All About Pregnancy Care

Pregnant women need to take utmost care during pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant for the first time, she has tons of questions regarding her health and her baby’s health. Few of them are:

• Fetal development
• Acidity
• Weight gain
• Acne Issue
• Dos & Don’ts
• Pregnancy Diet
• Kind of tests
• Signs not to ignore
• Exercises and so on and so forth

Here is a transcript of a video chat where Dr Abhijit Kher answers these and many such concerns.

I’m Dr. Abhijit Kher and have more than 25  years of experience  in Obstetrics and gynecology. I have my own nursing home in Borivali West and I’m also HOD of Gynecology at Bhagwati and Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospitals.

AFI is 9.2 cm at 33 weeks

Investigation and care is a must.

I’m 9 weeks pregnant and baby has no heartbeat.

Get a second sonography done. If baby is not growing the pregnancy may need to be terminated.

I conceived through IVF. Even after following proper diet I’m experiencing acidity.

Take antacids in consultation with your doctor.

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and baby’s weight is 2.418kg. Is this standard?

There is a standard weight for baby’s but mother’s health and past history plays a major role in the health of the baby. Consult your doctor for advice.

I’m 4 months pregnant. Is it safe to use stairs for upto 2-3 floors?

Yes. Regular physical activities can be continued during pregnancy unless there’s shortness of breath or doctor specifically asked not to.

Ever since conception I’m having pimples and redness on my face.

In pregnancy, pigmentation happens due to change in hormones. Follow proper skincare routine and drink lots of water.

At 7 weeks of pregnancy heartbeat rate was 94 but there’s no heartbeat now in 9th week even after following all of the doctor’s instructions.

Missed abortion is common during first trimester. It’s not related to external care and happens due to internal factors like chromosomal faults, no proper development or termination by uterus itself.

How to prevent urine infection?

Avoid holding in urine for a long time. Drink lots of water. If you have UTI then treat it immediately.

Is it safe to travel from Mumbai to for delivery?

If pregnancy hasn’t reached 36 weeks then you can take a train. But consult your doctor. Avoid air travel.

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and unable to sleep.

It’s quite common at this stage. Sleep issues maybe because of change in shape and size of body. Eat dinner early and take a walk afterwards. Take a glass of warm milk before bed. Avoid oily, spicy food especially in dinner. Strictly avoid watching TV, especially soap operas before bedtime. Read light books or listen to calming music. Take a warm water bath if possible.

I’m 9 weeks pregnant. How to treat constipation?

You can take a mild laxative after consulting your doctor. Include salads, fruits, greens and high fiber sources in your diet. Reduce maida and besan in your diet.

My doctor prescribed pessary. What is it required for?

It’s a medicine to be inserted in the vagina. Doctors usually prescribe it as antifungal.

When should sonography be done?

The first is to be done between 4-5 weeks and then between 11-13 weeks. Another one at 22-30 weeks. Doctor may also ask you to do a scan in between if required.

Haemoglobin is 7.9 and goes down every month.

This can be very dangerous for the baby. Visit a hematologist and begin treatment immediately.

I’m 7 months pregnant and have high blood pressure. Even after taking the prescribed Lobet 100mg twice it’s still not getting normal.

It’s a common complication which can affect both mother and child. Remain under doctor’s supervision and keep getting regular check ups.

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and carrying twins. One of them is in reverse position.

At such an advanced stage there’s a very low possibility of the baby turning. Consult your doctor.

When should I expect labour for normal delivery?

Normal delivery occurs between 37 to 41 weeks. Before 37 weeks it’s called preterm delivery and beyond 41 weeks it’s called post-term delivery.

I’m 6 months pregnant and have piles.

Consult and begin treatment immediately. Treatment may include hot tub bath, ointment, diet change but surgery won’t be required.

I’m having missed abortions in the third month each time I conceive.

Consult a good gynecologist. Follow proper diet.

I’m experiencing stomach ache and bleeding. What should I do?

Stomach ache and bleeding no matter how mild shouldn’t be neglected.

Water volume is less in bag. What should be done?

Doctor may prescribe a nutrition supplement. Regular scans will be required to check blood flow to baby.

What should I eat to increase haemoglobin?

Iron rich foods like beetroot, jaggery, spinach, dates and green vegetables. You should also include protein sources like milk, meat, egg, soya and pulses. Apart from these, folic acid supplement is a must during pregnancy.

TSH level was high in the beginning. It’s now normal in the 3rd month. I’m worried if baby will be normal.

Not to worry now that it’s normal. But keep monitoring it regularly.

I’m 6 months pregnant and experience vomiting.

It’s not normal. Check diet and acidity level.

I’m 6 months pregnant. What can I do so that my baby is very fair and intelligent?

Both the traits you mentioned are determined by genetics and ancestry of the parents. 
Although healthy food and supplements ensure healthy brain development and intelligence.

I’m 13 weeks pregnant. My right ovary has a cyst and I experience pain in lower abdomen.

Size of cyst determines how dangerous it is. Consult your doctor.

I’m 7 months pregnant. What should I do for normal delivery?

Stay active, exercise lightly and take walks. Take timely medicine and tests. It’s not guaranteed. Sometimes complications lead to C-section but these are preventive measures.

We’re unable to conceive. What can we do?

Both partners need to consult a good gynecologist.

I’m 4 months pregnant. I experienced a little bleeding but it stopped.

Follow your doctor’s advice.

I’m 39 weeks pregnant baby’s head is still not engaged. What to do to naturally induce pain?

Natural ways can be tried to induce pain but not to engage baby. If the baby’s head is large for mother’s pelvis it will not engage. In this case it’s not safe for the baby to induce pain for natural birth.

I’m 30 weeks pregnant. Can I have normal delivery?

Doctor can advise you after 36 weeks. Even if a normal delivery is decided upon, the decision can change once pain starts.

I’m 15 weeks pregnant and carrying twins. Should I take special care?

Precautions of all kinds should be taken. Follow proper diet and maintain physical fitness.

I have been told that I have bicornuate uterus. How is that going to affect my pregnancy?

There are chances that the mouth of the uterus will open earlier than usual.

I’m 18 weeks pregnant should I do ultrasound?

Yes. It’s a normal process to know organ growth. 

Also read: How To Make Kids Great Conversationalists?

#pregnancymustknow