How to choose your gynaecologist - Gynecologist in Noida

Visiting a gynecologist should be a part of every woman's medical routine. Finding the right gynecologist may take some time, but it's worth doing your research and choosing someone you feel comfortable with. After all, your gynecologist will be the one helping you through your pregnancy and delivery so it is important to feel that you can speak to him or her freely. Here are a few tips to help you make your choice:

Does the gynecologist have a good reputation?
There is nothing wrong in being particular about your standards when it comes to your gynaecologist. After all, your gynaecologist is privy to some of the most intimate facets of your sexuality, body and overall health. Start with the website of the hospital he or she is affiliated to. This should tell you about the doctor's medical credentials and for how long they have been practising. It may highlight their particular areas of interest or experience as well. See if the gynaecologist is also an obstetrician. If she isn't you will need to see a different doctor at the time of your delivery because only obstetricians are qualified to deliver babies.

You can also ask around among your friends, family, colleagues or your own general physician. You are bound to find someone who goes to that particular gynaecologist and if not, you will probably hear of a good gynaecologist you might want to consider.

What should I ask the gynecologist?
When you go for your first "introductory" appointment, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

•     Does the gynaecologist answer your questions willingly and accurately?
•     Is she friendly and responsive?
•     Do you feel comfortable asking her personal medical questions?
•     Does she seem up to date?
•     Is she listening to your concerns and answering accordingly?
•     Is she gentle during her check-up?
•     Does she seem to care about your comfort?

If you don't feel a rapport building with this doctor, try another one.

How easy is it to meet the gynecologist?
Good doctors are always busy, but you don't want a doctor who always seems too busy to take her time with you or to speak to you. Most doctors are willing to give you their cell phone number or email addresses. Find out how this gynecologist deals with emergency calls. Ask how quickly she aims to get back to people with non emergency queries. Check out how long you would usually have to wait for routine appointments, and how quickly you could be seen if you were unwell.

How far is the gynecologist from your home?
Think about the distance you need to travel for your appointments with your gynecologist. Do you want one close to home or would it be easier to visit someone close to your work? Think about how you will get there. If you need to use public transport check out how easy it will be. If you are pregnant or thinking of starting a family, you might find it easier to have a doctor closer to home since you will be going for more frequent check-ups.

Do you prefer a female gynecologist?
Many women prefer female gynecologists. But keep an open mind: you may also find a male gynecologist who is understanding and helpful. Make your decision after you have had a chance to speak with several doctors.

Will your insurance cover the cost of your doctor's visits?
Check your finances. There are some insurance schemes that do not cover visits to the gynecologist. In this case you may need to compare visiting costs. Delivery charges also vary a lot between gynecologists and often insurance schemes have a limit on the extent to which they cover you. If you have a baby planned or on the way, it may be worth comparing the delivery charges of the gynecologists on your list.

How do you feel about the gynecologist?
There is a reason that a women's intuition is so revered, it is often right! So do your researches, check background information, schedule an appointment and meet the gynecologist, but in the end trust your gut.

Understanding Ovulation and Fertility: Facts to Help You Get Pregnant - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Understanding Your Monthly Cycle

Knowing your menstrual cycle improves your chances of getting pregnant. The first phase starts with the first day of your period or blood flow. Your body releases hormones that makes the eggs inside your ovaries grow. Between day 2 and 14, those hormones also help thicken the lining of your uterus to get ready for a fertilized egg. This is called the follicular stage.

What Happens During Ovulation

The average menstrual cycle is 28-32 days. Ovulation usually happens between day 11 and 21 of your cycle. A hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, triggering the release of the egg that's most ripe. At the same time, your cervical mucus becomes more slippery to help sperm make their way to the egg.

It's All in the Timing

Women are born with about 1-2 million eggs, but only release 300 to 400 through ovulation. Usually you release just one egg each month. The egg travels down a fallopian tube, one of the two tubes that connect your ovaries to your uterus. If the timing is right, sperm may fertilize it on its way to the uterus. If fertilization doesn't happen within 24 hours of the egg leaving the ovary, the egg dissolves. Sperm can live for about 3 to 5 days, so knowing when you are ovulating can help you and your partner plan sex for when you're most likely to conceive.

Tracking Your Most Fertile Days

Generally, the highest chance of pregnancy is when sex happens1-2 days before ovulation. If you have a regular 28-day cycle, count back 14 days from when you expect your next period to start. Plan on having sex every other day around that time -- say, days 12 and 14.  Keep in mind that having sex every day may lower a man's sperm count. Your cycle may be longer or shorter, so an online ovulation calculator may help you identify the likely day.

Tracking Ovulation by Temperature

After your body releases an egg, the hormone progesterone kicks in to help build and maintain the lining of the uterus. Progesterone causes your body temperature to go up slightly. So taking your temperature with a basal thermometer every morning before getting out of bed can help you figure out if you ovulated. These thermometers are available at the drugstore and are inexpensive, but they aren't as accurate as other methods for tracking ovulation.

Predicting Ovulation by Hormone

A surge in LH triggers your ovaries to release the egg. The surge usually happens 36 hours before the egg is released. Ovulation kits check LH levels in your urine to help you pinpoint the day of ovulation. These kits, which are available at drugstores, are convenient and highly accurate. You may want to test 1-2 days before you expect the surge so you can note the rise in LH.

The Last Phase of Your Monthly Cycle

During the second half of your menstrual cycle, the hormone progesterone kicks in to help prepare the lining of your uterus for a fertilized egg. If the egg isn't fertilized and doesn't implant, it disintegrates, progesterone levels fall, and about 12 to 16 days later, the egg -- along with blood and tissues from the lining of the uterus -- is shed from the body. That process is menstruation. It usually lasts 3 to 7 days. Then the cycle begins again.

Ways to Boost Ovulation

There is growing evidence that links environment to fertility. If you want to boost your chances of getting pregnant, you may want to:

• Eat foods rich in folic acids.
• Buy more organic foods and green products.
• Avoid certain plastics (including plastic wrap).
• Maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Weight Affects Fertility

A study found that women whose body mass index (BMI) was above normal took twice as long to get pregnant as those with a normal BMI. If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can boost your fertility and chances of getting pregnant. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a drop in weight of 5%-10% can dramatically improve ovulation and pregnancy rates. Obesity can also cause infertility and low testosterone in men. Being significantly underweight can also lead to infertility.

Age Affects Your Conception Chances

Fertility goes down with age, especially after the mid-30s. It also lowers the chances that fertility treatments will be successful. Experts say you should talk to your doctor if you're under 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months, or over 35 and have been trying for more than 6 months.

Fertility Declines in Older Men, Too

Studies show that sperm count and sperm movement decrease as men age, as does sexual function. But there isn't a cut-off age that makes a man too old to father a child. One study found that it took men age 45 or older longer to get a woman pregnant once the couple started trying. If your partner is older, you may want to talk to your doctor about ways to boost your chances.

How Men Can Boost Fertility

• Manage stress.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
• Maintain a proper weight.
• Eat a diet high in zinc (found in meat, whole grains, seafood, and eggs), selenium (meat, seafood, mushroom, cereals, and Brazil nuts), and vitamin E. 
• Keep the testicles cool -- no long, hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas, which can reduce the number of sperm.

Treatments for Infertility

A number of things can cause infertility. The first step is for your doctor to check out you and your partner. Infertility treatments can include fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation and in vitro fertilization, which involves removing eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them (shown at left), and then implanting them into the uterus.

How Home Pregnancy Tests Work

Home pregnancy tests check your urine for the "pregnancy hormone," called hCG, that your body makes once a fertilized egg implants in your uterus. Some of these tests may be able to tell if you're pregnant as early as 5 days before your first missed period.

Pregnancy: 5 Early Signs

• You miss a period.
• You need to urinate often.
• You tire easily.
• You’re nauseous in the morning -- or all day.
• Your breasts become tender and enlarged.

How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors? - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctors after six months of trying. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.
Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, women should talk to their doctors if they have:

• Irregular periods or no menstrual periods
• Very painful periods
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• More than one miscarriage

It is a good idea for any woman to talk to a doctor before trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.

What medicines are used to treat infertility in women? - Gynecologist in Noida & IVF Specialist

Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:

• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
• Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex, Pergonal): This medicine is often used for women who don't ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim): FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don't ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
• Metformin (Glucophage): Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel): This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production.

Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets, or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely). Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.

What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)? - Gynecologist in Delhi & Infertility Specialist

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an infertility treatment that is often called artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm. Sometimes the woman is also treated with medicines that stimulate ovulation before IUI.

IUI is often used to treat:

•     Mild male factor infertility
•     Women who have problems with their cervical mucus
•     Couples with unexplained infertility

What is assisted reproductive technology (ART)?

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a group of different methods used to help infertile couples. ART works by removing eggs from a woman's body. The eggs are then mixed with sperm to make embryos. The embryos are then put back in the woman's body.

How often is assisted reproductive technology (ART) successful?

Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:

•     Age of the partners
•     Reason for infertility
•     Clinic
•     Type of ART
•     If the egg is fresh or frozen
•     If the embryo is fresh or frozen

The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) collects success rates on ART for some fertility clinics. According to the 2006 CDC report on ART, the average percentage of ART cycles that led to a live birth were:

•     39% in women under the age of 35
•     30% in women aged 35-37
•     21% in women aged 37-40
•     11% in women aged 41-42

ART can be expensive and time-consuming. But it has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise would not have been conceived. The most common complication of ART is multiple fetuses. But this is a problem that can be prevented or minimized in several different ways

How does age affect a woman's ability to have children? - Gynecologist in Noida, Gynecologist in Delhi

Many women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children. In fact, about 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. So age is a growing cause of fertility problems. About one-third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems.

Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:

•     Her ovaries become less able to release eggs.
•     She has a smaller number of eggs left.
•     Her eggs are not as healthy.
•     She is more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems.
•     She is more likely to have a miscarriage.

How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?

Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctors after six months of trying. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.

Some health problems also increase the risk of infertility. So, women should talk to their doctors if they have:

•     Irregular periods or no menstrual periods
•     Very painful periods
•     Endometriosis
•     Pelvic inflammatory disease
•     More than one miscarriage

It is a good idea for any woman to talk to a doctor before trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you get your body ready for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.

4 Myths About Babies - Gynecologist in Noida, Gynecologist in Delhi

Myth 1: Babies need to poop at least once a day.
Parents often think a baby is constipated when he’s not. Newborns often have several bowel movements a day, but they may poop as little as every three to four days at about 2 months to 3 months of age, he says.If bowel movements are very hard and infrequent, or you see blood in the diaper, however, call your pediatrician.

Myth 2: Babies should be bathed daily.
The truth is, bathing removes moisture from your baby’s delicate skin, which can make it dry and irritated. Plus, sitting in soapy bathwater can irritate a girl’s urethra and potentially lead to urinary tract infections. As long as you keep your baby’s diaper area, neck and other skin creases debris-free, you can do full baths just two to three times a week.

Myth 3: Babies who achieve milestones early are gifted.
When a child first walks or talks has little or no bearing on his later successes, research shows. “Many parents support the idea of giftedness at birth, but this is not supported by the evidence,” In fact, in some cases, early “achievements” may indicate a potential problem—for example,showing an inclination to be left- or right-handed before 18 months of age (children should use both hands equally until this age).

Myth 4: Touching your baby’s soft spot can hurt his brain.
The fontanel, or soft spot, at the front of your baby’s head is a skin-covered opening in the skull that pulsates, frightening some parents. “There’s a presumption of vulnerability, but the brain is actually quite well protected,” The front fontanel typically closes at about 1 year of age, while the smaller soft spot in the back of the head usually closes at 2 months to 3 months.

Are You Gaining Enough Weight? - Gynecologist in Delhi

Ever see a super slim pregnant woman, and feel a pang of jealousy? Well, a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health might change that.

Researchers at the University of Maryland looked at over 159,000 women over the course of four years, noting how much weight they gained during pregnancy in comparison to the rates of infant mortality. It turns out, women who didn’t gain enough weight were more likely to lose their baby within the first year of birth, compared to those who put on more pounds.

Obviously, no woman wants to put her baby at risk, but remember that the study can't prove causation—it's just an association for now. Still, if you're actively trying to stay slim during pregnancy, the research does suggest a big reason not to: The infant mortality rate among mothers who didn’t gain enough weight was 3.9 percent, compared to 1.2 percent among infants of mothers who gained the suggested amount of weight, and 0.7 percent among those who gained too much.

The importance of putting on the pounds.
So, what might be going on? Researchers also looked at the infant’s death certificates, and found that the most common cause of death was fetal malnutrition, ultimately resulting in birth defects and respiratory problems.

“Today, there’s a lot of concern around remaining slim during pregnancy, but it’s a trade off for the baby,” says Sandra Hofferth, PhD, professor in the Department of Family Science at University of Maryland, and lead researcher of the study. “You need to consume enough calories in order for your baby to develop adequately, and they need to be high quality calories.” (Read: Not from a drive thru.)
How much should you gain?

Check out our BMI Calculator to determine the optimal amount of weight for you, based on your body mass index, and ask your doctor if you’re gaining a healthy amount throughout your pregnancy.
Worth noting: You don’t want to gain too much weight, either. “Even though our study showed less risk of infant mortality for mothers who gained an excessive amount of weight, too many extra pounds are harmful to the mother,” says Dr. Hofferth. (Excessive weight gain could cause heart problems, gestational diabetes, and hemorrhaging.) Remember: You really only need an extra 300 calories per day, per baby.