http://www.innermosthealthcare.com/

Innermost Healthcare, Ash Tree Clinic, 3 Ash Tree Court, Woodsy Close, Cardiff (Caerdydd) (2026)

15/10/2026

🕯️ Global Wave of Light – 15 October 2026

Tonight, we joined families across the world in remembering babies whose lives ended too soon.

At 7 pm, candles were lit around the world in memory of babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and other forms of pregnancy and infant loss.

At Innermost Healthcare, we recognise that every loss matters, however early in pregnancy, and that the love, grief and memories remain long after.

Our thoughts are with all parents and families who have experienced the heartbreak of losing a baby, including those we have had the privilege of caring for.

Always loved. Always remembered. 🩷🩵

03/10/2026

My IVF hasn’t worked – what should I do next?

After one failed embryo transfer, it is natural to wonder whether something has been missed.

After two unsuccessful good-quality embryo transfers, it may be worth pausing and asking a simple question:

Do we need to review anything before trying again?

That does not mean everyone needs lots of extra tests. Often, the most useful step is a careful review of the whole picture.

The embryo itself is often the most important factor

Even an embryo that looks excellent under the microscope can have chromosome changes that prevent it from implanting or developing normally.

This becomes more common as the age of the egg increases.

So a failed transfer does not automatically mean there is a problem with the womb or its lining.

It is worth reviewing how the embryos developed, their quality, whether they reached the blastocyst stage and, where relevant, whether chromosome testing has been discussed.

Could there be a problem with the womb?

Sometimes there are structural factors that can affect implantation.

These can include:

Polyps – small overgrowths of the lining of the womb.

Fibroids – benign growths in the muscle of the womb. They are more likely to matter if they bulge into or distort the uterine cavity.

Adenomyosis – a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining is present within the muscle of the uterus.

Hydrosalpinx – a blocked fallopian tube that becomes filled with fluid. In some cases, this fluid can leak back towards the womb and may reduce the chance of implantation.

These problems can often be assessed with a transvaginal ultrasound, and sometimes with more detailed tests such as saline ultrasound or hysteroscopy.

Are there any other factors?

In a small number of couples, one partner may carry a balanced chromosome rearrangement without knowing it.

This does not usually cause any health problems for the parent, but it can sometimes result in embryos with an abnormal chromosome complement.

In selected couples, this can be checked with a simple blood chromosome test called a karyotype.

Male factors also matter. Semen analysis, fertilisation rates and how embryos have developed during previous treatment may all provide useful information. More specialised s***m tests are not needed for everyone.

If there have also been recurrent miscarriages, rather than embryos simply failing to implant, the investigation may be different. In some situations, testing for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) may be appropriate.

What about the lining of the womb?

The endometrium is the lining of the womb where the embryo needs to implant.

Most people do not need special testing of the endometrium.

But after repeated unsuccessful good-quality embryo transfers, it may be reasonable to ask whether the lining itself should be assessed.

One way of doing this is with an endometrial biopsy.

A very fine sampling tube is passed through the cervix and a small sample of the womb lining is taken. This allows the tissue to be examined in the laboratory for features that cannot necessarily be seen on an ultrasound scan.

One condition that can be looked for is chronic endometritis — persistent low-grade inflammation of the womb lining, often without any obvious symptoms.

A laboratory marker called CD138 can help identify the plasma cells associated with this condition.

There is also increasing interest in other markers of the endometrial environment, including CD56, FoxP3 and BCL6.

However, this is still an evolving area of fertility medicine.

An abnormal result does not automatically mean that it caused implantation failure, and not every test has been proven to improve the chance of having a baby.

That is why results should be considered alongside the embryo history, scans, previous treatment and the couple’s wider medical and reproductive history.

When should I ask for a review?

There is no single number that applies to everyone.

But after two unsuccessful good-quality embryo transfers, it is reasonable to have a more structured discussion with your fertility team.

Useful questions include:

Have we reviewed the embryos and their likely chromosome competence?

Has the womb and uterine cavity been adequately assessed?

Is there anything in our medical, pregnancy or family history that suggests a particular investigation?

Could the endometrium be relevant?

Would an endometrial biopsy provide information that could actually change what we do next?

That last question is probably the most important.

More testing is not always better testing.

The aim should be to identify investigations that are genuinely relevant to your own history — and only pursue tests where the result is likely to help guide the next step.

15/09/2026

✨ Piercings and pregnancy — do you need to take them out? 🤰

If you already have a piercing, becoming pregnant doesn’t automatically mean it needs to be removed. A well-healed piercing will usually cause no problem during pregnancy.

But navel, ni**le and ge***al piercings deserve some extra thought as your body changes and you approach birth and breastfeeding.

Thinking about getting a NEW piercing while pregnant?

The simplest advice is: wait until after pregnancy.

Piercing breaks the skin and creates a wound that needs to heal. This carries risks including infection, bleeding, allergic reactions and poor healing. There is also a potential risk of blood-borne infection if appropriate sterile techniques aren’t followed.

For an entirely elective procedure, postponing it makes sense.

What about a belly-button piercing?

A long-standing, completely healed navel piercing isn’t harmful to your baby.

However, as your bump grows, the skin around the navel can become increasingly stretched. Jewellery may start to:

• feel tight or uncomfortable
• rub or irritate the surrounding skin
• become inflamed
• migrate towards the surface
• occasionally contribute to tearing of very stretched skin

If your jewellery becomes tight, painful or starts pulling on the skin, don’t leave it under tension. It may be better to remove it.

A new navel piercing is particularly unsuitable during pregnancy because navel piercings can take many months to heal — just as the abdominal skin is beginning to stretch.

What about ge***al piercings?

A fully healed ge***al piercing would not usually affect your pregnancy or your baby.

The important consideration is childbirth.

Jewellery involving the v***a, cl****is or surrounding tissues should generally be removed before labour and vaginal birth. Depending on its position, jewellery could interfere with vaginal examination, urinary catheterisation, episiotomy or suturing and could potentially catch or cause trauma during delivery.

If you’re planning a Caesarean birth, tell your maternity team about any ge***al jewellery as well, as removal may still be requested.

And ni**le piercings?

A healed ni**le piercing does not usually cause a problem during pregnancy, although breast enlargement can make jewellery increasingly uncomfortable.

Previous ni**le piercing doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to breastfeed.

However, ni**le jewellery should be removed when breastfeeding. Jewellery can interfere with your baby’s attachment to the breast and potentially represents a choking or aspiration hazard if it becomes loose.

Some women who have previously had ni**le piercings may notice milk coming through the old piercing openings — this isn’t necessarily a problem.

Already had a piercing before discovering you were pregnant?

There is usually no reason to worry and it would not normally mean you need any additional pregnancy scans or testing.

If it is a recent piercing, keep a close eye on the healing area.

Seek medical advice if you develop increasing redness, warmth, swelling or pain, spreading redness, pus or discharge, fever, chills or feel generally unwell.

💗 Bottom line:

Existing, healed piercing? Usually fine.
New piercing while pregnant? Best postponed.
Navel piercing? Watch for stretching and tension as your bump grows.
Ge***al piercing? Plan to remove the jewellery before labour/birth.
Ni**le piercing? Jewellery should be removed for breastfeeding.

Pregnancy changes your body in some fairly remarkable ways — and occasionally that means changing your jewellery too.

Know someone who’s pregnant with a navel, ni**le or ge***al piercing? Share this with them.

**lePiercing

15/09/2026

✨ Pregnant and thinking about a chemical peel or microneedling? Should you wait? 🤰

For most cosmetic treatments, the sensible answer is: postpone them until after pregnancy.

Pregnancy can change your skin significantly. It may become more sensitive, reactive and prone to pigmentation, including melasma.

Chemical peels

Not all peels are the same. They can contain ingredients at very different concentrations and pe*****te the skin to different depths.

Some superficial treatments may involve relatively little systemic absorption, but pregnancy-specific safety data are limited. Retinoid-containing peels should be avoided, and stronger or deeper chemical peels are not appropriate elective treatments during pregnancy.

Microneedling

Microneedling deliberately creates thousands of tiny punctures in the skin. Although the needles themselves don’t pose a risk to the baby, treatment can cause bleeding, inflammation, infection and changes in pigmentation.

Products applied during or after microneedling may also pe*****te the skin more readily — and not every serum or active ingredient is suitable during pregnancy.

Because both treatments are cosmetic, there is usually little reason to accept these uncertainties while pregnant.

Already had a peel or microneedling before discovering you were pregnant?

Don’t panic. An isolated treatment would not normally mean that your baby has been harmed or that you automatically need additional pregnancy scans or testing. The specific products used can be reviewed if there is concern.

💗 Bottom line: pregnancy isn’t necessarily the best time for aggressive skincare. Keep things gentle and leave elective chemical peels and microneedling until after pregnancy.

Know someone who’s pregnant and planning a facial treatment? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

🌿 Pregnant? “Natural” doesn’t always mean pregnancy-safe… 🤰

Essential oils are everywhere — diffusers, bath oils, massage blends and skincare. But are they safe during pregnancy?

The answer is: it depends on the oil, the concentration and how you use it.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. Pregnancy safety data for many individual oils are limited, so it isn’t sensible to assume that every essential oil is safe simply because it is natural.

A few sensible precautions:

• Never swallow essential oils unless specifically advised by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional
• Don’t apply undiluted essential oils directly to your skin
• Use properly diluted products and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Avoid prolonged or intense exposure in poorly ventilated rooms
• Stop using a product if it causes headache, nausea, breathing problems or skin irritation
• Check the individual oil rather than relying on a product simply being labelled “natural” or “pregnancy friendly”

What about a diffuser?

Occasional use of small amounts in a well-ventilated room is likely to result in relatively low exposure, but avoid filling a closed room with concentrated vapour for prolonged periods.

And pregnancy massage with essential oils?

Tell your therapist that you’re pregnant and choose someone experienced in pregnancy massage who uses appropriately diluted products.

💗 Bottom line: you don’t necessarily need to avoid every essential oil during pregnancy — but “natural” does not automatically mean safe.

If you’re unsure about a particular essential oil or product, check before using it.

Know someone who’s pregnant and loves their essential oils? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

🧴 Pregnant and wondering if you can still use hair removal cream? 🤰

The short answer: generally, yes.

Hair removal creams such as depilatory creams work by using chemicals to break down the structure of the hair so that it can be wiped away.

Only small amounts are expected to be absorbed through healthy skin, and there is no evidence that normal use of these products during pregnancy harms your baby.

But pregnancy can change your skin — so a product you’ve used many times before may suddenly cause irritation or sensitivity.

A few sensible precautions:

• Follow the instructions carefully
• Do a patch test first, even if you’ve used the product before
• Never leave it on for longer than recommended
• Don’t use it on broken, inflamed or irritated skin
• Use it in a well-ventilated room, particularly if the smell makes you nauseated
• Stop immediately if you develop significant burning or irritation

Already used hair removal cream while pregnant?

There is usually no reason to worry, and normal use would not be expected to mean that you need additional pregnancy scans or testing.

💗 Bottom line: hair removal creams are generally considered low risk during pregnancy — but your skin may be more sensitive, so patch test first and follow the instructions carefully.

Know someone who’s pregnant and wondering what’s safe? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

🩷 Pregnant and wondering if you can still get waxed? 🤰

The short answer: yes — waxing is generally considered safe during pregnancy.

Wax only works on the hair and surface of the skin, so there is no known risk to your baby from the waxing process itself.

But pregnancy hormones can change your skin and circulation, which means waxing may feel more uncomfortable than usual. Your skin may also be more sensitive, more prone to redness, bruising or irritation.

A few sensible precautions:

• Choose an experienced therapist with good hygiene standards
• Tell them that you’re pregnant
• Avoid waxing broken, irritated, infected or very sensitive skin
• Be particularly careful around prominent varicose veins
• Consider a small patch test if your skin has become unusually sensitive
• Stop if the treatment becomes excessively painful or your skin reacts badly

What about bikini or Brazilian waxing?

Being pregnant doesn’t in itself make intimate waxing unsafe. However, increased blood flow and skin sensitivity can make it considerably more uncomfortable, particularly later in pregnancy.

And there’s no medical need to remove p***c hair before giving birth or having a Caesarean section.

💗 Bottom line: waxing during an uncomplicated pregnancy is generally fine — just don’t be surprised if your skin is more sensitive than it used to be.

Know someone who’s pregnant and wondering whether to cancel their waxing appointment? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

💆‍♀️ Pregnant and desperate for a massage? Is it actually safe? 🤰

For most women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, massage is generally safe.

In fact, pregnancy massage can be a useful way to relax and may help with some of the muscular aches and discomfort that become more common as pregnancy progresses.

But there are a few things worth knowing.

Choose a therapist who is appropriately trained and experienced in pregnancy massage, and always tell them that you are pregnant and how many weeks you are.

As your pregnancy progresses, lying completely flat on your back for prolonged periods can make some women feel dizzy or unwell because the uterus can compress major blood vessels. Side-lying or appropriately supported positions are usually more comfortable.

Massage should be comfortable — deep or painful pressure isn’t necessary, particularly around areas that are sore or swollen.

When should you check first?

If you have pregnancy complications, unexplained bleeding, significant abdominal pain, symptoms of pre-eclampsia, concerns about premature labour, or a painful/swollen leg that could represent a blood clot, seek medical advice rather than simply booking a massage.

And despite some popular claims, there is no good evidence that ordinary massage of particular “pressure points” causes miscarriage or spontaneously starts labour.

💗 Bottom line: for most uncomplicated pregnancies, a properly performed pregnancy massage is fine — choose someone experienced in treating pregnant women.

Know someone who could really use a pregnancy massage? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

🦷 Pregnant and thinking about whitening your teeth? Should you wait? 🤰

The short answer: yes — it’s best to postpone teeth whitening until after pregnancy.

Professional whitening and many home-whitening products use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten teeth.

There is very little research on cosmetic teeth whitening during pregnancy, so we don’t have enough evidence to say that it is completely safe for an unborn baby.

Pregnancy can also make your gums more sensitive and prone to swelling, inflammation and bleeding, and whitening products can sometimes cause additional irritation or tooth sensitivity.

Because teeth whitening is entirely cosmetic, there is usually no reason to take even an uncertain risk during pregnancy.

What about ordinary dental treatment?

That’s different. Don’t avoid your dentist because you’re pregnant. Routine dental care and necessary dental treatment are important during pregnancy. Tell your dentist that you’re pregnant so treatment can be planned appropriately.

Already whitened your teeth before discovering you were pregnant?

There is usually no reason to panic. An isolated exposure would not normally be expected to harm your pregnancy or mean that you need additional scans or testing.

💗 Bottom line: keep brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist — but leave cosmetic whitening until after pregnancy.

Know someone who’s pregnant and considering teeth whitening? Share this with them.

15/09/2026

⚡ Pregnant and booked for laser hair removal? Should you still go? 🤰

The simple answer: it’s best to postpone laser hair removal and IPL until after pregnancy.

There’s no evidence that cosmetic laser hair removal harms an unborn baby. The light energy is designed to act locally in the skin and hair follicle rather than travelling deep into the body.

The problem is that there simply isn’t enough research in pregnant women to confirm that cosmetic laser or IPL treatment is completely safe.

Pregnancy can also change your skin. You may be more prone to:

• pigmentation and melasma
• increased skin sensitivity
• irritation or burns
• unpredictable responses to treatment

Hormonal changes can also alter hair growth during pregnancy, so you may not get the result you were expecting anyway.

Already had laser or IPL before discovering you were pregnant?

There is usually no reason to panic. Accidental treatment would not normally be expected to harm the pregnancy or mean that you need additional scans or testing.

💗 Bottom line: laser hair removal and IPL are elective treatments, so the sensible approach is to pause them during pregnancy and restart afterwards.

In the meantime, shaving, waxing or threading are generally suitable alternatives if they are comfortable for you.

Know someone who’s pregnant and halfway through a laser course? Share this with them.

Innermost Healthcare

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