Thursday, November 16, 2017

Things you need to know about Postnatal Care in Katy

For a first time mum it’s not unusual to think as far as giving birth. But the actual action starts once you leave the hospital. Apart from a needy baby trying to grab on to your boob, which may not produce a sufficient milk supply and the never-ending pooping strides along with sleepless nights can be quite overwhelming. Many women are not educated regarding the postpartum period where you may not have anyone to help out with the first bath, nappy changing, offer breastfeeding support, doing the household chores. More and more medical professionals are stressing on the importance of postnatal care and here are some questions answered. 

What is postnatal care and why is it important in Katy TX? 

Postnatal period refers to the first six weeks after the baby is born. You will be going through many ups and downs during this time therefore it is important to care for the health of both mother and baby. Postnatal period is a vulnerable time for the mom and baby therefore proper care is essential whether you are in Texas or any other part of the world.

How does one adjust to motherhood?

Adjusting to your role as a new mother can be a challenge. Taking care of your baby is priority however that doesn’t mean the mother needs to be neglected. In order to ease the tiredness and frustrations you might encounter, here are a few things you can work on,

- Get sufficient rest 

Coping with fatigue and sleepiness can seem impossible but if you can manage to squeeze in catnaps while the baby sleeps then it can ease the tiredness. 

- Seek help

Accepting help from family and friends during the postnatal period is nothing to feel bad about. It’s actually the smart thing to do.

What is the difference between postpartum depression and baby blues?

It’s completely normal to have baby blues after childbirth. Mothers may experience irritability, unexplained crying, mood swings, sorrow, feeling of restlessness, which is due to hormonal changes. 

Postpartum depression will last for more than a few weeks. The mother may experience additional symptoms such as guilt and unworthiness, lack of interest in day to day work, withdraw from baby and family etc. This condition requires medical attention. 

Find out what you need to know about high-risk pregnancy in Katy Texas

In most instances having a baby is a natural procedure where a woman stays pregnant for 40 weeks and then give birth on or close to the due date. But not all pregnancies are easy and some women go through ‘high risk’ pregnancies. If doctors use the term high-risk pregnancy it mean the mother and baby requires extra medical attention. A high-risk pregnancy is when there are potential complications that may affect the mother and the fetus or even both. Those who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy in Katy Texas need to be under specialist care during the gestation period. 

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

A high-risk pregnancy is generally a result of a medical condition that exists during pregnancy. It can also be a condition that arises during the pregnancy that can impact the mother, baby or both. 

What factors contribute to a high-risk pregnancy?

Maternal age - Pregnancy risks are high if the mother’s age is above 35 or below 15 years.

Lifestyle - Smoking, alcoholism and use of illicit drug use can put a pregnancy at risk.

Medical history – Those with conditions such as high blood pressure, heart, kidney or lung problems, sexually transmitted disease, severe infections such as HIV can have serious impact on the mother and baby. Previous miscarriages or death of baby after birth may also fall under high risk pregnancy. 

Underlying conditions - Diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, anemia and other infection also contribute to high-risk pregnancy. 

Multiple pregnancies -  Mothers carrying twins or higher number or babies also fall under this category.

Does a high-risk pregnancy cause medical problems involving the baby? 

High-risk pregnancy can cause problems to the baby. They can be minor or major medical problems depending on the severity of the factors contribution to the high-risk pregnancy. If the fetus is detected to have any medical condition then it can clearly have an impact on its health. 

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Does birth control stop you from getting pregnant? Advice from your gynecologist in TX

Why birth control?

Married life before kids is blissful where you and your partner have all the time in the world and quality time for each other. This is one reason why some couples rely on birth control, to get to prolong that carefree time. Some may hold off getting pregnant due to financial or career-related reasons too while others prefer to remain childless throughout life. Whatever the reason for avoiding pregnancy, it is good to know your options and how successful they are. While birth control pills have been around for decades and have been successful at preventing many unwanted pregnancies they are still not very reliable. If the lady forgets to take the pills as prescribed they are not going to give results. 


What contraceptive options work best?

Essure® tube occlusion is the best method is you want to permanently prevent pregnancy without going under the knife. The safety record of this procedure makes it popular among many women in Katy TX. A tiny insert is placed in each fallopian tube that prevent any sperm from reaching the eggs released by the ovaries. However this method takes some time to work and until then other contraceptives need to be used. This procedure takes only a few minutes to perform and is done in-office. Normal activities can be resumed in 2 days. The success rate of this is over 99%. 
IUD insertion is also very effective in preventing pregnancy. This device is inserted in the uterus in the middle of the menstrual cycle. It will stay in place for several years and then needs replacing if necessary. 

NEXPLANON® insertion is another implant placed under the skin of the upper arm. It is effective for about 3 years and has a success rate of over 99%. 

Visit your gynecologist to know which method will suit you best. 

what are the disadvantages of starting prenatal care late?

Learning that you are pregnant is one of those most exciting and emotional events of your life and every mum makes big plans to make that period easier and good for the child. The baby’s development must happen optimally and without any interruption or the child can suffer for the rest his life. That is why good mothering starts from conception of a child. The food a mother eats and her lifestyle all contribute towards a healthy baby. This can put a lot of pressure on a mother and make her worried about many things which she took for granted before pregnancy but with the help of a good obstetrician in Katy TX she will do just fine. 

What is prenatal care?

The care provided to the baby when it is in the womb and before birth is known as prenatal care. This service is provided by an obstetrician so it is important to choose a good doctor who cares about you and your unborn baby. Studies show that mother who excelled at prenatal care deliver healthier babies and the delivery also goes comparatively smoothly for them. Your doctor will check the baby’s development frequently using ultrasound technology and scans so that any problems can be detected early and necessary action taken. 

What happens in prenatal care is delayed?

Every expectant mother needs to follow few basic care routines. Taking folic acid supplements is vital to prenatal care because it helps the healthy development of the baby’s neural tube which is the precursor of the brain and spine. If there is a deficiency of folic acid in the mother’s body, the child’s nervous system may be impacted negatively. Similarly the doctor will prescribe calcium and vitamin supplements if necessary and the mother should not stop taking them without the doctor’s advice as they too can lead to developmental abnormalities in the baby.