MMed (O&G), MRCOG
Dr. Ng Kai Lyn is a Singapore-based obstetrician and gynecologist, specializing in urogynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and clinical interest in fertility. She has an experience of 12 years managing and treating benign gynecological conditions, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometrial polyps, and endometriosis. She is also fellowship trained in urogynecology. She manages pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, obstetric anal sphincter injuries in her daily practice.Dr. Lyn strives for the best standard of care through personalized, compassionate treatment, open communication, patient empowerment, and informed choice.
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Smelly urine when pregnant is one of the several unusual symptoms one might experience. While it is not always a cause of concern, it may be uncomfortable for expecting mothers. While some cases could indicate underlying pathology, it is essential to get examined by the doctor to rule out any infections or other problems causing smelly urine. Also, some care and precaution are essential in avoiding smelly urine during pregnancy. Read this post to learn the various causes and preventive measures of smelly urine during pregnancy. [mj-toc] Causes Of Smelly Urine During Pregnancy Urine can smell different during pregnancy due to a heightened sense of smell, more urea in the urine, urinary tract infections, and even changes in diet. Most of these causes are usually benign and seldom to worry about. Below is a list of the common causes of smelly urine in pregnant women. Heightened sense of smell: It is believed that pregnancy might increase sensitivity to odors, also...
Some women prefer to plan their pregnancy when they turn forty. However, many of these women are concerned about the adverse effects of late pregnancies on their and their baby’s health. If you are also planning to get pregnant at 40 but unsure of the decision, you should understand that with age, your fertility decreases. After reaching your 40s, the eggs’ quality also does not remain the same. However, this does not indicate that pregnancy is impossible at 40. Discuss your options with your doctor. This post provides you with information on the advantages and disadvantages of late pregnancy, why your pregnancy decreases with age, and tips on increasing your success rate of conception. [mj-toc] Chances Of Pregnancy At 40 It depends on how far you are into your 40s. During the early 40s, your chance of conceiving is about 20 percent, and it depends upon your menstrual cycle. The percentage further deteriorates to 15 percent during your mid-40s. After...
High heels are an essential component of the style statement for many women. However, wearing heels during pregnancy may not be a good idea. Doctors strictly do not advise it for several scientific reasons. Your body weight and balance do not remain the same as pregnancy advances, and even muscles and [simple_tooltip text="ligaments" tooltip="Fibrous connective tissue that supports organs, bones, and joints" ] undergo certain changes (1). As a result, wearing heels may add to the discomfort of pains and cramps and come with certain other risks. Read this post as we talk about the effects of wearing heels on pregnant women and share some safety tips. [mj-toc] Effects of Wearing Heels During Pregnancy Let’s check out: 1. Calf cramps [caption id="attachment_889577" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] When you wear heels for a long time, your calf muscles are in a contracted position. This leads to cramps in the muscles, which may be aggravated during pregnancy (2). [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/simple-ways-to-relieve-back-pain-post-delivery_0081977/" title="19 Ways...
Your baby's development is towards completion as you progress to the ninth month. The expanding uterus may compress internal organs, making you feel heavy and uncomfortable. Therefore, you need to identify which foods to include in your ninth month of pregnancy diet to ease problems such as constipation and heartburn (1). A balanced diet is always the key to good maternal health and adequate nourishment for your growing baby. Keep reading this post that suggests which foods and dietary supplements are beneficial during this phase of pregnancy and what to avoid. [mj-toc] What Should Be Included In Your 9th Month of Pregnancy Diet At this stage, your baby’s development is almost complete. Their weight will increase rapidly and they will fill up almost all the space in your womb. While you can still give in to your cravings and indulge in some guilty pleasures at this stage, it is important for you to remember to be cautious about what you eat...
Upper stomach pain during pregnancy could develop due to the changes in the positions of the abdominal organs caused by the developing fetus. Other possible causes for upper stomach pain are gas, indigestion, etc. In addition, similar biochemical and physiological changes in the woman’s body may give rise to accompanying pregnancy symptoms such as bloating, cramps, aches, and nausea. However, these symptoms may vary from one woman to another (1). Read about the factors that might cause upper stomach pain while pregnant and home remedies to manage the discomfort. [mj-toc] Is Upper Stomach Pain Common During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_874200" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] Upper abdominal pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. As the fetus grows inside your belly, the organs and tissues adjust themselves to accommodate it and, in the process, may get pressed or stretched, causing discomfort. It may be a sharp or dull pain, but it usually goes away with a little rest, a change in position,...
Massage is a great way to relieve pain and discomfort. However, the safety of massage chairs during pregnancy may be doubtful. Though it is a great invention that helps people relax by massaging their pressure points and relieving stress, pregnant women should use these chairs cautiously as they may lead to complications. Also, the chairs with heating pads may not be good for the fetus. Read the post to understand the safety of using massage chairs during pregnancy and things to keep in mind to prevent complications. [mj-toc] Are Massage Chairs Safe During Pregnancy? Many companies manufacturing massage chairs warn against its use during pregnancy. Some of the reasons for not using massage chairs while pregnant include the following. 1. Pressure points: [caption id="attachment_890277" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Although stressing certain pressure points in the body may theoretically trigger premature labor, it is virtually impossible for a massage chair to deliver sustained and targeted pressure to such points. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/early-signs-and-symptoms-of-labour_00329816/"...
Stress during pregnancy is usually harmless, but prolonged or severe stress may not be good for the mother and the baby (1). It is common for pregnant mothers to stress over their baby, body, life changes, and many other things. Research shows that around 8% to 13% of women are diagnosed with anxiety during and before pregnancy (2). It also indicates that constant stress may lead to sleeping difficulties, headaches, and depression. (3). Read about the types, causes, symptoms, effects, and management tips for stress during pregnancy. [mj-toc] Causes Of Stress During Pregnancy For some women, discovering their pregnancy could be stressful as they might not be ready for the new challenges that come their way. The possible reasons for stress could be (4) (5) (6): Conceiving after several pregnancy failures or previous negative experiences, such as miscarriage or the death of a baby. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/miscarriage-rates-by-week-and-age-risks-and-statistics_00633174/" title="Miscarriage Rates By Week And Risks Involved"] Dealing with a complicated pregnancy and experiencing...
Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is characterized by low platelets in pregnancy. Platelets are called thrombocytes, and hence the condition is called thrombocytopenia. A normal blood platelet count in healthy individuals ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood. When the count falls below 150,000 platelets per microliter, it results in thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a common blood disorder during pregnancy. Although a slight decrease in platelet count is usually not concerning, a drastic fall may indicate a serious pregnancy complication (1). Read on to learn the causes, symptoms, complications, treatment, and more on thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. [mj-toc] Occurrence Of Thrombocytopenia During Pregnancy During normal pregnancy, there is a physiological drop in platelet counts due to changes in blood composition in pregnancy. Although usually mild and benign, thrombocytopenia is the second most common blood disorder in pregnancy, the first being anemia (1). The condition affects about 6-15% of pregnant women and is mostly seen in later trimesters or towards the end of...
Parents are often keen to see their babies inside the womb as they wait to hold them. A 4D ultrasound scan shows the live video of your baby, and you may be able to watch them smiling or yawning inside the womb. Doctors recommend various scans and tests during pregnancy to ensure the wellbeing of both the mother and baby. Some of these tests are mandatory, while a few are optional. For example, the 4D ultrasound is an optional scan since a 3D ultrasound usually suffices to evaluate the baby. Unfortunately, it is illegal in some countries due to various reasons. Read on to learn more about the 4D ultrasound scan, how it works, what you can expect, and whether your insurance covers it. [mj-toc] What Is A 4D Ultrasound Test? A 4D ultrasound test is a way of reproducing a moving image of your baby inside your womb (1). The 4D ultrasound uses sound waves to create this moving...
The third trimester of pregnancy is the time when your stomach is expanding to accommodate the growing uterus. It also brings discomforts, such as back pain, tiredness, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, and swelling of arms and legs (1). Yoga during the third trimester might help relieve these problems. It is also believed to provide relief from tiredness, insomnia, and water retention (2). However, not all yoga poses are suitable in the third trimester. Hence it is advisable to practice yoga under the guidance of a certified yoga trainer (3). Here, we will help you know about the safety of yoga in the third trimester, including the safe poses, benefits, and precautions. [mj-toc] Benefits Of Yoga In Third Trimester Practicing yoga during pregnancy helps ease both the mind and the body (4) (5). Anxiety and depression: Yoga focuses on the mind and the body connection, which helps reduce anxiety and depression in most pregnant women. Stress: A stress-free pregnancy...
The second trimester of pregnancy is between weeks 13 and 27 (four to six months). During this time, your “baby bump” may become more visible, and you may begin to feel the baby’s movements. Many women find relief from their morning sickness too. As the body grows in the second trimester, you may face some troubles; however, this is one of the easiest trimesters of pregnancy. Hence, focus on remaining healthy and positive during this time as the baby’s brain develops. This post will tell you about the physical changes you will notice, emergency symptoms to look out for, baby growth milestones, and tips to stay healthy in this trimester. [mj-toc] What Are The Body Changes In The Second Trimester? Hormonal changes and the increasing size of the baby can cause certain body changes and symptoms in pregnant moms (1). 1. Lower abdomen aches: Many pregnant women may experience cramps and aches in the lower belly during the second trimester....
Appetite loss during pregnancy is common. Nausea, food aversion, and several other pregnancy-related food issues may occur in women during this time, making them eat less than the recommended proportions (1). Although appetite loss subsides mostly by the end of the first trimester, contact your doctor if it persists or worsens. Poor appetite during pregnancy might cause malnourishment in the developing fetus and adversely affect the mother\'s health. Read on to know about the causes and complications of loss of appetite during pregnancy and ways that may help fulfill your nutritional needs. [mj-toc] Reasons For Appetite Loss During First Trimester [caption id="attachment_889315" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting are the main reasons for appetite loss in the first trimester. According to the UK National Childbirth Trust (NCT), 50 to 80 percent of expecting mothers experience them early in pregnancy (2). Additionally, sensitivity to strong smells and the development of a metallic taste in the mouth are other...
A birth control implant is a four-centimeter-long, soft plastic stick inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. Following implantation, the device slowly releases small doses of progestin, a synthetic steroid, at regular intervals (1). The hormone released in the body prevents pregnancy and makes birth control implant an effective hormonal contraceptive. But are birth control implants safe? Do they cause pain when inserted into the arm? (2). Keep reading to learn if birth control implants are safe and understand their effectiveness and risks. [mj-toc]How Does The Implant Work? The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod of the size of a matchstick. It is available as the trade name of Nexplanon. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin, and it helps avoid unexpected pregnancy. The hormone responsible for birth control act in the following ways to prevent pregnancy (3). [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/precautions-to-avoid-pregnancy_00183/" title="27 Simple And Effective Pregnancy Prevention Methods To...
The third trimester that begins in the 28th week of pregnancy is also the last. It mostly ends around the 40th week, after the baby is born (1). During these last three months, the body undergoes several physical and physiological changes. This stage prepares the mother and the fetus for the delivery and what comes after. During the last trimester, a few women experience discomforts such as insomnia, antenatal anxiety, and backache (2). Read on to know more about this trimester, the changes you and your baby would undergo, and for a few tips to help you prepare for your labor. [mj-toc]Changes A Fetus Undergoes During The Third Trimester [caption id="attachment_895159" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] The third trimester comprises the seventh to the ninth month of pregnancy. The fetus develops and grows rapidly during this period, and its kidneys, lungs, and brain continue maturing (3) (4). [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/your-unborn-babys-development_00389566/" title="Fetal Development Week By Week: Stages Of Pregnancy"] By the 32nd week,...
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters based on the gestational age and the fetal development. The first trimester, which begins on the first day of your last menstrual cycle and ends until week 12 of gestation, is the most crucial stage for the baby\'s growth (1) (2). A woman also goes through various physiological and emotional changes during this time. Read on to learn everything about the changes in your body and the development of your fetus throughout the first trimester. [mj-toc]First Trimester Changes In The Mother’s Body The experts at UNICEF enlist the following as the common symptoms of pregnancy in the first trimester (3). 1. A missed period [caption id="attachment_893572" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] A missed period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. However, a woman can miss her period for reasons other than pregnancy as well. 2. Implantation bleeding Implantation bleeding usually happens six to 12 days after ovulation when a fertilized egg implants itself in...