Dear Doctor ‘P’ 30
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answers are provided jointly by our team of doctors
Our Team Of Experts
Dr Blasio Omuga
Lecturer, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi
Consultant Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Based at Doctors’ Plaza, Clinic No. 18. Kenyatta National Hospital
Dr. NjoKi Fernandes
Resident Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Based at Kenyatta National Hospital
I am two months pregnant. I feel pain and pressure on my lower abdomen. Most of it is on the left side and I have been spotting for six days now. Other than that, I feel quite bloated. What could be the issue? Kindly advice.
The discomfort on the left side with spotting needs to be investigated. It could be nothing, but it could also point to an ectopic pregnancy. Please visit your doctor who will examine you and send you for an ultra sound scan, which will confirm the location of the pregnancy and find possible causes for your discomfort.
I am eight months pregnant. My baby has been kicking twice a day. at most, for the last one week. Is that normal? What can I do about it?
The ultimate judge for the baby’s normal movements is the mother. Now that you have noted it, you need to see a doctor and have a special ultra sound called a biophysical profile. This will give a lot of information about your baby’s condition in the womb. There could be a problem that is causing the baby to kick less, or it could just be that there is limited space. Either way you need to be evaluated.
Since I became pregnant, my acne has become uncontrollable I have used the best treatment in the market— nothing doing. I feel terrible about, it—which I think is even making the acne worse. What is the cause of this uncomfortable situation and what can I do about it?
Acne in pregnancy is hormone related and can range from mild to very severe. Since it is hormone related, in many cases it doesn’t respond to treatment. I am concerned about the treatment you have been using, because many acne drugs cause foetal malformations. My advice to you is to grin and bear it. Pregnancy will not last forever, but the medication you use can have long-term effects on your baby.
I am 20 weeks pregnant and at times, I feel sudden sharp pains in the vagina and rectum I have seen the doctor who ruled out a threatened miscarriage and hemorrhoids. What are the possible causes of this?
Your body is most probably reacting to the increased hormones in your system as a result of your pregnancy. If the doctor has ruled out a threatened miscarriage or any other problem, I would advise you to relax and take It easy. Mild pain relievers can make you more comfortable.
I recently got married and I am anxious to know whether I am expectant. How long, after conception, does the fertilized egg implant and what is the most accurate pregnancy test to use?
The fertilized egg will implant by the fourth to fifth day after conception. The best indicator that you have conceived is a missed period. After you miss your period, a urine pregnancy test done in a hospital or at home is usually accurate enough. If in doubt, an ultra sound, which will show a gestational sac (an early pregnancy), can be done.
END:PG30/07