M almost freaked out when she saw a patch of fresh blood staining her panty in the morning. She had had sexual intercourse with her husband the night before. She woke him up straightaway and rushed to my clinic. M, 28, a first-time mum, was in her 12 weeks of pregnancy. She related the incident...
Author: Dr. Peter Chew Clinic for Women
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Saying Hello and Goodbye to My Unborn Child
Anencephaly “I’m sorry but your baby’s condition is not compatible with life,” I told E. She was dumbfounded. She could not believe what I was saying. As I continued to show her the images of her baby on the ultrasound, she began to realize that this was really happening. Tears started to roll down her...
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Massive bleeding after delivery: Postpartum haemorrhage
K,38, would never forget the experience soon after her delivery. She had a massive bleed and had to be resuscitated in the intensive care unit (ICU). This was her third pregnancy. Her two previous pregnancies were normal and the deliveries were smooth and uncomplicated. For this pregnancy, she had mild gestational diabetes and the amniotic fluid...
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A close encounter with CMV infection during pregnancy
She was distraught when her blood tests confirmed that she had been infected with CMV- the cytomegalovirus. K, a 28-year-old kindergarten teacher and a first-time mum was at her 18 weeks of pregnancy. She had a mild fever and sore throat about 2 weeks ago. There were some swollen lymph nodes on her neck....
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Why am I so upset before menses? Battling PMS
Here is an abstract from what may be called a symptom diary: “March 1: Menstruation begins. As usual, a slight tummy ache on first day. “March 16: Getting tired. Insomnia last night. No appetite today. Tummy feels bloated. “March 20: Feeling miserable. Forgetful. Breasts are painful. Tearful for no reason. “March 22: Unable to concentrate....
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Why is my tummy so bloated?
G, 43, had a rude shock and felt devastated a year ago when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was unaware that the bloated feeling in her tummy was associated with the disease. “I had nausea and a bloated feeling in my tummy for a week. My family doctor diagnosed me as having tummy...
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Abdominal cramps, constipation and bloating during menses. Is it Endometriosis?
H, a 28 year-old lady walked into my consultation room with an anxious and depressed look. She worked as an account assistant in an accounting firm and studied a part-time degree course at night. “Doc, my work-life has been quite stressful recently. I have been suffering from tummy cramps with constipation and bloating for the...