Your guide to first trimester of pregnancy: what to expect, baby development

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Bringing a child to this earth is one such experience which is going to change the world for you. However, if you’ve just heard about your pregnancy and are a few weeks into this, this blog is for you!

While an entire new journey of fun and responsibility awaits you, there are a few things we bet you need to know. Let’s walk you through this guide to the first trimester of pregnancy.

First trimester of pregnancy: What Is It?

First trimester is your phase when a woman is expecting her first child. It starts on the day one of your last menstruation, long before you're even pregnant, and continues until week 13 of your pregnancy. From the moment of conception to the moment of birth, your growing child goes through a number of stages of development.

For both the mother and the child, this is a period of immense expectation and fast change. You'll be more prepared for the months ahead if you know what to anticipate. Here's a rundown of how your baby develops throughout the first three months of pregnancy.

Changes during first trimester in your body

Every pregnancy is different. Some women glow with great health throughout the first three months, while others go through a multitude of changes. Here are some of the changes you could notice in your body:

Slight bleeding:

Around 25% of pregnant women have little bleeding throughout the first trimester. Early in the pregnancy, light spotting might signal that the fertilised egg has implanted in your uterus. If you have considerable bleeding, cramping, or severe discomfort in your stomach, call your doctor.

Constipation:

During pregnancy, high levels of progesterone slow down the muscle contractions that carry food through your system on a regular basis. You're more likely to endure uncomfortable constipation and gas as a result of the excess iron in your prenatal vitamin, giving you a bloated feeling throughout your pregnancy.

Fatigue:

Your body is working so hard to support a developing child. As a result, you'll grow tired faster than usual. Take naps or rest as required during the day. Examine your food to check if you're getting enough iron. If you don't get enough iron, you might get anaemia, which will make you even more tired.

While these were some common changes during your first trimester, here are a few developments your baby will be going through in this phase.

Baby’s growth in first semester

• Your kid starts to develop from a fertilized egg to a complete foetus over the initial 13 weeks. All of the major organs and systems start forming for your child.

• Here are a few other changes that occur:

• The fertilized egg starts diving quickly and implants all around your uterus, forming a cluster of rapidly dividing cells. The umbilical cord, amniotic sac, placenta, all begin to develop.

• Your child’s nervous system starts developing from a neural tube which connects to the brain and spinal cord. Your kid can move on its own!

• The heart begins to take form and beat. As early as around the 6th week, you may hear it on ultrasound. It has a heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute.

• Your baby starts developing its digestive system, starting from kidneys and intestines.

• The lungs and other important organs are present, although they are not fully grown.

• The soft skeleton is beginning to form.

That’s all!

So that’d be your takeaway to everything you and your child will be facing during the first trimester. Now that you have an idea of the different contractions you need to beware of, we hope you take care of the different things in mind. Stay safe and healthy!  It’s always best for you to check with your doctor before making any decision. If you are in Rajasthan, you can visit Medipulse hospital or can consult with our gynecologist to get the best and most updated information regarding first trimester of pregnancy.

A complete guide to third-trimester diet and nutrition

As you complete your second trimester, the anticipation of childbirth and labor starts building up in your heart. You become nervous, start worrying about the child's delivery, and so on. You also have to deal with false labor pains, wobbling feet, and a high sexual drive. So, all in all, the third trimester is more of enhanced emotions that can become too overwhelming to deal with.

In the midst of all these, you completely ignore your body’s need for proper nutrition. Not only do you have to eat for yourself but also the grown baby. Unless and until your body receives all the proper nutrition, it won't be easy for the body to prepare itself for childbirth and labor pain. Moreover, there are high chances of going into early labor with the wrong food.

Bearing the risks in mind, we have formulated a complete guide, mentioning the food items you have to eat, the nutritional level to be maintained, and more.

Nutritional needs during the third trimester

This section below will explain the average calorie intake required for a healthy third trimester and on-time fetus delivery.

• In the third trimester, your body will need proteins for fetal growth and the thickening of uterine and cervical muscles. The required calorie for protein is about 75 grams to 100 grams.

• 100 grams of calcium a day is needed to develop fetal bones, strengthen your bones, fluid balance, and so on.

• Iron, about 25 grams, is required since it will help form more RBC and proper transfer of oxygen through hemoglobin.

• A maximum of 800 micrograms of folic acid is required for Vitamin B12 and reduces risks of neural problems in the fetus.

• Apart from this, your body will also need carbohydrates and fat for the healthy growth of the fetus and the reduced risks of nutritional deficiency.

Foods to eat during the third trimester

There are a lot of foods that you must include in the third-semester diet. These will provide significant macronutrients and several other vitamins and minerals.

Fresh fruits

The first group of food items that you need to include in your diet is fruits. Starting from kiwi and lemon to pomegranate, fig, mango, apple, berries, and others need to be there in the diet. These are significant sources of water and come with several vitamins and minerals essential for both your and the fetus's body.

For example:

• Lemon, berries, and kiwi have Vitamin C

• Pomegranate has a high quantity of iron

• Apple is an excellent source of vitamin A

Lentils

Lentils are a great source of protein, starting from kidney beans to chickpeas and more. Therefore, adding them to your diet will help you give the required protein content to your body for fetal development. If you don't like the lentils, you can have them in the following ways:

• Toast with cooked kidney beans

• Pita bread with red beans

• Chickpea salad

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are crucial due to the high nutritional content required by both the mother and fetus. You can make granola bars with these ingredients like pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, walnuts, almonds, cashews, and more. You can also have salted roasted pistachios and almonds as quick snack bites or add fresh nuts and seeds to oatmeal.

Fish

Fish is the primary source of protein, iodine, minerals, vitamins, and essential omega acids. These nutrients will help properly develop your baby's brain and DHA. Some fishes to eat in the third trimester are salmon, anchovies, tuna, freshwater trout, shrimp, cod, mackerel, and more.

Conclusion

One must consult a dietician as well for a proper guide on the nutrition required for each month of pregnancy. In case you face any allergy or problem due to any specific ingredient, consult our doctor at medipulse for an alternative to fulfill the nutrition gap.

Everything to know about the second trimester of pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful feelings for a woman. The mere thought of carrying a life inside one’s body is an emotion that can’t be shadowed by anything else. However, even though this entire period of nine months is filled with beautiful moments, unforgettable memories, and more, there is no denying that pregnancy is tough. From mood swings to back pain, swelling of the feet, food cravings, and so on, are some of the significant difficulties a woman has to go through.

Moreover, being a mother for the first time is full of challenges, owing to the absence of help and guidance. As you will have so many questions in mind with almost no answers for them, tackling the pregnancy won't be easy. Owing to this reason, we have explained here some of the facts that you must know about the second trimester of pregnancy- the transition period from finding out that you are pregnant to prepare for childbirth. 

Duration of the second trimester of the pregnancy

Usually, the second trimester of the pregnancy lasts for fourteen weeks, starting from the 4th month or 14th week to the 6th month or 27th week of the entire gestation period. Sometimes, the duration may change, but that entirely depends on the specific case. 

A few common physical changes during the second trimester

During the second trimester, your body will undergo many changes, mainly physical transformations. These happen as your body starts preparing itself to accommodate the growing baby, formation of the placenta and developing the amniotic sac, and widening the uterus and cervix. Owing to all these, some of the changes that you must keep an eye on are:

• You can see your feet and ankles swell due to more water accumulation and the bodyweight you will put on. 

• Expect to put on more body weight due to the female sex hormones that will add fat to some areas like the thighs, hips, stomach, face, and more. 

• You may occasionally find your legs suffering from cramps as you start progressing towards the third trimester.

• Even though it is rare, some women can feel sudden, shooting pain in their lower abdomen or throbbing pain in the lower back.

• Sometimes, your BP may get lowered because your body will push more blood to the embryo’s growth through the placenta.

• Due to an increase in weight, you may suffer from varicose veins in your calf muscles.

Baby's growth during the second trimester

During the second trimester, your fetus will grow the most, with the nails, hair, and skin developing further, arms and feet growing, etc. You can often feel little kicks and jabs after the 21st week when your baby will start to move around. Around the 22nd week, your baby's sense organs will ultimately develop. The baby will open its eyes in some cases even though there won't be any vision. If you go to the ultrasound around the 20th week, you can hear the heartbeat clearly, bringing a massive smile.

A brief checklist for a happy and safe second trimester

1. Establish a proper routine for frequent and periodic checkups with the doctor, follow-ups, and more. 

2. Schedule the ultrasound to check the baby's growth rate, health, placenta formation, and amniotic sac. 

3. Make sure to go for a blood test to examine the blood glucose level, bilirubin and biliverdin, and other parameters. 

4. Do get immunized with all the necessary protection you will need, especially for typhoid, tuberculosis, jaundice, and influenza. 

Conclusion 

There is no denying that the second trimester is the busiest as you go through so many drastic changes in your lifestyle and health. To deal with all these shifts, you must stay in constant physical monitoring and live a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to maintain the diet, exercise regime, and safety precautions. You can visit Medipulse hospital for the best gynecological treatments.

Yoga poses you need to beware of during pregnancy

Women go through many changes in their bodies and minds throughout pregnancy. This may be a time of immense delight and dread for the new life that is about to begin!

When you’re carrying a growing child, your body isn’t the same. Your internal organs move and squish together to create room for your expanding uterus. Furthermore, the hormone mix coursing through your blood causes your body to feel and respond in ways you may not be used to.

This is where yoga can help women maintain their physical and emotional health throughout pregnancy. Yoga offers several advantages during pregnancy, including strengthening your pelvic muscles and preparing your body for delivery, but there are particular yoga postures you should avoid while pregnant.

Is It Safe To Practice Yoga In Pregnancy?

You can’t expect your body to go through all the problems and pain during pregnancy. However, you don’t have to give up your yoga practice entirely if you become pregnant if you already have one.

Many stances will be acceptable to continue, while others will need to be altered or eliminated. Therefore, here are some yoga poses to avoid during pregnancy.

a. Abdominal Work

Poses that press the abdomen tend to produce needless compression and increase your blood flow. In addition, such poses can worsen mechanical stresses on the body and lead to diseases like diastasis recti when the abdominal muscles split during pregnancy.

Some of these poses include:

• Crow pose

• Bicycles

• Planks

• Crunches

b. Twisting & Stretching

Twists aren't totally forbidden during pregnancy, contrary to popular belief. With your doctor's consent, open twists in the third trimester are usually OK and will most likely feel amazing.

Twisting should be performed from the shoulders rather than the abdomen. Continue to keep your entire baby bump open, not folding or bending in any way.

Some poses to avoid include:

• Moon pose

• Spinal twist

• Boat pose

• Tree pose
  

c. Jumping or Fast Flowing

Too much jumping and rapid postures during your first trimester may make you queasy. As a result, yoga positions that require a lot of hopping and movement should be avoided. Instead, restorative and grounding postures are helpful since they aid in fetal growth and the prevention of numerous issues.   

            Poses to avoid:

Any yoga movement which includes rapid movement or posturing

d. Lying Back

During pregnancy, lying on your back might make you feel sick, cause lower back discomfort, raise your blood pressure, and give you heartburn. Aside from that, resting on your back for lengthy periods might injure the vena cava, which can lead to various issues. The vena cava is a vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.

Poses to avoid:

• Corpse Pose

• Lying Down Body Twist

• Boat Pose

• Plough Pose
  

e. Heated Yoga

Some yoga positions are claimed to boost body temperature. As a result, it’s critical to understand how each yoga practice impacts our body. In addition, poses that increase body heat should be avoided throughout all three trimesters since they might dehydrate a pregnant woman.

Poses to avoid:

• Kapalbhati (Breath of Fire Pose)

• Headstand

• Warrior Pose

• Bikram Pose

f. Belly Down

Your internal organs are squeezed while your baby develops within your stomach. Therefore, any additional strain on your abdomen region might be hazardous to you and your developing baby. As a result, avoid any positions that require you to bend down or lie on your stomach.

Poses to avoid:

• Swan Pose

• Cobra Pose

• Seated Forward Bend

• Bow Pose 

Now You Know!

While doing yoga is great in general, it is suggested that you seek out the assistance of a prenatal yoga professional to help you better. For this you can consult a gynecologist. Or for more details you can vist Medipulse hospital website. Having said that, we hope you’ll make out the most of your yoga sessions with your child. All the best!

What is prenatal yoga & why you should get started with it early in your pregnancy

It is hard to involve yourself in much physical activity when you are pregnant. If you are a fan of workouts, it will become increasingly harder for you to hit the gym as you progress through your pregnancy. Your doctors might even advise you against going to the gym and lifting heavy weights when you are pregnant, so how do you keep yourself and your baby fit during pregnancy? Well, the answer is prenatal yoga.

Prenatal yoga is not an alternative to working out, to be honest. The purpose of prenatal yoga is to prepare your body for labour to ensure that you can go through natural birth without any complications and the stretching and “asanas” help you become more relaxed and flexible for your labour. Prenatal yoga mainly focuses on breathing and simple postures that will help you relax your body while also preparing your body for labour. So, now that you know of the basics, let’s learn more about prenatal yoga and its benefits for you.

Benefits of prenatal yoga

• Improves your body’s blood flow

Exercising is a great way to ensure proper blood flow in your body, especially the flow of oxygenated blood from your heart to the different parts of your body. When you are pregnant, since exercising is difficult, engaging in prenatal yoga can also provide similar results as the “asanas”, and stretching improves your blood flow and provides more oxygenated blood to your baby for healthy growth.

• Reduces anxiety and symptoms of depression

Yoga is not only exercise; it also involves structured breathing in a pattern that helps you alleviate stress and reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression. It has been medically proven that breathing in a slow and steady pattern can help you activate your nervous system and block cortisol which in large amounts is credited to causing symptoms of depression. Prenatal yoga can help you improve your mood and also your fitness level making it a great activity for you to try during your pregnancy.

• Prepares your body for labour

Labour or delivery pain is one of the worst pain that human beings go through. This is perhaps the scariest thought that pregnant women go through, especially when it is their first time. Starting prenatal yoga early in your pregnancy can help you learn how to meditate and control your breathing, both of which can have positive effects during your labour and can help you reduce your labour pain. It also helps you be less anxious during your labour, which can easily help you go through your delivery.

When should you start prenatal yoga?

There are no hard and fast rules on when you should start prenatal yoga, but it is a good rule of thumb for starting yoga in the second trimester. This is done to keep you safe from any possibility of miscarriages, as they are most common in the first trimester. Yoga has no relation to miscarriages, and it has not been proven to be dangerous for your or your baby’s health in any way. Still, just to keep you on the safe side, experts usually recommend pregnant women to start prenatal yoga from right around 14 weeks of their pregnancy which relates to the second trimester of their pregnancy.

Final thoughts

Yoga as an activity combines the benefits of exercise and meditation and helps you achieve physical and mental fitness. When you are pregnant and your body is going through many changes, practicing yoga regularly can help you stay on top of your health and keep yourself and your baby in optimum health. If you are interested in learning and exploring more about prenatal yoga, you can visit Medipulse hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, or visit the official hospital website.

What To Eat During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is perhaps the most miraculous thing because a woman is producing a human being inside her womb. It is extremely important to keep a check on what you are eating during your pregnancy, so that your body gets all the requisite nutrients for the baby to develop and grow healthy. Making the right choices in eating is important to help your body deal with the major changes that are happening.

Ideally, an expectant mother’s diet should have a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Each nutrient has its own importance and contribution in helping build your baby.

1.     Calcium: It is extremely helpful in building strong teeth, bones, muscles and nerves of your baby. Gynaecologists usually prescribe calcium supplements to the expectant mother right from the second trimester because that is when your baby’s bones and muscles start to develop.

2.     Folic acid: It is another essential nutrient that saves the baby from any kind of neural tube defects. Doctors say that at least 600 micrograms of folic acid are essential for the expectant mother.

3.     Vitamin D: It helps to strengthen the immune system of the expectant mother.

4.     Iron: An expectant mother needs twice as much iron as the body normally does without pregnancy. This mineral helps in maintaining the haemoglobin levels in the body.

5.     DHA: It is an omega-3 fatty acid and plays a vital role in baby’s brain and eye development. Expectant mothers need at least 200 to 300 milligrams of DHA per day. 

Now that you understand which mineral and nutrient does what, it is important to have a balanced diet so that your intake is an ideal proportion of all the nutrients.

Let us list down some super-nutritious foods for you to accommodate in your meals, during pregnancy.

1.     Dairy Products: During pregnancy, your body demands some extra grams of protein and calcium, for your baby’s growing bones and even to keep your body muscles strong. Dairy products include milk, yoghurt, cheese and ghee and they should compulsorily be a part of your daily diet regime. Certain varieties of yoghurt also contain probiotic bacteria that help in digestion. 

2.     Legumes: Legumes are the most protein-rich source of food and includes peas, beans, chickpeas, soyabeans and lentils. They are also rich in folate, iron and fiber which are very essential for your body during pregnancy. Women often complain of constipation during pregnancy as legumes help to ease out that problem.

3.     Eggs: Eggs are a rich source of protein, fats and vitamins. They also have choline which is a form of vitamin B that the liver makes. It is extremely essential during pregnancy for your baby’s brain development and prevents abnormalities of the brain and spine.

4.     Leafy green vegetables: Leafy green vegetables are a rich source of almost all the nutrients that your body would need. They are loaded with iron, potassium, vitamins and calcium. They relieve constipation and are also associated with a low risk of underweight babies.

5.     Whole grains: They are a rich source of fibres and vitamins. Some whole grains like barley and wheat are also loaded with magnesium and vitamin B. You should make it a choice to include oats, quinoa, and brown rice in your daily meals.

6.     Dry fruits: Dry fruits are rich in calories, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. Just one serving of dry fruits can suffice for the daily prescribed requirements of vitamins, minerals, iron and potassium. Expectant mothers should add a small portion of mixed nuts in their daily diet regime.

7.     Bananas: They are a rich source of potassium which helps in maintaining good levels of blood pressure. Plus, they provide immediate energy whenever you feel a strong urge to eat something.

8.     Sweet potato: They're loaded with vitamin A and can serve for more than 4 times of your daily requirement. Vitamin A is essential during the first trimester when your baby starts to develop different organs and body parts.

9.     Salmon: Salmon is rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids that are very essential for baby’s growth. If you are fond of non-vegetarian food, you should make salmon a part of your diet as they aid in the development of baby’s brain and eyes. However, be cautious as fish also contains mercury and other contaminants, so avoid too much of its intake.

10. Water: Expectant mothers should stay hydrated because your body needs more water as the blood volume increases. The foetus also floats in water inside the womb hence, hydration gets passed onto your baby so you should strictly watch your water intake. Increased water intake also reduces the chances of urinary tract infections which are very common during pregnancy.

If you do not like a certain food item, try giving it a twist and you can have a whole lot of delicious items to even the most non-delicious things. Remember, your growing baby will take down everything you give to it so stay cautious about your eating choices.

Understanding The Difference Between A Fertility Specialist And OB/Gyn

Motherhood is perhaps the most beautiful feeling that a woman can experience. When you are genuinely trying to have a baby but face fertility issues, it might lead to an emotional roller-coaster. The frustration keeps building, the sooner you see a fertility specialist, the better it is. Some medical help to tackle your fertility issues can give you a ray of hope and assist you while you try to add a new tiny one to your family.

An obstetrician or gynaecologist is generally your first go-to-place for any female reproductive health issues. However, when you are specifically seeking some medical aid to get pregnant, an obstetrician or gynaecologist may not come to your rescue. They need to have some specialised qualification to help patients with fertility issues.  It is important to understand the distinction between a fertility specialist and Obstetrician/Gynaecologist, so that you consult the right medical expert for your fertility issues. Fertility specialists are obstetrician or gynaecologists who have undergone specialised training for reproductive endocrinology. They undergo extra training to assist patients who are struggling with fertility issues.

When to see a fertility specialist?

While you have been trying to conceive a baby, but your efforts are unsuccessful, you can reach out to your obstetrician or gynaecologist. They suggested ways to improve your chances of conception, and perform some necessary check-ups to identify where the problem lies. They may also suggest you to keep a check on your ovulation cycle so that you try conception at the right time. But if you experience any of the following issues, you should consult a fertility specialist, because there is a limitation to what an obstetrician or gynaecologist can do.

1.     If you have been trying to have a baby for over a year, but the conception did not happen, a fertility specialist will run a series of tests on you to identify the problem and may put you on certain medications.

2.     If you have a history of miscarriages, there is a greater possibility that you have a reproductive issue if you have had repeated miscarriages, three or more, consecutively.

3.     If you have been diagnosed with fertility issues or inappropriate uterus environment

4.     If you are more than 35 years and you wish to conceive a baby. It is important to understand the possible health issues at an age when the natural biological clock starts to slow down.

5.     If you or your spouse have conditions which do not favour conception like PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, undescended testicles, low sperm count or any other medical condition causing infertility.

How can a fertility specialist help?

When natural conception is taking longer, your fertility specialist will also tell you ways about artificial conception like IVF (in-vitro fertilization). For this, they may have to dig a little deeper by running some tests. When the actual problem is diagnosed, the fertility specialist will guide you towards assisted reproduction. Physical examinations such as clinical breast exams or pap smear are conducted on women. Ultrasound and other diagnostic tests are also conducted to get to the accurate results.

When you approach a fertility specialist, the first thing your specialist does is to conduct a natural diagnosis of your problem. Once your fertility issue is identified, your specialist may suggest medications or procedures that may aid in conception of a child. They help you and your partner understand the possible course of treatment. They are your guiding experts who assist you throughout the procedure and are available to clear out any doubts that may arise. They persistently monitor your health if you have undergone any assisted reproduction procedure.

Depending upon how far you can go to have a baby, you must immediately reach out to a fertility specialist. There is so much that they can do, to help you get your little bundle of joy.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain affects the lowest part of the abdomen, mostly between the belly and the groin. The pain is usually felt as throbbing, burning or heaviness in the lower abdomen. Pelvic pain can occur both in men and women, and the possible onset for pelvic pain can be certain types of infections, abnormal functioning of some non-reproductive internal organs or pain that is generated from the pelvic bones. In women, pelvic pain can be a symptom of any abnormalities in any one of the women’s reproductive organs, like the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina or cervix. 

Women who suffer from pelvic pain describe the intensity of the pain which ranges from being mild to very intense. Pelvic pain that is caused due to any sort of infections may develop slowly over a period of time and get worse as they persist. In women, pelvic pain also occurs as cramping during menstruation. If the pain is generated due to any abnormalities in the reproductive, digestive or urinary system, the pain is felt during sexual intercourse, urination or regular bowel movements. In some severe cases, pelvic pain is also caused due to presence of cancerous tumours in the bladder or colon.

It is very important to understand the severity of pelvic pain because if the pain persists, the underlying cause can prove to be life-threatening. Thus, if you experience mild or severe pelvic pain which is persistent over a period of time, you should immediately seek medical care.

Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can occur due to various reasons, hence, it is important to understand the underlying cause of your pelvic pain so that the right and effective treatment can be started.

1. Menstrual Cramps

One of the most common causes of pelvic pain in women are menstrual cramps. In most women, pelvic pain and menstrual cramps start a day or two before the start of menstrual cycle while in some cases, the pain continues for 1-2 days after the beginning of menstrual cycle. Menstrual cramps are usually throbbing in intensity and women might feel muscular contractions, because the uterus sheds its lining during the menstrual cycle. In cases of severe pain, use of warm heating pads and pain relievers can come to the rescue.

2. Ovulation

Some women experience painful ovulation. Ovulation is a process in which the ovaries release eggs and some fluid which travel down to the uterus. The released fluid can sometimes cause irritation and pain in the pelvic region.

3. Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection 

Cystitis is a medical condition which causes inflammation in the bladder and is mainly caused when vaginal or rectal bacteria enter the bladder. On the other hand, urinary tract infection is caused anywhere in kidneys, urethra, bladder or ureters. One major symptom of both these infections is severe pelvic pain apart from painful urination, bleeding between menstrual cycles and vaginal discharge.

4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease  (PID) is an infection that occurs in the female reproductive organs. The major cause of PID is found to be an untreated sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. If the PID bacteria enters the womb, it can permanently damage the surrounding tissues. Pelvic pain is one of the prominent symptoms of PID along with fever, painful urination or painful intercourse.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue that lines on the inside of the uterus begins to grow on the outside. It may cause mild to severe pelvic pain, in women. When the menstrual cycle is about to begin, the tissue that has developed on the outside causes bleeding, pains and inflammation in the pelvic region.

6. Bowel Syndrome

Bowel syndrome is an abnormality causing constipation, diarrhoea and bloating. If the problem persists for a longer time, it causes severe pelvic pain. There is no specific treatment for a bowel syndrome but it can be cured through changes in diet and medications.

7. Appendicitis:

Appendix is the smallest organ of the body which is located in the lower-right abdomen. Appendicitis is a medical condition which causes inflammation or enlargement of the appendix. This problem is known to cause severe pain in the pelvic region.

8. Urinary stones

Stones are usually found in bladder or kidneys and are mainly made up of salts, minerals and calcium. When they develop large in size, they cause the urine to change colour, painful urination and blood in the urine. Stones in the gall bladder and kidneys and known to cause severe pelvic pain and pain in the lower back.

9. Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one of the most life-threatening conditions that occurs to the body of a woman. It occurs when the embryo starts to grow on the outside of the uterus. This kind of pregnancy is known to cause severe pains, cramping in the pelvic region and vaginal bleeding.

10. Ovarian cysts

The major role of the ovaries is to release eggs for reproduction. When ovaries become clogged, they fail to release the egg and an unwanted cyst begins to grow in the area. These ovarian cysts are known to cause severe pelvic pain and require immediate medical assistance.

11. Uterine Myomas

Myomas or fibroids are lumps of muscle and tissues that begin to grow within the uterus. While most of the fibroids are non-cancerous in nature, they cause severe pain in the pelvis and lower back. When fibroids begin to outgrow the blood supply, they can cause chronic pelvic pain that requires immediate medical assistance.

12. Tumour:

In some cases, a benign cancerous growth is found in the reproductive organs or gastrointestinal organs, which causes pain in the pelvic region. This can happen with both men and women, and requires medical assistance for its diagnosis and treatment.

If you begin to observe sudden pains or any sharp burning sensation in the abdominal area, you should immediately seek medical attention, because ignoring any sort of pelvic pain will only prove to degrade your health condition.

Protecting Yourself Against HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is by far, one of the most common and contagious sexually transmitted diseases (STD). HPV infection is caused due to a virus, which is said to have more than 100 types of strains. A few of the HPV infections cause mucous membrane growth on the skin which are also known as warts. The other types of virus strains cause different types of cancers around the genitals, anus, vagina, penis and vulva. The infection is highly contagious and the infected person may or may not develop any symptoms, but can still be a carrier and infect the others through sexual or intimate skin contact.

HPV can prove to be deadly when the infected person starts to develop cancer of the genitals and cervical cancer. Hence, it is highly important to protect yourself against HPV, either through vaccination or taking precautions while being sexually active. Preventing yourself from the HPV virus should be your first defence measure.

How to protect yourself from HPV virus

One should understand the severity of HPV and follow the below mentioned strategies to protect themselves from contacting the deadly virus.

1. HPV vaccination to avoid HPV cancers and skin warts:  The HPV vaccine is effective enough to protect against the HPV infections that cause most cervical cancers and cancer of the genitals including anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Since most HPV infections spread through sexual contact, the HPV vaccination proves to be highly effective when given before the person becomes sexually active. If you are aged between 15-45 years, the vaccine is given is 3 separate shots in a duration of about six months. 

2. Limit the number of sex partners: Another effective way to prevent yourself against the HPV virus is limiting the number of sexual partners. Higher the number of active sexual partners, the higher is the chance for you to get infected with HPV. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship will also help, as this will ensure that your partner is sexually active with none other than you.

3. Use of condoms: If you have an active sexual life, it is highly important for you to use condoms while you are involved in any kind of sexual activity, be it oral, anal or vaginal sex. This will considerably bring down the chances for you to contact the HPV infection. Use of latex condoms is considered to be highly effective. However, HPV can also attack those areas of your skin which are not covered by condoms, but it still offers a greater probability of safeguarding yourself from the infection.

4. Timely screening for women to catch precancers: In some women, HPV infection begins to change the cells of the cervix which later on develop into cervical cancer. It is very important to conduct timely screening so that early detection and treatment can prevent the infection from becoming cancerous. There are mainly two types of tests that are used for the screening of HPV infection to check for cervical cancers. One of the tests is a Pap Test which is done by collecting cells from the cervix and checking for any abnormal cell growth. The other type of test checks for the presence of any virus rather than abnormalities.

Presently, there are no specific medical tests to find out about the HPV infection in a person. However, tests may be conducted to investigate cervical cancer or precancerous. These tests are also conducted only in women who are more than 30 years of age. There are also no specific signs and symptoms to know whether a person has HPV infection or not, which is why most people never know that they are infected and unknowingly become carriers of this infection. Even if the person is infected, it may take a few months for them to develop symptoms like warts on the skin and other health problems. It is suggested that women above 30 years of age should regular see their gynecologists for Pap tests, to diagnose any precancers or cervical cancer.

Treatment for health problems caused by HPV

There is no specific treatment for the HPV virus, however, medical experts have laid down certain treatments to bring down the effect of health problems caused due to the HPV virus.

1. Genital warts: Warts can start to develop in any part of the genitals and if left untreated they keep growing in size and number. Warts can be treated with proper medication, so it is important to consult a healthcare provider as and when you notice such developments around your genitals.

2. Cervical precancer: Prevention is the first tool of defence and women who undergo regular Pap tests are able to diagnose and significant chances of precancers. If pre cancers are treated well on time, the chances of developing cancer reduces significantly.

Returning To Work After Maternity: Tips, Tricks To Keep Organized And Decrease Anxiety

The beginning of maternity leave serves great pleasure as you feel you have ample amount of time with your little one. But soon after a few weeks, the greater transition comes when you have to return to your workplace, that too leaving behind your little child. Returning from maternity leave is perhaps the most difficult emotional roller coaster that a new mom gets through. It triggers different feelings where you would want to be with your child and on the other hand, you would also want to keep a balance with your career and job. Even the thought of returning back to work after maternity leave is very stressful, leave aside when the day of returning actually arrives. Being away from your baby and adjusting to the whole new challenge of getting back to the workplace, can be physically and mentally exhausting.

It is very important to create a balance between your motherhood and professional life, but that should not come at the cost of making you feel guilty. Never feel that if you are returning to work, it would make you less good of a mother. Rather, you are setting an example for your little one that being a mother offers you with great superpowers to balance both home and professional life.

Tips to Ticks to Keep Yourself Organized and Decrease the Anxiety

1. Never feel guilty: Guilt is an emotion that triggers inside us while doing something wrong. But, if you are a new mother, it is important for you to understand that while you decide to return to work to support your family or balance your career, you choose to do nothing wrong. You may feel a little anxiety about leaving your child, but let go of the guilt, to remain stress-free.

2. Get in touch with your employer: A little anxiety before returning to work is inevitable, so talking to your employer in advance might bring down the stress level. Having a casual conversation with your employer will give you insights on new projects that are currently going on, any other technical changes that you need to have hands on, and this will help to get comfortable at the workplace. You can also place requests with your employer, if you want flexible working hours or flexibility in meeting deadlines with projects. Also, speak to your employer about your responsibilities and workload during normal days, so that you can adjust your breastfeeding time, day-care management and new work schedule. When you are at your workplace, try speaking to some new mothers to know how they manage work after maternity leave.

3. Practice Dry run: A dry run is a kind of practice day that you should follow a day or two before the actual day of returning to office. This will give you insights about how much time you need to breastfeed your baby, how many hours will it take to reach the office and day-care and other small kinks. Spend a day with the child-care provider to know about your child’s needs and what it takes to make him feel comfortable with the new environment.

4. Get organised a night before the actual day of return: Organising all the stuff and getting prepared for the next day, makes the morning easier and hassle-free. Decide on your clothes, change your handbag, put all the important stuff, prepare the baby's bag with diapers, wipes, nappies, clothes and toys, a night before. After a tiring day you might not feel the need to keep things organised, but it is surely an effective way to save plenty of your time and keep you stress free. 

5. Find the right amount of work: While you were away on your maternity leave, the workplace must have gone through various changes and you might feel outcast or sidelined. Just make sure to fulfil all your work commitments that you are expected to do as a professional. If you are not given any challenging assignments, due to the fact that you just had a baby, go ahead and ask for it, if you think you are prepared. It will always be challenging to manage a child and your workplace responsibilities, but with the right balance, the whole schedule can be less chaotic.

6. Try and Cope up with stress and tiredness: Try and carve out special time to bond with your little one so that he or she does not feel that there is any sort of growing distance between you two. You would also have to learn to balance the most difficult part of the day, which is when you return from office and your child also returns from day-care. Both you and your child would be very much tired during that time of the day, but you need to have patience. Slowly and gradually, your baby will also be aware of your routine and he might know what to expect next.

At times, you might sit down and re-consider the idea of returning back to work. Many new mothers start to feel that returning to the workplace was a bad idea. All new mothers have to struggle in the initial days so that there is no lag with their careers. Initially, it may be very psychologically and physically challenging, but once your routine is sorted, everything will fall into place. During this time, do not forget to take good care of yourself, and remember nobody gets to perfection immediately.

Diagnosis And Management Of Anaemia Before Gynecologic Surgery

Anaemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cells become inefficient and are unable to carry oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body. It is important to understand the severity of anaemia and start your treatment accordingly. If you are anaemic, you are likely to feel fatigue and tiredness all throughout, even when you are not much involved in physical labour.

Symptoms of Anaemia

The following are some of the common and established symptoms of anaemia:

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Pale or yellow skin

• Irregularity in heart rate

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness 

• Chest pain or congestion

• Cold hands and feet

• Headaches

Diagnosis of Anaemia

It is important to look out for signs and symptoms, to check whether your body is anaemic. Signs and symptoms of anaemia can vary depending upon the cause of anaemia. It is important to understand the underlying cause of anaemia, only then your doctor can start your treatment. This is because treatment for one type of anaemia can prove to be dangerous and ineffective in curing the other type of anaemia. The following are some of the established causes of anaemia:

1. Anaemia caused due to iron deficiency:  

This is the most common type of anaemia and is caused when the body is unable to produce red blood cells, due to deficiency of iron. Our bone marrow produces haemoglobin for the red blood cells and when iron deficiency attacks the body, the red blood cells fall short of haemoglobin, causing tiredness and fatigue. In young women, iron deficiency generally occurs due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Other causes of this type of anaemia are use of pain relievers, history of ulcers or cancer.

2. Anaemia caused due to Vitamin deficiency: 

Our body needs vitamin B-12 to produce healthy red blood cells that can carry oxygen and haemoglobin throughout the body. 

3. Anaemia of inflammation:

Chronic diseases like cancer, HIV, AIDS, kidney diseases, colon diseases and other inflammatory diseases can obstruct the production of healthy red blood cells in the body.

4. Aplastic anaemia: 

This is a rare condition of the body which occurs due to use of certain inflammatory medicines, infections or any autoimmune diseases. If your body is under the attack of aplastic anaemia, it will not be able to produce enough of healthy red blood cells.

5. Anaemia associated with a bone marrow disease:

Certain diseases like leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anaemia as they hamper production of haemoglobin by affecting the bone marrow.

6. Sickle cell anaemia: 

This type of anaemia is generally a genetic disease. Under this condition, the haemoglobin of the body is defective and causes the red blood cells to form a crescent shape. These oddly shaped red blood cells die prematurely, causing a shortage of healthy red blood cells in the body.

Managing and Treating Anaemia- The Right Way

It is important for your doctor to identify the root cause of your anaemia and start treating it the right way. 

1. If anaemia is caused due to blood loss, the patient is treated with fluids, blood transfusion, oxygen and iron. This will help the body in building new red blood cells.

2. If anaemia is caused due to iron deficiency, iron supplements that contain ferrous form of iron will help the body cope with iron deficiency. During the treatment, it is important to monitor red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and ferritin levels.

3. Anaemia caused due to Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with Vitamin B12 pills and injections. If the patient has folate deficiency, it is treated by folic acid supplements.

4. If the anaemia is caused due to any chronic ailment like a kidney disease, it is treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.

5. If anaemia is caused due to red blood cells destruction, intravenous fluids and pain medication are given. A blood transfusion is also done in cases where medication does not come to the rescue.

6. If anaemia is caused due to production of sickle red blood cells, in most cases, will require a bone marrow transplant.

Managing Anaemia before Gynecologic Surgery

Managing anaemia before a patient is subjected to Gynecologic surgery forms an important part of Patient Blood Management and is often termed as checking the preoperative anaemia.

Even if the patient is suffering from a mild preoperative anaemia, it can increase the chances of mortality, when the patient is subjected to any kind of gynecologic surgery. It might also pose serious risks in blood transfusion and the chances of further blood loss increase ten-folds in such cases. It is thus, highly crucial to subject the patient to preoperative anaemia screening. This will allow time to conduct further workup and treatment and raise the haemoglobin levels.

If the patient is at multiple preoperative risks, a gynecologic surgery will further put the patient’s life at risk, for any transfusion, intraoperative organ or a difficult postoperative period. While we talk about managing anaemia before any major gynecologic surgery, a thorough risk assessment and patient blood management (PBM) should be conducted with specific procedures laid down for improving the haemoglobin levels.

In major gynecologic surgeries, a preoperative Hb <13 g/dL should be considered suboptimal women, and if the level is below the range then procedures will be started to improve the levels. If the patient needs to be put to immediate surgery, oral iron or intravenous iron formulations should be infused.

Menstrual Pain And Irregularity

Menstruation is a monthly process that occurs as the female body prepares itself for pregnancy. The female reproductive system forms eggs to make pregnancy possible. When the pregnancy does not happen, the egg along with tissues and blood, leaves the lining of the uterus and comes out of the vagina. The discharging process lasts for about 3-5 days. Menstruation usually starts during puberty and lasts until menopause, within a one-month interval.

The menstrual cycle completely depends upon the hormonal changes that take place inside the female body every month. Ideally, the menstrual cycle is of about 28 days, which may vary, depending upon the hormone secretion. The average age when girls start menstruating is around 12 but these bodily changes are best to be kept range bound between 8-15 years.

Menstrual Pain

Apart from heavy vaginal bleeding that most women suffer from, menstruation also causes various other discomforts. Some women face severely painful periods which are highly dominated by menstrual cramps, throbbing and pain in the lower abdomen. Such painful menstruation is also termed as Dysmenorrhea. Apart from cramping and abdominal pain, other symptoms that women suffer from during the menstrual cycle are mood swings, irritability, headache, fatigue, tenderness in breasts and lower back pain.

Dysmenorrhea is also categorized into primary and secondary, depending upon the cause of period pains. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused due to prostaglandins hormone secretion from the uterus. This hormone causes contractions in the uterus, which block the blood and oxygen supply to the uterus. This causes severe pain and cramps during thse menstrual cycle. Studies also reveal that women who suffer from severe menstrual cramps and likely to have strong uterine contractions at the time of giving birth. These pains usually start a day or two before the beginning of menstruation and may last for two to three days after the start of menstrual cycle.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is not usually found in younger women but starts later in life of a female. The prominent cause of this pain are conditions that affect reproductive organs, like uterine fibroids and endometriosis. These pains are highly discomforting and may even get worse with time. Some studies also reveal that secondary dysmenorrhea is also caused due to pelvic inflammatory diseases which cause the egg to implant outside the wall of the uterus and scare the fallopian tubes. During menstruation, the hormone secretion affects the uterus and the scar tissues, which increases the menstrual bleeding, inflammation and pain.

While you know about the basic dysmenorrhea, it is also critical for you to know the other factors that cause severe pain during menstruation. Menstrual pain is predominantly normal, but it is important to understand the other causes of menstrual pain, before such pain causes serious problems to your body.

1. Adenomyosis is a gynecological condition in which the tissue that usually lines to the inside of the uterus, implants itself outside the wall of the uterus. This causes the uterus to become bruised, causing severe cramps and painful intercourse.

2. Uterine fibroids are one of the most common gynecological problems and every one in three women suffer from this. If you are suffering from uterine fibroids, you are most likely to have severe menstrual cramps. The reason behind such painful cramps is that that uterus contracts forcefully to expel out the blood clots that are formed due to fibroids.

3. Women who have a copper IUD inserted, can also experience painful periods along with heavy menstrual bleeding.

4. When a female child is still a foetus in the mother’s womb, its own uterus starts to develop. In some cases, due to certain structural deformation, the uterus does not form correctly and causes period pain, infertility issues and painful intercourse.

Irregularity in Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is considered to be irregular when the menstrual cycle does not fall on the due date. In most women, the usual length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days which may extend to even 35 days. A menstrual cycle is considered to be irregular when the cycle occurs more than 35 days apart. 

In medical terms, irregular periods are also called oligomenorrhea. Studies have revealed that primary causes for irregular periods in women are use of contraceptives, hormonal imbalance, indulgence in certain endurance exercises and hormonal changes during menopause. If the menstrual cycle is irregular during the early stages of puberty or during the menopause phase, the problem might not be serious, however, it might be a concern when the menstrual cycle is irregular during the reproductive years. In such cases, you should consult a doctor at the earliest, to avoid any further complications.

Irregular periods are indicative of a serious problem so it is important to investigate the cause for your irregular periods. Understand the below stated causes for irregular periods: 

1. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): It is a medical condition in which small cysts begin to develop in the ovaries, which is why the ovaries do not release eggs every month.  

2. Thyroid: Women who are suffering from thyroid disorder also suffer from irregular periods. This is because, thyroid causes the body to release hormones that affect the metabolism. 

3. Cervical or uterine cancer: If a woman is suffering from cervical or uterus cancer, she is likely to experience bleeding between the menstrual cycles and sometimes even after intercourse.

4. Endometriosis: It is a medical condition where cells start to grow outside the lining of the uterus instead on the inside.  Endometrial cells are released every month and come out from the vagina along with menstrual blood. In certain cases when the blood gets stuck around the tissues, it damages the tissues and this causes irregularity in menstrual cycle and even causes infertility in certain cases.

If you encounter any of the above stated causes for irregular menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor and start with the remedies. If irregular menstruation is due to contraceptives or birth control pills, the doctor might change your medication with pills that have a balance of estrogen and progestin. For PCOS and thyroid related issues, eating habits, a healthy lifestyle and lowering down the testosterone levels, will help women to ovulate timely.