I am a married woman, aged 29. My two pregnancies ended in miscarriages in the 20th and 2nd weeks.
After the 2nd miscarriage, the doctor found the problem to be an “incompetent cervix.” Now he says that in my next pregnancy, the mouth of the uterus will be closed with stitches at the 15th week and after that I will be advised complete bed rest. I would like to know:
1. Will everything be OK next time?
2. Will I be allowed to attend Nature’s call, or will that also have to done with a bed pan?
3. Will I be allowed to have a bath or not?
4. Will these stitches help me to pass my 9 months easily?

Despite the unfortunate results of your first two pregnancies, there’s no reason your next one shouldn’t have a happier outcome. Yes, your doctor’s advice is correct – you should have a cervical cerclage (to tie a ligature around the mouth of the uterus) by the 15 or 16th week, after checking the fetus for any congenital abnormality. Initially, after the stitch is taken, you will have to be on a strict bed rest for at least 1 month. After that period you can go to the toilet and also have a quick bath. Then a repeat sonography should be done to check how the stitch is holding and depending on that, your activity level will be decided. Most women do well and have a 36- or 37-week pregnancy uneventfully.

I’m 28 years old and unmarried. There is white fungus in the skin folds of my penis, which I have to clean every day. I’ve become frustrated having to do this daily, because it increases if I don’t. What is the problem?
The white “fungus” that you refer to, is a normal secretion that accumulates under the foreskin, called smegma. If the foreskin is not retracted and the smegma not washed off during the bath every day, the secretion will accumulate and develop a stony consistency over a period of time. You need to wash off this smegma daily.

I suffered from anemia two years ago and was prescribed iron tablets by the doctor. I got married recently and am pregnant. Do you think I could still be anemic? What can I do to prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy? I am a vegetarian.
If a woman has anemia, the number or size of her red blood cells is below normal. It’s important to prevent anemia before, during and after your pregnancy. You will be tested for anemia during your pregnancy and if you are anemic, your doctor will prescribe an iron supplement. Take folic acid and your prenatal vitamin and eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of iron-rich foods like beans, oats, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, potatoes (leave the skins on), broccoli, beets, leafy green vegetables, whole-grain breads and iron-fortified cereals. Foods containing vitamin C can increase the amount of iron your body absorbs. So it’s a good idea to include products such as orange juice, tomatoes and strawberries in your daily diet.

I am very keen to breastfeed my baby. I am eight months pregnant. Is there anything I can do to increase the quantity of breast milk once the baby is born?
Breast milk production starts as soon as the baby is born. You can start breastfeeding the child immediately after delivery; in fact it is very much encouraged. Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development during the first six months of life, as well as substances that help protect a baby from many illnesses. Breastfeeding provides health benefits for the mother, including an early return to her pre-pregnancy weight. And there are emotional benefits for mother and baby from the special bond that develops between them. Take a breastfeeding class before you give birth. ASK your hospital for a referral. Some lactation consultants (experts in breastfeeding) will meet you before your baby is born. The quantity of milk depends very much on the mother’s diet. Food absorbed by a nursing mother not only 1 fulfills her own nutritional needs, which are greater during the postnatal period, but also enables her to produce milk. Include fenugreek, milk, spinach, rice, pulses and green vegetables in your diet.