The women’s health edit
Practical, evidence-aware reading for every stage—from first periods and fertility planning to pregnancy, recovery and menopause.
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After an early miscarriage is confirmed, the appropriate care depends on the scan, symptoms and whether pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. You should be given an explanation and time for questions where the situation allows.
Read · 2 min ↗Group B streptococcus can be carried without causing symptoms, but it can sometimes cause serious infection in a newborn. A positive result should be discussed with the maternity team.
Read · 2 min ↗Blood-group and antibody testing in pregnancy helps identify situations where a mother’s antibodies could affect her baby’s red blood cells. Being RhD negative is a blood-group characteristic, not an illness.
Read · 2 min ↗Iron deficiency can contribute to anaemia in pregnancy, but tiredness alone does not establish the cause. Blood tests and your clinical history guide the assessment.
Read · 2 min ↗Itching is common in pregnancy, but severe itching, itching of the palms or soles, or itching that is worse at night needs urgent maternity advice. It can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Read · 2 min ↗In a twin pregnancy, the number of placentas and sacs helps determine monitoring. The question is not only whether the babies are identical.
Read · 2 min ↗Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can prevent normal eating, drinking and daily activity. Hyperemesis gravidarum is more than ordinary morning sickness and deserves treatment and support.
Read · 2 min ↗If your baby is moving less than usual, has stopped moving or the usual pattern changes, contact your maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until morning or your next appointment.
Read · 2 min ↗Waters breaking can feel like a sudden gush or a continuing trickle. It may be difficult to distinguish from urine, but possible fluid leakage in pregnancy deserves advice from the maternity team.
Read · 2 min ↗After a previous caesarean, the next birth discussion may include vaginal birth after caesarean, often called VBAC, and a planned repeat caesarean. Suitability depends on your previous operation and current pregnancy.
Read · 2 min ↗A planned caesarean is an operation to deliver a baby through the abdomen and uterus. Preparation includes understanding the reason, the procedure and the support needed afterwards.
Read · 2 min ↗Induction starts labour using medical methods. It may be recommended when continuing pregnancy is judged to carry more risk than planning birth.
Read · 2 min ↗A low-lying placenta on a mid-pregnancy scan does not automatically mean it will remain low at birth. Follow-up imaging helps the maternity team assess its position as pregnancy progresses.
Read · 2 min ↗Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition involving high blood pressure that can have serious complications. Early changes may be found at routine checks before you notice symptoms.
Read · 2 min ↗Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose first developing during pregnancy. It often causes no obvious symptoms, so screening is important even when you feel well.
Read · 2 min ↗An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterine cavity, most often in a fallopian tube. It can become dangerous and requires medical assessment.
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