Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and incredible role of women everywhere.

As an Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Lusaka, I have the privilege of witnessing the courage of women every single day  during pregnancy, childbirth, illness, recovery, and in the countless silent battles they fight for their families and their own health.

Women are the heart of every family and the foundation of every community.

On this International Women’s Day, I would like to remind every woman:

• Your health matters.
• Your voice matters.
• Your wellbeing matters.

Taking care of your health is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

Let today be a reminder for every woman to prioritize regular checkups, listen to her body, and never ignore symptoms that need medical attention.

To all women in Zambia and around the world  you are strong, you are powerful, and you deserve the best care and respect.

Happy International Women’s Day.

Dr Rabab Mustafa  

OB/GYN – Lusaka

#DrRababCares

 ⚠️ DVT in Pregnancy: Red Flags Every Woman Should Know

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it also brings important changes in the body that can increase the risk of blood clots.

😳One of the most serious conditions is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)  a blood clot that usually forms in the deep veins of the leg.

During pregnancy, the risk of blood clots becomes 4–5 times higher due to hormonal changes, increased blood clotting factors, and pressure from the growing uterus on pelvic veins.

🧐Recognizing the warning signs early can save lives.

🚩 Red Flags of DVT in Pregnancy

Women should seek medical attention immediately if they notice:

• Swelling in one leg (especially sudden swelling).

• Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh

• Warmth in the affected leg

• Redness or skin discoloration

• Leg heaviness or difficulty walking

These symptoms should never be ignored during pregnancy.

⚠️ Less Known Risk Factors

Some conditions may increase the risk of clots during pregnancy, including:

• Obesity

• Previous history of DVT

• Thrombophilia

• Long periods of immobility

• Cesarean section

• Smoking

• Large uterine fibroids that may compress pelvic veins

🚨 When It Becomes an Emergency

Sometimes a clot can travel to the lungs causing Pulmonary Embolism, which is life-threatening.

Emergency symptoms include:

• Sudden shortness of breath

• Chest pain that worsens with breathing

• Rapid heart rate

• Dizziness or fainting

If these occur, urgent medical care is required immediately.

💡 The Good News

With early diagnosis and proper anticoagulation therapy, most women with DVT during pregnancy can have safe pregnancies and healthy outcomes.

🤗Awareness is the first step toward prevention and protection.

If you experience unusual leg pain or swelling during pregnancy, seek medical advice promptly. Early evaluation can make a life-saving difference.

Dr Rabab Cares

#DrRababCares

#PregnancyHealth

#MaternalHealth

#DVT

#PregnancyComplications

#WomensHealth

 🎯Obesity and Infertility: What Every Woman Should Know

Many women struggling with infertility don’t realize that body weight can play a significant role in reproductive health.

Obesity can affect fertility in several ways. Excess body fat may disturb the hormonal balance that regulates ovulation and increase insulin resistance, which is commonly seen in conditions like PCOS. 

These changes can lead to irregular ovulation, poor egg quality, and difficulties in achieving pregnancy.

For women undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF, obesity may also reduce the response to stimulation medications, lower embryo quality, and decrease pregnancy success rates.

🤗The encouraging news is that even a modest weight loss of 5–10% of body weight can significantly improve ovulation and increase the chances of pregnancy.

There are several ways to manage obesity-related infertility:

• Lifestyle changes: Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity remain the foundation of treatment.

• Medical treatment: Certain medications may support weight loss and improve metabolic balance under medical supervision.

• Fertility treatments: Options such as ovulation induction or IVF can help when necessary.

• Bariatric surgery: In cases of severe obesity, metabolic surgery may significantly improve fertility outcomes.

If you are planning pregnancy and struggling with weight or irregular cycles, early consultation with a healthcare professional can make a big difference.

Your health matters. Your fertility matters. And small steps today can change your future.

#DrRababCares 

#WomensHealth

#FemaleFertility

#ObesityAndFertility

#PCOSAwareness

#IVFSupport

#ReproductiveHealth

#HealthyLifestyle

 🤔Not Every Headache After Delivery Is “Just Fatigue”

… Sometimes It’s a Warning.

You delivered.

Everyone says, “The hard part is over.”

💥But here’s the truth:

Sometimes the risk begins after delivery.

🤱If you experience any of the following after giving birth:

▪️ A severe headache unlike your usual headaches

▪️ Blurred or disturbed vision

▪️ Sudden swelling of the face or hands

▪️ Severe upper abdominal pain

▪️ Shortness of breath

▪️ Weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

Don’t blame exhaustion.

Don’t assume it’s lack of sleep.

Don’t wait.

🎯These could be warning signs of:

Postpartum preeclampsia

or

A blood clot (including stroke risk)

Yes 

this can happen even after your baby is born.

👁The first 6 weeks after delivery are still a critical period.

If something feels “not right,” trust your instinct.

❤You know your body better than anyone.

Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe or unusual.

Early intervention can save a life.

Because caring for your baby starts with caring for yourself.

Dr Rabab Cares

#DrRababCares 

#PostpartumCare

#MaternalHealth

#WomensHealth

#PostpartumRecovery

#PostpartumWarningSigns

#PreeclampsiaAwareness

#StrokeAwareness

 💥Still getting treatments that don’t feel right for you? 🤔

Not every woman is the same.

So why should treatment be?

Your hormones are different.

Your genetics are different.

Your life stage is different.

That’s where Personalized Medicine in Women’s Health comes in.

🤔No more “one-size-fits-all.”

No more guessing.

✨ In fertility  treatment protocols can be tailored to how your body responds.

✨ In pregnancy  early risk detection helps protect both mom and baby.

✨ In gynecology  targeted approaches can improve results and reduce side effects.

✨ In wellness  nutrition and lifestyle plans should match your unique profile.

🤗Women’s bodies are complex  and they deserve care that respects that complexity.

At Dr Rabab Cares, we believe your treatment should be designed around you, not around a general template. ❤️

Because every woman deserves personalized care.

#DrRababCares 

#WomensHealth

 #PersonalizedMedicine

 🤔Debunking Common OB/GYN Myths: An Evidence-Based Perspective.

In daily practice, I encounter many women whose decisions about their health are influenced by myths rather than medical evidence.

Misinformation in women’s health can lead to anxiety, delayed care, or inappropriate choices.

 As OB/GYNs, our responsibility goes beyond treatment  it includes education and reassurance grounded in science.

💥💥Here are some common misconceptions I frequently address in clinic:

1️⃣ Myth: Birth Control Causes Long-Term Infertility.

Fact:

Current scientific evidence does not support the claim that hormonal contraception causes permanent infertility.

Most women regain ovulation within weeks to months after discontinuation. The timeline may vary depending on the method used (e.g., injectables may take longer), but fertility is not permanently impaired by modern contraceptive methods.

2️⃣ Myth: You Must “Eat for Two” During Pregnancy

Fact:

Pregnancy increases nutritional requirements  not the need to double caloric intake.

In most cases, only modest additional calories are required, particularly in the second and third trimesters. The emphasis should be on nutrient-dense foods, adequate protein, iron, folate, calcium, and omega-3 intake not excessive portion sizes.

3️⃣ Myth: Exercise Is Unsafe During Pregnancy.

Fact:

For uncomplicated pregnancies, regular moderate exercise is not only safe but recommended.

Benefits include:

Reduced risk of excessive weight gain

Improved mood and sleep

Better glucose control

Reduced back pain

Improved preparation for labor

Exercise plans should be individualized, especially in high-risk pregnancies.

4️⃣ Myth: Sexual Intercourse Harms the Baby.

Fact:

In healthy pregnancies, sexual activity is safe. The fetus is protected by the amniotic sac, cervix, and uterine musculature.

However, restrictions may apply in specific high-risk conditions such as placenta previa, preterm labor risk, or unexplained bleeding.

5️⃣ Myth: Vaginal Douching Improves Hygiene.

Fact:

The vagina is self-regulating and maintains its own microbiome.

Douching disrupts normal flora and increases the risk of:

Bacterial vaginosis

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Irritation and infection

Routine douching is not recommended.

6️⃣ Myth: Infertility Is Always the Woman’s Fault.

Fact:

Infertility is a shared condition. Approximately:

One-third female factors

One-third male factors

One-third combined or unexplained

Both partners require evaluation when conception is delayed.

Final Thought

Women deserve clarity  not fear.

Accurate, evidence-based information empowers better decisions and healthier outcomes.

💚As healthcare professionals, we must actively correct misinformation and create safe spaces for women to ask questions without judgment.

Dr Rabab Cares 

#DrRababCares 

#WomensHealth

#OBGYN

#MaternalHealth

#ReproductiveHealth

#EvidenceBasedMedicine

#ZambiaHealthcare

 ❤Heart Disease in Pregnancy: What We Learned

Pregnancy is not just a biological event.

It is a cardiovascular stress test.

Throughout this series, we highlighted key principles:

• Not all shortness of breath is normal.

• Physiological symptoms must be distinguished from pathological warning signs.

• Some heart diseases are first unmasked during pregnancy.

• Preconception risk stratification changes outcomes.

• Labour must be planned not improvised.

• The highest cardiac risk may occur in the early postpartum period.

🤗Cardio-obstetrics is not optional.

It is life-saving.

Protecting the mother’s heart

means protecting two lives.

Thank you for following this awareness series.

Dr Rabab Cares

Cardio-Obstetrics Awareness Series

#DrRababCares

 #CardioObstetrics 

#MaternalHealth

 #HeartDiseaseInPregnancy

 #SafePregnancy