All posts by admin

Should I take my own blood pressure?

Should I take my own blood pressure? Roger Marwood says – Raised blood pressure is one of the commonest problems seen in pregnancy.  About one in ten women are affected. Sometimes the problem exists before pregnancy, and sometimes it occurs during , or even shortly after, the pregnancy.  When  combined  with protein in the urine, changes in clotting , and abnormal kidney and liver function , it can be a very serious risk for both mother and baby. This is called preeclampsia , and is the reason why every pregnant woman has her blood pressure checked at every visit. There […]

Should I have a Home Birth?

Place of Birth – should you have a home birth?   By Obstetrician Roger Marwood MSc FRCOG Once again , the “Place of Birth ” has become an important issue, and will doubtless be a political  football, which will be kicked around for the next few months by most of the interested parties.  This has been prompted by the release of the NICE recommendations,  that more women should be delivered in Midwifery led units and, more controversially perhaps, at home. They are recommending that all low risk women should be encouraged to give birth in midwifery led units, without any […]

9 Weeks Pregnant and Boobs no longer hurt?

I am 9 weeks 4 days pregnant and I have noticed my breasts are not as sore and arguably even a little smaller than last week (although still bigger than my usual self) – shall I go and do an ultrasound this week just in case something is wrong? My NHS scan is at week 12. I already did an ultrasound at 6 weeks and we saw a heartbeat. In the absence of any other symptoms I would expect everything to be normal. But if you are anxious or worried then having a scan should put your mind at rest. […]

Limit the amount of Fish you are eating whilst Pregnant!

I am now 34 weeks pregnant and only stumbled across some advice today that said that amongst the types of fish you should limit to eating only twice a week are sea bream and sea bass (I knew that advice applied to salmon but not those other ones).  I don’t eat these types of fish often in general – however, while I was abroad over the summer I ate quite a lot of bream and bass type fish over a 2 week period when I was about 21 weeks pregnant onwards.  Ironically I thought that these fish grilled were one […]

Hyperemisis Gravidarum – What are the effects?

By Roger Marwood Msc FRCOG               We are all relieved to hear that the Duchess of Cambridge is feeling better and able to return to normal activity. For some women Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a serious and disabling condition that can have significant health  problems for the mother to be, her unborn baby, and her family. I have seen many women  for whom this is a lot more than a 3 month problem of morning sickness. Try and imagine the worst hangover that you have ever had and multiply it by a factor of ten […]

Placenta Praevia – Do I really need a C Section?

My IVF baby is due in 4 weeks.  My placenta is 0.7 cm from the edge of the birth canal and it is at the back of my womb.  My consultant has booked me in for a C Section one week before my due date. The reason for this is what they have told me is that if I have a natural birth and the baby ruptures the placenta, then they would have to perform an emergency caesarean and even if this happens because of where the placenta is, could be quite complicated.  My POV is that I would rather […]

Why am I Terrified of Childbirth?

Why am I Terrified of Childbirth? by Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Roger Marwood Msc FRCOG Fear of Childbirth (FOC) or Tokophobia is finally getting some long overdue attention and consideration by doctors and midwives who look after pregnant women . There are various definitions. It is perhaps best described as a significant anxiety disorder or phobia relating to labour and delivery usually associated with a variety of other complaints . These can take the form of  nightmares, sleep disorders, a variety of physical symptoms, difficulties at home and at work, and often result in a request for Caesarean section. Previous studies […]

Trying to Conceive after a Miscarriage – Should I wait for my period?

I had an ERPC 3 weeks ago today.  I am 36, feel fine physically and emotionally ok.  And I’m ovulating.  My husband and I don’t want to wait for my period to try again.  Given I feel ok, can we just try? My understanding is the only reason to wait for the period is to date the pregnancy but I know the ovulation date so that’s not a problem.  I could of course have retained some tissue but bleeding stopped a couple of days after op.  Can we just go ahead and try? Plenty of forums seem to be saying that’s […]

To VBAC or not to VBAC? Help!

To VBAC or not to VBAC?! I am changing my mind daily… Have had a chat with midwife who pretty much strong armed me into chosing to give birth naturally and then I did a refresher NCT course which has changed my mind!  Because I was induced apparently it will be like a first labour as my body doesn’t know how to naturally start, even though I was fully dilated and pushed for 3 hrs! The hospital says that my constant monitoring is fine as they are wireless and an be used in the pool etc, I since found out […]

Morning Sickness – All Day Nausea? What helps?

Saidee Bailey Senior Nutritionist Perfect Start Pregnancy www.perfectstartpregnancy.com There are lots of factors that may contribute to a women feeling nauseas throughout her pregnancy, from plain old nerves or anxiety about becoming a mother to wildly fluctuating hormones, nausea can be the root of considerable discomfort. But before you start existing permanently on dry crackers there are a few other natural ways you can alleviate your nausea. My top tips for tackling nausea. Little girls are said to be made of sugar and spice and all things nice however throughout your pregnancy it may be better to favour the spice part of that rhyme over the sugar. If mums […]