Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that we see most often in the legs. They often twist, swell, and enlarge. Varicose veins tend to run in families and are more common in individuals who work on their feet for a living or are overweight. They can form for a number of reasons, especially from middle age onwards and if they run in your family. They are fairly common in pregnancy. We’ll talk you through what to expect if you do develop them.

Certain vaccinations are recommended in pregnancy, to boost the immunity of both yourself and your baby against certain infections. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is usually weakened as it is diverted to protecting the baby. Some are boosters of vaccinations you may have had in childhood. There are certain vaccinations that are safe and some which pose a risk – your practice nurse, midwife or doctor can talk you through this. Any potential risk posed by a vaccine is considerably less than getting the infection itself.

The 6-8 week check is part of the 'NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination programme'. Your doctor will invite you to an appointment that includes an overview of how your child is developing, a physical examination, and a chance for the parents to express any concerns they may be having and for your doctor to address them and give health promotion advice. They may have had a newborn screening check when they were just born. Usually, the mother also has a postnatal check at the same time as baby's check, but it could also be done separately.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS is very common – up to 1 in 10 women of child-bearing age have it. They may only find this out once they start trying for a baby. The combination of a hormonal imbalance and problems with metabolism can make this difficult – but not impossible. It’s one of the most common causes of infertility, but it’s also treatable. Let’s talk you through the science of ovary function and what can be done about it in PCOS.

Pregnancy can be a tough time, it can throw up new muscle and ligament aches, back ache, and it can make headaches or migraines worse. It’s hard to know what pain relief is safe to reach for, so let’s talk you through what’s available to you, while keeping you comfortable and your baby healthy and happy. The general rule of thumb is, don’t take anything unnecessarily. If your pain is mild and bearable, hold off on medication, especially in the first 12 weeks (first trimester). Try non-medicated solutions first, such as lying down in a dark room to help a headache, or having a warm bath or hot water bottle to relieve muscle aches. Some medications are known to cause harm to your pregnancy and should be avoided. Others drugs may not have been through clinical trials on pregnant women, so there may be a theoretical risk or they are not known to be either safe or harmful. Drug manufacturers usually err on the side of caution in saying their medication should be avoided in pregnancy. Thankfully the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) has advised on what’s safe and what’s not. They stress that if you need to take pain medication, is should be at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible. The RCOG also recognise that inadequate pain relief can carry a psychological and physical burden, causing anxiety and depression in a new mother and disrupting bonding with baby. It may also prevent you from getting that all-important rest you need to revive.

Pregnancy can bring many surprises to your body, and you may not have expected changes to your hair, nails and skin. Some find their nails become much stronger and longer, while others complain that nails are brittle and break easily. These changes are based on the changes in hormones in pregnancy, so luckily, they don't last forever and usually revert back to your pre-pregnancy state after delivery. You may notice changes that warrant a trip to the doctor, such as deep grooves that develop on the nails or the nail becoming thickened and lifting from the nail bed (onycholysis).

If you find yourself pregnant and do not wish to keep the baby, you can seek an abortion to bring the pregnancy to an end. By law in England, Scotland and Wales, this is usually up to 24 weeks, although later in certain exceptional circumstances. It can be a difficult time, and you may feel confused about the right decision for you. Turning to those that know and love you – friends, family, your partner – can help, but if this is difficult, your GP can provide a good listening ear, and abortion clinics have counselling services to discuss options with you. An abortion carries less risk the earlier it is carried out. Earlier discussions also allow for more time to think about the right option for you.

So you got that all-important positive on the pregnancy test? Congratulations! You’re at least three weeks into your 40 week journey! But where do you go next? Let’s take you through the process so you’re prepared.

Pregnancy can bring a torrent of changes both inside and out, with hormones often changing the look and feel of your hair, nails and skin. Some find that pregnancy brings them luscious shiny locks, while others notice their hair is drier, frizzier or oilier. Some may even experience hair loss during pregnancy or in the first few weeks after birth. You may also experience more hair growth in unexpected or different parts of your body and face, or it may be darker or thicker. These changes are in response to pregnancy hormones or, in the case of hair loss, possibly stress if you are unwell at the end of pregnancy or during childbirth. Therefore your usual hair type and condition is likely to revert back to its pre-pregnancy state, about 6 to 8 months after delivery.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the womb. The most common place that this occurs is in the Fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb. Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies can’t survive and they can’t be saved. They pose a danger to the mother until they are removed, and this is via medication or surgery. An ectopic pregnancy may cause you no symptoms, but symptoms usually develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy. These include signs of pregnancy, like a missed period, but also lower tummy pain, often to only one side, bleeding or abnormal brown discharge from the vagina, or pain at the tip of your shoulder (relating to pain transferred from the tummy).

Pregnancy can be a minefield of new health concerns – eating the right foods, avoiding the wrong ones, taking essential supplements, keeping up with health checks. You want the best for you and your baby and the COVID-19 pandemic has added a whole new heap of stress to your journey through pregnancy. The vaccine is one such consideration. Whether you have not been vaccinated yet, have received only one dose, or are due the booster dose, there’s conflicting information out there and it can be tough to work out what’s best. The doctors here at Healthwords follow guidance from the NHS and the UK government, in advising you that getting fully vaccinated offers the best protection for you and your baby. Real-world data suggests that pregnant women that are unvaccinated are significantly more likely to end up seriously unwell or needing hospital care than those who are vaccinated. Your baby may also risk being born prematurely if you contract COVID-19.

The best way to increase your production of breast milk is to ensure that baby is nursing frequently and effectively. As milk is drawn down from the breasts, your brain is stimulated to produce more milk to meet the high demand, and your baby will meet this supply, demand more, and so the cycle continues. At some times, it might mean that you will need to nurse every one and a half to two hours in the day, and every three hours at night, in order to re-stimulate your milk supply. It’s just as important that you position baby for an effective latch, so that they are drawing down well from the breast.