Month: July 2016

Stork Delivers the First Baby

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Dr.Evita.jpgLast night I stood silently by the side of a young mother who asked me to be present at the birth of her second baby. I re-entered a birthing room after several years. It was a privilege, to be a part of that very special, intimate circle. She chose to have the chants of the Vipassana meditation which added a spiritual dimension and left her calm.

I continue to be in awe of the mystery of birth. I never cease to be amazed by the quiet inner strength and determination of a woman, to birth. The sheer unadulterated joy she displays when she holds her baby only reiterates the power of a mother’s love.

Thank you my young mother, for drawing me back into that special spot last night.

A successful vaginal birth, following a previous Cesarean section, is a reason to celebrate. You have only reinforced my belief in women and their understanding of their own bodies.

Our first birth in Stork Home – a good beginning indeed.

– Dr. Evita Fernandez

Diabetes During Pregnancy

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One of the most common complications during pregnancy is diabetes. The diabetes which occurs during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It happens to pregnant women when their body does not produce the required quantity of hormone called insulin. However, every pregnant woman doesn’t suffer from gestational diabetes.

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Reasons for gestational diabetes:

When a woman gets pregnant, the sugar level in the body automatically goes up. So, the body requires extra insulin during pregnancy. And if the extra insulin is not produced by the pancreas to reduce the level of sugar build-up in your blood, gestational diabetes may develop. Having a high sugar level during pregnancy is not only harmful to you but also to your baby.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes:

Though there are no proper symptoms for gestational diabetes, those who suffer may experience the following. However, some of these occur in normal pregnancy, so it is very difficult to differentiate if you are suffering from gestational diabetes.

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Feeling thirsty
  • Frequent urination
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Feeling constantly hungry
  • Snoring more than usual

Complications of gestational diabetes:

If gestational diabetes is left untreated, the following complications may occur.

  • Health risk to the baby
  • Baby grows much bigger than normal size making delivery complicated
  • Breathing difficulty for the baby
  • Jaundice may occur in the baby
  • Low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia may occur in the baby later

How to prevent gestational diabetes?

In order to prevent gestational diabetes, the following may be helpful for the pregnant women.

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Staying active by doing light work, walking or exercising
  • Maintaining a weight essential for normal pregnancy

 

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Diagnosis:

As part of the regular check-up during pregnancy, doctors do a urine test every time to check the sugar level in your blood. If the level is high then they will do a glucose tolerance test which will confirm if you are suffering from gestational diabetes or not.

 

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Treatment:

The risk associated with diabetes during pregnancy can be treated by controlling the blood sugar level. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, doctors normally recommend the following :

  • Monitoring the level of sugar various times a day
  • Doing urine test frequently
  • Making a healthy food plan as per your doctor’s advice
  • Moving around, especially after taking meals
  • Doing exercises

 

Images Courtesy:

https://drbaljotbharaj.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/gestational-diabetes.png

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Diabetes Before Pregnancy

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Introduction:

When a woman gets pregnant, it is very essential that she is healthy and free of disease. This is one of the main factors in giving birth to a healthy baby. And, if you have diabetes before getting pregnant, then special care should be taken to control it. You should consult your doctor before getting pregnant. Otherwise, there is a possibility of the baby being born with health defects.

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Complications of diabetes before pregnancy:

Due to poor control of diabetes, some women even have miscarriages or lose their baby during childbirth. In order to prevent these complications, there is need for proper treatment to control diabetes before you get pregnant.  High glucose levels and Ketones, which are very dangerous, present in the mother pass through the baby’s placenta leading to various type of complications.

High glucose level before pregnancy, if not controlled, may result in the following complications during childbirth :

  • Miscarriage
  • Health risks to the baby
  • Premature delivery
  • Different types of birth defects
  • Low glucose level at the time of birth
  • Prolonged jaundice in the baby
  • Respiratory problems in the baby
  • Difficulty during delivery necessitating caesarean section
  • Infections in the vaginal area and urinary bladder
  • Kidney problems
  • Eye problems

How to prevent and control blood sugar level?

Babies born to mothers having diabetes are at the risk of having diabetes in later stages. The complete organs of a baby are formed within a period of 7 weeks from the date of your last menstrual period. And when you realise that you have conceived, it becomes too late to control diabetes. Since the early weeks play a crucial part in the development of the baby, controlling your blood sugar level is very important. So, it is better to get your glucose level lowered if you are planning a baby.

Proper treatment and regular check-ups reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and after childbirth. When a woman conceives, the level of blood sugar automatically goes up.  Doing exercises, light work, taking meals and medications as prescribed by your doctor will help you balance your blood sugar levels.

Tips for women suffering with diabetes before pregnancy:

  • Plan your pregnancy
  • Control the level of blood sugar before and during pregnancy
  • Follow a proper diet chart recommended by your doctor
  • Exercise
  • Control your weight
  • Do urine and blood tests frequently
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol

Conclusion:

Treating diabetes before getting pregnant will let you and your baby enjoy good health. Make your pregnancy safe and enjoy this beautiful phase of life rather than being tense with complications.

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Whole grains and their benefits during pregnancy

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During pregnancy, it is very essential to have whole grains in your diet. A good source of nutrients, whole grains keep you and your baby fit and strong. So, if you are pregnant, then discover the lovely world of whole grains which will benefit you and your developing baby through various ways.

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Some of the benefits of whole grains:

  • Good source of folic acid: Whole grains are a good source of folic acid, a type of vitamin B. It helps in generating new cells in your body. Deficiency of folic acid causes diseases like anaemia, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and cognitive deficit in pregnant women. It also leads to premature infants, low birth weight and babies with neural tube defects (NTDs). So, if a pregnant woman consumes the required quantity of whole grains in their diet, it can, to a great extent, prevent major birth defects especially in the baby’s brain and spine. Cereal and fortified bread provides a good amount of folic acid during pregnancy.
  • Contains high fibre: Whole grains contain a good quantity of fibre of two types — soluble and insoluble. Both are beneficial for women during pregnancy. And as fibre digests slowly, it makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time. However, all types of whole grains are not high-fibre. Pregnant women can take bran, brown bread, oats and barley in their diet.
  • Delivers essential minerals: Whole grains are a good source of minerals required for a healthy pregnancy. Iron, magnesium, zinc etc. can be received from whole grains which help in preventing anaemia, build bones and keep your immune system alert.
  • Contains resistant starch: Complex carbs like brown rice and oatmeal are whole grain sources of resistant starch. These types of whole grains are ideal for women during pregnancy as they help fight constipation and combat nausea.

Some good options for grain sources are:

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Whole-Grain-Food

  • Cooked oatmeal, wheat and barley
  • Brown rice
  • Bran
  • Whole wheat bagel
  • Raisin or plain bagel
  • Whole grain muffin
  • Cooked whole wheat pasta and noodles
  • Whole grain pancake or waffle
  • Brown bread

So, eating healthy foods like whole grains, milk, vegetables, fruits etc. during your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and the baby in your womb healthy.

Images Courtesy:

http://www.diyhealthremedy.com/

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http://www.searchhomeremedy.com/