Why do you need a Midwife?

If you are mother-to-be, you start preparing yourself for a number of things which you wouldn’t follow much if you weren’t expecting. You start following a proper schedule which lays down your activities for the day like how much time to spend on exercising, or at what intervals to eat etc. Taking you through this pregnancy is the job of a midwife or a healthcare provider who is in charge of prenatal care, the delivery, postpartum services.

Women usually see an OB-GYN during their pregnancy. But there are a lot of women in India who choose to have the guidance of both OB-GYNs and Midwives. Sometimes, they also opt for their family physician. But in most of the cases, the family physicians would have discontinued obstetrics training as it does fall under the purview of their predominant services. The whole idea behind appointing a midwife is for the mother to be comfortable as they do not share the same level of comfort with their doctors.

Your healthcare provider can be your OB-GYN, your midwife, your family physician, nurse practitioners, or perinatologists (doctors specializing in high-risk pregnancy). Usually, midwives are qualified enough when it comes to providing you with a quality pregnancy i.e. giving you a good pre-natal care and help you if you have a normal pregnancy. They help you experience the childbirth you want to experience. Midwives are exceptionally good at providing care and attention during term pregnancy and are easy to connect with. More than the physical care, they are also good at providing mental support and care to the pregnant woman and her family. They respect your wishes and practice what is in the right setting for you.

However, in cases of high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy which involves complications it is always better to consult a specialist. There are a lot of nurse practitioners who ace at dealing with complications during pregnancy but it is any day recommended that you see a specialist as a safe measure. Pregnant women must avoid in all circumstances, the intake of medications unless suggested by the healthcare provider. These medications must be discussed with the midwife before consumption. Not just the medications, every issue that arises during pregnancy like morning sickness, diet plans, exercise routines etc. should be discussed with the midwife.

Midwives usually have the knack of being able to help you deal with crisis during pregnancy like fever, vaginal bleeding, belly pain, irregular movements of the baby etc or any sort of emotional disturbance, mental trauma etc. These circumstances are difficult to deal with, and your midwife helps you get through such situations. Also they help you get through delivery with much more ease as compared to the doctor.

Quality Of Pregnancy

" Essential Pre-natal Services & Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy - Motherhood Hospital India"

Before the advent of modern age medicine, not a lot of mothers and their babies would survive pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and fetal development takes a toll on both the mother and the baby and thus requires a lot of efforts from the side of the mother. Being a mother instills a lot of strength and patience in a woman.
In cases where the mother or the baby or both do not survive the pregnancy and the childbirth process, the quality of pregnancy is blamed most of the times. The quality of pregnancy depends upon a lot of things but most importantly it depends on good pre-natal care. It can significantly improve the quality of pregnancy and ensure that the upshot for the mother and the baby is good.

To begin with quality pre-natal care involves a lot of things like nutrition, routine ultrasounds, frequent examinations of the mother and the baby for any sort of diseases or infections etc. and if found any, then treatment for those diseases. Good health habits are instrumental in ensuring that the quality of pregnancy remains good. Ultrasounds are highly essential in order to monitor the baby and to detect any problems with the baby, if any. Regular pre-natal examinations include routine screening for problems/diseases/infections in the mother’s body to check for Blood pressure issues, Diabetes, any kind of genetic disorders, blood type issues like ABO and Rh, STDs, protein in the urine etc.

The quality of pregnancy diminishes due to either lack of resources to keep the mother healthy or due to carelessness. Miscarriages that happen because of a poor pre-natal attention can easily be avoided by ensuring that the expecting mother is given enough attention and care for to keep her and her child healthy. Pre-natal care also helps in analyzing cases of high-risk pregnancy and monitoring the baby and the mother throughout the pregnancy.

The diet of the mother is of utmost importance during and after the pregnancy. The expecting mothers must follow a balanced diet, keeping in mind the weight management requirements. Folic acid should be a part of the motherŸ??s well-balanced diet without fail. A minimum of 0.4 milligrams of folic acid is necessary in the diet. Folic acid is essential because it helps in decreasing the risk of certain defects in birth.

In addition to the above mentioned points, pregnant women must also avoid all types of strong medication during pregnancy as they might hinder the process of fetal development by creating certain complications. Alcohol and tobacco must be strictly avoided during pregnancy and caffeine intake must be limited. Follow these steps and you can be assured of a good quality pregnancy.

Harmful Effects Of Oral Contraceptive Pills

Oral contraceptives are birth control pills, which as the name suggests are taken orally, to avoid pregnancy. While they are easier for birth control, having known the harmful side effects, one may find it difficult to swallow one. Healthy women have meager chance of having severe side effects. For women who smoke the effects are far worse. Smoking cigarettes increases your chance of having heart problems; which increases with age (especially in women greater than 35 years of age). The pill contains synthetic forms of estrogen and progestin hormones.

SIDE EFFECTS: If you undertake these pills you should undergo a complete physical examination that includes blood pressure measurements and breast/pelvic examinations at regular intervals. Taking birth control pills may cause the following harmful effects.

Common Side Effects

  1. Nausea and dizziness
  2. Frequent tiredness or weakness
  3. Vomiting
  4. Mood swings
  5. Weight gain or loss
  6. Changes in pattern of menstrual cycle and bleeding.
  7. Abdominal cramping, bloating or stomach upset causing discomfort
  8. Acne problem due to hormonal imbalance
  9. Breast pain, tenderness, or swelling.
  10. Swelling of ankles and feet
  11. Gain or loss of body or facial hair
  12. High blood pressure

Less Common Side Effects

  1. Headaches or migraines and loss of co-ordination
  2. Severe depression and weakness
  3. Gum inflammation
  4. Urinary tract or vaginal infection, itching or irritation
  5. Sensitive skin causing brownish, blotchy spots on skin exposed to sunlight
  6. Aggravation of asthma
  7. Groin, chest or calf pain
  8. Changes or lumps formed in the breast
  9. Increased or diminished interest in sexual intercourse and responsiveness
  10. Coughing up of blood
  11. Loss or change in vision
  12. Change in speech pattern
  13. Increased risk of gallbladder disease
  14. Blood clots or stroke
  15. Benign liver tumors or liver cancer

Beneficial Uses:

While there may be many adverse effects of taking oral contraceptives, there are some positive beneficial uses that accompany the use of the pill.

1)It is used to regulate your menstrual cycle & predictable periods

2)Reduces acne problem

3)Diminished risk of ovarian cancer & benign breast disease

4)Reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia.

Prolonged use of contraceptives (beyond 4-6 months) should be taken under the guidance of doctor. It is also important to discuss with him any serious health problems that you may be facing.

Note Do not smoke while taking these pills. Risk of these harmful adverse effect increases three fold.

How Do Vaccinations Work

Protective benefits of vaccination: Essential components of immunization - Motherhood Hospital India

A newborn is immune to some infections because it receives antibodies from its mother; this is called “passive immunity“. Passive immunity lasts for a few weeks or months. Ironically, that immunity begins to fade away in the first few months of life. So, it’s very important to follow an immunization schedule.

What is vaccination?

Vaccination protects you from specific diseases that can make you very sick, disable or even kill you. Vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection as it would react when it recognizes and fights the real infection. They trick the body into thinking it is under assault & trigger the immune system to produce its own antibodies (substances produced by the body to fight disease), as though the body has been infected with a disease without actually infecting us and harming us with the disease. This is called “active immunity“.

Thus, vaccination is like a dress rehearsal for your immune system so it is prepared for the real show .

How does it work?

When germs, such as bacteria or viruses, invade the body, they attack and multiply quickly. This invasion is called an infection , which causes the illness.

  • The vaccine contains antigens: harmless substances (such as dead bacteria or molecules) associated with the disease.
  • The body assumes the antigens are the actual disease, and its immune system stimulates white blood cells to activate and create antibodies – proteins that can fight the disease’s bacteria or viruses – the invading organism.

How are vaccines created?

Viruses and bacteria can be produced in the laboratory by infecting cells grown in tissue culture; thereby weakening or attenuating it by growing it repeatedly to carefully select a strain that’s less dangerous.The treated pathogen is then combined with stabilizers and preservatives, to produce a vaccine dose.

Does it have any harmful side-effects?

Seldom, vaccination can cause minor symptoms, such as fever. They are normal and can be expected as the body builds immunity. If a child was given 11 vaccines all at the same time, it would only use a thousandth of its immune system, so it does not harm the baby!

How long is the vaccine effective?

Generally vaccinations provide lifelong protection against a disease, but others need boosting. The duration depends on the disease that is being protected against, the vaccine and the person’s inbuilt immunity.

Some vaccines provide high levels of protection like MMR provides 90% protection against measles and rubella after single dose. Others are not as effective typhoid vaccine provides around 70% protection over three years; Tetanus may need boosters.

The antibodies don’t disappear even after their work is done. If these germs reappear, whether it’s a few weeks or many years later, the antibodies are ready to protect & prevent the infection.

Is one vaccination enough to give my child immunity?

The antibodies are very specific. They have been created to combat to a specific disease. The mumps virus, cannot to work against rubella. Thus, one should follow the immunization schedule. Young children are vulnerable to many potentially dangerous infections.

Can vaccination eliminate diseases?

The disease can be eradicated completely if the vaccination is given to most people, as has happened with smallpox and polio. If enough people in a community are vaccinated, it’s harder for a disease to infect even those people who have not been vaccinated. This is called “herd immunity“.

Preparing for Motherhood

Pregnancy comes as a surprise to some women. For others, it is a result of much planning and waiting. If you and your spouse are ready for the pattering of little feet around your house, here’s what you should know before trying to conceive.

Stop the pill

If you have been using contraceptives in the form of injections or pills, now is the time to stop using them. Let your periods regularize so you can keep track of your cycles.Research also suggests that use of lubricants act as barriers to sperms and so, use of lubricants should be avoided.

Know your body

It helps to know what happens during conception and how a pregnancy advances. Prior to that, observe and time your menstrual cycles and figure out when you ovulate. This is very essential as you stand a chance of conceiving only when the egg is still in your reproductive system. You will find several online tools to help you calculate your ovulation period or your most fertile period.

Also remember that you have just a 20 percent chance of getting pregnant each month. So don’t be alarmed if you did not get pregnant in your first attempt. Regular sexual intercourse specifically during the fertile period is important. However, if you have been trying for more than a year (or 6 months for women over 35 year), it might be time you met a fertility specialist.

Visit a gynaecologist

You don’t necessarily need to wait to get pregnant, in order to meet a gynaecologist. It is recommended that you schedule your first appointment as soon as you decide you want to have a baby. You can discuss your fears, apprehensions, medical history, and nutritional habits with your doctor. A gynaecologist might put you on multivitamins and folic acid supplements couple of months in advance.

It is also advisable to get a dental check-up done before you get pregnant.Some dental complications cannot be treated effectively during pregnancy and are linked to pre-term birth and underweight babies.

Eat healthy and exercise

You could also book an appointment with a nutritionist who can inform you the recommended daily nutrition needs based on your lifestyle and diet preferences. If you are underweight or overweight, it is advisable to get to a healthy weight before pregnancy. Also note that underweight/overweight women can have irregular ovulation, which can delay pregnancy.

Quit smoking and drinking

If you are a heavy drinker and smoker, you will have to cut down on it and eventually, stop completely. These habits have a very negative impact on reproductive health including ovulation and pregnancy. Talk to your physician about how you can quit smoking and drinking.

Most women get pregnant without much problem but if you follow the above tips, you can be assured that you are on the right track. We hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

Importance of Antenatal Visits

Antenatal or prenatal care refers to the care that a woman receives during pregnancy. This includes healthcare services to the would-be mother as well as the unborn baby. Also, other health concerns regarding pregnancy are addressed during antenatal visits.

Most women do not realise the importance of consulting a gynaecologist right from the beginning of pregnancy.Often, they try to evade pregnancy tests and scans in trying to curb costs.However, care for the mother and the baby should begin as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.

In this blog we will highlight some of the most important benefits of prenatal visits to a healthcare centre.

Prenatal check-ups during the first trimester

  • During the first trimester, the mother needs to ensure that she consumes a well-balanced diet so as to provide the baby with all the necessary nutrients for growth and development. Folic acid supplements are recommended as they reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the foetus during the first 12 weeks.
  • Consuming alcohol and smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery and birth d
  • effects in the foetus. Visiting the obstetrician during early pregnancy can help you receive important advice regarding diet and lifestyle.
  • Certain medications can be extremely harmful to the unborn baby. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, an antenatal check-up will help you understand how it can affect your pregnancy and your healthcare provider will advise you on ways to bring it under control.
  • Also, it is during the first trimester that the first ultrasound scan is done to observe the development in the foetus and to determine the expected date of delivery. Multiple pregnancies can be identified during the scan.A blood test will also be conducted to rule out possibilities of infections, blood cell count, blood typing, and screening for Rh antibodies.

Prenatal check-ups during the second trimester

Until the end of the second trimester, you will typically have an antenatal check-up every 4 weeks. Tests that you can expect during this time include:

  1. Urine test  you will be asked to give a urine sample to check for blood sugar and protein.
  2. Blood test  is conducted to rule out possibilities of infections, blood cell count, blood typing, and screening for Rh antibodies.
  3. Ultrasound  ultrasound scan helps observe the developments like heart rate, head-to-toe measurements in the foetus, etc. Down syndrome, which is a chromosomal abnormality, can also be identified during this stage.
  4. Measurements  the size and shape of your uterus is measured.
  5. Blood pressure and weight  your blood pressure and weight will be checked at each prenatal visit.

Prenatal check-ups during the third trimester

In the third trimester, you will be expected to visit your obstetrician every two weeks.This helps identify the position of the baby as it drops low in the uterus in the head down position, in preparation for the birthing process, towards the end of the trimester.

Without regular prenatal check-ups, problems in the placenta, foetal abnormalities and other complications will go unnoticed, posing a health threat to both the mother and child. Even if you feel perfectly fine or have gone through healthy pregnancies previously, you still require regular antenatal check-ups from the beginning of your pregnancy until the birth of your baby.

Remember, there is no substitute for good prenatal care!

Motherhood begins its Chennai chapter

 

For the past 2 years Motherhood has been giving mothers in Bangalore a reason to smile. With its superlative technology and expertise in women and childcare, Motherhood is the best choice for women who desire the best for themselves and their precious bundles of joy. Now mothers in Chennai too can entrust the most important phase of their life into the hands of our expert clinical and support team.

Motherhood brings to Chennai its very first birthing boutique that promotes a family centred atmosphere. Personalised maternity counselling is offered to make every family member a part of the womanŸ??s journey into the beautiful experience of giving birth. Our Lamaze and Antenatal programs also help the parents-to-be get accustomed to the process of giving birth naturally. Our innovative labour practices have helped many women achieve a comfortable pregnancy and childbirth experience. Deluxe rooms and suites that contain highly sophisticated birthing beds ensure that the mother-to-be is most comfortable during the birthing process.

Motherhood understands the role of women as building blocks in the development of the society. Women generally tend to neglect their own health while devoting their lives for the betterment of others. We offer a range of healthcare services dedicated to women of all age groups. We intend to provide every woman a nurturing and safe environment during her road to recovery. We achieve this by offering them a blissful and homely atmosphere which takes away all the apprehensions that a woman may have regarding medical procedures.

Motherhood is conveniently located in TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai. We invite all women in Chennai to take advantage of its personalized, patient centred-care.

 

DisclaimerThe information contained in this issue is not a substitute for medical advice. All content including text, graphics and images are for general information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

ADVANCED WOMEN AND CHILD HEALTHCARE CENTRE

Making motherhood a blissful experience,Motherhood Indiranagar

Women require unique and specialised health care in every stage of life; some for themselves and some for their children. With a view to providing women in Bangalore a healthcare facility close to home,Motherhood, Bangalore inaugurated the new wing of their Indiranagar facility on 14th November 2013.

The facility known as the Advanced Women & Child Healthcare Centre is equipped with ultra-modern medical facilities to provide comprehensive care in Gynaecology, Neonatology and Paediatrics. The centre was inaugurated by Mr. U.T. Khader, Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

While most pregnancies progress without any problems, some require specialized care. Motherhood has partnered with leading experts in fetal medicine, The Bangalore Fetal Medicine Center (BFMC) to give this expert care to the unborn baby primary care while it is still in the womb, making it possible to diagnose and manage genetic and other abnormalities in the fetus. Fetal medicine specialists, sonologists and emotional counsellors provide the most advanced treatment and care.

Motherhood has also partnered with Kosmoderma Skin Clinics &Medispa’s, a leading skin, hair and laser clinic in South India. Motherhood  Mommy  Makeover for new mothers provides customised cosmetology services to women before, during and after pregnancy.The Mommy Makeover program includes, Anti-stretch Mark Treatment for body, Post Delivery Tummy Toning, etc.

We recognise that the health of women and children is very essential in building a self-reliant, healthy, stable and confident community. Our healthcare centre functions with the assistance of world-class expertise and technology, coupled with compassion and a home-like setting.