This can be your first pregnancy health check-up, or any subsequent appointments with your obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) specialist doctor during your first trimester, which is the 1st to 13th week of your pregnancy. Health screening tests like cervical cancer screening or breastfeeding assessment are done. You can discuss with the doctor to see what the full list of programmes in the 1st trimester pregnancy care are.
It is important to have your health screened for any health issues or abnormalities from time to time, more so when you're preparing for a pregnancy or are in the midst of one. Health screening for women before or during pregnancy may be different from the usual health screening, with some specific procedures like mammograms and ultrasound scans included. You can contact the clinic to see what health screening packages they provide.
A Pap smear test, also known as the pap test, is a screening procedure to detect any potential risks of cervical cancer. During the procedure, cells from your cervix (the opening of your uterus) are gently scraped away to be examined for any abnormalities. Cervical cancer screening or pap smear is recommended every 3 years for women aged 21-65.
The Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Neural Tube Defect Screening is a screening procedure to detect any risk of Down Syndrome for the baby during pregnancy. This is usually also done as part of a pregnancy triple test or quadruple test screening procedure.
A haemoglobin electropheoresis is a blood screening test to detect different types of haemoglobin in blood. This procedure is usually done as part of a pregnancy health screening to screen for any genetic conditions like thallassemia or sickle cell anaemia. Newborn babies can also undergo this screening test to detect any risks of genetic haemoglobin disorders.
Before or during your pregnancy, you can have a medical assessment to check if your breasts are ready or capable to breastfeed your baby. Your doctor can check on your breastfeeding ability and arrange any necessary procedures to keep you in top condition when your baby comes around, or provide any alternative solution if you opt out of breastfeeding.
Brith defect screenings are usually done as part of a pregnancy triple or quadruple test during the first trimester of pregnancy (usually between weeks 11 to 13). These screenings include blood tests and ultrasounds, to detect any risk of birth defects related to the baby's heart or genetic disorders like Down Syndrome.
A pregnancy triple test is a blood screening test for a pregnant mother that looks for 3 subtances in blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and estriol (uE3). These are done to analyse how likely an unborn baby is to have certain genetic disorders like Down Syndrome. This test is usually done during the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
A pregnancy quadruple test is a blood screening test for a pregnant mother that looks for 4 subtances in blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estriol (uE3), and the hormone Inhibin-A. These are done to analyse how likely an unborn baby is to have certain genetic disorders like Down Syndrome. The test is usually done during the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
An obstetric risk factors examination should be done before or early into your pregnancy so that any pregnancy risks can be examined and ways to reduce the risks can be discussed. Some common symptoms that are examined during this phase are vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and vomiting. If you feel any discomfort, do let your doctor know so that the right diagnosis can be carried out.
Before you have a baby, you can get a family planning consultation so that you and your partner can get medical and social advice from the specialist doctor on your plans in building a family, particularly on the aspect of childbirth in relation to your health condition.
The 2nd trimester of your pregnancy is the 14th to 28th week of your pregnancy. During this period, health screening tests like fetal (baby) heartbeat examination and uterus measurement are done. You can discuss with the doctor to see what the full list of programmes in the 2nd trimester pregnancy care are.
Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will check the rate and rhythm of your baby's heartbeat to make sure your baby is healthy. Your doctor can check your baby's heartbeat via a Doppler ultrasound or a nonstress test.
During pregnancy, your uterus will grow to prepare yourself for childbirth. So throughout your pregnancy period during your routine check ups by the doctor, your uterus size will be measured to check for any irregularities.
The 3rd trimester of your pregnancy is the 28th to 41st week of your pregnancy. During this period, health screening tests like the pregnancy non-stress test and baby gender determination are done. You can discuss with the doctor to see what the full list of programmes in the 3rd trimester pregnancy care are.
In the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy, your doctor can begin to conduct tests to determine your baby's gender. This is done either via blood test (noninvasive prenatal testing, NIPT) or an ultrasound. Not everyone can have their babies' gender determined at the same time of pregnancy. Some can have it determined earlier (in the 2nd trimester) while some have it later.
Antenatal education help you and your partner in your preparation for childbirth and early parenthood, and is a recommended step to take prior to childbirth. You can learn how to be prepared for the highs and lows of parenthood, and handy know-hows when going through the later stages of pregnancy, and when handling your new born baby.
A Group B Strep Vaginal and Rectal Culture is usually done in the 3rd trimester, around 35-37 weeks. Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep, or GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman's vagina or rectum, and can be passed to the baby during childbirth. Hence, treatment (usually antibiotics) can be planned early if GBS is detected during pregnancy.
A pregnancy non-stress test, also known as fetal (baby) heart rate monitoring, is a common prenatal test to check a baby's health through his or her heartrate. During the test, a belt is attached to the mother's abdomen to measure the baby's heart rate and another belt is used to measure the contractions. Treatment duration: 30 minutes
The postpartum period is the 6 weeks after childbirth. This can be a period of adjustment and healing for mothers, so proper care and checkups with your doctor is important.
Breastfeeding can be a challenge for new mothers, so doctors and nurses are always ready to guide you through this new experience. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and preferences to plan how you can experience breastfeeding with your child comfortably.
Having a child for the first time can be a challenge for new mothers, so undergoing postnatal education can be very helpful with doctors and nurses to help guide you during this new phase of life. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and preferences to plan how you can get through this period of time with your family comfortably.
Contraceptive, or birth control, is how to prevent pregnancy before it begins. After your childbirth, depending on your family planning, you may want to have some contraceptive planning to prevent any pregnancies within a certain period of time. There are several different methods to contraception, you can discuss with your doctor to see which is the most suitable for you according to your needs and preferences.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. There are several different types of ultrasound like 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound, 5D ultrasound, and Doppler ultrasound.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. There are several different types of ultrasound like 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound, 5D ultrasound, and Doppler ultrasound.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. A 2D ultrasound gives you outlines and flat 2D images, so you and the doctor can see the internal organges of the baby and detect any risks of heart defects, kidney issues or other internal health issues.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. A 3D ultrasound gives you 3-dimensional images that can see both the internal organs of the baby and also external images that can be helpful in diagnosing physical issues like a cleft lip.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. A 4D ultrasound gives you 3-dimensional images that can see both the internal organs of the baby and also external physical images, along with the image that is continuously updated so it becomes a moving image like a video.
A pregnancy ultrasound can be used to confirm the dates of pregnancy and general wellbeing of the fetus (baby), and also to detect any structural anomalies and growth of the fetus. It can be done during the initial visit and is usually part of pregnancy routine health screenings throughout the pregnancy period. Ultrasounds are not invasive, so it brings no risk to you or your baby. It provides an image of the baby in the womb. During an ultrasound, gel is applied on your abdomen area to allow sound waves from the ultrasound probe to pass into your uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over your abdomen to produce an ultrasound image via the reflection of the sound waves off the baby. There are several different types of ultrasound like 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound, 5D ultrasound, and Doppler ultrasound.
A Doppler Ultrasound is a non-invasive test used to estimate the blood flow in blood vessels. This is obtained through the bouncing high-frequency sound waves (ultrasounds) off the circulating red blood cells. In pregnancy, Doppler ultrasound is used to study the blood circulation in different parts of your fetus (baby) such as the umbilical cord, brain, and heart, your uterus and placenta.
A transvaginal ultrasound is an internal ultrasound done through the vagina to examine your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound may be done during pregnancy to monitor the heartbeat of the fetus or to diagnose any abnormalities in the female reproductive organ prior to conception. Other that pregnancy, you can also have a transvaginal ultrasound for a screening if you have: - vaginal bleeding - pelvic pain - infertility - cysts or uterine fibroids
A transvaginal ultrasound is an internal ultrasound done through the vagina to examine your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound may be done during pregnancy to monitor the heartbeat of the fetus or to diagnose any abnormalities in the female reproductive organ prior to conception. Other that pregnancy, you can also have a transvaginal ultrasound for a screening if you have: - vaginal bleeding - pelvic pain - infertility - cysts or uterine fibroids
Pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of the internal organs around the lower abdomen and pelvis area. It is usually used to examine the reproductive and urinary system. Also known as gynaecological ultrasound, it can also be used during pregnancy to monitor the health and development of the embryo or fetus (baby).
Gynaecological ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of the internal organs around the lower abdomen and pelvis area. It is usually used to examine the reproductive and urinary system. Also known as pelvic ultrasound, it can also be used during pregnancy to monitor the health and development of the embryo or fetus (baby).
A breast ultrasound is used to screen for tumours or other breast abnormalities. Using high-frequency sound waves, detailed images of the inside of breasts can be produced for examination.
Pregnancy sickness, also known as morning sickness, is a common pregnancy symptom which can involve, nausea, vomiting, and physical body pain. Pregnancy sickness symptoms usually occur between the 4th to 16th week of pregnancy. Treatments for pregnancy sickness depend on the type of sickness developed and their causes. Consult a doctor if you have recurring symptoms during your pregnancy period.
Pregnancy nausea is very common among pregnant mothers, with up to 70% of mothers experiencing it, especially during early pregnancy. The cause of pregnancy nausea is not completely known, but is often linked to hormonal changes during pregnancy. If your pregnancy nausea symptoms are giving your discomfort or affecting your lifestyle, you can consult a women specialist doctor for a treatment.
Pregnancy bleeding is common and can happen during the first trimester (the first 12 weeks of pregnancy). However, if you experience abnormal bleeding in large amounts or for long periods of time, you should consult a women specialist doctor immediately to check for any complications in your pregnancy.
Heartburns are caused by stomach acid that are passed back into the oesophagus from the stomach. And this can be more common during pregnancy because the progesterone hormone causes the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus to relax.
A high risk pregnancy can be caused by existing health conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV-related diseases, and other health conditions. Due to a higher risk in pregnancy, a greater number of prenatal care consultations is required for the doctor to monitor your health condition. The doctor will also plan a structured guide for you to follow to minimize any health risks throughout your pregnancy.
It is normal to experience back pain during pregnancy. This happens because during your pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin that relaxes your pelvic area and loosens the pelvic joints to prepare for the childbirth process. However, this same hormone also causes the ligaments that support your spine and backbone to loosen and relax, causing instability and pain. You can let your doctor check on your back pain problem so that your doctor can advise you on the best treatment, whether it is a medical treatment or a daily practice for your back pain relieft.
Sometimes not all pregnancies are planned and expected. For unexpected or planned pregnancies, guidance and support can be provided by women specialist doctors so that new and expectant mothers are not alone in handling this new phase of life.
Both obstetricians and gynaecologists specialize in women health, focusing on the female reproductive system. Obstetricians do specialized practice in pregnancy and childbirth, why gynaecologists specialize in women reproductive health conditions. If you have a health condition or a pregnancy that you wish to get medical advice for, you can consult an obstetrician or gynaecologist (women specialist).
A pregnancy test can help us determine if a woman is pregnant or not. There are several methods or procedures that can be used to test for pregnancy, including urine test, blood test and ultrasound.
