Love and Limits?? Parenting playfully

Harmonious Family Life Tips to Balancing Love and Limits - Motherhood Hospital India

Discipline and Freedom: What’s the correlation between these two powerful words? Discipline is taken up as a serious business by some parents, they curb their child’s freedom to choose or act. But as they say, freedom brings in opportunities to learn likewise disciplining needs to bring in the freedom to think and choose. Our goal as a parent is to teach the child all about inner discipline or ‘self-discipline (Thoughts, feelings and choices) which takes a while for the child to learn and absorb. This inner discipline comes from a high sense of principles or values, understanding and conscience rather than the use of punishment, which uses scale or stick, shame, humiliation or even isolation.

Self-discipline is internalizing responsible actions and respect for others, the environment, and oneself. Discipline shouldn’t be about forcing a child to do something against his or her will, scaring the child into compliance or causing physical or emotional pain. Instead, validate the child’s feelings, empathize with his or her experience or pain, remove the stressor, point out the needs and feelings of others, encourage restitutions, help the child brainstorm alternative forms of actions and allow freedom of choice.

It starts with parents feeling the lack of freedom, stressing and focusing more on the role they play. However, grandparents are a lot more relaxed and experimental.They enjoy freedom, explore and bond with children a lot more, because their focus is on relationship and not responsibilities. A child feels empowered when given a chance to explore, play and feel free An essential element to grow. Our nature wants us to be free, try everything, taste everything and do everything.

Need for a paradigm shift

Parents often see uncooperative behavior as a challenge to their authority. Once we understand that uncooperative behavior may be the communication of a child’s unmet need, a hurt or any unpleasant emotion or stress, then we do not have to take the behavior, personally. A child behaves in a certain way, either in a new situation or a recurring one, because he does not know the accepted way. Using commands and threats may work immediately, but sustainability comes when such situations are dealt with love, respect, compassion, freedom and positive reinforcements. 

A child needs love the most, when we think he doesn’t deserve it.

Give your child the freedom to choose his outfit for the day, lunch for school, choose how to spend his time, play or do homework. Simple questions like these make a child feel important, involved and most importantly, valued. This freedom may require you to set limits, simple rules and directions towards acceptable and unacceptable behavior, as a family. Explain these to your child in a way that makes sense to him and most importantly benefits him, which is undoubtedly a skill for a parent to learn. Talking about positive and negative consequences helps the child connect his actions to the outcomes and eventually helps him understand the concept of cause and effect. He is then empowered to think through and predict the possible consequences before he acts.

You may have to set this new pattern, reinforce and remind your child till he is ready to accept it, with love being the key. This takes time, but the only way we learn to make responsible decisions is through practice, which comes with trial and error. And it is through freedom and practice that the child learns how to discipline himself and how to be a responsible person. He identifies feelings and develops his inner compass for what is right and wrong.

The idea is to help children develop a conscience through a strong, connected parent child relationship, allowing them to feel secured, confident and teaches them how to reconcile their mistakes. We teach best by being the example. Define love as a culture, use respect as a tool and hold compassion as the attitude to teach your child the essential lessons of behavior.

Exercises and yoga poses during pregnancy

Expert advice on pregnancy exercises and yoga poses - Motherhood Hospital India

Always start with a breathing exercise. Close your eyes and breath in through nose and breath out through mouth continue for 3-5 mins

Diaphragmatic breathing

  1. Sit comfortably, with your knees bent and your shoulders, head and neck relaxed.
  2. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe.
  3. As you breathe in and out feel your hand over the diaphragm move out and in.

Diaphragmatic breathing
Cat and camel

  • Begin on your hands and knees, knees under hips, hands under shoulders
  • Round your back up toward the ceiling, drop your head slightly, tuck in your buttocks
  • Come back to a neutral position
  • Let your belly lower toward the floor creating an arch in your back
  • Keep your head up slightly, with your eyes looking straight ahead
  • Alternate between poses.

Make it easier: For painful knees, fold a towel or blanket under the knees. For painful wrists, place fists instead of palms on the floor.

cat and camel

 

Butterfly pose

butterfly pose

  • Keep the spinal cord and neck straight
  • Breathe natural and easy
  • Bend both the knees
  • Bring the soles of the feet together and place them up to the crotch area
  • Grasp firmly both the paws with your hands
  • Do not allow the heel to be raised
  • Keep the torso above waist including the neck straight
  • Place the elbows on the thighs
  • Inhale deep and press both the thighs downward with the elbows effortlessly
  • Remove your hands from thighs and try to raise the knees without any support; exhale Breath

Kegel’s Exercises

It is done to tone up pelvic floor muscle. It can be done in any position sitting, standing, and lying whichever position you are comfortable. Contract your pelvic floor muscles as you would to stop urine flow for 5 seconds and then relax the muscles for 3 seconds. This muscle fatigues quickly so only do five to ten repetitions at a time. Do not hold breath anytime, breathe normally while doing this. Repeat the set of 10 at least twice a day.

Goddess pose

godess pose

  • Start in Mountain Pose at the front of your mat. Step your right foot a stride length towards the back of your mat. Turn your toes out and your heels in, so your feet land on a 45 degree angle
  • Bend your knees deeply out the sides and sink your hips down to the height of your knees
  • Bring your arms out at shoulder height and bend your elbows so that your fingertips point skyward. Spread your fingertips wide apart from one another and activate the muscles across your back to hold your arms here
  • Engage your core muscles and draw your tailbone in the direction of the floor. Do not hunch forward with your shoulders; keep your spine long and your muscles engaged
  • Stay here for 30 seconds to one minute, then step forward to Mountain Pose
Warrior Pose

warrior pose

Stand with your feet about three feet apart your right foot in front of the left. Hold your arms out to the side with your palms down and arms extended and straight. Turn your right foot out to the side and your left foot in. Lunge forward gently, bending your right knee as you keep your left leg straight. Hold the pose as your legs stretch. Return to the original position then switch legs.

Side stretch

  • Sit on the floor with one leg bend and other stretched.
  • One of the arm extend over the head stretching the side
  • Come back to original position and repeat other side .

Walking

Walking is a great pregnancy workout. It is low impact so it doesn’t jar your knees or ankles. It is a moderate intensity exercise and will help keep your blood sugar stable. It is also probably the easiest exercise to do because it requires no equipment besides some good tennis shoes and you can do it anywhere, you can walk for 30-45minutes per day, but remember only walking is not sufficient.

High-risk pregnancy ensuring the best possible outcome by Dr. Beena Jeysingh

Pregnancy, a nine-month period of caretaking, is a time of happiness and joy for every mother. It also brings along a new set of anxieties. While most pregnancies are uneventful and without any sudden surprises, some pregnancies may be categorised as “high-risk”.

What is a “high-risk” pregnancy?

A “high-risk” pregnancy is one in which the mother, fetus, or both are at increased risk, before, during or after the delivery.

What causes these risks?

Terming a pregnancy as “high-risk” may lead to unnecessary anxiety when the outcome is eventually uneventful. In some cases, the pregnancy can continue smoothly, despite the presence of a significant past medical history. If a risk factor is identified, the mother is informed of the complications associated in a sensitive manner.

Some of the factors that can put women at risk are:

  1. Maternal age:

The age of the expectant mother is an important risk factor. Women under 17 or over 35 years of age are at a higher risk.

  1. Bad Obstetric History
  • A history of three or more miscarriages/complications in earlier pregnancies
  • History of genetic abnormalities in prior pregnancy
  • Rh (rhesus) sensitisation in the previous pregnancy (a dangerous condition which puts the mother at risk, if her blood group is Rh–and the baby’s blood group is Rh+)
III. Medical Conditions
  • Tuberculosis (TB), infections like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, thyroid dysfunction, etc.
  1. Risks that may occur during pregnancy:

Even if a person is healthy at the start of the pregnancy, development of the following conditions can put her in the high-risk category:

  • Communicable diseases like chicken pox, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, etc.
  • Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, preeclampsia (caused due to high blood pressure eventually damaging other organs like the kidneys), gestational diabetes (pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes), multiple pregnancy (conception of twins, triplets or quadruplets), antepartum haemorrhage (vaginal bleeding), etc.
  • Complications with the developing fetus like heart disease, skeletal malformations, neural tube defects, etc.
  1. Risks that may develop during labour and delivery:
  • Placental abnormalities, such as placenta accreta (placenta that enters the uterine muscle thus making separation of placenta from uterus)), may be discovered rarely during pregnancy or after delivery.

What are the signs of a high-risk pregnancy?

It is important to learn about issues that you might encounter during the course of your pregnancy. It would be helpful to learn about a few symptoms that could cause concern, like:

  • Frequent contractions of uterus in preterm period
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Persistent headaches
  • Edema of lower limbs

What should I do if I my pregnancy is categorised as high-risk?

Mothers with chances of a high-risk pregnancy will have regular antenatal check-up and may require to visit the doctor more frequently for routine prenatal screening tests and special tests are done to ensure that the baby is developing well and to keep the mother out of risk.

A specialised multidisciplinary team may be involved to tackle associated complications in mother, if any to help women at “high-risk” to have a safe and healthy pregnancy, and aid in completion of the term of pregnancy.

Who will I be referred to?

Your regular obstetrician will guide you throughout your pregnancy and cross reference as per risk condition will be given to physician or nephrologist or neurologist or any other speciality of medicine.

How can I have a healthy pregnancy?

In order to have a healthy pregnancy, the following are advised:

  • Consult with the doctor before conception:

The mother-to-be’s medical condition will be assessed and she will be advised accordingly. In addition to prescribing supplements for a healthy pregnancy, if required, the existing treatment can be revised/adjusted in preparation for pregnancy.

  • Regular check-ups:

Regular visits to the doctor will help in constant monitoring of the mother’s and the baby’s health. Based on these periodic assessments, the medications can be altered and the expectant mother can be referred to a specialist, if required.

  • Healthy lifestyle habits:

In addition to a healthy diet and appropriate supplements, it is also important to ensure that the mother-to-be gains weight the healthy way. Exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and the intake of other harmful agents will help in reducing unforeseen risks.

How will I be cared for after the delivery?

Mothers are closely monitored for development of any complications and the newborn is under the care of a neonatologist and need be monitored in a NICU.

by

Dr. Beena Jeysingh

Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, hormonal changes lower your immunity and affect your immune system. Your unborn baby is more susceptible to the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause food-borne illness.

Food-borne illnesses such as toxoplasmosis, salmonella and listeriosis can cause serious illnesses in mother and baby.Toxoplasmosis may cause flu-like symptoms in the pregnant mother. Listeriosis causes few or no symptoms to the mother but can be transferred to the baby and can lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature birth or may make the newborn very ill. You can reduce the risk of listeriosis by taking simple food hygiene steps at home and avoiding certain high risk foods. Salmonella can cause illnesses such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and food poisoning.

If you have any concerns about symptoms or illnesses, please consult your doctor. Keep this checklist handy to help ensure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and safe.

Food to be avoidedReason
Soft CHEESE made from unpasteurized milk, including Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, and queso frescoHot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented or dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultryMay contain Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella.
Certain kinds of FISH, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (golden or white snapper)Contains high levels of mercury.
Unpasteurized JUICEMay contain E. coli.
SALADS made in a store (unwashed vegetables)May contain Listeria. It is essential to make sure that they are washed thoroughly to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis.
Raw or undercooked SPROUTS, such as alfalfa and moong beansMay contain E. coli or Salmonella.
Raw Eggs/eggnog and mayonnaiseUnder cooked/ raw eggs may contain Salmonella.
Caffeine (Coffee/Tea/Aerated drinks, etc)Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is not harmful but there are others reveal that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body.
AlcoholPrenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

Contact our Nutrition Department to know more about foods that needs to be avoided and included for safe pregnancy.

Pregnant , Stay Healthy By Dr. Faiza Waliullah

Pregnant? Tips for a healthy one!

There are a number of different emotions people go through when they discover they are pregnant. Excitement is perhaps the most common, but it is also natural to experience a bit of anxiety, especially while considering the best things to do for good health of the mother and baby. Often there are many questions, ranging from what food is safe to eat to exercise tips in order to stay healthy. We’ll be answering some of those questions here.

Exercise

It is important that most women take part in regular exercise.Moderate exercise is safe and can benefit both mother and child in most cases. However, you do need to be sensible as to the extent you decide to exercise and ensure you don’t over-extend yourself, especially if you’re not used to regular exercise. The guidelines for physical activity are no different for pregnant women than for the rest of the population – at least 30 minutes worth of moderate-intensity exercise a day.

Diet and dietary supplements

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is really important during pregnancy, and although you may feel hungrier than before, you should avoid eating for two. Gaining too much weight can lead to complications laterand can make it difficult to move around after your baby has been born. The World Health Organization suggests a weight gain of 10-14 kg is ideal for limiting the chance of complications later on.

When planning meals, a third of your plate should be starch-based food, such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. This should be eaten with fruits and vegetables, with moderate amounts of protein. Your baby needs plenty of iron, calcium and folic acid from a very early stage of pregnancy, so it is vital you include these in your diet. You’ll find iron in many sources, including red meat, fish, pulses, seeds and green vegetables. Low-fat dairy products are good sources of calcium, while green vegetables and fortified cereals are ideal for folic acid.

While eating fish is very healthy as it contains plenty of vital nutrients, you should be wary of the type of fish you are eating. Some fish contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your baby’s nervous system. Tuna should be limited to two steaks or four medium cans a week, while shark, swordfish and marlin should be avoided. Uncooked shellfish and raw fish should be cut out of your diet, while you should also avoid foods that are rich in vitamin A, such as liver.

Alcohol

During pregnancy, you must avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol stays in baby’s system much longer than an adult’s as it is unable to process it properly, which can cause serious problems. Heavy drinking while pregnant can lead to fetaldeformities, brain damage and low birth weight, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Even light drinking can be problematic and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in the UK advise that if you are pregnant, do not drink at all.

Smoking

If you are a smoker and you get pregnant, it is strongly advisable to stop as quickly as you can. As well as damaging your own health, the poisonous chemicals in tobacco can increase your risk of miscarriage or slow down the growth of your baby. It can also bring about early labour and stillbirth. Even after the baby has been born, the chances of it developing chest infections or asthma, or being at risk of cot death are greatly increased if either parent is a smoker.

Medicines

Some medicines (such as paracetamol) are perfectly safe to take while you are pregnant, but there are many medicines where there is insufficient evidence of their possible effects on your baby. This means it is generally advisable to limit your use of medications unless absolutely necessary – even herbal and natural remedies should be checked out with your doctor first. If you are unsure about safety of a medicine, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Wishing you health & happiness!

Dr. Faiza Waliullah
Motherhood, Hyderabad

Trying to conceive: Expert advice By Dr. Jayashree Murthy

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

Know your fertile phase

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

Folic acid tablets

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

Live a healthy life

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

How long to try before seeking help

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

Diet tips for a winter pregnancy by Mrs. Edwina Raj

Being pregnant in winter is definitely better compared to summer as the cooler weather balances your naturally high internal temperature. It reduces the increased sweating during the third trimester. Although, winter is also associated with flu, common cold, infections, chills, etc.

Diet for Pregnancy during winter needs to be taken special care of. Your food intake is responsible for boosting your immunity. You must also keep yourself well hydrated and prevent your skin from becoming dry.

Here are some healthy eating tips to keep you and your growing foetus safe during winter:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure a robust immunity.
  • Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Add it to chutneys or drink it as amla juice, or you have it as sweet amla murabba. Vitamin C helps your body fight infection, and acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
  • Drink kesar (saffron-few strands) milk which is also an antioxidant to help in improving your immune system.
  • To keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip water regularly. It is important to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty.

by Mrs. Edwina Raj , Nutritionist.

10 More Vegetarian Superfoods For Pregnant Women

In our earlier blog, we had discussed the top 10 Superfoods for Vegetarians. These are 10 more Super Rich & Nutritious foods that make a remarkable impact on your health. Pregnancy is the most beautiful feeling any woman can ever experience. Throughout the three trimesters, your body floods out various hormones to adjust to bearing and nurture a new life within.

Along with healthy food, regular exercise can prevent the risk of birth defects and depression. Low iron levels can cause lethargy during pregnancy. Hence, Vegetarians need to take efforts persistently to include the below mentioned superfoods to account for the nutrients quintessentially required to meet the needs of the developing fetus as well as the energy requirements of the mother.

 

1)Tofu

Essential Nutrients: Packed with protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin K.

Health Benefits: Essential for normal blood clotting, particularly after the birth, helps in building essential cells that forms vital body organs.

2)Avocado

Essential Nutrients: Powered with protein, folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, high calories.

Health Benefits: Helps in forming your baby’s brain and nervous system, building up tissues, helps to combat morning sickness. The high calorie helps those who want to gain weight during pregnancy.

3)Cereal

Essential Nutrients: Power house of energy, folic acid, fibre and vitamin B.

Health Benefits: Fortified cereals make great for an energetic breakfast. You need energy as you progress through your trimesters to support your child as well.

4)Cabbage

Essential Nutrients: Wholesome goodness of thiamin, folic acid, vitamin E, A, B6, C, K, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, fibre & iron.

Health Benefits: These vitamins aid in healthy breast-milk production. Chilled cabbage leaves placed in your bra help to soothe sore breasts during & after pregnancy. Magnesium improves blood flow.

5)Chickpeas

Essential Nutrients: Rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid.

Health Benefits: Hummous (made from chickpeas) with peta bread makes a tasty snack. Fibre balances glucose levels; iron helps combat anaemia.Folic acid is vital for baby’s development.

6)Oils and Fats

Essential Nutrients: Entails omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants.

Health Benefits: Quintessential for cell function, brain and eye development.Go for the extra virgin olive oil. it lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health by providing protection against heart disease, depression, cancer, high cholesterol and dementia.

7)Oatmeal

Essential Nutrients: Packed with fiber, protein and vitamin B6. It can be fortified with iron & folic acid.

Health Benefits: Whole grains containing complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly after you have eaten it. A bowl of oatmeal or porridge is a great start to the day and will help combat any fatigue which sets in mid-morning.

8)Tomatoes

Essential Nutrients: Contains vitamins A and C.

Health Benefits: Low fat tomatoes have the ability to regulate blood sugar, reduce stress, cure headaches and even protection against gall & kidney stones.

9)Going Nuts over Nuts

Essential Nutrients: Proteins, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, Vitamin E.

Health Benefits: They are memory-boosting foods, helps development of child’s brain and eyes, reduced risk of premature baby. Indulge guilt-free in almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, reduced risk of heart diseases.

10)Whole Wheat

Essential Nutrients: Plentiful of iron, fiber, Vitamin B complex and protein.

Health Benefits: Along with energy boost to the body, it releases energy from muscles, iron fights anemia & eases constipation. Brown rice & millets are considered a healthier option.

Everything you need to know about PCOS

What is PCOS or PCOD?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (sometimes sadly referred to as disease) is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with oneŸ??s periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn’t treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancers!

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts themselves are not harmful, but lead to hormone imbalances.

Did you know that symptoms of PCOS persist even when both the ovaries are removed?
The root cause of the problem is the brain, the hormone regulation centre at hypothalamus, with involvement of multiple organs (Multi-system disease).

Some of the symptoms
  • Acne.
  • Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
  • Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
  • Thinning hair on the scalp.
  • Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
  • Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
  • Depression.

As if it was not bad enough, it increases your chances of developing a big disease later on in life, like full-blown diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease and even cancers. Today I want to spread the awareness about Bio-cycle study. You can read the whole study in the oxford journal but the conclusion is here: If you have a hormonal imbalance in your 20s or 30s,( like pcos, irregular painful periods, or even something as small as PMS, it significantly increases your chances of developing a big disease of inflammation in the later life(40,s and 50,s) like diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease and some form of cancers!

The BioCycle Study – Influence of Endogenous Reproductive Hormones on F2-Isoprostane Levels in Premenopausal Women.

The Treatment

The western medicine today, deals with identifying and treating the symptoms around PCOS. But these spot treatment are at best described as bind-aid solutions to a much deeper problem that gets worse not only due to the ignorance of the root cause but also as side-effects of these symptomatic treatments over long periods of time.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, chances are you have been prescribed to Birth Control Pills or OCŸ??s (oral contraceptives) for regularising hormone cycles and hence periods and metformin for elevated blood sugars or pre/diabetic conditions. All in an attempt to masking the symptoms BUT they come back in a worse form once synthetic hormones are stopped.

Lets have a look at these two so that you can get to the root of the problem and avoid potential side effects of these.

Birth Control Pill

What it does:

The synthetic hormones in the birth control mask your natural hormonal patterns to prevent ovulation from happening, and therefore prevent pregnancy. The menstrual period you experience on the pill is not an acutal period, but rather a Ÿ??break-through bleedŸ? that occurs from the drop in estrogen. So even though it might be regulating your cycle, once you get off the pill chances are your period will return to the same state is was before and mostly it gets even worse.

Side effects:

Off the several side-effects, one side effect most relevant to PCOS is that it increases testosterone uptake, which can make your androgenic symptoms worse. This means if youŸ??re experiencing hirsutism (hair growth in unwanted places), head-hair loss, or acne, it could potentially get worse with the pill.

Alternative solutions:

Re-establish your monthly ovulation and menstruation through restoring key micronutrients and helping your body to eliminate excess estrogen or other hormones that could be impeding your natural flow. Addressing adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues is also key here. And the great news is – all of these can be achieved via our program.

Metformin (Glucophage)

What it does:

Metformin helps with blood sugar and insulin management by suppressing glucose production by the liver. ItŸ??s commonly used for diabetes and PCOS with insulin resistance.

Side effects:

In a recent study, metformin was found to cause an impairment mental cognition. ItŸ??s more commonly known to cause serious digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and more uncomfortable symptoms.

Alternative solutions:

Address your blood sugar balance through your diet and key supplements as I teach you in the program.

Not only they do not help, they damage your body in the long run!

If you are diagnosed with PCOS and you have been offered a prescription of birth control pills & synthetic hormones, PLEASE STOP!

The advice to lose weight & exercise more does not completely work either. They say that you should lose weight to be healthy but I say that you should be healthy to lose weight. I am sure you can relate to that. I am not here to criticize any system, and each kind of treatment has its own role.

Conclusion

Very often youŸ??ll be told that the only thing you can do is take a pill, but I hope this article has opened your eyes to other possibilities and helped give you your power back when it comes to making informed decisions about treating your PCOS symptoms.

There is no quick fix to treating PCOS. It is a systemic issues that needs to be managed through diet and lifestyle and holistic approach

If youŸ??re ready to get to the bottom of your hormonal imbalances once and for all, let me help you. Your body CAN work for you .Stop suffering. Start feeling good all month long.

My thoughts

I believe it is my responsibility to share what IŸ??ve learnt so that you and many others are not held back by PCOS & hormone imbalances, but rather use it as a way to improve your lives. I want to empower you.
I want you to be the captain of your own ship because I know that if we take the necessary steps, we can improve not only our own lives, but those of our family, community & the world at large.

Ÿ??The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single stepŸ??
I will be glad if you choose to take that first step with me.

Wishing you health & happiness!

Content Credits Dr. Disha Sridhar

Are you a working Mom?

If you are a working woman and you happen to be expecting, it is important for you to apply for your maternity leave. The Maternity Act of 1961 under the Indian Constitution lays down the maternity rights for women across all the industries ranging from industrial to agricultural. Any woman who is entitled to a salary from her employer is entitled to this maternity leave under this act.

Maternity leave is important for every expecting mother. However, in many cases there are demanding situations which require her to work in order for her to pay her bills and take care of her household. For instance, women who work as nurses, waitresses or teachers do not get the liberty to work from home because such is the nature of their jobs. They do not have the option of working through e-mails also. Thus, they end up returning back to their jobs as quickly as possible because they have bills to take care of and cannot afford to lose their jobs.

Research claims that it is extremely of high importance that a woman, while she is pregnant must take enough maternity leave to ensure good health for her baby and herself. During pregnancy, it is important for her to take adequate rest, eat healthy and remain stress free. And when women work during pregnancy, they are naturally inviting work stress and an imbalance in their work-life. Maintaining a work-life balance is of utmost importance in a working woman’s life. This escalates to a higher importance during pregnancy. Few women give more importance to their work and tend to ignore matters related to their health.

Once you become a mother, your responsibilities are doubled and you need to make greater efforts to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It has been observed that women with short maternity leave tend to fall prey to negative outcomes in terms of health, stress and the baby’s health. And it has been observed that women with two or three month old infants, working full-time reported higher levels of stress, depression and poor health conditions when compared to women who stay at home during their pregnancy, and for a while post-pregnancy. Not only does it affect the mothers, it has an adverse effect on the children also. Conditions like clinical depression, anxiety and psychological distress might sustain in your child’s life.

In many cases, the issue is not about the expecting mother taking maternity leave, it is about the employers who are whiny about giving adequate maternity leave. Hence, the real problem comes down to how many days you can take off under maternity leave. It is all about the time you devote towards your motherhood and towards your baby once you deliver. Being a mom is not easy, especially a working mom. It has its own set of challenges to overcome. The key to this challenge lies in smart maintenance of work-life balance.