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 Im 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 Related Articles: Pregnancy Scans
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.comRelated Articles:Pregnancy Scans
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Hello
Can you please inform when the child gets life (in which month) during the pregnancy period, further which sonographies and on what occasions the pregnant lady has to get it done. thanks
Namaste Doctorji,
I have completed 15 weeks of my first pregnancy. I had a scan at 14.2 weeks. Estimated foetal weight is 85 grams, placenta-posterior wall, upper & mid segment, grade-1, and the heartbeat was 154b/min regular. Is this okay?
Hi Dr. According to my lmp date I am 9 weeks pregnant. I went for an ultrasound in last week dr. Said the fetal development is very less and sac looks like a month and a half pregnancy.. I also had spotting around the time I usually have periods but no bleeding after that. Today at 9 weeks , I am getting sharp pain on both sides especially left lower abdomen but no bleeding. Also constipated and worried
Dear Doctor,
I had a C-Section first time in 2007 and have a lovely son.
However we decided to abort the 2nd pregnancy in 2009 as we were not prepared for the same.(we are still not forgiven ourselves for this decision )
The 3rd time, I got pregnant in 2011, we decided that we will continue with it but unfortunately I had a miscarriage in april 2011. It started with spotting etc, USG in the 6th week revealead the baby seems shorter by a week or so.
Now Iam pregnant again in my 6-7 weeks , but am having few spottings and sometimes red clots. Our doctor has advised for Gynacea- c.v.p for 3 days and Corion 5000 1in each week for a month and bedrest. I have heard in such cases the babies are born abnormal. is this true?
I am really worried this time , I want my baby to be safe and healthy.
please suggest.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Prathima Radhakrishnan
