Month: January 2022

Premature Birth

Posted on January 31, 2022   by   - Blog

Premature Birth - Dr.Shiva Harikrishnan

A pregnancy term is usually 40 weeks. A birth that takes place before the completion of 37 weeks is known as premature birth (pre-term baby). Premature babies may come across some medical problems but the severity or risk increases depending on how early the baby was born.

Preterm birth is categorized as

  • Late preterm – born after 34 weeks
  • Moderately preterm – born after the completion of 32 and before the start of 34 weeks
  • Very preterm – born between 25 to 32 weeks
  • Extremely preterm – at or before 25 weeks of pregnancy

Chances of having premature birth –

  • Pregnant with multiple babies
  • History of miscarriage or premature birth
  • Issues with uterus or cervix
  • Physical trauma
  • Mother catches an infection
  • Reduced gap between pregnancies (less than 6 months)
  • High blood pressure or diabetes.

In a few cases, progesterone supplements and cervical cerclage, where the cervix is stitched to provide support to the uterus, may help to reduce the chances of preterm.

Signs of premature birth –

If you experience sudden contractions, a discharge of mucus from the vagina, water break or decrease of baby movements before 37 weeks, you have to immediately contact your doctor to slow down or stop the labor.

Medicines will be provided to stop contractions. Injections will also be provided to help the baby’s lungs to be stronger and to function efficiently before they are given birth.

Signs of premature babies –

  • Small size and more sharp features due to lack of fat
  • Labored breathing
  • Fine layer of hair(lanugo)
  • Problems in sucking
  • Body having very low temperature.

A premature baby will require a longer stay at the hospital and the duration may increase based on how premature the baby is. The baby may be placed in NICU for proper care.

Risk associated with premature birth –

The problems may be short term or long term.

  • Breathing issues
  • Heart problems
  • Issues with the digestive tract
  • Jaundice
  • Anemia

Other risks include development problems which may be visible only later like –

  • Language delays, learning and thinking difficulties,
  • Delay in growth and movement
  • Issue with hearing, vision
  • Social or emotional problems.

Always keep a constant check about the child’s development and growth. If you have any concerns do check with the doctor.

For more details, kindly contact the doctor.

When your water breaks prematurely (PROM – Premature rupture of the membrane)

Posted on January 19, 2022   by   - Blog

Premature rupture of the membrane

The membrane that holds the baby and the amniotic fluid that surrounds it is known as the amniotic sac. Usually this sac breaks before or during labor, which is known as water break. But when this happens before completing 37 weeks it is known as PROM. Once the water breaks, women will go into labor within the next 24 hours. The earlier this happens from expected week of delivery, more serious it can be for the baby.

What are the causes for early water break or PROM?

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • History of PROM in previous delivery.
  • Infections
  • Surgery of the cervix
  • Too much pressure on sac due to excess amniotic fluid or when having more than one baby.

How to identify if your water broke or not?

Once you feel fluid leaking from the vagina, start keeping a check. For some, it may be a small leak but for few others, it may be a gush. If the fluid is leaking slowly it may be mistaken for urine, so keep a pad and observe it. If it doesn’t have any smell or color, chances are it is the amniotic fluid. In such a case contact your doctor as soon as possible.

What happens next or what needs to be done once water breaks?

If it has happened after 37 weeks they may wait for some time to go into labor. But the doctor may not wait long as the longer it takes for labor to start, greater are the chances for infection as it was the amniotic fluid that protected the baby from infection. If the mother does not go into labor within 24 hours, labor may be induced.

When water break occurs between 34 and 37 weeks, labor will be induced to reduce the risk of infection.

If it took place before 34 weeks, the doctor may suggest to try to hold of labor and put the patient on bedrest. During this period steroid will be provided to help the baby’s lungs to grow before delivery. Antibiotics may also be provided to prevent infections. The team will be keeping a constant watch on the baby and mother.

If the baby is born prematurely, they will be taken to the neonatal unit. After delivery both mother and baby will be observed to make sure no infections come up.

Even once back home the mother needs to contact the doctor if any of the following occurs or continues to persist.

  • High temperature
  • Fever like symptoms
  • Back pain, cramping pain.
  • Any noticeable issues in the baby like reduced movement.

If the water breaks the doctor and team will assess the situation and discuss what is the next best step to be taken. For more details, kindly contact us.

Exercise during pregnancy

Posted on January 3, 2022   by   - Blog

Exercise during pregnancy

Exercise during pregnancy helps to relieve stress and build the stamina required for labor and delivery. It can also help reduce discomforts like fatigue, back pain, etc. You may continue with your exercise as long as you are comfortable and under the approval of the doctor. If you were not exercising before pregnancy do not start suddenly with a strenuous activity instead start with walking or swimming. Follow moderate exercise spending around 30 mins per day.

Advantages of exercise during pregnancy

  • Help prevent weight gain.
  • Sleep better
  • Reduce bloating, swelling and back pain.
  • Improve posture by strengthening muscles
  • Reduce constipation

Exercise should be avoided by women having following issues:

  • Asthma or heart disease
  • Bleeding
  • Weak cervix
  • Heart or lung disease
  • Preeclampsia
  • Placenta previa after 26 weeks
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Extreme Obesity
  • Extreme underweight
  • IUGR in pregnancy

Exercises that are safe to be done during pregnancy

Exercise should mainly consist of warming up, stretching and cardiovascular activity. Most are safe as long as one does not overdo it. Swimming and walking are the safest forms of exercise. These have little risk of injury and can be practiced during the term of pregnancy. If you are just beginning to walk, start moderately for a mile, 3 days a week. If you have been going for walks before pregnancy always keep in mind to start slowly and then increase the pace.

Exercises that must be avoided during pregnancy

  • Exercise involving extensive jumping, bouncing, skipping.
  • Contact sports like basketball, volleyball, football, skiing, horseback riding.
  • Avoid exercises that require lying flat on your back.

To keep in mind when exercising

Never exercise to the point of overexerting yourself. Keep yourself hydrated. When getting up from the floor do it gradually to avoid dizziness. Never overdo the exercise, particularly on hot days as an increase in body heat can affect the fetus. Always listen to your body. Stop exercising when you start experiencing the following –

  • Feel dizzy or nauseated.
  • Bleeding
  • A sudden discharge from vagina
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling
  • Muscle weakness
  • Chest pain

For more details, kindly contact us.