1. You’re looking to start a family. Which of the following should you NOT do?

1. Record menstrual cycle frequency

2. Monitor ovulation
3. Having sex every day, it increases the chance of conceiving
4. Strive for a healthy body weight
5. Limit your alcohol intake
6. Stop exercising
7. Have sex in certain positions that will help

ANSWER: C, E, F and G.

It is not necessary to have sex every day to conceive, but having sex every other day during the "fertile window" period, which spans over a six-day interval—the five days prior to ovulation and the day of it, when a woman is most fertile is a good place to start.

Mothers are also advised to stop drinking alcohol, whether moderate (one to two drinks per day) or heavy (more than two drinks per day), as it makes it more difficult to get pregnant. It would also be a good idea to stop smoking altogether as it ages a woman’s ovaries and depletes her supply of eggs prematurely.

When trying to get pregnant, it’s important to create a hospitable environment for the baby, and this begins with a healthy body. Being over or underweight will impact the chances of conceiving compared to a woman whose body-mass index (BMI) is considered normal. Having too much body fat produces excess estrogen, which might interfere with the ovulation process, so it is important to exercise safely and regularly without putting too much stress on the body.

It has been said that certain sexual positions will help make pregnancy happen, but the truth is that there is no actual scientific proof to back this up.

2. When starting a family, when should you start seeing a doctor?

1. Before starting to get pregnant

2. During pregnancy
3. If unable to conceive immediately
4. In the first trimester

ANSWER: A, B, and D.

It is important to see an obstetrician at almost every stage to get the best medical advice for you and your baby's health. If you are unable to conceive the first few times of trying, do not worry; this is normal. However, if you are unable to conceive after two years, then it is best to see your doctor and discuss your next course of action.

3. You’ve done the work, and now you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Apart from your regular check-ups, which of the following symptoms require you to contact your gynae?

1. Morning sickness

2. Constant headaches
3. Blurring of vision
4. Gastric-like symptoms such as vomiting
5. Swelling of legs
6. Facial puffiness
7. Fits

ANSWER: B, C, D, E, F, G

Morning sickness is quite normal in early pregnancy and will usually go away in the second trimester. However, if you have symptoms such as prolonged headaches, nausea, blurring of vision, or gastric-like symptoms such as vomiting, swelling of the legs and facial puffiness, and fits due to the high pressures in the brain can cause a brain bleed, and the risk of developing preeclampsia, where and in severe cases might lead to mortality to the mother and the baby. If you have certain conditions before you become pregnant — such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, kidney disorders, a tendency to develop blood clots, or lupus — this also increases your risk of preeclampsia.

4. You’ve welcomed a healthy baby into this world, and your heart is full. All you want is what’s best for the baby as you watch them grow into toddlerhood. Which statement is false?

1. Sleep when your baby sleeps so that you get enough rest to care for your baby

2. Get medical attention if you’re not breastfeeding successfully or if it is painful
3. I can’t get my toddler to eat regularly at breakfast, lunch and dinner. If my toddler doesn’t have regular meals, it’s fine, as long as they take in enough calories and every child is different
4. My toddler is afraid of injections, I should wait till he/she is older to understand before vaccinations, or else my toddler won’t trust me

ANSWER: D

Parents need to stick to their child’s vaccination schedules to ensure that they are protected from preventable diseases such as tetanus, HPV, polio, measles, meningitis, and whooping cough by creating immunity. Vaccinations are especially important to young immune systems that are more vulnerable to diseases and illnesses which may not be strong enough to fight off without some extra help.

There are fun ways to get your children to be comfortable with a vaccination; for example, giving them a reward for getting their injection, or if they are fans of superheroes, try letting them know that they are now as strong as their favourite characters with special powers of fighting the bad guys that are trying to attack their bodies!

5. Uh-oh! Why isn't my baby rolling over or crawling yet?

1. There is something wrong with him/her

2. He/She is lazy
3. He/She is not getting enough tummy time
4. He/She is a late bloomer

ANSWER: C and D

Every baby is different, so don’t push yourself so hard and give your baby some time. Just as we are learning about motherhood, babies are also learning! If they are just a few months off the chart, this is no cause for concern. For mothers who swaddle their babies, rolling over or crawling might be a little delayed as the baby is not exercising their muscles if they’re not being given tummy time, which is really important for their development.

6. Your child seems to be getting sick a lot the older they get, such as sneezing, low-grade fevers and so on. What should you do? Pick the correct answers.

1. They have developed allergies

2. Touching a lot of dirty surfaces
3. Not exercising enough
4. Exposure to more people

ANSWER: A, B, and D

It is quite common that once babies stop breastfeeding, start taking formula milk, and start going to school; they become more frequently sick. This can include low-grade fevers, sneezing and the sort, but this is nothing to worry about.  

Place emphasis on their health hygiene; ensure that they are washing their hands the proper way and wearing their masks. Children often touch a lot of things, so it is important to instil this habit from a young age. Teach them to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, so they complete the 20-second rule when washing their hands.

Finally, every time you introduce new food to your baby, you must be aware of what they are consuming especially if you have a family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema, that is already a pre genetic disposition that shows that the baby has a chance to be allergic as well. If it is genetic, introduce things such as eggs that might be the trigger for others in the family, then observe what happens. Some allergies can be immediate; for example, the area around the mouth or hand might turn red right after eating the offending ingredient, or it can be delayed and can go on for three to four days before showing symptoms. This is why it’s important for mothers to document everything in a food diary.

7. My 2 year old child hasn’t spoken a word. What should I do?

1. See a doctor

2. Introduce them to other children to encourage them to talk
3. Get assessed by a speech therapist
4. Let them take their time

ANSWER: A and C

For a 2 year old child, it’s good to take them to see a doctor. As it is a little late, consider seeing a paediatrician and get assessed by a speech therapist as it definitely needs attention.

8. My child is a picky eater. How do I get them to try other things?

1. Don’t be too rigid with them eating from a spoon

2. Let them play with their food
3. Allow them to touch food with their hands
4. Let them explore food at a later age

ANSWER: A, B and C

To avoid developing picky eaters, let them discover food for themselves at a young age. It is quite common that new mothers are strict in letting their children only eat from a spoon, but if you let children touch the food themselves and let them explore, this will help them develop an interest in trying new things. It might be a messier start, but it is better to introduce food through baby-led weaning.