Innermost Healthcare

15/07/2026

🧬 Most carriers have no symptoms. Most have no family history.

Most people who carry an inherited genetic variant are completely healthy and have no idea they are carriers.

If both partners carry a pathogenic variant in the same gene, there is a chance of having a child with a serious inherited genetic condition, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), cystic fibrosis (CF) or sickle cell disease.

Genetic carrier screening can be performed before or during pregnancy, although testing before conception provides the greatest range of reproductive options.

At Innermost Healthcare, we don’t believe one test suits everyone. We offer a choice of leading carrier screening programmes, including:

🧬 Natera Horizon™ (4, 27, 274 and 613-gene panels)
🧬 Medicover Adventia™ Expanded Carrier Screening
🧬 Fulgent Beacon® Expanded Carrier Screening
🧬 BioArray Expanded Carrier Screening

✔ Consultant-led advice before and after testing
✔ Home testing available for many patients
✔ Suitable before or during pregnancy
✔ No laboratory fee for partner testing if the first partner is identified as a carrier (subject to laboratory policy)

Whether you’re planning a pregnancy or are already expecting, carrier screening can provide valuable information about the chance of your baby inheriting certain genetic conditions and help inform your reproductive choices.

Find out more:
https://innermosthealthcare.com/pre-pregnancy/carrier-screening/

08/07/2026

Encouraging progress in endometriosis diagnosis

This is very encouraging news for women’s healthcare.

We’re delighted to see the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommending innovative non-invasive tests for endometriosis, including the Ziwig Endotest, for evaluation within the NHS. Earlier diagnosis has the potential to reduce years of uncertainty and help women access appropriate treatment much sooner.

At Innermost Healthcare, we recognised the potential of the Ziwig Endotest early and have been offering it privately since 2025, making us one of the first private women’s healthcare clinics in the UK to provide access to this technology.

The test is not a replacement for expert clinical assessment or imaging, but it can be a valuable additional diagnostic tool, particularly for women with symptoms suggestive of endometriosis where ultrasound or MRI are normal or inconclusive.

Although this is a significant milestone, it is important to recognise that this is currently draft NICE guidance recommending a three-year period of managed NHS evaluation. It is therefore likely to be some time before the test is routinely available across NHS services. Until then, women who may benefit from the test will continue to rely on access through specialist private providers.

We welcome this important step forward and hope it ultimately leads to faster diagnosis and improved care for the millions of women affected by endometriosis.

If you would like to learn more about the Ziwig Endotest or discuss whether it may be appropriate for you, our team at Innermost Healthcare would be pleased to help.

20/06/2026

☀️ Pregnant During the UK Heatwave? Here’s How to Stay Cool and Safe

Temperatures across parts of the UK are expected to exceed 30°C tomorrow, and pregnant women may be particularly vulnerable to dehydration, overheating and heat-related discomfort.

Pregnancy naturally increases your body temperature, heart rate and blood volume, making hot weather feel more intense. You may notice increased swelling, tiredness, headaches, dizziness, breathlessness or difficulty sleeping.

The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to stay cool and comfortable:

💧 Drink water regularly throughout the day, even before you feel thirsty.

🏠 Keep your home cool by closing curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day and opening windows when temperatures fall in the evening.

🌳 Stay in the shade whenever possible and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly between 11am and 3pm.

👕 Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made from breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen.

🚿 Take cool showers or baths and use a fan to improve air circulation.

🧊 Enjoy cooling foods such as watermelon, grapes, cucumber and yoghurt.

👣 Elevate your feet when resting, as hot weather can worsen swelling of the ankles and feet.

🚶‍♀️ If exercising, choose cooler parts of the day such as early morning or late evening.

When Should You Contact Your Midwife or Maternity Unit?

Please seek advice promptly if you experience:

🔹 Reduced or changed fetal movements

🔹 Persistent dizziness, fainting or feeling unwell despite drinking fluids and resting

🔹 Signs of dehydration, including very dark urine, passing very little urine or difficulty keeping fluids down

🔹 A severe or persistent headache, particularly if associated with visual disturbances

🔹 Regular contractions, abdominal tightening or backache before 37 weeks

🔹 Vaginal bleeding or loss of fluid from the va**na

🔹 Shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations that do not settle with rest

🔹 A temperature of 38°C or above

🚨 Seek urgent medical attention if you develop symptoms of heatstroke, including confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness or severe breathing difficulties.

Most pregnancies progress completely normally during hot weather, but staying hydrated and avoiding overheating can make a significant difference to your comfort and wellbeing.

Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Look after yourself and your baby. 💗

20/06/2026

A REASSURING MESSAGE ABOUT TODAY’S MISCARRIAGE HEADLINES

You may have seen recent news reports suggesting that bending forwards, walking, or standing at work in early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Please don’t panic.

The study being reported in The Guardian looked at women performing repeated occupational activities at work and does not prove that these activities cause miscarriage.

Importantly, it does not mean that normal everyday activities such as:

✔ Bending down to pick something up
✔ Tying your shoelaces
✔ Emptying the dishwasher
✔ Carrying shopping
✔ Looking after other children
✔ Walking or exercising normally

cause miscarriage.

The reality is that most miscarriages occur because of factors completely outside a woman’s control. The commonest cause is a chromosome abnormality within the pregnancy itself.

There are genuine risk factors for miscarriage that doctors can investigate, including:

✔ Previous miscarriages
✔ Maternal age
✔ Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
✔ Certain thyroid disorders
✔ Poorly controlled diabetes
✔ Some uterine abnormalities
✔ Chromosome rearrangements in either parent
✔ Smoking and certain lifestyle factors

These are the factors supported by much stronger scientific evidence and, in many cases, can be screened for or treated.

If today’s headlines have left you feeling anxious, please be reassured:

There is no good evidence that normal bending, walking, shopping, exercising, working, or everyday movement causes miscarriage.

Pregnancy can be worrying enough without alarming headlines that risk creating unnecessary anxiety.

For those interested, the original article can be read here:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/18/bending-forwards-walking-early-pregnancy-miscarriage-risk-study

16/06/2026

Would you know if your pregnancy care provider is regulated?

Whether booking a scan or NIPT, regulation ensures qualified professionals, insured care, and pathways to NHS or specialist support if needed.

Ask yourself: who performs the service, is it insured, will I receive a medical report, can I speak to a doctor, and is NHS referral available?

Your baby deserves expert care—because expertise matters.

⸻

13/06/2026

🏁 S***M RACING WORLD CUP?! 🏁

A recent article in The BMJ highlighted the unusual concept of a “S***m Racing World Cup” – a competition designed to raise awareness about male fertility by racing s***m cells along a microscopic track.

Read the BMJ article:
https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-376385

While the idea may sound light-hearted, it shines a spotlight on a very real issue.

🔬 Male factor infertility contributes to around 40–50% of couples experiencing difficulty conceiving.

Many people assume fertility problems are primarily related to the female partner, but male factors are involved in almost half of all cases. In some couples, male factor infertility is the sole cause; in others, it contributes alongside female factors.

The good news? The first step in assessing male fertility is usually simple.

✅ A semen analysis can provide valuable information about:
• S***m count
• S***m concentration
• Motility (how well s***m swim)
• Morphology (s***m shape)
• Semen volume
• Signs of infection or inflammation

Many men are surprised to learn that fertility cannot be judged by age, fitness, sexual function, or general health alone. A semen analysis remains one of the most important and cost-effective investigations when a couple is struggling to conceive.

If you have been trying for a pregnancy for 12 months (or 6 months if the female partner is over 35), both partners should be assessed.

At Innermost Healthcare, we provide comprehensive fertility assessments for both men and women, including semen analysis, fertility consultations, ultrasound assessment, and personalised advice.

📞 0345 230 3386
🌐 www.innermosthealthcare.com

Because fertility is a couple’s issue — and understanding male fertility is an essential part of the journey.

***mRacing

Call now to connect with business.

04/06/2026

NEW RCOG GUIDANCE ON BABY’S MOVEMENTS IN PREGNANCY

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) updated its guidance on reduced fetal movements on 27 April 2026.

The key message is simple:

✅ Contact your maternity unit if your baby is moving less than usual

✅ Contact your maternity unit if movements feel weaker than usual

✅ Contact your maternity unit if movements stop

The updated guidance moves away from counting kicks or trying to identify a specific “pattern” of movements. There is no normal number of movements, and every baby is different.

Most women begin to feel movements between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Once you are feeling regular movements from your baby, it is important to seek advice if those movements become reduced, weaker or stop. This is particularly important after 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Babies should not move less because you are approaching your due date. As your baby grows, the type of movement may change, but you should continue to feel regular movements throughout pregnancy, including during labour.

Reduced fetal movements can sometimes be an early sign that a baby needs further assessment. Most babies will be found to be well, but it is always safest to get checked.

If you are concerned about your baby’s movements, contact your maternity unit straight away, even if you have been assessed before for the same concern.

At Innermost Healthcare, we support the updated RCOG advice and encourage all pregnant women to trust their instincts. If you feel something is different, seek advice promptly.

Less. Weaker. Stopped. Get Checked.

https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/reduced-fetal-movements-green-top-guideline-no-57/

02/06/2026

We agree with the key message from Tommy’s.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BJy4U19p4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool for helping people understand medical information, generate questions to ask their healthcare team, and navigate complex topics. However, AI systems can occasionally provide inaccurate, incomplete, outdated or misleading information, particularly when discussing individual medical circumstances.

Pregnancy care is highly personal. Advice that may be appropriate for one person could be entirely wrong for another.

If you use AI for pregnancy-related information:

✔ Treat it as a source of general information, not a diagnosis
✔ Check information against trusted organisations and healthcare providers
✔ Be particularly cautious with urgent symptoms, medication advice, test results and decisions about your pregnancy
✔ Always seek professional medical advice for concerns relating to you or your baby

Reliable sources such as Tommy’s, the NHS, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and your own maternity team remain the best sources of personalised advice.

AI can support healthcare conversations, but it should never replace them.

27/05/2026

Ovulation Trigger Shots: Why Pregnancy Tests Can Be Misleading

If you are having ovulation induction with medications such as Clomiphene or Letrozole, your treatment may include an ovulation trigger injection such as Ovitrelle® (hCG).

Many people are unaware that trigger injections contain hCG – the same hormone measured in pregnancy tests.

This means:

✓ Urine pregnancy tests can become falsely positive
✓ Digital pregnancy tests can also become falsely positive
✓ Blood hCG tests may remain positive for a period after the injection
✓ Testing too early can create confusion, unnecessary anxiety, or false reassurance that a positive test confirms pregnancy

The hCG from a trigger injection usually reduces over time, but in some women it may still be detectable for 10–14 days and occasionally longer.

If your period has not started by around day 16 after your trigger injection, speak with your fertility team. They may advise a quantitative blood hCG test and sometimes repeat testing 48 hours later (for example around day 16 and day 18) to assess the pattern of results rather than relying on a single test result.

Understanding the difference between residual trigger hormone and early pregnancy hormone production can help avoid unnecessary worry.

Did you know trigger injections could affect all pregnancy tests — including digital tests?