A:About one in eight births in the UK need intervention.To use forceps or ventouse,your cervix needs to be 10cm dilated.Your doctor may suggest this if you're very tired and can no longer push,or your baby isn't progressing downyour pelvis,or is distressed.
The doctor will decide which instrument to use based on the position of your baby.You'll be asked to push with the contraction while the doctor pulls.Forceps are metal instruments that cradle your baby's head,and ventouse is a cap that's placed on your baby's head and a suction is created to help ease your baby out.
If your baby can't be born after a couple of attempts,you'll need a c-section.Don't let this worry you,as eight out of 10 women go on to have an unassisted birth next time.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Q:My friend was sent home in early labour and I'm afraid this will happen to me.
A:The midwife actually did your friend a favor,as the longer you stay in a relaxing environment,the more likely your labour will progress normally.If she was struggling,then I really hope she wouldn't have been sent home.Often women in early labour just need reassurance and are happy to carry on as normal.
At home women tend to walk around,and keeping upright helps the baby move lower into the pelvis.This puts pressure on the cervix and encourages regular contractions.Early labour is the preparation phase when the cervix is moving forward,thinning and shortening.
Most women can wait until labour is established and the contractions feel strong and regular.However,if you need support at any stage,call your midwife.
At home women tend to walk around,and keeping upright helps the baby move lower into the pelvis.This puts pressure on the cervix and encourages regular contractions.Early labour is the preparation phase when the cervix is moving forward,thinning and shortening.
Most women can wait until labour is established and the contractions feel strong and regular.However,if you need support at any stage,call your midwife.
Q:I'm eight weeks pregnant and feeling very anxious following an early miscarriage last year.Can I have extra scans?
A:It's understandable to feel worried after suffering a miscarriage.But extra scans won't necessarily take away your anxiety,as a scan can only tell you that everything's OK on the day of the scan.In fact,having more scans may increase anxiety.Most women have their first scan at 11-13 weeks.This is the dating or nuchal scan (a screening scan to determine the chance of a baby having Down's syndrome).You'll then be offered another scan at 18-20 weeks to check the baby developing OK and that the placenta isn't lying over the cervix (placenta praevia).You'll only have additional scans if your midwife is concerned about your baby's growth,or if she's unsure whether your baby is head down by 36 weeks of pregnancy.However,if you feel it's something you still want,discuss it with your midwife.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Q:My daughter was potty trained aged 2,but still soaking her nappy at night.What should I do?
A:Around half of children become try at night in their third year,and some will continue to wet at night until they start school.If this is the case with your child,talk to the school nurse at the end of her reception year.In the meantime,keep up with nighttime nappies,as your tot has no control over her bladder at night yet.
If nothing major is going on in the family,this should be a good time ti try without a nappy.Buy a waterproof sheet for the bed,and be prepared for extra washing for a while.If accidents happen,don't make a fuss and avoid negative comments when cleaning up.Keep a night light on,with easy access to the loo if she needs to use it.Get her to drink lots of water during the day,as this will help her bladder function.
If nothing major is going on in the family,this should be a good time ti try without a nappy.Buy a waterproof sheet for the bed,and be prepared for extra washing for a while.If accidents happen,don't make a fuss and avoid negative comments when cleaning up.Keep a night light on,with easy access to the loo if she needs to use it.Get her to drink lots of water during the day,as this will help her bladder function.
Q:My son has just started walking and seems to turn his toes in.Should I do something about this?
A:It's fairly common for infants to turn in one or both feet when they start walking,which makes an already wobbly toddler even unsteadier.Give your tot plenty of opportunity to run round barefoot,as this will allow his feet and toes to develop and strengthen without restriction.Make a game of tickling your tot's feet to encourage him to stretch the muscles.
Every six weeks,get his feet measured to ensure his shoes are the right size,as growing bones can be damaged by ill-fitting shoes.Remember to check sock size too,and make sure sleepsuits don't restrict his toes.Next time you're at your doctors get an opinion on your little one's feet.Most children grow out of this by the time they're 5 or 6,so it shouldn't be a worry.
Every six weeks,get his feet measured to ensure his shoes are the right size,as growing bones can be damaged by ill-fitting shoes.Remember to check sock size too,and make sure sleepsuits don't restrict his toes.Next time you're at your doctors get an opinion on your little one's feet.Most children grow out of this by the time they're 5 or 6,so it shouldn't be a worry.
Q:My two sons,aged 2 and 3,constantly argue and bicker.I'm at the end of my tether.Help!
A:It's tough when siblings argue,as soon it feels like it's the only way they communicate.Try and keep things in perspective and notice when things are going well between them,even if it's fleeting.Point out how kind and polite they're being and how much you like it.
Try not to intervene too much by asking who did what - you rarely get the whole picture and often just fuel the row.Instead,try and help them find a solution,or if things get too heated,separate them until emotions cool off.This gives everyone the chance to calm down.Try and spend time with each child separately,so they both get some individual attention.
Avoid encouraging competition - so no races to get ready.Instead,try doing things as a team to encourage cooperation,such as spending five minutes tidying up together.This can be a trying time,so look after you,too.Take time away from the home so you can keep cool when arguments flare.
Try not to intervene too much by asking who did what - you rarely get the whole picture and often just fuel the row.Instead,try and help them find a solution,or if things get too heated,separate them until emotions cool off.This gives everyone the chance to calm down.Try and spend time with each child separately,so they both get some individual attention.
Avoid encouraging competition - so no races to get ready.Instead,try doing things as a team to encourage cooperation,such as spending five minutes tidying up together.This can be a trying time,so look after you,too.Take time away from the home so you can keep cool when arguments flare.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Q:My baby is 8 months old and I'm still struggling to feel she's really mine.I feel too guilty to discuss it with anyone.Is this normal?
A:It takes a lot of courage to talk about such difficult emotions,but by doing so you've taken the first step to changing things.Around this time,it's common for symptoms of postnatal depression to surface.Typically,new mums feel isolated,guilty,irritable,fatigued,anxious or lacking in confidence.These feelings can delay you bonding with your baby so the sooner you get help the better.
Talk to those who are close to you,your doctor and health visitor.You'll be surprised to learn that you're not alone in feeling this way.Plus,there are many support groups,as well as activities such as baby massage,that'll help you develop the relationship you want to have with your baby.
Talk to those who are close to you,your doctor and health visitor.You'll be surprised to learn that you're not alone in feeling this way.Plus,there are many support groups,as well as activities such as baby massage,that'll help you develop the relationship you want to have with your baby.
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