How to Gain Weight in Pregnancy - Gynecologist in Noida

There is so much focus on ensuring that you don't gain too much weight in pregnancy. But the truth is that there are some women who actually need to gain more weight than they have been gaining. Here are some tips to gain weight while you are pregnant:

Eat more frequently.
Sometimes you don't gain weight in pregnancy because your stomach is so squished that you can't add extra calories to your meals. By eating smaller, but more frequent meals, you have the ability to add extra calories throughout the day. This can also help with some pregnancy complaints like nausea and heartburn.

Carry food with you.
To help you snack throughout the day, I think it's important to carry some food with you. Carry easy foods - no preparation required. I like to carry nuts, like almonds. Sometimes I add dried fruit like a trail mix. If you have a place to keep food cold, I would suggest that you try cheese with fruit. I love cheddar on apples or pears. And fresh fruit is always handy. Pop a banana or orange in your purse and you're ready to roll.

Drink your calories.
Try drinking some of your calories. It may be easier for you to take a smoothie with you and sip it throughout the day. You can even add protein powder to your shakes for a bit of a caloric punch. It doesn't really taste any different, but it can add calories from protein.

Eat snacks that pack a punch.
When you're snacking try to make your calories count. A hard boiled egg, yogurt or a wedge of cheese can be nutrient dense and good for you. They don't cause you to stuff a lot of food into your stomach, however.

Add supplements if needed.
Protein powders added to foods for extra calories. They can also be added to shakes. If powdered supplements aren't your thing, then you can also do bars. When I was pregnant with the twins I ate Tiger's Milk Bars and Luna Bars. There are also a whole slew of bars designed

Best Tips to a happy pregnancy - Gynecologist in Noida

Prioritise during pregnancy

Examine what you need to do to help yourself and your growing baby. Do what you need to do, decide what else you can do and let the rest go.
 
Involve others in your pregnancy

When you include your partner, other family members and friends in your pregnancy, it helps them understand what you are going through so they can be more understanding and supportive.

Treat others with respect and love

You may be having a hard time, especially at the beginning of your pregnancy. You may have morning sickness. You may find adjusting to the rile of mum-to-be difficult. People will understand if you take the time to let them know how you feel. Show respect and love for their concern. Treat them with kindness and love, and they will respond in kind.
 
Create memories

It takes some planning, but it is definitely worth it. When you're pregnant, it seems like it will go on forever. However, speaking from experience, we can tell you it passes very quickly and is soon a memory. Take steps to document the many changes that are occurring in your life right now. include your partner in all this. Have him or her jot down his or her feelings. Take his or her picture, too! You'll be ale to look back and share the highs and lows together, and, in the years ahead, you and your kids will be glad you did.

Relax when you can

Easing the stress in your life is very important now. Do things that help you relax and focus on what is important in your lives right now.

Enjoy this time of preparation

All too soon your pregnancy will be over and you'll be a new mother, with all the responsibilities of being a mum and a partner! You may have other responsibilities, too, in your professional or personal life. This is a time to concentrate on your couple relationship and the many changes you will be experiencing in the near
future.

Focus on the positive

You may hear negative things from friends or family members, such as scary birth stories or sad tales. Ignore them. Most pregnancies work out great.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Your pregnancy is important to others, too. Friends and family will be pleased if you ask them to be involved.

Be informed
Genesis Women Clinic provides all you need to enjoy your pregnancy from the first day you discover you are pregnant to the birth, and beyond.

Smile

You're a part of a very special miracle that is happening to you and your partner so try to stay relaxed and enjoy the ride!

Genetic Counseling in Pregnancy - Gynecologist in Noida

There are many different reasons to have genetic counseling done, as well as different ways to have genetic testing done. I am going to deal mainly with genetic testing as it relates to pregnancy.
First a quick look at genetics...

Every human being has genes, these tiny little switches that determine hair color, eye color, and other traits are packed into 46 chromosomes inside our cells. The human sperm and egg cells are different from other cells in that each only has 23 unmatched chromosomes inside. When pregnancy begins and the egg and sperm are joined you start with a brand new cell, with 46 chromosomes.

Dominant Disorders

Each gene's instructions are either dominant or recessive. Examples of dominant disorders would be: high cholesterol, Huntington disease, extra fingers or toes, glaucoma, etc. Problems caused by dominant disorders can be either nonexistent or quite severe. If a parent has a dominant gene for a certain condition there is a 50% chance that each child would have the disorder.

Recessive Disorders

If only one parent has a recessive disorder gene, then the dominant gene from the other parent will prevent the disorder. If both parents were carriers of a recessive gene then there would be a one in four chance that each child would inherit the disorder. Examples of recessive disorders: sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs, phenylketonuria (PKU). Recessively inherited disorders are often more serious.

There are other types of disorders, such as X-linked disorders, and carriers.
Types of Testing

Screening Tests

Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) - This is a blood test done between 15 - 17 weeks of pregnancy. There is no risk to the baby during this screening. The mother's blood is screened for one or more substances (alpha-fetoprotein, hCG, estriadol). Higher than normal levels may indicate a neural tube defect, while lower values may indicate certain chromosomal disorders, usually Down Syndrome. The problems with this screening are that there are many false positives. This can cause more invasive testing, worry, etc. When the reason may simply be that you are further along than anticipated, you might be having twins. However, a normal test should help relieve anxiety.

Ultrasound - This screening can show if the baby has defects such as kidney problems, heart defects, and limb defects. This procedure does not detect all defects and has not been shown to be helpful in determining Down Syndrome in a fetus. A good ultrasound does not indicate that you will not have a baby with a defect, just decreases the likelihood.

MaterniT21PLUS - This test is run on maternal blood and can look for the most common of genetic disorders, including Down Syndrome. It can be done as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy and does not pose a risk of harm to the baby or pregnancy. It will also tell you if you are having a girl or boy.

Diagnostic Testing

Amniocentesis - This test will screen for all known chromosomal defects by sampling fetal cells in the amniotic fluid. It is done with the placement of a needle, guided by ultrasound, into the uterus to collect the fluid. It is usually done between 15 and 18 weeks of gestation, although some practitioners are doing early amniocentesis as early as 9 weeks. It normally takes two weeks to receive the results. The results can be very accurate, however, they cannot tell you the severity of a present defect. There is also risk to the baby from this procedure. About 1 in 200 women will miscarry after the amniocentesis, even if the baby was unaffected, and about 1 in 1,000 will experience infection. (See more about amniocentesis.)

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) - CVS can be done earlier in pregnancy, some centers are doing it as early as 8 weeks, while most are doing them around 10 weeks gestation. A small tube can be placed through the vagina, or it can be done abdominally and a tiny tissue sample is taken from the outside of the sac that contains your baby. CVS results can be done as soon as ten days. This is less accurate than amniocentesis and the rates of complications are higher. Miscarriage is 1 in 100 or 200, small risk of missing digits (fingers and toes) for 1 in 2,000 or 3,000 of babies. These risks are higher the earlier the CVS is done. (See more about CVS.)

Best Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy - Gynecologist in Noida

1. Start changing your food habits to include a healthy variety of foods.
2. Exercise! Starting now will help you stay in shape during pregnancy, can lower your risk of miscarriage, and has been proven to help reduce labor complications and length.
3. Educate yourself!
4. Eat a new vegetable you've never tried.
5. Check out a book on pregnancy.
6. Figure out what to do about chemical birth control, like the birth control pill.
7. Stop smoking. There are many programs to help you.
8. Take a prenatal vitamin. They can be prescribed by your practitioner or you can buy them over the counter. Ensure it contains 0.4 mg of folic acid.
9. Ask your partner to join you on your new healthy habit changes.
10. Track your cycles. Learning what you can about your cycles will help determine when you ovulate and when you conceived. These make for more accurate due dates.
11. If you need a new practitioner, interview before you become pregnant.
12. Ask your friends about pregnancy and parenthood.
13. Avoid chemicals that could possibly harm your baby. You can find these at work, in your home, and just about anywhere, be environmentally sensitive.
14. See your dentist before you get pregnant and brush your teeth daily.
15. Tell any medical professional that you may be pregnant if you are trying to get pregnant. This can prevent exposure to harmful tests and chemicals if you are pregnant and don't know it yet.
16. Stop changing cat litter.
17. Remember, it can take up to a year to become pregnant. If you have been actively trying for a year or more than six months if you are over 35, see your practitioner.
18. Act pregnant. This includes not drinking alcohol, even while trying to conceive. There is no known safe level during pregnancy and alcohol can cause birth defects.
19. Announce your pregnancy when you are ready.
20. Talk to your parents, what do you want to take from their experiences? How do you want to be different?
21. Rest when you can. Nap!
22. Start a journal or a pregnancy blog.
23. Use non-medicinal remedies for problems like nausea, heartburn, and constipation.
24. Drink six - eight eight ounce glasses of water a day.
25. Read yet another book!
26. Join a prenatal yoga or exercise class.
27. Keep your prenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor. This will help ensure that if you have any problems that they are caught early and kept to a minimum.
28. Take an early pregnancy class.
29. Remember to add 300 - 500 calories a day while pregnant.
30. Tour your selection of birth facilities before making a choice if you are not having a home birth.
31. Review the signs of premature labor and warnings signs for when to call your practitioner.
32. Talk to local doulas and start interviewing. Doulas can help you have a shorter, safer and more satisfying birth.
33. Keep a food diary to ensure that you are keeping up with your daily requirements.
34. If you are decorating your house or a nursery remember to avoid fumes often associated with paint and wall paper. Perhaps have friends do the heavy work while you help make snacks for them. Keep the windows open!
35. Baby sit a friend's baby and learn a bit about caring for a newborn.
36. Take a childbirth class. Sign up early to ensure you get the class and dates that you want.
37. Swimming is great in late pregnancy. It can help relieve a lot of aches and pains and makes you feel weightless.
38. Take a breastfeeding class to help prepare you for the realities of breastfeeding.
39. Stretch before bed to help prevent leg cramps.
40. Continue to exercise, even if you have to slow down. This will help you recover more quickly.
41. Write a birth plan. Something to help you clarify what you want or need for your birth experience. Share this with your practitioners and those you have invited to your birth.
42. Have film and cameras ready!
43. Practice relaxation whenever you can. Try for at least once a day.
44. Do pelvic tilts to help with late pregnancy back pain. It will help relieve your pain and even encourage the baby to assume a good birth position.
45. Pack your bags if you are going to a birth center or hospital. Don't forget your insurance cards, pre-registration forms, camera, birth plan, etc.
46. Review the signs of labor and warning signs.
47. Take a picture of yourself before the baby comes!
48. Read birth stories.
49. Kiss the baby!

Pregnancy Brain – Fact or Fiction? - Gynecologist in Noida

It’s not just your imagination, pregnancy brain exists. Whether it’s walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there, taking twice as long to complete an email than usual, or stumbling over how to spell your son’s name, you simply just don’t feel like yourself.

A number of studies have been completed by both psychologists and neuroscientists to try to get to the bottom of pregnancy brain. Unfortunately, no clear picture has been established as to WHY women feel so foggy, only that they do. Some hypotheses include hormones, sleep deprivation, and the fact that pregnant minds and body are doing double or triple duty as the baby grows. Some studies have shown that the changes and symptoms women have correlate to the sex of the baby and last for the duration that the mother breastfeeds. There’s a lot of fascinating research on-going, but the bottom line is that you need to survive until you can think like normal again!

The good news is that the feeling and realities of pregnancy brain are temporary. Most women feel mostly back to normal once their babies are on some sort of schedule. Coincidence? I think not! Maybe there is something to that sleep deprivation theory….

There are a few great ways to survive through your “momnesia” that will help you cut down on the time you have to search for your cell phone or keys. Here’s what we came up with:

1. Have a routine. This will help you know what and where to be.
2. Write everything down! Google Calendar, Evernote, and other apps are great for this. Or just a plain old pen and paper.
3. Have a place for everything. Keys on the hook, purse in the closet, etc. Less time looking if everything is in the right place!
4. Eat good food. You’re going to feel worse if your brain has junk fuel.
5. Give yourself a break! Making a baby is hard work. Give yourself a Mulligan and take a nap. You earned it!

Some pregnancy questions you're uncomfortable asking your Gynecologist - Gynecologist in Noida

1. Will I have a bowel movement during my delivery?
Mary Rosser, Gynecologist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx section of New York City, wants pregnant women to know that birth is not a public performance. So really, you shouldn't worry about pooping during the pushing phase of labor. It can happen if your bowel is full because the rectum is underneath the uterus, and when you push, you put pressure on that area. Still, try to remember that the people in the delivery room are there to support and help you, and that medical professionals are cognizant of people's dignity and privacy. So, focus on your baby, not your bowels.


2. Will I get stretched out "down there?"
The short answer: no. Your vagina is made to stretch to accommodate childbirth and then contract back to its normal size. Indeed, your vagina has muscle memory! Rosser recommends doing Kegel exercises to strengthen those muscles. Basically, you'll clench that area as if you were holding back a stream of urine, then release. Do these exercises in sets of 10, four to five times daily postpartum.


3. Have I gained too much weight?
This can be a touchy subject and one that many pregnant women shy away from asking at a prenatal appointment. But Rosser says you shouldn't be afraid to discuss your pregnancy weight gain with your doctor because this is an important aspect of both your health and the baby's.


4. I've heard I won't be able to control my bladder after pregnancy. Is this true?
"Bladder control tends to decrease after pregnancy and childbirth," Beverly Hills Gynecologist Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz says. And as you near your due date, you may notice bladder control becoming more tenuous. But usually within six weeks to three months, women will see those effects reverse. Guess what? Kegels help here, too. Sometimes there is an ongoing problem, however, and you should talk to your doctor to find out what can be done to help.


5. My husband is afraid to have intercourse while I'm pregnant because he might hurt the baby. What should I tell him?
Rosser acknowledges that this is a real fear for many partners of pregnant women. Many times they just need to be reassured that they won't hurt mom or the baby.


6. Why is intercourse more painful after giving birth?
"You did have a baby, and there's some trauma that needs to heal," Gilberg-Lenz says. For women who are breastfeeding, hormone levels change, too, especially estrogen, which may lead to problems with lubrication. Try using a lubricant during intercourse and giving your body time to adjust to sex after baby. If several months go by and you don't notice an improvement, speak to your doctor.


7. Is it normal to have so much discharge during pregnancy?
Yes. As Gilberg-Lenz points out, a pregnant woman's hormones are going crazy. Plus, you have an increase in the blood flow to the pelvis. You will likely notice a steady increase in discharge as your pregnancy progresses. But be sure to call your doctor if your discharge is painful, burning, itching, has an odor or is very watery. You may have an infection, or your water may have broken.


8. I have bad gas and indigestion while pregnant. Is this normal?
"The hormonal changes in pregnancy decrease the efficiency of your gastrointestinal system," Gilberg-Lenz says. Your discomfort may start with nausea, aka morning sickness, and bloating. As many as 85 percent of women experience these symptoms in early pregnancy. This can graduate into acid reflux and indigestion later, which is completely normal.


9. What can I do to ease my digestion issues?
"For constipation, make sure to eat plenty of fiber, veggies, fruits and drink lots of water. If needed, you can take milk of magnesia or a stool softener," Rosser says. "For heartburn, eating smaller and more frequent meals will help, as will sleeping upright on two pillows. Avoid acidic and spicy foods. If the trouble continues, speak with your physician, who may suggest taking a medication with calcium carbonate."


10. What if I sleep through labor?
"It is possible not to know if you break your water. It can be as small as a little trickle or a huge gush! Many women think they be leaking urine," Rosser says. If you aren't sure, call your doctor. But when it comes to contractions during active labor, there will be no mistaking it! They don't call it labor for nothing!

Early Signs of Pregnancy - Gynecologist in Noida

Shortness of Breath

Do you get winded going up the stairs all of a sudden? It might be because you’re pregnant. The growing fetus needs oxygen, leaving you a little short. Sorry to say, this one may continue throughout your pregnancy, especially as your growing baby starts to put pressure on your lungs and diaphragm.

Sore Breasts

Putting on your bra this morning felt like mild torture. And are you imagining it, or are the girls a little bigger? Tender and heavy-feeling breasts, darkening of the areolas and even more pronounced veins on your chest can be a first sign that you're pregnant. Wear your most supportive bra—to bed if you need it—to help ease discomfort.

Fatigue

You didn't even make it through one page of your book last night before falling asleep. If you're suddenly exhausted, it might be a response to the increasing hormones in your body. For many women, tiredness continues through the first trimester, but then ebbs in the second.

Nausea 

Most pregnant women start to get the queasies when they're about 6 weeks along, but some can experience morning sickness (which unfortunately can occur morning, noon and night) earlier. It will most likely subside as you enter the second trimester. In the mean time, try to eat foods that will settle your stomach, like crackers or ginger ale.

Headaches

More early signs of pregnancy include an aching head, a result of changes in hormones. Just in case you are indeed pregnant, take pg-safe acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen to deal with the pain.

Backaches

Is your lower back a little sore? If you don't normally have back pain, it could mean your ligaments are loosening. Sorry, this one might continue through your pregnancy as your weight gain and shifting center of gravity throw your posture out of whack.

Cramping

Is it PMS or pregnancy? It's hard to tell, but if you're feeling crampy, it might be your uterus stretching to get ready for a baby.

Cravings or Food Aversions

Suddenly, you cannot get enough citrus. Or perhaps fish now turns your stomach. If you notice food issues that weren't there before, it could be your body telling you you're pregnant.

Constipation and Bloating

You swear you fit in your skinny jeans just last week. If you're feeling a little puffy or backed up, it might be extra progesterone due to pregnancy, which slows down your digestive system.

Mood Swings

WWIII erupted over your husband's failure to put his socks in the hamper. Moody much? If you're feeling a little hormonal, it might be because your body is adjusting to well, new hormones. Assure your husband that the roller coaster emotions will pass

Elevated Basal Body Temperature

If you've actively been trying to get pregnant, you may have been charting your basal body temp to pinpoint ovulation. Generally, your BBT is elevated from ovulation until you get your period 2 weeks later. If it stays elevated beyond two weeks, it might be because you're pregnant.

Super Smell

Your garbage can now makes you gag—guess you're off trash duty! If you're repulsed by certain smells, or have an increased sensitivity to odors, it may mean you've got a bun in the oven.

Dizziness or Fainting

This is the go-to symptom they use to signify pregnancy in movies, but it's based in reality. Low blood sugar or blood pressure can cause a woozy episode. Make sure you eat enough and stay well-hydrated.

Late Period

Many of the early signs of pregnancy are also symptoms of PMS. How to tell the difference? The most telling clue yet will be a missed period. If your cycle is fairly regular and you're late, you should head to the drugstore.

Positive Pregnancy Test

You won't know for sure whether you're a mama-to-be until you do the pee-stick test. If you get a negative result and you still don't get your period, it just might just be too early for the test to detect. In the meantime, look a few of these weird pregnancy symptoms that can appear upon conception. Wait a few days and try the test again. And if it's positive—congratulations!