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  • “Doc, My Breast is Swollen and Painful”–Lactation Mastitis
    She was woken up in the morning by a sharp pain in her left breast. She was shocked to see a large, red and tender swelling in the upper half of her breast. She felt slightly feverish and had chills. K, 30, a first-time mum, had delivered her baby normally a month ago. Breast feeding…
  • Polyhydramnios: Excessive Amniotic Fluid
    She was breathless when she shuffled her way slowly into the consultation room. Her feet were swollen from ankles up to the legs. After climbing up the examination couch with some difficulty and pointing at her huge tummy, she asked, “Doc, can I deliver my baby soon?” N,32 and a first-time mum was at her…
  • Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section (VBAC)
    Tearing with joy and looking slightly exhausted, she hugged her husband tightly and exclaimed happily, “I have done it finally!” M, 30, had just delivered her second child normally. Looking slightly dazed, her husband kissed her repeatedly and congratulated her for achieving a natural birth, which she had desperately wanted to. Two years ago, M…
  • Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?
    N,31, was slightly taken aback when I showed her the ultrasound image of the moving foetus inside her womb. She had just delivered a girl seven months ago and was still breastfeeding. “Doc, how can it be?” she asked. “My mum told me that I would not get pregnant if I am breastfeeding.” Myths concerning…
  • Should You Take Probiotics During Pregnancy?
    She was pleasantly surprised when her eczema, a skin condition with periodic outbreaks of red and itchy rashes, improved remarkably after she was given probiotics. Q, 30, a first-time mum was in her first trimester of pregnancy. She noticed that the frequency of flare-ups was reduced and the intensity of itchiness was much less. She…
  • “My baby’s heart has stopped”: Alpha Thalassemia and Stillbirth
    S was in her second trimester of pregnancy. She was worried when she noticed that her baby was moving less and less. Her baby’s heart had stopped when she came for antenatal review at 26 weeks of gestation. S, 30, was diagnosed as an alpha thalassemia carrier when she was found to be anemic at…
  • Excessive salivation in pregnancy: Ptyalism
    She kept spitting saliva into a plastic cup almost every 10 to 15 minutes with occasional belching. “Doc, I feel so miserable that I keep spitting the excess saliva. If I don’t spit it out, I feel choked in my throat, If I swallow it, I feel very nauseated. Is there any solution?” T, 30,…
  • Kangaroo Mother Care for Premature baby
    Inside the cubicle, the midwife cautiously handed over the tiny infant to K’s husband and instructed him on how to start skin-to-skin contact with the newborn. K, 30, a first-time mum had just delivered the baby prematurely at 35 weeks gestation by Caesarean section. She had profuse vaginal bleeding from premature separation of the placenta….
  • High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: Pre-eclampsia
    T, 26, a first-time-mum was taken aback when I told her that her blood pressure had shot up from around 110/70 mm Hg in the first trimester to 140/ 95 mm Hg in the second trimester. She did not have symptoms like nausea and dizziness. There was no swelling around her ankles but her urine…
  • Diarrhea in Pregnancy: Listeria Infection
    After eating some salads and cheese at a farewell party for a colleague a few days ago, T, a 32-year-old mum-to-be began to feel unwell. She had lost her appetite the next day and started to have diarrhea 2 to 3 times a day. She took some medications for food poisoning from her family physician….
  • PCOS and Vitamin D
    N, 32, had fertility issues. She had been married for the past 4 years and was diagnosed as having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). She was obese with a BMI of 30. Her menses were irregular, occurring once every 2 to 3 months. The menstrual flow was heavy at times and could last for between 10…
  • Air Pollution and Reproduction
    What do the following conditions: low sperm count, menstrual irregularities and premature births have in common? These conditions are a reflection of disruptive changes in our reproductive system. Among the many factors that can cause these changes, an environmental factor which many people may not be aware of is air pollution (AP). What are the…
  • Long Covid and Female Reproduction
    L, 40, had Covid 6 months ago. She was admitted to the hospital for a week for the treatment of her respiratory symptoms. After discharge, she still felt tired and listless with occasional headaches. She also had difficulty thinking clearly and likened it to a brain fog. Before the infection, she was always on the…
  • Can Human Papilloma Virus infect Men?
    J, 39, was upset when he was told that his wife had a high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in her cervical screening test recently. “Doc, how could she get the virus when we are in a stable relationship?” he asked. “Can I have the HPV test done on me? What impact will the infection have…
  • Does Vaginal Birth Affect Long-term Sexual Enjoyment?
    G, a 28-year-old first-time mum, requested caesarean section as a mode of delivery for her baby. She was concerned that natural birth might “permanently tear” her birth canal and cause a “loose” vagina which could affect her sex life subsequently. She was told that a laxed vagina could reduce sensation during intercourse which could lead…
  • Managing Anxiety During Childbirth
    “The very thought of childbirth makes me nervous and anxious. My heart rate would go up and I would feel clammy. I actually avoid watching labour and delivery scenes in movies as I have been traumatized mentally by many negative birth stories I heard….I could imagine the day I delivered my baby, there would be…
  • I was pregnant with an IUCD
    Despite her preventative measures, K was shocked to find that she was pregnant. K, 33, had a copper-T intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) fitted 2 months after she gave birth to her second child a year ago. She knew something was awry when she felt ill for a few weeks. “I was feeling nauseous and I…
  • Soy and Fertility: To Eat or Not to Eat?
    Will taking soy products make it difficult for me to conceive? Soya milk and tofu were the staple food for G, a 34-year-old teacher and a vegetarian. She was getting married soon and came for a preconception check. She was keen to get pregnant after marriage because of her age. But she was confused and…
  • Reproductive Aging. What is it?
    Menstrual flow getting less For theMen past six months, H, 40, was puzzled as to why her menstrual cycles were getting very irregular, lasted for a shorter duration and the flow was less. “My menses used to be very regular every month and lasted 6 days,” she recounted. “But now, I menstruate between 40 to…
  • Nipple Discharge and Brain Tumor
    Irregular menses M, a 16-year-old student was shocked when she found a small amount of whitish discharge oozing out from her nipples when she accidentally pressed on them while bathing. Upset and disturbed, she went and told her mother who brought her to see me the next day. M had her first menstruation at the…
  • Covid-19 vaccines, fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
    covid vaccination H, a healthcare worker and mother of two had the first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine. Her menstrual period which had been regular was delayed for over a week while awaiting for her second dose of the vaccine. She was much relieved when the blood test of the pregnancy hormone(B-hCG) was negative. As the…
  • Me and My Fibroid: Eruption of A Silent Volcano
    Heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps For the past 2 years, G, 31, had been enduring menstrual pain and heavy bleeding with clots. She had become accustomed to the “stormy time of the month”. “I did not seek medical help as I thought it was normal to have some discomfort or clots during menses after childbirth,…
  • The Silent Disease: Osteoporosis
    She came for her annual gynecological checkup. There was a plaster cast over her right arm. “What happened to your arm?” I asked. “I slipped and fell in the bathroom and fractured my wrist. After investigations, the doctor told me that I suffered from osteoporosis,” she answered. L, a 52-year-old teacher had been menopausal for…
  • Blackout during pregnancy: Am I anemic?
    http://www.alife.org.sg she suddenly felt dizzy  blacked out for a few seconds She was glad that her symptoms of morning sickness were over. Her husband suggested that they go for celebration with a good meal. Halfway through the lunch, she suddenly felt dizzy  blacked out for a few seconds. She was perspiring profusely when her panicky…
  • Accounting basics: The balance sheet and KPI
    Content Customizing An Accounting & Tax Planning Strategy For Your Architecture Firm Colorado Springs CPA Firm Architectural and Engineering The Best Accounting Software for Architects Architects + Engineers Discussed Features The aim is not to tell the story of the organization’s activities but to make the actions understandable and valuable to its owners. The end…
  • Why ovulation prediction kit (OPK) fails
    http://www.alife.org.sg She had been using ovulation prediction kit (OPK) to time sexual intercourse for the past 8 months with no result. She looked dejected. Her menstruation came again. Her hope of attaining motherhood was dashed once more. She had been using ovulation prediction kit (OPK) to time sexual intercourse for the past 8 months with…
  • Endometriosis and Intimacy
    http://www.alife.org.sg she was in distressed with pelvic pain I was called to see T at the emergency room in the hospital one night. She was a 28-year-old teacher and had been married for the past 2 months. T was seen by me 2 years ago for severe menstrual pain. She had endometriosis which was confirmed…
  • UTI in Pregnancy: A Concern
    http://www.alife.org.sg She was taken aback when she saw traces of blood in her urine. She was at her 15th week of gestation and this was her first pregnancy. M, a 28-year-old mum was taken aback when she saw traces of blood in her urine. She was at her 15th week of gestation and this was…
  • “I am menopausal and bleeding.”
    http://www.alife.org.sg she had noticed fresh stains of blood on her underwear for the past 3 days. M ,aged 60, came to see me because she had noticed fresh stains of blood on her underwear for the past 3 days. “ I have been menopausal since the age of 52. I thought my periods would be…
  • Appendicitis in pregnancy
    http://www.alife.org.sg she was woken up by a severe piercing pain in her stomach. H, 29, was at 32 weeks of gestation. She was counting down the weeks for her first child to be born. One morning, she was woken up by a severe piercing pain in her stomach. “The pain felt like I was going…
  • HPV Vaccines: An update
    http://www.alife.org.sg HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. It is a very common virus and consists of a group of 200 types of related viruses. More than 40 HPV types can infect the genital areas of males and females. They are spread through intimate contact during vaginal, oral or anal sex. The infection is very common…
  • How to Help Someone Detox from Alcohol at Home
    Content The Home Alcohol Detox What is the best way to stop drinking? Is home detox suitable for other drugs of dependence? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ALCOHOL OR DRUG DETOX? Increase Chance of Relapse Medication Management to Sustain Recovery A non-judgemental approach and the use of motivational interviewing techniques are essential. Once you have built rapport,…
  • Meditations for Addictive Behavior
    Content Possible Kundalini Meditation Risks Salt And Vinegar Zucchini Chips – A Healthier Snack! How Kundalini Yoga can Fast-Track our Addiction Recovery. The Power of Kundalini Yoga to Get You There Meditation for Healing Addictions Kundalini Meditation to Break Bad Habits and Addictions As you do this a muscle will move under the thumbs, feel…
  • Alcohol Use Disorder and Rehabilitation Special Subjects MSD Manual Professional Edition
    Content Where Can I Safely Detox? Cutting back vs. quitting alcohol altogether AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction How can drinking too much affect me? Medications, Counseling, and Related Conditions Remind yourself of the adverse long-term effects of heavy drinking and how it won’t really make you feel better, even in the…
  • “My ovarian cyst got twisted!!”
    http://www.alife.org.sg https://www.alife.org.sg/post/doc-my-menses-smells Ovarian cyst torsion with conservation of ovary J, a 28-year-old engineer, would never forget the afternoon when she was rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery J had a slight abdominal pain and nausea which started suddenly, shortly after taking her breakfast at a hawker center. “I thought I might have been…
  • Defying All Odds: Cord prolapse
    http://www.alife.org.sg cord prolapse ,a rare complication of induced labour https://www.peterchewgynae.com/womens-clinic-a-miracle-baby-grappling-with-repeated-miscarriages/ C, a 36-year-old teacher was in her third pregnancy. At 22 weeks of gestation, she was diagnosed to have gestational diabetes with a slight increase in the amniotic fluid. During the last trimester, her blood pressure was raised and she was admitted for induction of labour…
  • A Miracle Baby: Grappling with Repeated Miscarriages
    https://www.alife.org.sg She had had 3 miscarriages for the past 4 years. Y, aged  35, came from a neighboring country. For her first pregnancy, she conceived within  6 months of her marriage. She thought that everything would be smooth-sailing. Unfortunately, she had a miscarriage at about 10 weeks of gestation. She felt upset and grieved over her loss  for a while. It took her…
  • “Doc, My Menses Smells”
    http://www.alife.org.sg She looked worried and upset when she stepped into my consultation room. “Doc, my menses has a fishy smell for the past 2 months.” She said. “Am I having a growth in my vagina?” T, a 32-year-old housewife had been married for 5 years. Her husband worked in a neighboring country and returned home for a week every 2 to 3…
  • COVID-19 and pregnancy
    She sighed a big sigh of relief when her COVID-19 tests were negative. M, 29, pregnant with a pair of twins was at 30 weeks of gestation. She had been having fever and cough for 2 days before she was admitted to the ward for observation. For expectant mothers, the deadly virus has caused much…
  • A Mother’s Not-So-Sweet Story: Pregnancy diabetes
    M was upset and looked at me in disbelief when I told her the not-so-sweet news. She had failed her glucose tolerance test (GTT) and had been suffering from gestational diabetes. M, aged 34, and a first-time mum was at 24 weeks of gestation. “Doc, I have a sweet tooth.” She confessed. “I would indulge…
  • “Doc, I’m pregnant and bleeding”
      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…
  • 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…
  • 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…
  • 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….
  • 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….
  • 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…
  • 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…