Ask The Doctor – The Answers

I suffer from depression. Will it harm my baby?

I suffer from depression .Will it harm my baby? Roger Marwood says  – The simple answer is no, but do seek advice. About one in 10 women suffer from depression during pregnancy. Some for the first time, and some get pregnant while having treatment . There has, until recently, been some concern about the possible adverse effects of depression and antidepressant medication on the developing baby . There is some good news for those women who are depressed and further reassurance for those taking antidepressants (with one important exception) Being depressed will not harm your baby ! A recent large […]

More Information about VBAC

More information about having a VBAC – Vaginal Birth after a Caesarean We have written a lot recently about the pros and cons of trying for a vaginal birth after a previous Caesarean section (VBAC). Generally speaking it’s a safe option , especially if you are hoping for more than two children and if your pregnancy is normal and the baby an average size. The risks of an unexpected bad outcome are very low  (approx 1 in 200), and the secret is to wait for labour to start by itself. However, additional information has emerged that might help some women […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Has Haggis Harmed my Unborn Baby?

I am 16 weeks + 4 days pregnant. I have just realised that at 9 weeks + 1 day pregnant I ate haggis. I was at a wedding and had at least 5 deep fried haggis balls. I was aware not to eat pate because of the high vitamin A content but I didn’t think about the haggis being harmful. Have I put the baby at risk? I am particularly anxious because my cousin suffered severe cerebral palsy and I read that high doses of vitamin A can cause birth defects.   Is there any way to know if the baby […]