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How would you rate your level of communication with your spouse? What would you say is your communication style? How much of it reminds you of how your parents have been communicating with each other & you have unconsciously brought a similar style to yours? Most importantly: How effective has it been? Research on what makes marriage work indicates that happy and healthy couples demonstrate a ratio of 5:1 positive to negative behaviors in their relationship. This means there are five times as many positive interactions between happy couples (i.e. listening, validating the other person, using soft words, expressing appreciation, affirmation, physical affection, compliments, etc.) as there are negative (i.e. raising one’s voice, stating a complaint, or expressing one’s anger). Tips for improving the quality of communication in your relationship: Be intentional about spending time together talking. The average couple spends only 20 minutes a week talking with each other. Turn off the technology and make it a point to spend 20-30 minutes a day catching up with each other. Use more "I" statements and less "You" statements. This decreases the chances of your spouse feeling like they need to defend themselves. For example, “I wish you would acknowledge more often how much work I do at home to take care of you and the children.” Be specific. When issues arise, be specific. Broad generalizations like, "You do it all the time!" are not helpful. Avoid mind-reading. It is very frustrating when someone else acts like they know better than you what you were really thinking. Express negative feelings constructively. There will be times when you feel bitterness, resentment, disappointment or disapproval. These feelings need to be communicated in order for change to occur. BUT - How you express these thoughts is critical. “I am really disappointed that you are working late again tonight,” is very different from, “You clearly do not care one whit about me or the kids. If you did, you would not work late every night.” Listen without being defensive. For a marriage to succeed, both spouses must be able to hear each other’s complaints without getting defensive. This is much harder than learning how to express negative feelings effectively. Freely express positive feelings. Most people are quick to express negative feelings than positive ones. It is vital to the health of your marriage that you affirm your spouse. Positive feelings such as appreciation, affection, respect, admiration, approval, and warmth expressed to your spouse are like making deposits into your love account. You should have five positive deposits for every one negative. If your compliments exceed your complaints, your spouse will pay attention to your grievances. If your complaints exceed your compliments, your criticism will fall on deaf ears. (excerpt is taken from: https://firstthings.org/keys-to-effective-communication-in-marriage ) Effective communication takes time to put in place and to develop. Just as we are not the same the day we got married, the same goes for the way we have been communicating with our spouse and those around us - it grows and matures. If you feel there is room for improvement, allow yourself time to make the changes. Likewise, if you sense that your spouse is trying to change his/her way of communicating, allow a period of adjustment and encourage him/her with gentle reminders as well as affirmations. If your communication with your spouse could do with some change but you don't know where to begin the change, why not speak to our Counsellor? Contact us at 62588816, email contact@alife.org.sg or book an appointment online at https://www.alife.org.sg/book-online/counseling-service

The holiday season is upon us once again! It is amazing how the year has just flown by - so many things must have happened over the past 12 months. As we grow older and have more things going on in our lives, festive seasons, even though it should be a time for loads of joy, love, and laughter (well, actually mainly for kids), it can be rather stressful too. We hope this piece can help reduce some of these stress as you navigate the season: GIFT-GIVING : this is one of the most dreaded (oops, sorry, just being honest here!) parts of Christmas. Who to buy for, what to buy, how much to spend, making time to buy them (even if it is done online)... Here are some suggestions: start shopping early; perhaps take advantage of the Great Singapore Sale, Single's Day Sale, Black Friday cum Cyber Monday Sales? Amongst circles of family and friends, agree with each other whether it is a family gift (one gift per family versus one gift for each member), gifts for kids only, agree on a budget for each gift, how about suggesting a charity all can contribute towards instead? Only you would know your financial situation best and work out a budget that you can stick to and still feel good about. Remember that holiday seasons are more than just buying gifts. You're probably not the only one who doesn't care about how many presents to get, so remember that your friends and family probably care more about your company than your gifts. GET-TOGETHERS: Whether you are hosting or visiting, each has its own set of stress. Do you visit my in-laws or your folks first? This itself can bring on a quarrel, right? Since there are 12 days of Christmas, you don't have to fit all the visits or get-togethers in one day. Space them out and pace yourself. This way, you can enjoy each gathering without having to rush to another and remain sane. What and how many dishes should you prepare? When do you start buying the ingredients (oh no! There isn't enough space in the fridge!) Don't feel bad about asking your guests to bring a dish each. They will surely understand and, this way, everyone can enjoy the gathering! LONELINESS & GRIEF: Holidays are also the time some of us feel weepy; we may feel the huge gap left behind by our family members or friends who have passed. It is ok to feel this way, after all, we had good times with them and because we love them, it is natural to miss them. Take your time to acknowledge this and remember the good times you had together during these seasons. Know that there will be others who will be missing the same persons too so why not reach out and talk to them too; reminisce the good moments. This way, you are celebrating the lives of those who have departed as well as savouring and building new memories with those who are in your lives now. If you feel blue despite trying out these tips, why not speak to our Counsellor? Contact us at 62588816, email contact@alife.org.sg or book an appointment online at https://www.alife.org.sg/book-online/counseling-service

The holiday season is upon us once again! It is amazing how the year has just flown by - so many things must have happened over the past 12 months. As we grow older and have more things going on in our lives, festive seasons, even though it should be a time for loads of joy, love, and laughter (well, actually mainly for kids), it can be rather stressful too. We hope this piece can help reduce some of these stress as you navigate the season: GIFT-GIVING : this is one of the most dreaded (oops, sorry, just being honest here!) parts of Christmas. Who to buy for, what to buy, how much to spend, making time to buy them (even if it is done online)... Here are some suggestions: start shopping early; perhaps take advantage of the Great Singapore Sale, Single's Day Sale, Black Friday cum Cyber Monday Sales? Amongst circles of family and friends, agree with each other whether it is a family gift (one gift per family versus one gift for each member), gifts for kids only, agree on a budget for each gift, how about suggesting a charity all can contribute towards instead? Only you would know your financial situation best and work out a budget that you can stick to and still feel good about. Remember that holiday seasons are more than just buying gifts. You're probably not the only one who doesn't care about how many presents to get, so remember that your friends and family probably care more about your company than your gifts. GET-TOGETHERS: Whether you are hosting or visiting, each has its own set of stress. Do you visit my in-laws or your folks first? This itself can bring on a quarrel, right? Since there are 12 days of Christmas, you don't have to fit all the visits or get-togethers in one day. Space them out and pace yourself. This way, you can enjoy each gathering without having to rush to another and remain sane. What and how many dishes should you prepare? When do you start buying the ingredients (oh no! There isn't enough space in the fridge!) Don't feel bad about asking your guests to bring a dish each. They will surely understand and, this way, everyone can enjoy the gathering! LONELINESS & GRIEF: Holidays are also the time some of us feel weepy; we may feel the huge gap left behind by our family members or friends who have passed. It is ok to feel this way, after all, we had good times with them and because we love them, it is natural to miss them. Take your time to acknowledge this and remember the good times you had together during these seasons. Know that there will be others who will be missing the same persons too so why not reach out and talk to them too; reminisce the good moments. This way, you are celebrating the lives of those who have departed as well as savouring and building new memories with those who are in your lives now. It is perfectly no to feel down but if you feel blue despite trying out these tips, why not speak to our Counsellor? Contact us at 62588816 , email contact@alife.org.sg or book an appointment online at https://www.alife.org.sg/book-online/counseling-service

Our relationship with money differs from person to person hence when expectations are not aligned, money may be the cause of many misunderstandings. When it comes to finances, building and maintaining healthy money habits is an ongoing pursuit. You may begin with five core actions: 1. Spend less than you make 2. Be wise with debt 3. Protect yourself against setbacks 4. Have a short- and long-term plan 5. Give of yourself Adopting these money management habits depends on your needs and where you are on life's journey. “The habit of saving is itself an education; it fosters every virtue, teaches self-denial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind.”— T.T. Munger Click to read more here: At aLife, you may seek counseling concerning any family matters. Call us at 62588816, email contact@alife.org.sg or book an appointment online at https://www.alife.org.sg/book-online/counseling-service

She was in a daze when I told her that her baby had pooped inside her womb. C, a 35 year old first-time mum, was at her 41 weeks of gestation. She was admitted for an induction of labour as her baby had passed the due date by one week. When I ruptured the water bag with an amnihook-- a long, thin plastic hook that resembles a crochet hook-- to get the labour going, out gushed a gooey and tenacious dark green amniotic fluid resembling the appearance of thick green pea soup. The foetal heart rate was also low at 110 beats per minutes with decelerations seen in between uterine contractions. As these were signs of foetal distress, an emergency caesarean section was carried out immediately. The baby was flaccid at birth with a low Apgar score. Luckily, he became active and gave a good cry after resuscitation. He was sent to high dependency unit for monitoring immediately. The greenish material in the amniotic fluid is the baby’s poop called meconium. It is formed as a result of the baby swallowing the amniotic fluid during pregnancy. It contains debris such as mucus, bile, and the baby's body hairs. About one in ten babies defecates before he/she is born. It is not completely understood why he/she does this in the womb. It is usually associated with foetal distress. Studies have shown that the thicker and darker the poop, the worse the foetal outcome at delivery.  It is believed that the lack of oxygen may cause foetal intestine to move more actively and the anus to relax, resulting in the release of the meconium into the amniotic fluid. Meconium stained amniotic fluid is usually associated with · Placental malfunction · Hypertensive disease of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) · Diabetes · Post-date pregnancy · Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) · Increased maternal age Other than birth asphyxia, the baby may suffer from a potentially life-threatening condition when he takes his first breath and inhales the poop into his lungs. This may result in blockage of the airway, respiratory distress and pneumonia—a condition called meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Fortunately, this condition is not common. C was very relieved when she was discharged. Her baby did not develop MAS and was discharged well after 3 days of close observation. "Doc, we are grateful for your decisive and rapid intervention. You saved my baby, ” she said with tears of joy welling in her eyes.

She showed up at my clinic without an appointment and asked if she could see me for a few minute. D had been my patient for the past five years. She was 32 and a disciplined, thoughtful and caring person. It was rather unusual for her to show up at my clinic unannounced. I thought she might have some serious problem. Instead, she was beaming with joy as she placed an invitation card on my table. “Doc, I am getting married,” she said. “Can I invite you to solemnise our marriage?” I met D’s husband, an engineer on the day of their marriage. He was 36 and seemed introverted, shy and soft spoken. I expected good news from D when she came for a consultation six months later. Instead, she burst into tears when she saw me. “Our honeymoon was a disaster” she sobbed. “We could not consummate our marriage.” Apparently, her husband ejaculated before penetration every time. “Was he tense? Did it happen every time?” I asked. “Yes. He was very tense. I asked him to take it easy and encouraged him to try the next day. “But again there was no success. We tried a few more times and failed. For the past few months, our sexual desires have waned. We hardly attempt sex now and quarrel over this occasionally. We have lost confidence completely and need help.” D’s husband has a condition called premature ejaculation (PE). An occasional instance of PE might not be cause for concern, but if the problem occurs with more than 50 per cent of attempted sexual relations, a dysfunctional pattern usually exists for which treatment maybe appropriate. PE is a very distressing and common sexual problem when the man is unable to control ejaculation voluntarily. It is estimated that about 10 to 40 per cent of men have this trouble. It is less common in older men when the threshold for orgasm is raised. As in D’s case, PE is devastating for a man’s self-esteem and makes the couple unhappy and frustrated. It threatens or can even ruin a marriage, simply because it spoils their sex lives. The exact cause of PE is not well understood although the majority of cases are attributable to psychological factors. Animal studies have shown that a low level of the chemical serotonin in some areas in the brain could cause premature ejaculation. This theory is supported by the proven effectiveness of anti-anxiety medication or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which increase serotonin levels in the brain in treating PE. Anxiety plays an important part in many cases. If the husband is nervous, he is likely to climax quickly. Some men take a small amount of alcohol to ease their nerves hoping it will make them less likely to climax prematurely. However, this does not work in most cases. I taught D’s husband some simple distraction techniques such as turning his attention to something else when he felt climax was near. These methods did not work for him. He tried to apply a local anaesthetic cream to numb his penis shortly before intercourse. But that resulted in D developing an allergic reaction to the cream. Although SSRIs have been used successfully to treat PE, D and her husband preferred not to take a drug as they were afraid of side-effects. They opted instead to try one of the behaviour modification methods widely used to treat PE which I could advise them about. D and her husband practiced diligently over a period of two months. With motivation and under careful instruction, her husband finally learnt how to delay ejaculation.

Q. I am 32 years old and have been trying to conceive for the past 1 year. My friend has advised me to take vitamin D in addition to other supplements. She told me vitamin D helps in fertility. Is it true? A. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is produced by the body through exposure to sunshine and is present in food such as fatty fish and egg yolk. It helps the body control the calcium and phosphate levels so that the bones can be healthy and strong. Recent studies have suggested that it may be involved in a range of medical conditions including cardiovascular diseases, cancers and fertility. Animal studies have suggested that vitamin D may play a part in regulating the reproductive processes. It can affect the production of sex hormones and may help in the production and maturation of sperm. The lining cells of the womb (uterus) and the maturation of egg are also influenced by the levels of vitamin D in the body. In humans, vitamin D has been shown to help improve ovulation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and also, to prevent the occurrence of endometriosis. Some studies have also shown that vitamin D supplementation can increase semen quality, testosterone concentrations as well as the success rates of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Despite all these accumulating evidence, there is no general consensus that vitamin D can boost fertility and conception rates. More extensive research is needed to determine its role in reproductive health. Nevertheless, since vitamin D can be easily obtained through sunshine, food or supplements, there is nothing to lose and possibly much to gain by making sure that its levels in the body is optimal in the preparation for a healthy pregnancy. Follow Dr.Peter Chew’s articles on aLife’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alife.org.sg as well as http://alife.org.sg/articles/ .

On a recent reflection of her infertility journey, B told me that her emotions were like going on a rollercoaster ride. There were times when she felt high with anticipation and excitement. At other times, her emotions were down with pain, helplessness and hopelessness. “Doc, I am married for the past 4 years and have been trying to conceive since marriage.” B recounted “I have gone through all the fertility tests and have tried IVF 3 times without success. I do not mind enduring the physical pain of going through the process of daily injections, eggs retrieval and embryo transfer. But the emotional stress is too overwhelming. Every time after the embryo is transferred, I am on an emotional high. I feel excited and would imagine that I am pregnant. I even work out the estimated date when my baby would arrive. Then comes disappointment. I cry when menses come. The low levels of the hormones during my period could only aggravate the pain of yet another failure. I feel angry, frustrated and impatient. Helplessness and grief consume me. When pregnancy evades me again and again, I sink into hopelessness and depression.” B felt lonely. The emotional aspects of women grappled with infertility are often ignored. Research studies have shown that the anxiety and depression in women who suffer from infertility is just as severe as those suffering from cancer and heart disease. In dealing with infertility, it is important to understand how the women feel and what go through their minds so that her negative emotions can be better managed. I explained to B the various emotional stages that she had gone through and that it was alright to expect the ups and downs. The feelings might appear out of control but they were usually temporary. She should acknowledge her losses so that she could grieve them accordingly. Accepting the loss every month will not take the pain away, but it would discharge her pent-up feelings of anger, frustration and sadness. She should also “ventilate” her emotion with her husband or close friends. By “talking them out”, the negative emotions would become more manageable. “Letting go “can be liberating. She could also write her feeling in a journal if she would like to keep her feelings private. Her relationship with her husband was also important. They should support each other with good communication. I referred B to a professional counsellor who helped her cope with grief and stress. B began to re-examine her life with a different perspective. She reframed her perception of infertility and decided to adopt a child moving forward.

She looked worried and upset when she stepped into my consultation room. “Doc, my menses has a fishy smell for the past 2 months.” She said. “Am I having a growth in my vagina?” T, a 32-year-old housewife had been married for 5 years. Her husband worked in a neighboring country and returned home for a week every 2 to 3 months. She last had sexual intercourse with him 2 months ago. On further questioning, T also noticed yellowish, sometimes greenish vaginal discharge on and off for the past 6 months. The discharge was accompanied by occasional itchiness and burning sensation around her vulva. On examination, her vulva was inflamed and red. The vaginal discharge was creamy yellow and foul-smelling. The cervix was angry looking with red hemorrhagic spots. A microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge demonstrated the presence of the parasite, trichomoniasis vaginalis as shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 T was suffering from trichomoniasis, a disease caused by the micro-organism, Trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite is approximately the size of a human white blood cell. The fishy smell in the vaginal discharge and the menses is due to the presence of a chemical compound known as trimethylamine. How common is trichomoniasis? Trichomoniasis is one of the common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It occurs more often in women than in men. Risks factors of the infection include: Multiple sexual partners Sex workers Drug abuse Older women Poverty How is it transmitted? The parasite lives in the semen and vaginal fluids. It is transmitted between couple during unprotected vaginal sex. In women, the most commonly infected area is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina and cervix). Other body parts, like the hands, mouth, or anus are usually spared. Occasionally, the infection can be spread by sharing sex toys. Very rarely, it can be transmitted through objects like wet towels and toilet seats. What are the  symptoms of trichomoniasis? Only about 30% of infected patients have symptoms. It is unclear why the rest remain asymptomatic. Probably this is related to the person’s age and overall health. The symptoms vary and can occur sporadically. They can present as a mild irritation or severe infection. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 28 days or longer. If untreated, the infection can last for months or  years. For women, the common symptoms are: White, yellowish, or greenish with an unusual fishy smell. Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; Discomfort with urination Pain during  sexual intercourse. Urinary frequency Lower abdominal pain What are the complications of trichomoniasis? Trichomoniasis increases the risks of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility may result. If it occurs during pregnancy, there is an increased incidence of premature birth ,intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and baby with  low birth weight. What is the treatment for trichomoniasis? Trichomoniasis can be easily treated with medication. To avoid getting reinfection, both sexual partners should be treated  at the same time. It is advisable to have a review 3 months later to make sure the infection is completely cleared.  T was treated with medication for 5 days. She noticed drastic improvement in her symptoms the next day and her menses was not smelly on her next cycle. However, reinfection occurred as her husband refused to be treated as he was asymptomatic. After much counseling and persuasion, he finally agreed to take the medication together with T who had remained symptom free since.

Endometriosis is a complex disease where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain and/or infertility. It affects about one in ten women of reproductive age. Treatment includes medications which may have unpleasant side effects and/or surgery which is invasive and costly. Thus, it is understandable that many women seek help on alternative treatment such as herbal supplements, acupuncture and dietary interventions. During a consult for a second opinion, G, a 35-year-old lady with 3 previous surgeries for endometriosis and was currently on hormonal medication, asked whether dietary modifications were effective in treating the disease. She was told by her friend that giving up dairy products and eating gluten-free food can cure the condition. “I would like to eat the food I love if there is no medical evidence of such dietary changes,” she said.. In the social media and internet, there are many articles or blogs which claim that the symptoms of endometriosis are cured or subside after dietary modifications. Such information can undoubtedly offer hope to those facing devastating pain and infertility. So, is there any scientific evidence to substantiate such claims? What are the foods that have been suggested to affect endometriosis negatively? Observational studies have found that the following foods are associated with increased risk of endometriosis development. They include: Trans fat Red meat Gluten Alcohol and caffeine High FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly). These foods include milk, ice-cream, cereal, beans, lentil, asparagus, garlic, apple and pears What are the foods that purportedly may impact endometriosis positively? Animal and observational studies have indicated that foods promoting anti-inflammatory response in the body may benefit patients with endometriosis. They include: Colorful fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, berries, spinach, and beets Legumes, and whole grain Oily fish like salmon Walnuts, chia, and flax seeds Dark chocolate Vitamin A, C, E, D, calcium and magnesium Curcumin What is the latest scientific evidence as of 2021? Studying the cause-effect relationship between foods and disease is very complicated and difficult as it is not easy to restrict or control patients on the intake of certain foods. Most studies of the effects of nutrition on endometriosis are based mainly on observational and animal studies with very few well controlled randomized trials. The numbers of subjects are usually small and the results are often difficult to replicate. Although there appears to be a link between diet and endometriosis, the evidence is still inconclusive at present. Further well-designed trials are needed to accurately determine the influence of diet on endometriosis. Some studies have advocated diets excluding certain food products e.g. grains and dairy. This may result in nutritional deficiencies if the nutrients are not adequately replenished. Furthermore, adherence to a certain diet can be costly and failure to adhere to it can cause patients feeling stressed and guilty. It should be noted that foods that purportedly impact endometriosis positively are healthy foods. They may relieve the symptoms but not the progression of the disease. Besides, they may not work for every patient. At present, no universal dietary intervention has been proposed and patients are advised to eat a well-balanced healthy diet. G appeared to be happy with my explanation and was referred to the dietitian to check her nutritional needs.

C was bathing when she suddenly felt a gush of clear watery fluid flowing out of her vagina. Taken aback, she quickly finished her bath and alerted her husband who rushed her to the hospital. C, a 28-year-old financial executive was a first-time mum at her 33 weeks of gestation. She was seen early in the first trimester and her antenatal checkups had been normal. She was a non-smoker and there was no history of vaginal bleeding. She did not engage in vigorous exercise or sexual activity recently. C looked anxious on examination. Her body temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate were normal. Ultrasound scan of the abdomen revealed that her foetus appeared normal and weighed about 1.7 kg. The fetal heart was beating at 156 beats per minute. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus was normal. There were occasional painless Braxton-Hicks uterine contractions. Speculum examination of the vagina found a pool of clear fluid in the posterior recess of the vagina. This was confirmed to be the amniotic fluid by the swab test (Amnicator) which showed a pH value of 7.1. C had ruptured her water bag before the onset of labour, a condition known as prelabour rupture of membranes or PROM. As this occurred before 37 weeks of gestation, it is called “preterm PROM”. How often is Preterm PROM? Preterm PROM occurs in about three in a hundred pregnancies and is associated with 30 to 40 % of preterm births What are the causes and risk factors of preterm PROM? The cause in most cases is not known. Risk factors include: Having a short cervix (neck of the womb). Infection of the reproductive organs. History of preterm birth in a previous pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy especially in the second and third trimesters. Smoking or taking illicit drugs during pregnancy. L ow socioeconomic status. Why is preterm PROM a concern? Preterm PROM complicates as many as one third or more of premature births. About 50% of babies will deliver within one week after the membranes rupture. A preterm baby has many serious life-threatening problems (see the article “premature birth” on our website). Other complications of PPROM include: Serious infection to the mother and the baby as a result of Infected amniotic fluid and placental tissues (chorioamnionitis). Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus (abruptio placentae). Compression of the umbilical cord. Increased incidence of Cesarean section. Infection after delivery. What are the symptoms of Preterm PROM? How is it diagnosed? The typical symptom is a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Other symptoms include: Uncontrollable leaking of fluid per vagina Feeling of wetness in the vagina or underwear Most cases can be diagnosed on the basis of the patient's history and speculum examination of the vagina. Vaginal fluid is then tested for the pH value with the nitrazine-based swab test. Amniotic fluid can also be dried on a glass slide and a fern-like pattern may appear under microscope. How is Preterm PROM treated? Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the stage of pregnancy. It includes: Bed rest in hospital to monitor the mother for signs of labour and infection. The baby should also be monitored by ultrasound for its well-being and heart rate. Antibiotics are given to prevent and treat the infection. Steroids may be given to help the baby’s lungs grow and mature. Tocolytic medicines may be given to stop labour contractions. Timing and mode of delivery will depend on the severity of infection, the presence of obstetrical complications, the viability of the baby and the pediatric medical support. C was admitted for rest with an expectant management. Steroid and antibiotics were administered. She was monitored for signs of infection by regular blood tests. Foetal wellbeing was assessed with foetal heartbeat monitoring (CTG) and ultrasound scan. One week after admission, she began to show signs of an intrauterine infection. A Caesarean section was done and a healthy baby boy weighing 2 kg was delivered. He was monitored in the NICU (neonatal intensive care) for 3 days and was discharged well.