Ask The Doctor – The Answers

Worried about Watery Discharge

Hi, I have been getting watery discharge somedays more than others. I also noticed today that as well as the watery discharge I had a thicker line of white discharge. I am slightly worried and not sure if its normal. I am 17 weeks 2 days pregnant. Extra vaginal discharge is normal in pregnancy . If its a small amount and not smelly then it is just because of the changes of pregnancy on the tissues in the vagina and cervix. If it is profuse , coloured , smelly or itchy then you should take advice. Thick white discharge is […]

Is it safe to use Dry Shampoo during my Pregnancy?

I was wondering, whether using Batiste, the very popular dry shampoo is safe in pregnancy? I have been using it for the last few years and cannot live without it yet I don’t want to cause any harm to my baby. As far as I can determine Batiste is safe in pregnancy if you follow the instructions The chemicals involved are thought to be safe and most evaporate quickly and are not absorbed Skin sensitivity can be a problem if the product is used at high concentrations for extended periods.

Low PAPP-A Levels – what are the risks?

I received a letter to say that I have low PAPP-A levels (0.4 MOM). What risks does this cause? Papp-A is a pregnancy related hormone in the blood that is measured as part of a screening test for Down’s syndrome at about 12 weeks. When the level is low , it can mean that there is an increased risk of your baby having a chromosomal problem , such as Downs Syndrome The blood test is done at the same time as a careful scan of your baby , and combined with a measurement of the back of the neck , […]

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 […]