Women's Health

What is antenatal screening? A fetal anomaly, sometimes called a birth defect, is when there is a change to part of the body of the foetus. Such a change may increase the chance of stillbirth. It may also cause problems with your child’s health, development and quality of life. Many...

What is endometriosis?   Endometriosis is a health problem that affects women. It happens when tissue like the lining of the uterus grows in other places, usually in the pelvis and around the reproductive organs. It affects women differently. Symptoms are often related to the location of your endometriosis. Pelvic...

What is period pain? Dysmenorrhoea means period pain. This is pain in your lower tummy around the time of your period. Some pain during your period is normal. It is not normal to have pain that stops you from doing your normal daily routine.  There are many things you can...

What is a long-acting contraceptive? Long-acting contraceptives are birth-control devices that stay in your body for a long time (from one month to ten years). There are three types of long-acting contraceptives: Contraceptive injection - an injection given by your GP that provides protection against pregnancy for twelve weeks Contraceptive...

What is weight gain in pregnancy? During pregnancy, healthy weight gain is crucial for both the mother and baby's wellbeing. There are many things which can affect how much weight you gain. It is important to maintain a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy. Talk to your GP about gaining weight...

What is it epilepsy in pregnancy? It is important to plan for a healthy pregnancy if you have epilepsy. Most women with epilepsy will have a good pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. Although, there are some risks. Having epilepsy may make it harder to get pregnant. Pregnancy...

What is bleeding in rhesus negative women? The four major blood types are A, B, AB and O. Each of these are either rhesus positive or rhesus negative. Rhesus negative means the blood does not have a protein known as ‘D antigen’ on the surface of your red blood cells....

What is anaemia during pregnancy? Anaemia means you don’t have enough red blood cells in your blood. It’s often caused by low levels of iron. During pregnancy, your body can produce extra blood to support your growing baby. If you don’t have enough iron, your body may not be able...

What are skin conditions in pregnancy? During pregnancy, your skin may change. It may become dry, red, itchy, darker, or more sensitive than before you were pregnant. These changes are usually not serious and will go away after your baby is born. It is usually because of changes to your...

What is diabetes during pregnancy? If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are pregnant, you need special care. Without the right care, there may be long-term negative effects for you and your baby. Having uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy can increase the chance your baby does not develop...