All posts by admin

Morning sickness and ginger capsules?

I’ve been advised by my midwife to try Ginger remedies to help with my morning sickness (I’m 7+2) and I’ve been and bought some Ginger Root Tablets: It says to consult a doctor before taking and I was wondering if there was a maximum dosage I should take? It says to take two capsules a day. Do you think this will be OK to take? Thank you for your email.  We have looked into this question in depth and all studies we have read seem to suggest that ginger is a safe and effective remedy for pregnancy related nausea. There […]

Getting induced if my cervix is closed?

I am 40 + 10 and my doctor wants to induce me.  However, my cervix is very unfavourable and I am worried that induction will not work.  What should i do? From the details you have given us we assume that your dates have been confirmed at your 12 or 20 week scan and there is no confusion over your due dates. There is no absolute maximum for which you would allow a pregnancy to continue. The risk of unexpected adverse outcomes such as still births do increase gradually after 40 weeks and do reach a significant level at about […]

Do I need to be induced at 42 weeks?

I’m exactly 42 weeks pregnant today (my to boys were born 5 and 8 yrs ago at 42 weeks without induction) and my mother was also always at least 42 weeks overdue with her 6 children. I would really prefer to go into labour naturally without being induced. My question is how far would you advise me I can still go if all the monitoring seems fine before I should opt for induction? First of all I do not want to interfere with the care you are currently getting from your midwives and doctor.  However I do have some general […]

What supplements should my partner and I take whilst trying to concieve?

We are trying to concieve, which prenatal folic acid brand must I take and how much ?  A friend recommended Ferrograd Folic Tablets to me as they are meant to be the best ones.   I’ve also been taking (one a day)Ester-C Plus 500mg vitamin C and heard I should take Omega -3 but are not sure which one and how much as there are many brands in the market.  Is there anything else I should take apart from these ? Folic acid has to be taken for 3 months, correct ? We heard it is best for a man […]

Do I need to take extra Folic Acid after 3 Miscarriages?

After having my daughter in 2009, I have since had 3 miscarriages and am now 7 weeks pregnant again. After the 3rd miscarriage we had blood tests done and all came back normal. I’ve heard of a lot of women being advised to take 75mg aspirin (even with no clotting disorders) and a much higher dose of folic acid but have not been advised to do anything. All I am taking is Pregnacare as I have been for a couple of years. Any advice? Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about your problems with having another baby.  Having […]

Folic Acid to Reduce Risk of Cleft Palate

Taken from the NHS News Service, Ref BMJ and BJGP According to the results of a population-based cohort study published in the British Journal of General Practice, the risk of having a cleft lip or palate seems to be more than four times higher if mothers do not take folic acid in the first three months of pregnancy. The authors note that a cleft lip and palate occurs in approximately one in 700 live births, with prevalence varying according to geography and ethnicity.  The cause is complex but involves both genetic and environmental factors; for the latter, factors implicated include […]

Going to Thailand at 22 Weeks?

My husband is desperate to get a holiday in to Thailand when I will be 22-24weeks, as he has been planning it for a while (before I knew was pregnant). I’m only 7 weeks so feel unsure of anything at the moment, is it likely to be safe to do this (flying and medical help over there)? Based on the limited information that you have given us, generally speaking, travel in pregnancy at this stage (22-24) weeks is usually safe.  It’s a time when you are unlikely to have any significant complications.  This is assuming you are well between now […]

Cervical Ectropion/Bleeding at 27 Weeks

I am 27+1 with twins and today noticed some spotting. I’ve been assessed at the maternity assessment unit and told my cervix long and closed (phew!) but my cervix looks raw which they referred to as cervical ectropion and explained this probably caused the bleeding. They didn’t seem worried- should I be? How has this come about (no sex or internal scans in last few days) and can I do anything? A cervical ectropion is a fleshy glandular bit of skin on the outside of the cervix which is particularly common during pregnancy.  It has no link with cancer, infection […]

MRI and Mammogram safe when pregnant?

I’m 9 weeks pregnant and received a letter from  requesting me to attend my annual breast MRI and mammogram,  I have the BRCA 1 gene as does my mum and brother, I’m 30 years old. Is it safe to have these tests, I will be 18 weeks when the appointment is due or can it wait until after the baby is born in 7 months? Thank you for your question.  It is such an important question which we are very pleased to help you with.  Clearly because of your genetic history you are at extra risk of developing breast cancer […]

Protein in Urine

I was at the Doctors for a 22 week checkup and he found additional protein in my urine sample. He said may be indicative of a UTI and sent off to check. Should I be on antibiotics straight away or is it ok to wait, I read cystitis can lead to miscarriage / abortion and a little stressed. At the time I didn’t think anything strange but on retrospect have realised am constantly needing to go to the loo (thought was normal). Thank you for your question.  We do not think you should be worried about the protein in your […]