Herbal Health

At operation, the protruding sac is cut off and the stump pushed back inside the abdominal cavity. This sac is formed from the peritoneum, which lines the inside of the abdomen.

The muscle layers of the abdominal wall are then repaired and tightened so as to prevent recurrence. The muscles are pulled tightly together with stitches. Sometimes a layer of stitches or wire is placed between the muscle layers so as to add strength.

The usual stay in hospital is about five days. Most workers are given six weeks off work to recover but the self-employed and those who can be found suitable alternative work involving minimal lifting of restricted weights can return to work within four weeks.

Unfortunately, despite the skill of the surgeon, the hernia may recur and require another operation. This second attempt is always more difficult than the first repair because of the scarring and the difficulty in separating the various muscle layers.

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If mother and foetus are ABO incompatible, her anti-A and or anti-B antibodies would rapidly destroy the foetus’ red cells before they could induce antibody formation.

An Rh negative woman can be sensitised and develop antibodies if she receives a blood transfusion of Rh positive blood.

In the past, Rhesus iso-immunisation was a great worry to every doctor who delivered babies. With modern treatment, it should no longer be seen. Unfortunately, that is not yet the case.

Where an Rh negative woman becomes pregnant to an Rh positive man, in most, but not all, cases the child will be Rhesus positive.

It is rare for the woman to be sensitised in her first pregnancy but one in 10 are sensitised by the second and the percentage becomes higher with each pregnancy. Previously, in six out of every 1000 deliveries, the child would be affected by Rhesus iso-immunisation.

Once the mother has formed these antibodies, they readily cross the placenta to enter the baby’s circulation and can destroy the baby’s red cells.

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