Ask The Doctor – The Answers

Low Lying Placenta at 20 Weeks

Following my 20week scan a low lying placenta was discovered (‘abutting’ according to the sonographer) and so a rescan has been booked for 32weeks… My concern is as follows : We are due to fly to the Caribbean 4.5.13 (30+1day) for a week.  – Is my pregnancy now classed as ‘high risk’ ? (Airline issues !!) – Would I be wiser not to fly ? That is, am I at a higher risk of bleeding ? Premature delivery ? We are literally across the oceans from any hospital : no hospital on the island… – I have been told my […]

Complicated Caesarean Section, scaring and adhesions and high blood pressure.

After having my second c section I was told I have bad scaring and adhesions and they couldn’t find my left ovary or Fallopian tube because of this, can you tell me if there could be any problems in the future because of this?  We’ve decided not to have any more children as was told it could be risky as had pre-eclampsia the first time and pregnancy induced hypertension the second, it took over 40mins to reach baby the second time. It is unusual to take 40 minutes to get to the baby – the most common reasons being scaring […]

Is there anything I can do to speed up healing after giving birth?

I gave birth to my son 9 weeks ago, I’m still feeling pressure and tightness down below. Is there anything I can do to speed up the healing? There is not a lot that you can do to speed up the process, it could take up to 6 months to heal completely but you should see and feel improvements all the time, please be patient. If you are breastfeeding then the vagina may not completely return to normal in terms of the way it feels until you stop. If you are unsure about the way in which you are healing […]

Retained Placenta and Forceps Delivery- Will this happen again?

I had a retained placenta with my first baby. My pregnancy was so straight forward but my labour was anything but. 37 hours, induced and ended with forceps. What’s the chance of it happening again? I was told by my midwife and obstetrician that my baby was big, turned out she was dinky and only 6lb 6oz!! The chances are very much in favour of a normal delivery this time and no particular problems with the placenta.  You have approx a 10 percent chance of needing assisted delivery again, and labour is likely to be more like 6-8 hours rather […]

Elective C Section – Can I make it feel natural?

I am having an elective C section with my baby due in May.  My daughter was born by crash section under general anaesthetic so am a bit nervous.  How can I make the C section as natural as possible?  Can I ask for the screen to be dropped so we see the baby straight away?  And what about skin to skin straight after birth, is that possible? Iit should be a much better experience this time, and it is highly likely that this will be a nice calm and more relaxed experience. You should have an opportunity to discuss this […]

Sterilisation – is it safe? Am I too young?

I would like to ask about sterilisation. I have 2 beautiful girls aged 6 and 1 and my husband and I know that our family is complete and wondered if sterilisation is safe. The nurse offered me alternatives suggesting that at 37, I am too young. Please, what are your thoughts about it? It sounds like you are certain that your family is complete – and therefore sterilisation may be a safe and sensible option for you and your husband.  It is however, not reversible and it is much safer for your husband to have the operation than you. For […]

Fertile after a Miscarriage?

I had a chemical pregnancy in october 2012 and fell pregnant straight away but I had to have a D&C on new years eve 2012 as there was never a heartbeat.  I have waited for 1 full cycle and we are ready to try again.  I was wondering how likely is it that I will suffer another loss and how fertile are you after a D&C? The chances of a another loss are the same as any one else, approx 1 in 5 in early pregnancy.  We suggest you have a scan at 6 weeks when you get pregnant again. […]

Worried about Fibroids and Fertility.

I am 37 and worried about the effects of fibroids and my age on my ability to get pregnant again.  I have 6 in total (2 in each place you can have them eg inside, lining and outside) I have a complicated obstetric history but am now mostly worried about the fibroids. Will they be bigger since my last pregnancy? Do they grow yearly? Monthly? All my other problems aside if I had no problems falling pregnant before can they affect this if I want to try again? My pregnancy history is: July 2009 21 weeks miscarriage (blood clots in […]

Prescribed Prochlorperazine for severe sickness – is it safe?

I’ve recently been extremely sick, I’m 13 weeks and for 3 days couldn’t keep more than sips of water down.  The doctor prescribed Prochlorperazine but I can’t find any research about their use in early pregnancy and unfortunately needed to rush out of my GP surgery to throw up again before I could ask! Any advice related to this? This drug has been well tested and is safe.  At 13 weeks the baby is already fully formed.  If these symptoms are pregnancy related they are likely to settle soon and will not harm the baby.  As long as you are […]

19 weeks pregnant- bad SPD. Any advice?

I’ve recently been diagnosed with SPD I’m 19 weeks pregnant and find it difficult to turn in bed or walk, especially in the evening. Have you any advice? Could this get better or is it likely to get worse? This is rather early for SPD, but it has a variable course, but is unlikely to get better until you are delivered. We suggest you talk to your midwife/dr to arrange some physio and some advice about keeping active but not putting your pubis under strain.  Our section on Back and Hip Ache explains SPD in more detail.