“Doctor…my mum says if I wear high heels while pregnant, I’ll miscarry.”
“Is that really true?”
Many women hear this advice the moment they announce their pregnancy.
The truth is a little more nuanced.
High heels do not directly cause a miscarriage.
However, pregnancy changes your body in ways that make falls more likely. As your baby grows, your centre of gravity shifts, your ligaments become more relaxed, and your balance changes. High heels can make these changes even more challenging, increasing the risk of a fall that could harm you and your baby.
That doesn’t mean every woman who wears heels during pregnancy will have a problem but comfort, stability and safety should come first.
Supportive, well-cushioned shoes are usually a better choice, especially as your pregnancy progresses.
Did you stop wearing heels during pregnancy or did you keep wearing them? Tell us why!
If you’re feeling anxious because your due date has passed, you’re not alone.
The good news is that a due date is an estimate not an expiry date. Many healthy pregnancies continue beyond 40 weeks, and most mothers and babies do well with appropriate monitoring. Read!
Q: Good morning Doctor. I have been a keen fan of your page, and I must confess, you are doing a great job. May God replenish you. I want to ask medically, reason why I am yet to deliver my baby, which the scan gave me EDD of first week of December. We are now running to the third week. Delivery had not taken place. I only feel pressed sometimes, feeling that the baby is preparing to come. (Amusile in yoruba). However, I am yet to see coming of water (omira).
What can be medically wrong Ma? Or is it normal to use up to two-three weeks after the EDD given by the scan test, without delivery. Please kindly give me detailed knowledge about this Ma. I will appreciate it, and it would reduce my worries.
Thank you ma’am
A: Dating pregnancy is best done with the use of the last menstrual period. That is the first day of the woman’s last normal menstrual flow.
However, if she is not sure of her dates, then a scan can be used. To date pregnancy, a first trimester scan gives the most appropriate approximation. The earlier it is, the more accurate it is likely to be.
In our part of the world, Nigeria, especially, people tend to think that pregnancy going beyond its due date is related to witchcraft or having run-ins with ‘bad’ people. I’d like to state unequivocally that this is not witchcraft 😀
Usually pregnancy lasts for 40 completed weeks plus or minus 2 weeks. This is usually through pregnancy dating using ultrasound scan in the first trimester.
Generally though, from 37 weeks, your baby is good to be born…all things being equal. Therefore, if a woman gets to 40 weeks without any sign of labour, she is tentatively given 2 more weeks, especially if there are no other risk factors present in the pregnancy. This is called watchful waiting and during this period, the baby’s kicks are counted, baby’s heartbeat is monitored and indeed, baby’s growth and other parameters are monitored.
From the 41st week, if she does not spontaneously go into labour (without help), then there is a plan made for induction, having fully informed the woman of all possible scenarios.
Some women do not like the idea of induction and so, having discussed with the medical team, may opt for a sweep of the membranes, which help stimulate labour.
When a pregnancy goes beyond the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) which is 40 weeks, it is called a post-dated pregnancy. If the pregnancy lasts beyond 42 weeks, it is called post term.
It is not really clear why some pregnancies become post-dated but some associated risk factors include previous post dated pregnancy, first pregnancies, mothers with high BMI and advanced age.
The main challenge with allowing a baby to remain in the womb beyond the 42nd week is that of the placenta no longer being able to supply sufficient amounts of oxygen to the baby.
This can lead to brain damage or even death of the baby. The second issue is the threat of the baby having its first poop inside the womb and then aspirating (breathing in) same.
So, have a long chat with your medical team and discuss options available and the ones you are comfortable with.
Your healthcare provider will assess both you and your baby, monitor your baby’s wellbeing, and discuss the safest next steps. In some cases, labour starts naturally. In others, induction may be recommended.
“Doctor… I’m only 35 weeks pregnant, but it hurts so much that I can barely walk.”
If you’ve ever experienced this during pregnancy, you know how frightening and exhausting it can be.
Many women assume it’s simply “part of being pregnant.”
Sometimes it is.
But sometimes it may be Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) – a condition that affects the joints and ligaments of the pelvis as your body prepares for childbirth.
The good news?
It does NOT harm your baby. Read!
Q: Hello Dr Ketch. Please, I have a question. How do a woman cope with symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) in pregnancy? Mine is so bad, I can’t walk anymore. I went to the hospital, was admitted but had no improvement. I’m 35 weeks pregnant and in pains. I need help
A: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is a condition that is now more commonly known as pelvic girdle pain or pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP).
From the name, this condition would usually occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or can even happen after delivery.
It does not affect the baby in the womb, though. It is more common in people who have had previous pelvic injury and can also be influenced by weight and position of the baby.
People with this condition in pregnancy experience symptoms like pain over the front of the pelvis, pain on one or both sides of the lower back, pain in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus), pain in the thighs, grinding and clicking in the pelvis etc
The pain experienced is usually worsened by standing, walking, standing on one leg, moving your legs apart, poor posture etc
What causes this pain? Well, as part of the process of pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called Relaxin. As the name implies this hormone relaxes the tissues of the body in preparation for the baby that will pass through.
It relaxes and softens the ligaments of the pelvis and the cervix (the mouth of the womb) such that they can stretch easily and allow baby an easy passage out of the womb.
You know those heart burns that women experience in pregnancy too? Well, you can also blame this hormone which relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter such that there is reflux from the stomach back into the esophagus. This reflux contains acid and so this can lead to the burning sensation in the throat typically described as heart burn.
How is this treated? Well, until you put to bed and the level of relaxin returns to normal, all your doctor may do is really just manage the symptoms.
In some few instances, the woman may require treatment for this after pregnancy. A pelvic belt may help hold things in place down there preventing funny movements of bones when you move around 😀 Kegel exercises are also helpful.
Pain relief and use of crutches, if necessary may also help relieve the pain..
To prevent this pain as much as possible: • Avoid positions that aggravate the pain and adjust to positions that reduce the pain eg dress while sitting instead of standing et • Wear low heels and take the stairs, one at a time. • Be sure to avoid: o Standing or sitting for long periods o Standing on one leg o Carrying bags with one hand o Squatting o Lifting heavy stuff o Crossing legs o Any other position that brings on the pain
Vaginal delivery is still very possible with PPGP and rarely does a woman need to have a C-section on account of this condition.
Your medical team needs to know that you have this condition and they will work with you to ensure that delivery is not problematic.
Take prescribed pain relief if recommended.
Although the pain can be severe, many women improve after delivery, when pregnancy hormones return to normal.
I hope you feel better soon. On the bright side, you’re almost there 😀
Did you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy? What made it better?
Your experience may help reassure another mum who feels she’s suffering alone.
Share this with an expectant mother who needs to know she’s not alone.
You haven’t been running. You haven’t climbed a mountain. So why does walking across the room suddenly leave you out of breath?
If you’re pregnant, you’re not alone.
Mild breathlessness is common because your body is working harder to support your growing baby. But while it’s often normal, there are times when breathlessness should never be ignored.
Here’s how to tell the difference… Read!
Q: Hi Doc, I love you and your program, therefore I have decided to write to you. I am 3 weeks pregnant and I want to find out what I can do to stop feeling breathless?
A: The pregnancy hormone, progesterone, makes your body adapt to the way it absorbs oxygen from the lungs. It leads to pregnant women taking in deeper breaths and gives the impression of breathlessness in some women . Other women who have not experienced breathlessness throughout pregnancy may experience it during the third trimester as they deal with baby’s extra weight.
Essentially, the growing baby at this time, pushes up into the lungs and reduces the space available in the lungs for air.
However, this is offset by the deeper breaths being taken by the pregnant woman (an effect caused by the pregnancy hormone, progesterone).
This ensures that, though less air is being taken in (due to the smaller capacity/space available in the lungs), the air stays in the lungs long enough for the oxygen to be properly extracted.
As the pregnancy progresses and baby descends into the pelvis in preparation for delivery, the symptoms may reduce. However, for mothers who have had babies before, this descent into the pelvis may not happen until the very end of the pregnancy and so this means the breathlessness may continue for a while longer 😀
To help with this breathlessness, try exercising.
You can continue with the activities you used to do before including exercise. However, exercise should be toned down from vigorous to moderate.
Moderate exercise is any physical activity that you perform that but you’re still able to carry on a conversation without running out of breath…that’s as simple an explanation as it goes 😀
It includes walking, swimming, dancing, pregnancy exercises (these are taught in some antenatal classes), stretching and relaxation exercises.
Remember that you must never start on any exercise regimen without discussing with your doctor who knows your specific medical history.
Maintain a good posture too. Stand straight. No slouching, please 😀
And as much as possible, try to relax.
However, if this breathlessness is associated with chest pain, difficulty breathing when lying down at night, please see your doctor.
If you’ve ever been told this during pregnancy, don’t panic just yet.
A bigger-than-average baby doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong but it does mean your pregnancy deserves careful monitoring. Read!
Q: Doc, I am an expectant mother in the last trimester. My Doc told me my baby is big and I decided to take tea daily. Is it safe?
A: Tea contains caffeine. There are conflicting reports as to whether some amount of caffeine is beneficial in pregnancy (less than 200mg) or whether increased amounts are a problem > or more than 500mg). One regular teabag steeped in a small teacup has about 55mg of caffeine. So, it may be a good idea to limit your consumption of tea. However, I think that tea is really one of the least of your problems right now. The focus should be on what caused the big baby and what can be done to ensure that you and baby come out okay.
Big babies are usually seen in women who
Are diabetic. Have gestational Diabetes (Diabetes that is observed during pregnancy), Are obese Have had another big baby before Have had a lot of babies (from the 5th pregnancy, the risk of big babies increase) Excessive weight gain during pregnancy Are older. From age 35 years, the risk of having a big baby increases Have pregnancies that are overdue. When a pregnancy is more than 2 weeks overdue, the chances of a big baby are increased.
For women with big babies (fetal macrosomia), a vaginal delivery may not be a complete no no!
However, your OBGYN will weigh the risk of that against your medical history and other pre-existing medical conditions.
Potential complications include having genital tract tears during delivery, prolonged labour and rupture of the uterus. The babies may be born with a lower than normal blood sugar level and be prone to childhood obesity.
However, none of this needs to happen if you are registered in a good center under the care of a qualified obstetrician. In these centres, all possible complications are anticipated during pregnancy and at the time of delivery.
To prevent this, remember that feeding for 2 is a fad. You don’t really need to eat like a horse 😀 …you and your baby don’t need that much (an average of 12kg weight gain for 9 months…little over 1kg/month!); include some exercise (gentle stretches and walks, with your doctor’s knowledge and advice) and be sure that Diabetes is controlled, if you have this before pregnancy.
So, for the remainder of your pregnancy, be sure to follow your doctor’s instruction on weight gain, medications etc. to the letter! Let’s share the good news when the baby is born.
They may seem like a cosmetic issue but sometimes they’re your body’s way of telling you something. Read!
Q: Hello Dr. Ketch. Please what do you recommend for someone with spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins and can occur anywhere in the body. However, they are more frequently found in the lower limbs as standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower body. This pressure may cause the valves that keep the blood flowing towards the heart, to weaken such that blood flows backwards and pools in the lower limbs. They usually appear bluish or purple and are more of an image/cosmetic problem for a lot of people. But in others, this condition presents with symptoms like muscle cramps, itching around the veins, swollen feet and ankles, bleeding from the vein, pain in the legs etc
Older people are more likely to have this condition as the valves in the veins weaken with age; pregnant women are also prone to this because as the uterus (womb) grows, it puts pressure on the veins preventing the proper return of blood to the heart. Other people with a higher risk of developing varicose veins are those who work jobs where they stand or sit for long periods, obese people and those with a family history of varicose veins.
For those who require treatment, pressure stockings may be prescribed in the first instance alongside exercise prescription and advice to elevate the legs when at rest. If this does not work there may be need for the vein to be sealed with heat, special foam or surgery.
To prevent this condition, exercise regularly (150 minutes per week is a great start), lose weight if you are obese, try to avoid standing or sitting for too long without taking breaks.
Once pregnancy occurs, your normal monthly menstrual periods stop.
So why do some women bleed during pregnancy?
Bleeding in early pregnancy is more common than many people realize, and it can happen for several reasons. Read!
Q: Good job Dr. Dr. is it possible for one to be pregnant and still see her monthly period?
A: People do not menstruate when pregnant. Remember that menstruation happens when fertilization of eggs released during ovulation by sperm does not occur. And so, if fertilization and pregnancy occur, menstruation is ruled out.
Bleeding can occur in early pregnancy though, close to or about the same time as the menstruation would and thus be mistaken for a period.
This bleeding could be due to implantation as the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus (womb).
Other causes of bleeding in early pregnancy include:
Ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy growing outside the womb, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Miscarriage Infections
Bleeding in pregnancy may not necessarily be an emergency but because there are other causes of these episodes of bleeding, which are potentially life threatening like ectopic pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy should always be checked out in the hospital.
Early assessment can make all the difference.
Have you ever heard someone say they “had their period” while pregnant?
Share this post to help clear up this common misconception – it could help someone seek care when they need it most.
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