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The Terminology of the term “term” is being redefined.

The Terminology of the term “term” is being redefined. Traditionally,” term” has been defined as , after 37 weeks and up to 42 weeks of pregnancy. The date is calculated from the onset of the last menstrual period , and backed up by an ultrasound measurement performed before20 weeks. Therefore, delivery before 37 weeks , is therefore, by definition ,preterm, and after 42 weeks, it is called post-term. The WHO and a group of American clinicians have recently recommended a slightly more detailed breakdown of the various categories of preterm and term deliveries. The reason they have done this, is […]

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Is my baby getting enough milk?  By Louisa van den Bergh, Founder of Lulubaby & their breastfeeding consultant Anyone who has breastfed a baby will most likely have, at some point, questioned how much milk they are producing.  In today’s world where we are used to being in control, it can be incredibly disconcerting to be unable to quantify exactly how much milk your baby is drinking. Surely knowing the precise amount your baby is imbibing is essential knowledge? Arguably no… Instead of trying to ascertain a figure in ml or oz, your time could be better spent observing your […]

Infections whilst pregnant

I am 39 plus 2 weeks pregnant and have suffered a number of infections (vaginal and urine) during my pregnancy for which I took some antibiotics. The latest one was klebsiella oxytoca and I have just finished a course of antibiotics for it. I also had entrecoccus and klebsiella pneumoniae. My gyn says I get them because I have less immunity during pregnancy and I catch them from the air. My due date is in 5 days, I am worried that I might catch something in the meantime ‘ from the air’ and the baby might get infected. I do […]

Major Obstetric Haemorrhage – risks?

If you have had retained placenta + a significant haemorrhage (4.5l – MOH), are you more likely to have another bad bleed, or are your risks the same as any other lady giving birth? Retained Placenta is one of the three commonest reasons for a Major Obstetric Haemorrhage (MOH). The other two causes are an atomic or non contracted uterus , and trauma. Sometimes there can be two or even three factors causing the bleeding at the same time! Assuming the main reason was the retained placenta , then there is an increased chance of another problem at your next delivery, which […]

Is it safe to eat tinned food?

This last week has seen an epidemic of scary articles suggesting that it may be dangerous for pregnant women to eat canned food, microwaved food, drink water from plastic bottles left in the sun , and handle cash register receipts. The alarm was raised after a meeting in Boston USA this week where some recent work on the risk of miscarriage was presented.  It presented the results of a study of 114 women , who were already known to have a history of miscarriage and / or infertlity. It found that those women who had high levels of a compound […]

41 weeks – baby not engaged, please help.

I am 41weeks with my 1st baby an appt on Thurs (41+3) to have a scan and discuss next steps – I have worked hard on my hypnobirthing to overcome pregnancy and labour fears and now it seems things are not really progressing. Head not and never been engaged and is floating high. I have concer n over head not fiiting (I have size 2 feet and am 4ft9 – husband 6ft 4) I am not keen on a C-Section due to recovery time but equally I don’t want a long induced labour only to end up with an emergency […]

I want to avoid a 2nd C Section

My baby boy will turn 2 around the time my next baby is due.  I want to avoid another C-section, can I opt for a water birth? Any tips on how to avoid another C-section? You have approximately a 75 % chance of success if you opt for a vaginal birth in this pregnancy.  The chances vary a little, depending on whether you laboured last time or whether you have already had a vaginal birth.  The best chances of success are to await a spontaneous onset of labour this time, and try and avoid an induction. Most hospitals will have special […]

Natural Birth After 3rd Degree Tear?

With my first baby, I had a long latent labour and didn’t progress so I was on an inducing drip throughout.  The baby’s head was side on so they were trying to turn him.  I had failed Ventouse and then they used forceps and the episiotomy extended and led to a 3rd degree tear (3a). I had some physiotherapy after and it took a good 6-9 months or so to get back to normal.  My body rejected the stitches and the healing felt really ‘tight’ and lumpy.  I limped for a while and still need to sometimes, it also aches […]

Pregnancy and the Skin

Pregnancy and the Skin, by Dr Richard Staughton – MA MBBChir FRCP Consultant Dermatologist Pregnancy is a happy, fulfilling and healthy time for most women but of course involves major changes in all parts of the body including our biggest organ – the skin.  Common skin changes pose no health problems but the increase in levels of hormones, skin blood flow and necessary alterations in the immune system which allow healthy growth of the baby, usually result in noticeable variations from normal.   Pregnancy “Glow” This is a reality, and happens because (a) progesterone increases water retention in the skin.  […]

Mastitis at 31 weeks pregnant. Is this Common?

I was diagnosed with mastitis last weeks at 31 weeks pregnant (second baby), now successfully treated with antibiotics. Is there any link between mastitis during pregnancy and the baby arriving early? How common is it to contract mastitis during pregnancy? As far as I am aware , there is no link between mastitis and premature labour. Mastitis is not very common during pregnancy, unlike the early postnatal period , when up to 10% women may develop the condition. It’s encouraging to hear that the condition has responded well to antibiotics. Sometimes , diagnosis of breast problems in pregnancy can be […]