Anaemia during pregnancy
Anaemia is a lack of red blood cells, which can lead to a lack of oxygen-carrying ability, causing unusual tiredness. Pregnant women need more iron and often become anaemic as a result. The deficiency occurs either through the reduced production ... [... more]
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Bleeding in the late stages of pregnancy
Bleeding is a sign that cannot be ignored. If a woman bleeds at any time during pregnancy she should tell her doctor or midwife straight away. The bleeding can be caused by quite harmless changes in the cervix (neck of the womb) called an ... [... more]
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Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
Up to 1 in 10 pregnant women develop raised blood pressure accompanied by the appearance of protein in the urine (proteinuria) and retention of excessive amounts of fluid in the body (oedema). It is not usually seen before the sixth month of ... [... more]
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Caesarean section
Even though a vaginal delivery is the most common way to give birth, a Caesarean section is often advised and performed in certain situations. The relative safety of Caesarean sections has seen a rise in the number of women being delivered in ... [... more]
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Childbirth
The birth starts with the onset of labour, which is usually marked by the beginning of regular uterine contractions. These are felt as tightenings either in the back or across the top of the womb. Sometimes the baby's waters break before the ... [... more]
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Epidural anaesthesia
Epidural anaesthesia is the term used to describe the blocking of nerve routes from the spinal cord with a local anaesthetic or painkilling medication. It is also known as an anaesthetic of the nerve roots. It is commonly used in childbirth to ... [... more]
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Chromosome abnormalities in pregnancy
Chromosome abnormalities of the developing baby (foetus) are uncommon, but many parents are concerned their baby might be affected. Several tests are now available to screen for and diagnose these abnormalities at an early stage of the ... [... more]
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Pregnancy diabetes (gestational diabetes)
Resistance to insulin develops in all mothers during pregnancy. In about 2-4 per cent of women this results in temporary diabetes. It happens because pregnant women have less ability to produce extra insulin to overcome this insulin ... [... more]
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Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilised egg attaches itself outside the cavity of the uterus (womb). The majority of ectopic pregnancies are found in the Fallopian tubes. In rare cases, the egg attaches itself in one of the ovaries, the ... [... more]
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Infertility and assisted conception
Many couples believe that it is easy to have a child and are often surprised when the woman does not fall pregnant as soon as they start trying for a baby. Philip Owen, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and Dr Helen Lyall, consultant ... [... more]
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Miscarriage
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks, with most miscarriages actually occurring during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, miscarriage is very common, affecting one in eight pregnancies. There is seldom an adequate ... [... more]
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Morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy
In the first half of pregnancy, feeling sick or nauseated is quite common, as is vomiting. The degree of nausea and vomiting differs from woman to woman. You may just feel a little sick in the morning and throw up once, or your may suffer from ... [... more]
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