Common antenatal questions

TILTED WOMB

Q. I've been told I've got a 'retroverted gravid uterus' - what does
this mean?

Susie, Lancashire

A. ‘Gravid’ just means pregnant, ‘retroverted’ means your womb is ‘tipped back’ -  you may hear it called a tilted womb. When your womb is in your pelvis, its position is towards the bladder rather than leaning towards your back.

This is a very common occurrence and many women only find out about it after their first pregnancy scan. In the past, there were a lot of myths about a tipped uterus, including problems getting pregnant, but these have been proved to be completely unfounded.

After about 12 weeks, as your womb starts to grow and push out of your pelvis to grow up into your abdomen (tummy), the retroversion will disappear. A tilted womb doesn’t affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant, and won’t affect any part of your pregnancy or labour.

NEEDLESS NEEDLES?

Q. I've got a severe phobia of needles - is there any way I can avoid
having blood tests/injections during my pregnancy?

Keeley, Andover

A. Needle phobia affects 10% of our population, so midwives come across mums-to-be who suffer varying degrees of needle phobia all the time. Blood tests provide essential information that help us help you and your growing baby remain healthy throughout your pregnancy and, although not compulsory, you should weigh up the risk to your self and your baby if you decline the tests.

The good news is the blood samples are usually taken from one needle and put into several tubes for different tests, so often it’s just a one-off event. Your phobia will be taken seriously and your team will do their best to help you get through the times you may need an injection.

Bringing your partner along or lying down to have the sample taken may help. The needle site can also be frozen by applying a local anaesthetic cream, so you don’t feel it.

MIND THE BUMP

Q. My midwife pressed really hard on my tummy last time I had an
appointment, does this not hurt the baby? Also, I'm concerned my
toddler might hurt the baby while climbing on me.'

Lynne, Essex

A. When you attend your clinic appointment, your midwife will examine your growing bump, firstly to see how much your baby is growing, but also in later pregnancy to see what position your baby is lying in your tummy - head down (cephalic) or bottom first (breech) - as this may affect your labour. Your midwife may press hard to feel the actual position but she won’t hurt your baby.

He’s cushioned by layers of skin, fat and muscle, before you even get to his body, which is surrounded by your womb, and then the bag of water that he’s growing in. It’s hard to stop your little one clambering across your growing tummy, but you could try getting him/her to help you rub cream into it and chat to their new brother or sister to help prevent them using you as a climbing frame.

PILL POPPING

Q. 'I took the Pill for three months before I realised I was pregnant
- could this have harmed my baby?

Lorraine, Whitby

A. This is actually really common thing to do, and don’t worry, it won’t have harmed your baby. Whilst no one would take oral contraceptives intentionally knowing they were pregnant, each year about 5% of mums-to-be carry on taking the Pill before they realise they’re pregnant. 

Many years ago, taking the Pill in pregnancy was thought to cause defects, however there has never been any evidence to back this up, so relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

PAIN IN THE BACK

Q. 'I’ve developed really painful sciatica in pregnancy. Is there anything I can do to relieve it?'

Aimee, Huddersfield

A. Sciatica is where inflammation or pressure from the back causes the sciatic nerve (supplying the legs and feet) to become painful. Many women develop sciatica during pregnancy, although you don’t get sciatica because of pregnancy.

Symptoms can include: pins and needles in the lower back or leg and possibly the affected foot, shooting or burning in the leg, buttock or lower back, pain in the lower back or back of the pelvis that may extend into the foot and numbness in the leg or feet.

Try to avoid standing for long periods, and if you are sitting try to keep your back straight by using a cushion or rolled up towel in the small of your back. Apply a heat or ice pack to the painful area for as long as is comfortable. Use pillows and cushions to support  you and your bump in bed. 

Ask your midwife to recommend a physiotherapist or chiropractor who will provide you with a list of exercises that may improve your comfort but also strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, abdominal muscles and back muscles; these will be beneficial for your labour and delivery.

You may also need a pregnancy support belt to wear, which fits underneath your bump and relieves pressure on your spine. Often, sciatica pain or discomfort disappears on its own up to about six weeks after the birth of your baby.

MISCARRIAGE RISK

Q. I've had spotting throughout early pregnancy but had a good scan 
two weeks ago at eight weeks - am I still at increased risk of miscarriage?
 
Hayley, Plymouth

A. Any bleeding during your pregnancy can be frightening, especially during the first twelve weeks. However, over half of women who experience bleeding go on to have successful pregnancies.

The bleeding could be one of two things, firstly, something called an ‘implantation bleed’, which happens when the fertilized egg starts to embed into your womb (some say the sign of a healthy pregnancy), and secondly, due to the increased blood supply to the neck of your womb (cervix) during pregnancy.

If you encounter contact in this area, for example after intercourse, you could have some light bleeding. Just because you have experienced bleeding, it does not mean you have a higher risk of having a miscarriage and, reassuringly, according to the Miscarriage Association (miscarriageassociation.org.uk), seeing a heartbeat at eight weeks increases the chance of a continuing pregnancy to 98%.

However, if you do suffer any further bleeding or heavy bleeding at all during your pregnancy, call your hospital/midwife immediately, making a note of how much you have lost, so you can be treated appropriately. 

 5 things you need to know about... Antenatal classes

1. Antenatal classes are a great place to gather information, share worries and fears, and learn new skills. They are designed to build your confidence in your ability to give birth and look after your new baby.

2. Antenatal classes have a social function too - they're a great place to meet other mums/parents-to-be, who are sharing the same experiences as you. Many women who meet at antenatal classes become lifelong friends.

3. You are entitled to paid time off work to attend antenatal classes, but your employers may need confirmation from the midwife running the course that you are attending.

4. Although they’re not available everywhere, NHS classes are free, and are run by midwives/ health visitors, either in the community or at the hospital. You can also attend private classes, such as those provided by the National Childbirth Trust, (nct.org.uk), the Active Birth Centre (activebirthcentre.com), or companies such Gentle Birth (gentlebirth.org.uk)

5. The classes generally run for a period of four to six weeks, depending on where you live. They follow a similar format, including information and advice on: what to expect in labour (interventions that you may require), positions for labour, pain relief options, relaxation techniques, and life after baby is born,  including breastfeeding.