chatwithketch

Remember that even as lock-down eases off, do not go out just because. If you have no business outside, stay home, stay safe and exercise! 🙂 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/no-room-to-exercise-tiny-space-workouts-have-never-been-more-important-2020042319636

Q: Hi Doc ,I’m 41 weeks pregnant and my due date was on the 30 April, but I have small pains comes and goes and some waterish discharge and white, so on the 08th may I’m back to the hospital but they never tell me what they will induce or what, so can I ask them to induce me after 40 weeks or they won’t?

A: Usually pregnancy lasts for 40 completed weeks plus or minus 2 weeks. Generally though, from 37 weeks, your baby is good to be born…all things being equal. And so, 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. 

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) it. The baby may also become bigger (fetal macrosomia) with potentials for complications like genital tract tears during vaginal delivery, prolonged labour etc.

You still have a couple of days before your 42^nd week deadline. Perhaps, your medical team is prepping you for that week or perhaps, there are some other factors that make an induction critical now. I suggest that you have a long chat with your medical team. Ask all your questions and make sure they understand your fears and explain everything to your satisfaction. Discuss all options available and the one(s) you are comfortable with.

Remember that you can also ask for a second opinion if you are not comfortable.

All the best! Let’s know when the baby is born! Lots of love and hugs.

Have a goodnight everyone 😀

Happy Workers’ Day!

Today let’s remember in a special way, all the front line workers. May God bless and keep you all!

Keep safe!

Q: Good evening, Doctor… Please what is the cause of headache in the middle of the night especially after sexual intercourse?

A: This sounds like a condition known as sexual headache. It’s also known as sex headache, post-coital headache, orgasmic headache etc. It could occur during sexual intercourse, during orgasm or after sexual intercourse. And it can also occur at any time of the day and during any type of sexual activity.

It is felt at the back of the skull just above the neck and is usually described as throbbing. Or it could build up gradually during sexual intercourse and intensifies as the sexual excitement before an orgasm increases. They can last anything from a few minutes to a few hours; may never recur or may happen a couple more times before gradually fading away.

It is thought to be due to the release of adrenaline and rapid rise in blood pressure which occurs as one approaches orgasm. And so in these cases, the headaches may not be a cause for concern. However, it is also a possibility that these headaches are a sign of a more serious condition like bleeding onto the surface of the brain.
People who usually have migraines, who use recreational drugs like marijuana, use birth control pills etc are more likely to have sex headaches.

Should you swear off sex? Yes, if you’re unmarried 😀 And no, if you’re married;) If you have just experienced this, try lying quietly for about an hour or two after taking an analgesic (like paracetamol) to handle the pain. However, it is very important to see your doctor as soon as possible to let him/her know what happened. This is important because, while there may very well not be any underlying issue, you want to be sure to rule out any serious medical condition causing these headaches. Your doctor will also prescribe some drugs on a regular or intermittent basis to deal with your symptoms.

Have a great night y’all 😀

Q: Hi, is there any problem when you are having sex and then the sperms came out with blood and then I bleed few drops of blood and then it stops? I was thinking I’m on periods but the bleeding stops. Is it normal or I’m pregnant?

A: Hi dear, thanks for writing in. It is certainly very disturbing to see blood in semen! This phenomenon, known as haematospermia or haemospermia in men under 40 years with no other symptoms related to more serious issues (which I shall discuss below) is usually not a major medical problem.

Causes include:·

Inflammation of the prostate gland (where semen is produced)·

Inflammation of the seminal vesicles (where most of the fluid in the semen is produced)·

Cysts in the seminal vesicles·

Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia etc·

Following recent instrumentation eg after prostatic biopsy

These conditions would usually resolve on their own or require a course of antibiotics. Please let your partner be guided by his doctor.

However, if the under-listed symptoms are developed, especially if your partner is older than 40 years, it may be a sign of more serious conditions and he should see his doctor immediately.·

Blood in semen which persists for longer than 3 to 4 weeks·

Presence of other symptoms like pain during urination·

Recurrence of blood in semen·

Presence of other risk factors for bleeding disorders, cancer etc

These more serious problems could be due to bleeding disorders, severe high blood pressure, cancer etc.

So, please let your partner see his doctor and let him make a proper diagnosis.
On the issue of vaginal bleeding, this depends on the woman’s age:For women who are not yet at the age of menopause, the cause of vaginal bleeding is usually from the mouth of the womb (the cervix). However, this can also occur once in a while even when there is really no cause and may not be a cause for concern. It is important, though to get a pap smear done to rule out cancer of the cervix.

Examples:

 Inadequate lubrication during sexual intercourse

 Friction during sexual intercourse

 Inflammation of the cervix

 Genital sores from sexually transmitted infections

 Normal bleeding before or after a menstrual period

After the age of menopause, vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse could also be from the mouth of the womb (cervix).

Other sources of this bleeding could be from the womb (uterus), the opening of the vagina or the opening of the bladder.

Examples:

 Inflammation of the vagina

 Vaginal dryness

 Vaginal atrophy

So, I will suggest a little patience before sexual intercourse to get in the mood. Take a moment to get emotionally ready before you get into the physical 😀If this continues, however, please see a gynaecologist.Have a good night, everyone 😀