It has recently been recommended by the Australian Government Dept of Health that pregnant women should receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. It is free for pregnant women through their GPs. The Government website states… “A single dose of Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is...
I recently circumcised the newborn son of a patient, at her request. I had a chat with her about how the popularity of male newborn circumcisions has changed over the years. When I started my training to become an obstetrician doctor, male newborn circumcision was...
“Birth asphyxia” (lack of oxygen and blood flow to the baby’s brain) is a label and convenient explanation given to parents by paediatricians when a baby is delivered with low Apgar scores, requires resuscitation, or if neonatal fits occur. The second diagnosis that...
The Mirena IUCD is very popular method of contraception. Most women have no issues with it after insertion, it gives very effective contraception, is cheap, and usually results in no or minimal menstrual loss. When it was introduced by Bayer Pharmaceutical recommended...
When do I need contraception after I have had my baby? Breastfeeding will give some protection, especially while you are fully breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should not be relied on exclusively, as unplanned pregnancies do occur while breastfeeding and even before your...
When I started my obstetric training in most boy babies were circumcised. While some circumcisions were done because of religious reasons, most were done because it was considered medically to be good idea. It was considered there was less risk of women developing...
I have bleeding from my rectum. Is that ok? This is not an infrequent question at the 6-week postnatal visit It is usually due to an anal fissure. An anal fissure results from tearing the anal mucosa with passage of hard large stools. What can be done about it? You...
The Mirena intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is very popular method of contraception, including for postnatal women who are breast feeding. It is good ‘spacer’ between pregnancies and good for long term contraception when the family is complete. Mirena consists...
During pregnancy and vaginal childbirth there are lots of body changes. Commonest changes include enlarged abdomen, stretched abdominal wall skin, weight gain, breast enlargement, nipple and areola changes, fluid retention and swelling, stretch marks, acne, red skin...
All women who have a vaginal delivery have the wish that their perineum will remain intact with the delivery of their baby. This is not always the case. Many women experience perineal trauma with childbirth, either perineal tearing or an episiotomy or both. The most...
“How soon can I have my baby?” is a question I frequently get asked in advanced pregnancy. The question is asked because the pregnant woman who asks it is struggling to cope with the impact of advanced pregnancy on her body. I am happy to arrange induction of her...
Recently after church, I was chatting with a new mum whose baby daughter I had delivered eight days earlier and I was very pleased to see she had her baby in a protective sling. Not only was this very convenient for her and took up minimal space in the car (c.f. a...
*Saturday morning appointments are not available for initial antenatal visit.
