Benefits of breastfeeding 

Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients for your baby. Breast milk is easier to digest than is commercial formula.
The antibodies in breast milk boost your baby's immune system. Breastfed babies get fewer colds and sinus and ear infections. They also have less diarrhea and constipation and a decreased chance of having allergies.
Helps to increase the bonding with your baby
Helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer in the mother
No frantic runs to the store. No bottle cleanup. Many moms just roll over (especially if their baby is in a co-sleeper) and nurse in a sleepy state. Breast milk is instantly available and delivered warm.
If you mostly breastfeed, you save money on formula
Breast-feeding might even help you lose weight after the baby is born.
Its tough in the begining
Consider a breastfeeding class while you're pregnant. Getting baby to latch on may not feel natural. Ask for help in the hospital. Those first days, you might feel what experts call extreme tenderness -- and what we call pain. But once your baby is properly latched, discomfort should diminish during each nursing session and go away completely with time. Don't ignore shooting pain; a knot in the breast accompanied by soreness and redness could be a plugged milk duct, which can lead to mastitis, a nasty infection that requires antibiotics.

Start by getting comfortable. Support yourself with pillows if needed. Then cradle your baby close to your breast rather than learning forward to bring your breast to your baby. Support the baby's head with one hand and support your breast with the other hand. Tickle your baby's lower lip with your nipple to encourage your baby's mouth to open wide. Look and listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern.

If you need to remove the baby from your breast, first release the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of your baby's mouth. If your baby consistently nurses on only one breast at a feeding during the first few weeks, pump the other breast to relieve pressure and protect your milk supply.

You're the food supply, so mother yourself

The nutrient needs of a woman are at an alltime high during breastfeeding. Keep taking prenatal vitamins, get ample calcium. By weight, 88% of breast milk is water. Breast milk volume increases from as little as 50 ml on the first day, to as much as 750 ml a day, when breastfeeding is well established. So, the most critical nutrient needed for the production of ample breastmilk to meet a suckling baby s demand, is water. Aim to drink at least 1.5- 2 litres/day.

You'll also need to learn to relax, however you can -- stress might affect letdown (the start of your milk flow). Take a warm shower, sink into a chair, and remember to breathe as you help your squirmy baby latch on. 

Select wholesome food such as wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, low fat dairy products, lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds to maximise the overall nutrient quality of your diet.If you need medication (for anything from a cold to a chronic condition), check with your doctor. Most meds -- but not all -- are fine in breast milk. 

Breastfeeding - Why Is It Advocated & Tips For Moms

If your teenager finds out that she is pregnant, and will be having a baby soon, it is a very difficult situation to cope with. Teenage pregnancy is associated with intense stress and trauma in both the girl and her parents, and family. It is important for you to realise that teenage pregnancy can be okay, based on good and wise decisions. You should seek all options at hand, and discuss them with people you trust. There are several coping methods for dealing with the stress, trauma, and difficulty of teenage pregnancy. They are as follows:

Keep in mind that it is okay to be overwhelmed

A flood of emotions is likely to flow through your body on finding out that your teenage daughter is pregnant.
Your mind has to be set for facing several challenges which lie ahead. You have to go ahead.
It is okay to feel upset, but avoid showing it in front of your daughter.
Be supportive

You might be upset and angry, but you need to realise that your daughter is scared and alone.
She needs you by her side during this phase more than ever. Your child s health has to remain relaxed both physically and mentally during pregnancy.
Do not make your daughter feel shameful as it will worsen the trauma. You need to make her understand that you are with her to figure out some kind of solution.
Ask your daughter what she wants

It is important for you to ask your pregnant teenage daughter about what she wants, and you should respect her wishes.
Your daughter has to be comfortable with the choices you make regarding the pregnancy.
Give her advice and help her in exploring options

Instead of forcing your opinions and views on your daughter, you need to lead her to beneficial resources and support centres.
It is important for your daughter to make the best decision, without a lot of influence over what has been decided.
Explore the available options with her and point out the various pros and cons.
Teach your daughter the skills required to become independent

While you have to help your teenage daughter emotionally, financially and in many other ways, you should also teach her the ways of becoming an independent self sufficient adult.
If she decides on having the baby, it is very important for her to learn to take care of the baby and deal with all the issues that are likely to be faced.
It is also recommended for you to take your pregnant teenage daughter for therapy and proper counselling. These are also important for her to cope with the trauma and make the best decisions.

Teenage Pregnancy - How To Deal With Stress And Trauma?

Menopause is an inevitable biological occurrence in every woman's life. It is a period when the menstrual cycle ceases permanently. Menopause brings about a sea of changes. From hormonal imbalance to insomnia to emotional breakdown and depression, the complications are many. Menopause is also found to increase the risk of certain health conditions, one of which includes heart problems and a heart attack. In this article, we will discuss the link between menopause and heart problems (including a heart attack) and the possible preventive measures.

The connection between menopause and a heart attack
As opposed to many beliefs, menopause, by no means is a diseased condition. It is a natural phenomenon that strikes every woman, usually after the age of 50. With menopause, there is also a dip in the level of estrogen hormone. Estrogen is an important female hormone that goes a long way in protecting women from various cardiovascular disorders.

It plays a pivotal role in the proper relaxation and dilation of the blood vessels to ensure the flow of blood to the heart remains unaltered.

Estrogen acts a catalyst, resulting in a significant increase in the level of the "Good Cholesterol" or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and a dip in the level of the "Bad Cholesterol or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein).

With a fall in the estrogen level, the concentration of LDL rises with a considerable dip in the HDL level.
The higher the level of LDL, the more the chances of a heart problem, especially a heart attack.
The LDL present in excess can adhere to the walls of the blood vessels and cause its blockage.
The condition can also result in arterial blockage.
Further, in the absence (or lesser concentration) of estrogen, the walls of the heart tends to lose its flexibility and elasticity to a great extent.
All these conditions can spell doom for the heart triggering a heart attack or other cardiovascular disorders.

Preventive Measures

After the age of 50, it is essential to go for regular health check-ups.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle as much as you can. Exercise and physical activities, even for 30 minutes daily can make a difference. Obesity can play a significant role in triggering heart problems. Thus, it is essential to keep the body weight within control.
Your diet can also influence the overall health. Try and avoid foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats (doughnuts, cakes, pastries, cookies, margarine, frozen and creamy drinks, animal fats, to name a few). Go for a diet rich in folic acid (Avocados, dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, lentils, nuts, peas), whole grains, fish, fibers.
The link between smoking and heart diseases need no special mention. Quit smoking if you want to keep the heart healthy and disease-free.
Problems will always be there. Don't overstress yourself with the same. Spend quality time with family and loved one (day outs, short trips, and vacations).
Never skip the prescribed medicines, unless advised by the attending physician.

Menopause And Heart Attack - What Is The Link?

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin that is soluble in fat. Vitamin D is essential for the growth of your bone and it ensures increased flow of calcium into your bloodstream by promoting the process of its absorption from the consumed food. Poor concentration of vitamin D may result in the development of rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Vitamin D is important in maintaining the immunity of your system; deficiency of vitamin D gives rise to a number of health problems including cardiac disorders, arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and even cancer.

Daily exposure to mild sunlight helps to synthesize Vitamin D in body. Dietary sources include milk, cod liver oils, fish, meat, fortified dairy and food products.

The most reliable way to diagnose the deficiency of vitamin D is through blood test; it is the most effective method of measuring the level of vitamin D in your blood. The following are some dominant symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

Influenza: According to studies, vitamin D acts a guard against the attack of a number of respiratory infections which are widespread in children. Hence, lack of vitamin D in children is responsible for the development of various respiratory tract infections and diseases.
Depression and Schizophrenia: The root cause of depression and various other psychiatric disorders have been linked to deficiency in vitamin D. It is extremely important for expecting mothers to maintain a sufficient level of vitamin D in their body, during the gestation period to reduce the risk of delayed brain development and other mental ailments in the new born babies.
Cardiovascular disease: Cardiovascular ailments are more prevalent among people, who tend to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Patients who suffer from cardiac discomfort have responded well to vitamin D treatment.
Asthma: Intake of vitamin D supplements reduces the severity and discomforts that are associated with asthma and have also shown considerable reduction in the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Periodontal disorders: Lack of vitamin D may result in the formation of numerous harmful bacteria in your mouth and may give rise to several oral discomforts in form of painful gum inflammation, bleeding and loss of tooth. Vitamin D aids in the formation of cathelicidins and defensins, which are effective in maintaining the overall oral health.
Cancer: Types of cancer including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer are linked with Vitamin D deficiency. Supplements of vitamin D are helpful in controlling the growth and development of breast cancer, especially the estrogen sensitive breast cancer.

Vitamin D Deficiency - 6 Signs That You are Suffering from it 

The news of pregnancy can be one of the best news in a couple s lifetime. However, where this news does not arrive, it can turn very stressful. Whatever the reasons, if a couple has been trying to have a baby and are not able to, it can be very strenuous. However, statistics reveal that most couples take four to six months to conceive. Some couples even take up to two years.

Lifestyles are changing and there are a lot of factors, which determine the ability of a couple to conceive. There could be issues with either of the couple, and sometimes it might not even be an actual issue, but only psychological barriers hampering the health of the relationship.

Some common conditions that can contribute to the couple not conceiving include endometriosis, ovarian issues, polycystic ovaries, hormonal imbalances, medical illnesses, etc. A few common remedies can be tried first, before reaching out for professional help.

Using lubricants without spermicide topical agents may be used, but some of them could contain chemicals, which are spermicides and reduce the sperm count. This needs to be ruled out before investigating the cause for infertility.
Vitamin B6 helps in the luteal phase, which is from the time of ovulation to menstruation. Zinc also plays a vital role in pregnancy and conception, and so it is advisable to take these supplements when trying to get pregnant.
Weight management, quit smoking, improved hydration, general detoxification, dietary changes, adequate hours of sleep are some changes that can immensely benefit.
An ovulation predictor kit and trying to conceive around that time also increases chances of conception.
For a woman who is 35 years or younger, conception should happen in about four to six months  time. If not, it is time to see a doctor to see what is preventing pregnancy.
Some of the other conditions, which would require a visit to the doctor are as follows:

Consumption of regular asthma medications
Diabetic patients
Epilepsy patients
Chronic smoker
Underweight or overweight women
Diagnosed endometriosis
History of polycystic ovaries
Fibroids
History of irregular periods or other menstrual disorders
History of thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, which is one of the main contributing reasons for infertility. Quite often, treating the thyroid levels can lead to pregnancy
History of sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia
History of sexual hormonal imbalance
History of prolonged use of birth control pills
If there is no underlying medical issue, it will happen, don t be anxious.

Struggling to Get Pregnant - What's the Right Time to Visit Your Doctor?

Often most couples face difficulty in trying to conceive and are distraught by the fact that they cannot have a child of their own by natural methods. Nowadays, there are countless alternative options for trying couples to find a solution to this pressing issue.

In vitro Fertilization or IVF is a procedure in which the doctor combines the sperm from the man and egg from the woman to develop an embryo in a laboratory. This step is carried out in a test tube and is therefore referred to as a test tube baby.

Afterwards, the embryo will be transferred back into the woman s womb. The in vitro fertilization procedure was advanced in order to help women suffering from dysfunctional fallopian tubes. In a situation where IVF fails to provide help to the concerned couple, surrogacy is suggested.

Procedure of IVF:

The IVF procedure begins with hormone therapy on the female candidate s body. This is done in order to promote the development of eggs within her ovary. The eggs are then collected and put in a test tube for fertilization. This facilitates the production of a number of embryos. After four days in the incubator, one of the embryos will be transferred within the mother s womb for implantation.

What is Surrogacy and How is it Different?

Surrogacy comes as the next obvious step in light of an IVF procedure failing to make the mother pregnant. In this procedure, the eggs are implanted within the womb of another woman who is referred to as the surrogate. The surrogate keeps the baby within her womb for nine months and gives birth to the child.

Compared to an IVF procedure surrogacy is a very complex process where there are a number of legal, emotional and financial factors involved.

Often couples might take the route to surrogacy as the first option after the woman experiences repeated miscarriages when both the partners have been trying for a number of years and have not met with any success. Other reasons for considering surrogacy include Hysterectomy and frail health condition of the woman that makes her prone to further complications and risks.

Basic Difference:

The basic difference between IVF and surrogacy is that in IVF the egg is fertilized outside the body of the woman whereas in surrogacy, the egg is implanted in another woman s womb and she carries the child for nine months.

The Major Differences Between IVF & Surrogacy!

Want to consult online with a top Cosmetic Gynecology? Do so easily online at Lybrate now!

Consult with a Cosmetic Gynecology - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES