Systemic-Anti Cancer Pre-Treatment information and video for patients

Labour can be categorised into the latent phase of labour and the active/established stage. The pain relief options will be slightly different for each stage. The Latent Phase This is the early phase of labour where your cervix will be softening and getting ready for established labour.  You may experience some period type discomfort and irregular tightening’s, the sensations you feel will most likely be in your lower abdomen and lower back as your cervix softens. For this stage of labour, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable: Use a hot water bottle…

Comfort measures in labour and birth

Always check over-the-counter medications for possible interactions with prescribed drugs. Simple painkillers such as Paracetamol are usually safe, providing you do not exceed the maximum recommended dose and ensure that none of your prescribed drugs also contain Paracetamol, since this could result in accidental overdose. Do not take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Nurofen/Ibuprofen if you are already taking prescribed NSAIDs. Avoid NSAIDs if you have previously suffered any adverse effects or have a history of gastritis or stomach ulcers. Also avoid NSAIDs if you are asthmatic, have high blood pressure or take anti-coagulation medications, unless your GP or Rheumatology team advises you to take them.

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) Biologics JAK-inhibitors Azathioprine Abatacept Baricitinib Ciclosporin Adalimumab Filgotinib Hydroxychloroquine Anakinra Tofacitinib Leflunomide Apremilast Upadacitinib Methotrexate Belimumab   Mycophenolate Certolizumab pegol Sulfasalazine Etanercept Tacrolimus Golimumab   Infliximab Ixekizumab Rituximab Sarilumab Secukinumab Tocilizumab Ustekinumab Please note that some of these treatments have multiple brand names.

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) Biologics JAK-inhibitors Azathioprine Abatacept Baricitinib Ciclosporin Adalimumab Filgotinib Leflunomide Anakinra Tofacitinib Methotrexate Apremilast Upadacitinib Mycophenolate Belimumab   Tacrolimus Certolizumab pegol   Etanercept Golimumab Infliximab Ixekizumab Rituximab Sarilumab Secukinumab Tocilizumab Ustekinumab Please note that some of these treatments have multiple brand names.

When you have your pregnancy booking appointment your midwife will ask to take some blood samples, one of these will be to find out your blood group.  It will determine whether you are a positive or negative blood group.  If it is found that you have a negative blood group you will be offered Anti-D at different points in your pregnancy.  Anti D is derived from plasma collected from donors, it is a concentrated form of antibodies. A new test is now offered to all women who are Rhesus Negative at 16 weeks gestation.  The blood test will determine whether…

You should take a lateral flow test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if your symptoms are mild. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, please follow the guidelines on the NHS 111 website and temporarily stop taking your Rheumatology medication (see table below), EXCEPT for steroids (Prednisolone), Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine,until you are fully recovered. This advice applies for any infection. You may be eligible to receive anti-viral medication against COVID-19 If your test is positive, you must report your result athttps://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result  or by calling 119. Your local health board will contact you to arrange a telephone appointment with a healthcare professional who will decide whether…