Pregnancy Complications

An unusual presentation of HELLP Syndrome

An unusual presentation of HELLP Syndrome

Emma presented to the Birthing Unit at 9.00pm with epigastric pain. She was 39 weeks 1 day gestation in her first pregnancy. There was no uterine tenderness of pain, no uterine contractions, and no vaginal bleeding. She was otherwise well.  Her baby’s heart rate...

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Is the umbilical cord around my baby’s neck?

Is the umbilical cord around my baby’s neck?

It is not unusual for a patient to ask: “Is the umbilical cord around my baby’s neck?” The reason for the question is the patient is anxious about this and is concerned the umbilical cord being around baby’s neck (nuchal cord) will adversely affect baby’s wellbeing....

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Never quit

Never quit

Catherine saw me at nine weeks gestation for management of her fifth pregnancy. Her first three pregnancies had been unsuccessful. I had not known her then. She saw me for the first time for management of her fourth pregnancy, which was successful. She told me in her...

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A very challenging pregnancy with a wonderful outcome

A very challenging pregnancy with a wonderful outcome

Catherine saw me at eight weeks gestation for management of her 4th pregnancy. Her first three pregnancies had been unsuccessful. She told me in her first pregnancy she had a placental abruption with threatened preterm labour at 23 weeks. At 24 weeks her membranes...

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Reduced growth of baby with good pregnancy outcome

Reduced growth of baby with good pregnancy outcome

Hannah saw me for management of her first ongoing pregnancy. She had two miscarriages in the past. There was no relevant history except she was hypothyroid and was taking thyroxine. The pregnancy started well. The first visit with me was at 10 weeks and there were no...

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Challenging pregnancy with a good outcome

Challenging pregnancy with a good outcome

I was very excited to see a wonderful patient for the first antenatal visit of her second pregnancy. Sadly, her first pregnancy had not worked out as she had a mid-trimester loss. She has been diabetic since as she was five years old. She has an insulin pump and is...

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Baby had no heart beat at birth

Baby had no heart beat at birth

It was Lydia’s first pregnancy. It had been totally uncomplicated. I saw her at 39 weeks and 0 days for a routine check and there were no concerns. During the early evening of the next day Lydia fainted at home whilst sitting on the couch. Her mother-in-law was with...

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Baby stopped growing

Baby stopped growing

A 25-year-old patient attended at eight weeks pregnancy for her first antenatal visit of her first pregnancy. Initially, the pregnancy progressed normally and without any concerns. There started to be a slight fall-off in baby’s growth, first detected by ultrasound...

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Being Overweight And Pregnant

Being Overweight And Pregnant

Management of childbirth in the excessively overweight patient was a topic of discussion at a recent department meeting at one of the hospitals I attend. Obesity is increasing in incidence in the community. Now approximately 50 per cent of women who become pregnant...

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How might osteoporosis affect pregnancy?

How might osteoporosis affect pregnancy?

In osteoporosis there is reduced bone mineral density which predisposes to increased risk of bone fracture. Osteoporosis leading to fracture can occur during pregnancy, though it is very uncommon. There is likely to be a background condition such as such as coeliac...

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Can pregnancy increase the risk of breast cancer?

Can pregnancy increase the risk of breast cancer?

Pregnancy is the most significant modifiable factor known for breast cancer risk in women. Although an initial increase in risk occurs immediately after parturition in women older than 25 years, the overall lifetime risk of breast cancer decreases after pregnancy. The...

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