Category

Pregnancy

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
October 31, 2017

8 Steps to lose weight after having a baby

The experience of having a baby is hard to describe. It’s amazing, it’s exciting, and, at times, just plain scary. While you navigate the emotional ups and downs of being a new mother, seeing pictures of other women who appear to bounce back to their pre-baby shape within hours of giving birth can make you feel more down than up! While we can’t promise you’ll have Beyoncé’s pre-baby body, there are a few things you can do to get your OWN body back. 1. Be realistic It took 9 months (and a new person), to gain the pregnancy weight. Don’t…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
October 27, 2017

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are painless sporadic uterine contractions that start about 6 weeks into your pregnancy, although you won't be able to feel them that early. They get their name from John Braxton Hicks, an English doctor who first described them in 1872. Who gets them? Braxton Hicks contractions are normal in all pregnancies, but you probably won't start to notice them until sometime after mid-pregnancy, and some women don’t notice them at all. As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to come somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they'll probably remain infrequent,…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
October 27, 2017

The 10 pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore

No matter how much you have read up on pregnancy, or how much advice you get from other pregnant moms, there may still be times when you worry about certain feelings and symptoms. But how do you know what’s “normal”, or when it’s time to see a doctor? Here are the main pregnancy symptoms that should set off alarm bells. If you experience any of these, call your doctor right away. 1. Pain in the lower belly  Severe pain on either or both sides of your lower belly needs investigating. While you could have stretched a ligament, which is common…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
October 24, 2017

What are the normal symptoms of pregnancy?

For expectant moms, pregnancy is generally a roller-coaster of hormones and emotions, ranging from excitement and anticipation to fear of the unknown. The good news is, it’s natural and entirely normal to feel this way – so take a deep breath and enjoy the journey to parenthood. If you’re a first time mom, then this is where you need to be. We spoke to Dr Russell Thomson, one of our resident doctors at Hello Doctor about common symptoms and what to expect in each trimester. Dr. Thomson suggests scheduling a visit with your doctor as soon as you suspect that…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
September 4, 2017

How pregnancy makes you lose your mind

You’ve lost your keys again. And, for the third time this week, you found your cell phone in the fridge. No, you’re not going mad - it’s just pregnancy brain. Pregnancy brain, also called momnesia or pregnesia, is the forgetfulness and brain fog many pregnant women experience. It’s a real and frustrating hallmark of pregnancy, affecting as many as 50 to 80% of expectant moms. If you suffer from pregnancy brain, you may forget why you walked into a room, where you put your purse, whether you switched off the washing machine, or leave objects in strange places. A gush…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
September 3, 2017

Pains during pregnancy: when is it urgent?

Pregnancy can be the most glorious time of your life. It can also bring on aches, pains, flatulence and loads of other unattractive side-effects. Remember, your hormones are at an all-time high and your mood swings bear the grunt. All of which can lead you to jumping the gun… when is it really time to rush to the hospital? And when is it just normal pregnancy pain? Go to the hospital if: You have abnormal vaginal bleeding with cramping An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus. This can cause the Fallopian tubes to tear…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
July 26, 2017

Water birth: is it better than normal birth?

No longer just a Hollywood hippie scene, water births are becoming increasingly popular. Water birth involves immersing yourself in water as you prepare to go into labour. With the help of a midwife or doula, you then birth your baby as you would in a hospital, except in this case, you welcome your little one under water. A cool concept certainly, but is it safe? The benefits of swimming into life Water birth works on the premise that your baby, having lived in an amniotic fluid sac for his gestation period, will feel comfortable being birthed into a similar environment.…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
June 22, 2017

Pregnancy – it’s not nine months of no’s

So, you can't drink anymore, but there's still a ton of stuff you can do! Here are five of them: 1 Do exercise Staying active will work in your favour. Exercise has been shown to relieve the symptoms of pregnancy discomforts like, back pain, swelling, bloating, fatigue and constipation. Choose low-impact exercises that are safe for you and your baby. Try brisk walking, yoga, indoor cycling, swimming or an aerobics class. Exercise minimise the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. They promote flexibility, boost your mood and may speed up your postpartum recovery process. Breathing exercises help your baby…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Pregnancy
May 21, 2017

The do’s and don’ts for a safe pregnancy

You’ve got a bun in the oven, and a million worries to go along with it. Stop stressing, mama! Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do while you're expecting. Do: Get a flu shot. You can and should get vaccinated against the flu, especially if you are carrying in the flu season – the World Health Organization recommends it. Being sick with the flu during pregnancy can increase the risk for birth defects and premature labour. Visit your dentist. Pregnancy hormones can affect the health of your gums, making them more likely to bleed and become inflamed. This may lead…

Read More

The Hello Doctor Team 0
1
Pregnancy
April 14, 2017

Serena played tennis while pregnant – should you?

Serena Williams' hinted pregnancy has taken twitter by storm this week, and although it may be good for publicity, is exercise good for her baby? The tennis player posted a picture of herself on Snapchat yesterday (19 April), with the caption '20 weeks'. This means she was pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January. So, what would the doctor have to say about this? "Generally speaking, pregnant women can play tennis early in pregnancy. In fact, the cardiovascular activity is good for mom, and as a rule of thumb: what's good for mom, is good for baby. However,…

Read More