List of Obstetrics Service
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Pregnancy Consultation
Antenatal check-ups and screening for Down’s Syndrome and other fetal abnormalities. Advice given to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to prepare expectant mothers physically and emotionally. This includes advice on diet,
exercise, what to expect and ways to relieve symptoms of pregnancy and advice on pain management in labour. -
Ultrasound Scans
First Trimester Pregnancy Scans: 0 to 12 weeks (Early Pregnancy Viability or Dating Scan. )
Second Trimester Pregnancy Scans: 13 to 28 weeks (Fetal Detailed Scan or Well Being Scan )
Third Trimester Scans: 28 to 40
weeks ( Wellbeing Scan or Fetal Growth Scan) -
Delivery and Postnatal Care
We provide advanced medical care and professional advice from pregnancy, delivery to postpartum care.
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Infertility Treatment
The causes of infertility are various. Depending on requirements and circumstances, the doctor will advise the most appropriate course from timing therapy (with medication, none), selection of artificial insemination ( IUI )and in vitro fertilization. -
Mammography
A mammography, or mammogram, is an X-ray of the breast. Together with regular clinical exams and monthly breast self-examinations, mammograms are a key element in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. -
Maternity Ward & Facilities
There is a daddy’s corner adjacent to the maternity ward. It is equipped with facilities to help daddy relax while waiting for the new arrival. Patients are free to take their own yoga mat, aroma oil or music player into to maternity ward to help them relax or as a form of pain relieve.
※About Mammography
Women over the age of 40 are advised to take mammography every 1 to 2 years. If you have an individual or family history of breast cancer,
we recommend that you start screening early, have more frequent screening using advanced medical equipment.
About Obstetrics
Motherhood is a very important & touching part of every woman. Helping to deliver your baby safely into the world is our staff’s first priority. We have the best facilities to help you deliver in a private relaxing environment. Maternity Tour A free maternity tour of Gleneagles Hospital is available. You will get to see the maternity ward, the different types of rooms & facilities available. |
Before PregnancyStart taking folic acid ideally one month before conceiving. Stop smoking. If you have any prior medical problems you should see a doctor. Certain medical problems can lead to problems in pregnancy. Also pregnancy itself can worsen certain medical problems. Get vaccinated against German measles & chicken pox if you’re not immune. However, after vaccination, please avoid pregnancy for 3-4 months. |
During PregnancyTill 28 weeks : once a month. / 28 to 32 weeks : once in 3 weeks. / 32 to 36 weeks : every 2 weeks. / From 36 weeks : once a week. |
DeliveryBased on the policy of "providing safe and advanced medical care", we also have at hand competent nurses & mid-wives to assist you. We understand the anxiety of those who will be delivering for the first time. We have created a very relaxing environment where we can take care of all your needs during the long process of delivery. |
Discharge & Post Natal CareDelivery, care of a new born together with changes in the life style often put tremendous stress physically & emotionally on the new parents. We offer professional advise & support to help solve your problems. |
Down Syndrome
About down Syndrome
Down Syndrome is one of the commonest causes of mental retardation. The risk increases the older the mother is.
There are a few ways to test for Down Syndrome – these tests are optional.
1.First trimester screening:
this is done at about 11-13 weeks’ gestation. It involves an ultrasound to assess the thickness of the skin behind the fetus’ neck (the thicker it is, the higher the risk for Down Syndrome & some other abnormalities) & a blood test. The results assess the risk for a fetus to have Down Syndrome. The test also assesses risk for other syndromes like Edward & Patau Syndrome – serious conditions that lead to abnormalities in the child & a shortened life span. This test is 90% sensitive.
2. NIPT (non-invasiveprenatal testing):
this is a blood test done after 11 weeks’ gestation. Blood is taken from the mother & is sent for analysis. The baby passes some chromosomes to the mother during pregnancy, & this is assessed. It is 98 % accurate & does not lead to miscarriage. It tests for Down Syndrome, Edward’s & Patau’s Syndromes.
With evolving technology, it can also be used to test for rarer syndromes , e.g. Di George, cri-du-chat, Prader Willi & Angelman Syndrome
3. Amniocentesis :
this is done from 15-20 weeks’ gestation. It involves the insertion of a needle into the womb under ultrasound guidance. 20 cc of amniotic fluid are extracted & sent for chromosomal testing. The test is 99.8 % accurate, but leads to miscarriage in 0.5 % of the time.
Contraception
Contraception
There are many different types of contraceptives which allow you to enjoy sex without the risk of getting pregnant. These birth control methods include: condoms, injectables, the contraceptive pill, implants, IUDs (intrauterine devices), sterilization and the morning after pill. Many of these methods of contraception also lower your chance of getting an STI. (Sexually Transmitted Illness) Condoms aside, most types of contraception can only be obtained with the help of a doctor.
Methods of Contraception
In the last 50 years, the number of contraception methods has dramatically increased. You can differentiate between different types of contraception based on how they work: there are barrier methods (e.g. condoms),hormonal methods (e.g the pill), intrauterine devices (IUD) and sterilization. Emergency contraception (morning after pill) is another method. Most types of contraceptives work by: a) preventing an egg from being released every month (hormones) b) preventing sperms from reaching the egg (barrier and some IUD methods) c) blocking the reproductive function – in men or women (sterilization) d) preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus (hormones)
The Pill
The condom and the pill consistently rank at the top as the most commonly used types of contraception. The contraceptive pill was invented in 1960. Fifty years on, many new inventions have been added to the list of available contraception methods, but the pill remains the most popular form of female contraception. The contraceptive pill will prevent you from getting pregnant in 95% of cases and it comes close to providing 99% protection if you take one pill every day as prescribed. The pill can come in two forms: the combined contraceptive pill (containing the hormones estrogen and progestin) or the mini-pill (only progestin). In the case of the mini-pill, it's important that you take your pill every day at the same time (you should not be late by more than three hours).
The Male Condom
Among the different types of contraceptives, the male condom is a strong contender to the title of most common contraception method. It is easy to use, affordable and offers the best protection against STIs (e.g. gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HIV). Condoms are usually made of latex, but if you are allergic to latex, some brands also specialize in condoms made of polyurethane or lambskin. For safety reasons, make sure you use a new condom each time you have sex.
The Intrauterine Device (IUD)
You have the choice between two types of IUDs: hormonal or copper-based devices. Hormonal and copper IUDs are part of the few long-term solutions, meaning that you can keep them inside the vagina for up to five years. The effectiveness rate for IUDs is above 97%, however they provide no protection against STIs. Note that IUDs can be a form of emergency contraception if the device is inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex. You will nonetheless need to visit a doctor to have it properly inserted and follow the prescription (e.g. a few follow-ups and check-ups for possible infection in the first weeks).
The Contraceptive Implant
The contraceptive implant (“Implanon”) is another option among the types of contraceptives that offer long term protection. It lasts for about three years. Just like IUDs, the implant does not protect against STIs.
The contraceptive implant contains progestin (progesterone), the same hormone as the contraceptive pill. The hormone is released into your body at a steady, slow pace for three years, producing the same effects as the pill. The implant is inserted in the arm by a healthcare specialist and must be removed after three years. Since the risk of human mistake is ruled out, the implant has a much higher effectiveness rate than the pill – around 99%.
Contraceptive Injections
This method dates back to the 60s with the invention of artificialprogesterone (progestin). One shot of hormones lasts in the body for 8 to 12 weeks (3 months) and has the same effect as the pill. Injectable contraceptives are about 98% effective, with pregnancy occurring mostly with women who forgot to renew their contraceptive shot in time (i.e. past weeks 11 to 12). Obviously, once
The Contraceptive Patch
The contraceptive patch is exactly the same thing as the contraceptive pill but in the form of a patch. It provides the same effective protection against pregnancy and has the side effects (positive and negative).
It does not protect from STIs. You wear the patch for three weeks, take it off for one week - allowing your menstrual cycle – then you start with a new patch. The patch is an interesting option in as much as you don't need to think about taking the pill every day. There is however a risk of skin irritation, and a (rare) chance that the patch accidentally comes off.