Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
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These questions were answered by Dr Goh Shen Li, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in S L Goh Women’s Clinic at Mount Alvernia Medical Centre D. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg.
Q I know high heels should be put away during pregnancy. But why are flip-flops bad, too?
A Pregnancy places extra pressure on your joints and feet. While flip-flops are flat, they don’t provide the necessary arch support. As a result, you may develop plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel and bottom of the foot).
Ditch the flip-flops for sandals, which have straps that hold your feet in place and prevent tripping.
Better yet, choose well-fitted shoes that are round-toed and low-heeled. The insoles should have a supportive arch to help minimise discomfort and absorb shock.
Q What happens during an emergency C-section?
A You may have been trying for a normal vaginal delivery, but the emergency procedure is necessary when the doctor deems that it is unsafe to continue. Even if your doctor is very experienced, sometimes there are situations that cannot be predicted before the start of labour.
Blood flow to the baby is compromised and it is crucial to deliver immediately. These could be because of a prolapsed umbilical cord (the umbilical cord drops through the opening of the uterus into the vagina), excessive and sudden maternal bleeding, placenta abruption (when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall), uterine rupture (a previous C-section scar gives way) or that Baby’s heartbeat is showing signs of distress.
Other reasons could be the labour is not progressing or Baby is lying sideways across your tummy, rather than in a head-down position for a normal vaginal delivery.
During an emergency C-section, the aim is to deliver your baby quickly. Hence, things may happen very fast and at times it may be overwhelming for the labouring mother.
If you already had an epidural, the anaesthetist may have time to give you an extra dose of the medicine to numb you further.
If there is not enough time to give spinal anaesthesia, a general anaesthetic will be given once you arrive in the operating theatre.
The onset of labour and how it will progress are unpredictable, so sometimes it may not go according to schedule or plan.
Do keep an open mind about delivery because the first priority is to ensure the safety of mother and baby at all times.
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