Pregnancy

Pregnancy symptoms vary widely from one women to another and are thought to be related to the changing hormones experienced in early pregnancy. Many women experience symptoms such as sore breasts, nausea and vomiting, being tired and having strange cravings. Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting usually subside as the pregnancy advances. 

About 7 in 10 women experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, but in most cases these symptoms disappear by 12 to 14 weeks.  

Sadly some women experience complications during their pregnancy and often these can occur during early pregnancy.  Important key warning symptoms include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, excessive nausea and vomiting, dizziness and shoulder tip pain.  

If you experience any of these symptoms please seek medical advice.

Recurrent miscarriage is defined as a woman having a history of three or more consecutive miscarriages. Some people choose to be investigated after 2 miscarriages. Recurrent miscarriage testing may provide vital information for future conceiving reassurance and answers. However as random chromosomal abnormalities may play a major role, the investigations may be normal. Our recurrent miscarriage testing package includes all the key tests to help identify the reasons for miscarriage.

If you are having difficulty getting pregnant, you're not alone. Many couples experience fertility problems, and common causes include ovulation disorders, hormonal imbalances, age, conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS, and male fertility factors.

If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or for 6 months if you are over 35), it is recommended that you seek a fertility assessment from a specialist.

At London Gynaecology, we offer a Pre-Pregnancy Health Check for those planning a pregnancy to help optimise their health before trying to conceive, as well as a comprehensive Fertility Check to investigate possible causes of infertility and provide expert guidance on the next steps.

Certain nutrients are essential in pregnancy to help the developing baby. The key ones are folic acid, omega 3, and vitamin D. 

• Folic acid is essential in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent conditions such as Spina Bifida and cleft palate.  400mcg should be taken daily until 14 weeks gestation and ideally should be started 2-3 months pre-conception if possible. If you have had a baby with a neural tube defect or elevated risk factors your doctor may recommend a higher dose of folic acid.
• Omega 3 is important for the baby’s developing brain, whilst it is found in oily fish a supplement can also be beneficial throughout pregnancy
• Vitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnancy and it is one reason why many mums may feel very tried. It is also required to support bones in women and fetal bone development. Therefore it is recommended to take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy which may be included in a pregnancy multi-vitamin. 

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Bleeding and spotting in early pregnancy is fairly common (40-50% of pregnancies) and can cause worry and concern for women. In many of these cases, reassurance is given by an ultrasound scan to show the developing baby. Unexplained bleeding in early pregnancy may be due to the developing embryo implanting within the uterine lining or hormonal changes.