Common pregnancy and birth questions

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How is HELLP syndrome treated?

Treatment for HELLP syndrome may vary, depending on the stage of pregnancy and severity of symptoms. If the pregnancy is more than 34 weeks, definitive treatment for HELLP syndrome is delivery of the …

Is gestational diabetes serious?

While gestational diabetes can be readily managed with the combination of lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet, regular and appropriate physical activity and insulin (when required), if left untr…

Are there different types of fetal alcohol syndrome?

There are different degrees of damage that alcohol can do to an unborn child. Fetal alcohol syndrome is at the extreme end of the scale, and there are also other diagnoses such as partial fetal alcoho…

Can Down syndrome be cured?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition and cannot be cured.

How will I know if my baby has a reaction to the medication?

When using medication, you can monitor your baby for changes in their sleeping patterns, their mood and level of alertness, or any rashes appearing on their skin.

What are the risks involved with instrumental delivery?

In general, a forceps delivery poses less risk to the baby than vacuum-assisted delivery, which is more likely to result in failed delivery, as well as eye and skull damage to the baby. However, force…

Can preterm labor be prevented?

If you have experienced preterm labor in the past, you will likely be given progesterone in the form of an injection or vaginal gel to help reduce the risk of it happening again. You can also help red…

How is a molar pregnancy diagnosed?

In some cases, a molar pregnancy will be detected as part of a routine ultrasound during early pregnancy. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and your medical history. They may ask questions …

Is jaundice in newborn babies serious?

In most cases, the jaundice will not harm the baby and will clear up on its own, or with simple treatment such as phototherapy. However, if the jaundice becomes severe and the level of bilirubin in th…

Is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) caused by infants suffocating?

No. If investigation finds out that the infant had suffocated while sleeping, the cause of death is not categorized as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but as suffocation.

Can fetal alcohol syndrome be prevented?

On an individual level, fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented by not consuming any alcohol during pregnancy. A 'safe' level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy is unknown. On a wider level, prevent…

Is it safe to have sex while pregnant?

For most pregnant women, with normal pregnancy development, having sex is safe throughout the pregnancy. Sex is not recommended in case of conditions such as placenta praevia (when the placenta insert…