A 30 year old lady pregnant for the second time was following up with me. She had a traumatic experience in her first labour as she had an instrumental delivery followed by heavy bleeding and a deep episiotomy which took more than a month to heal.

She was apprehensive about the painful experience of labor and post-delivery discomfort. Pain relief methods in labor were discussed with her and she did not want any medical intervention like epidural analgesia.

She was offered the option of laboring under water. Since this form of delivery is not usual in India she was initially apprehensive about it. She was explained about the benefits of water birth which included faster labour, lesser pain, improved relaxation, decreased anxiety and lesser need of episiotomy.

Since she fulfilled all the selection criteria for water birth she was encouraged to go for the same.

She came to the hospital with spontaneous rupture of membranes at term and was having regular contractions. She entered the pool once in active labor and delivered within an hour without the need of an episiotomy comfortably. She was grateful for her wonderful experience.

About Dr Astha Dayal

Dr Astha Dayal is a renowned Gynaecologist working as a Senior Consultant in CK Birla Hospital for Women, Gurgaon, specializing in medical and surgical management of women’s health. She has a special interest in managing high-risk pregnancy. She is a highly progressive and well-read and has published extensively in national and international indexed journals.

She has worked previously in Medanta Medcity, Artemis, MAMC, over the past 20 years of her illustrious career and has many publications in national and international medical journals to her name

Dr. Astha has completed her MD/MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi with multiple distinctions. She won the CL Jhaveri Award for best presentation in All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was awarded the Best Thesis in Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Dr Astha is also an active member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), London (UK). She is also associated with the World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons (WALS).

She has had a number of firsts to her name the latest of them is the first successful water birth delivery in Gurugram.

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Advise to young gynecologists

I meet a number of bright gynecologists and these are my top 5 advice to them

1. As gynecologists, we meet women in their most vulnerable situations and it’s important to be empathetic to them.
2. You will find yourself in high pressure situations early up in your career and you should keep your cool while in stressful situations
3. Your job as a gynecologist gives you an opportunity to just not cure a patients immediate illness but to provide them with holistic advise on how they can lead a more healthy and happy life
4. While it is important to keep yourself up to date with new advances, it is equally important to document and research your own experiences to create evidences that help other medical practitioners.
5. Have fun

The post <strong>Case Summary – Successful water birth delivery in Gurugram.</strong> appeared first on .

Benefits to the baby

1. Breast milk may be regarded as the baby’s first vaccine. It protects the infant from diseases and builds immunity.
2. Up to one third of respiratory infections and almost half of all diarrhea episodes could be avoided in low- and middle-income countries through breast-feeding.
3. It cuts the risk of sudden infant deaths by more than one-third In the high-income countries
4. Children breast fed for a longer duration has been found to have higher intelligence

Benefits to Mother

1. It could prevent about 20,000 extra deaths from breast cancer each year.
2. It also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
3. It helps losing pregnancy pounds much faster.

How to Breastfeed successfully?

Although breastfeeding is though to be natural and easy, but its mostly not! Most women face issues during breastfeeding.

You should know when to ask for help or consult your doctor for the same.

Position

1. Make sure that both the baby and you’re comfortable.
2. You should have your back well supported and then get your baby in position.
3. Extend your forearm and hand to support the baby’s neck, spine, and bottom
4. The baby’s nose should be opposite your nipple and his head and body should be in a straight line so that he can swallow easily. Also his neck, shoulders and back should be well supported.

Latching

• The baby should be latched on smoothly; his lower lip should be as far away from the base of your nipple as possible.
• His head should be tilted back slightly, and the area around the nipple should also enter the mouth.

Common problems faced by breastfeeding moms:

Pain

The most common reasons for pain during breastfeeding are

Thrush –

Thrush there could be fungal infection in the milk ducts of the breast, causing pain, more towards the end of feeding. You might find spots of cottage cheese or milk curds in the baby’s mouth and on your nipples. 

Milk letdown 

Milk letdown i.e. the discomfort due to the milk filling up the breast. Proper supportive bras, relaxation techniques, and occasional painkillers usually relieve it.

Mastitis

Mastitis meaning inflammation of the breast. It feels red, hard, sore, hot or swollen and you may also notice a lump, caused by milk in the breast tissue. There may be flu-like symptoms, such as chills, headaches, exhaustion and low-grade fever. You need to contact your doctor urgently if you are having these symptoms.

Breast engorgement 

Breast engorgement : The sudden increase of milk in the breast a few days after delivery can cause the breast becoming hot, swollen and engorged. It is generally relieved with feeding. While this can be painful in the early days, the discomfort should pass once your baby starts feeding. In case the baby has trouble latching on with engorged breasts, expressing some milk by hand or using a breast pump would help. Also, hot fomentation by putting warm damp towels on your breasts before feeding and cold towels or cabbage leaves after feeds helps reduce the engorgement

Sore nipples

Sore nipples – This can be avoided by latching the right way, i.e. the baby should not just nibble at the nipples, a part of the breast should also be in his mouth. A hot wet cloth can soothe sore nipples. Keep nipples moisturized after feeding by nipple creams/lanolin/breast milk itself and avoid washing them with soap.

Not enough milk

Most mothers have the natural capacity to produce milk sufficient for the baby. Despite this most mothers complain of not having enough milk. You must remember that the stimulus for milk production is by the suckling of the baby and emptying of the breast. If the baby were given top feeds, the breast milk would automatically reduce.

To increase the milk supply,

Put the baby to breast more often, during the day and night, if the baby doesn’t latch that often, pump the breast to stimulate milk production.

1. Have a nutritious diet
2. Have enough fluids, don’t dehydrate yourself
3. Have enough rest

Also, remember, every child has a different feeding pattern. Some baby’s may need to be fed every 40 minutes and some not even up to 3 hours.

As long as the baby is active and is gaining weight appropriately, you are doing a good job!

Returning to work

Companies use many solutions to give feeding mothers time and a private and clean place at work for feeding/expressing milk at work.

A variety of permanent, flexible, and even mobile space options provide support, privacy, hygiene and amenities even when space is limited.

Schedules may be managed in creative ways so that women can have enough time to express milk.

Expressing breast milk

• A good time to start expressing is when your milk supply is well established which is usually at around the six to eight weeks after delivery. Expressing after the first feed of the day is helpful.
• You can either express by hand or by manual or electric breast pumps or a combination of both compliments each other and makes it similar to your baby feeding.

Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to six hours or in the fridge for up to two days.

It is important to know that breastfeeding is not easy and doesn’t come naturally to most mothers. A nursing mother needs plenty of support and encouragement.

Don’t hesitate in seeking help from a nurse, doctor, family member, or friend, to get over possible bumps in the road.

The post <strong>The Incredible Benefits of Breastfeeding for Babies and Mothers</strong> appeared first on .

सभी महिलाओं में से 75 प्रतिशत से अधिक महिलाएं पर्सनल हाईजीन के बारे में नहीं जानती हैं। अपने निजी अंगों को साफ रखना बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। प्राइवेट पार्ट को को सूखा रखें, सिंथेटिक अंडरगार्मेंट्स या ऐसे कपड़ों से बचें जिससे वहां पसीना आ सकता है।
खासकर मासिक धर्म के दौरान स्वच्छता बनाए रखने के लिए हर 4 घंटे में पैड बदलने का ध्यान रखें। वॉशरूम का उपयोग करते समय, हमेशा आगे से पीछे की ओर सफाई करें, भले ही जेट स्प्रे का उपयोग कर रहे हों।

साफ-सफाई रखें

खासकर मासिक धर्म के दौरान स्वच्छता बनाए रखने के लिए हर 4 घंटे में पैड बदलने का ध्यान रखें। वॉशरूम का उपयोग करते समय, हमेशा आगे से पीछे की ओर सफाई करें, भले ही जेट स्प्रे का उपयोग कर रहे हों।

अधिक जानकारी के लिए यँहा पढ़े !

https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/family/gynaecologist-aastha-dayal-explain-how-to-improve-sexual-reproductive-health/articleshow/98267434.cms

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What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a nutrient that is needed in order to produce healthy red and white blood cells, especially during pregnancy. Folic acid is a type of vitamin B present in leafy vegetables, fruits, beans and grains. It is crucial for the healthy development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that comes from the Latin word folium, meaning leaf. Folic acid was first discovered by Lucy Wills.

The name ‘folate’ was used for the substance until it was discovered that it could not be synthesized by animals and had to come from our diet. ‘Folate’ means leaf, because it was first found in green vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.

The proper intake of folic acid has been shown to reduce the risks of neural tube defects (NTDs) in infants – such as spina bifida – during early development in the womb.

What Are Neural Tube Defects?

Neural tube defects refer to a group of birth defects in which the neural tube (a structure that forms the spine and brain) does not close all the way.

Neural tube defects can occur when the fetus is developing, usually during the first 28 days following conception. The most common types of neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly.

What are the Risks Associated With Not Getting Enough Folate in Pregnancy?

One of the risks associated with not getting enough folate during pregnancy is a neural tube defect. It is important to not just get your folate through diet but also from supplements.

Other Risk factor, A lack of folate in pregnancy can lead to major complications in terms of neurological development, heart disease, and reproductive difficulties.

Folate supplements are essential for pregnant women to reduce the risk of birth defects. As long as you make sure you’re taking in enough, this vitamin can reduce the risk of major birth defects by 30%.

Benefits of Consuming More Folic Acid in Pregnancy

Folic acid is important for pregnant women and their developing babies. It can help prevent serious birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

Pregnant women should take more folic acid to protect their babies from serious birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 600 micrograms of folic acid a day during pregnancy, especially in the first few weeks.

Folic acid benefits are also significant for both mothers and fathers.

Reduce the risk of birth defects

Reducing the risk of neural tube defects

Reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart attack.

Helps in babies mental development and prevents autism spectrum disorder.

How Much Folic Acid Should You Take in Pregnancy?

It is highly recommended that pregnant women take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, most notably in the first few weeks. This should be continued until pregnancy is complete.

Folic acid (400 micrograms) is an essential nutrient which can help prevent birth defects like spina bifida during pregnancy. It is important to start taking it before you are even pregnant, and continue throughout your entire pregnancy.

The state of the fetus’ neural tube depends on folic acid intake during the first weeks of pregnancy– between 3 to 7 days after conception– when the neural tube will close up permanently.

It is recommended for pregnant women to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, as this can help lower their risk of having a baby with neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

It is important to have a well-balanced diet that includes all the essential nutrients like Vitamin A, C, E, calcium magnesium, potassium to make sure that you are getting enough folic acid in your daily routine.

Good sources of folic acid, you should take

Some good food sources of folic acid include:

• Leafy greens like spinach and kale
• Certain whole grains like oatmeal and barley
• Avocado
• Beans, lentils, and other legumes (Beans: ½ cup cooked beans = 193 mcg RDI)
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt (yogurt -1 cup plain yogurt = 400 mcg RDI)
• Oats: 1 cup (6½ ounces) dry oats = 884 mcg RDI

How Dr. Astha Dayal helps in Pregnancy care?

Dr. Astha Dayal is a gynecologist and an obstetrician in gurgaon who is known for her clinical skills and her understanding of the many facets of pregnancy care.

She has been in practice for over 19 years and she has gained expertise in women’s health, family medicine, reproductive health, gynecology, obstetrics, prenatal care, diabetic care and more. Dr. Astha Dayal aims to provide holistic services to the women who visit her clinic so that they can have a healthy pregnancy that would result in a beautiful baby.

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Pregnancy is a joyous time for any expectant parents. However, the physical and emotional changes can be difficult to adjust to. One of the most important considerations for pregnant mothers is their fitness level.

A pregnancy fitness program is a specially adapted exercise routine that targets the specific needs of pregnant women.

This type of program has been shown to provide significant benefits not just during pregnancy but also after birth, because it helps mothers recover more quickly and provides children with positive lifelong health benefits.

Planning Pregnancy

Pregnancy planning is the process of creating a plan of future pregnancy. It is a decision-making activity that consists in choosing the time, place and number of pregnancies wanted.

In today’s society, it has become increasingly common for couples to want to plan their pregnancies. This can be for many reasons, for example wanting more control over when they have children, or deciding that now is not the right time for them to have children.

It will depend on the couple’s situation as to whether they need medical advice about any health risks and what contraception methods would be appropriate for them.

A woman should work with her doctor to understand what is best for her pregnancy. This can be in terms of diet and nutrition, exercise, medications, or treatment plans.

• Visit your doctor when planning pregnancy
• Check for any pre existing medical problems
• Start folic acid tablets
• Have a blood test to check for rubella, thyroid, thalassemia, hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV
• Eat a healthy diet. Include foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid; also, some oily fish.
• Have strict food hygiene. In particular, wash your hands after handling raw meat, or handling cats and kittens, and before you prepare food.

Making Healthy Choices

For pregnant women, making healthy choices can be difficult. With the advice of a doctor, a woman can make good decisions for herself and her baby.

Ideally, prenatal vitamins are started 3 months prior to conception

● Folic Acid

● Calcium

● Iron

● Omega-3 Fatty Acids

● Vitamin D

Avoid

● Alcohol -NO!

● Caffeine

● Smoking-NO!

Timeline of Your Pregnancy

• 1st Trimester (Weeks 1-13) – Expect visit to obstetrician every 3-4 weeks
• 2nd Trimester (Weeks 14-27) – Every 3-4weeks during this period as well
• 3rd Trimester (Weeks 28-40) – Beginning 7th month, obstetrician will see you every two weeks

• After weeks 35-36, obstetrician will see you every week until delivery!

What to expect from?

• Detailed history taking
• Thorough physical examination
• Checking on baby’s development
• Lifestyle advice- Exercise, travel
• Dietary advice
• Screening tests
• Ultrasound examinations
• Managing common problems
• Medical advice

Why Choose Dr Astha Dayal for Pregnancy care?

Dr. Astha Dayal is a highly qualified and experienced OBGYN in Gurgaon. As an obstetrician and gynecologist, she has vast knowledge in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OBGYN). With 20 years of experience, she has successfully solved numerous cases related to pregnancy care, menopause, infertility and many other female-related issues.

She aims to serve the best for her patients. She believes that women should be inform decisions about their pregnancy care as well as other aspects of their health care with the help of an expert healthcare professional such as herself.

She has vast experience in delivering various treatments like laparoscopic ovarian surgeries, hysterectomy, uterine surgery and endometrial ablation etc.

The post What is Pregnancy Fitness Program & How They Can Help You Through Your Pregnancy Health? appeared first on .

Millions of women around the world suffer from PCOS. The condition is often hard to diagnose, and it can be difficult to recognize and manage.

Women with PCOS have an increased risk of suffering from conditions such as type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. This can lead to complications like heart disease and stroke.

The common signs and symptoms of PCOS are:

1. missed or irregular periods,
2. heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding,
3. ovarian cysts, acne,
4. hair growth on the upper lip, chest and body.

The most common causes of PCOS are:

1. excess insulin from high carbohydrate diets,
2. high levels of male hormones from chemicals such as dioxin or diethylstilbestrol,
3. genetic mutations in the brain’s response to hormones such as luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

When to see a doctor?

If you have unexplained weight gain, hair loss or thinning, acne or skin tags then you should see your doctor or If a woman has irregular or absent periods and is feeling symptoms of PCOS, it is important to see a GYNECOLOGIST. We at our center may perform blood tests and give the patient a pelvic examination.

A doctor wishes to know when an irregular or absent period occurs, the frequency of symptoms, and how long they have been occurring. They will also want to know about any other conditions including diabetes, thyroid disorders, drug abuse, or cancer.

The good news is that there are plenty of remedies for PCOS available today to help you reduce the unpleasant symptoms.

There are many ways to manage PCOS but there’s no surefire treatment for PCOS.

There are a variety of treatments available for the PCOS or PCOD including the following:

1) Diet– some studies show that a low-GI diet may help those diagnosed with hormonal disorders such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

2) Weight loss– in overweight patients, weight loss helps regulate menstrual cycles and improve fertility

3) Metformin- an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes that may also help women with PCOD.

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A prepregnancy care checkup is a way to make sure you are healthy enough for pregnancy and there are no complications with your health.

This article will guide you through what a prepregnancy care checkup entails and how it can be beneficial for your future pregnancy.

It will also give you information about what to expect during the prepregnancy care checkup, who benefits from a prepregnancy care checkup, how frequently they’re recommended, and why this type of health assessment is beneficial for any individual who is trying to conceive.

What happens during a pre-pregnancy care checkup?

During the prepregnancy care checkup, we at our center, will discuss everything that you need to know before starting a pregnancy. Prepregnancy care can also be called preconception care or family planning.

You will get advice on how to take better care of yourself before and during pregnancy, what lifestyle changes are good for you and your baby, as well as important things like travel safety. It is also a great time for planning your birth experience.

The doctor can answer any questions that you have about family planning (birth control) or STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

A pre-pregnancy care visit is your first meeting with a doctor. This will be a time for you to discuss your plans for pregnancy and for them to provide any advice.

During this visit, we will ask about:

– Your menstrual history and reproductive health;

– Pregnancy history;

– Allergies, medications, and illnesses that you or other family members have had recently.

– Diet and exercise habits;

– Sexual history (if applicable);

– What contraception you are using (if applicable)

How can I try to be healthier before pregnancy?

In this section, we will talk about the importance of healthy habits before pregnancy.

One of the best ways to try to be healthier before pregnancy is by getting enough sleep. In today’s world, it is a challenge to get enough sleep because of

• how much work we have?
• how online content is addictive?
• and how much stress we have?

Keeping some sort of fitness & healthy routine in place will also help you be healthier before pregnancy, such as

• Eating a healthy diet
• Taking a prenatal vitamin
• Doing regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Stopping unhealthy habits, like (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs taken for a nonmedical reason)
• Keeping your environment safe & healthy
• Trying to maintain happy environment

We all want to be healthy before pregnancy, and luckily there are some ways we can do this. Getting enough sleep, eating a variety of healthy foods and exercising regularly are a few ways to make sure you are at your best before pregnancy.

The post Pregnancy Care & Your Well-Being: A Guide to Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy appeared first on .

“If you want to keep exercising during pregnancy, find a certified fitness instructor or other knowledgeable healthcare provider who can tailor an exercise program for you and your developing baby.”

Pregnant women need to take extra care of themselves, but they often neglect their own well-being in the process. For example, they might not drink enough water or eat as well as before getting pregnant.

“It’s important to keep moving as much as possible during pregnancy.”

Tips for pregnant women looking to exercise:

1. Talk to your Gynecologist and get a green light before starting an exercise routine.
2. Take it easy, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Start with light cardio like biking or walking and work your way up to more intense workouts like running.
3. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after a workout session.
4. Stay away from exercises that might put undue pressure on the pelvic area such as weightlifting or squats – these can cause bleeding.
5. Eat foods rich in iron such as red meat, eggs or poultry so your body can make healthy red blood cells for baby.
6. Try not to overdo it – you don’t want to tire yourself out too much!
7. Exercise regularly to help your body stay strong and reduce stress hormones in the long run. This will also keep you from gaining too much weight which can be hard on your body during pregnancy.

Stay Healthy and Fit with These Simple Exercises for Pregnant Women

Get pregnant women to stay healthy and fit by following these simple exercises.

It is important for pregnant women to take care of themselves because this could have a great impact on the child’s future.

Keep in mind that fitness and wellness are important not just for moms, but also for their babies to be. The key is not just about doing exercises, but also about staying hydrated and consuming enough protein each day.

Why Choose Dr. Astha Dayal as your Gynecologist

Dr. Astha Dayal is an expert in the field of Gynecology and Obstetrics, she has over 19 years of experience in her field. She can help you with all your gynecological needs.

She is a well-known gynecologist and an obstetrician in Gurgaon who owns her own practice and have helped many people with their pregnancy, vaginal delivery and child birth needs. Dr. Astha Dayal has treated people who have some gynecological problem like infertility, premature menopause, ovarian cysts etc.

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Based on continuing medical research, some facts have come to light about Coronavirus and pregnancy

Pregnant women who are

• Overweight or obese
• Age > 35
• Have diabetes
• Have hypertension or High BP

Have a higher chance of getting more severe illness if they catch Coronavirus infection.

If a pregnant woman catches COVID, she is more likely to be admitted in the ICU than the general population.

Pregnant women are considered to have lower immunity and thus are considered the vulnerable group generally, so are advised to be more careful with precautions and general measures like 

• staying home, social distancing, 
• Frequent hand washing with alcohol based hand rub or soap and water
• Practicing respiratory hygiene, covering your mouth with your bent elbow if coughing or sneezing 

But they should continue their antenatal visits and should ensure a healthy diet, exercise and stress free lifestyle.

It is still unknown if a pregnant lady can transmit the virus to her fetus during pregnancy or during breastfeeding.Covid virus has not shown to increase the risk of miscarriage, or of any anomaly in the fetus if the mother gets the infection during pregnancy.Studies did show an increase in the chances of preterm labour.

Pregnant women with COVID can still try for a normal delivery. Cesarean section is usually done only if medically justified.

The treatment of COVID in pregnancy is mainly supportive, and is similar to the treatment otherwise. Some antibiotics shown not to be safe in pregnancy should be avoided. Pregnant women need thromboprophylaxis, or medicines that help in prevention of blood clotting in pregnancy.

A pregnant woman who has covid during the time of delivery can choose to breastfeed or room in with her baby after a discussion with her gynecologist and pediatrician according to WHO. A good option is to express the breast milk and a COVID negative family member can provide it to the baby. Or feeding with the mask for 15-20 minutes can also be done.

Vaccination

COVID vaccine is currently not recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers in India. This is because the vaccine has not yet been tested in pregnant women in India.

However internationally, the vaccines are being offered to pregnant women considered as high risk after a discussion with their gynecologist.

The vaccines are not Live vaccines, they are either component vaccines or made with the dead virus, so theoretically they can’t harm or cause covid infection in the individual vaccinated.The precaution for pregnant women is mainly because of the lack of trials yet. Eventually the guidance may change with time, as we get better data on its safety.

Planning Pregnancy

Women planning pregnancy should have a discussion with their gynecologist about the risks and consequences. They may have to delay planning, if they’ve taken the vaccine.

Otherwise, in 2021, hopefully with the decline of the pandemic, it should be safe to plan pregnancy.

The post How to take care of Pregnancy during Covid 19 – Risk Factors, Care & Precautions appeared first on .

We have come a long way from the traditional belief that women should avoid doctor visits till the first 2-3 months of pregnancy.

The benefits of the preconception visit are many-

The gynecologist can check you for any pre-existing medical problems eg Diabetes, epilepsy, thalassemia, any genetic conditions.You should also inform your physician or specialist treating your medical condition that you are planning pregnancy, so that they can ensure it’s safe for you to get pregnant, and stop or change your medicines if needed.

Some medications are not safe in pregnancy. Your gynecologist checks what all medicines you are on and may need to modify or stop them if you are planning pregnancy. 

You can be advised to start  folic acid tablets. Every woman should start 400micrograms of folic acid to avoid neural tube defects(problems in the spinal cord) of the baby. 

You are advised to have a blood test to check for rubella, thyroid, thalassemia, hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV

We also advise you about a healthy diet. Include foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid; also, some oily fish.

Have strict food hygiene. In particular, wash your hands after handling raw meat, or handling cats and kittens, and before you prepare food.

Making Healthy Choices

It is important to enter a pregnancy in your most healthy state.This is essential to avoid complications in the mother or the baby.

Ideally, prenatal vitamins are started 3 months prior to conception

• Folic Acid – helps prevent neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord)
• Calcium – promotes strong bones and teeth for both you and baby
• Iron – aids in the development of blood and muscle cells for mom and baby
• Combined, these vitamins reduce the risk of low birth weight babies
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – help with brain development
• Vitamin D – important later in pregnancy

Diet

• Have an Antioxidant rich diet to improve your fertility.Vitamins A, C,E have antioxidant properties, and they are found in all colorful fruits and vegetables.
• These include all green leafy vegetables, berries and citrus fruits, beans and nuts.Consume whole grains instead of refined flour.
• Avoid refined, processed food with all-purpose flour (maida) and sugar.

Alcohol

• You need to avoid it if planning pregnancy.As long as the habit is discontinued immediately, there should be no harm to your growing baby.

Caffeine

• Limit caffeine intake to 1 cup of coffee or 1-2 cups of tea or avoid it if you take dark chocolate. The aim is to keep caffeine intake not more than 200mg of daily. 

Exercise

• YES! Contrary to the popular belief that exercise can harm a pregnancy, it actually helps improve your fertility and helps you get pregnant.
• Discuss an exercise program with your practitioner depending on your weight/BMI and fitness levels 
• Those who exercise regularly before pregnancy are typically encouraged to continue their routine.

Smoking

• NO!  Quitting before 3 months of getting pregnant reduces harm to your baby.
• Passive smoking should also be avoided.
• Husbands should also quit smoking as it may affect the sperm quality.
• Infact, quitting smoking will improve fertility and chances of getting pregnant for both males and females.
• Smoking can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, wheezing or breathing issues in the baby in first few months of life.

Recreational drugs

• Absolutely not! Drugs like cocaine can have chemicals that can cause grave harm to the pregnancy, so avoid at all costs when planning a pregnancy

Weight

• A woman should enter a pregnancy at a healthy weight. You should calculate your BMI or Body mass index by dividing your weight (in kg) by the square of your height (in metres).
• If your BMI is more than 25( overweight) or obese(BMI>30), you should bring it down before getting pregnant. High BMI can cause problems in pregnancy like high blood pressure.
• You should start a diet and exercise plan to reduce your BMI when planning pregnancy.

Cats

• Keep them. But avoid changing the litter box yourself or use disposable gloves because cat litter can transmit a viral infection called Toxoplasmosis, which could affect the pregnancy adversely.

• Do tell your doctor if you have pets, so that you can be tested for toxoplasma and CMV virus before planning pregnancy.

Hot Tubs & Saunas

• Hot tub use is safe during pregnancy, although we recommend feet only.
• Any prolonged period with a body temperature >102˚F may cause harm to the baby. This is similar for saunas or steam rooms.
• Males should avoid high temperatures for prolonged time as it may affect sperm quality.

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