Ask The Doctor – The Answers

Pregnant whilst using the Coil?

My girlfriend has a six year old coil and her period is late by a couple of days – she has spotted for the past couple of weeks on and off – she’s done a couple of pregnancy tests which have come up positive. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated please. Your girlfriend needs to be seen ASAP to establish the location of the pregnancy and to remove the coil if possible She will have a 1 in 10 chance of an ectopic pregnancy so should be seen today at an EPU or at A and E. Good Luck […]

Early Bleeding

I am 6 weeks pregnant and I have had a very small amount of bleeding. Is this normal? I want to have an early scan but am not sure if my GP will refer me as I heard that the first scan you are offered is the 12 week one. I am not sure I can wait that long. Bleeding in early pregnancy is very common and happens in at least one in four pregnancies.  It does not mean you have lost the baby.  With only light bleeding and no bad cramps the pregnancy is likely to be safe.  You […]

Is my baby putting on weight?

I am 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby and my weight hasn’t changed for 3 weeks. Does this mean my baby is not growing. I am measuring 33cm at 34 weeks and my midwife was not worried. Measuring 33cms for 34 weeks is normal (the formula is no of weeks +-10%). With a previously normally grown baby and the same father you are likely to have another well-grown baby.  I would not be worried about  your weight if the measurement of the baby is satisfactory.

Trying to get Pregnant aged 34

I am 34 yrs old, with no past medical history and a normal weight, I dont smoke and I lead a generally healthy lifestyle, my husband has a mirror history. We are thinking about having a baby, however our careers have dominated during recent years! My question is – what are the stats on getting pregnant over 34 years?  Thank you for your question. Based on the information that you have given us we would say there is no reason why you should not have normal fertility. At the age of 34 your fertility is likely to be unaltered and […]

When can I start trying to conceive after a miscarriage?

I had an EPRC following a missed miscarriage/anembryonic pregnancy exactly two weeks ago.  I have had 2 different opinions on when to start trying to get pregnant again.  The consultant sonographer who confirmed the missed miscarriage thought it better to wait for a full cycle but the consultant who carried out the EPRC procedure (at a different hospital) said to start trying straight away if that’s what I want.  Because of having been given two different opinions by qualified people, I wondered what your opinion would be.  Also, given that it is said that you are extra fertile following miscarriage […]

Retrochonial Haematoma

I had a scan today (11+5) it showed the  baby is fine fine but I have placental lakes and a retrochonial haematoma. Should I worry?    Retrochorial haematoma is not an unusual finding at this stage in the pregnancy , and it means that there has been some bleeding between the outer membrane (the chorion ) and the lining of the womb . This is one of the commonest cause of bleeding in early pregnancy , and it does not mean that you are going to lose the baby. Its likely that there has already been some vaginal bleeding already […]

Baby lying low, what can I do?

I am 18.5 weeks pregnant and my boy started kicking. Lately I have been feeling him kick really low, way below my navel. The midwife says it is normal because he is still small and can move around freely around my uterus. But I am worried… Should I be and is there anything I can do to push the baby up? Please do not worry, this is completely normal.

Blemish Solutions Safe?

Hi, from reading I get confusing information regarding if we can use or not off the counter blemish solutions for pimples ( example Clinique foam or blemish solutions ) We do not know of any reason why you cannot use these preparations.

Can I reduce my chances of getting pre-eclampsia again?

I had pre-eclampsia with my last pregnancy and I was induced at 36 weeks. I’m now 30 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy and so far I’ve no signs of pre-eclampsia which is great although I’m aware I have a 1 in 8 chance of it happening again. I wondered if there were any tips you could share for anything I can do to improve my chances of not having it this time around? As so far I’ve not come across any. The midwives have basically said I have to wait and see. I’m taking an Asprin a day, not drinking […]

19 weeks pregnant, terrible swelling/fluid retention

I’m 19 weeks pregnant and for the past 3 weeks i’ve had awful water retention. My legs go up by 3-4cm by the end of the day.  I wake up in the morning with stiff fingers and wrists. I’m concerned because i’m told that it’s too early for such bad retention. I drink 1.5 litres of water a day and I try and exercise daily, usually by walking. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t. Should I be worried? Thanks. At least half of pregnant women get fluid retention or oedema. It’s particularly common in the first pregnancy and most noticeable […]