- Antenatal Classes
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- Big Questions
- Ask The Doctor
- Can I have a drink when Pregnant?
- What can I Eat When Pregnant?
- Can I Exercise during Pregnancy?
- What Medication can I take when Pregnant?
- Can I fly when Pregnant?
- Pelvic Floor Exercises – Pregnancy and After
- Can I Make my Baby come Quicker?
- Pets and Gardening when Pregnant
- Sleeping when Pregnant
- Sex When Pregnant
- Twins, Triplets or More..
- Termination of Pregnancy
- Repeated Caesarean Sections
- Aches & Pains
- Back and Hip Ache during Pregnancy
- Bleeding during Pregnancy
- Bottoms and Bowels during Pregnancy – Constipation and Piles,
- Braxton Hicks – Tightenings during Pregnancy
- Complications during Pregnancy
- Indigestion during Pregnancy
- Morning Sickness/Nausea/HG
- Pins and Needles and Pains during Pregnancy
- Feeling Depressed during Pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Skin Changes during Pregnancy
- Advice
- The Birth
- After the Birth
Latest Update on Zika Virus and Pregnancy
By Roger Marwood FRCOG Background The Zika virus is a relatively new virus that is rapidly spreading through Brazil and the Americas. It is important because it can affect pregnant women and may cause serious brain damage to their babies. It is transmitted by a mosquito bite and once the virus multiplies in the mother , it can cross over the placenta and cause a problem in the baby’s brain development. The defect is called microcephaly , which means small head , and therefore, small brain. It is likely that infection in the early part of pregnancy carries the greatest […]
Is it Safe to take Primrose Oil When Pregnant?
I have just been recommended to take evening primrose oil capsules from 34 weeks to help with skin stretching and labour. Is it safe to take? It appears to be safe in late pregnancy, but not without side effects and an unpleasant taste Nausea, bloating and digestive problems are common. I feel it is my duty to tell you that there is insufficient evidence that it has any beneficial effect on labour, timing of delivery, preeclampsia, or baby size, and is generally not recommended. I can’t find any evidence about skin stretching. Hope this is helpful.
Can I get my highlights done whilst I am Pregnant?
I am 19 weeks pregnant (first time) so unsure, with few things. My question is, whether it is safe to do highlights during my next visit at the hairdresser? There are various opitions about colouring your hair during pregnancy where one should not do any chemical treatments on your head and others saying that if it’s just highlights, it is fine as the colour won’t touch the scalp. Could you please help me here? I am really confused..My priority is the good of the baby but I still want to look like a human while I go through this exciting […]
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.
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 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 […]
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 […]
Can I Smoke Weed When I am Pregnant?
Not a good idea . It will double your chances of a premature baby. A recent study in France interviewed over 14,000 women in the first 2-3 days after delivery , and asked them about Cannabis use in their recent pregnancy. Over 13,000 women agreed to answer the questions. They were asked about their age, number of pregnancies, social status , level of education, tobacco and alcohol use . The outcome of their pregnancies were then compared according to their use of Cannabis and other factors. The admitted incidence was 1.2 %, which was much lower than previous similar studies, […]
Is it safe to use hair removal cream?
Can I use hair removal cream while pregnant? I also wondered if it’s ok to use hair lighting cream on the naval area & on parts of my face- all of which I was doing before pregnant but just wanted to check if it is known to affect the baby? Yes! We believe it is safe to use both hair removal cream and hair lightening products in pregnancy. However some women notice their skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy. If in doubt try a small test dose first.