Safe Contraception

Practicing safe sex

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

You may be not ready to have a baby right now. While having no intention for starting a family, you may want to prevent your pregnancy while adhering to the safest possible way. Contraception is one of the ways that can prevent your pregnancy along with protecting you from sexually transmissible infections (STI’s).

Quick Fact:

World contraception day is celebrated on 26 September every year to provide right to all the couples and individuals to decide freely.

Safe contraception methods

While there are many options for contraception, but we will consider some of the methods that are safe for you:

  • Condoms: This is one of the effective contraceptive that not only prevents pregnancy but also provides protections against STIs. It is free from hormones and can be used on demand as well. While it renders a safety option, but it can come off during intercourse if not used properly.
  • Oral contraceptive pills: Being one of the most common methods used for contraception, oral contraceptive pills are of different types that are effective when used by women once a day. However, you should take these pills when recommended by a medical professional.
  • Intrauterine device (IUD): This is a small device comprising of progesterone hormone or copper which can be placed inside the uterus of a woman by a trained professional. It can be used for long run where it can be effective in birth control.
  • The contraceptive injection: Comprising progesterone, this injection can be inserted via woman’s buttock or upper arm where the hormone is released into the blood stream to render its job as a contraceptive.
  • Diaphragm: It can also act a safe contraceptive when placed correctly inside the uterus to prevent the fertilization. It is usually a small dome shaped silicon which can be used more than once as it can be taken out and cleaned.

The final decision of using a birth control contraceptive rests on the recommendations of your health care provider along with your partner.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.

Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with our doctors, please book your appointment here.

Prenatal supplements before pregnancy

Prenatal supplement for pregnant women

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

In order to have a healthy pregnancy, you need to incorporate balanced nutrients in your diet which may fall short during this stage. To make sure you are healthy enough to start a pregnancy with a healthy body, prenatal supplements are highly recommended conferring to their advantages.

Quick Fact:

If you didn’t take prenatal supplements before pregnancy, you can still use them throughout pregnancy.

Best time to take prenatal supplements

When you decide to start your family, you can consult your health care professional to begin this phase in a healthy way. When it comes to recommendations for prenatal care, prenatal supplements are considered important to cover up the deficiency of important vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Prenatal supplements are multivitamins that are needed during the course of pregnancy. So to make sure you are able to nourish your body and your baby with the nutrients during pregnancy, it is important to start taking these supplements before it.

Prenatal supplements

Prenatal supplements should be rich in nutrients that are most important for the body, as:

  • Folic acid: Folic acid as a nutrient helps in the development of neural tube and structure that makes up the brain and spinal column. Taking folic acid supplements decrease the chances of any neural tube defects.
  • Calcium: Your baby needs calcium to form his teeth and bones which can be provided by prenatal calcium supplements. If you are lacking calcium in your body, you can suffer from temporary bone loss as the baby can take the calcium prevailing in your bones.
  • Iron: Iron is important in producing red blood cells where it also helps in the growth and development of the baby. During pregnancy, you iron demand can be more where you have to supply another life growing in your womb. To cope with this demand, iron supplement can be used.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Nutritionist customized diet plans for pregnant women and monitor their health throughout the period of pregnancy, in consultation with gynaecologists.

Do take an appointment with the Best Maternity Hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with our doctors, please book your appointment here.

Preconception counselling in Pregnancy and Postnatal care

Preconceptual Counselling

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

You may be wishing to have a healthy and happy pregnancy where having a consultation can help you. Preconception counselling concurs to planned and healthy pregnancy. During this, you can have an appointment with your healthcare specialist to plan about your pregnancy along with mitigating prevailing risk factors.

Quick Fact:

If there is poor control of diabetes, it can increase the chances of birth defects and other problems for pregnancy.

Preconception counselling

Appointment with your doctor regarding preconception counseling should be planned before three months of pregnancy. During your appointment, the following areas may be considered and discussed:

  • Your medical history: Your healthcare provider will go through your overall health before pregnancy. Any pre-existing medical condition, if any, would be discussed along with the need of medications.
  • Family history: Knowing about family history can help in identifying any genetic condition that may be passed over.
  • Lifestyle: A proper and healthy lifestyle means a healthy pregnancy where your health care provider will recommend a nutritious diet, exercising, and stoppage of smoking or alcohol.

While these are the topics discussed, there are some tests as well that can be conducted during preconception counseling, as:

  • Physical examination: Your healthcare provider may take your physical exam where he can check your heart, lungs, breast, thyroid, abdomen, weight etc. Besides, a pelvic exam and blood pressure may also be checked.
  • Tests: In case of any disease or condition, various tests for cell blood count (CBC), thyroid issues, diabetes screening etc. may be conducted as well.

Postnatal care

Postnatal care refers to the immediate care dispensed towards a mother after delivery. It includes prevention, elimination, early detection and medication for health complications. Mothers need care after delivery as they suffer from physical as well as emotional changes. Postnatal care involves taking care of nutrition, proper rest, and vaginal care for the mother to help her recover quickly.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.

Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with our doctors, please book your appointment here.

How to get your body ready for pregnancy: 5 important steps?

Physical Aspect of getting pregnant

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

Before trying to conceive and assume parenthood, it is important to take some steps that can provide the best possible chances of a healthy pregnancy along with a heathy baby. Some changes are needed to incorporate in daily lifestyle for being at better odds to conceive.

Quick Fact:

The beginning of pregnancy can relate with tiredness and morning sickness making a women feel worn out.

Tips to get pregnant fast

Following are some important steps that can help you begin your motherhood in a healthy way:

  1. Know your body: You should know about your ovulation period- the time when you can get pregnant. Tracking your ovulation can help you know your most fertile days and accordingly plan your pregnancy. Ovulation can be tracked using some apps, ovulation predictor strips etc.
  2. Taking prenatal supplements: Before beginning your pregnancy, prenatal supplements including prenatal vitamins should be taken. The nutrient composition in these vitamins can sustain and nourish your body along with providing protection to your baby against birth defects.
  3. Handling stress: Stress can impact your overall health being which can affect your fertility as well. Stress can impact your menstrual cycle which can affect your ability to conceive. It is important to reduce stress to think clearly along with making proper decisions and improving relationships.
  4. Staying active: You should stay active where exercising for 30 minutes a day is recommended for sound health and body. This can help you maintain weight and stress which can help your body to stay healthy.
  5. Changing diet plan: You need to optimize you diet before trying to conceive where your diet should include low carbohydrates, increased portions of proteins and healthy fats, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Besides taking nutritious foods, some foods should also be cut off like fishes’ rich in mercury.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.

Do take an appointment with the best maternity hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with our doctors, please book your appointment here.

Essential steps to a safe and healthy pregnancy

Tips to safer pregnancy

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

Pregnant? Its more than important to take care of yourself where you have to make sure you and your baby are as healthy as possible.

Quick Fact: Babies start to cry in the womb silently as early as 28 weeks.

Steps for healthy pregnancy

Here are some essential steps that you should undertake in order to have a safe and healthy pregnancy:

  • Educate yourself: There may be some questions revolving in your mind regarding childbirth along with specific concerns. You can voice your thinking by joining a childbirth class where you can learn about the pregnancy and infant care along with preparing for delivery. Besides, you can get to a healthy start by consulting a health care provider for prenatal care.
  • Eat well: While you are feeding two in your pregnancy, you need to increase your calorie intake by 300 mg a day. You need to consume a diet inclusive of calories, proteins, calcium etc. Moreover, along with having a nutritious diet you equally should stay away from food items that can pose danger to you and your baby, like undercooked meat or eggs, raw seafood, fish with mercury, etc.
  • Avoid toxins: Tobacco, alcohol, drugs etc. have been related with birth defects, preterm labor and other problems during pregnancy where they should be avoided to ensure your journey is safe.
  • Stay hydrated and drink well: You should drink ample amounts of water to stay hydrated along with keeping a healthy bowel movement. While water is the best liquid to drink, other liquids as caffeine should be limited for it lacks nutritional value.
  • Sleep and move well: While pregnancy can relate with some exhaustion, there is a need to take naps and rest enough. You can improve your sleeping with some relaxation techniques before going to bed like yoga, stretching etc. Additionally, rest is good along with exercising quotient that will help you to stay strong while keeping your heart and lungs healthy. Regular stretching and exercising can relieve you from pregnancy discomforts like backaches, constipation, morning sickness etc.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.

Do take an appointment with the best delivery hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with our doctors, please book your appointment here.

Family Planning Made Easy – Check Out Our Pregnancy Calculator

Family Planning
Author: Dr. Kavya Krishna Kumar MBBS, FMAS, MS

Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Alwarpet

Family Planning

It’s good to know your due date when you are pregnant. And this is much easier if you have a pregnancy calculator. Every woman can use the pregnancy calculator to track her pregnancy schedule and due date.

With pregnancy comes family planning and sometimes it may become overwhelming. The excitement is real, but so is the work and the stress. With a child on the way, family planning becomes more significant.

With the help of a pregnancy week calculator, you, the ‘Mother-to-be’ can keep track of your pregnancy schedule based on the date of your last period, ultrasound, and conception.

Pregnancy Week Calculator

The Pregnancy Week Calculator helps women confirm their pregnancy and track the week of pregnancy they are currently in. Based on that, the woman can plan her visit to the doctor/ check up.

Know your due date using a pregnancy calculator

The Pregnancy Week Calculator by due date helps women to prepare for the delivery date. However, it is essential to note that not every baby is born on the exact estimated due date. Only 4% of all babies are born on the estimated due date. Some are born within weeks of the due date. Usually, every healthy pregnancy lasts up to 37 to 42 weeks. The usual way to estimate the due date is to count 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the woman’s LMP or Last Menstrual Period.

Those who might have forgotten their LMP or cannot seem to figure out the time of their LMP can go or opt for an ultrasound. This can confirm if the woman is actually pregnant and can also determine her the date of delivery.

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you will notice a lot of changes in your body. Based on that, you and your partner can start planning accordingly. This is where it will get all the more exciting and stressful, marking the beginning of the wonderful journey towards parenthood.

Pregnancy Calculator Week by Week

Using the Pregnancy Calculator Week by Week you can share your motherhood experience with your partner. In the 9th / 10th week of your pregnancy, you can hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. It’s one of the most beautiful moments you will experience during the start of your pregnancy.

Between the 18th and 22nd week of your pregnancy, you might start feeling your baby’s movement inside you. You can feel fetal movement earlier or sometimes later. With the help of the Pregnancy Calculator you can determine if you are due for anomaly scan.

Another essential aspect of pregnancy is that the due date may vary. It is not always necessary that the baby will be born on the assigned due date as mentioned earlier. Don’t let this stress you out. Stress is neither good for you, nor for the baby. However, with your partner and Pregnancy Calculator, it will become easier for you to prepare for the event.

It is always good to have plans made ahead of the due date. With the data provided by the Pregnancy Week Calculator, you can prepare well for the D Day. Always remember to reach out to your doctor in case you are unsure of something. Keep in mind that you and your partner need to be calm and plan wisely for the baby. But don’t forget to enjoy the experience of bringing a healthy child into the world. You can make a birth plan and discuss with your doctor.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best experts in Alwarpet, Chennai capable of handling complex deliveries, gynaecological and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic procedures.
Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with Dr.Kavya Krishna kumar, please book your appointment here.

Pregnancy Calculator – Block The Date For The Greatest Arrival Of Your Life

Author: Dr. Sushruta Mokadam (MBBS, MD)

Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi

Online Pregnancy Calculator

For any couple planning a family, the happiest moment is when the doctor says, “Congratulations, you are pregnant!” After this, a good amount of time is spent on discussions that involve estimating the due date. Of course, the doctor will share the date with the couple and unravel the mystery. Let’s look at the science behind the estimation of the date of delivery.

The human egg can fertilize for only 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, so the date of ovulation could be a reasonably good indicator to estimate the date of conception. Ultrasound which is used to determine the date of ovulation is not too perfect because this only suggests the gestational age. In fact an accurate date of conception is usually arrived at only with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).

Also to be considered is that although a woman is most likely to conceive if she has had sex on the day of ovulation, pregnancy could occur from active sperm in her reproductive tract on the day of ovulation, even if the woman had intercourse five days prior to that date.

Determining the Estimated Due Date 

Estimated Due Date (EDD or EDC) is that date on which a non-induced delivery is expected to occur. This date is arrived at by taking the first day of the Last Menstrual Period (LMP) and adding 280 days

(9 months and 7 days) to it. This is the method followed by ‘pregnancy wheels’, also called a Gestation Calculator. The accuracy of the estimation of EDD in this method depends on how accurately the mother can recall the day of intercourse, assuming she has regular 28 day cycles and that ovulation and conception occurs on the 14th day of the cycle. Assumption of LMP to arrive at the due date of pregnancy may result in an overestimation of the pregnancy duration to the tune of over 2 weeks.

Coming to ultrasound, this approach considers the size of the foetus to determine the gestational age (the time since the first day of LMP). The accuracy of such an estimate of the gestational age varies. Using ultrasound to measure the foetus in the first trimester (up to and including 13 6/7 weeks of gestation) is the most accurate method to arrive at the gestational age.

Canada’s Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends the earliest ultrasound presenting a crown rump length that indicates at least 7 weeks (or 10 mm) should be used as the benchmark to arrive at the gestational age.

In the case of Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the date of conception will be known accurately and EDD can be calculated by adding 266 days to that date.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that the dates arrived at through ultrasound should be considered over those indicated by LMP when the variation between ultrasound and LMP is:

  • More than 5 days before 9 0/7 weeks as indicated by LMP
  • More than 7 days from 9 0/7 weeks to 15 6/7 weeks as indicated by LMP
  • More than 10 days from 16 0/7 weeks to 21 6/7 weeks as indicated by LMP
  • More than 14 days from 22 0/7 weeks to 27 6/7 weeks as indicated by LMP
  • More than 21 days after 28 0/7 weeks as indicated by LMP

There are possibilities that a foetus could have a restriction in growth leading to a risk of inaccurate dating of a small foetus.  Considering this, decisions based on ultrasonography alone (in the third-trimester) are not conclusive and the doctor has to consider the entire clinical status of the woman. This could include repeat ultrasonography to assess the correct growth in the interval.

Other methods used to estimate gestational age

Clinical Examination

For a patient with a good menstrual record in the first trimester, a simple pelvic examination has proven to be a reliable method to accurately date the pregnancy.

Doppler Ultrasonography

A foetal heart beat can be heard with a Doppler ultrasound if the gestational age of the patient is 10 to 12 weeks in most cases. This is the minimum age for the foetal heart tone to be registered.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Pregnancy Test

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is detectable in the mother’s blood or urine from 6 to 14 days after fertilization (3 to 4 weeks of gestational age). The gestational age can be assessed as at least 3 to 4 weeks at the time of an hCG pregnancy test.

In case of a twin pregnancy

In case of a twin pregnancy due to an IVF procedure, the gestational age has to be considered from the date of embryo transfer. Considering the possibility of an early intrauterine growth restriction in one of the foetuses, specialists feel that it is advisable to consider assessing the gestational age using the larger foetus.

For those of you curious to access a pregnancy calculator, here’s one right here! 

We at Motherhood Hospitals have a team of experts specialising in all kinds of maternity and childbirth related issues and woman and child care – from teens to those in their post menopause years. Take an appointment with our specialist at a centre close to you and you will be assured of an accurate investigation, diagnosis and treatment. 

Book your appointment with Dr. Sushruta Mokadam for all Gynaecological issues. 

How Accurate Are Pregnancy Calculators

Pregnancy Weeks Calculator Online
Author: Dr. Padma Srivastava, MBBS, MD(OBG)

Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Lullanagar, Pune

Pregnancy Weeks Calculator Online

Once you skip your period, the excitement sets in. Have you conceived? Is it finally happening? Next is a visit to the doctor, who will test you to confirm it and then calculate a date. By that time, you would definitely have come across a pregnancy calculator online, something that would be advised by friends or relatives.

So how accurate are pregnancy calculators? According to BabyCenter, an online media company, only one in twenty women deliver on their due dates. To begin with, it is important to understand that a pregnancy calculator at best offers an approximation of your delivery date based on your date of conception.
The weeks of pregnancy are dated from the first day of your last period. This actually means that in the first two weeks, you would still not have conceived. The body would just be preparing to ovulate which means, realising an egg from your ovaries.

It is indeed a logical question and one of the first any woman would ask on being informed she is pregnant – “What’s the due date?” It is important to estimate the due date as it can help you plan your pregnancy and for the baby’s arrival. From this context, a pregnancy calculator can be helpful even if it is an estimate at best and cannot be on point always. Now let’s explore how it works.

  Typically there are two methods of calculating a delivery due date. One is to estimate the date based on the last menstrual period. The second is to estimate based on the date of conception. Now, the due date based on the menstrual cycle is calculated as forty weeks from the date of the last period. The due date based on the date of conception is arrived at by adding thirty eight weeks to the exact/ approximate date of conception, which is a presumption again. The issue is that most women won’t know their exact date of conception. This makes the calculation of the delivery date an approximation. There is a possibility that the conception would not have happened on the day when the woman was sexually active and the egg could have been fertilized a day or two days later by the sperm that was lodged in the fallopian tube. Considering this variation, most healthcare specialists recommend that a calculation based on the last menstrual period is reasonably more accurate. Even with this, one can arrive at only an estimated due date. The doctor could reassess this date based on the results of an ultrasound that would indicate the size of the baby. So it is advised that you use the pregnancy calculator as a guide, but be prepared to welcome your little one anytime within one to two weeks around the due date. It could be a couple of days after the specified date too. It would be a surprise but a pleasant one, isn’t it? At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of gynecologists and super specialists capable of addressing a range of health issues and conditions related to women and children. Do take an appointment with our doctor at a centre close to you and you are assured of effective investigations, diagnosis and treatment enabling you to lead an active life. 
If you wish to get in touch with Dr. Padma Srivastava, please book your appointment here

How to calculate your due date?

There are multiple ways to calculate your date, as follows:

First day of last period: The best way to estimate your due date is to count 40 weeks, or 280 days, from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Another useful way is to subtract three months from the first day of your last period and add seven days.

Conception date: If your cycle is irregular, the LMP method may not work for you. Just add 266 days to get your estimated due date.

IVF transfer date: If youŸ??ve gone throughassisted reproductive technology cycles, you can calculate your due date more precisely using your IVF transfer date.

If you are already pregnant, then book an appointment at Motherhood Hospitals. It offers a complete birthing experience to couples by hand-holding them through their journey towards parenthood. With the highest standards of clinical competency, backed by state-of-art technology and proven protocols, Motherhood is committed to offering the best outcomes for the mother and child.

Services we offerinclude:

Comprehensive pregnancy care, preconception care, pregnancy care, high-risk pregnancy care, 3D/4D ultrasound, early pregnancy scan, NT scan, anomaly scan, growth scan, maternal-foetal medicine, vaccination, antenatal classes, diet and nutrition plan by clinical dietician, physiotherapy, antenatal workshops, Lamaze, lactation counselling, postnatal nutrition, postnatal fitness, 24×7 emergency care

If you have failed IUI, IVF treatment, then book an appointment at Motherhood Fertility. We are a renowned fertility and reproductive centre, well-equipped with expert doctors (male andrologists), female fertility doctors, skilled team of nurses, counsellors, physiotherapists, and clinical dieticians. The team of experts provides comprehensive fertility services like IUI treatment, ICSI, artificial insemination and IVF treatment backed by our state-of-the-art andrology lab.The team conducts all fertility tests for men, women and advanced laparoscopic and surgical treatments for all fertility issues.

When are you more likely to conceive? Ovulation and fertility

WeŸ??re talking about the Ÿ??fertile windowŸ?? Ÿ?? the days in a womanŸ??s menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible. The Ÿ??fertile windowŸ?? depends on the length of the menstrual cycle, which varies among women.

The Ÿ??fertile windowŸ?? is the day when an egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) and the five days beforehand. Having sex (intercourse) during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant.Myth bustingMYTH

A woman can get pregnant any time of the month.FACT

A woman can only get pregnant on a few days during her menstrual cycle, because eggs and sperm only live for a short time:

  • Sperm live for around five days.
  • Eggs can only be fertilised for around 24 hours (one day) after being released from the ovary.

Eggs and sperm need to come together at the right time for fertilisation to happen to create an embryo.

  •  

Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary. The egg then moves down the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised. If sperm are in the fallopian tube when the egg is released, there is a good chance that the egg will be fertilised, creating an embryo, which can grow into a baby.

Pregnancy is technically only possible if you have sex during the five days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation. But the most fertile days are the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Having sex during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant

By 12-24 hours after ovulation, a woman wonŸ??t be able to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle because the egg is no longer in the fallopian tube.

ThereŸ??s almost no chance of getting pregnant if you have sex before or after the fertile window (but if youŸ??re not trying to get pregnant, donŸ??t rely on this Ÿ?? contraception is your best option!).How to know when youŸ??re ovulating

Knowing when you ovulate can help you plan for sex at the right time and improve your chances of getting pregnant. You can keep a track of your menstrual cycles on a chart, in a diary or on a free period-tracker app on your smartphone.

But if you are not able to conceive even after trying for a long time, book yourself an appointment at your nearby Motherhood Hospital. We have an eminent team of gynaecologists, fertility experts and counsellors who will guide your journey towards a comfortable and safe motherhood.