Fernandez Hospital – Page 8 – Fernandez Hospital

Vaccines During Pregnancy — Are They Safe?

November 27, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Giving birth to a baby is one of the most profound, emotionally-rich and transformational experiences of your life. During pregnancy, you need to undergo different tests during prenatal visits. Though vaccinations are a vital part of normal healthcare, you may wonder if it is safe to get vaccinated during pregnancy. This is quite normal and you have every right to know about it.

Normally, vaccines that contain killed i.e., inactivated viruses are given to women during pregnancy. Vaccines containing live viruses are not given.

During pregnancy, mainly two vaccines are recommended:

Flu shot

Flu or influenza shot is recommended to women who conceived during the flu season i.e., typically between November and March. As this vaccine is made from an inactivated virus, it is completely safe for the mother and the baby in the womb. Avoid influenza nasal spray vaccine as it is made from an active virus. The influenza shot protects you from infection and also helps in protecting your baby. It is recommended to pregnant women as they are more prone to severe flu than other women.

Tdap vaccine

Tdap vaccine i.e., tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis protects your baby from whooping cough, regardless of the fact when you had the last shot. One dose is recommended to pregnant women between the 27^thand 36^th week even if they were vaccinated before pregnancy.

Both the vaccines have great safety records which make them safe during pregnancy. Antibodies from mothers can save babies who are too young to get vaccinated.

During pregnancy, you need to avoid vaccines such as:

MMR (Measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine
Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine
Varicella-zoster (Shingles) vaccine

If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor regarding the vaccinations you need to take before getting pregnant. Vaccines that contain live viruses should be taken at least one month prior to conceiving. And if you are pregnant and have been vaccinated before, you should be well aware of the vaccines taken so that you can provide a record of the immunizations to your doctor.

Images Courtesy:

https://i.ytimg.com

https://scroll.in/

Why should women share their birthing experiences?

November 11, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Dr.Evita Pregnancy, birthing and bonding with the newborn baby are significant phases in a woman’s journey to motherhood. Women when given the right knowledge as part of the preparation, enjoy a positive birthing experience. This essentially means she has been given the freedom to make choices during labour, assured of a birth companion of her choice, encouraged to birth in the position she feels comfortable and finally enjoys holding her baby to her chest (skin-to-skin). This kind of a birth where there has been no medical intervention is termed a natural birth. Women who experience this, feel confident, empowered and fulfilled. They are indeed happy mothers with happy babies. Their stories must be told and shared with other mothers / parents-to-be.

Birthing stories when shared can help an expectant mother in the following ways:

Provides information and knowledge

Expectant mothers who hear birth stories get enlightened / educated and are encouraged to seek care givers who will help them enjoy similar positive births. These stories help women to have confidence in their own bodies and in their ability to birth. Read More

Depression During Pregnancy

November 9, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

You may be aware of postpartum depression. But do you know many women suffer from depression during pregnancy? The most common disorder, depression is defined as a mood disorder that causes loss of interest and a persistent feeling of sadness. It’s normal to feel low occasionally, but if it lasts for a long period, you’re suffering from depression. It affects different aspects of your life — from how you think and act to eating and sleeping. This condition occurs more in women than men and during the reproductive years, the initial onset of depression is at its peak. Read More

Polyhydramnios – Things You Need To Know

October 31, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Amniotic fluid present in the amniotic sac provides a cushion to the baby in the womb protecting it from injuries. Polyhydramnios is a medical condition in which excessive accumulation of fluid takes place in the amniotic sac.

Polyhydramnios is not a common condition and occurs in around one percent of pregnancies. The cases are mostly mild and result due to a gradual build-up of amniotic fluid during the second half of a pregnancy. This condition is diagnosed when the amniotic volume reaches two litres or more. Acute polyhydramnios is common if you’re having a multiple pregnancy i.e., a pregnancy with more than one baby. Read More

Molar pregnancy / Trophoblastic disease

October 13, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

MolarPregnancy Molar pregnancy is part of the spectrum of diseases known as trophoblastic disease. A normal pregnancy consists of the fetus or developing baby and the placenta which is made of trophoblasts. A molar pregnancy (also called hydatidiform mole) is an abnormal overgrowth of the placenta caused by an imbalance in the number of chromosomes supplied from the mother and the father.

Molar pregnancies are uncommon, occurring in 1 out of every 600-1200 pregnancies. Risk factors for this condition include:

Asian and Mexican ethnicity
Teenage pregnancy
Maternal age > 40 years
History of two or more miscarriages
Previous molar pregnancy.

Obstetric Cholestasis – Everything You Need To Know

September 29, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Obstetric Cholestasis (OC) also known as Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) or Cholestasis of Pregnancy is a very rare medical condition that occurs during pregnancy.

This complication occurs in the third trimester due to the decrease in the flow of bile through bile duct in the liver. Thus bile acid gets built up in the bloodstream causing severe itching, especially on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Itching may occur on other parts of the body like belly, breasts, face, back etc. Sometimes, the itching is continuous and becomes unbearable and is even worse during the night.

Causes of Obstetric Cholestasis:

Though the exact causes of obstetric cholestasis are not clear, it is believed that the following factors are responsible for this medical complication.

Hormones: When a woman gets pregnant, hormones like progesterone and oestrogen increase to a great level. The increase may hinder the passing out of the bile through the bile duct and thus affects the liver causing obstetric cholestasis.
Genetic factors: Sometimes, genetic factors may also be responsible for the occurrence of obstetric cholestasis. Though some generations may skip this problem, it may occur in the next generation. And if you have suffered from this condition during your first pregnancy, then there is more chance of being affected again.
Environmental factors: Environmental factors are also thought to play a role in the occurrence of this disease.

Symptoms:

Unbearable itching all over the body without rashes
Occasionally there may be jaundice

Diagnosis of OC

If the pregnant woman has the potential symptoms of OC, doctors will recommend some tests, including a blood test through which the functioning of the liver along with the levels of bile acids in the blood could be measured.

Effect of Obstetric Cholestasis on the Expectant Mother

Though OC is not very harmful to the expectant mother, in some cases, itching becomes very severe. You may keep awake during nights because of itching, resulting in tiredness and exhaustion. Sometimes, it may take longer to stop your bleeding as the ability of blood clotting may decrease due to the occurrence of OC.

Effect of Obstetric Cholestasis on the Baby

Due to OC in the mother, the baby might pass its first faeces even before birth. This might cause breathing problem in the baby. Rarely, premature delivery might be required.

Treatment of Obstetric Cholestasis

OC usually resolves after birth. Doctors may advise aqueous cream with menthol or calamine lotion which will give you temporary relief and recommend medications. Medications help in minimizing the build up of bile salts in the blood. Delivery may be scheduled prior to your delivery date. After delivery of the baby, the itching will diminish with the passing of time.

Images Courtesy:

http://www.kidspot.com.au/

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/

10 Power Foods to Eat During Pregnancy

September 1, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

For good health, a healthy diet is always important; And during pregnancy, its importance becomes all the more significant. After you conceive and your baby starts growing, it has variety of nutritional needs. All these are received only from the mother. So, it is very necessary that the pregnant woman eats properly. Eating properly doesn’t mean that she has to eat for two, but she has to eat a healthy and balanced diet which contains all the nutrients needed for the healthy development of the baby.

With relatives and friends making a variety of suggestions regarding what food to eat and what not to during pregnancy, it sometimes becomes very confusing. In order to get rid of such confusions, you can consult your doctor regarding a healthy and balanced diet.

To help you, we have prepared a list of ten power foods which you can eat during your pregnancy.

Yoghurt: Compared to milk, plain yogurt comes loaded with more calcium which is essential for the healthy development of your baby’s teeth, bones and nails. At least two to three servings of yoghurt on a daily basis are necessary for an expecting woman to meet the nutritional needs.

Eggs: They are very important for a mother-to-be as they provide you with good quality protein. They are also a great source of iron, Vitamin A and B12 . You can eat eggs in any form — hard boiled, omelette or scrambled.

Sweet Potatoes: Most of us don’t consider sweet potatoes as a healthy vegetable as we are unaware of its nutritional values. Sweet potatoes are loaded with potassium, fibre, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper and beta-carotene which are very essential for a pregnant woman. The presence of the anti-oxidant, beta-carotene helps in the development of skin, bones and eyes of your baby.

Nuts: During pregnancy, it is very natural to have food cravings which may lead to having unhealthy snacks. So, in order to satisfy your hunger pangs, you can have nuts which are rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and brain boosting Omega 3 fatty acids.

Beans & Lentils: You can add beans and lentils to your diet chart as they provide essential nutrients such as complex carbs, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, fibres, proteins and zinc. Presence of zinc helps in lowering the risk of low birth weight, prolonged labour and premature delivery.

Leafy Green Vegetables: Adding green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus etc. to the diet chart of a pregnant woman is very beneficial. Presence of vitamin A helps in the development of the baby’s eyesight. In addition, green leafy vegetables contain potassium, fibre, iron, folate, calcium and anti-oxidants.

Lean Meat: Rich in vitamin B and iron, lean meat helps in the production of red blood cells. It also helps in preventing anaemia during pregnancy. Apart from this, lean meat helps in the proper development of the baby’s nervous system.

Salmon: An excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids and proteins, salmon plays a key role in development of your baby’s brain. Salmon is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium.

Oats: Rich in vitamin B1, fibres and proteins, oats with a low glycemic index gives you an energy boost that keeps you active throughout the day. The fibre from oats also supports healthy digestion.

Powerfoods3

Bananas: They help to maintain a healthy balance of fluids and reduce fluid retention as they contain a good amount of potassium. One of the best sources of vitamin B6, with one large banana providing 50% of the RDI. Vitamin B6 helps the body to make red blood cells, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin (the ‘feel-good’ hormone). They also provide a lot of energy and a good source of good fibre.
Images Courtesy:

http://newsok.com/

http://www.eatingwell.com/

http://www.natural-health-news.com/

Importance of Probiotics and Prebiotics in the Pregnancy Diet

August 29, 2017February 6, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Introduction

A healthy pregnancy mostly depends on your diet during pregnancy. A balanced diet rich in natural foods that include probiotics and prebiotics allows you to stay healthy and fit. These components help in digesting and distributing the nutrients of the food throughout the body. Probiotics and prebiotics obtained either from supplements or from natural food sources are considered to be safe during pregnancy. But consulting a doctor is always a nice idea before taking any kinds of supplements.

PP1

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Commonly known as good bacteria, probiotics are live microorganisms that are present in the intestine naturally. These good bacteria help in breaking down the food that we eat and help in providing energy to the cells. Whereas, prebiotics are food components which are not digested by our body, but they stimulate the growth of the friendly bacteria.

pp2

Benefits of Probiotics during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women have to go through a variety of discomforts which may occur frequently or may be severe. Stomach upset, stomach cramp, bloating and constipation are some of the common conditions that occur in pregnant women. Intake of probiotics directly from food or through supplements gives you relief from these problems. Below are a few of the benefits of probiotics:

Helps in making your digestive system healthier so that it works more effectively
Prevents diarrhoea due to infections and antibiotics
Makes the immune systems of mother and baby strong
Gives you relief from inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome
Maintains urinary health
Prevents premature birth due to infections in your birth canal
Helps in treating food allergies, atopic dermatitis and eczema in babies
Aids mental health and brain function
Helps in keeping cholesterol level balanced

Foods containing Probiotics

Probiotics are available in a variety of foods which include :

Yogurt
Lassi
Dosa
Idli
Dhokla
Uttapam
Bhatura
Kulcha
Paneer
Fermented bamboo shoot

Foods containing Prebiotics

Here is a list of some foods containing prebiotics:

Oats
Barley
Unrefined wheat
Soya beans
Onions
Garlic
Kiwis
Oranges

Conclusion:

Eating a healthy diet enriched with a variety of nutrients along with probiotics and prebiotics is essential for a healthy pregnancy. It will not only help you to stay fit and healthy but will also enable your baby to have a healthy development.

Images Courtesy:

www.pinterest.com

http://autoimmunesociety.org/

http://www.nutritionsecrets.com/

www.nutritionsecret.com

Guide to Sleep During Pregnancy

August 28, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

With an array of physical and psychological changes going on, it is quite natural that you might not have good sleep during your gestation period. Sleep problems are quite common among expectant mothers. You may experience discomforts like back pain, fatigue, difficulty in breathing, restlessness etc.

Reasons for sleeping problems during pregnancy:

Anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Frequent urination
Body aches
Leg cramps
Movement of the foetus
Heartburn
Breathing problem

Sleeping positions during pregnancy:

Good sleeping positions are very important to ensure proper sleep during the pregnancy period. Here, are some ideal sleeping positions which you can adopt to minimize discomforts:

Sleep on your left side: Sleeping on your left side helps in improving the blood flow. Keeping one or both knees bent while sleeping during the early months of pregnancy is very helpful to prevent discomforts.
Use pillows: Use pillows between your bent knees, behind your back or under your abdomen to relieve sleeping discomforts.

Tips for good sleep during pregnancy:

Avoid caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee or soda during the second half of the day.
Avoid drinking lots of fluids or having a heavy meal before sleeping.
Eat healthy foods which are rich in variety of nutrients.
Have small but frequent meals to avoid heartburn.
During pregnancy, try to maintain the same time for sleeping at night and waking up in the morning.
A warm bath before going to bed will make you feel relaxed and help in having a good sleep.
You can join yoga or birthing classes to learn some relaxation techniques for better sleep.
You can have a cup of herbal tea or a glass of warm milk before sleeping.

If sleeping problems still persist, it would be better to consult your doctor regarding this.
Images Courtesy:

http://www.visualistan.com/2014/09/ultimate-guide-to-sleeping-during-pregnancy.html

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/hip-pain-during-pregnancy/

http://organics.org/5-safe-herbs-to-make-your-pregnancy-better/

Effects of Smoking While Pregnant

August 18, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Smoking has adverse effects on one’s health. And, when pregnant, smoking may lead to different types of health complications not only in the mother but also in the baby. Cigarettes contain carbon monoxide, nicotine and other poisonous elements that are carried to the foetus through the blood stream when you smoke during the gestation period.

Complications during Pregnancy

Complications that may occur when pregnant women indulge in smoking:

Ectopic pregnancy, wherein the foetus is conceived outside the uterus i.e., in the fallopian tube.
More chances of miscarriage.
Stillbirth may occur.
Abruption of the placenta resulting in premature delivery.
Rupture of Membranes.

Effects on Babies

Health problems the baby faces when a woman smokes during pregnancy :

Reduction in the supply of oxygen to the baby due to nicotine and carbon monoxide travelling to the baby’s body.
Baby’s growth and development gets slower.
Smoking may increase the chance of your baby being born with cleft palate and cleft lip.
Increased risk of respiratory problems in the baby.
Babies are likely to have defects of the heart.
Increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Lower birth weight of the baby.
Baby is more vulnerable to asthma.
Increased chances of premature birth and death of the baby.
Increased chances of obesity in the later part of the baby’s life.

Images Courtesy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoKLTGaED1I

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/cleftlip.html

Care of Preterm Babies

August 10, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Preterm babies or premature babies are those born before the completion of 37 weeks. Such babies are also known as preemies and the risk of complications in such cases is often very high. So, it is very essential to take proper preterm care of such babies.

premature_baby_care

Special Care of Preterm Babies

Babies born prematurely are not fully developed to deal with the outside world. They find it difficult to cope with the new environment in comparison to fully developed babies. When a baby is born before the expected date, the digestive system, immune system, lungs, skin etc remain undeveloped. These complications are addressed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where the advanced medical facilities have made their survival possible and helps in developing their body organs. When the baby surpasses the danger line, he/she is allowed to be taken home.

Caring of Preterm Babies at Home

When your premature baby is at home, you should always be alert and take proper care of the baby. In many ways, caring for a premature baby and caring for a developed baby is same. But there are some special precautions which should be taken. The following will be helpful for your preterm baby to have a healthy development.

Spend quality time with your baby so that you get to know how the baby is adjusting with the new environment and responding to everyday things.

Keep your baby neat and clean by giving him a bath and using damp cotton balls to clean face, neck and bottom. Change the diapers from time to time and keep the surrounding areas hygienic, so that your baby does not suffer from any kind of infections.
Make sure to keep your baby dry; each time your baby becomes wet, dry him/her off with a dry cotton cloth.
Always take proper care to keep your baby warm with the help of blankets, sleep suit or zip-up sleeping bag and adjusting the temperature of your room. Make sure that the temperature is safe for your baby.
Feed your baby from time to time so that he/she doesn’t remain hungry.
Help your baby to get proper sleep as it helps in keeping him full of energy and active.

Conclusion

Taking proper care of your preterm baby and consulting your doctor from time to time will let the baby develop in a healthy way. For the first few months, take extra care of your premature baby as per your doctor’s advice so that the baby copes normally with the new environment.

Images Courtesy:

http://americanpregnancy.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ngP3ITqzY

Skincare Tips in Pregnancy During Monsoon

July 25, 2017February 5, 2018 Fernandez Hospital Leave a comment

Pregnancy is a phase in a woman’s life where you have to take extra care of yourself. Your body constantly undergoes a variety of changes. If you are pregnant during the summer season, it becomes very uncomfortable to pass the days due to excessive heat, sweating etc. But monsoon also doesn’t bring much relief as the level of humidity increases.

At times, monsoon and pregnancy don’t go well together as the body’s immune system becomes more susceptible to infections. This may result in dysentery, indigestion, cold and cough, and many skin related problems. Dry skin, rashes, eczema, pimples, prickly heat boils are some of the common skin problems that arise in pregnant women during the monsoon. So, it becomes very necessary to keep yourself fit and healthy and take care of your skin to beat the odds of monsoon.

Skincare Tips for the Monsoon

A little change in the way of skincare can do wonders during the monsoon season. Here are some pointers :

Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the best ways to make your skin flawless and healthy. Drinking enough water helps in flushing out the unwanted toxins.

Pregnancy hormones make your skin more sensitive to sunlight darkening your skin. Stay indoors as much as possible and if you have to go out wear a hat, use an umbrella or cover exposed areas with a light scarf.
As it is not possible to avoid sunlight totally, dermatologists suggest applying sunscreen lotion at least 30 minutes prior to going out.
Taking a Neem water bath daily helps in fighting bacteria and other germs making your skin free of rashes. Neem water can be prepared easily at home by boiling Neem leaves for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Wear clothes made of breathable fabrics like cotton which absorb sweat and keep your skin dry.
During monsoon, soil and sewage make the rain water dirty, it may cause skin infections if your feet get exposed to such water. Wash your hands and feet immediately with mild disinfectant soap and warm water after coming from outside.

footcare

Avoid using skincare products containing harmful chemicals:

During pregnancy, read the skin care product labels carefully regarding the ingredients as using products containing chemicals may be harmful to you and your baby in the womb.

Hydroquinone: Commonly present in skin whitening cream, hydroquinone is not good at all for you and your developing baby. Using such products may have different types of ill effects.
Salicylic Acid: Present mostly in acne products, salicylic acid is dangerous for pregnant women as it may lead to preterm birth, low birth weight or malformation of the baby.
Spray or fragrances: Using spray on tanned areas or fragrances during pregnancy is not a good idea. Though it may not do much harm to the skin as it will not be absorbed much but inhalation of the chemicals in the spray may cause DNA mutations.
Hair Removers: As hair removers contain different type of chemicals, avoid using them as much as possible.
Bath Products: Most of the luxurious bath products contain chemicals which are not good at all for pregnant women. These chemicals may cause different types of allergic reactions. Rather opt for non-luxurious bath products free from chemicals.

A little skin care during the monsoon can make your pregnancy peaceful by avoiding any kind of skin problems. But if you face severe skin problems it would be better to consult an expert dermatologist.
Images Courtesy:

http://www.indiatimes.com/

http://blogspalace.com/

http://whatwomanneeds.com/