I gave birth to a baby girl few days ago and now my body is swollen. What could be wrong?
Beatrice N.
Swelling of the body after giving birth could partially be due to changes that take place during pregnancy and partially due to the delivery process itself. The body produces higher-than-normal levels of the hormone ‘progesterone’ during pregnancy, which causes the body to retain both sodium and water.
At the same time, the expanding uterus (womb) presses against the veins in the legs, restricting blood flow to the legs, feet and ankles, which leads to fluid build-up in the lower part of the body. With all the fluid that can build up over the nine months of pregnancy, it’s no surprise that this swelling doesn’t automatically go away after delivery.
Below are some remedies for swelling after pregnancy that may help alleviate or eliminate this problem.
1. A clean diet is an important part of a woman’s postpartum care. Eating properly can help flush out excess fluids more quickly and avoid liquid food that is rich in potassium and iron.
2. Moderate exercise and activity can also reduce postpartum swelling by improving circulation and helping you to sweat away excess fluid.
3. Don’t wear tight clothes, as these can restrict blood flow to certain areas and increase swelling.
4. While some swelling after pregnancy is normal, certain types of swelling are a sign of danger and shouldn’t be ignored. Swelling and pain in only one leg can indicate a severe blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
5. Another sign to watch for is the onset of preeclampsia which can occur up to four weeks after delivery. Look for sudden, excessive swelling in the face or hands, and consult your doctor immediately if you notice these warning signs.
My semen lacks sperm cells
I have been married for over three years now yet my wife is not yet pregnant. We did series of tests and the results showed that my semen lacks sperm cells.
Worried Husband
Depending on how the sample of semen is taken from you. It could pose a challenge. If you transport your semen within a condom to a lab and depending on the interval of collection and providing it to the lab worker, chances are; you might have had sperm cells within the semen but died in the process. Also, it is not every ejaculatory semen that contains sperm cells.
Another dimension is that absence of sperm cells in the semen could also be Azoospermia. It is one of the most severe forms of male factor infertility. It is a condition in which a man has no sperm in his ejaculate. In order to transport sperm outside of the body, it mixes with ejaculate (semen) at certain places throughout the male reproductive system. Sometimes, due to blockages or sperm production problems, sperm does not mix with ejaculate, and therefore cannot leave the body via the penis.
There are two types of Azoospermia:
1. Obstructive Azoospermia: It accounts for about 40% of all cases of Azoospermia. It occurs when a blockage in the duct system prevents sperm from mixing with semen. These obstruction may be present in the vas deferens or epididymis. (Pathway of the sperm cells from testes to the urethra).
2. Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: It accounts for about 60% of all cases of azoospermia. It occurs when there is a problem with the actual production of sperm within the body. It is often the result of hormonal imbalances.
You will need further test to re-evaluate a possible cause of your problem.
