Dr Adeline Chan in Sydney, Australia | Medical and health

Dr Adeline Chan

Locality: Sydney, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9629 3559

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• Medical and health
• Medical centre
• Obstetrician-gynaecologist
• Womens health clinic

24.01.2022 Someone is in deep thoughts here... Jokes aside - spending time outdoors has proved to be beneficial. You get some exercise, it boosts mental health, improve moods, improves focus and concentration. So, head out and enjoy the outdoors. I hope you’re enjoying this wonderful weekend before the Christmas rush starts (if it hasn’t already!).

23.01.2022 Start the conversation today! R U OK? Australia has made this day as a reminder for us to be proactive in checking on our family, friends, colleagues, or any one in fact if they are going ok in their life. ... 2020 has been a tough and challenging year for the most of us. The lockdown, and social distancing, lesser catch ups, working from home, not meeting others. The social isolation. The concern and fear of the virus. There’s plenty that can make one feel overwhelmed and it is more important than ever to feel connected and supportive of each other. You don’t always need to be an expert in providing solutions, but the 4 things that you can start with is 1. Ask 2. Listen 3. Encourage action 4. Check in The first step is always the hardest, and might feel awkward for you but it may make a huge difference in the person who needed that R U OK? conversation! @anikookie_aus . . . . #ruok #theresmoretosay #dradelinechan #sydneyobstetrician

23.01.2022 Dear patients, to keep everyone safe, you will now be required to wear a mask upon entry to the hospital. Please continue to keep them on when youre in the consulting rooms.

23.01.2022 Today is the last day that our rooms are open for and we are closed till the 4th of January, except for a half day on the 29th of December. We wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year . For all my maternity patients, please contact the birth suite of the hospital you are booked at. For non-urgent situations, please email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible. . .... . #christmas #christmasturkey #holidays #festiveseason #dradelinechan See more

23.01.2022 To all patients planning to deliver at Westmead Private.

23.01.2022 Had a visit from this one the other day. So cute and look at that double chin!! @passionatemae #dradeline #norwestprivatebabies #aretehealth

22.01.2022 May is well known to be the month of Mothers Day but not many are aware that it is also Pre-Eclampsia Awareness month. I find it so fitting, as it is a condition that affects mothers. What is Pre-eclampsia? It is a serious medical condition that can affect pregnant mothers, commonest in the third trimester. It can lead to high blood pressure, seizures and can affect the kidneys, blood, liver and lungs. ... How common is it? In Australia, pre-eclampsia can affect ~5-10% of pregnancies, with 1-2% of them being severe. It is commonest in the first pregnancy and often manifest in the third trimester (>34 weeks), where it affects ~2.5% of pregnancies. Only ~0.5% occurs in pregnancies under 34 weeks. What are the risks? For the pregnant mothers, it can lead to very high blood pressures, convulsions and affects several organs, mainly the kidneys, liver, lung and blood. There is an increased induction rate, Caesarean birth, and preterm birth. In the longer term, mothers who have had pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of chronic hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions and kidney disease. For the babies, there is an increased risk of being small for their gestational age, prematurity (if delivered early), breathing issues and low sugar post delivery. How does it present? Some mothers would not have any symptoms at all, and some may have all of it such as high blood pressure, headaches, visual changes, bruising, significant swelling and others. In some women, this can occur during labour itself or even postpartum! It is important to let your doctor or midwife know when you have these symptoms or any concerns at all. How is it treated? The one way to actually treat pre-eclampsia is the delivery of the placenta. However, there are medications that we can start, especially if the baby is very premature. The balance of keeping mom safe, and doing the best for the baby is sometimes a very difficult one to find and the decision may change from day to day. There are several things that we can sometimes offer to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia (especially for subsequent pregnancy), so please speak to your healthcare provider. See more

22.01.2022 Doing zoom teachings to medical students from home is definitely a first for me it is good to know that medical education has not taken a step back in the COVID-19 situation.

21.01.2022 Got that itchy skin? Especially around your hands and feet? Are you pregnant? While it is common to get itchy skin in pregnancy (up to 20% get some sort of itching), it is important to get it checked out! Majority of the time, it is a benign condition that is easily treated. But in a small percentage of pregnant mothers, it can be a serious condition known as Cholestasis of Pregnancy. How common is it?...Continue reading

21.01.2022 Someones enjoying his lovely nap! Were spending some time away at the beach, away from the city buzz to rest and relax. Back next week fully recharged and ready to take on 2020!! . . . .... . . #newyearseve #2020 #recharge #nappingbaby #beachvibes #familytime #dradelinechan See more

20.01.2022 And here we go! Were all set up for our telehealth consultations where I no longer have to hold on awkwardly on my phone while speaking to patients. My rooms are in Norwest Hospital, so youll have your temperature checked on entry to the hospital on the ground floor. All in the attempts to keep us all safe and at the same time, providing you with the care that you very much need in this difficult time. ... Traditionally, doctor reviews have often been a face to face interaction and its a really nice thing to do to meet the patients and catch up, just like you do with your family and friends. But with the current COVID situation, sometimes it is safer to not be seeing us in person but as it is still important to have your concerns addressed, we have the option of telehealth! In the event that a physical examination is not required, then I am able to provide you with this option and that way, we can keep on top of your treatment (and be safe at the same time!)

20.01.2022 It’s PCOS Awareness Month. Affecting more than 10% of women in their reproductive age, not many would know or talk about it. Even more surprising is not many know that making simple lifestyle changes can have huge impacts! Non medical therapies such as healthy eating, maintaining a normal weight and regular exercise can help. But sometimes, you might need more assistance especially with irregular or heavy periods, or issues with infertility. Definitely have a chat wit...h your doctor if you think you have PCOS so that we can help you better! There’s some information on my website (buff.ly/2HriKb9) or go to jeanhailes.org.au for a great resource. . . . . #obgyn #pcos #pcosawareness #aretehealth #womenshealth #sydneygynaecologist See more

18.01.2022 Leveraging on technology to assist in fertility issues.

18.01.2022 Meet patient Bunny Today I was tasked with the most important duty. I had to repair Mr 4s most beloved friend. The pressure is on ! All my years of surgical training would be put to the test - hes trusting me with everything for his beloved. I think I did a pretty ok job - considering it was close to the perineum after all ... #doctormom #momlife #iamasurgeon #dradelinechan #sydneyobstetrician

18.01.2022 Recently I went to work at the hospital where most of my specialty training had taken place. It was so nice and lovely meeting everyone again, and how much it feels like I have not left at all. And Ive been away for the last 4 years! It is here that my love for O&G grew and flourished. It was here that I did a lot of my firsts, and it was here that I learned a great deal, not just from the consultants but from a lot of the midwives and support - the encouragement...s , the silent cheers and support was exceptional. You know who you are. Youve made me who I am. Thank you so much. . . . . . #sydneygynaecologist #sydneyobstetrician #dradelinechan #ranzcog See more

17.01.2022 Had a superhero kept me company today! We’ve been doing our bit to stay at home with the new Covid situation and this little one always keeps me entertained!

17.01.2022 Helping to stop the spread of coronavirus is something that we can all do.

16.01.2022 The public consultation for the Australian Clinical Practice Guide for Endometriosis is closing on the 24th of December - so head on there if you have yet to see it, and provide any feedback you have to the draft to help us help women suffering from endometriosis.

16.01.2022 Its been 2 years since the launch of cervical screen test (CST) , which has replaced pap smears. In the past, Pap smears were recommended every two years and now, with the new CST, it is every 5 years. The procedure involved in the testing has not changed from Pap smears to CST. A speculum examination is still performed to assess the cervix and a brush is used to obtain a sample. The difference in the testing is that CST is more sensitive as it checked for the prese...nce of human papillomavirus (HPV), instead of just abnormal cells. The traditional pap smears used to check for abnormal cells in the cervix through a smear. HPV is an infection that can cause abnormal cells in the cervix and there is more than 200 subtypes of HPV. CST checks for the presence of these viruses and highlights to the practitioner the subtype of virus, especially the high risk ones such as HPV 16 and HPV 18. CST is recommended for all women from the ages of 25-74 years old who has been sexually active and this can be done through your GP or gynaecologist. Of note is, you may contract HPV even if you have only had one sexual partner. The difference in the time interval for testing, if your results are NORMAL/NEGATIVE, your next CST is 5 years (instead of the usual 2 years with pap smears). If you havent gotten your CST yet since the last pap, youre due now! #dradelinechan See more

16.01.2022 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known commonly as PCOS, it is a common yet complex condition affecting up to 1 - 1.8 in 10 women of child bearing age.

16.01.2022 Meet patient Bunny Today I was tasked with the most important duty. I had to repair Mr 4’s most beloved friend. The pressure is on ! All my years of surgical training would be put to the test - he’s trusting me with everything for his beloved. I think I did a pretty ok job - considering it was close to the perineum after all ... #doctormom #momlife #iamasurgeon #dradelinechan #sydneyobstetrician

15.01.2022 This years bushfire is one of the worst we have ever seen in Australia, especially in NSW. Pregnant women are especially at increased risk of being affected by bushfire smoke - increasing risk to preterm birth, low birth weight and hypertensive disorders. Take the time to read and take the necessary precautions.

15.01.2022 RANZCOG President Dr Vijay Roach delivers a message for pregnant women and their families. Watch here: https://vimeo.com/400061454 RANZCOGs advice and informa...tion was UPDATED on Monday 23 March 2020. Read it here: https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidel/covid-19-statement

14.01.2022 Cheese and Christmas It’s coming so close to Christmas and so many cheese platters going around! I’ve had quite a few questions about what cheese pregnant women can have, so I hope you’ll find this useful. As a general rule, avoid soft or semi soft cheese as they are ripen with mould, and can contain listeria which can be harmful to an unborn baby. ... Safe cheese : - Hard cheese such as Cheddar, Tasty cheese, Gouda, Parmesan - Mozarella (made from pasteurized milk) - Processed cheese or pasteurised cheese such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, cheese spread (but store in fridge and eat within 2 days of opening) Unsafe cheese - Soft or semi soft cheese such as Brie, Camembert, ricotta (Note they can be eaten if cooked up to 75c and are eaten immediately) - Blue cheese - Any unpasteurized cow, goat or sheep cheese Now I hope this helps and you can have at least some of those tasty cheese on the platter. Just make sure they are fresh, and enjoy! Merry Christmas! . . . #dradelinechan #aretehealth #pregnancy #antenatalcare #sydneyobstetrician

13.01.2022 The National Womens Health Survey results were out last month. For reproductive health, one in five (20.8%) respondents aged 18-35 would consider freezing their eggs to have children later in life but only 1.1% have already frozen their eggs; 2.5% of women aged 36-50 have frozen their eggs. Ideally, egg freezing should happen before 35 years old for quality. Its sad that only such a small percentage of women wanting to do this, is able to do. Make an appointment with your gynaecologist, if this is something youre considering!

13.01.2022 Good news for pregnancy care as our life returns to normal.

12.01.2022 A Cardiotocograph (CTG) monitors for your babys heart rate, giving us an idea of your babys well-being. The uterine contractions monitoring gives us an idea on how your labour might be progressing, and how your baby is coping with the contractions.

12.01.2022 Even the dinosaur is interested today!! (courtesy of Mr 3 ) On a serious note, The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists have released a guideline today regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infections and Pregnancy. Some available information : ... Majority of women would experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms. But those who experience severe symptoms such as pneumonia and marked hypoxia should be identified and treated promptly. Tests on amniotic fluid, cord blood, neonatal throat swabs and breastmilk samples from COVID-19 infected mothers were negative. Three placentas examined from COVID-19 infected mothers were swabbed and were negative. As there is no evidence of intrauterine fetal infection with COVID-19 it is therefore currently considered unlikely that there will be congenital effects of the virus on fetal development It is reassuring that in the 6 cases tested, breastmilk was negative for COVID-19. In light of current evidence, the benefits of BF still outweighs the risk of transmission of the virus through breastmilk. Precautions should still be taken to avoid infected airborne droplets. For anyone interested, theres more information on https://www.rcog.org.uk//covid-19-virus-infection-and-pre/ https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidel/covid-19-statement . . . #womenshealth #covid #pregnancy

12.01.2022 Wishing all of you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday. #dradelinechan #merrychristmas

11.01.2022 This is me, breastfeeding my child in one of the more unconventional position. Its World Breastfeeding Week and this years theme is supporting breastfeeding for a healthier planet and to promote womens access to skilled breastfeeding counselling. This rings true to me having had so much difficulty with breastfeeding my own children. ... Yes, it is true that breastfeeding has many benefits for both mom and baby. It improves their immunity, decrease allergies, promote bonding, decreases risk of obesity/diabetes. For mom, it decreases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. And of course, it is convenient and cheap! But man, it was hard work!! No one told me about the poor latch, sore nipples, breast refusals, growth spurts, the blocked ducts, mastitis and many more. With my first, we moved on pretty quickly to exclusively expressing and there was also formula. Expressing was daunting and tiring, and frustrating. So with my second, I wanted to be better prepared. I didnt want to be attached to the breast pump as how I was with my first. I read up more about it, and I had access to a lactation consultant, whom I saw antenatally. We talked about strategies and expectations, antenatal expressing and short term goals. I was a lot more prepared. I took it day by day. Spoke to my counsellor group whenever I needed to. And I think this made all the difference with my second child. So, this years theme really rings true to me. Having access to skilled breastfeeding counsellor would be a great support tool for mothers and mothers-to-be who would like to breastfeed their child(ren). . . . . #breastfeeding #ozbreastfeeding #motherhood #doctormom #wbw2020 #anytimeanywhere #breastfeedingbenefits #dradelinechan #sydneyobstetrician See more

10.01.2022 An equal world is an enabled world Happy International Womans Day! This years theme is all about achieving equality for women whether its through education, support or womens achievements. ... There is a mission on womens health and that is to assist women to be in a position of power for making informed decisions about their health. Remember to ask questions Seek information Feel supported Be heard We are here to help you achieve what you want and the health you deserve! #internationalwomensday #iwd2020 #eachforequal

10.01.2022 Routine ultrasounds are performed throughout your pregnancy to monitor the development and growth of your baby. It is important to know that ultrasounds are very safe in pregnancy. Dating scan This scan helps to provide an accurate dating of your pregnancy and confirm if there is a heartbeat, and also confirm if this is one or multiple babies! I usually recommend this scan between 7-10 weeks of your pregnancy. ... First Trimester Nuchal Translucency scanning (NT scan) This scan takes place between 12 - 14 weeks of your pregnancy and performed together with a blood test (measuring early pregnancy markers ie Papp-A and beta hCG). This scan screens for a risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. Together with the blood test, testing for Down Syndrome is ~90% accurate. Depending on the results, if you are high risk, we may suggest further testing. An alternative to the NT scan is the cell free DNA test (NIPT), which has a ~99% testing accuracy for Down Syndrome. If your NT scan result returns as high risk, the NIPT is also an option prior to invasive testing such as amniocentesis. However, NIPT is also a screening test and not a diagnostic test. Second Trimester Fetal Morphology scan This scan is done between 18 - 20 weeks of your pregnancy and we will look at your babys anatomy from head to toe, going through a list of anatomical features. If you wish, the babys gender can usually be determined at this scan if your baby is cooperative! If youre high risk i.e. multiple pregnancies, diabetes; we may recommend more ultrasounds to monitor the healthy growth welfare of your baby. Growth Scans Most low risk pregnancies do not require a growth scan. On some occasions, I may recommend some growth scans especially if there is a history of previous small baby(ies), large babies, diabetes and high blood pressure. In some women, if the placenta was noted to be low on their 18-20 week scan, then I may also ask for another scan to check if the placenta has moved away. https://www.aretehealth.com.au/post/pregnancy-ultrasounds

09.01.2022 Delivered this one yesterday - probably my last for the year . Congratulations K & L - you did so so so well!! #dradelinechan #aretehealth #vbac #sydneyobstetrician

08.01.2022 Laparoscopic surgery, commonly known as key-hole surgery, it is becoming the preferred surgical option for many surgeons and patients as it has a quicker recovery and associated with lesser pain. Small incisions are made on the skin to allow a telescope to enter the abdomen to have a view. Further small incisions may be made to introduce instruments to proceed with surgery. Generally, there can be anywhere between 2 -5 incisions depending on the complexity of the surgery. In... gynaecology, it can be done for a variety of causes such as: Diagnosis +/- treatment of endometriosis Treatment of ovarian pathology (cyst/torsion) Fertility investigation or treatment Diagnosing +/- treatment of ectopic pregnancy Hysterectomy Prolapse surgery And many others Of course, not every case is suitable for a laparoscopy but we sure do try if we can given the positives. If you would like more information or to make an appointment, please give our rooms a call at 02 9629 3559. If you would to read more, please use the link below. https://www.aretehealth.com.au/post/laparoscopy-surgery

08.01.2022 Sorry guys, Mr Almost 4 has insisted that the be there again I was going to stay away from doing another COVID and pregnancy update, but have had quite a few worried moms (+ to be) asking me the same questions the last 2 weeks and they are very valid questions! Do I have to labour alone? ... NO is the simple answer to this. As of now, the current recommendation is that you CAN still have a support person in labour. We understand that labour is a highly important and meaningful time, and we want you to feel SUPPORTED at all times! The changes surrounding this is hospital used to allow 2-4 support people in the past but now, in trying to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are restricting the amount of visitors to the hospital. There can be a variation in between hospital, so I urge you to speak to your healthcare provider/hospital about this. A note is, if your support person is ill at the time youre in labour, he/she might not be able to attend, so maybe have a back up person. Can I breastfeed my baby? YES!! Currently, the evidence for benefits outweighs the risk for breastfeeding newborn. So far, there has been no evidence of infection seen in tested breastmilk, although only a very small amount of women have had their breastmilk examined. You would be advised to practice good hand hygiene and possibly wear a mask to reduce infection transmission. If you are not comfortable latching your baby while you are ill, you could also express and have a designated person feed your baby.

08.01.2022 A lot of information has gone on about morning sickness, but almost no one talks about constipation in pregnancy its not exactly a conversation starter! Its very real and common affecting up to 40% of women in their first trimester. This is due to not only the hormonal changes, but the decreased fluid intake especially if mom has severe nausea and vomiting. Some anti-nausea medications can also worsen this, and that is why your doctor might recommend something to keep your bowels regular. https://www.aretehealth.com.au/po/constipation-in-pregnancy

07.01.2022 How should I sleep when I’m pregnant? This is a common question that I get asked so I thought we can have some Q&A here Why should I sleep on my side? ... We recommend sleeping on your side as research have shown that side sleeping halves the risk of stillbirth in babies more than 28 weeks of pregnancy. Why is that? When sleeping on your back, the weight of the baby and womb put pressure on one of your major blood vessels and this can decrease blood flow to both you and your baby. I have been told I need to sleep on my left, can I only sleep on the left side? You can go to sleep on either side (left or right). As long as you are on your side, it is safe. What if I wake up on my back? It’s okay! If that happens, just roll on to your side (either one) and continue sleeping. Reassuringly, most women would sleep LONGEST in the position they FELL asleep in. Usually when position change occurs, it has only been for a brief time. What if I am only comfortable sleeping on my back? Even if it’s more comfortable, it is safest for your baby if you sleep on your side. Have a chat with your doctor or midwife on what safe modifications you can do to optimise your comfort on side sleeping.

06.01.2022 WESTMEAD GP Education - Its up! A recent Virtual GP Education session which I have prepared has finally gone online! I have done face to face presentations in the past but due to social distancing at the moment, we have gone online instead and its great as it can be accessed at any time. Love the flexibility it provides. I hope the information would be helpful and if you would like to have a look, just sign up or email the hospital!

06.01.2022 Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Looking forward to the New Year!

06.01.2022 A fellow colleague forwarded this to me. Always nice to hear that patients were happy with the care they have received. The Ray Hadley Morning Show Starting from 1:05:00

06.01.2022 April is Adenomyosis Month and I think its a great that it follows on from March, which was endometriosis awareness month. Basically, adenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, where the lining of the womb is found outside of the uterine cavity. The difference is, adenomyosis is where the lining is found INSIDE the womb muscle, whereas endometriosis is elsewhere (ie tubes/side walls/ovaries) The commonest symptoms for adenomyosis is heavy and painful periods. And again, it is... variable from person to person. Some women might also get pain during sex. Adenomyosis itself can be very difficult to diagnose. Sometimes this can be done by an experienced sonologist, and MRI but often, it is only diagnosed on histopathology where the uterus has been removed (from hysterectomy). Treatment can also be quite tricky sometimes, depending on what your preference. So, it is very important to tell your doctor what you feel is important to you. Do you want to have more children? How old are you are you close to menopause? What treatment have you tried? How do you feel about hormonal therapy? About surgery? There is also a small association of complications in pregnancy for patients with a history of adenomyosis, mainly premature delivery and premature rupture of membrane. More often than not, its not just a pelvic disease this is a condition that can be debilitating and can affect your quality of life and mental health. Remember to speak to your healthcare provider of your concern, and together, we would be stronger against it!

05.01.2022 Had this one with very chubby cheeks looking at me! #dradelinechan #babyultrasound #westmeadprivateobstetrician #norwestobstetrician #chubbycheeks

03.01.2022 What is delayed cord clamping? It is a process where after the delivery of the baby, instead of clamping the cord immediately, we can wait ~1-3 minutes before the cord is clamped. Why is it done?... Once the baby is birthed, the blood flow in the umbilical cord continues for a little while. When we allow a delay to the cord being clamped, we are providing the baby with an opportunity to receive more blood. This is good because it can increase the iron stores for the baby for at least the next 3-6 months. Can it be done at every birth? There are some births that are unable to have delayed cord clamping, where usually there is concerns with the babys wellbeing or concerns with bleeding for mom. How do I know if I can have it done? It would be best to speak to your healthcare provider but generally, if there was uncomplicated labour and birth, I would be happy to do so.

03.01.2022 Can I go swimming in pregnancy? Yes Yes Yes!! (but maybe not in todays freezing and wet weather) Swimming is probably one of the best and safest form of exercise to do, especially if you have pelvic pain. ... It is a low impact, easily accessible and it can help build up strength. Also exercise in pregnancy can promote better sleep at night, so thats always a plus! The only things to consider are : 1. The temperature of the water avoid water that will push up your temperature, especially in the first trimester 2. Safe swimming you may tire more quickly, so be mindful of swimming too far away from shore 3. Be careful around wet surface as they can be quite slippery 4. And always remember to sunscreen! Enjoy the dip in the water! . . . . . #swimming #swimminginpregnancy #sydneyobstetrician #pregnancy #beach #dradelinechan

03.01.2022 What is GBS? Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that live in our bodies. It is commonly found in the intestines, rectum or vagina. If you happen to carry GBS while youre healthy, it is not a disease and does not require treatment. About 20% of women have GBS in their vagina around the time of giving birth. ... It is important to know that GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease or caused by poor hygiene.

03.01.2022 Lately, there has been a lot of news surrounding the influenza vaccine and many questions surrounding it. Not just for pregnant women but also for the general public. Keep in mind that the Fluvax DOES NOT prevent you from getting COVID-19 itself, but it is still very very IMPORTANT to get it. WHY? To try and reduce the strain on the healthcare system HOW?... Because influenza symptoms are similar to COVID-19 it can be hard to distinguish them If we reduce the incidence of influenza, we can reduce the presentations to GPs , ED and hospitals therefore reducing strain on the healthcare system We do not know exactly the outcome of having influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, but what we do know is, DUAL infections are always associated with POORER outcomes So, please if you can, please organize to have your fluvax this year. This year, Australia will be the first country to offer adjuvant Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV). The NIP vaccines will be available in April. The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone above the ages of 6 months (unless contraindicated). It is also free for the following group (not just kids and pregnant woman) : 1. All people ages 6 months to less than 5 years 2. All Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander ages 6 months and older 3. People ages 6 months and over with medical conditions that can increase the risk of influenza 4. Anyone ages 65 years and over

02.01.2022 During the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy, many women may experience morning sickness, pain, bleeding, feeling bloated and very tired. Your obstetrician can help you with navigating all these issues. Morning Sickness Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) is common, affecting up to 70% of women. Most symptoms will settle by 16 weeks. It is important to know that although we call it morning sickness, a lot of women have nausea and vomiting throughout the day. ... There are various simple ways of managing morning sickness. Eating small quantities of food throughout the day may help. You may be more sensitive to strong food smells, fatty, spicy or fried food and avoiding them may help. Some women find having ginger tea helps. Morning sickness may cause dehydration and its important to drink plenty of fluids. You do not need to have large amounts each time - small sips throughout the day is also acceptable. To help with nutrition, you may also take pregnancy supplements, especially folate. Your obstetrician or GP may prescribe anti nausea medication to help with your vomiting. These medications are safe to use in pregnancy. Pain & Bleeding Pain and bleeding during the first trimester is not uncommon and it does not mean youre having a miscarriage. Many women will continue their pregnancy and have normal and healthy babies. As pain and bleeding is a potential sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, your obstetrician may need to investigate and diagnose accordingly. If youre having heavy bleeding, passing clots, have significant pain and feel dizzy, seek urgent advice from your local Emergency Department. Otherwise, you may make an appointment with your GP or check with your obstetrician during your next antenatal visit. Your obstetrician may do a couple things to investigate your pain and bleeding. We will take a history of when the bleeding occurred and if you have any other symptoms i.e. pain. We may also examine your cervix and uterus. Well also perform an ultrasound to make sure the fetus is in the right location and check for a heartbeat. A blood test may also be done including checking your pregnancy hormone (BhCG) levels, blood count and blood group (if not already known). Once the results are back and if everything is normal, we will continue to monitor during your antenatal visits.

02.01.2022 Exercising in pregnancy is a common question by pregnant moms and moms to be. Exercise in pregnancy doesnt need to be the high powered 5km runs, or the lunges or weight lifting. Simple things like walking or swimming is good. Try to do some form of exercise for about 30 minutes a day, on most days if you can. Remember, staying healthy and active is good for the pregnancy. If you were not physically active before the pregnancy, start with gentle exercises like walking or swi...mming. Some might consider prenatal yoga or aqua classes. If you were previously very active, speak to your doctor or midwife about your exercise and if its ok to continue. Taking care during exercise During the pregnancy, the hormonal changes in the body may increase your change of an injury as your joints and ligaments are softer to accommodate the growing baby. Therefore, high impact exercises are generally avoided in pregnancies. Pelvic Floor Exercise Now, theres not only these exercise that we recommend. We also recommend that you start looking after your pelvic floor muscles, to reduce the risk of urinary leakage in the future. Sometimes, a referral to a pelvic floor/pregnancy physiotherapist might be helpful. Importantly, exercising during pregnancy provides numerous benefits including better weight control, improved mental health and faster recovery after labour. Regular exercise may also decrease the risk of pregnancy related complications such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Do consult your doctor or midwife prior to starting any exercise routines.

02.01.2022 Rhesus Negative and Anti-D in Pregnancy If you have a negative blood group (Rh negative), and your baby is Rh positive, some of the babys blood cells may cross over into your blood stream during the pregnancy or at labour. Your immune system may see the Rh (D) positive blood cells from your baby as a foreign invader and produce antibodies against them. When your antibodies crosses the placenta, it can attack your babys blood cells, causing a serious anaemia in your baby. As... it takes time for your body to produce the antibodies, it usually does not cause an issue in your first pregnancy. However, it can have serious effects in your next pregnancy. This condition is also known as Rhesus isoimmunization. Some babies might not survive the pregnancy, and some might require a blood transfusion while still in your womb. Why is Anti-D given? An Anti-D injection neutralises the Rh (D) positive blood cells from your baby before your body has a chance to make antibodies against them. Prior to the availability of Anti-D, fetal death from Rh isoimmunization were as high as 46/100,000 and it has now decreased to less than 1.6/100,000. You can be assured that Rh isoimmunization is uncommon in Australia. From your initial pregnancy bloods, we would know if you are Rh (D) negative, and an Anti-D injection would be recommended. When is Anti-D given? It is usually given when you are 28 weeks and 34 weeks pregnant, if you are Rh (D) negative. There are other occasions when additional Anti-D might be recommended due to increased risk of babys blood crossing over to yours. The below conditions may be when an extra dose is recommended, and ideally within the 72 hours of it happening. Vaginal bleeding or spotting in pregnancy. Miscarriage If undergoing an amniocentesis or CVS sampling. Any physical accidents and mishaps i.e. a fall or a car accident Upon the delivery of your baby, a blood sample will be collected from your babys cord blood and be sent for testing. If your baby is Rh (D) positive, you will receive another Anti-D injection. If your babys blood is Rh (D) negative, there is no need for an Anti-D.