Contraception : The Voluntary Prevention Of Pregnancy

Considerations when Choosing a Contraceptive Method

  • Safety
  • Protection from sexually transmissible diseases
  • Effectiveness
  • Acceptability
  • Convenience
  • Education needed
  • Side Effects
  • Benefits
  • Interference with spontaneity
  • Availability
  • Expense
  • Preference

Methods of Contraception

  • Temporary
  • Behavioral
  • Hormonal
  • Barrier – Spermicides
  • Long-Term / Permanent

Types of Contraception

  1. Barrier contraceptives
  2. Hormonal contraceptives
  3. Sterilization

Note: No single method of birth control is the Ÿ??bestŸ? one. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDŸ??s

Barrier Contraceptives

Methods that physically or chemically block sperm from reaching an egg AND provide a BARRIER between direct skin to skin contact

Act as a physical block between you and your sexual partner

Great for STD protection!

Barrier Methods

  • Male condom
  • Female condom
  • Diaphragm
  • Cervical cap
  • Spermicides

MALE CONDOM

Perfect effectiveness rate = 97%

Typical effectiveness rate = 88%

Latex and polyurethane condoms are available

Combining condoms with spermicides raises effectiveness levels to 99%

  • Male condoms are 82 to 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Condoms can only be used once
  • Do not use oil-based lubricants such as massage oils, baby oil, lotions, or petroleum jelly.They will weaken the condom, causing it to tear or break.
  • Water-based are the best Ÿ?? can prevent breaking of condom.
  • Good choices: Latex condoms and polyurethane
  • Bad choices: Never choose Ÿ??naturalŸ? or Ÿ??lambskinŸ?

FEMALE CONDOM

What is it? – A soft, loose pouch that is inserted in the vagina.Flexible rings at each end hold it in place.Can be put in up to hours before sex.

Not mandatory

How do you use it?– Insert the small ring in vagina, large ring stays outside partially covering labia.

Notes: Can be used if you are allergic to latex (made of nitrile).Men usually feel no reduction in sensation.

Access: Available at many pharmacies, clinics, and online

Effectiveness: 79-95%

  • Made as an alternative to male condoms
  • Polyurethane
  • Physically inserted in the vagina
  • Perfect rate = 95%
  • Typical rate = 79%
  • Woman can use female condom if partner refuses

Diaphragm & Cervical Cap

What is it? -A soft, silicone dome that covers the cervix w/ a flexible rim that holds spermicide

How do you use it? -Put a tbsp of spermicide in and slide it into the vagina.Protection lasts 2 hours, and needs to be left in for 6 hours after sex

Notes: Neither partners should feel the diaphragm.Get re-fitted if you gain/lose 15 pounds

Access: Doctor/clinic visit needed for prescription and fitting

Effectiveness: 82-94%

Spermicides

  • Cream
  • Gel
  • Foam
  • Film
  • Suppository
  • Sponge

What is it? Chemicals that go in the vagina before sex.Immobilize or kills sperm.Most work for 1 hour, sponge for 24 hours

How do you use it? Put in vagina following packaging directions.Most need to be put in 10 minutes before intercourse.

Notes: Key ingredient is Nonoxynol 9.Neither partner should notice spermicide.

Access: Easy to buy in a pharmacy

Effectiveness: 72-91%

Behavioral Methods

  • Predicting fertility: Basal Body

Temperature & Calendar method

  • Withdrawal/Pullout
  • Abstinence**- The only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy, STIs, HIV/AIDS
Withdrawal/Pullout

What is it ? The man takes his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates

How ? The male needs to ejaculate away from female; sperm on legs and labia can still travel into vagina

Notes: Depends on a maleŸ??s self knowledge and self control

Access: Free, available to anyone

Effectiveness: 78-96%

How effective is it?

  • Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 4 will become pregnant each year if they always do it correctly.
  • Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 27 will become pregnant each year if they don’t always do it correctly.
  • Pregnancy is also possible if semen or pre-ejaculate is spilled on the vulva.

Hormonal Methods

  • Methods that prevent the release of an egg (ovulation)
  • Prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus (prevents pregnancy).
  • NO hormonal methods reduce chances of STDŸ??s!

Types of Hormonal Methods

  • The Pill
  • The Patch
  • Vaginal Ring
  • The Shot
  • IUD
  • Emergency Contraception
  • These methods add chemicals similar to hormones to stop the release of an egg and weaken the sperm.
  • The hormones change your cervical mucus and uterine lining, slow sperm, and reduce ability of fertilized egg to implant into uterine wall.

Oral Contraceptives

Also called Ÿ??the pill,Ÿ?some contain estrogen, progestin, or mix of other hormones depending on pill

The pill is 91 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy & is always prescribed by the doctor.

A pill is taken at the same time each day (once a day for three weeks, no pill fourth week -will get menstrual period)

What is it? –A pill taken orally every day at about the same time

Notes: There are many different brands.Your doctor can help you find the right one for you. Your period can occur monthly, every 3 months, or not at all

Access: Prescription needed

Effectiveness: 91-99.7%

How does the pill work?
  • Stops ovulation
  • Thins uterine lining
  • Thickens cervical mucus
Positive Benefits of Birth Control Pills
  • Prevents pregnancy
  • Eases menstrual cramps
  • Shortens period
  • Regulates period
  • Decreases incidence of ovarian cysts
  • Prevents ovarian and uterine cancer
  • Decreases acne
Side-effects
  • Breast tenderness
  • Nausea
  • Increase in headaches
  • Moodiness
  • Weight change
  • Spotting

Ÿ??The PatchŸ? Ÿ?? Ortho Evra

What is it? A bandage-like patch that sticks to your skin

How do you use it? Changed weekly, no patch on 4th week.Hormones are absorbed through the skin

Notes:Less effective if you weigh over 198 pounds.May cause skin irritation.

Access: Prescription needed

Effectiveness: 91-99.7%

Vaginal Ring/Nuvaring

What is it? A clear, soft, flexible 2 inch circle worn in the vagina

How to use it? The body absorbs hormones from the ring through vaginal wall.The ring is inserted and left in the vagina for 3 weeks.

Notes: One size fits all, neither partner usually feels the ring

Access: Prescription needed

Effectiveness: 91-99.7%

  • The birth control ring releases the hormones progestin and estrogen
  • It is 91 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Ring goes inside vagina up around your cervix
  • You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week you have your period, and then put in a new ring
  • This method does not protect you from HIV or other STDs.

The ShotŸ? Ÿ?? Depo Provera

What is it? A long acting hormone injection

How do you use it? Female is given a shot one time every 3 months

Notes: Not reversible- once the injection occurs, the hormones are in the woman for at least 3 months.It may take a long time to get pregnant after the shot. More chance of weight gain than any other method

Access: Clinic / doctor visit needed every 3 months

Effectiveness: 94-99.8%

  • Birth control shot given once every three months to prevent pregnancy
  • 99.7% effective preventing pregnancy
  • No daily pills to remember

Birth Control Shot

  • Every 3 months (or 12 weeks), women get shots of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm from their doctor.
  • It is 94 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.
  • It does not protect you from HIV or other STDs
Side Effects
  • Irregular menstrual bleeding and spotting for 3-6 months!
  • NO PERIOD after 3-6 months
  • Weight change
  • Breast tenderness
  • Mood change
*NOT EVERY WOMAN HAS SIDE-EFFECTS!

Emergency Contraception

  • Also known as the Ÿ??morning after pillŸ?
  • The pills are 75 to 89 percent effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Can be take up to 3 days(72 hrs) AFTER unprotected sex (depending on brand)
  • Effectiveness decreases after 24 hours
  • Emergency contraception should only be used after no birth control was used during sex, or if the birth control method failed, such as if a condom broke

When should I use it?

  • The condom broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated in your vagina.
  • You forgot to take your birth control pills, insert your ring, or apply your patch.
  • Your diaphragm or cap slipped out of place, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
  • You miscalculated your “safe” days.
  • He didn’t pull out in time.
  • You weren’t using any birth control.
  • You were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex, or were raped.

How does it work?

The hormones in the morning after pill work by keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs Ÿ?? ovulation. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm. The hormones in the morning after pill also prevent pregnancy by thickening a woman’s cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg.

Long-Term / Permanent

Female- Tubal ligation

Male- Vasectomy

    • These procedures are permanent, and are usually done by people 35+ years
    • Both procedures are done in a doctorŸ??s office
IUD: Copper (10 years)

Tubal Ligation (Female)

The fallopian Tube is ligated and sperm and ovum can no longer meet.A small incision is made in the abdomen to access the fallopian tubes. Fallopian tubes are blocked, burned, or clipped shut to prevent the egg from traveling through the tubes

Recovery usually takes 4-6 days

  • Tubal ligation or Ÿ??tying tubes.Ÿ?
  • A woman can have her fallopian tubes tied (or closed) to stop eggs from being fertilized
  • Over time, the ends of your fallopian tubes could fuse back together, and it may be possible to get pregnant

VASECTOMY (Male)

This operation is done to keep a manŸ??s sperm from going to his penis, so his ejaculate never has any sperm in it that can fertilize an egg. Operation is more simple than tying a womanŸ??s tubes. A small incision is made to access the vas deferens, the tube the sperm travels from the testicle to the penis, and is sealed, tied, or cut. After a vasectomy, a male will still ejaculate, but there wonŸ??t be any sperm present

  • It has no effect on potency
  • Male hormones are still produced, so male secondary sex characteristics are not affected
  • Sperm production continues

Vasectomy

  • Patient Teaching:
    • Apply ice to scrotum
    • Moderate activity for two days
      • Sterility is not immediate –some sperm will remain in the sperm ducts so, the male must have ejaculations to rid the ducts of these sperm
    • After he has 2 negative sperm counts, he then can resume sexual activity without use of another contraceptive.

Intrauterine Device

  • It is placed inside the uterus by a doctor.
  • 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Copper IUD: Can stay for up to 10 years – Interferes with sperm, fertilization, and prevents implantation
  • Hormonal IUD: Can stay for up to 5 years – It releases a small amount of hormone each day to keep you from getting pregnant.

Intra Uterine Device (IUD)

What is it? A small plastic Ÿ??TŸ? with a string inserted into the uterus

How do you use it? Releases synthetic progestin hormone that changes cervical mucus, fallopian tubes and the uterine lining.Stops or slows sperm and egg

Notes: Lasts 5 years.Insertion can cause a few minutes of pain, but removal is fast and easy

Access: Clinic / doctor visit needed for insertion & removal

Effectiveness: 99.8%

Content Credits: Dr. Sunitha P Shekokar

Misrepresented Facts Clarified

This post is with the sole purpose to clarify the misrepresentation of facts by Times of India.We hope that each one of you takes note of the facts and and the dedication with which expecting mothers are dealt with regularly at Motherhood Hospitals.

  1. Doctor not present in the hospital.

Fact: The consultant is a doctor of immense commitment and dedication and she had called to check on the patient at 5 amon her own and then came to the hospital at 5.08 am to ensure the safety of her patient and the baby.

  1. Competent anaesthetist not available

Fact:There was an anaesthetist in house and at all Motherhood hospitals we have a full time qualified Obstetricians on call 24/7 and a dedicated team of anaesthetists also 24/7. In this case the anaesthetist on call was the patients own friend who was present at her bedside and is a qualified person.

  1. Media says doctor administered a wrong injection.

Fact: The patient was admitted for induction of labour to facilitate a natural birth and the injection was given at 6 pmthe previous day. An allergic reaction or adverse reaction will not take 10 hours to happen.

  1. Baby was pulled out with forceps

Fact: The mother had a emergency caesarean section so the baby could not have had a forceps delivery. Baby was delivered at 5.40 am. Baby had suffered some oxygen deprivation due to the mothers illness and was saved.

  1. Patient taken to OT and nothing was done

Fact: The anaesthetist on call was her friend and 5 am patient was shifted to OT and 5.40 am the baby was delivered. The mother was resuscitated for 3 full hours by the team of doctors but she suffered from amniotic fluid embolism which is fatal event and not something the doctor could have stopped. For more details on Amniotic Fluid Embolism, please read this http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amniotic-fluid-embolism/basics/definition/con-20035462

  1. The baby had passed stool

Fact: It is called a meconium stained liqor and happens in 15-20% of all term deliveries. It is nothing to be worried about just the neonatologist pay more attention to babies born with stained liqor. You can read more about this here as well. https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/pdf/manuals/5_MeconiumAF.pdf

Ectopic pregnancy By Dr. Beena Jeysingh

Normally the fertilized egg implants and grows into a baby inside the uterus. Rarely can it implant outside the uterus when it is called Ectopic pregnancy. The commonest site is fallopian tubes and is called Tubal pregnancy. Other sites can be ovary and cervix.
Presenting symptoms can be missing of periods, light vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain or giddiness.
Diagnosis is either through ultrasound or monitoring pregnancy hormone levels [b-hcG] in correlation with clinical symptoms.
Early diagnosis and management is important as it can cause heavy internal bleeding. Depending on the condition of patient and stage of ectopic pregnancy the management could be medical or surgical. Laparoscopy is the preferred surgical approach until the patientŸ??s condition does not permit when open method is opted.

By
Dr. Beena Jeysingh | Know your doctor https://www.motherhoodindia.com/dr-beena-jeysingh-2/

 

What is Urinary incontinence Dr. Rubina Shanawaz

Explore insights on urinary incontinence with Dr. Rubina Shanawaz - Motherhood Hospital India.
Do you involuntarily leek urine when you laugh hard or sneeze? To find a solution to this embarrassing situation, read on
  1. IsnŸ??t involuntary leakage of urine a part of having children & growing older??
Though it is caused by repeated childbirths, hormonal changes, there is a solution to this embarrassing predicament which more than 1 in 10 women suffer from but silently endure due to the stigma associated with this condition.
  1. What is the medical term for this condition?
Involuntary leakage of urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing, lifting weights or laughing is referred to as Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUD) where urinary incontinence refers to inability to control urine & stress refers to its precipitating factor.
  1. How common is Urinary incontinence?
Around 1 in 10 women suffer from varying degrees of involuntary leakage of urine. The commonest of these is Stress Urinary Incontinence. Most of the affected women donŸ??t realize there are simple, effective treatment options available.
  1. What causes such involuntary leakage?
The urinary bladder &urethra the tube which brings urine from the bladder to the exterior) are supported by pelvic floor muscles which contract during coughing, sneezing & exercise to prevent leakage. Weakness in these muscles or damage to the bladder neck support can result in leakage What-is-Urinary-incontinence-by-Dr--Rubina2 This can be a result of:
  • Pregnancy & vaginal birth(as the same group of muscles support the uterus)
  • Obesity, Long standing cough/ Constipation
  • Lifting heavy weights over a long period of time
These can cause an increase in pressure in your abdomen & aggravate the stress on the pelvic floor leading to involuntary leakage.
  • Genetically Inherited factors:
  • Women with stress incontinence may also have problems with urinary Urge Incontinence (not able to control urine till reaching the restroom) or incontinence of feces/gas or prolapse (descent of uterus, felt as lump outside vagina). Do not feel embarrassed to mention these problems to your doctor. Pelvic floor problems are more common than depression(1 in 20 women) or hypertension (1 in 3 women)
What are my treatment options? These will depend on the severity of leakage & associated conditions Conservative options include General lifestyle changes:
  • Aim to drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day to pass urine 4 to 6 times/day
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • High fiber diet to avoid constipation
  • Cutting out smoking
Pelvic floor exercises (PFC) The importance of these exercises cannot be over emphasized in mainly preventing and treating mild degrees of urinary incontinence. If practiced regularly and for 3 to 6 months at least, upto 75% of women show an improvement in leakage. It is important for all age groups of women right from first pregnancy and childbirth to post menopause. Surgical Options:- These range from daycare procedures like Ÿ??mid urethral sling suspension (suspending urethra with tape) to laparoscopic/open Burch colposuspension to bulking agents, depending on the individual patientsŸ?? severity of incontinence previous surgeries and other factors. By Dr. Rubina Shanawaz, MBBS, MS(OBG)

What is Urogynaecology? By Dr. Rubina Shanawaz

Urogynaecology is a sub-specialty which integrates the complex and intricate specialities of Urology and Gynaecology, focusing on urinary problems and pelvic floor disorders in women. These problems arise due to the close anatomy of the urinary bladder and urethra with the uterus and vagina. Hence, these issues in women will have to be dealt with keeping in mind the effect of the urinary and reproductive systems on each other in order to ensure complete relief of symptoms.

When will I need to consult a urogynaecologist ?

  • Are you not able to laugh freely or cough hard for fear of leakage of urine?
  • Are you not able to travel as you wish due to very frequent visits to the toilet?
  • Do you have a dragging pain in your vagina and have difficulty passing urine or stools?
  • Do you feel your vagina has lost its tone after repeated vaginal childbirths?

If your answer to any of the above questions is a yes, you need to visit a urogynaecologist.

What are the common conditions encountered in this field?

Incontinenceandpelvic floor problemsare remarkably common but many women are reluctant to receive help because of the stigma associated with these conditions. There is no more distressing lesion than urinary incontinence. A constant dribbling of the repulsive urine soaking the clothes which cling wet and cold to the thighs, making the patient offensive to herself and her family and ostracizing her from society.

Although countless women are bothered by a loss of bladder control, bowel symptoms, and pelvic discomfort they are often not aware that these problems have a name, much less how common they really are. Pelvic floor conditions are more common than hypertension, depression, or diabetes. 1 in 3 adult women have hypertension; 1 in 20 adult women have depression;1 in 10 adult women have diabetes; and, more than 1 in 2 adult women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. Around 1 in 10 women suffer from varying degrees of involuntary leakage of urine (urinary incontinence).?˜The most common of these is Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI):

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary leakage of urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing,?˜lifting, laughing or exercising.SUI affects at least 10-20% of?˜women, many of whom do not realize that there are simple,effective treatment options available.

Other common types of incontinence include

Over active bladder (OAB)

In this condition, there is increased frequency of urination or urge to get up to pass urine more than once at night. Mixed stress and urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, reflex and functional incontinence.

Prolapse:
This condition occurs when there is a descent of the pelvic organs usually asca result of repeated vaginal childbirths. This usually is a descent of the uterus and cervix along with the urinary bladder and rectum or descent of just urinary bladder or rectum alone.

Fistulas :
These occur when there is an inadvertent creation of a false passage between the urinary tract and an abdominal organ resulting in leakage of urine usually following surgery where there is already an anatomical distortion due to endometriosis/ PID/ previous surgeries/ tumours involving bladder wall.

Diagnostic tests and procedures performed include:

Specialty treatments available include:

  • Laparoscopic/ Abdominal / vaginal / urethral reconstruction
  • Behavioural modification
  • Botulinum toxin injections
  • Pelvic floor re-education
  • Pessary(for prolapse and incontinence)
  • Pubovaginal slings
  • Sacral nerve stimulation
  • Apical suspension procedures for prolapse

By

Dr. Rubina Shanawaz MBBS, MS(OBG)

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.

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.

 

A Brand New Wardrobe for the Mommies-to-be!

It’s that time in your life where you stare at your wardrobe and tell yourself that you have nothing to wear. Certain things have to be kept in mind when you join the league of the mommies-to-be. Everything takes an extra effort, your diet, your daily regime and even your wardrobe. You must be elated about having a baby but at the same time the prospect of giving up all your lovely outfits and accepting yourself in extra-large dresses must be eating you up. This is a common notion around.

Accessorizing an existing wardrobe is completely different from creating a whole new one, especially if you are an expecting mother. Wardrobe tweaking can be delightful if done with the right mindset and knowledge.

Comfort is of utmost importance while picking clothes for your new wardrobe. If it is a single pregnancy, chances of showing are lesser till the second trimester. You might still be able to fit into your loose clothes till then. But it is always better to have some clothes ready, just in case you start showing earlier during the single pregnancy cases. Having a practical collection in hand is always convenient.

Dressing smart is as important as dressing comfortable. Switch to trousers from Jeans and team them up with a smart top. A pair of jeans or trousers that are low-cut and adaptable to your widening waistline is a smart choice. Your maternity wardrobe must include tops that are loose and comfortable. Wrap-around tops are comparatively better because they fit you according to your body shape and size. Similar to wrap-around tops are wrap-around skirts which make a lovely combination with the tops.

Shopping smart is the key to a practical maternity wardrobe. Clothes made out of lycra or cotton jersey tend to be stretchable and can prove to be useful during the pregnancy term. An important detail which most women are likely to forget is that the body temperature keeps fluctuating often during pregnancy. Wearing layers is probably the best bet during this phase because you can either put on or take off the layers according to the temperature.

It is not necessary for you to hide in extra-large tent like dresses if you are pregnant. You are at liberty to show off your best features and dress confidently. Wear a short skirt and show off your slim legs, or wear a sleeveless/cap-sleeve top to highlight your toned arms. Choose outfits which help you blend comfort with style. Match your outfits with accessories or scarves and deck up your maternity look.

Motherhood Wins Prestigious Healthcare Excellence Award

Bengaluru, Sunday, June 22, 2014: Motherhood, the premium birthing boutique and woman & child healthcare provider, received a pivotal boost when it was awarded with Ÿ??Healthcare Excellence Award,Ÿ? as the best single specialty hospital in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, at the Indo-Global Healthcare Summit & Expo Ÿ?? 2014 in Hyderabad on 22 June 2014.

Ÿ??As a single specialty birthing boutique, we strive to provide family-centered care to woman and newborn,Ÿ? says Motherhood chairman Dr. Mohammed Rehan Sayeed. Ÿ??This award recognizes our ongoing efforts to be the best birthing boutique and providing exemplary care to woman through their pregnancy and beyond. I congratulate the entire Motherhood team for their contribution in winning this award,Ÿ? he further added.

Telangana deputy chief minister and health minister Rajaiah was the chief guest at the Indo-Global Healthcare Summit & Expo on innovations and advances, which was held at Taj Krishna and Taj Deccan, Hyderabad, India. The summit is meant to provide a platform for identifying and sharing successful innovative models of healthcare delivery from around the world which will help professionals, entrepreneurs, industry players, global institutions to collaborate for taking advantage of the latest innovations and advances, Indus Foundation (New Jersey) president S A Anumolu told reporters. The event was jointly organised by Indian Medical Association, Andhra
Pradesh government, Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Indus Foundation.

Motherhood was selected out of a distinguished group of finalists. Around 4,000 Indian and foreign healthcare professionals participated in the event. Mr. Mehdi Kalim, General Manager – Business Development, received the award for Motherhood. The award highlights MotherhoodŸ??s commitment and dedication to providing commendable birthing, gynaecological and paediatric services.

Motherhood is a chain of single specialty premium birthing boutique. With centres in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, Motherhood has to its achievement over 1000 gynaec procedures, 3,500 deliveries and more than 60,000 consultancies in a span of 36 months. Being a premium boutique birthing center, standing for exclusivity and personalized care, Motherhood provides the state of the art infrastructure, expert services leading to a carefree pregnancy.

About Motherhood Hospital
Motherhood is a premium specialty birthing boutique with state-of-the-art facility and gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatric services. A chain of Bangalore-based Rhea Healthcare, Motherhood was first set up in Bangalore in the year 2011. In a span of 36 months, Motherhood has branches in Chennai, Hyderabad and two units in Bangalore, with a third unit scheduled to be launched shortly in Hebbal (Bangalore).

At Motherhood, the facilities include LDR (Labour, Delivery, Recovery) Rooms that converts ones homely rooms into a fully functional medical setup within minutes without the need to move, an impressive nurse to patient ratio leading to a higher responsiveness level for any kind of doubts, 2 well-equipped Operation Theatres, a level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit catered to by a team of dedicated neonatologists from the best centers in the world and a Maternal Intensive Care Unit to ensure the highest standards of safety for the new born and the mother.

With a 24/7 coverage with qualified specialists, Motherhood is all about setting standards in healthcare delivery. Motherhood was also the first center to emphasize the importance of fetal medicine and Anomaly Scans.