Tips to get your body ready for pregnancy

Tips to get ready for pregnancy

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

You may be planning for pregnancy, but there may be some questions in your mind regarding how to make your body ready for it. There are some steps that if taken will give you the best possible chance of having a healthy pregnancy along with a healthy baby.

Quick fact:

Your heart actually grows during pregnancy as the blood volume increases up to 50% which makes it beat faster.

Tips to get ready for pregnancy

Here are some important steps that you can plan to undertake in order to begin your motherhood easily:

  • A preconception checkup: If you are ready to get pregnant, it is better that you schedule a preconception checkup. During this checkup, your overall health status will be reviewed along with the health history. Besides, there may some health areas where you need some improvement which can be analyzed by the doctor as well.
  • Taking folic acid supplement: Before you start conception, it is advised that you should take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day though your first trimester. The process can be started 30 days prior to conception. By taking folic acid, you are decreasing the chances of birth defects in your baby.
  • Avoid alcohol intake: Excessive drinking is prohibited when you are trying out for pregnancy, though a moderate drink is considered fine. While during pregnancy, it is better to avoid drinking as this may pose health problems for the developing fetus.
  • Cut off smoking: Smoking can lead to miscarriage or premature birth, where you should halt this activity as it can also make it difficult for you to get pregnant.
  • Eat well and exercise: Having healthy preconception diet including of whole grains, lean proteins, low fat diary can prepare your body for pregnancy. Moreover, exercising can keep your body strong and healthy.
  • Monitor your weight: A healthy weight can make your pregnancy smoother where you can easily get pregnant as well. It is better to maintain a healthy weight before trying to conceive.

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.

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.

Advice on planning for a second child

What all to keep in mind while planning for second child?

Author – Motherhood Medical Team

A second child is about double love, laughter, and double responsibilities. You will now have less couple time and more shared responsibilities. Before you welcome a new member to the family, you must educate yourself on family planning. Here are a few tips one must follow for a second pregnancy.

Understand that every pregnancy is different

Every pregnancy that you go through is different as the body undergoes immense changes with fluctuating hormones. You need to be more health-conscious if you are planning a second child. It is recommended to keep a check on the iron levels to avoid preterm labor and developmental delays.

Have discussions about it

Consider your stress levels: Seek clarity on having a second child, especially if you both are working. Getting your time and attention divided without making it tough for other members is no cakewalk. You need to be decisive about your career before you go for a second child. Make decisions that you or your partner don’t regret or stress over in the later stages of pregnancy. This could adversely affect your health.

Prepare your first child

You have to ensure that your first child doesn’t have any feelings of jealousy or rivalry against the second one. Try to instill the feeling of joy about having a sibling. This would prepare the elder ones to look after the younger ones.

Place the pregnancy right

Track your ovulation to know the right time to conceive. Usually, a gap of 2-3 years is considered ideal for a second pregnancy. This could help you give your first child a lot of attention till he/she is out of the nappy stage. Less gap could result in premature and underweight babies.

Lastly, be decisive about your finances. Go for it only for yourself and only if your finances allow you. Keeping your age, health, finance, and career in mind could aid in effective decision-making.

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.

Introduction of Solid Foods to Toddlers By Dr. Peeyoosh

Dr. Peeyoosh's insights on introducing solid foods to toddlers - Motherhood Hospital India

Rice, mashed potato, or small pieces of fruits? Are you worried about your baby’s menu while introducing him or her to solid foods? Have you set a date for making him eat solid foods? Are you confused about when to make your baby eat those solid foods? Many moms get plenty of advice from family members, friends, or even relatives regarding what a baby should eat and avoid but this can only make the matters worse as everyone has a different opinion. So, it will be a tough choice for you to decide what to give your baby. But, we solve your problem as we give you a complete list of solid foods that you must include in your baby’s diet plan. Read on to know more about this and get going!

Are you aware? Your baby is ready to eat those solid foods when they are about 4 months to 6-months-old. It is no brainer that your baby’s digestive system wouldn’t be fully developed to digest solid foods. Thus, it is essential to introduce solid foods at the right time. Not too early or not too late. Every child is different. It is essential to know whether the child is ready to have solid foods. So, looking for few signs will allow you to determine whether your child is ready. When you notice that your baby has gained good neck control, shows an interest when you are having food by looking into your plate, attempts to reach out to your food, or even tries to open mouth when you try to offer him/her food. It is a known fact that most babies will show signs of eating solid foods around 6 months. Introduce solid foods when you and your baby are relaxed. 

The signs that your baby is hungry are the baby will be excited to see that the food is ready and leaning towards you when you have the plate of food. The signs your baby is not interested in include pushing the spoon away, shutting the mouth while you try to feed her/him, and turning the head away. Try to feed your baby just a spoonful of the amount and later move onto those larger portions. Instead of placing food in the front, you must try to place it on the tongue. Allow him/her to suck the food. Make sure that the foods are properly mashed, cooked, pureed, or strained with appropriate texture. Avoid feeding foods like peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, or those foods where there is a risk of choking.  

Here are some foods that are ideal for your baby

  • Vegetables: You can begin withsweet potato, carrot, or even peas. Even if your baby rejects them then just try to feed them the next day. Do not easily give up on feeding your baby.
  • Cereal: Opt for iron-fortified cereals.You can choose barely and oatmeal.
  • Fruits: Try to make your baby eat mashed bananas or apples, pears, and even peaches. Even pureed avocado is a good option as it is creamy and jam-packed with healthy fats.
  • Finger foods: These are small in size and can help your baby grip them properly. Hence, crackers, dry cereals, small pieces of scrambled eggs, and bread can be given to your babies.
  • Iron-rich foods: These are essential to keep anaemia at bay.Raisins, peanut butter, and spinach can do the trick here.

Follow these tricks while preparing food for your baby

  • Try to mash or puree the foods until they become smooth. Do not give your child big pieces of food. Foods should be cooked unless they become soft.
  • In order to make the cereals smooth, try to mix them with formula milk.
  • It is essential to cut strawberries, grapes, and tomatoes into small pieces.
  • Remove the skin and bones of the fish before you cook it.

Know what to avoid: Raw fruits and vegetables,popcorn, raw eggs, large chunks of poultry,and even those raisins which are uncooked.

Caution: In case, you observe that your baby has a food allergy then avoid him/her giving those foods. Consult your doctor regarding the symptoms you observed in the baby after he/she injected certain foods. 

Endometriosis & It’s Effect On Fertility

The most common complication of endometriosis is infertility and couples often find out about the problem when they take up tests to check fertility status. The relationship between endometriosis and infertility has been the topic of much debate. Research has shown that infertile women are six to eight times more likely to have endometriosis than fertile women. Some of the explanations given for decreased fertility in women suffering from this disorder include distorted pelvic anatomy, endocrine and ovulatory abnormalities, altered peritoneal and tubal function, altered hormonal and cell-mediated functions in the endometrium.

Based on common observations during laparoscopy, it has been found that the cysts and adhesions caused by the disease can lead to changes in anatomy of the pelvic organs. This impairs the fertilization process and in turn affects the release of eggs, thus leading to infertility.

Many women with mild to moderate endometriosis are able to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Doctors may advise women with endometriosis not to delay having children as the condition is likely to get worse over time. Interestingly the symptoms of endometriosis, especially pain, seem to disappear in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Preconception Counselling By Dr.Beena Jeysingh

Caring for your health before you become pregnant will help you learn about any risk factors and treat any medical problems before you conceive.This helps you make healthy choices for you and your baby.
During the preconception visit you will be questioned regarding your medical and surgical history,family and genetic history,previous obstetric history and lifestyle habits.A basic physical examination,weight and BP check is done.
Blood test to check rubella virus immunity done.
Based on the assesment, lifestyle modification,to avoid any medications that can be harmful to baby and appropriate counselling if any required given to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Folic acid is advised to be taken from atleast 2 months prior to pregnancy .If not immune to rubella, vaccination advised.

By
Dr.Beena Jeysingh

Trying to conceive: Expert advice By Dr. Jayashree Murthy

Ÿ??Doctor, we’ve been married for a few years and trying to have a baby but nothing’s happening,” is a line gynaecologists often hear. For couples trying to conceive, there are a few basic rules they should follow.

Know your fertile phase

For a woman who has regular 28-30 day menstrual cycle, the fertile phase would be from day 11 to day 18 (day 11 being the first day of the period). It is important that the couple be together during this period and have intercourse at least on alternate days at this time. If a woman has irregular periods, she could be having the Polycystic Ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In this condition she would not be ovulating regularly. A visit to the gynaecologist will confirm the ovulation status and some ovulation inducing medications will be prescribed by the doctor. Women with PCOS often tend to be overweight, and it would help if she loses weight and tries to achieve an average weight for her height (as per standard charts). This would help regularize the periods and spontaneous ovulation may then happen. Many of these women successfully conceive and go on to have a normal pregnancy.

Folic acid tablets

Folic acid tablets (1 tablet per day) is a must for women planning a pregnancy as it has been established that high levels of Folic acid in the maternal blood at the time of conception reduces certain defects in the fetus.

Live a healthy life

Maintaining a healthy body weight for both men and women is important. In overweight women especially, the extra fat cells cause hormone imbalances and affect the menstrual cycles and fertility. A healthy diet, with plenty of natural foods will help. Fruits and vegetables, those rich in antioxidants are helpful as are dry fruits and nuts which contain high levels of Vitamin E which improve fertility. About three helpings per week of nuts (almonds, walnuts and pistachios) should be consumed.

How long to try before seeking help

It is advised for a couple to try for at least one year (one year of unprotected intercourse) before seeking a doctorŸ??s advice. This much time should be allowed as many couples conceive on their own within this period.
Content Credits: Dr Jayashree Murthy

Harmful Effects Of Oral Contraceptive Pills

Oral contraceptives are birth control pills, which as the name suggests are taken orally, to avoid pregnancy. While they are easier for birth control, having known the harmful side effects, one may find it difficult to swallow one. Healthy women have meager chance of having severe side effects. For women who smoke the effects are far worse. Smoking cigarettes increases your chance of having heart problems; which increases with age (especially in women greater than 35 years of age). The pill contains synthetic forms of estrogen and progestin hormones.

SIDE EFFECTS: If you undertake these pills you should undergo a complete physical examination that includes blood pressure measurements and breast/pelvic examinations at regular intervals. Taking birth control pills may cause the following harmful effects.

Common Side Effects

  1. Nausea and dizziness
  2. Frequent tiredness or weakness
  3. Vomiting
  4. Mood swings
  5. Weight gain or loss
  6. Changes in pattern of menstrual cycle and bleeding.
  7. Abdominal cramping, bloating or stomach upset causing discomfort
  8. Acne problem due to hormonal imbalance
  9. Breast pain, tenderness, or swelling.
  10. Swelling of ankles and feet
  11. Gain or loss of body or facial hair
  12. High blood pressure

Less Common Side Effects

  1. Headaches or migraines and loss of co-ordination
  2. Severe depression and weakness
  3. Gum inflammation
  4. Urinary tract or vaginal infection, itching or irritation
  5. Sensitive skin causing brownish, blotchy spots on skin exposed to sunlight
  6. Aggravation of asthma
  7. Groin, chest or calf pain
  8. Changes or lumps formed in the breast
  9. Increased or diminished interest in sexual intercourse and responsiveness
  10. Coughing up of blood
  11. Loss or change in vision
  12. Change in speech pattern
  13. Increased risk of gallbladder disease
  14. Blood clots or stroke
  15. Benign liver tumors or liver cancer

Beneficial Uses:

While there may be many adverse effects of taking oral contraceptives, there are some positive beneficial uses that accompany the use of the pill.

1)It is used to regulate your menstrual cycle & predictable periods

2)Reduces acne problem

3)Diminished risk of ovarian cancer & benign breast disease

4)Reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia.

Prolonged use of contraceptives (beyond 4-6 months) should be taken under the guidance of doctor. It is also important to discuss with him any serious health problems that you may be facing.

Note Do not smoke while taking these pills. Risk of these harmful adverse effect increases three fold.