Pregnancy & Labour
Q&A With Expert Series: Get Your Answers On The Common Doubts For Pregnancy And Labour
5 min read | Updated on 30-03-2023 by HappyPreggie
Pregnancy isn't always a pleasant experience for all women. And, with so many different situations that may occur, no matter how well you plan for the big day, you're bound to have a few surprises. It's very normal to be nervous, whether this is your first or third child. As the expectant mother goes through major bodily changes that impact her life in a variety of ways, it's quite natural to feel anxious throughout pregnancy and even after labour.
Since pregnancy brings along a lot of changes and turmoil, it might raise a lot of questions. Here, we have compiled a list of common doubts that mums usually have during pregnancy and after labour answered by Dr Tan Ee Ping, Consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist at CT Women & Child Specialist Clinic, who joined us and answered all the worried mums-to-be about their concerns on pregnancy and labour. Thank you, Dr Tan Ee Ping.Q1. What are the signs when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck and what causes it?
(Image credit to Canva)
The umbilical cord around the neck, also known as the nuchal cord, is a totally normal condition. It occurs in 30% of all pregnancies and in most situations give rise to a healthy baby and uncomplicated birth. The nuchal cord is a spontaneous occurrence. The baby happened to turn around the umbilical cord. Therefore, the cord is usually loosely wrapped around the neck of the baby. Loosely wrapped cords are harmless and most babies can have natural births as well. But, there are rare situations where the cord becomes tight as the baby goes down the birth canal. And, that will present with fetal distress which requires a Caesarean Birth. That’s why monitoring a baby's heartbeat is important during labour and birth.
Q2. How does labour pain start? My pain is similar to long period pains inducing the need to poop.
(Image credit to Canva)
Labour pain starts when a hormone called Oxytocin is released from the brain. This causes the uterus muscle to contract. Similarly, during menstruation, the uterus muscle contracts and gives rise to a pain that is very similar to labour pain but with different intensity. The feeling of needing to poop arises when the contractions push the baby down into the birth canal towards the mother’s bowel opening.
Q3. Why are pregnant women more prone to infections? What kind of infections happens during pregnancy and how to prevent & treat them?
(Image credit to Canva)
A pregnant lady’s immunity is reduced during pregnancy in order to protect the baby. A baby has foreign genetic material. The mother’s body can recognise the baby as a foreign object and may illicit immune mechanisms to get rid of the baby. In order to protect the baby, a pregnant lady’s immune system will be suppressed the moment she gets pregnant and that’s why she will be prone to infections. To prevent infections, make sure that a pregnant lady received all her vaccinations before getting pregnant as well as take the usual precautions of masking and hand washing to prevent infections.
Q4. Should I be worried about having whitish, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge during pregnancy? Do changes in colours indicate infection?
(Image credit to Canva)
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common. A normal vaginal discharge is usually white or colourless while yellow and green coloured discharge has a higher tendency of either bacteria, viral or fungal infection.
Q5. I'm in my 3rd trimester and feel a sudden urge to vomit. Is it normal and what causes it?
(Image credit to Canva)
Some women are very sensitive to oxytocin. Oxytocin is released in the 3rd trimester, especially nearing birth and that’s why some women will vomit again towards the end of the pregnancy.
We hope this helped answer some of the concerns you may have. What other questions do you have? Let us know, and we will help you find the answers. Your questions may even be featured in our future Q & A series blog.
In the meantime, if you want to know about 5 Common Baby-Sleep Doubts answered by a professional you can read- Q&A With Expert Series: 5 Common Baby-Sleep Doubts With Solutions For Sleepless Parents! Or you can also read Q&A With Expert Series: Get Your Answers On The Common Doubts For Newborn Care! Apart from that, you can read other amazing informative blogs on HappyPreggie’s website.
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