Ask The Doctor – The Answers

Testing for Cystic Fibrosis

Firstly, thank you. This is a briliant website and just what I need as a first timer. I am still only 10 weeks so the nerves have been helped by so much of your answers and advice. Do you have any information on the earliest stage for testing Cystic Fibrosis in an unborn baby? I have heard mixed reports so wanted to check. Cystic fibrosis can only occur if both parents carry the gene . Routine testing is not available in this country, but should be possible if there is a family history . Testing for the gene involves a […]

Refusing forceps or Ventouse delivery.

I am a first time mother, and I am wondering if I would be able to refuse consent to a forceps delivery if it becomes necessary.  I have a family history of big babies and assisted deliveries using instruments such as Kiellands forceps. Most of the women in my family have ended up with horrific long term complications as a result of these procedures (including a stoma bag due to rectal damage). I have carefully researched and considered my options and I am certain that I will not want to consent to any kind of forceps during my delivery under […]

Fear of Childbirth – “Tokophobia”

Due to complicated reasons, I have a severe phobia of vaginal childbirth which is called “tokophobia”. I have considered both modes of delivery and as I am planning on having only one child, I feel that it will be better for me psychologically to have a planned c-section. Unfortunately, I know some people who have been refused and I have been told that this is not possible on the NHS.   I cannot even consider having a baby unless a c-section is guaranteed.  What can I do? Will an NHS consultant accept my request? You are not alone! At least […]

11 Weeks pregnant and fainted.

I am 11 weeks pregnant and I fainted this week.  I have never fainted before.  I could have overheated, but I am worried I have low iron levels.  Should I check these levels with my GP?  Is it harmful to the baby ?  I have my 12 week scan next week. Try not to worry, it is normal to feel faint.  You will have blood tests at your 12 week appointment and your iron levels will be checked then.  It is not harmful to the baby to faint.  Good luck.   For more information on your 12 week scan please […]

VERY Speedy First Birth!

My first labour was super quick ie. Under 2 hours.  What are the chances for my second labour being even quicker? Am worried that I wont make it to hospital and should think of home birth.   Every labour and every delivery are different.  Most second labours are quicker and easier than firsts but not always. You need to talk to your midwife about the pros and cons of Homebirth vs Hospital and also about how to recognise the early warning signs of labour eg. show or contractions. Perhaps when you think back to your last labour you may have been […]

I had a huge bleed after my first baby, what will happen next time?

About one in ten women have a significant blood loss at or around the time of their first delivery. Its called a post partum haemorrhage and is when you lose more than half a litre within the first 24 hours. It is well known that it is more likely to occur in older women, women with twins, or with babies over 4 kg, or women who are overweight, or who require delivery by Caesarean Section. A recent study of over 34,000 women , from Aberdeen, from 1986 to 2005,  were followed up over a period of 5 years. The intention […]

Would like VBAC but traumatised by first birth experience.

With my first labour my waters broke but I never established labour so was kept in hospital for four days for sweeps and pesaries before I was induced with a drip.  After 18hrs my cervix could not progress past 9 1/2 cm and all who stopped in for a look noted a hard ridge present ( like a wrinkle) that would not stretch.  My still unengaged daughter then turned back to back ( later found cord was tight around neck) heart rate dropped and I was rushed off for a C-section. So my question is could this be scar tissue […]

Scan at 36 Weeks to reduce risk of stillbirth?

I have read a lot in the press recently about how having a scan at 36 weeks can reduce the number of stillbirths. Should I be getting one? There are two possible advantages in a late scan and at least one possible disadvantage Firstly, it will determine which way up the baby is lying (the Presentation). At this stage 95 % of babies are head down (cephalic), leaving 5% , or 1 in 20 in a breech position. With the current practice of examining the abdomen with our hands and a tape measure, it is obvious that many breech babies […]

Infections whilst pregnant

I am 39 plus 2 weeks pregnant and have suffered a number of infections (vaginal and urine) during my pregnancy for which I took some antibiotics. The latest one was klebsiella oxytoca and I have just finished a course of antibiotics for it. I also had entrecoccus and klebsiella pneumoniae. My gyn says I get them because I have less immunity during pregnancy and I catch them from the air. My due date is in 5 days, I am worried that I might catch something in the meantime ‘ from the air’ and the baby might get infected. I do […]

Major Obstetric Haemorrhage – risks?

If you have had retained placenta + a significant haemorrhage (4.5l – MOH), are you more likely to have another bad bleed, or are your risks the same as any other lady giving birth? Retained Placenta is one of the three commonest reasons for a Major Obstetric Haemorrhage (MOH). The other two causes are an atomic or non contracted uterus , and trauma. Sometimes there can be two or even three factors causing the bleeding at the same time! Assuming the main reason was the retained placenta , then there is an increased chance of another problem at your next delivery, which […]