by Dr Neelima Mantri | Oct 26, 2023 | Blog, Pregnancy Complications
A sense of anticipation and concern naturally mounts as a woman approaches her due date. As the days pass beyond the expected due date, they convert into tension and anxiety. The worries about the baby’s health add on to the worries about complications and societal expectations, leading to nervousness and even grief. “Though the overdue pregnancy is quite common in women, waiting game can be harrowing for the expecting mother,” says the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima, also an expert in dealing overdue pregnancy cases.
While overdue pregnancy is not rare, it is also associated with risks and complications in a few cases, she adds. Given it is a cause of huge concern and worry in pregnant women, we wanted to give first-hand information regarding overdue pregnancy in this blog, to improve your awareness. So today, with insights from top gynaecologist and obstetrician in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri, we delve into overdue pregnancy, its medical meaning, its causes, and risks, and also provide ways to reduce the risk it poses to pregnant women. Read on.
What Is Overdue Pregnancy?
Post-term pregnancy, also called as overdue pregnancy, happens when pregnancy extends beyond the stipulated 40 weeks of the pregnancy period. “While the average gestation is 40 weeks, it may extend up to 42 weeks, and a pregnancy is termed as overdue if it extends beyond 42 weeks,” says gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Overdue Pregnancy: Risks for the Baby
Because the baby tends to overstay the due date even after full growth, the size of the baby may cause discomfort to the mother, leading to back pain and difficulty in sleeping. Additionally, emotional distress due to indeterminate maternity adds to the anxiety. As for the baby, the overdue pregnancy may result in a loss of amniotic fluid for nourishment, increasing the risk of stillbirth. Some of the other risks of complications that tend to happen in overdue pregnancy cases include:
Macrosomia: Babies born in overdue pregnancy cases naturally tend to be larger than average. This increased size of babies potentially leads to birth injuries for both baby and mother during delivery.
Foetal distress: Foetal distress is a condition where the baby may not receive the required oxygen, leading to health problems for the baby. If prolonged, foetal distress may lead to abnormal heart rhythms, brain damage, and, in rare cases, stillbirth.
Meconium Aspiration: In overdue pregnancy cases, the baby may pass its first stool in the womb, which could be inhaled by the baby, leading to respiratory problems.
Stillbirth: The biggest risk of overdue pregnancy is still birth which tends to happen in rare cases. Due to various factors involved, overdue pregnancy can trigger a complex set of problems for both the baby and others, leading to stillbirth. In addition to the above, overdue pregnancy leads to a C-section, which comes with its own set of complications like long recovery timelines.
But why do a few women tend to suffer these complications? What exactly leads to these sets of complications? Let us find out.
Overdue Pregnancy – Causes:
“There is no one straightforward cause for overdue pregnancy. It is a multifactorial condition where different factors come together and increase the risk for overdue pregnancy. Genetics, low amniotic fluid in pregnancy, sub-optimal placental health, maternal health conditions like diabetes or obesity, hormonal imbalances, high stress, or anxiety are some of the common causes of overdue pregnancy cases we treat at our clinic in Mumbai,” says the one of top 10 gynaecologists in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Overdue Pregnancy – How to Reduce the Risk of Overdue Pregnancy?
There are multiple factors that can lead to overdue pregnancy. So a comprehensive care must be taken by the women under the guidance of gynaecologists to reduce the risk of overdue pregnancy. “The care must start right in the planning stage of pregnancy by going through health monitoring to identify potential health conditions. During pregnancy, one must prioritize a balanced diet, stress-free and active life, regular monitoring, and while avoiding smoking, alcohol to tick all the right boxes of a healthy pregnancy,” says gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
However, in a few cases, genetics may also play a part even after following all the best practices in the medical book. In such cases, an expert gynaecologist can ensure continuous care to reduce the risk of complications caused by overdue pregnancy. If you doubt that overdue pregnancy runs in the family, it is important to seek comprehensive care tailored to this condition to nip this risk in the bud. If you are in Mumbai and would like to consult a gynaecologist in Mumbai to reduce the risk of overdue pregnancy, you can contact Dr. Neelima Mantri here.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Oct 19, 2023 | Blog, Pregnancy Complications
Arrhythmia is a medical term for an irregular heartbeat, where the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or in an uneven, out-of-rhythm manner. An irregular heartbeat leads to decreased blood flow to organs, reduced oxygen delivery, the development of blood clots, and, in severe cases, it may cause heart failure and stroke.
“The possibilities of these complications depend on the severity or type of the Arrhythmia. But Arrhythmia during pregnancy doubles the risk of these complications, as both the mother and baby may be impacted by this medical condition,” says a female gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Arrhythmia can happen in women even with no underlying heart conditions. During pregnancy, it can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke and may even result in premature delivery when proper treatment is not taken, adds Dr Neelima Mantri, the best obstetrician in Mumbai, who has treated hundreds of arrhythmia cases in Mumbai.
But what causes arrhythmias, how do we know the symptoms, what are the treatment options available? We have asked Dr. Mantri the most frequently asked questions on Arrhythmia. Read on to know her answers.
Arrhythmia in Pregnancy: Causes
As mentioned earlier, arrhythmias can occur during pregnancy, even in women who do not have any underlying conditions. There are multiple reasons for Arrhythmia during pregnancy. A few of them include:
Hormonal fluctuations: The woman’s body goes through intense hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, which may impact the heart’s electrical system, leading to Arrhythmia.
Increased blood volume: Pregnancy increases the cardiac output and pumped blood volume. This may put additional stress on the heart, leading to a loss of rhythm in the heartbeat.
Physical changes: The expansion of the uterus may slightly impact the positioning of the heart, which may eventually lead to changes in the heart’s rhythm.
While the above three are the most common causes of Arrhythmia, other factors such as electrolyte imbalances, emotional stress, medication and supplements, and even genetic factors may cause Arrhythmia during pregnancy.
Arrhythmia in Pregnancy: Symptoms
Because it can occur to anyone without any underlying condition, it is essential to be aware of the symptoms of Arrhythmia during pregnancy. Some of the most common symptoms of Arrhythmia include palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath, chest pain, anxiety, and fatigue. All the symptoms of Arrhythmia are also general symptoms of pregnancy, which makes it challenging to identify the condition. So, it is always essential to consult a gynaecologist with complete information about one’s health,” says the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Arrhythmia in Pregnancy: Treatment in Mumbai
The treatment for arrhythmias during pregnancy is based on the specific type of Arrhythmia that women experience, the severity of its outlook, and the mother’s overall health, all considered before designing the treatment plan for Arrhythmia in pregnancy.
The standard treatment options for Arrhythmia in pregnancy include medications, lifestyle modifications, cardioversion, catheter ablation, defibrillator implantation, or even pacemaker, based on the severity of the symptoms. Given the potential for complications, close monitoring of pregnant women is critical to ensuring good health. So, if you are in Mumbai and looking for a consultation with a gynaecologist to provide complete information, you can contact a best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri here
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Sep 28, 2023 | Blog, Pregnancy Complications
Placenta previa is a condition where the baby’s exit path from the womb is blocked by the abnormal positioning of the placenta. Naturally, this blockage can result in a number of serious complications, which include vaginal bleeding, preterm birth, blood loss, placental abruption, infection, foetal distress, and more. Since the exit route is blocked by the placenta, it may also necessitate choosing a caesarean-section to ensure safe delivery.
While a C-section is performed to ensure safe delivery, the reasons for placenta previa being a serious condition lie in the complications it may cause over the course of pregnancy. “A C-section is performed only at the right time, and by the time the C-section is performed, the pregnant women may have to experience a range of complications from the placenta previa which may impact the overall health of the women and baby”, says leading female gynaecologist in Mumbai Dr Neelima Mantri.
What exactly causes Placenta Previa, and how does a gynaecologist in Mumbai solve the complications and treat this condition? We asked gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri. Read on to know her answers:
What is Placenta Previa?
The placenta is a unique organ that grows inside the womb. Its primary role is to supply oxygen and essential nutrients to the developing baby from the mother’s bloodstream. It aids in the removal of waste products from the foetus’s blood.
Moreover, the placenta acts as a protective barrier, shielding the baby from harmful toxins that may be present in the mother’s body. It also produces hormones that support the optimal development of the foetus. In short, the placenta is like an all-in-one support system for the baby.
The development of this organ occurs shortly after fertilization. It attaches itself to the upper part of the uterus and goes about its functions. However, in very rare cases, it tends to develop in the bottom part of the uterus, where the baby’s exit (cervix)tends to be. This placenta may block the cervix, creating a host of pregnancy problems.
Placenta Previa Symptoms:
Because the placenta finds itself in the wrong location of the uterus, blocking the cervix, it interferes with the functioning of the uterus’ lining. It may disrupt the blood flow to the lining, leading to the damage of blood vessels, causing vaginal bleeding, which is the most common Placenta Previa symptom experienced by women.
Additional Placenta Previa symptoms may include unnatural abdominal pain and irregular uterine contractions.
What Causes Placenta Previa? How is it Treated?
“There is no one exact cause of Placenta Previa, but it is considered to be an end result of various risk factors that come together to cause it,” says obstetrician in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri. Prior C-section or uterine surgery, maternal age over 35, multiple pregnancies, smoking, substance abuse, previous placenta previa, and uterine abnormalities are some of the common risk factors for Placenta Previa development in women.
Treatment for Placenta Previa in Mumbai:
The treatment for Placenta Previa depends on the severity of vaginal bleeding, the gestational stage of the pregnancy, and the exact position of the placenta, as well as the health of the woman and the baby. If the placenta is only partially covering the cervix, then the gynaecologist may recommend rest, avoiding strenuous exercises and sexual intercourse, prioritizing bed rest, and frequent prenatal checkups.
In cases where the placenta is completely covering the cervix, the severity of the Placenta Previa complications poses a higher risk. In these cases, interventions such as medication to prevent early labour, steroid shots to optimize baby development, blood transfusions to compensate for heavy bleeding, and other medical treatments may be recommended.
“If Placenta Previa is diagnosed in the second trimester of the pregnancy, the condition may resolve on its own over time. It is much more challenging if Placenta Previa is identified in the late stages of pregnancy,” says gynaecologist in Mumbai Dr. Neelima Mantri. So, it is always recommended to frequently undergoes checkups to ensure early identification and effective treatment of these medical conditions. If you are in Mumbai and are looking for gynaecologist in Mumbai, you contact Dr. Neelima Mantri here:
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Sep 25, 2023 | Blog, Women Health Issues
Braxton Hicks contractions are uterine contractions that are termed as ‘practice’ or ‘false’ contractions. They are normal contractions of the uterus that mimic labour contractions but do not lead to labour and are also painless. They are, in fact, a regular part of the body’s preparation for labour and are commonly felt during the second and third trimesters.
So, all good and harmless about ‘Braxton Hicks contractions,’ right? Not necessarily. These uncomfortable and unpredictable uterine contractions can cause significant problems in the longer run, leading to a host of problems during the pregnancy journey.
In this blog, with the inputs from the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri, let us know more about these contractions, their causes, symptoms, and also the ways to combat them.
How do Braxton Hicks Contractions they Differ from Regular Uterine Contractions and Pressures?
Braxton Hicks contractions are the practice contractions that often occur in the second and third trimesters. They differ from regular labour contractions in timing, discomfort cases, and also frequency.
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular contractions that cause mild abdominal tightening or discomfort and last for less than a minute. There is no one specific reason for their occurrence, but they are generally thought to be triggered by a full bladder, physical activity, and dehydration. Because they are irregular and practice contractions, they do not lead to internal cervical changes.
On the other hand, regular uterine contractions are symptoms of labour and hence they follow a consistent pattern of occurrence, eventually leading up to childbirth. As popularly known, they are painful aches and cramps which last longer. As the due date nears, the contractions and symptoms become more frequent and intense and also last longer. These uterine contractions are the body’s preparation for labour, unlike Braxton Hicks contractions, which are just practice contractions.
Braxton Hicks Contractions Symptoms: How do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel?
Though they are often referred to as practice contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions do cause discomfort in irregular intervals. The timing and intensity of these contractions vary and follow an inconsistent pattern, which can be quite bothersome. Dr. Neelima Mantri, a leading gynaecological laparoscopic surgeon in Mumbai, explains, “The contraction experiences usually feel like menstrual cramps or a gentle squeezing sensation in the abdominal area. They occur sporadically in each case and typically last for less than a minute.”
Relief and Treatment for Braxton Hicks Contractions:
Because these are practice contractions, they do not have serious repercussions and can often be relieved through rest, changes in posture (such as standing up or lying down), and staying hydrated. Emptying the bladder, taking a warm shower, distraction techniques, pelvic tilts, and relaxed breathing are other common options that could help a patient find relief from Braxton Hicks Contractions.
However, if none of these practices provide relief, there could be an underlying reason causing these contractions. In such cases, it is crucial to consult with an expert gynaecologist for a thorough examination and appropriate guidance. If you are in Mumbai and seeking the best gynaecologist for treatment, you can contact Dr. Neelima Mantri.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Sep 13, 2023 | Blog, Women Health Issues
Fertility medications and Assisted Reproductive Treatments greatly help women with fertility problems today. “These treatments have significantly increased the chances of conception for women, bestowing them the chance at parenthood,” says the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Promise of Parenthood Comes With a Minor Risk: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Like every other beneficial treatment option, these treatments also have specific side effects, manifesting in rare cases. Ovarian Hyperstimulation is one such side effect of fertility treatment options, impacting women’s health through blood clots, dehydration, weight cysts, and kidney problems in sporadic cases.
So, any woman who aims to benefit from fertility medications or assisted reproductive technologies must also be aware of this rare ovarian syndrome to tread carefully on this path. In this blog, we help you understand this syndrome, discuss its symptoms, and then give you tips to reduce its chance of occurrence. Read on:
What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
If fertilization of eggs produces the baby, these eggs are produced by ovaries. Given assisted fertility treatments, more eggs than usual, ovaries are stimulated using medications to make multiple eggs, which are then used to induce fertilization, artificial or natural. In some cases, the ovaries may respond excessively to these medications, leading to unwanted side effects, which may cause problems for women in the form of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
“Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome doesn’t happen in all women. It is slightly rare, and the symptoms vary based on the severity of the syndrome. They can be mild, moderate, or even severe, halting the daily functions and leading to severe health problems,” says leading gynaecologist and best laparoscopic surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri. Here are the symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation (OHSS) based on the severity:
Symptoms of Mild Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Mild OHSS symptoms may include abdominal bloating, pain, discomfort, cramping & nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea, mild weight gain & fluid retention.
Symptoms of Moderate Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Abdominal distension, increased pain and discomfort, intensified vomiting, nausea, dehydration, decreased yet concentrated urine, difficulty breathing and concentration, and rapid weight gain.
Symptoms of Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Fluid accumulation in the chest, rapid and significant weight gain, severe abdominal pain, dry skin, fast heart rate, decreased or even no urine output, persistent vomiting, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat are some of the symptoms in severe OHSS.
How to reduce the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
Lower doses of medication, perfectly timing the trigger shot, regular monitoring, consistent hydration, avoiding high-impact exercises, and maintaining electrolyte balance are some of the standard best practices that can help reduce the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. “But the most effective way to reduce the risk of OHSS is to consult an expert gynaecologist and fertility specialist who can perfectly customize the fertility treatment and guide you with all the best practices for safe parenthood without the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome,” says gynaecologist and best laparoscopic surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
