OBSTETRICIAN and gynaecologist Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar of the Primanora Medical Centre says that about 50% of pregnancies miscarry. According to her, sometimes women aren’t even aware that they have had a miscarriage and because the foetus is completely expelled from the body, there isn’t even a need to have a D&C (dilation and cutterage).
What is the cause of a miscarriage?
“Most of the time we do not know. You could divide it into foetal causes and maternal causes. When it comes to foetal causes, perhaps most of the time there is something abnormal about the pregnancy or the foetus itself. So that’s the reason why it’s not continuing as it should be.
“The maternal causes can be as simple as a chronic maternal illness – for example, if the mother is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension or some auto immune disease. These are some of the underlying causes that affect the pregnancy. Or if the womb itself is abnormal, whether it’s the cavity of the uterus so it can’t implant adequately, or the uterus is normal but there is weakness in the neck of the womb.
“If that’s the case there would usually be a miscarriage after the first trimester. Sudden emotional trauma and stress have been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.” For more on miscarriages, go to ParenThots.
Parents share tips
Four parents explain how they attempt to get their children to sleep at bedtime. It’s not an easy task. Some say you just have to be firm. Others say having a routine helps. If you have a parenting story you want to share with ParenThots readers, send it in to parenthots@thestar.com.my. The best story every fortnight will win a RM50 discount voucher from Kidz Spot in Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya.
Book reviews
British humour columnist Neil Humphreys’ book Be My Baby: On The Road To Fatherhood is reviewed this week. It recounts his experiences from the moment the two lines showed on his wife’s pregnancy test. He writes about the roller-coaster ride of impending fatherhood, and the actual overwhelming but rewarding experience of fatherhood. The other book reviewed this week is FirstFoods. This book is about your child’s first foods, from six to 24 months of age, written by a group of nutritionists.
Contests
The Baby Kiko Precious Moment contest for December has started. Just go to ParenThots if you want to win hampers and cash prizes from Baby Kiko. There’s still time to enter the Modernmum contest. The top prize is a RM500 gift voucher from Modernmum. The closing date is Dec 6.
Family Day
We had a great time at Family Day on Saturday. We hope you did, too. If you’re looking for photos, keep watching the ParenThots site and ParenThots on Facebook. The photos will be posted in both places as soon as possible.
The Star Newspaper, December 2, 2009
By Dr NOR ASHIKIN MOKHTAR
