Pregnancy is a topic that never gets old. It is an exciting, yet uncertain, time for mums-to-be with so many aspects to talk about. But while you often hear tips about how to look after yourself during and after pregnancy, women are less open to discussing topics such as prenatal testing and vaginal discharge.
To tell you more about these issues, we bring to you a webinar on “Everything you need to know about pregnancy: Prenatal Tests & Virginal Discharge’ with mumpreneur Dawn Sim and Dr Quek Swee Chong, obstetrician and gynaecologist and colposcopist from Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore.
Learn more about how women in our humid climate are especially susceptible to vaginal discharge problem, the different types of prenatal tests available, and how to decide on whether or not a test is needed for you. Not forgetting, pregnancy during a global pandemic.
A Guide To Pregnancy
Specifically, our maternity webinar will share more about:
Antenatal Tests
While there are many antenatal tests available, not all are compulsory.
As each mum-to-be is unique, doctors will consider factors like age, pre-existing medical conditions or diseases, risk factors, and family history, before deciding on which antenatal tests you should take.
Our speakers will also address:
- Why some antenatal tests are necessary
- Pre-existing conditions that need monitoring or treatment during pregnancy
- Identifying and checking the risk of chromosomal problems like Down Syndrome
- Checking for complications that may develop during pregnancy, such as diabetes or pre-eclampsia
- Invasive and non-invasive antenatal tests
- Risks of antenatal testing
- Steps to take upon receiving test results
Antenatal Tests in the First Trimester
Dr Quek shares that over-the-counter pregnancy tests are pretty accurate in detecting your pregnancy, so if it says you are positive, you most likely are! Barring any complications, a missed period, and a positive test, means that you are likely to be 4 – 5 weeks pregnant without any further need to visit a doctor just to confirm the pregnancy!
However there will be some important checks that will be done during the course of a pregnancy:
- At 5 – 8 weeks
- A simple and painless vaginal ultrasound scan that poses no harm to the baby will be done to confirm that pregnancy is in the uterus, and rule out ectopic pregnancy
- At 9 – 12 weeks
- Calculation of your Estimated Due Date (EDD)
- Routine blood tests – To measure Haemoglobin levels to help detect Anaemia
- Ultrasound scan to hear the baby’s heartbeat (mums are always excited about this!)
- Non-invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPT) for chromosomal problems and gender paranorma
- At 11 – 14 weeks
- First Trimester Screening / OSCAR risk assessment for chromosomal abnormalities, pre-eclampsia, and feotal growth restriction
Antenatal Tests in the Second Trimester
The second trimester will see quite a few tests being done. Again, not all of them are necessary and your doctor will advise you further.
- 12 weeks onwards: Chorionic Villus Sampling invasive test obtains a small sample from the placenta to check for chromosomal abnormalities
- 16 weeks onwards: Invasive tests (such as? to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid for testing
- At 18-21 weeks: Detailed ultrasound scan to check for structural problems such as cleft lip, heart, spine / skeletal issues, placenta position and other abnormalities.
- At 24-28 weeks: Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests to check for gestational diabetes
Antenatal Tests in the Third Trimester
Throughout your third trimester, you will have regular doctor’s visits to monitor your blood pressure, weight and check for protein in your urine. Leaking of protein in urine can be a sign of pre-eclampsia and will need close monitoring. In addition, regular ultrasounds will monitor your baby’s growth, heartbeat, and amniotic fluid levels.
At this point, you will also undergo a swab test for Group B Streptococcus – about 30% of women have it and it can be passed on to the baby. Towards the latter half of this stage, you will have regular cardiotocographs done to monitor your baby’s heart rate as well as uterus contractions.
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy
This seems to be a taboo subject that most people don’t talk about, yet it is a common problem amongst mums-to-be! Mums need to be aware of what to look for. While most discharge isn’t a harbinger of something sinister, some may indicate a need for medical attention.
Generally, pregnancy hormones and changes in progesterone increase your volume of vaginal discharge, so don’t be alarmed if you experience more discharge. It is also likely to be stickier, heavier, and more yellow than usual.
Because pregnancy suppresses your immune system, it makes you more susceptible to fungal infections like candida. Your discharge becomes a cause for concern when it is accompanied by pain, soreness, itch, a strong fishy odour, or if it contains blood.
Here are some common concerns about vaginal discharge at different stages of your pregnancy:
- First trimester
- Bleeding or brown discharge may be common after sexual intercourse, or a sign of implantation. While it isn’t always a red flag, it can also be a sign of miscarriage, so it should be evaluated.
- Second trimester
- If you notice discharge with a texture resembling tofu or cottage cheese, experience soreness and itch, and find it uncomfortable to pass urine, it’s likely to be Candida (thrush). This is a fungal infection that generally doesn’t harm the pregnancy. Don’t be shy about it. Candida can be easily treated. It usually only take a tablet or two to get it sorted out, so do visit your doctor!
- A less common type of discharge – frothy with an ammonia-like fishy odour – is caused by bacterial vaginosis. It is important to get this treated as it can lead to complications such as premature labour and pelvic inflammation.
- Third trimester
- One of the main concerns is what doctors called the ‘show’. When the cervix is preparing to deliver, it starts to open up and the mucus within starts coming out.
- Unlike what you see in the movies, water breaking isn’t always sudden and dramatic. It starts with a slow, odourless trickle, and it’s important to see your doctor when this happens because it means your water bag is breaking.
Pregnancy during Covid
Lastly, our speakers address the question on every pregnant woman’s mind at this point – Is it safe to get vaccinated? The answer is, yes, it is safe and you are advised to!
At Gleneagles Hospital, your health is our biggest priority. Stringent measures are put in place to safeguard the safety of mums-to-be, daddies and staff so you can deliver your child with a peace of mind.
Gleneagles Hospital’s team provides a wide range of services in obstetrics and gynaecology. It is dedicated to making your pregnancy and birth experience a pleasant one. With newly renovated maternity wards, you can look forward to delivering your baby in comfort. Click here for a comprehensive maternity guide and to find out more about maternity tour.
We hope that you will find answers to your myriad of questions about pregnancy in this comprehensive webinar. You can watch it here:
Watch the webinar recording here: