Dr Samina Ahmed

Facebook Instagram

Masonry

Masonry

Women’s Health Checks – Why is this important?

/

Women’s Health Checks – Why is this important? Women’s Health Checks – Why is this important? Regular health checks and screenings, in combination with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, can assist in the prevention of disease or illness. Health checks can include things such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, as well as your typical specific women’s health checks like cervical screening, breast checks / mammograms. It’s important to have general health check-ups even if you feel healthy. This is because many diseases and conditions can take a long time to develop and regular health check-ups can help to identify early signs. As we get older, it is even more important to have a general check up with your GP every year. Our lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and smoking) all play a factor in long term health and chronic disease management. Seeing your doctor can help pick up the early signs of disease or illness such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Women’s health specific screening such as pap smears (every 5 years from the age of 24) and breast checks undertaken on a routine basis can help detect certain cancers early. Your doctor will also talk to you about your family medical history and this gives them the opportunity to develop plans for your health and wellbeing including mental health. To have your health checked, make an appointment with your GP! For all gynaecological issues, please contact our rooms on 1300 523 937.

Masonry

How to choose your Gynaecologist?

/

How to choose your Gynaecologist? How to choose your Gynaecologist? Gynaecologists are doctors who have specialist training in women’s health. They specifically look after women who are experiencing issues with their reproductive system. Seeing the right gynaecologist will depend on what type of gynaecological problem you have and what your gynaecologist specialises in. Get A Referral A referral from GP is a good starting point. Another option and great way to tell whether a gynaecologist is worth seeing is if the people you trust — like your female friends and relatives can vouch for them. When you ask for recommendations, find out about important factors like the doctor’s skills, experience, and bedside manner. Also checking their ratings online can help. You will also see a list of patient comments and starred ratings. One or two negative reviews among many good ones is probably nothing to worry about, but dozens of poor write-ups should be a big red flag. Research the Gynaecologist’s Credentials Experience and appropriate credentials are important factors to consider. Some acronyms following a doctor’s name and physician degree often depict an elected professional designation that is obtained by those that have achieved excellence in the field of gynaecology. Consider the Gynaecologist’s Experience When you are dealing with the sensitive area of the female reproductive system, appropriate experience matters. Fellowship training in one of several subspecialty areas is valuable. These subspecialty areas may include urogynaecology, fertility and gynaecological oncology. Communication Find a Gynaecologist who shows an interest in getting to know you, who will consider your treatment preferences, and who will respect your decision-making process. You want to make sure that your questions will be answered in a way that you understand. Comfortability This is the doctor who will be performing your gynaecologic exam and who will ask you highly personal questions about your reproductive health. You need to be completely comfortable with this person for the relationship to work. Gender may be an issue when it comes to choosing a gynaecologist. Some women do prefer being seen by a doctor of the same gender. Some cultural or religious backgrounds will direct a woman to a female doctor. If you would prefer to be cared for by a female gynaecologist, factor that into your choice. As a female, finding the right gynaecologist is important for your health and therefore needs to be experienced and that you trust. Getting recommendations and doing your research will help find the right gynaecologist for you! For a quick appointment or a chat with our friendly staff about choosing Dr Samina as your gynaecologist contact our friendly staff at any one of our consulting rooms on 1300 523 937.

Masonry

Understanding Miscarriage

/

Understanding Miscarriage The term miscarriage refers to the loss of a baby in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, miscarriages are a common complication of pregnancy, with most miscarriages occurring within the first trimester or first three months of pregnancy. Experiencing a miscarriage can be devastating, and we hope that this blog post will provide some support and understanding navigating all the available information on what you can expect during and after a miscarriage. A miscarriage usually occurs because the pregnancy is not developing properly. The development of a baby from a female and a male cell is a complicated process. If something goes wrong with the process, the pregnancy will stop developing. Miscarriages are more common in older women than younger women, largely because chromosomal abnormalities are more common with increasing age. EARLY MISCARRIAGE If you lose your baby in the first 12 weeks of being pregnant, this is called an early miscarriage. Most miscarriages are early miscarriages and sadly 1 in 5 women will experience an early miscarriage with no obvious cause. Early miscarriages can sometimes happen before a woman has missed her period or is even aware that she is pregnant (3, 4) LATE & RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE If you lose your baby after 12 weeks but before 24 weeks of being pregnant, this is called a late miscarriage. Late miscarriages are sometimes called second or third trimester pregnancy losses. They are much less common than early miscarriages, occurring in around 1-2 out of every 100 pregnancies. WHAT IS A RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE? When a woman has three or more miscarriages in a row, this is called recurrent miscarriage. Around 1 out of every 100 couples trying to conceive suffer with recurrent miscarriage. For some women who suffer from late or recurrent miscarriage, there is no specific cause found. However, other times, there is a reason identified for why a late or recurrent miscarriage has occurred. There are numerous factors which may make you more likely to suffer from late and/or recurrent miscarriage, such as parental age. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE MY RISK OF FUTURE MISCARRIAGES? If you have had a late miscarriage, or been diagnosed with recurrent miscarriage, you might have lots of questions about what can be done to reduce your risk of having further miscarriages. The first step will likely involve a series of tests to determine if a cause can be found for your miscarriage. If these tests reveal a possible cause, the second step will involve exploring treatment options with an Obstetrician or Gynaecologist. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PREGNANCIES? If you have been affected by late or recurrent miscarriage, it is understandable to be concerned about what this means for your future pregnancies. When you next conceive, you and your partner should be seen by an Obstetrician / Gynaecologist. Your doctor will be able to offer individualised support for your circumstance and discuss the likelihood of you having a successful pregnancy. If a cause has been found for your miscarriage, treatment options to improve your chance of carrying to term will be discussed. The good news is that most couples who have suffered from late or recurrent miscarriage will have a successful pregnancy at their next attempt. Women who receive regular supportive care from a doctor from the beginning of their pregnancy have an increased likelihood of successfully carrying a baby to term. Reassuringly, for couples with no identifiable cause for recurrent miscarriage, around 75% will have a successful pregnancy with early supportive medical care. If you need some help or advice on miscarriage, please contact your local GP or get a referral to see Dr Samina.

Masonry

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

/

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs (the uterus, bladder, or rectum) become weak or loose. This allows one or more of the pelvic organs to drop or press into or out of the vagina. Many women are embarrassed to talk to their doctor about their symptoms or think that their symptoms are normal. But pelvic organ prolapse is treatable. The pelvic muscles and tissues support the pelvic organs like a hammock. The pelvic organs include the bladder, uterus and cervix, vagina, and rectum, which is part of the bowel. A prolapse happens when the pelvis muscles and tissues can no longer support these organs because the muscles and tissues are weak or damaged. This causes one or more pelvic organs to drop or press into or out of the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse is a type of pelvic floor disorder. The most common pelvic floor disorders are: Urinary incontinence (leaking of urine) Faecal incontinence (leaking of stool) Pelvic organ prolapse (weakening of the muscles and tissues supporting the organs in the pelvis) The pressure from prolapse can cause a bulge in the vagina that can sometimes be felt or seen. Women with pelvic organ prolapse may feel uncomfortable pressure during physical activity or sex. Other symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include: Seeing or feeling a bulge or “something coming out” of the vagina A feeling of pressure, discomfort, aching, or fullness in the pelvis Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing or coughing or as the day goes on Leaking urine (incontinence) or problems having a bowel movement Problems inserting tampons Some women say that their symptoms are worse at certain times of the day, during physical activity, or after standing for a long time. The pressure from prolapse can cause a bulge in the vagina that can sometimes be felt or seen. Women with pelvic organ prolapse may feel uncomfortable pressure during physical activity or sex. Treatment options include: Medications such as oestrogen Physiotherapy such as pelvic floor exercises Surgery, depending upon your type of prolapse Conservative management via pessaries Behavioural changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, better dietary habits If you are experiencing any concerns or issues pertaining to your pelvic floor or a prolapse, please contact Dr Samina to see how we can help you. For a quick appointment or a chat with our friendly staff about choosing Dr Samina as your gynaecologist contact our friendly staff at any one of our consulting rooms:

Masonry

What happens when you have a breech baby?

/

What happens when you have a breech baby? What happens when you have a breech baby? A breech baby is when the baby is positioned bottom first late in pregnancy. Breech births can be complicated for both mother and baby, and planning for this occurance should be done in consultation with your Obstetrician. About 3 percent of all births are breech, and babies will often turn themselves around towards the last stages (35+ weeks) of pregnancy. If your baby is breech, which is usually detected by an ultrsound, your doctor might suggest performing an ECV (External Cephalic Version) after 37 weeks. The aim of this is to turn the baby into the head first position, ready for a vaginal birth. How is an ECV performed? An obstetrician will put their hands on the abdomen to try to turn the baby into a head-down position. A foetal doppler will monitor your baby’s wellbeing for 20-30 minutes before the procedure and again after the procedure. A small needle will be inserted into your hand so that medication to relax your uterus can be administered directly into your vein. An obstetrician will then perform an ultrasound to confirm the position of the baby, and then attempt to turn the baby by pressing their hands firmly on your abdomen. Some women find this uncomfortable, while others don’t. The pressure on your abdomen lasts a few minutes. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, the obstetrician might try again. According to medical literature the ECV has a 40-70 per cent success rate. The procedure only takes a few mintues, but it can be uncomfortable for some women. When is ECV not recommended? a complicated pregnancy a complicated pregnancy twins or triplets an unusually shaped uterus had a caesarean section before recently had vaginal bleeding low levels of amniotic fluid placenta praevia (your placenta is growing close to, or on, your cervix) other health conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes Every woman and pregnancy are different, so make sure any concerns or questions you have are discussed with your Obstetrician.

Masonry

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Severe Morning Sickness?

/

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Severe Morning Sickness? What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Severe Morning Sickness? Nausea and vomiting are common in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester – this is usually referred to as morning sickness. A small number of pregnant women experience excessive nausea and vomiting. This condition is known as ‘hyperemesis gravidarum’ and often needs hospital treatment. You might not have heard of this before until Kate Middleton (The Duchess of Cambridge) made the headlines in 2014. Excessive vomiting in pregnancy is much worse than the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness. Symptoms usually start between 5 and 10 weeks of pregnancy and usually resolve by around 20 weeks. Signs and symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum include: prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting dehydration ketosis — a serious condition that is caused by a raised number of ketones in the blood and urine (ketones are poisonous acidic chemicals that are produced when your body breaks down fat, rather than glucose, for energy) weight loss low blood pressure (hypotension) when standing up headaches, confusion, fainting and jaundice The nausea and vomiting are usually so severe that it’s impossible to keep any fluids down, and this can cause dehydration and weight loss. Dehydration is when you don’t have enough fluids in your body. Hyperemesis gravidarum is very unpleasant with dramatic symptoms, but the good news is it’s unlikely to harm your baby. However, if it causes you to lose weight during pregnancy there is an increased risk that your baby may be born smaller than expected. Mild cases of hyperemesis gravidarum may be controlled with a change in diet, rest and antacids. Severe cases may need specialist treatment, and you may need to be admitted to hospital so that your Obstetrician can assess your condition and give you the right treatment. This can include intravenous fluids given through a drip to treat the ketosis and treatment to stop the vomiting. If you experience these symptoms during pregnancy, Dr Samina is here to help and as a mother has experienced these things as well, so understands what a pregnant woman is going through. If you have any questions, please contact our rooms on 1300 523 937.

Scroll to Top