Ask The Doctor – The Answers

I have gone deaf in one ear. I haven’t had a cold or been swimming! Could this be pregnancy related?

During pregnancy, all your mucus membranes will become thickened- and you will produce more mucus.  You will also have more blood flowing around your body during this time, which can cause the blood vessels in the lining of your nose and ears to swell, causing congestion in these areas.  This may manifest itself as a stuffed up nose, sinus problems or even a temporary deafness.  With the ear, the Eustachian Tube, which is designed to drain mucus from the middle ear, can become blocked more easily during pregnancy and can make you feel like your ear is blocked whilst slightly […]

Can Forceps Delivery Hurt my Baby?

I am 31 weeks pregnant and for the birth I am planning to have an epidural I am worried that this will increase the chances of assisted delivery. I clearly understand what the procedures are but what is a bit foggy is the risks that especially forceps use may bring to the baby. What I am referring to our the less likely but more serious risks like permanent brain damage or even death that are not even mentioned on the NHS website. Do you know of any source where stats on the incidence of these possible consequences can be found? […]

Pregnancy- Is it possible not to know?

Taken from BBC Online A British servicewoman who gave birth to a baby boy in Afghanistan on Tuesday is understood to have been “astonished” to discover she was pregnant. The woman, who had been stationed at Camp Bastion in Helmand province since March, only learned she was going to give birth when she complained of stomach pains to military doctors. Most women will find it incredible that a pregnancy would go unnoticed for several months or more, since there are numerous of signs of pregnancy. A woman’s periods stop, morning sickness often occurs in the early stages and women feel […]

19 Weeks Food Poisoning- So worried.

I am 19 weeks pregnant and have just had a bout of food poisoning after a bad takeaway meal.  Could this have harmed my baby? At 19 weeks the baby is completely formed and it is very unusual for a bout of food poisoning to affect the pregnancy in any significant way.  Only under exceptional circumstances could something you have eaten damage the baby and threaten your pregnancy. The most imp principles are keeping hydrated and resting your stomach and intestines until the infection has passed.  This usually takes 24-48 hrs.  It is perfectly safe for you not to eat […]

My Morning Sickenss Has Stopped! I’m worried!

I am 10 weeks pregnant and have suffered from morning sickness everyday since about 5 weeks.  But today I feel fine.  This has made me worried.  Someone told me that at this stage the placenta is starting to take over from the hormones and so it is normal to feel better.  Is this true? As I’m sure you know, nausea in pregnancy is extremely common and is a completely normal response to the elevated hormones related to pregnancy.  For most women it is an experience that is limited mainly to the first three months of pregnancy, but a few  women […]

Can I treat warts on my fingers whilst I am pregnant?

What is the best way to treat warts on my fingers during pregnancy?  Leaving them isn’t a option as they’re becoming increasingly embarrassing.   We suggest that you avoid any preparations containing podophyllum or podophyllotoxin as these are potentially dangerous to the fetus. Local preparations containing Salicylic Acid  or Silver Nitrate are safe and are usually effective. They must be used carefully as they may cause staining, ulceration and occasional allergies. Alternative treatment is by Cryocautery using locally applied liquid Nitrogen or Carbon Dioxide . This should be arranged by a local GP. Although the warts are caused by Human […]

Could Oral Sex Help with Morning Sickness?

The Daily Mail seems to think so! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2186710/Could-oral-sex-pregnant-womans-best-defense-morning-sickness.html?ITO=1490

Chorionic Villus Sampling and Miscarriage Risk

I’ve had a CVS & am worried about miscarriage.  How long should I wait before taking up exercises like swimming and pregnancy yoga?   Thanks for your question.  We assume from your message the procedure was uncomplicated.  Extra risks are approximately 1 in a hundred of miscarriage in the first 48-72 hours- the symptoms of which are likely to be loss of fluid, bleeding, crampy pains, fever, and malaise. We would suggest that you rest for 48 hrs and then get back to normal if all is well. Many clinics give out printed information.  Results are usually available in 3 […]

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 […]