by Dr Neelima Mantri | Dec 25, 2017 | Blog, Gynecologist
Antenatal Care During Pregnancy is the clinical assessment of mother and fetus. It is advisable to have 12-16 doctor visits for the assessment of pregnant women before and during pregnancy. The main purpose of antenatal care is to supervise the maternal and fatal well-being during pregnancy. It also identifies and treats conditions that may harm the health of the new-born and mother; prepares for the labor and also high quality life after birth. It is better to start antenatal care as early as possible. An expectant mother should go for check-ups once in a month until 28 weeks, twice a month until 36 weeks and every week in last 4 weeks.
Some of the main objectives of antenatal-care are:
- Screen the conditions such as anemia, infections from sexual contacts etc.
- Ensure delivery of a full term healthy baby.
- Provide an appropriate treatment for the predictable problems during or after pregnancy.
- Teach the mother about child care, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene.
- Give guidance to the mother on breast feeding and post-natal care.
- Antenatal care is very beneficial and it mainly falls under four categories.
Accurate nutritional diet: Maintaining nutritional diet is very critical for the well-being of mother and the unborn baby. Nutrition counselling improves the nutritional level of women during pregnancy. It is essential to adapt some changes in food in order to meet the needs of the fetus. There is a myth that pregnancy is eating for two, but eating good dietary food. In fact, a fetus needs 300 calories a day to survive. To know more about healthy diet and precautions, consult a specialist.
Keep track of everything: Pregnant women who do not get antenatal care are five times more likely to have complications during the birth, that may include low birth weight and death of an undeveloped fetus. We don’t mean to scare you, but trying to convey the importance of antenatal care. Ultrasounds teaches you the baby’s growth strategically timed. If you are in and around Mumbai and checking for a specialist to take care of you two, take an appointment with Dr Neelima Mantri, top Gynecologist in Mumbai.
Specific treatment for existing or pre-existing conditions: Screening the health conditions is one of the Benefits of Antenatal Care. As immune system changes and reduced during pregnancy, it increases the risk of infections. Through antenatal screening, many infections can be detected and treated in the right time to have a perfect baby.
Attend classes: Besides care from the mid-wife or Gynecologist, attending antenatal classes is very beneficial – whether a natural birth, a second baby or a C-Section. The classes are designed to help you navigate pregnancy and get answers to many questions. It will give you and your partner an opportunity to ask questions which you forgot during the check-ups. Experts say between 22 and 26 weeks is the best time to join the classes. They also cover common issues like breastfeeding, sleep, and postnatal depression and the main objective is to help parents feel calmer, happier.
Antenatal care is a pillar for a healthy labor and it should not be considered as a single visit, but as a continue care throughout a woman’s reproductive life.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Dec 21, 2017 | Blog, Female Gynaecologist
When a menstrual cycle is not normal and regular, it is a disorder. Every woman’s body is different in own rhythm of menstrual cycle. Variations in menstrual cycle are perfectly natural. For an ideal woman, next periods end at 28 days but also a normal cycle lasts anywhere from 21 to 35 days and lasts between 3 to 5 days. A timely menstrual cycle is a good indicator of her overall health and well-being.
Every lady will face the menstrual problems once in her lifetime and it is important to understand basic information on menstruation, the reasons behind irregular periods and how to deal with them.
There are three types of menstrual cycles:
- Anovulatory bleeding (absent and irregular periods)
- Ovulatory bleeding (prolonged periods)
- Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain)
Although this is a natural phenomenon, there are many causes for the disorders. Uncontrolled diabetes, adolescence, hypothyroidism, eating disorders, pregnancy are some of them which can be mentioned.
Stress: Yes, stress triggers menstruation. It may cause disorders but not the lone cause. Excessive nerve-racking can out your digestive system into trouble, apart from menstrual period. A condition known as secondary amenorrhea can also happen when the period will temporarily stop.
Diet: Poor diet leads to the disorders. According to “Fertility and Sterility” study, Vegetarians and non-vegetarians experience significantly different menstrual cycles. Women who are suffering from menstrual disorders should maintain carb in optimal amount, maintain Vitamin C, broccoli, bananas, pumpkin seeds, low fat milk.
Birth Control: If a woman is new on taking birth control pills, it will take several months to get adjusted to it. The dosage of hormones delivered by each pill leads to irregular periods.
Menopause: It is more of a symptom rather than a cause. Woman entering the menopause phase fluctuates her life and moods. Menopause experts suggest remedies that can ease the pain until periods stop. The reason behind the cause is, oestrogen and progesterone hormones regulates periods. These hormones do not work normal and begin to fluctuate, so menstrual cycle too.
Thyroid disorders: Now-a-days, thyroid is the most common health issue that even an adolescent can be effected. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two health conditions that can contribute to irregular periods. Girls who are suffering from thyroidism will either have very early or very late menstruation.
Female Sterilisation: It is otherwise called as tubal ligation. It is a medical procedure which permanently prevents pregnancy chances. This case is similar to birth control pills, sudden changes in productive system likely to have irregular periods.
Preventions:
- Most of the prevention can be done at home with natural methods like placing hot water bag, taking enough quantity of Vitamin C, going some shorter walks.
- Consume iron rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, dairy products, lean meat, eggs, almonds.
- As stress is also one of the important causes for irregularities, maintain healthy relationships with your partner and family. Cut yourselves from the world and try to relax.
If there is persistent irregularity, take an appointment from a Gynecologist. For the Best Menstrual Disorder Treatment in Mumbai, consult Dr Neelima Mantri for the right advice.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Dec 14, 2017 | Blog, Female Gynaecologist
You probably might think that you know everything about sex by the time you are pregnant. But you may have landed up with several queries and doubts on Sex During Pregnancy.
Here we have curated some basic doubts and given a solution. So keep your baseless fears aside and have fun with the partner, spending more time with your spouse makes you even more happy and it is good for the baby.
Might not or really be in a mood: It’s obvious for a woman to experience changes in sex drive during pregnancy. Remember that your wife’s body is building a baby from scratch and it takes a lot of energy. The extra doses of progesterone supply to her blood makes her sleepy and tired all the time. Don’t offend her just because she is not active.
Likewise, don’t be surprised the times when she is really in mood than ever before and wanted “that time” back on the bed. She is super active in sex because of the same hormones which increases the blood flow and making her ready for it. Even scented perfumes, after shave lotions can drive her crazy.
You won’t hurt your baby: The tot is well protected inside the mother’s fluid-filled amniotic sac. Thanks to those protectors! So do not worry that your baby will be hurt while you are busy enjoying the pleasure. Woman’s vagina stretches out during sex and it is safe under normal circumstances. Even a deep intercourse will not harm your baby unless both the partners are comfortable and willing to. Make your husband understand that he is not going to poke the baby and it is completely doing well.
Be Creative: That is a challenge to be faced by the man. Some of your favourite positions may not be comfortable for the lady. This is where the husband needs to be patient and creative in experimenting new positions at her comfort level. After 15-20 weeks of pregnancy, it is not advisable to continue in the classic missionary positions, which leads a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Encourage her on your top where she can control the pace and pressure. Only mantra to have an active sex life throughout nine months, is only through communication with your partner.
Use protection: Protection is not just for unwanted pregnancies, but also avoids sexually transmitted diseases. As vaginal infections and STDs are major concerns during pregnancy, intercourse without protection is strictly not recommended even there is no fear of an unwanted pregnancy.
When not to have sex: Partners can have an active sex till the water breaks, because the baby is inside a safe layer of amniotic fluid. In some cases, doctors ask the parents to stop doing sex or avoid it for a while. Here’s when you need you avoid having sex during pregnancy.
- Premature Labor
- Vaginal bleeding
- When the placenta covers the opening in the mother’s cervix
- When the water broke – It is not safe because anything foreign can cause infections to the unborn.
Sex drive during pregnancy is different from woman to woman and it is absolutely fine to communicate the situation with your partner. Do not hesitate to consult a good specialist if you have encountered any abnormalities, one of the top laparoscopic surgery doctors and Gynaecologists in Mumbai is Dr Neelima Mantri.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Dec 7, 2017 | Blog, Gynecologist
The cancer that begins in the female organs such as ovaries is called as ovarian cancer. And it is no more a silent killer, doctors and specialists say it does have symptoms but they are non-specific. So many people do not take it seriously and only realise when the cancer spreads, reaches to the advanced state. One should never ignore and be attentive to ongoing abnormalities like:
- Severe bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty in eating or feeling full quickly
- Frequent urine urging
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal secretions
- Enlarging abdominal mass
- Facial hair growth in prepubertal girls
See the doctor, if you have those unusual symptoms more than 12 times in a month. Dr. Neelima Mantri is the Best Lady Gynaecologist in Mumbai and also for infertility treatment, consult her for special care and a complete understanding of the cancer.
The exact causes of the cancer are not known, but it is higher in women who has one or more ovarian risk factors. Let us learn what are those risk factors behind ovarian cancer.
Age: It is the key factor and most women who are found with the cancer are at menopause state. However, woman in their 40s and 50s have also been diagnosed with the disease. But some studies proved that some types of ovarian cancer are more common in teens and young women than in older women.
Inheritance: Over 20 to 25 percent of diagnosed women have the tendency to develop the disease. But there is no scientifically proven evidence that cervical cancer is inherited. An abnormal gene that leads to cancer can be inherited, but not the cancer itself.
Reproductive system: Women who are pregnant and conceived the baby before 26 years of age are less likely to get effected than others. Women who have their first full term pregnancy after 35 years of age have higher risk of ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding may lower the risk even further.
Obesity: Over weight gain has been the problem for many health complications. It is found to be a risk factor for a number of different cancers, including breast, colon, esophagus, pancreas, ovaries. It is not the primary factor but one of them. Obesity increases the estrogen levels which leads to breast and ovarian cancers. A study on 94,525 U.S. women found that an association between obesity and increased risk for ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder: Yes, you have read it right! Have you ever been told if talcum powder is directly applied to genital area or sanitary napkins may be cancer-causing? Before 1970’s, talcum powder was manufactured with cancer-causing component called asbestos; some companies continued using them for many years.
Besides these, there are many factors like birth control, tubal ligation, fertility drugs, diet, smoking and alcohol use.
In the bottom-line, risk factors don’t tell us everything and do not mean that you will get the cancer. Even if a woman is suffering from ovarian cancer, it is not easy to tell which factor is contributed to the cancer. Fortunately, ovarian cancer is relatively rare but it is deadly. There are medical treatments and curable and symptoms to identify them.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Nov 26, 2017 | Blog, Female Gynaecologist
The word ‘High-risk pregnancy’ itself sounds scary for most of us. Imagine a mom-to-be who is in the risk and knew that she or her baby has an increased chance of health problems. In medical terminology, High-risk pregnancy is the condition where mother or foetus are at high risk during or after pregnancy. To put it simple, where the pregnancy complications are more than usual is called high-risk pregnancy. Problems in growth of the baby, preterm labour, preeclampsia, placenta are some of the High Risk Pregnancy Causes during the time. But it is important to understand that not every high-risk pregnancy causes troubles during conceiving and it can be taken care of by good medical treatment. Dr. Neelima Mantri, High Risk Pregnancy Doctor in Mumbai suggests to have healthy diet and consume all prescribed medicines, vitamins to avoid any complicated issues during pregnancy.
However, it is important to know what are the factors that put pregnancy at risk. They are divided into four main categories.
Existing Health Conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, HIV effected, Polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney disease, uncontrolled thyroid, obesity are some of the conditions which can make pregnancy more difficulty.
Age: It is one of the most common risk factors, for both teen age pregnancies and first-time pregnancies after 35 years old. Teenage is not considered healthy to have a baby because of high blood pressure and anemia; whereas older first-timers are more likely to have excessive bleeding during labour. So, the ideal age to conceive without any risks is between late teens and early30’s. However, some researches proved that age is just a number for pregnancy. A 40 year-old women is more biologically healthy than a 20 year-old.
Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle habits are the most effected factors for high-risk pregnancy. Smoking, excess alcohol, drugs intake exposes the unborn child to many fatal health risks. Smoke, even it is a second hand smoking gives a low birth weight for the baby. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a group of fetal disorders development when the mother is not maintaining a good lifestyle; abnormal facial features, short stature, low body weight, hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities and vision or hearing problems are some of the risks results in unhealthy everyday habits.
Many moms or mom-to-be(s) are in the dilemma if the baby is going to be healthy. The anxiety and wellness of the baby is natural during high-risk pregnancy. A good prenatal care and right medical treatment gives you a healthy baby even you are in the risk. Keep the lines open and talk about all the concerns for you and your little one. As a specialist can only make you understand and prevent the difficulties beforehand and give good advice, consult Dr Neelima Mantri, one of the High Risk Pregnancy Specialists and maternal-fetal specialist which are very few in the country. You need to have more visits to the doctor and ultra-sound scans to find out that the baby is growing well.
by Dr Neelima Mantri | Nov 23, 2017 | Blog, Female Gynaecologist
Food is everything a person need. The tenure of 9 months’ pregnancy is a very happy stage of a woman’s life. You may have to leave your long established eating habits and incorporate good diet routines for nutrition balance which makes you and your little one healthy and beautiful. It is also advised to consult a doctor about your healthy eating. As to present a diet plan, Dr. Neelima Mantri, Female Gynaecologist in Mumbai suggests a proper balanced diet for an expectant mother.
Foods to take:
Eggs: It is a healthy food for those who are not pregnant also. It is understandable that many pregnant women develop aversions towards meat. Whether it is fried, boiled, scrambled – they serve as a golden standard for the healthy pregnancy. The property called Choline develops fetal brain development and reduces neural tube defects.
Nuts: The crunchy little things are not only fun to eat but also contains healthy fats. Any nuts contain brain-boosting omega-3 and magnesium properties are helpful for the little honey’s brain development and nervous system. However, it is recommended to keep the serving of 5-6 nuts every day as they are rich in fat and calories. And it should be stopped immediately after allergic findings. This prenatal power snack on a go reduces premature labour issues and ranked as one of the best foods for pregnant ladies.
Yogurt: Plain and flavoured-less yoghurt got more calcium than milk. Yoghurt will be commonly mistaken with curd in some cultures, but they are two different types in every aspect. Due to its bone-building nutrients, it is one of the strongly recommended diet to be taken by pregnant ladies. It is essential to take at least 3 servings of yoghurt every day to make the baby’s bones stronger, otherwise, the calcium needs for the baby development will be taken from your bones leaving you weaker.
Foods not to take:
Brinjal: Majority of the people don’t like this vegetable, but one of the most common dish every Indian home has once in a week. However, according to Ayurvedic traditions, it is one of the foods which should be limited or avoided by pregnant women. Because of their enriched menstruation-inducing properties, it may lead to abortions.
Fish and sea food: It may be surprising to know that the sea food is harmful for the pregnancy, but it is medically proved. Sushi, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are considered dangerous because of high methylmercury. The mercury consumption by mother leads to developmental delays and brain damage of the foetus. Choose to eat salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna which have low mercury.
Raw dairy products: Although calcium intake is a must for the expecting, but not all dairy products are safe. A registered dietitian says to avoid raw milk and other raw dairy products, as the unpasteurized products contains Listeria, a germ that cause miscarriages. So, it is not safe to drink raw milk or any products made with raw milk during pregnancy.
Hope this information will give a better picture for all the expectant moms to what to eat and avoid. In the bottomline, too much of anything is harmful. So, keep the foods in limit which are allowed to eat and avoid which are not.
