VODAFONE HEALTHLINE: Women can get pregnant during menstrual periods

Senior health practitioners cum in-house experts of Vodafone Healthline, Doctors Aba Folson and Kwekuma Yalley, cleared up the myth that a woman cannot get pregnant during her period. The doctors educated the public that a woman can conceive (get pregnant) at anytime during her menstrual cycle, even during or just after her period.

Dr. Aba Folson, a cardiologist, explained that in health practice, there is a saying that: “never say never”; therefore, it is important for every female to understand her body’s cycle, adding that it’s technically possible (but rare) to get pregnant while on your period.

Again, she emphasised that sometimes the conception takes place outside the uterus, a medical condition described as ectopic pregnancy. In this situation, a woman will still bleed, though pregnant.

Dr. Kwekuma Yalley, General Practitioner, also added that mostly this happens when a girl has bleeding that she thinks is a period, but it’s bleeding from ovulation, where ovulation is the monthly release of an egg from a girl’s ovaries.

He emphasised that a woman’s ovulation cycles can vary, so it’s statistically possible you could become pregnant during your period.

Explaining further, Dr. Yalley revealed women cannot conceive while in their period, but sperm survives within the female reproductive system for between three to five days. This means that a tiny fraction of women have a slight chance of becoming pregnant from unprotected sex during their period, depending on the length of their menstrual cycle.

Healthline team rescues poisoned child 

The Vodafone Healthline team was in Juabeso-Bia, Western Region, to rescue Afavi Elisha, who consumed a poisonous substance by accident.

According to the parent, they solicited funds to undertake surgery for him, but to no avail. Fortunately for them, a good Samaritan contacted Vodafone Healthline on their behalf and the Healthline team responded swiftly to restore little Elisha.

The child’s father was full of praise for the Vodafone Ghana Foundation for coming to their rescue. Elisha’s mother was happy that her son no longer needs a tube to feed safely, and can go back to school to achieve his dreams.

It was a marvellous scene in the small community as all the children around came together to sing and dance with their friend Elisha after his successful surgery, funded entirely by the Vodafone Foundation.

The Healthline train also stopped in Amansie West, Ashanti Region, to rescue little Jeffery, who was born with a unique medical complication. Doctors notified the family at birth that he would require surgery to correct his blocked urinary tract. Unfortunately, financial constraints made it impossible for the family to pay for the surgery, leaving little Jeffery with a potbelly full of urine at a tender age.

Thanks to Vodafone Healthline, Jeffery is now a perfectly healthy, six-pack-sporting young man. Kate, his mother, said: “I am so grateful to Vodafone Ghana because my son’s condition was very critical, and there was no hope as all our efforts to get help were in vain. For the Vodafone Foundation to fund the entire operation is overwhelming, and I ask God to bless them abundantly.”

Also in the Ashanti Region, the Healthline train stopped at Ejura, to save little Charles who was born with a challenge in passing stool. The grandparents explained that his stomach bulged out at age three, but financial challenges stalled a scheduled surgery until the benevolence of Vodafone.

“Now Charles can pass stool, eat well, go to school, play football and hang around with his friends. I am so grateful to Vodafone,” Charles’ grandmother stated.

The Healthline train also stopped at Santasi Anyinam to help Grace have a normal monthly menstrual flow.

Kidney Stone education

Dr. Evans Akpakli, Urologist & General Surgeon, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, provided health education on kidney stones and explained that these are actual stones that exist in the kidney, ureter, and bladder but not because of ingestion.

Touching on the cause of these stones, he explained that, just as liquid seawater evaporates to form salt crystals, kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside kidneys.

He also clarified that the condition is caused by adding excessive salt to meals, dehydration from drinking too little water each day, and excessive consumption of animal protein like a cow, goat, and pork meat, among others.

Other medical conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, and repeated urinary tract infections, can also increase the risk of kidney stones.

He mentioned it can affect both children and adults, and can be genetic.

Symptoms of kidney stones include pain so severe that one can’t sit still or find a comfortable position, severe pains, blood in your urine, and pain accompanied by fever and chills.

Dr. Akpakli revealed kidney stone conditions have increased exponentially, with kidney stone surgery now being the most surgical operation performed in the country.

He advised viewers to drink enough water – at least six sachets – each day.