Ask the doctor - pregnancy

Read expert medical advice with doctors' questions and answers from Prima, SHE and Good Housekeeping

Epilepsy drugs and pregnancy

I’m 33 and have had epilepsy for the past 18 years. I’d like to have children soon, but I’ve heard that epilepsy drugs can cause foetal abnormalities. I don’t dare to stop my medication, though – my life was miserable before I took them. My GP says I’d be better off not having children. What can I do?

Your GP is quite wrong. While there are indeed risks associated with taking epilepsy medicine when you're pregnant, some medicines carry fewer risks than others. You certainly need to talk to a neurology specialist before you go ahead. They may well want to make sure you're on the safest possible combination of medicines. You have a right to see a specialist and this may take some time, so I suggest you go back to your GP as soon as possible and ask for a referral.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Antenatal tests

I’m 34 years old, and seven weeks pregnant with my first baby. My doctor has advised me about a blood test to screen for possible problems, but says I won’t find out the results until I’m 16 weeks pregnant. Is there any way I can get my baby checked out sooner? 

You should be able to get a special ultrasound scan called a nuchal thickness or nuchal translucency scan. This is done at between 11 and 14 weeks, it's just as accurate as the blood test, and you'll find out about any risks within days. Unfortunately, the test isn't available across the whole country on the NHS. Ask your GP for an NHS referral, if possible, or a private referral. One word of warning, though. Both the blood test and the nuchal translucency tests are screening tests, which means they will tell you how high your risk of abnormalities is, but can't confirm whether your baby is affected. For a definite answer, you'll need to have an amniocentesis, a test which does carry a small (up to one in 100) risk of miscarriage. If you want to find out more about different tests and the risks they carry, my book, Pregnancy For Dummies, covers all the latest advances.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Pelvic floor exercises and pregnancy

I’m 36 and pregnant with my first child. I’d like to get my pelvic floor into good shape to cut my risk of suffering stress incontinence after I have my baby. However, I’m worried that exercising my pelvic floor muscles too much will make the delivery itself slower and more difficult for me. Should I wait until after the birth?

No, not at all! You're quite right to say that regular pelvic floor exercises can help to prevent, as well as treat, stress incontinence after you give birth. There's also evidence now to suggest that doing them before you deliver can actually help speed up the second (pushing) stage of labour. So it's a good idea to get started with pelvic floor exercises as soon as you can.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Oily fish and pregnancy

I’m trying to get pregnant and I’ve heard eating oily fish is good for the baby’s brain. But I’ve also heard it contains mercury, which can be poisonous. So should I eat it or not?

It's terribly confusing when you get conflicting advice like this - especially when you want to do the very best for your unborn child. In fact, both stories are true - to an extent. A recent study has indeed shown that eating fatty fish, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help your child's development. However, some forms of fatty fish, such as tuna and swordfish, have been found to contain mercury, which can delay your child's development. Overall, it's likely that the benefits of fatty fish far outweigh the risks in pregnancy. As a compromise, though, the Food Standards Agency recommends that you should limit your intake of tuna to one steak or two cans a week. But you can still get plenty of omega 3s from eating mackerel, sardines and salmon.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

 

Which aromatherapy oils can help during labour? 

My daughter wants to use aromatherapy oils to help her relax while giving birth. Which ones are safe? 

Products combining rose, petitgrain and lavender are often used to prepare for labour. During labour itself, she can use a massage oil made from 12 drops lavender, 12 drops clary sage and 4 drops jasmine or rose in 100ml of carrier oil, to help strengthen uterine contractions and promote feelings of wellbeing. These products are available in chemists such as Boots. I would also recommend raspberry leaf tea or tablets, which help to soften the neck of the womb in preparation for delivery. They should be taken daily during the last eight weeks of pregnancy only. It is thought to work by strengthening the longitudinal muscles of the uterus.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima 

 

My fertility needs a boost 

I have mild polycystic ovaries and a health-food shop suggested I take saw palmetto. Isn’t this used for male prostate problems?   

With polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries are enlarged by multiple small cysts containing under-developed eggs. Saw palmetto helps neutralise the effect of excess male hormones, and has been used to treat unwanted hair and reduced fertility in PCOS – but only take it under the advice of a medical herbalist. To find one, contact the National Institute Of Medical Herbalists (www.nimh.org.uk or call 01392 426022). The herb agnus castus is often used by those with PCOS to boost fertility but should be stopped immediately if you fall pregnant. Also try a multivitamin supplement with boosted levels of B-group vitamins.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima 

 

Acupuncture aid? 

My husband and I are about to go through our third cycle of IVF and I want to do everything I can to increase our chances of success. What are your thoughts on acupuncture?  

The British Acupuncture Council (BAC) recommends that women trying IVF should consider fertility-focused acupuncture. It is thought it may make the lining of the uterus more receptive to receiving an embryo, help regulate the menstrual cycle and encourage better egg quality. However, a recent study from the US suggests that acupuncture may reduce your chances of getting pregnant and that more research is needed. But even in the light of this report, the BAC still maintains that acupuncture helps hundreds of women to conceive.

So the jury is still out. If you’d like to investigate further, contact the Kite Clinic in London. One of Europe’s leading alternative health clinics, it offers fertility treatments for both men and women (www.kiteclinic.co.uk; 020 7408 0341). Or check BAC’s website www.acupuncture.org.uk to find a clinic in your area.
Dr Louise Selby, SHE
 

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The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk