, just as much as raising the child is. One of my most precious moments as a mom is when my daughter cups my face in her little hands and gives me a peck. That gesture means so much to me!” she says, adding that “Motherhood has taught me what selflessness, faith and true love is, but above all it has taught me what God’s favour and grace is because all this is because of Him.”

Vitenge_Neshelle2
Mom and daughter rocking Vitenge Neshelle.

Besides running Vitenge Neshelle, Hellen also dedicates time for charity work including visiting certain regions and donating food, clothes and sanitary towels to less disadvantaged children.

Continue Reading Next Page

How to Choose a Good Pram for Your Baby

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0

At Mummy Tales, we love featuring stories of moms, who always have helpful pieces of advice to share with us –based on their own personal experiences. There is always something new to learn from the next mom. So today, we hear from Kenyan-born Ann Wanjiku, who is now raising her family in Germany. Ann is a regular guest writer here, who’s been sharing her motherhood experiences as she raises her son in the diaspora. Today, she tells us about going out and about with a baby in Germany.

Also Read: My Birthing Experience in a German Hospital -Ann Wanjiku

Ann in winter :)
Ann in winter 🙂

“One thing I learnt as a mom in Germany is that one has to take their baby everywhere with them. Why do I say so? Since most of us don’t have house girls like we do back home in Kenya, you will as a mother have to take your baby with you everywhere you go. And it is for this reason there are different types of carrying/strapping/travel baby accessories to help you do so. But how does one choose exactly what to use? Here are some helpful guides:

City or Woods?

You need to evaluate your needs before purchasing a pram/stroller. For example, there are prams which are suitable for the city, a place that has pavements. The city prams usually have small tyres and they are also smaller in size.

A path leading to the woods.
A path leading to the woods.

Then there are other prams that are specific to unpaved areas or the woods where you can take a walk with baby. The prams suitable for the woods usually have bigger tyres that mostly can be filled with air just like bicyle tyres. They are better cushioned and the ride isn’t bumpy for the baby. These prams can also be pushed when one is jogging or they can be attatched to the bicyle so the a parent can take their baby with them during cycling excursions.

The Storage

Your decision is also influenced by the amount of storage space under the pram. This is important because one also uses it for groceries shopping.

Ann_Schulte_Carrier3

A carrier.
A carrier.

Durable and Light

Since the pram will likely be used for at least three years, it has to be of a good quality, durable and light. This will ultimately determine how much you are willing to spend on the pram.

See Also: Why I Stopped Using a Hair Dryer to Dry my Son after his Bath

Is it Foldable?

A good pram should also be foldable and not occupy a lot of space in the boot. For some people who plan on having more than one child, the pram should have the possibility of attaching a kiddie board so that a parent can push the baby in the pram and at the same time toddler, who’ll be standing on the kiddie board.

A joggerpram.
A joggerpram.

How about Wraps?

Some parents decide that they want to carry their babies. For this purpose, there are different types of baby wrappers. There are some wrappers that are like khangas or leso for carrying the babies, just like how it‘s done in Kenya. Then there are special baby carriers that are like rucksacks and one carry the baby in-front or on their back and one can use buckles to fasten the baby.

Ann carrying her son along the streets of Germany.
Ann carrying her son along the streets of Germany.

For me this method was the best for short distances/walks that did not involve shopping before my baby became heavier and thus I had switch to using the pram.

Also Read: Naming a Baby in Kenya and in Germany: The Differences I Noted -Ann Wanjiku

So that’s Ann’s experience. How about you? How did you carry your baby?

For more stories on Kenyan moms, follow Mummy Tales on Facebook and Twitter: @MummyTales

Wouldn’t You Love to Surprise Your Pregnant Friend this Way?

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0

Remember the time when your friends threw a baby shower for you? Did it catch you off-guard, or did someone accidentally leak some information that gave you a hint of what was going on? Do you remember how excited you were at the surprise of the shower –regardless of whether you had a hint about it or not? Seeing all the friends who matter in your life, together with your close family members all gathered to celebrate your entry into motherhood? And then, the moment you went ‘awwwwww….tears filling up your eyes as your friends exclaimed in unison “SURPRISE….” Do you remember the glow in your heart at that particular moment?

Okay I know that that’s not how all baby showers go, but at least for most of the one’s I’ve been to –including the baby shower that my pals threw for me (love you girls), that’s how showers often go.

Two of my chama girls. The bond that we all have? Amazing.
Two of my chama girls. The bond that we all have? Amazing.

And you know what else? Planning a baby shower takes quite some much of effort, detail, organizing, consultations, window shopping, money… everything to make that good friend of ours feel so special and loved. So you can imagine my joy at learning that ‘Pampers’ is now hosting surprise baby showers for a few lucky moms. Isn’t that good news!

In the shower, Pampers will give the expectant mom a couple of goodies that will be a great boost to her ‘must have items for the newborn’. The showers will also be graced by celebrity moms who will share her own motherhood experiences, especially those that relate to the time they were new moms.

Pampers_Celebrity-mom-Size-8-gave-Joyce-a-surprise-visit
Gospel artiste Size 8 when she recently gave Joyce, an expect mom a surprise visit during her baby shower.

And that’s not all. There will be medics (nurses and paediatricians) in the house who will offer the expectant mom advice about taking care of a newborn, as well as answer questions from her friends (some of them mothers) about child health. To add to the fun, the guests will enjoy special treats and receive goodie bags filled with Pampers products and other gifts.

Pampers knows the value of being prepared, and that’s why they are offering the surprise baby showers (open to women across the country and not only those in Nairobi), which will leave the expectant mom feeling more confident as she awaits the arrival of her little one.

Joyce, continuing to enjoy her baby shower.
Joyce, continuing to enjoy her baby shower surprise.

Pampers_Baby_Shower

Joan Sanaa, an excited mom-to-be who recently received a surprise baby shower from Pampers.
Joan Sanaa, an excited mom-to-be who recently received a surprise baby shower from Pampers.
Joan receiving gifts courtesy of Pampers.
Joan receiving gifts courtesy of Pampers.

So what do you need to do to have Pampers host that baby shower you’re organizing for your pal? Or, if you are expectant, you can nominate yourself to be the recipient of Pampers love and care. Just go over to the Pampers Facebook page here and look out for nominations posts, then go ahead and nominate that special mom-to-be! Trust me, she will always remember you for it, and forever thank you.

Pampers_baby_shower3b

You May Also Like:

7 Kenyan Moms Share Diaper Changing Tips 

My Chama Girls and a Paediatrician’s Sleeping Tips 

For more stories on Kenyan moms, follow Mummy Tales on Facebook and Twitter: @MummyTales

Meet Asha Kaberia, and Why She’s a Person of Interest

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0

Today, I want to celebrate one beautiful young lady who sleeps, breathes and lives mothers and their newborns. Asha Kaberia is a midwife and a trained lamaze childbirth educator, and she is so passionate about helping pregnant women have safe pregnancies and safe deliveries. Her greatest joy is when she births a baby and sees the little baby and the mom connecting in warm embraces. She always finds herself smiling when she observes that moment. A new mom’s happiness is her happiness.

I met Asha two years ago when she emailed me following my articles on this blog where I provide information on maternal health. We ended up meeting for a cup of coffee and I was taken in by her warmth and commitment, and how passionately she speaks about assisting women deliver their babies.

Asha works in the maternity ward of a local private hospital in Nairobi and each day, she wakes up looking forward to meeting pregnant women and guiding them through a safe delivery. She doesn’t do so just because she it’s in her job contract to do so. She does so because it’s part of her DNA; it is her calling.

Asha_Kaberia

After the birth, Asha ensures that the mom is well taken care of, is well comforted and regularly checks on her, ensuring that both she and baby are doing fine, and that they are both getting breastfeeding right.

“Working with pregnant women and new moms, teaching and educating them, and seeing how their faces brighten every time they learn something new makes me want to keep doing it,” she says.

Today, and every other day, we celebrate you Asha, together with all the other midwives like you who are so passionate about ensuring that we have safe pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. We heart you.

Asha can be reached on 0721 621 777.

See Asha’s Article: Should You Take Flowers to a New Mum in Hospital?

For more stories on Kenyan moms, follow Mummy Tales on Facebook and Twitter: @MummyTales

 

This Story Will Warm Your Heart Like it Did Mine

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0

I’ll get straight into it:

“I found her at my doorstep and now she’s my biggest love. I remember that cold night. It was somewhere in 2014, after I finished my studies in Sudan and returned home to look for a job.

It was around 3am and it was extremely cold outside. I was wrapped in a thick blanket and was awoken by the sound of a new-born baby crying profusely. I rushed outside and almost stepped on her as she lay outside my front door. Her cries were getting weaker and weaker. We called out in the middle of the night but there was no response so we took her in, fed her and wrapped her with warm clothes. It was a beautiful baby girl.

The next morning, we called our neighbours, if anyone knew the parents of this baby. No one knew anything so we decided to bring her to the police station so that they can find her parents. At the police station, there were 3 other girls who were carrying their children.

One immediately rebuked me for the way I carried the new-born baby. I was not a mother yet and I was shocked at the idea of babies being thrown outside like they don’t mean anything. I decided then and there that I would adopt her and be a mother to her. My maternal uncle and my mother, who accompanied me, refused straight away. They wanted me to hand her over to the authorities and let them deal with it. My uncle got so angry that blood came pouring from his nose. He had a high blood pressure.

He was so scared that the Somali society would judge me wrongly, that they would instead think I birthed a bastard child. I convinced my mother that if we hand her over, we would never know her fate, she could end up in a much worse position. My mother agreed but my uncle still refused. In order for me to adopt her, I had to get my uncle’s signature and a clan elder as a witness. I told my uncle that allowing me to raise this beautiful girl could be your ticket to Paradise. In the end, he agreed and signed it.

We brought her back the same day, brought her to the doctor to make sure that she didn’t get sick from the previous night. I called her Hadiya (‘Gift’) for God blessed me with a beautiful gift. She is a year and half old now. It’s amazing, that a year and half ago, everyone in my household told me to bring her back and now, she is the joy of my family’s world.” Source: Somali Faces 

What a story!! Isn’t that pure love? By the way, if you’re having a daughter and still shopping around for a baby name, I think Hadiya is it. It sounds so nice and it’s meaning is even better. Hadiya.

Photo Credit: Somali Faces

Meet Runway Model Debbie Oyugi of Baby Shower Kenya

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0
Debbie the model.

Debbie Oyugi is a young successful Kenyan woman who has made her name on the runway as one of the most sought-after models in Kenya. Debbie is the founder and proprietor of Baby Shower Kenya, a kid’s fashion line. Mummy Tales writer Sylvia Wakhisi talks to her about her work.

Sylvia: Where did your interest in modelling begin?

Debbie: My passion for modelling began in high school. As I watched Kenya Fashion Week on television, it ignited a modeling interest in me. When I joined Kenyatta University, I walked the runway for Miss Kenyatta University and won while I was in my third year. That marked the start of greater things and I was discovered by renowned Kenyan designer John Kaveke, who then introduced me to a great stewardess -Dorothy Oliech of Mochez Models. Dorothy has played a huge role in my modeling career.

Debbie Oyugi
Debbie Oyugi

Later on, I took part in other pageants and conquered in several runways including Miss Progress Kenya 2010 and Miss United Nations Kenya 2012. My modelling career has seen me strut major runways both locally and internationally, including in Italy, USA, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Mozambique. I have also featured in various commercials.

Debbie10

Sylvia: Tell us More about Baby Shower Kenya

Debbie: Baby Shower Kenya came about because of a need for something different. Every time I went for a baby shower, I found that choosing a gift was so hectic since everything I found was similar and if not worse, mass produced.  This prompted me to start creating unique personalized pieces. I began making kid’s clothes for friends to gift the expectant mom during the baby shower. But my idea did not just stop at baby showers. I also began making clothes for older kids as well, because I wanted to them to have unique authentic pieces. Soon, the orders started trickling in and in no time, I was in business!

Debbie14

Debbie12

Some of Debbie's creations.
Some of Debbie’s creations.

The idea of starting a kid’s fashion line was inspired by the fact that fashion and creativity come naturally to me. I fused this with one of my greatest loves –children.

I love creating pieces, and knowing that I can create something that is functional and unique and be able to keep a child’s personality needs in place pushes me to achieve the best. I particularly love it when I create a piece that is loved by both the child and his/her parent. When I have a happy client, I am happy. It gives me such great joy creating unique pieces. Baby Shower Kenya is a project that is so personal to me.

Debbie8

Debbie4See more of Debbie’s work in the Next Page

 

The Four Most Adorable Friends for Your Child

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0

Traveling with children can at times be admittedly -very exhausting. So it is more than a pleasant relief to discover someone who can make the journey relaxing, fun, adventurous, educative, entertaining, absolutely memorable… all that and more. I discovered this just the other day, and I have captured all that in this post: The Shortest Five-Hour Flight with a Child.

Some of the contents of Kitty's cool Emirates bag.
Some of the contents of Kitty’s cool Emirates bag.

meal

Emirates_Plane

child meal

While watching the movies he kept bursting out in loud laughter or loudly asking me questions (why does that always happen when one wears headphones?). Sometimes he was so loud I had to laugh at him.

Follow Mummy Tales on Facebook and Twitter: @MummyTales

Meanwhile, have you voted for this blog? Mummy Tales has been nominated for an award in the 2016 BAKE awards – in the Best Topical Blog category. I will appreciate your support. Kindly click on this link to cast your vote (number 11 .b). Ensure you click on the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the page to complete the voting process. Thank you for your time.

The Perfect Baby Shower Gift

By
Maryanne W. Waweru
-
0
A music CD containing sweet lullabies.

Last week as I returned home from work, my two sons were all over me with their stories –each of them animatedly telling me what they’d been up to all day –each trying to outdo the other in how fast and how loud they can be. And they can be really fast and loud, trust me. As they did so, one particular phrase that they kept repeating stood out.

“Mummy….surprise….mummy…box….mummy…open…box….something nice….box…..mummy box… open now mummy….box…this they said as they dragged me to a section of the room – one pulling my right hand and the other pulling the left.

When I finally got to where they were leading me, I saw it. It was glittering. Tantalizing. Warm. Calling out for me. It was wrapped in blue. Looking all nice and inviting. It was indeed a box –as the boys had been energetically harping on about. As I got closer, I could see its contents and my mind immediately drifted to my pregnant days, those times I’d go around shopping for newborn stuff.

So the boys let go of my hands and gently presented the box to me saying: “Mummy we have something nice for you”. Awww, these my sweet lovely boys. They are such adorable little munchkins. They make me want to tear so many times – and so many times I not only tear, but I actually cry me a river –just thinking of the precious blessings they are. They are my pride; my possession.

Continue reading this experience on this link: http://bit.ly/23ZhHzU at Mum’s Village where I am a guest writer for this article.

Musical-CD2

1...353637...72Page 36 of 72

Advertisement

POPULAR POSTS

IN THE NEWS

POPULAR CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2015|Powered By Diwecs Business Solutions
error: Not Allowed