Pregnancy is happiness on its way & motherhood, joy forever!
How true is that!
But nothing comes easy in life and so does the biggest moment of becoming and being a mother.
Apprehensions and questions, queries and worries, excitement and anticipation, doubts and thoughts – all this and much more!
An expecting or a new mom is full of numerous why’s, when’s and what’s.
‘Himalaya FOR MOMS’ took up this wonderful initiative to educate and inform such women in an online Webinar through a Facebook Live Session. Thirty minute Live Chat was answered by renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Hema Divakar of Bangalore.
Here are some frequently asked and most relevant questions sent by fans during the Facebook Live conducted on Himalaya BabyCare page –
Q: What should I expect from my first prenatal checkup?
A: Prenatal checkup is your first step to entering a healthy pregnancy. It will include blood and urine tests to confirm that you are pregnant, estimate your due date, a detailed medical history review, general physical health exam for weight, blood pressure, heart, lung, pelvic, and breast health, a blood test to check for anemia, any existing STDs and antibodies to rule out genetic disorders, a Pap smear and culture to check for vaginal infection/cervical cancer and a urine test to check for infections and lastly a measure of sugar and protein levels. Your physician will also discuss about your nutrition and lifestyle, and will gladly answer any questions you might have about the pregnancy. You will be prescribed additional vitamins and minerals like folic acid, calcium and iron which are vital for a healthy pregnancy.
Q: What are the earliest signs that I should be experiencing during pregnancy?
A: To confirm pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test is done. It can be done at the home using OTC strips or by giving a urine sample at a lab. As earliest signs, one experiences a missed period (if you are very regular with menstruation), fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, aversions to foods that you normally like to eat, morning sickness and tenderness in breast tenderness. But remember, all these signs and symptoms are not definitive and vary from person to person.
Q: My abdomen is extremely itchy. Will scratching it leave stretch marks?
A: Itchiness in abdominal area during pregnancy is very common. To manage itchy skin, avoid hot showers and usage of drying soaps. After bathing, apply generous moisturizer before the skin gets completely dry. Cut your nails shorts. Scratching the abdomen skin has nothing to do with stretch marks.
Q: What is the remedy for cracked or dry nipple during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
A: Apply shea butter, normal butter, ghee or coconut oil on nipples and areola.
Q: How to take care of obesity during pregnancy?
A: Remember, you are not eating for two ‘adults’ in pregnancy, so you don’t need to increase the diet in that proportion. Additional 300-400 calories per day is needed for the normal growth of the baby inside you. Make sure to eat ‘healthy’ and nutritive. That is the key. Don’t fill yourself up with empty calories of junk food.
Q: How soon can one start exercising after delivery?
A: One can start with light exercise after 6 weeks of delivery in C-section and normal delivery. By exercising, it does not mean to do heavy weight lifting or other strenuous exercises. Routine activities at home, 15-20 minute walk and some simple exercise are enough to build a regular regimen.
Q: How to take care of anaemia in pregnancy?
A: Enter pregnancy in the pink of health. Before initiating a pregnancy, see to it that your haemoglobin is 11 and above. If you are already pregnant and have low haemoglobin levels, you will be prescribed iron supplements and B complex vitamin by your doctor. Eat green leafy vegetables, a small piece of jaggery, beatroot and chikki made of groundnut and jaggery. All this will help in reversing the anaemia.
Q: Why do some women develop diabetes during pregnancy?
A: Indians are 11 times more prone to developing diabetes during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones do not allow your body to regulate sugar as how is done in the non-pregnant state. During pregnancy, the insulin functioning is interfered by the pregnancy hormones and hence the imbalance occurs resulting in diabetes during that particular period. All pregnant woman need to keep a close check on their blood sugar levels.
Q: Is painless delivery recommended?
A: Gone are the days of dreadful delivery pains. Painless delivery can be conveniently done using epidural anaesthesia. It is a safe process. Talk to your doctor about it in advance.
Q: When should once come to normal weight after delivery.
A: One should come back to the normal pre-pregnancy weight after 6 weeks (42 days) of delivery. Work towards coming back to your normal weight in the first 3 to 6 months of delivery or else it becomes really difficult to shed the extra weight later.
Q: I have irregular periods. Can I still get pregnant?
A: Irregular periods do not translate as not getting pregnant. If the ovulation is fine, there should not be a problem in conception. Visit your doctor. She may order a follicular scan to check for your ovulation cycle. You may need some ovulation inducing drugs.
These were just some of the pertinent questions every pregnant woman or a new mother would want to know. Keep watching this space for more such informative sessions by Himalaya Baby Care.