Patient Information is to educate the people about health concerns that arise during the pregnancy. Dr Neelima Mantri, one of the best female gynecologist in Mumbai explains all about the pregnancy and the precautions to be followed for having a safe delivery.
Patient Education Information – Pregnancy
Travel During Pregnancy
Pregnancy does not make a woman handicapped, not allowing her to travel during this period. But it is essential to follow precautions to have a safe journey. These section covers certain tips to be followed for long distance travel during pregnancy:
- It is advisable to carry your case file while your visit to a distant place, to have necessary details about the current pregnancy in case of unseen emergency that may arise.
- Kindly carry sufficient quantity of your medications to avoid discontinuity in the treatment.
- If the journey continues for long period of time, immobilisation increases the chances of deep vein thrombosis. It is a condition where there is clotting of blood in the legs due to prolonged periods of non changing body position.
- These clots can block the blood vessels of lung causing breathlessness, and at times death. This blood clotting tendency of the body is further increased in pregnancy, more likely in air travel.
- Nevertheless it can still occur in train or bus travel as well. Woman should regularly move about during her travel to prevent this complication. Short frequent walks also helps the case.
- It is better to carry clean drinking water and keep it handy, as travelling in air conditioned environment can cause dehydration. Hydration also decreases the changes of deep vein thrombosis.
- Also safe, hygienic food and water should be consumed at all times to prevent food poisoning, infections and diarrhoea.
- Airline companies have certain restrictions with the gestational age during travel.
- Beyond 32 -36 weeks of gestation, air travel is prohibited, hence it is advised to check the restrictions for domestic and international travel.
- Certain pregnancy related states like history of preterm labor or threatened preterm labor provide limitations for travel, and it is advised to consult Dr. Mantri before travel is planned in these scenarios.
Dr. Neelima Mantri wishes you an enjoyable and safe journey. Enjoy!
Diabetes In Pregnancy
Diabetes is a condition of high levels of blood sugars, which has detrimental effects on the various organs of the body. A woman could have diabetes prior to being pregnant or can develop diabetes for the first time in the pregnancy, due to the changes brought about in the body by the pregnancy hormones. The later type is called gestational diabetes, and it does come back to normal after the delivery of the baby, though there are higher chances of such women to develop diabetes later in life.
Diabetes occurs due to the deficiency of insulin hormone or due to resistance of the body to the available insulin in the body. Diabetes in pregnancy affects the mother as well as the baby, hence it is essential to control the blood sugars.
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms:
- No symptoms most of the times
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Poor control of infections
Gestational Diabetes Risk factors:
- Previous pregnancy with diabetes
- Family history of diabetes
- Increased age of mother
- Obese mother
Indians by virtue of their ethnicity are at an increased risk of diabetes, due to which it is advisable to screen for diabetes at the first antenatal visit.
Concerns for the baby:
- Increased weight of baby and risk of diseases later in the baby
- Increased chances of Cesarean delivery
- Baby may need intensive care management
- Sudden death of the unborn baby
Management:
- Regular monitoring of blood sugars in the mother
- Strict control of blood sugars
- Screening in the mother for effects of diabetes on her body organs like kidneys, eyes, etc
- Regular exercise and weight reduction after delivery
- Following strict dietician advice regarding food intake
- Medications or insulin supplementation, individualised
Sex In Pregnancy, Post Delivery
This is a topic which the couple is not able to ask doctor to their complete satisfaction. Dr. Neelima Mantri shall like to answer the most commonly asked queries under this heading.
If there are no risk factors, in a normal pregnancy, it is safe to have sexual intercourse till the third trimester. Contraindications to have sexual intercourse are as follows:
- Threatened abortion
- Theartened preterm labor or established preterm labor
- History of preterm labor
- In cases of low lying placenta or placenta previa
- Rupture of water bag of the fetus
- Any kind of bleeding from the vagina
Assume a comfortable position to avoid direct pressure on the abdomen and uterus. Sometimes the sexual drive of the female partner may be reduced due to the pregnancy hormones or tiredness and backache of advancing pregnancy.
Post delivery body needs time to adapt to its previous shape and dimensions. Woman who undergoes vaginal delivery can have stitches in the vagina making intercourse very painful. Cesarean section wound can be painful. First 15 days following delivery, there can be bleeding or discharge from the vagina making it unsafe for intercourse due to increased chance of infection. Due to the hormone oxytocin vagina can be unduly dry and non receptive for sex. All these factors affect a woman’s desire to have sex. Talking to the partner and addressing the problem is the best solution. Resuming sexual activity after both the partners are receptive, emotionally as well as physically is the most pleasurable alternative.
You can follow Dr Neelima Blogs for more information on pregnancy, female health issues, children care, health tips, breastfeeding, etc.