Dr Suzana Kotevska

Cartia 🩷
Ardil 🩵
Sarah 💜

✨ To all the amazing dads, stepdads, father figures and dads watching over us from way up in the sky, Happy Father’s Day! Your unwavering love, hard work, and constant support shape the lives of those you love. Today, we celebrate the countless ways you make a difference. Thank you for being the heroes in our lives. 💛

✨ Preconception Prep ✨

1. Preconception Checkup:
Visit your doctor, manage chronic conditions, and discuss health history.
2. Prenatal Vitamins:
Take 400-800 mcg of folic acid + iron, calcium, and other nutrients. (To be confirmed with your doctor, as this can vary from person to person).
3. Vaccinations:
Get updated on flu, and other essential vaccines.
4. Review Medications:
Ensure your meds are pregnancy-safe.
5. Genetic Screening:
Consider testing for potential genetic conditions.

Lifestyle Changes:
* Healthy Diet:
Focus on fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit processed foods and sugar.
* Exercise:
Aim for 150 mins of moderate activity weekly.
* Avoid Harmful Substances:
Quit smoking, avoid alcohol, limit caffeine and limit saturated fat.
* Stress Reduction:
Try meditation, yoga and maintain a supportive network.

Reproductive Health:
* Track Menstrual Cycle:
Use apps or kits to pinpoint ovulation (these don’t work for everyone).

Environmental & Occupational Safety:
* Limit Toxins:
Avoid harmful chemicals and hazards.
* Workplace Safety:
Ensure a safe work environment.

Mental & Emotional Prep:
* Counselling:
Seek support from psychologists and join communities if needed.
* Communication:
Discuss plans and concerns with your partner/support person.

Financial & Practical Planning:
* Budget:
Plan for pregnancy and baby costs.

Consult Dr Suzana for personalised advice. 🌟

Thank you for a lovely evening at the MCG! 🖤🤍🖤🤍

🌈 Today, we celebrate the miracle and joy of rainbow baby’s. 🌈
‘After the storm, a beautiful rainbow appeared, filling our lives with hope and love’. 🤍

To all the parents who have experienced loss and now hold their rainbow in their arms, we see you, we honor you, and we celebrate with you. Every rainbow baby is a reminder of the strength and love that carries us through the darkest days.

Andreas 🩵
Ahmad 💚
Noah 💙

Loving every moment with my two precious grandbabies 🩵🩷

Lily 🩷
Wilder 🩵
Rajwa 💜

✨🤰🏽 What was your craving?

✨❤️ A Typical Weekend for a Private Obstetrician

This past weekend, I was on call and had the privilege of delivering five beautiful babies 🤩

Weekends like these often involve little to no sleep, which was certainly the case for me. Patients frequently ask how we manage under such conditions, but the reality is that our commitment to our patients ensures we remain ready for surgery at any moment. The safety of both mother and baby is always our top priority.

It’s always fulfilling to see how proud the parents are and how well they all did.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. John Mills, who assisted me as the paediatrician for all five deliveries. His support was invaluable. Thank you also to the fantastic midwives who assisted me throughout the weekend.

✨🤰🏽Managing iron levels during pregnancy is important for both the mother and the baby.
Here are some key tips:

1. Dietary Intake:
Include iron-rich foods in your diet.
These include:
- Lean meats (beef, chicken, turkey)
- Fish
- Beans and lentils
- Tofu
- Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale)
- Iron-fortified cereals and grains

2. Iron Supplements:
Your obstetrician may recommend an iron supplement, especially if you are at risk of iron deficiency anaemia. Follow their guidance on the type and dosage.

3. Vitamin C Intake:
Vitamin C can help increase the absorption of iron from plant-based sources. Include foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and tomatoes in your meals.

4. Avoiding Inhibitors:
Certain foods and drinks can inhibit iron absorption.
These include:
- Coffee and tea
- Dairy products
- Foods high in calcium

Try to consume these at different times than your iron-rich meals.

5. Regular Check-Ups:
Have regular prenatal check-ups to monitor your iron levels. Your healthcare provider may perform blood tests to ensure your iron levels are adequate.

6. Manage Side Effects:
Iron supplements can sometimes cause side effects like constipation. If this happens, talk to your obstetrician about ways to manage these, such as increasing fibre intake or using stool softeners.

Always consult with your obstetrician before making any significant changes to your diet or starting new supplements.

Ellera 🩷
Madi 💜
Abhay 💙

Kaja 🩷
Zariyah 🩷
Nina 🩷

☀️ 🤰 Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy is important for your health and the development of your baby. Here are some tips to help manage your vitamin D levels:

1. Sunlight Exposure
- Spend time outside in the sun, as your body produces vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Aim for about 10-30 minutes of midday sunlight several times a week, depending on your skin type and the season.

2. Dietary Sources
- Include vitamin D-rich foods in your diet. These include fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, and sardines), fortified dairy products, fortified cereals, egg yolks, and liver.

3. Supplements
- Your healthcare provider might recommend a vitamin D supplement, especially if you have limited sun exposure or dietary intake. Follow the prescribed dosage.

4. Prenatal Vitamins
- Many prenatal vitamins contain vitamin D. Ensure your prenatal vitamin includes an adequate amount of vitamin D (typically around 600-800 IU).

5. Regular Check-Ups
- Have your vitamin D levels monitored through blood tests during pregnancy, especially if you are at risk of deficiency (e.g., limited sun exposure, darker skin, obesity, or certain medical conditions).

6. Fortified Foods
- Look for foods fortified with vitamin D, such as some orange juices, plant-based milk alternatives, and certain breakfast cereals.

7. Balance Calcium Intake
- Ensure you are also getting enough calcium, as vitamin D helps in calcium absorption, which is crucial for your baby’s bone development.

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or making significant changes to your diet to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your specific situation.

Adriana 🩷
Dylan 🩵
Summer 💜

Kassandra 🩷
Leon 🩵
Gerard 💙

✨ Preeclampsia warning signs 🤰

Some common warning signs that could indicate a complication:

* High blood pressure during pregnancy
* Blurred vision
* Severe Headache
* Swelling of the face, hands and feet
* Rapid heart rate

It is important that you are alert to the symptoms and ensure that you make your health care provider aware as soon as possible, as this can help to diagnose the condition sooner.
The condition is very serious, but with appropriate and prompt treatment, women can virtually the same excellent chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby as those with normal blood pressure.

* If you have any concerns you must contact your health provider immediately. This is general information only.

Welcome to the world baby Wilder Kalenzo 05.05.24 💙

🙋‍♀️ Who else has heard this old wives’ tale? 😄

Atlas 🩵
Cyrilla 🩷
Lily Olivia 💜

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums out there! Your love, strength, and sacrifices make the world a better place. 💐 🩷

🩵 TWINS 🩵
Christian & Thomas ✨

Protect yourself and your little one by getting vaccinated against influenza and whooping cough. Don’t take chances with your health or the health of your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider today about the benefits of vaccination during pregnancy 🤰

Our office will be closed tomorrow👩‍⚕️
For all current pregnancy patient emergencies please contact the call service number on 9387 1000.
For all other general enquiries, we will be back in the office from Monday 6th May.

Happy Easter to all celebrating this weekend 🐣✝️

🩵 TWINS 🩵
Filip & Maxim 10.02.2024 ✨

Taking care of your wound 👩‍⚕️

If your Caesarean incision was closed with staples, they are typically removed within three to seven days after delivery. If stitches were used, they’re usually absorbable, meaning they dissolve on their own and don’t require removal. Keep your incision clean and dry, wear loose clothing, and watch for signs of infection like redness, pain, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge. Notify your doctor or midwife if you notice any of these signs. Over the next few weeks, the incision will heal, accompanied by mild cramping, light bleeding or discharge, as well as skin numbness and discomfort around the incision site. While most women feel better by six weeks postpartum, numbness and occasional discomfort may persist for several months.

Celebrating my birthday with my favourites 😍🥰🩷🩵

Hugo 💙
Amelia 🩷
James 🩵

Let’s talk va**nal discharge! 👩🏼‍⚕️

It’s normal and no woman should feel weird or ashamed about it!

I constantly get questions about ‘is my discharge normal’ (pregnant or not) and generally yes it is normal.
The va**na is self cleaning, so va**nal discharge plays an import role in keeping the va**na healthy.
Swipe through the slides to learn more about different types of discharge, and head to our website to read the full version of my blog stela.com.au/blogs/va**naldischarge or head to the link in my bio