All posts by admin

Can you do high swabs and smears when pregnant?

Can you do high swabs and smears when pregnant? Smears are sometimes done in pregnancy but are generally more uncomfortable for the woman and sometimes difficult to interpret If your cervix looks normal then you can relax Maybe have a smear at a later date (usually at least 6 weeks after delivery) if symptoms persist or if one is due.  

7 months pregnant, brown discharge

For the last couple of weeks I have experienced some brown discharge from my vagina. I am 7 months pregnant and overall I have suffered from a few infections, including urine infections, for which I took antibiotics. The last swab came clear but I still notice the discharge on a pantyliner, and sometimes it is more than usual. A midwife is saying not to worry, that it might be an old blood that is coming out and as long as the baby is kicking, I should be fine. No other problems, sometimes minimal itching. Thank you! It is normal to […]

31 Weeks and baby in posterior position. Can I do anything to encourage her to move?

I am 31 weeks pregnant and my baby is in a posterior position. Is there anything I can do to encourage her to spin? If she remains OP will I be able to have a natural birth or is a C section more likely / advisable? Your chances of a natural both are excellent. The position of the baby now is almost random and has no relevance at all to what may happen in 9 weeks time. Behave normally ! Good luck    

Round Ligament Pain at 29 weeks.

I hope you can help. I had awful pain yesterday on my right side of my bump near my hip. I think it was round ligament pain. The pain was so bad I cried but I lied down for a bit and it calmed down (I was also having braxton hicks). I read up today that you don’t usually get RLP in the 3rd trimester but I find that hard to believe. I suffer from pelvic girdle pain and I saw my physio yesterday morning and she commented on how strong my muscles are so if i’m growing a lot […]

41 weeks, head not engaged.

I am 41weeks with my 1st baby  and I have an appt this week (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 concerns over the 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 […]

Pregnant whilst using the Coil?

My girlfriend has a six year old coil and her period is late by a couple of days – she has spotted for the past couple of weeks on and off – she’s done a couple of pregnancy tests which have come up positive. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated please. Your girlfriend needs to be seen ASAP to establish the location of the pregnancy and to remove the coil if possible She will have a 1 in 10 chance of an ectopic pregnancy so should be seen today at an EPU or at A and E. Good Luck […]

‘Flat Head Syndrome’ (Plagiocephaly)- An Osteopathic View – Mermaid Maternity’s Fiona Greer

‘Flat Head Syndrome’ (Plagiocephaly)- An Osteopathic View What is Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)? Plagiocephaly is the term used when the head becomes flattened on one side, causing the head to look asymmetrical and distorted, often with flattening or bulging on one or both sides.  When the whole of the head becomes flattened at the back this causes a widening of the head, this is known as a Brachycephaly. What causes it? An asymmetrical head shape is usually due to external pressure on the skull such as; Compression in the womb, perhaps due to Uterine fibroids or with twin and multiple […]

Early Bleeding

I am 6 weeks pregnant and I have had a very small amount of bleeding. Is this normal? I want to have an early scan but am not sure if my GP will refer me as I heard that the first scan you are offered is the 12 week one. I am not sure I can wait that long. Bleeding in early pregnancy is very common and happens in at least one in four pregnancies.  It does not mean you have lost the baby.  With only light bleeding and no bad cramps the pregnancy is likely to be safe.  You […]

Is my baby putting on weight?

I am 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby and my weight hasn’t changed for 3 weeks. Does this mean my baby is not growing. I am measuring 33cm at 34 weeks and my midwife was not worried. Measuring 33cms for 34 weeks is normal (the formula is no of weeks +-10%). With a previously normally grown baby and the same father you are likely to have another well-grown baby.  I would not be worried about  your weight if the measurement of the baby is satisfactory.

Trying to get Pregnant aged 34

I am 34 yrs old, with no past medical history and a normal weight, I dont smoke and I lead a generally healthy lifestyle, my husband has a mirror history. We are thinking about having a baby, however our careers have dominated during recent years! My question is – what are the stats on getting pregnant over 34 years?  Thank you for your question. Based on the information that you have given us we would say there is no reason why you should not have normal fertility. At the age of 34 your fertility is likely to be unaltered and […]