Prathima Radhakrishnan Conslutant in Foetal Medicine MBBS MRCOG (UK) Diploma in Obstetric Ultrasound (RCOG, UK) Fellowship in Foetal Medicine (FMF, UK)
Dr. Prathima Radhakrishnan, a foetal medicine specialist and a sonologist, answers questions posted by readers.
Question:
Dear Doctor,
I have completed 7 weeks of my first pregnancy. I had a scan at 6w+5days. The size of the embryo was 0.92cm and the heartbeat was 156. Is this okay?
I had a little bleeding since the 5th week, which was brown. I am taking Duphaston and Folic acid since the last 4 months. Now the bleeding has stopped. I called up my doctor in India who seemed concerned that there had been spotting, but my doctor in Germany here said slight bleeding in early pregnancy is normal. What are your views on this?
Is it safe to have sex?
Thanks and Regards, Vaishali
Answer:
Hello Vaishali,
Bleeding in pregnancy is not uncommon, especially spotting/ slight bleeding. Usually this does not harm the pregnancy. As the bleeding has stopped and you are generally well there is no harm waiting for the next scan, which is usually done at about 12 weeks (called the 'nuchal scan'). If the bleeding starts again/ you have abdominal pain along with it, you may request your doctor for another scan to confirm that the heartbeat is still present and that the foetus is growing well. AT 6 weeks, 0.92cm embryo with a heartbeat of 156 is normal.
To be really honest, there is no scientific evidence that bed rest/ any sort of restricted activity improves the outcome of a pregnancy. Similarly, there is no known adverse effect with sexual activity. However, if you have had any bleeding, it is probably best to avoid till things settle down.
Question:
Dear Madam,
I am working in Kuwait with my husband for the last 6 years. I have had 3 recurrent miscarriages. My Indian Doctor detected some infection and put me on medication. Before returning to Kuwait he recommended that if get pregnant again, I should immediately fly back to India.
When should I test for pregnancy? Can I have a scan at 5 weeks? Will this harm the foetus? Will it be safe if I travel in the 6th or 7th week of pregnancy? What precautions should I take during my travel?
Thanking you, Manjita
Answer:
Hello Manjita,
Ultrasound is safe anytime in pregnancy. It would be better if you get a scan done after 6 completed weeks as then the foetal heart activity can be seen. Earlier than 6 weeks, only a pregnancy sac is visible and the foetal pole and heartbeat is not visible. It is 'safe' to travel in pregnancy if you are generally well. The issue is that if you have any problem, like spotting etc, sometimes this can get worse and really being in transit is not a comfortable situation to be in!
When you plan your next pregnancy, please remember to take your folic acid! Good luck!
Question:
Hello Dr. P Radhakrishnan
I'm in my third month of pregnancy. I just wanted to ask if I could apply henna (Mehendi) to my hair. Will applying henna have any harmful effects on my foetus? I know artificial hair colour is harmful, but how about henna?
Thanks in advance, Glenda
Answer:
Hello Glenda,
Henna is a natural product so it is unlikely to harm your baby. Just make sure it is not adulterated henna.
If you too would like to get your doubts clarified by Dr. Prathima, send in your questions at editor@indiaparenting.com
Name:
Mudrika
Country: India
Dear Dr. Prathima Radhakrishnan,
I am into my 34th week of pregnancy now. In the past i have had an ectopic pregnancy and a missed abortion, this is my third pregancy (i have not reached successfuly here thus far)
A sonography was done in the 29th week and the following 2 comments were made :
* Minimal separation of sinus echoes is seen in both fetal kidney.
* Urinary bladder is physiologically distended.
My gynac did not comment on these conclusions, however, now that i am nearing my term i have started wondering if it is anything that i should be worried about? If yes, then can it be rectified, can i find out in advance what can be done, i do not want to end up running hospital to hospital at the last moment, just because of lack of information. Your expert advice would be highly appreciated.
Also, can I do a sonography in 35th week and then again in my 36th week?
Eagerly looking forward to your response.
Thanks and regards,
Mudrika
Name:
indrayani samar jadhav
Country: india
i am 5 wks pregnant. i noticed a drop of blood while inserting microgest capsule in my vagina on 16 april. i did not have any pain. i rushed to my doc. she injected me and sujessted gynae cvp capsule. the bleeding stopped. i had a scan done by dr. indira hinduja on 17/4/06. as per the scans it says that a single sac is been seen also fetal pole seen. she has also suggested me complete bed rest. i want to know whether the heart beat will normal and when will i be able to hear it. thank you.
Name:
geeta
Country: india
i want to know in how many months i can know the movements of baby
Name:
Shruti
Country: india
hello doctor,
this is my first pragnancy, i had some abdominal pains since the day i was excepting my periods i.e: 29th april, the pains were very light only twice in a day but as i am working, i could feel more pain on my working days but rest days there were light pain but no bleeding. at times i feel some cramps/pain i am not sure the nature of pain..(can not explain) but they are also very light in my upper part of belly below chest.
on 11th may i took a scan it says:
uters shows intrauterine gestation sac.
fetal pole and cardiac activity not yet visualised.
msd- 1.09cm corresponds 5 weeks 1 day.
no subchorionic hemorrhage.
my last period was on 29th march.
doctor has but me on susten 200mg(vagianl) twice a day and folic acid and bedrest.
now the abodominal pains has subsided but that upper belly pain like thing is still there.
as this is my first pregnancy i am very worried.....please suggest me, what should i do?
awaiting for a soon reply.
thanks
shruti
Name:
saheli
Country: India
dear doctor,
saheli here,i'm 7 week pregnant, today done u/s ,only the sac is visible ,no foetus, is this normal .my doctor kept next u/s on 7th sep .
help me.
regards saheli
Name:
neha
Country: India
i am married for 2years,i am trying for baby,doctor has suggested me susten200mg(vaginal),folic acid tablet at bed time.this tablets i am taking from last 2 mths.plz can u tell me will be i pregnant in the future.
Name:
selvi
Country: India
good
Name:
pooja
Country: India
my 39 week is going on. i have done sonography for know the situation of baby.doctor tells me that weight og baby is 2.5 kg and laking of oxigen also what should i do for that? please suggest me .
Name:
sonu
Country: India
is there any tablet like "gylae-cvt"
or "gayle-cvt" if yes tell me use..
also tell me use of gynae-cvp tabs..
Name:
ruchi jain
Country: India
i am seven week pregnent 27th dec. i am going south africa it is safe for travelling seven week pregnency my health is ok no nausia child heart beath is there i scan my six week pregnency can i go?
Name:
VIJAYA
Country: India
i had taken copper t but after that my bleeding is not stopping.it is now 5 th day of bleeding. doctor sujested to tkae gynae cvp tab for 5 days, is it okay.
Name:
mkinr
Country: India
in 28th week i did sosnography test & docotor said the gender is baby girl.
i have already 2 girls and this time all pregency symptons quite opposite not like previous. we predict based on symptons baby boy. please let us know is sonography result is 100% accurate.
thanks.
Name:
jai
Country: India
miss geeta a lady can appreciate fetus movements in 15th month in case of multigravida or else 18th month if she is primi,ie pregnant for the first time.
Name:
mumtaz
Country: India
i hv bleeding when i used susten 400in night my doc suggest me gynae cvp i m 7 weeks pregnant will everything will be normal
Name:
curious
Country: India
prathima radhakrishnan's name is very apt. she is really a statue. recently i had a chance to realize how a doctor can be an example for "how not to treat your patients" thanks to this one of the dumbest of the doctors around. i hope some great misfortune befalls on her and teach her a lesson on how to practice a little empathy while you are in the business of making money out of poor mothers to be.
Name:
mkinr
Country: India
delivered baby bay 2 days back where as sonography is wrong - (baby girl) and please note that only allaha knows the sex of the baby in womb as per holy book - quran 100% justified.
