50% of infertility issues are male related, know more!

Up to 15% of couples are infertile. This means they aren’t able to conceive a child, even though they’ve had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. In over a third of these couples, male infertility plays a role.

Male infertility is due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male infertility.Symptoms

The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. In some cases, however, an underlying problem such as an inherited disorder, a hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicle or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm causes the following signs and symptoms:

  • Problems with sexual function for example, difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
  • Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
  • Recurrent respiratory infections
  • Inability to smell
  • Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
  • Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
  • A lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you have been unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse or sooner if you have any of the following:

  • Erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive or other problems with sexual function
  • Pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area
  • A history of testicle, prostate or sexual problems
  • A groin, testicle, penis or scrotum surgery

Not being able to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but a number of male infertility treatments are available at Motherhood Fertility. We are a renowned fertility and reproductive centre well equipped with expert doctors (male andrologists), skilled team of nurses, counsellors, physiotherapists and clinical dieticians. The team of experts provides comprehensive fertility services backed by our state-of-the-art andrology lab and advanced laparoscopic and surgical treatments for complete resolution of male fertility issues.

When are you more likely to conceive? Ovulation and fertility

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

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

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

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

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

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

  •  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Factors which decide IVF Success Rates Blog by Dr Geetha R

Dr. Geetha R on IVF Success Factors - Motherhood Hospital India

Reproductive medicine is an evolving field constantly working towards improving the success rates IVF has contributed to more than 6 million babies worldwide, innovations keep emerging and the success rates keep improving.

Success rates with IVF treatment though high cannot be 100% always.
The success rates are influenced by many external and internal factors

Internal factors:
Age of the couple and the type of infertility

External factors :
Lifestyle factors
Laboratory quality
Experience and the Skill of the Clinician and the embryologist

1. Age of the couple:

Age has got its own impact on fertility as in any other system .Advancing age has an impact on both the quantity and quality of available oocytes
More than 80% of embryos formed out of oocytes obtained from woman >42 years are found to be aneuploidy or chromosomally abnormal
The IVF success rates dramatically decreases when the woman is >35 years
Success rates are 40% if the woman is <35
30% – 35-37 years
22% – 38-40 YEARS
10% in 40-42
<5 % in woman>43 years

Paternal aging also has an impact on fertility by compromising the sperm quality by increasing the damage on the Sperm DNA hence decreasing the fertilisation capacity as well as embryo quality
Sperm DNA damage is considerably increased in men over 45 years.

2. Type of Fertlity problem

The most important factor which decides the success with IVF is the ovarian reserve.
The higher the number of follicles available, higher the number of oocytes obtained which translates to higher success rates.

Woman with low reserve yield less number of oocytes, < 3 oocytes is considered a decreased ovarian response which compromises the success rates

Low reserve may be a part of aging or conditions like endometriosis, surgery on the ovaries, some autoimmune or chromosomal problems or an exposure to chemotherapy or Radiotherapy
Success rates are very high even upto 80% when infertility is only due to tubal factor or low sperm counts
Suceess rates are compromised when multiple factors are present, Higher the number of factors contributing to infertility poorer are the success rates.

Success rates decease when the woman has multiple fibroids closer to the cavity, or adenomyosis.Both these factors may affect the implantation

External Factors

1. Lifestyle factors

Obesity

Obesity in both male and female is proven to affect the gamete quality.It can also affect the way the body responds to fertility medications, very high doses of gonadotropins may be needed to achieve a desired response
Obesity may cause procedural difficulties which may affect oocyte yield
It is also known to affect implantation and is associated with increased rates of miscarriage

Smoking: Cigarette smoke has serious reproductive consequences for both men and women. The sperm of male smokers has been found to have reduced fertilizing capacity, and embryos from that sperm also display lower rates of implantation. In female smokers, the aging of the ovaries is faster, and their uteruses are less receptive. Overall, the outcome of IVF cycles has been found to be significantly worse in female smokers, who may require twice as many IVF cycles to become pregnant.

2. Laboratory quality

IVF laboratory plays a very crucial part in determining the success rates.After all the gametes need to be handled in a highly controlled and protective environment as the human body

Ÿ?? Microorganisms such as germs or fungi can have an adverse effect on developing embryos, so excellent air quality is a must. Specially designed Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units equipped with charcoal filters and high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters and enough dair pressure to completely change the air in the room 20 times per hour should be standard.

Ÿ?? Temperature and light: In the first few delicate hours and days of development, both of these factors are crucial. Keeping embryos at body temperature and filtering out ultraviolet light are two ways to eliminate stress which could damage growth.

An IVF lab with highest quality control constantly maintained by regular auditing of the lab conditions and procedures can definitely help in achieving highest success rates.

3. Experience and expertise of the clinician/Embryologist

Well experienced and qualified IVF clinician/Andrologist are of utmost importance in optimising the success rates as they can offer adjuvants , individualised protocols and sperm selection methods based on the ovarian reserve and sperm parameters respectively.Success of IVF also depends on the optimal preparation of the endometrial lining and the ease of embryo transfer technique.However good quality the embryos may be if fails to implant if the uterine environment is unfavourable or when difficulty is encountered in embryo transfer.A well experienced can make a big difference in these areas.

Qualification and the experience of the embryologist is also invaluable in determining the success rates.Minimal handling of the embryos, speed and gentleness of the procedures like ICSI, embryo freezing, thawing are critically important for high success rates, the minimum the exposure of the gametes/embryos outside the incubator, the maximum are the success rates.

Every fertility journey has an element of uncertainty, but there is a lot that your fertility clinic can do to contribute to IVF success

By Dr. Geetha R

 

Think you are entering menopause? Confirm with these 6 signs

Ÿ??MenopauseŸ?? isnŸ??t a word most women in India smile about and love. They hate entering this inevitable phase of their life. The reluctance though, stems from misunderstanding important biological changes in the body and prevalence of myths such as menopause is a Ÿ??diseaseŸ?? which heralds definitive ill-health.

It is indeed tricky to ascertain if one is entering menopause, especially as it happens only once! Also, symptoms vary for individuals and are accompanied by signs that are often not related to menopause.

If you think your tampon days may be coming to an end, keep reading to find out if you identify with one or more of the below signs.

1. Lighter or heavier periods

Contrary to your usual routine of about a month, the time between periods is now all over the place with varying amount of bleeding and different number of period days.

2. Hot and splotchy skin

You may be entering menopause if you notice hot flashes on your skin, especially the face, neck and chest. Intense, sudden feelings of warmth will often be accompanied by red splotches on the skin. You may also experience flu-like symptoms like heavy sweating or even cold shivering.

3. Waking up to a sweaty you

You don’t experience hot flashes only during the day. They also happen while youŸ??re asleep, causing you to wake up drenched in sweat. You may be entering menopause if this symptom is impacting your sleep quality.

4. Rapid mood swings ruining your time

You are behaving crazy and are not sure what is going on with you! It could be the onset of menopause due to changes in hormones which trigger mood swings characterised by depression and anxiety.

5. You’ve lost your laser-like focus

You may be entering menopause if you are wondering what happened to your focus, attention span and your ability to quickly recollect things. Menopause is accompanied by reduced oestrogen levels which impact the part of the brain used for memories.

6. Increased vaginal and bladder infections

Are you wondering why you’re suddenly having more vaginal and bladder infections? Well, this could be it! As you are probably into menopause, your ovaries have stopped making oestrogen, causing vaginal dryness, loss of elasticity and discomfort or pain during intercourse. All of these are causing vaginal and bladder infections.

If you are experiencing any or a combination of the above symptoms, you may no longer have red days anymore. Please note that it is important to make an appointment with a gynaecologist for you to learn what you can do to feel better and get back to your life. Ÿ??MenopauseŸ?? isnŸ??t a word most women in India smile about and love. They hate entering this inevitable phase of their life. The reluctance though, stems from misunderstanding important biological changes in the body and prevalence of myths such as menopause is a Ÿ??diseaseŸ?? which heralds definitive ill-health.

 

Do you know the best maternity hospital in Bangalore?

Among other metros, we are now offering our specialized maternity assistance in remote areas of Bangalore such as Hebbal and Banashankari. Find out more.

A working couple looking out for expert advice and sincere care towards their expecting toddler must consult our trained maternity doctors. With our absolute comforting maternity care unit, we strive to sustain as the best maternity hospital in Hebbal, Bangalore. Therefore, the flexible and customized packages for all tiers helps us provide extensive infrastructure.

Our team is trained to maintain a friendly environment and always-ready-to-help approach is wore on sleeves by Motherhood team. To elevate the comfort level of mothers and reduce the stress level of everyone around them, the services are designed keeping all those practical realities in mind.

The intention behind being the best maternity hospital in Banashankari is to provide an all-inclusive set of maternity care facilities, starting from conceiving to delivery. The specialized team of paediatricians ensures regular check-up and visits, there are no delays or exceptions. While you are in the most dedicated maternity health care centre, no need to worry about any complication or unusual experience during your pregnancy. The doctors are primarily concerned about the health of the mother and child. Special assistance for a nutritious diet, care at home, and handling pre-delivery anxiety is what the maternity centre guides the mother and family about.

All pregnancy conditions and situations differ; hence, all the cases are treated with a customized approach, which helps our team to empathize with the parents at best. Post-delivery the doctors stay in regular touch to share their advice for breastfeeding, childŸ??s health and growth, diet and much more. They are always there to help you go through different stages of progression with the child. We know that a small word with your doctor is enough to comfort you in a difficult situation.

A HAPPY ENDING FOR THE YOUNG COUPLE- By Dr. Mirudhubashini Govindarajan

For long, this young pair had been dreaming of a happy home resounding with the gurgles and laughs of their little bundle of joy. But when this dream failed to turn into reality despite many tries there was extreme disappointment.

Thanjavur-based couple, 24-year-old Sowmya (name changed) and her 31-year-old husband Shrikant (name changed), had been married for three years. After they failed to conceive naturally, they consulted many IVF clinics but to no avail. They were put through many fertility treatments such as Ovulation Induction (in this treatment, a woman is given medication to help in the ovulation process or to increase the number of eggs released from the ovary) and two cycles of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), wherein the sperms from the male partner are directly placed in the uterus of the woman to increase the chance of conception. But all these treatments failed to get any results. That is when the couple decided to visit Womens Center by Motherhood, Coimbatore.

When they came to us, the couple’s previous reports showed that the male partner’s sperm count was fluctuating quite remarkably – from no sperms in the semen to about 10 million. We did detailed evaluations of both the husband and wife at our hospital; we found that the wife’s parameters were more or less normal while the husband had hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone levels, said Dr. Mirudubhashini Govindarajan, Clinical Director-Obstetrics, Gynaecology & IVF Specialist at Womens Center by Motherhood.

To add to this, the man was morbidly obese with a BMI of 38, which could have been one of the contributing factors. As a first step, the doctor advised him to reduce weight and also put him on medication to bring his hormone levels to normal.
In two months, there was considerable progress. The male partner’s weight had reduced, and his hormones levels were better. As a result, the number and quality of the sperms improved.

Ÿ??Following this, we stimulated a few of the wife’s eggs for ovulation and carried out an IUI procedure on her. The treatment has borne fruit, and she is pregnant, added Dr. Mirudubhashini.

Many a time, when an infertility couple are seeking fertility treatment, the women is investigated for the cause and a cursory treatment is started. Often, not much attention is paid to the male partner. In about half the couples, there is a problem on the male side also. This may not be apparent by doing semen analysis alone and requires a proper work up to complete the initial assessment. This couple were a prime example of what can be achieved by this approach.

For more information on Advanced Fertility Procedures and Appointments, call 98848 38349.

Maternity Diet Tips

Great maternity begins with great diet. Eating well is extremely important. Did you know that eating can determine C-section operation or natural birth! Yes! It can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Here are some diet tips from the best maternity hospital in Bangalore, Read:

1. Never skip breakfast.

  • Include cooked breakfast cereals with fruit in your first meal of the day. Fortified cereals have added nutrients that benefit your health.
  • Eat more food later in the morning.

 

2. Eat meals with fiber.

  • A variety of vegetables and fruits, like carrots, cooked greens, bananas, and melon keep you full for longer
  • Eat plenty of beans and whole grains along with brown rice & oatmeal.

 

3. Binge on healthy snacks.

  • Try fat-free yogurt with fresh fruits.
  • Eat grain crackers with low-fat cheese

 

4. Regularly take prenatal vitamin with iron and folic acid every day.

Never skip prenatal vitamins as they ensure a smooth and comfortable pregnancy. Iron and folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

  • Avoid Mercury-rich meals
  • Avoid fish and shellfish with high levels of mercury along with shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish.
  • Eat low mercury fishes like shrimp, salmon, and catfish.

 

6. Stay away from soft cheeses and lunch meat.

There may be foods which might not be easy on the guts. Avoid bacteria prone foods like:

  • Soft cheeses like feta and goat cheese
  • Uncooked or undercooked meats or fish (like sushi)

 

7. Avoid alcohol and caffeine

  • Drink decaffeinated coffee or tea.
  • Drink water instead of soda.
  • Don’t drink alcohol.

Follow these tips and make sure that you get all your medical tests and scans on time. If you are looking for the best maternity hospital in Indiranagar, Visit Motherhood Hospital.

Cord Complications By Dr. Anu Vinod Vij

Cord Complications: Expert Insights on Maternal-Fetal Health Guidance - Motherhood Hospital India

?˜ ?˜ ?˜ ?˜ ?˜ ?˜ ?˜ The umbilical cord is the lifeline of an unborn child from the mother. It?˜usually contains three blood vessels and is about 21Ÿ? long and is?˜responsible for supplying nutrients and oxygen from the motherŸ??s bloodstream to the infantŸ??s bloodstream, as well as supplying a blood supply to the infant and eliminating wastes. Without it, an infant cannot survive during the gestational period.?˜

Once an infant is delivered, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and babies begin to breathe on their own.

                However, there are several umbilical cord problems that can arise and put infants at risk for serious health problems. This article is intended to allay the anxiety which arises from certain ultrasound reports mentioning various cord positions. Some mothers are terrified by the thought of the umbilical cord wrapping around the babyŸ??s neck and the possibility of problems during delivery or even a stillbirth.

Common Umbilical Cord Problems

Umbilical Cord Prolapse

Umbilical cord prolapse is a problem that occurs when the umbilical cord drops through a motherŸ??s open cervix during labor and delivery and sometimes even before the onset of labor. This can cause the cord to get compressed between the babyŸ??s body and the rim of the cervix and hence occlude the blood supply of the baby. 

The most common risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse include:

  • Premature rupture of membranes: If the motherŸ??s water breaks too early, when the baby is still positioned high in the uterus, the umbilical cord may make its way into the birth canal before the baby can descend.
  • Long umbilical cord length
  • Low birth weight
  • Pelvic deformities
  • Low lying placenta
  • Malpresentation (e.g. breech)
  • Multiples sharing an amniotic sac: The first baby to be born may drag the cord of another through the birth canal.
  • Premature delivery
  • Uterine malformations
  • Unengaged presenting part
  • Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios): This may push the cord down before the baby.

The clearest sign of a cord prolapse is the emergence of the cord prior to the baby. However, this does not always happen, as the cord can also come down the canal alongside the baby. Signs of foetal distress, such as heart rate deceleration, also clue medical professionals into the possibility of cord prolapse.

Treatment/management of cord prolapse

Sometimes, it is possible for a physician to move the baby away from the cord, possibly with the help of forceps or a vacuum extractor (which can also be dangerous for the baby). However, this often fails, and then an emergency C-section delivery is necessary. While preparing the mother for surgery, medical professionals will often opt to push the presenting part of the baby back into the pelvis.

If Obstetricians donŸ??t detect and treat an umbilical cord prolapse quickly, the infant may be deprived of oxygen, leading to a host of medical issues, including long-term cognitive problems, cerebral palsy, and in severe instances, a stillbirth.

Short cord 

The average umbilical cord length is between 55 and 60 cm. An umbilical cord is considered short if it is 35 cm or less in length. Short umbilical cords occur in roughly 6% of pregnancies. They are risky because they can affect the growth and development of the baby as well as the outcome of the pregnancy. Short umbilical cords can lead to many complications, including:

  • Prolonged labor
  • Placental abruption
  • Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
  • Umbilical cord rupture

Risk factors for short cord

Some of the risk factors for short umbilical cord include :

  • Gestational diabetes
  • Maternal low body mass index (BMI)
  • Oligohydramnios (decreased amniotic fluid)
  • Polyhydramnios (excessing amniotic fluid)
  • History of smoking during pregnancy

Signs and diagnosis of short cord

Short cord should be suspected if there is low foetal movement; this could both cause and be caused by short cord. Signs of foetal distress should also prompt medical professionals to check for short cord.

Treatment/management of short cord

If the cord is extremely short, or there are signs of foetal distress, the mother may be admitted to the hospital for inpatient monitoring prior to delivery. If she is diagnosed with placental abruption or the baby is in foetal distress, then the medical team should quickly prepare the mother for emergency C-section.

Nuchal Cord

A nuchal cord occurs when the umbilical cord becomes coiled around an infantŸ??s neck, most often in a single coil but in some cases, multiple coils. Nuchal cords occur in around 10% to 30% of all births. And a 2018 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reports that, the majority of time, babies do just fine when one is present. 

What causes nuchal cords?

Random foetal movement is the primary cause of a nuchal cord. Other factors that might increase the risk of the umbilical cord winding around a babyŸ??s neck include an extra-long umbilical cord or excess amniotic fluid that allows more foetal movement.

Nuchal cords typically are discovered at birth. Occasionally, patients ask if we can see them on ultrasound, which sometimes we can. ThereŸ??s no way yet to prevent nuchal cords or unwind them from a babyŸ??s neck in the uterus. 

When is a nuchal cord dangerous?

If the cord is looped around the neck or another body part, blood flow through the entangled cord may be decreased during contractions. This can cause the babyŸ??s heart rate to fall during contractions. Prior to delivery, if blood flow is completely cut off, a stillbirth can occur. This is however very rare, as complete occlusion of the umbilical vessels seldom occurs as they are adequately protected by the presence of a jelly like substance around them in the umbilical cord, called WhartonŸ??s Jelly. 

In the 2018 study, 12 percent of deliveries had a nuchal cord. Most babies with a nuchal cord had just a single loop around the neck. Fortunately, there was no increased risk for growth problems, stillbirth, or lower Apgar scores in this group. 

What is the possibility of stillbirth in cases of nuchal cord?

Research has found little or no connection between stillbirth and nuchal cords, although there has been some speculation about the relationship by researchers in Timisoara, Romania.

Their results were noted in the journal?˜Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynaecology and suggested nuchal cord incidents needed to be given more attention. They recommended thorough monitoring of foetal heart rates, during delivery once ultrasounds had revealed nuchal cords. They also suggested cesarean delivery when any distress was noted.

What happens during delivery?

Since the vast majority of time we donŸ??t know if a baby will have a nuchal cord, it is routine that the doctor will check the babyŸ??s neck for a nuchal cord after the babyŸ??s head is delivered. Usually the cord is loose and can be slipped over the babyŸ??s head. At times it might be too tight to easily slip over the head, and the doctor or midwife will clamp and cut the cord before the babyŸ??s shoulders are delivered. This keeps the cord from tearing away from the placenta when the rest of the babyŸ??s body is delivered. 

Umbilical Cord Knots: True Knots

Umbilical cord knots occur when a fetus maneuvers around in amniotic fluid and moves through the umbilical cord loop, creating a knot. The knot usually remains loose but can constrict and tighten during delivery. While the knot is loose, there generally isnŸ??t a need to worry, but if the knot becomes too tight and not detected and treated immediately, the infant may experience oxygen loss, decreased blood flow, and in some instances, death. During labor it can be reflected in abnormal CTG tracings or decreased or increased Foetal heart rates. 

Cord Stricture

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), cord stricture is a common cause of foetal death, typically during the 2nd trimester, before birth. The cause of cord stricture is unknown, yet it occurs in around 19% of foetal deaths. 

Since this type of umbilical problem is difficult to detect during the prenatal period, risk of foetal death is increased. 

Umbilical Cord Cysts

Umbilical cord cysts occur when an abnormal growth appears on the umbilical cord. The growths are classified as either false cysts (filled with fluid), or true cysts (remaining cells from foetal development). Can be detected during first trimester on USG. These are sometimes associated with chromosomal problems and anatomical defects. 

Single umbilical artery

The umbilical cord normally contains two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein, which carry blood between the placenta and the unborn baby. Some unborn babies have only one umbilical artery. While this usually does not pose a problem to the developing baby, about 30% of infants with only one umbilical artery have some sort of congenital abnormality such as cleft lip, heart conditions, or chromosomal abnormalities if associated with other markers. If isolated, this finding is innocuous and does not warrant further testing. These babies are more prone for growth restriction in pregnancy and hence periodic growth monitoring by serial scans is necessary. 

Velamentous insertion and vasa previa

Usually the umbilical blood vessels run from the placenta, protected within the umbilical cord, to the baby. However, in 1% to 2% of pregnancies, a condition called velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord can occur. In this condition, the blood vessels travel, unprotected, across the foetal membranes before they come together into the umbilical cord. This condition may be associated with low birth weight, premature birth, and various congenital abnormalities. Velamentous insertion can cause haemorrhage from the baby during childbirth, after the foetal membranes have ruptured. If velamentous insertion is suspected, you may be advised to have a caesarean section to avoid the chance of rupture. 

Vasa previa is a complication of velamentous insertion where the umbilical blood vessels cross the foetal membranes and pass through the space between the unborn baby and the cervix. This is a very serious condition because once the foetal membranes rupture, the exposed blood vessels can tear, causing massive bleeding from the baby. This causes the babyŸ??s heart rate to slow down and puts them in grave danger. If you have vasa previa with significant vaginal bleeding, you will need to have a caesarean section in an effort to save the babyŸ??s life. 

Is SEX during pregnancy is safe? – Dr Madhuri Laha

Very common question in pregnant female mind. Most patient feels that sex may harm the baby in uterus though answer is not totally yes or no overall it is safe through out the pregnancy in uncomplicated low risk case.

Trimester Wise Guide

First Trimester – Most of the pregnant female have low libido due to associated nausea, vomiting and weakness in first trimester. Or maybe due to unplanned pregnancy patient may feel a loss of libido.

Second trimester – Most of the pregnant female are comfortable in their second trimester as they are free of nausea. Also there is an increase in libido due to engorgement of genital organs. Also, risk of abortions are low and placenta is localised in ultrasonography so doctor is more confident to allow sex during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Third trimester-Though safe, but uncomfortable for females due to the large tummy of the patient. Risk of premature labour pains are still there. The couple may try other positions during sex like a female on the top or side positions.

Conditions where sex during pregnancy to be avoided –

  • H/O abortion and miscarriages, preterm labour pain , 2nd trimester abortion due to incompetent os.
  • Cases with low lying placenta reaching or covering os, premature rupture of membranes.
  • Post coital bleeding, vaginal or cervical infection with purulent white discharge.
  • Some cases have swollen blood vessels at cervical mouth which may get ruptured during intercourse, needs doctors advice before going ahead.

When to rejoin sex after child’s birth?

  • Generally after normal vaginal delivery there is bleeding followed by lochia discharge(white and yellow) which last for more than a month. During this period sex should be avoided due to the risk of infection.

*Also there is episiotomy stitch and vaginal mucosa injury which needs time to heal of at least 20-25 days.

*Female may feel low libido during this period because of new responsibility of newborn and disturbed sleep cycle. 

*Important point to keep in mind is about the contraception because a female may get pregnant before even getting her first period after delivery.

* Barrier methods like condoms or IUCD should be used to avoid pregnancy. Barrier method also protects the female from a sexually transmitted disease so should be seriously considered in pregnancy and puerperal period.

Ultimately it is a couple’s decision and choice about the sex during and after pregnancy. Any couple can enjoy the intimacy after taking advice from the doctor.

My breastfeeding story – Mrs. Ramya

This is my breastfeeding story

Like any other new mother, I thought breastfeeding my newborn would be one of the easiest and natural things to do and no extra work was needed to be put in, especially mentally or emotionally. But was I so wrong! I found out the very second day after my baby was born that she wasn’t latching onto my breasts the right way and was losing weight because she isn’t taking in enough milk.

To me I didn’t know there was a right or a wrong and you could say I was very naive about it. I was in tears most times from the very beginning of my journey, whether be it cracked nipples, blocked ducts, milk blisters, engorgement, sore nipples etc. you name it I had it. Initially I even taught it may be because I did not have enough milk and that’s why my baby wasn’t putting weight which was not the case. I was producing enough or rather more than needed. It was at the hospital where I began expressing milk through a breast pump and I fed my baby. I had to resort to pumping because she needed it even after her direct feeds. I was producing so much milk that was way more than required.

In a way I would say I was lucky that I produced that much because even though she had a bad latch there was some milk entering her and she slowly started to gain weight. Initially she refused feeding from a feeding bottle and would drink very little through direct feeds. So, you can see I was challenged in in all sorts of ways. Then, after the third week she somehow latched onto the bottle and drank the required amount and gained so much weight that she was back on track but then she refused to get back on my breasts and thatŸ??s when my exclusively pumping journey began.

It was not easy to exclusively pump, the tears continued to roll down and it felt I couldn’t catch a break at all. There were times when I just felt defeated and decided to give her powder formula because excessive pumping was taking a toll on my mental and emotional stability. I was on the verge of getting into serious postpartum depression.

I didn’t give up though. I somehow found my strength to bounce back from these challenges just so that I could continue feeding my baby girl the best food I can give her which is a mother’s milk. From giving up in the first month I slowly pushed my giving up time to three months and then six months and now my baby is seven months old and I continue to exclusively pump.

It is because I had to make the hard choice of going against the stereotypical breast feeding. My baby has gained weight and her immune system has improved so much better. I will continue pumping till I can and until I feel it’s necessary.

Also, I am happy and proud to do this all myself and for all the milk I donated for those mommies with less milk and newborns who needed breast milk!

PS: No mommy should be obliged to forcefully go through this path. This is just my story of strength. I have found the courage to find happiness in feeding my baby girl through pumping.