Tips for Breastfeeding Newborn: Motherhood Hospital by Dr. Sonali Santhanam

Expert breastfeeding tips for newborns by Dr. Sonali Santhanam - Motherhood Hospital India

Breastfeeding is instinctive for both mother and baby. A newborn when left undisturbed on a mother??s belly is able to crawl up to the breast, find the nipple and self-attach. However, despite being instinctive and natural, breastfeeding is not always easy.

New mothers have ample support at the hospital but they can feel overwhelmed with the new baby at home especially in the first few weeks. If breastfeeding is going well, it is easier for moms to start enjoying their newborn while they recover. However, breastfeeding can be challenging in the early days. Some roadblocks with breastfeeding include nipple soreness, painful latch, low milk supply or oversupply, poor weight gain in babies and lack of sleep.

Understanding newborn behavior and adjusting your expectations in the first few weeks can ease your transition to parenthood. Here are some pointers to get breastfeeding off to a pain-free and stress-free start.

1. Attend a breastfeeding class before your baby arrives. Understanding frequency and duration of breastfeeding, newborn sleep and wake cycles, and recognizing hunger cues will help you get into a rhythm sooner. Being able to practice nursing positions and latching techniques on model babies in class should help you gain confidence and troubleshoot with ease in the early days.

2. Feed within the first hour of birth. Babies are generally alert and demonstrate instinctive feeding behaviors in the first hour of birth. When a baby is allowed to crawl up to the breast and self-attach the latch is deeper and transfer of Colostrum is better. Studies have shown that early initiation of breastfeeding and skin-skin contact with baby improves outcomes by bringing milk in sooner, stimulating baby??s feeding instincts and is associated with increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding for first 4 months[1, 2].

3. Stay close to baby: Babies like to be held and you cannot spoil a newborn with too many cuddles. Dr. Nils Bergman, one of the founders of Kangaroo Mother Care, describes the mother??s breast as the newborn’s natural habitat. As with any mammal, separation from its natural habitat triggers a protest-despair response. The protest in the newborn involves crying to be reunited with mother and the despair response is the withdrawal, fluctuation in heart rate and a rise in body temperature that follows. Rooming in with the baby and holding baby skin-to-skin contact will help baby feel secure where she can hear your heartbeat and stay warm. This also means your baby will cry less and will be easier to handle.

4. Nurse with a SOFT touch

Bonding with a SOFT touch helps release oxytocin and facilitates milk production. Oxytocin is called the ??love hormone?? as it is responsible for the falling in love experience the mother and baby have as they bond.

SOFT touch is:
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Open Eye Contact
Fingertips Touching
Time Together

Oxytocin levels can drop with bright lights and if mom is conscious and surrounded by too many people. Uninterrupted quiet time with your baby is a must. Ask visitors to delay their first visit until you have established a rhythm with your baby.

5. Pay attention to hunger cues. Your baby may pucker and smack her lips turn her face from side to side, bring her hands to her mouth and even dive into your breast in search of the nipple. It is important to feed your baby at these first signs of hunger. Crying is a late sign and it is generally harder to get a crying baby to latch.

6. Feed on Demand in the first 3 months. Feed your baby at the first sign of hunger and as often as they want to. In the first 2 weeks, however, babies are very sleepy and may need to be woken up to feed every 2.5 hours. Frequent feeding in the first 2 weeks will help your milk come in sooner, regulate the milk production, and help baby maintain blood sugar levels steady. Once your baby has regained its birth weight (babies loose weight in the first week until the milk comes in) you can relax on this rule and start feeding on cue. Allow you baby to empty one side completely till breast feels soft to ensure baby get the rich fatty hind milk then burp and offer the other side.

Sleep training and schedule feeding if initiated sooner than 4 months of age can compromise milk supply. Breastfeeding is a demand and supply process and in the early days baby??s have frequent growth spurts. During a growth spurt, the baby??s appetite increases and it can be challenging to keep up with this increased need. You may feel discouraged and be tempted to supplement with formula, but you can be assured that your milk supply will catch up if you demand feed. A lactation consultant can help you quantify milk supply objectively if you suspect pathologically low milk production, which can happen in case of hormonal imbalances.

7. Get comfortable; Babies feed often in the first few months and poor positioning could cause your back and shoulders to hurt. Nurse baby-sitting in a comfortable chair using a feeding pillow that reaches up to the breast. Place your feet up on a low stool to bring baby closer. When the baby is latched on your shoulders should be comfortably relaxed and lower back supported.

Alternatively, you can use a laid back position to breastfeed in the early days where you are reclined to about 45 degrees and the baby is supported on your chest. This position also helps prevent traction on the nipple by the weight of the baby hanging under the breast. If you are unable to find a comfortable nursing position seek out a lactation specialist to help you as soon as possible.

8. Babies Breastfeed not Nipple fed. The latch is everything when it comes to breastfeeding. If your baby gets a large mouthful of the breast the nipples reach a comfortable spot in the babies mouth, so milk transfer is better and there is no pain. Conversely, if your baby is latched only on to the nipple it can get pinched between the baby??s tongue and the hard roof of the mouth leading to painful cracked nipples and poor milk transfer. Breastfeeding should not hurt and if pain persists throughout the feed consult a lactation specialist. Sometimes a consult might reveal a structural issue such as a high palate, tight frenulum or inverted nipples that require special intervention.

Signs that baby is latched well include:

1. Lips are flanged out
2. More of the areola is visible on the top and less below
3. Chin is in contact with the breast
4. Nose is free
5. No clicking sounds or dimpling of cheeks

Usually, a well-attached baby suckles a few times and then pauses to swallow. If your baby falls asleep at the breast a few breast compressions can get the milk flowing and keeps baby interested through the feed. This is preferred to the usual advice of tickling the baby??s ears and toes.

9. Stay away from bottles and pacifiers. If you need to supplement baby in the early days with formula or expressed milk it is best to use a syringe or a feeding cup. Introducing a bottle in the first 12 weeks can cause the baby to develop a preference for the faster flow the bottle offers. This might result in a nursing strike where the baby refuses to latch on directly. Coaxing the baby back to the breast will take patience and perseverance.

10. Enlist dad. Dads can feel left out during this phase that revolves around the mother-baby dyad. Dad??s positive and supportive attitude towards breastfeeding can really boost mother??s confidence and encourage her to keep going on difficult days. Dads can take turns with nappy changes, help with burping and swaddling, also do skin-to-skin contact and help moms relax. Dads can ensure moms get adequate rest, eat well at regular intervals and keep stress levels low.

Breastfeeding isn??t meant to be difficult or painful but it is definitely no mean feat! It is, however, an extremely rewarding experience when all goes well.

By Dr. Sonali Santhanam

Source:

1. Imdad, A., M.Y. Yakoob, and Z.A. Bhutto, Effect of breastfeeding promotion interventions on breastfeeding rates, with the special focus on developing countries. BMC Public Health, 2011. 11 Suppl 3: p. S24.

2. Sharma, A., Efficacy of early skin-to-skin contact on the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in term neonates: a randomized controlled trial. Afr Health Sci, 2016. 16(3): p. 790-797.

7 Strategies to Help a Couple Support Each Other When Struggling With Infertility

7 Strategies to Help a Couple Support Each Other When Struggling With Infertility

Dealing with infertility can be one of the most difficult challenges a couple can face in their relationship. The emotional impact of infertility can take its toll on each partner, diminishing their self-esteem and making them feel like they have no control over their life. For women, especially, medication and procedures can make them feel like their body isn??t their own anymore. To add to this, couples also have to deal with the financial burden of infertility as well as work-related stress. But instead of crumbling under the pressure of understanding infertility and its implications, couples can use this as an opportunity to strengthen their bond. Here are a few ways for partners to support each other while they embark on their journey to conception.

1.Understand how each of you is coping

Most men and women cope with the stress of infertility in a completely different way. Women prefer to voice their anxieties and speak at length about their emotions with their partner, family and a close circle of friends. In a lot of cases, men are the polar opposite. When men feel upset or anxious about infertility, they tend to internalise their emotions and try to work through it by themselves. This can make their partner feel like they??re aloof and disinterested. Understanding how each of you is dealing with infertility can go a long way in avoiding miscommunications and resentment. Try to have an open, honest conversation with each other so you can understand the other better instead of reaching conclusions on your own.

2.Openly discuss your feelings-but choose your words carefully

It??s completely normal for couples to experience feelings of inadequacy and guilt when coping with infertility. However, a lot of times, these emotions can be expressed instead as anger and resentment. When there is a lack of communication about infertility, marriage problems can often arise. This is why you should try to talk about your feelings honestly with your partner. But even while you have an open conversation, it??s important that you carefully think about your words and the impact that they might have. Using phrases like ??you never? and ??you always?? can make your partner feel attacked and distract from the matter at hand.

3.Go to all your doctor’s appointments together

Dealing with infertility as well as the emotional and physical stress which come with it can often be a very isolating experience. Societal conditioning can make women feel like infertility is their fault and that their body has betrayed them. Infertility can also make men believe that they aren??t as virile or ??manly??. But throughout this emotional turmoil, it??s important for a couple to remember that they are in this together. Being able to lean on each other can be the best way to face infertility head-on. One of the most effective ways to do this is by going to every doctor??s appointment together. Even if both partners aren??t required for the procedure, simply being there will help the other person feel like they have unconditional support.

4.Share the burden of daily chores equally

When they??re already dealing with stress due to infertility, additional burdens can often be too much for a couple to bear. Much too often, women do the bulk of the housework as well as daily chores like grocery shopping and picking up the dry cleaning. During fertility treatments, they also often go through the most number of procedures and medication. Both of these can affect a woman??s mental and physical strength. In these situations, it??s important that men realise what their partner is going through and try to lighten their load as much as possible. This means cleaning the house, cooking meals and simply being there for their partner when she needs it.

5.Express your admiration for each other

Self-esteem can often take a massive hit when a couple goes through the struggle of infertility. Both partners tend to feel inadequate and are riddled with feelings of guilt and insecurity. For women, infertility procedures and medication can worsen things because they can make her feel like her body is being violated. The side-effects of these procedures and the pain can also make a woman feel unattractive and less womanly. At times like these, both partners need to constantly reaffirm their love for each other and express their admiration for the person that they are. Just by frequently complimenting your partner, you can help your partner rebuild their sense of self-worth.

6.Find stress-busting activities to do together

Finding productive outlets for stress can help prevent it from building up and turning into anger. Stress is almost always the reason why couples become impatient with each other and constantly bicker when they??re dealing with infertility. Instead of allowing stress to consume their relationship, couples can use this as an opportunity to come closer. Stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation and even working out together can kill stress and give couples a fun way to bond with each other.< 7.Make an effort to increase intimacy

Even though sex is the most important aspect of conception, ironically, it??s often the first thing to take a hit when a couple is confronted with infertility. Because of what it represents, sex can often remind couples of their failure to conceive. Sex can also become difficult when you??re trying hard to get pregnant because almost every aspect of it becomes monitored. Both partners can feel like there is no emotional connection anymore and often lose their sex drive. Men can also experience erectile dysfunction if they feel too pressured to perform. This is why it??s important that couples take time out to increase feelings of intimacy through romantic gestures. They should also try to have sex during non-ovulation days, so they don??t feel burdened by the pressure to conceive.

At Motherhood IVF, we understand that infertility can be demanding, emotionally stressful and physically draining for every couple. This is why our comprehensive infertility treatments include counselling to make the journey to conception easier for you. Visit Motherhood IVF today and take the first step towards your dream of becoming a parent.

9 Strategies to Help You Cope With Stress Due to Infertility

Dealing with the struggle of infertility is often one of the most physically and emotionally exhausting ordeals of a person??s life. The feeling of losing control over your body and your future can be extremely stressful. This is also very harmful because stress is one of the biggest risk factors to avoid when you??re trying to get pregnant. To break the vicious cycle of stress and infertility, here are a few coping strategies every couple should know about.

1.Vocalise Your Feelings

Many people dealing with infertility try to suppress their emotions and carry on like nothing is wrong. However, the more you try to push down your thoughts, the more they will threaten to resurface. Instead of staying in denial, speak about your emotions openly so you can start confronting them head-on. Vocalising your feelings will help you understand what you??re going through and might even help you tackle irrational thoughts. Getting these feelings of negativity out of your system is crucial to managing your stress levels.

2.Be Honest With Your Partner

The fear of not being able to have a child of their own can put unimaginable stress on a couple??s relationship. Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anger and resentment are not uncommon when dealing with infertility. You and your partner might also deal with your grief in different ways, further widening the rift between you two. But, however difficult the journey to conception might be, it??s important that you and your partner remember that you??re in this together. Encouraging an open conversation with your partner and learning to support each other can make this entire ordeal a lot easier to bear.

3.Ask Questions to Clear Up Your Doubts

Nothing can worsen your stress more than misinformation and uncertainties. To make sure you get accurate information, it??s important that you don??t hesitate to ask your doctor questions. Keep a notebook to write down any doubts you have as soon as they cross your mind. Being fully informed about your condition and treatment options available helps you prepare yourself emotionally.

4.Don’t Feel Guilty About Your Emotions

Have you ever felt resentful about a friend??s pregnancy announcement only to feel ashamed of your reaction? Feeling guilty about your emotions can compound your stress to a huge extent. Instead, be honest with yourself about how you are feeling and accept your inner thoughts. It is completely normal to experience resentment, anger and jealousy while dealing with infertility, so don??t try to ignore these emotions. Don??t hesitate to remove yourself from situations that can trigger negative thoughts if it helps you maintain your emotional balance. Many women even find it helpful to go off social media to avoid seeing pictures of their friend??s babies.

5.Write Down Your Thoughts

A journal can be the perfect way to vent your feelings in private, without fear of hurting anyone or being judged. Your journal can also help you keep track of important dates, medication and nutritional guidelines, so you don??t feel overwhelmed. Whenever you feel the stress creeping in, pen down your thoughts in your private journal to get them off your mind. Many therapists recommend writing a little every day, so you don??t repress any negative emotions.

6.Build a Strong Support System

Dealing with infertility is not a journey anyone can undertake on their own. Infertility treatments take a toll on your body and your emotional well-being. Having a strong support system in place is essential to help you cope with the stress. Communicate openly with your partner, your family and your close friends to help them understand infertility and exactly what you??re going through. Don??t be afraid to ask them for support when you need it because they want the best for you.

7.Find a Hobby You Love

When you are undergoing treatment, it can often feel like your life is revolving around the issue of infertility. Everything you do, from what you eat to the medication you take is related to your fertility struggles. You might not feel like you have time, but it??s very important that you do something just for yourself that makes you happy. Things like dance classes, yoga, and even pottery can give you something to look forward to every day.

8.Start Meditating

Taking just a few minutes of each day to sit in silence and meditate can go a long way in improving your state of mind. Meditation helps you gain perspective and keeps you feeling positive. You can choose a guided meditation if you have never done it before or just sit in complete silence for at least 15 minutes. After doing this every day, you will be surprised to feel your stress levels drop.

9.Take Care of Your Diet

When you are dealing with infertility, it can often feel like everything is out of your control. However, your diet is one thing that you have complete control over. A healthy diet is not only important to support your treatment, but it can also play a significant role in improving your mood. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, healthy fats and whole fibres to reduce your stress through your plate.

These coping strategies can help you manage your stress levels when you are going through fertility treatments. At Motherhood, we understand the emotional impact infertility can have on your life. This is why, in addition to the latest advancements in infertility treatment, we also offer prenatal counselling to make this journey easier.

The Most Common Causes of Infertility in Women and Men

For any couple trying to start a family, an infertility diagnosis can be shattering. Most doctors recommend couples visit a fertility specialist if they haven??t been able to conceive even after a year of unprotected sex. For women above 35, this duration falls to six months. In India, infertility has become a growing cause for concern. Going by current estimates, around 1 in 5 Indian couples will experience problems with infertility. Understanding infertility could help couples take steps to manage their condition. Here are the most common causes of infertility faced by men and women today.

Causes of Male Infertility

Historically, the reasons for infertility have always been attributed to women. However, male and female factors contribute to infertility equally at 40 percent. In the remaining number of cases, there are usually issues with both. Male infertility is often more difficult to diagnose than female infertility because symptoms do not show up early. The following are the most common causes of male infertility.

1.Varicoceles

Varicoceles are enlarged veins in the scrotum which can lead to complications with normal sperm production. It is one of the most common causes of male infertility, but luckily, is also reversible. Most infertility specialists believe that the reason why varicoceles can lead to infertility is because they raise the internal temperature of the scrotum. Since sperm requires an optimal temperature to develop normally, any fluctuation can cause abnormalities. Varicoceles have been linked to low sperm count, sperm morphology and sperm quality.

2.Retrograde ejaculation

Even if a man has healthy sperm, problems with ejaculation can prevent conception. Retrograde ejaculation, also known as dry ejaculation, occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of coming out of the penis. There are several factors which can lead to retrograde ejaculation including damage to the spinal cord, previous surgical procedures and diabetes. If a man has healthy sperm despite experiencing retrograde ejaculation, they can be extracted and used for artificial insemination.

3.Tubal issues

Sperm travels through many different tubes before it finally exits the penis at the time of ejaculation. If any of these tubes are blocked, it might lead to low sperm count and as a result, infertility. Deformities or a complete absence of the vas deferens is one of the main reasons for sperm blockage and can be a congenital disability or due to physical trauma. Other tubules which might cause blockages include the epididymis, the urethra and the ejaculatory ducts. Previous surgeries, infections and cysts are some of the common reasons for abnormalities within the tubules.

4.Infections

Infections, especially those that are left untreated for a long time, can cause significant damage to the sperm and tubes. STIs such as gonorrhoea can cause inflammation of the testicles as well as the epididymis (the tube which carries sperm from the testicles to the vas deferens). HIV can also create complications with healthy sperm production and transport.

5.Lifestyle factors

One of the main causes of male infertility is unhealthy lifestyle choices. Smoking is one of the most widespread causes of male infertility. Currently, around 17% of the population in India smokes, contributing to a growing number of cases of male infertility. Obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and recreational drugs can also affect sperm count and quality. Additionally, bodybuilding supplements have been linked to low fertility levels among men. Exposure to environmental factors such as heavy metals, harmful chemicals and radiation can also affect fertility.

Causes of Infertility in Women

Infertility in women can sometimes be detected early on because it can result from hormonal disruptions. Apart from hormonal factors, there are also multiple other factors which can cause infertility in women. These are the most common causes of infertility in women.

1.Endometriosis

One of the first symptoms of endometriosis is heavy and painful periods. During normal menstruation, the uterine lining formed in anticipation of pregnancy sheds and is removed from the body. However, when a woman has endometriosis, the uterine lining does not completely shed. Instead, it attaches to other parts of the body. Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, accounting for around 30-50 percent of all cases of female infertility.

2.Irregular periods

If a woman regularly experiences irregular periods, then ovulation cycles can be unpredictable. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is one of the most common reasons for irregular periods in women and is also a major cause of female infertility. Apart from irregular periods, PCOS is also marked by excessive weight gain, painful periods, abnormal hair growth and skin disorders. Irregular periods can also be due to stress, emotional issues, sudden weight loss or weight gain.

3.Age

Age is one of the biggest concerns for women trying to get pregnant because it can affect the quality of eggs. After 35, every passing year can lead to further deterioration in egg quality. Even if a woman hasn??t hit menopause, she might still have issues getting pregnant. With age, the increase in the risk of a miscarriage is also much higher.

4.Fallopian tube issues

After an egg is fertilised by a sperm, it needs to travel through the fallopian tube to reach the uterus. If there are issues with the fallopian tube, it can severely impact a woman??s chances of conceiving. Infections, including STIs, can lead to scarring in the fallopian tube, especially if they are left untreated for a long time. Endometriosis can also lead to deformities in the tube. Additionally, previous surgeries or an ectopic pregnancy might cause irreversible damage.

5.Lifestyle factors

Smoking has as big an impact on female infertility as it does on male infertility. Miscarriages are found to be more common among women who have a history of smoking. Recreational drugs like marijuana can also prevent conception. To add to that, overweight or underweight women might face issues with fertility. Women who are long-time users of birth control pills might also have trouble conceiving because these drugs interfere with the body??s normal hormone production.

Apart from these common causes of infertility, there are many other specific causes which can affect men and women. However, a diagnosis of infertility does not have to put an end to your dreams of becoming a parent. At Motherhood IVF, we offer you the latest advancements in infertility treatment along with our years of expertise to help you experience the joy of parenthood.

World Prematurity Day: Preterm delivery due to leaking of amniotic fluid

Nancy had just entered her 7^th month of pregnancy, and was enjoying every aspect of it. From choosing baby names to decorating the nursery, she and her partner had planned it all. They were now just patiently waiting for their little bundle of joy to enter their world and turn it into a magical fairytale. Little did they know that Nancy was going to give birth to a premature baby, in just 30 weeks of gestation.

The care and attention given by NICU

Preterm delivery is always a challenge. Apart from the mother going through a lot of physical and mental trauma, there are added concerns about the wellbeing of the child and the extra attention the baby will need to reach its pink of health. This is exactly what the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Motherhood aims at. The level 3 unit offers the most advanced care for preterm babies. This wing is equipped with cutting-edge respiratory equipment including nasal cannulas, CPAP and ventilators. The monitoring equipment feature cardiac monitors, respiratory monitors and pulse oximeters. Apart from state-of-the-art medical equipment, the level 3 NICU unit is also run by the friendliest staff of doctors. The well-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists give your little one all the attention they need to nurture them back to health.

An extreme case of amniotic fluid leakage

In Nancy??s case, her baby was born in 30 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 1 Kg 200 gms. Due to preterm delivery and respiratory distress syndrome the baby had to be kept in the NICU for around 50 days. When Nancy was rushed to the hospital, she was 7 and half months into her pregnancy with a cervical stitch. She also experienced leaking of amniotic fluid, which is a protective liquid that serves as a cushion for the growing fetus. Apart from protecting the baby, the fluid also provides the facility to exchange nutrients, water and biochemical products between the mother and the baby. Due to early onset leaking of the amniotic fluid, Nancy had to be treated immediately and the preterm baby was rushed to Motherhood’s NICU.

However, Nancy??s baby was successfully nurtured to health at the NICU wing. According to Dr. Prashanth Gowda, The baby is now 10 Kgs, showing all normal signs of developmental milestones. It gives immense pleasure to see such a small, very low birth weight baby, whom we call NICU graduates, bring such laurels to our hospital.?

The baby was discharged on 8^th of May, 2016, and is doing fine post discharge. Dr. Gowda adds that the baby is in perfectly good health now and the parents are happy and thankful for the NICU team.

World Prematurity Day?? A medical marvel in 26 weeks

Giving birth to a beautiful and healthy child is a wonder in itself. Caring and nurturing for a premature baby is a herculean challenge, one that needs patience and belief. Most preemie babies are born before 37 weeks of gestation. However, in Shalini??s case, her gestation period was just 26 weeks weighing a meagre 820gm.

For mothers to be, the biggest fear is, having to give birth to a premature baby. The baby??s organs are even formed. In the case of Shalini, the anxiety was more because, at just 26 weeks, the baby was too young to even breathe without help.

A state of the art NICU unit

At Motherhood, we understand this overwhelming feeling which is why our Neonatal unit is one of a kind. Our level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is equipped to care for and nurture the tiniest and sickest of newborns. The well-qualified staff consists of world-class neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who specialise in the care of newborns. Apart from caring for premature babies, the NICU unit also caters to babies born with serious illnesses.

An extremely difficult case of Shalini

Shalini had a previous case of abortion, and when she was around six and a half months pregnant with her current child, she had abdominal pains. Not willing to take a chance, Shalini rushed to Motherhood hospital. By the time she got there, her pain had increased, and the doctor informed her that she was having preterm labour pain. Shocked and surprised, Shalini had to be taken in for an emergency procedure.

Shalini??s bundle of joy weighed just 820 gms and was extremely weak. Seeing their baby, the parents were worried if their precious one will make it or not. Thanks to the top-notch care and attention given by Dr Prashanth Gowda, Neonatologist and Pediatrician, the 26 week premature baby recovered to the pink of health after a long, two month period at the NICU.

The parents are tremendously happy with the NICU team. They love the service of Motherhood Hospitals and would definitely recommend this hospital to their friends and family.

World Prematurity Day?? A miracle in 29 weeks

Pregnancy is the most magical time for all mothers to be. This nine-month period is that time where all mothers are anxious and excitedly awaiting the birth of their precious child. This period, however, was extremely short-lived for Priya. When she was in her 29^th week of pregnancy; Priya saw some spotting and immediately knew something was wrong. She was admitted to the hospital and had to give birth to her child when she was just seven and a half months into her pregnancy.

Technology to the rescue

Thanks to the technological advancements, there are methods to mature a premature baby, and Motherhood??s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides exactly that to the concerned parents of a preterm baby. Along with world-class respiratory equipment, monitoring equipment, feeding tubes, incubators and phototherapy, Motherhood??s NICU also offers the love and care every premature baby needs to grow and develop into a healthy and fit little one, ready to conquer the world.

Our level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is equipped to care for and nurture the tiniest and sickest of newborns. The well-qualified staff consists of world-class neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who specialise in the care of newborns. Apart from caring for premature babies, the NICU unit also caters to babies born with serious illnesses.

The unique case of Priya

When Priya concieved, she was also undergoing treatment for had polycystic ovary syndrome. She was admitted midway through her pregnancy because the baby??s heartbeat was falling and there was less fluid around the baby. Furthermore, the placenta, an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, had completely separated. It is the placenta that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby and takes away waste products from your baby’s blood. This complication called for an immediate C-section.

Most premature kids are born before 37 weeks instead of the usual 38 to 42 weeks, and Priya??s case was further complicated as her gestation period was just 29 weeks. The vital organs of the baby mature only between week 29 and 30. So when Priya gave birth, the baby weighed just 1kg 220gm and had to be given special care for over a month at the NICU as the baby had Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Dr Prashanth Gowda was the primary consultant and ensured that the baby and the mother received the best care and treatment. After rigorous medical care, the baby was finally discharged on 9/7/2017 and is doing extremely well. They are in perfectly good health now, and the parents are well satisfied with the NICU team and the services of Motherhood hospitals.

World prematurity day?? Giving birth to preemie in 30 weeks of gestation

Premature birth at 30 weeks: A journey of strength and resilience - Motherhood Hospital India

Giving birth to a baby is a miracle on its own. However, giving birth to a premature baby and nurturing it to good health, with utmost care, patience and love, is a whole different league. One such story is that of Neha who gave birth to her little one at 30 weeks of gestation. Needless to say, Neha and her partner were on the verge of breaking down when they learnt that they were going to give birth to a premature baby.

NICU procedures and equipment

In today??s day and age of technological growth, there are a plethora of procedures and top-notch equipment available to help nurture a premature bay into the pink of health. Motherhood??s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides exactly that to the concerned parents of a preterm baby. Along with world-class respiratory equipment, monitoring equipment, feeding tubes, incubators and phototherapy, Motherhood??s NICU also offers the love and care every premature baby needs to grow and develop into a healthy and fit little one.

Furthermore, Motherhood has a level 3 NICU which is equipped to take care and nurture even the smallest and sickest of babies. Apart from premature babies, the level 3 NICU also focuses on taking care of newborns with dangerous illnesses. The staff which works around the clock to ensure the babies get nothing but the best include renowned neonatologists, experienced neonatal nurses and certified respiratory therapists.

Care and treatment for preterm babies

Motherhood??s NICU is one of the most-preferred hospitals to take care of preterm babies. In Neha??s case, her preterm baby was born is 30 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of just 1 Kg 200 gms. Due to the preterm delivery and RDS, the newborn had to be admitted in Motherhood??s NICU and nurtured to health for more than a month.

The mother came with the history of 7 and half months of pregnancy with the history of previous caesarian section and she had a cervical stitch in view of a uterine anomaly. She had leaking of amniotic fluid and very little fluid around the baby. She underwent an emergency caesarian section and the baby needed an NICU admission with previous lSCS. This led to Neha having cervical stitches in situ with a bicornuate uterus (Recurrent pregnancy loss), premature rupture of membrane and anhydramnios (lack of amniotic fluid). Due to this condition, Neha??s newborn had to be kept in Motherhood??s NICU. However, with the help of advanced technology, support and care provided by the sisters and doctors at NICU, the baby is now doing well. According to Dr. Prashanth Gowda, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatricians, the baby is healthy with normal neonatal screening and age appropriate developmental milestones. Neha??s little one was discharged on 8^th of April, 2017, and is doing fine post discharge. Dr. Prashanth Gowda also adds that the bundle of joy is in perfectly good health and the parents are very happy with the NICU team, the doctors and management at Motherhood hospitals.

World Prematurity Day?? Giving birth to premature twins

World Prematurity Day Giving birth to premature twins

Sapna was in a bitter-sweet sense of state when she was rushed to the hospital to give birth to her first set of twins. Sweet, because she was anticipating this day from the moment she saw the faint red line on the home pregnancy kit. She was going to meet her babies after months of nurturing them in her womb. Bitter, because she was being rushed for a caesarian, 33 weeks after conceiving. She knew she was going to give birth to not one, but two premature babies, and the thought of them not being healthy enough to survive was killing her inside.

The miracle of childbirth

Many such mothers face the fear of giving birth to their children well before they are completely formed. The thought of giving birth to a premature baby and nurturing them to good health in the neonatal wing of a hospital is quite frightening. At Motherhood, we understand this , which is why our Neonatal team ensures care is delivered with compassion to both babies and their parents.

Our level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is equipped to care for and nurture the tiniest and sickest of newborns. The well-qualified staff consists of world class neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who specialize in care of newborns. Apart from caring for premature babies, the NICU unit also caters to babies born with serious illnesses.

Care and treatment for premature twins

In Sapna’s case, both her babies were premature, with one having the birth weight of 1 Kg 400 gms and the other at 1 Kg 100 gms. Due to preterm delivery and RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome ), the babies had to be admitted to the NICU of Motherhood Sarjapur Road. Dr. Prashanth was the primary Neonatologist along with Dr. Quazi Fazal Ali and other NICU team members. The baby whose birth weight was 1 Kg 100 gms had to be in the NICU for almost one and a half months and the other baby for more than 15 days.

Sapna had already undergone a premature childbirth at 33 weeks and 3 days of gestation with severe preeclampsia, which led to keeping the baby in the NICU. However, pre-term twin babies are a whole different league. Though the care given to preterm twins is the same, managing your emotions and preparing yourself to care for your preterm babies is the biggest challenge. We, at NICU, are elated that Sapna and her partner left no stone unturned in following all instructions provided to them.

According to Dr. Prashanth Gowda, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician, the babies are now doing extremely well, both physically and developmentally, because of the utmost sincerity and patience shown by the parents. The babies got discharged on 17-08-2017 and 25-07-2017 and are doing phenomenally well. They are in perfectly good health now and the parents are well satisfied with the NICU team and the services of Motherhood hospitals. They also added that they would definitely recommend Motherhood to their close friends and family, to welcome their offspring to this world through professional and trust-worthy hands.