women's health

Feeling feverish, shivery, and sore on one side of your back during pregnancy is not something to put down to normal aches. These are classic kidney infection symptoms in pregnancy and they need medical attention the same day. A kidney infection, known medically as pyelonephritis, is one of the most common reasons pregnant women are admitted to hospital outside of obstetric emergencies. It affects around 1–2% of pregnant women and carries real risks for both mother and baby.

That stinging sensation when you wee is one of those pregnancy symptoms nobody warns you about. One moment you are rushing to the bathroom for the tenth time today, and the next you are wincing in pain mid-stream. If you are dealing with burning urine during pregnancy, you are not alone and there are several possible causes worth knowing about. Here is a clear breakdown of what is going on, what to do about it, and when to get medical help. How Common Is Burning Urine During

Jasmine essential oil is one of the most beloved aromatherapy oils in the world. Its rich, floral scent is associated with calm, warmth, and relaxation, and many women instinctively reach for it during pregnancy to ease anxiety or simply to feel more comfortable. But is it safe to use jasmine essential oil while pregnant? The honest answer is: it depends on when in your pregnancy you are, how you use it, and whether you have professional guidance. This article sets out exactl

You notice a little blood when you wipe. Your mind immediately goes in two directions: could this be an early sign of pregnancy, or is something wrong with your bladder? It is a genuinely confusing situation, and you are not alone in asking this question. Both implantation bleeding and bleeding caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) can produce light, unexpected spotting or a pinkish-red colour in the toilet bowl or on toilet tissue. But the two have very different causes,

You feel a burning sensation when you wee. You need to rush to the toilet more often than usual. Your lower abdomen feels uncomfortable. Sound familiar? Water infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) as they are clinically known, are one of the most common health concerns women raise during early pregnancy. You are not imagining the increase in symptoms, and you are far from alone in dealing with them. Pregnancy genuinely raises your risk of getting a water infection, a

A kidney infection during pregnancy is not something to monitor from home and hope it passes. It is one of the most common reasons pregnant women are admitted to hospital in the UK, and without prompt treatment, it can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. The good news is that with early diagnosis and the right treatment, most women recover fully. The challenge is knowing what to look for, acting quickly, and understanding why pregnancy makes this particula

You keep rushing to the toilet. Your lower belly aches. You feel wiped out before noon. Now you are wondering: is this a urine infection, or could you be pregnant? This is one of the most common questions women ask before they even pick up a pregnancy test. The reason the confusion happens so often is straightforward: early pregnancy and a urinary tract infection (UTI) share a surprising number of symptoms. Both cause frequent urination, lower abdominal discomfort, and fatigu

Around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK are affected by endometriosis. Despite this however, it typically takes women 8-10 years from their first symptoms to get a confirmed diagnosis. One of the main reasons for that delay is the lack of specialised imaging early on. If your GP or gynaecologist thinks you may have endometriosis, they will most likely order an ultrasound scan first. However, not all ultrasounds are created equal when it comes to diagnosing endometr

When you have an ultrasound scheduled and your period arrives, your first instinct may be to grab your phone and cancel. Hold that thought! For most situations, you don’t need to. Not only can you get a transvaginal ultrasound on your period for some conditions, it’s actually best to have the test then. Let’s talk about what happens during the scan, when your menstrual cycle matters and when it doesn’t, and how to prepare so you can have the easiest appointment possible. What

Few things are as scary as getting a phone call or letter telling you your transvaginal ultrasound was “abnormal.” Before you jump to conclusions, it can be helpful to understand what “abnormal” means from a medical standpoint. An abnormal result does not necessarily mean there is something terribly wrong. Instead, it means that the technician or radiologist identified something that was outside of normal parameters and needs further evaluation. Here, we explain what a trans

The Caesarean section ranks amongst the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide. Approximately one in every four births in the UK are by C-Section, and that rate has been rising year on year for the past few decades. With its rise has come an inevitable increase in the complications associated with abdominal surgery and one that has been frequently discussed by Obstetricians is bladder injury. Bladder injury during caesarean section is rare. It is however the

Are you pregnant and googling if kidney infection during pregnancy is serious? Girl, you are NOT ALONE. This has been one of the most common searches among females when it comes to google health questions lately and I totally understand why. Having a kidney infection when you’re pregnant can be serious business. It’s NOT something you should ignore during pregnancy. Left untreated it can cause severe complications which is why KNOWING the facts (not just googling worst case s

It’s stressful finding out your baby is breech. You may start counting down days until you wonder if your baby will EVER turn head-down. The good news is that most babies turn before labour – usually between 32 and 36 weeks. Even better news? Your body will often give you definite signs that turning has occurred. If you're seeking personalized care, consulting a private gynaecologist in London can provide valuable support and guidance during this time. This article will dis

Whether you’ve recently arrived in the UK, or you’ve simply never taken the time to do it, registering with the NHS is one of the most useful things you can do. It’s free, it’s easy and once you’re registered you can access treatment for everything from a persistent cough to serious illnesses without paying anything up front. In this guide we cover everything you need to know about registering with an NHS GP: how to book appointments (including how to book online), what ident

Caesarean sections occur in roughly 1 in 3 births in the UK. Figures released by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit showed that there were 38.9% of births by caesarean section in England, Scotland and Wales in 2023. This figure is up from 25% in 2015–16, examining close to 600,000 births in total. It’s a huge jump and begs the question that pregnant women are asking every day, when is a caesarean section necessary, and what makes it the best option for you and your ba

Rosemary oil is taking over TikTok. From before and after videos to scalp massages to homemade hair growth serums, it’s something a lot of people grab without hesitation. But if you’re pregnant and wondering “is rosemary oil safe during pregnancy for hair?” deserves a much deeper answer than what you’ll find in the comments of a TikTok. Here’s what the research really has to say on the topic, what doctors recommend, and what to try instead if your hair is thinning while pregn

You keep running to the bathroom. You're exhausted. Everything just feels wrong. Now you're wondering... do I have a urine infection? Or am I pregnant? It's one of the most common pregnancy mix ups. And rightfully so. UTIs and early pregnancy have many symptoms that are eerily similar. Frequent urination, fatigue, abdominal cramping/lower belly pain are some of the telltale signs for both. You honestly can't tell the difference without a test. Well we put together this handy

Whether your GP or gynaecologist has ordered a pelvic scan for you, you may have googled later and wondered what exactly the difference is between pelvic ultrasound vs transvaginal ultrasound and which one you should have had. After all, they both sounded icky to you. The quick answer is that they are both pelvic ultrasounds but the ultrasound scanning probe is placed differently so they work differently, provide different amounts of detail and are used in different clinical

You’ve been offered a transvaginal ultrasound. You’re googling questions in bed at 2am. You’re wondering if it will hurt, how big the probe is and what happens during the scan. Welcome to one of the most requested pelvic investigations in gynaecology, and also the most googled. Don’t worry. We’ll let you in on what happens during the scan, how most women actually feel during it, when it can hurt and what you can do to make your experience as easy as possible. What Is a Transv

When you receive a letter to attend for an ultrasound scan and it states to report to the radiology department you may question: does ultrasound come under radiology? It’s a valid question. The answer is yes and no. Let’s start with a brief explanation about where ultrasound services in London sit under the medical imaging umbrella. This will ensure you are feeling clued up before attending for your scan, whether it be a pregnancy or pelvic scan or a general check up. What