Are one of your loved ones going through fertility treatment? Support throughout treatment is so important and you can make a huge difference to someone through the support you can provide. Below are some of our top tips to help someone who is going through the fertility journey.
It is important to take good care of your body, mind and soul. Self care is a fantastic way to take some time out for yourself and take a step towards feeling relaxed and healthy.
Below are some of our top tips to help improve your self care routine!
1. Take a bubble bath
A relaxing bath with your favourite candles and music is a great way to unwind and reflect on your day. Why not try using a new face mask to make it extra special!
2. Take a step back from social media
Do you ever find yourself scrolling through Instagram for hours? Sometimes it is easy to get lost in social media. However, having a break from the digital world can help you stay focused and in the present. Maybe try cutting back your screen time by 30 minutes a day and see how you get on!
3. Try a new hobby
Do you have a list of new recipes you want to try? A new sport you would like to pick up? Or is it time to dust off your camera? Starting a new hobby is an exciting way to spend time focusing in on a new skill. What new hobby would you like to try in February?
4. Yoga / Meditating
Are you wanting to start your day feeling calm and refreshed? Spending 5 minutes sitting in silence before starting your day is a great way to refocus. Why not take a look at some videos on YouTube to get started or downloading a popular app such as Calm or Headspace.
5. Take yourself out on a date
Is there a film at the cinema you want to see? Or a new restaurant you would like to try? Why not treat yourself to a day out! Spending quality time with your friends and family is important, but it is equally as important to spend some time on yourself. Why not schedule a day this month on yourself!
6. Make sure your up to date with your appointments
Cervical screening (smear), dental and optician appointments are some of the tests that need to be carried out to make sure you’re healthy. Is there an appointment that you need to make but haven’t scheduled the time to do this yet? This month why not make it your goal to get organised and book your appointments.
Self Care is ultimately all about you! What other self care ideas would you like to try this month?
Cervical screening also known as a smear test is the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer, however 1 in 3 women do not attend their cervical screening appointment.
Many women decide not to attend their appointment due to embarrassment and the thought of being uncomfortable, which we completely understand. Below are some of our top tips on how to make your appointment a little more comfortable.
Many women feel uncomfortable being exposed especially in front of the nurse or doctor who is taking the test. Wearing a loose fitted skirt or dress is a great way to feel less exposed and more comfortable.
Popping your headphones in and listening to your favourite music is a great way to distract yourself. We would also recommend listening to some relaxing meditation music too before your test to help you relax.
If you are feeling worried or anxious about the test let your doctor or nurse know. A problem shared is a problem halved, and by expressing how you are feeling this might help you before you start.
Having a plan for after your appointment is a great way to focus on something once it is completed. By planning a nice treat you can focus on that rather than the appointment itself. At The Surrey Park Clinic some of our patients have mentioned meeting up with friends for dinner or seeing a film at the cinema after their appointment. What would be your ideal treat.
At The Surrey Park Clinic your comfort and care is our top priority. We understand that having cervical screening can be stressful and that is why we ensure all of our patients are comfortable from the moment they walk into our clinic to the minute they leave.
We also have no restrictions on age. If you would like to have a cervical screening test before the age of 25 or after 64 we would be happy to see you.
At The Surrey Park Clinic all of our cervical screening appointments are 30 minutes. This is an extra 20 minutes in comparison to the NHS. We offer this so that you don’t feel rushed during your appointment, you can get comfortable and explain how you are feeling.
In aid of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month 2019 we are offering 10% off Cervical Screening at The Surrey Park Clinic. If you have any questions or would like to book your appointment please call our friendly on 0800 049 6944 or alternatively you can book online.
A sonographer is someone who undertakes and reports diagnostic, screening or interventional ultrasound examinations.
The majority of sonographers start their career as Radiographers. Radiographers are Allied Health Professionals who have studied at university in Medical imaging. Ultrasound is one of many different types of imaging techniques. In fact approximately 90% of patients who visit a hospital will have to see a radiographer. This could be for an Xray, MRI, CT, ultrasound and nuclear medicine to name a few. Some sonographers may have also begun their career in women’s health such as midwifery.
Once they have spent 4 years at university they must practice as a professional for a few more years. This is to expand their skills and knowledge. This can be in a hospital or private clinic. To then specialise in Ultrasound Imaging and reporting they must return to university at a postgraduate level which usually another 2 years. Even after 5-7 years of study, the learning never really stops…. Once qualified, a Sonographer must keep up to date with current practices, guidelines, technology and scan techniques. Although we are never shocked by what we see, we do sometimes come across new and unusual cases!
We start early preparing the scan room with equipment and checking who’s booked in and for which type of scan.
Each time we meet a new patient we know that it could be a completely normal picture. We will scan through the organs documenting measurements and saving images to show what we have seen. Sadly we may see something unexpected which may change the dynamics of the scan. This can lead us into having a difficult and often upsetting discussion with the patient. Being able to pass on findings and support patients is a big part of our job.
Between each scan we construct a report documenting what the scan showed and pass this onto the referrer for them to fit the Ultrasound results into the overall clinical picture alongside other findings such as symptoms and blood test results. Sometimes we may have to make urgent calls to referrers to update them on findings and even make the occasional call for an ambulance if we find something life threatening.
With all the days scans performed and reports written up we give the room a thorough clean and tidy and check over the machine and its transducer’s (the part we hold) for any signs of damage or wear and tear. We sign out, remove our uniforms and shut down the scan machine ready for the next day’s sonographer.
If you have any questions about our scanning services or you would like to book an appointment at The Surrey Park Clinic please call us on 0800 049 6944 or alternatively you can book online.
Welcome to our new weekly news round up. Each week we will post articles that have featured in the news that focus on Fertility, Gynaecology, Pregnancy and Hormone Management.
BBC News – ‘Three-person’ Baby Boy born in Greece
Doctors in Greece and Spain have found a way to overcome a woman’s infertility by producing a baby through three difference people. By making ‘Medical History’ this treatment could help infertile couples around the world.
Huff Post – Why Wait 12 weeks for your Early Pregnancy Scan
Why we should be talking more about Early Pregnancy and Miscarriage!
Medical News Today – What you should know about the Female Sex Hormone
The Female sex-hormone plays a vital role in sexual development, reproduction and general health. Our sex hormone levels change over time, but the most significant changes happen during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Friday 12th April 2019