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As soon as a pregnant woman or a new mom mentions breastfeeding almost everyone offers to give an advice or opinion to the mother. While some of the advice may be helpful but most of the time wrong information is passed along from time to time through several generations.
It is important to be cautious and differentiate facts from myths so that one can offer the very best to the baby. To help you sort through it all here is the truth behind some of the most common myths about breastfeeding.
Myth #1: Babies who are Formula fed sleep better.
Fact- Since the breast milk is quite easily digestible the breastfed babies get hungrier sooner than if they are formula fed. Because formula milk doesn’t get digested as quickly, it may be a longer stretch between two feedings, so your baby may sleep longer.
Myth #2: If you have small breasts you won’t be able to produce enough milk to feed your baby.
Fact- Size doesn’t matter. Milk ducts are located in the so-called functional tissue rather than in the fatty tissue that is responsible for breast size. So irrespective of the size be assured that your breasts are capable of providing your baby with the milk they need.
Myth 3: Giving the breast a nursing rest can help ensure more milk.
Fact: The more you nurse the more will be the milk production. You should nurse at least 8-9 times a day to ensure enough milk production.
Myth 4: Breast feeding makes the breasts saggy or reduces sensitivity.
Fact: While pregnancy does somewhat change the look and feel of your breasts, breastfeeding does not cause any changes past that. Indeed, evidence suggests that women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer later in life.
Myth #5: You must eat only bland foods while breast feeding.
Fact: By the time the foods you eat have been digested and used to make breast milk the possible upsetting elements have been broken down and shouldn’t affect your baby at all.
Myth #6: There should be a strict clock pattern of 2 hour feeding to make sure that your baby gets enough to eat.
Fact: Babies’ eating patterns are as individual as those of their parents. The babies should be fed on demand. If the baby is passing urine 6-8 times a day that means they are eating enough. You can also schedule a weight check with your paediatrician if you’re worried that the baby isn’t getting enough to eat.
Myth #7: If you bottle-feed your baby, he will refuse the breast.
Fact: Until your baby has mastered breastfeeding which is usually at around four weeks there is a high chance of nipple confusion. Breastfeeding requires practice, bottle-feeding doesn’t. Try to delay the introduction of bottle till 4 weeks of age. If you have to use it for one or two feedings a day. Your baby will develop the skills needed to bottle feed without losing the ability to feed at the breast. It is recommended to use breast milk when trying the bottle and cuddling with the baby which will help in bonding.
Myth #8: You shouldn’t nurse if you have a blocked duct or breast infection.
Truth: Exactly the opposite of this is true. Nursing frequently or applying heat (heating pad or wet washcloth) is the best way to clear a blocked duct. Also be sure your bra isn’t too constricting; and avoid underwire bras as they can compress ducts. If you do develop a breast infection—symptoms include redness and soreness in the breast a fever and flulike symptoms—see your doctor right away as you’ll need to take antibiotics.
Myth #9: Breast feeding is a reliable form of birth control.
Fact: If you’re not ready to be pregnant again don’t rely on breastfeeding for birth control. However, if you’re breast feeding exclusively and that means frequently day and night if your baby is younger than 6 months and if your period hasn’t resumed the so-called lactation amenorrhea method can be 98 % effective in preventing pregnancy. But if all three of those criteria are not met or if you’re letting your baby use a pacifier [which can make a baby suck less often or less intensely when on the breast in turn affecting your hormone production] breastfeeding should not be used as contraception.
Myth #10: Breast feeding your child for more than a year makes weaning difficult.
Fact: Babies are individuals and some just want to nurse longer than others. Some children give it up on their own at about 1 year of age while others are content to nurse well past their second birthday. But if you reach a point where you no longer enjoy it you may want to consider weaning to avoid sending negative messages to your baby.
Myth #11: Many women produce limited milk
Fact: Majority of women produce adequate milk. Some babies don’t gain enough weight or lose weight. This isn’t due to inadequacy of milk but the milk not reaching the baby. The common reason for this is that he is poorly latched onto the breast. This is why it is crucial that the mother be shown on the first day how to latch a baby on properly by someone who knows what they are doing.
Myth#12: It is normal for breast feeding to hurt.
Fact: Some tenderness during the first few days is relatively common, this should be a temporary situation that should last only for a few days and should never be so bad that the mother dreads breast feeding. There might be some discomfort or pain due to the baby latching on. Any nipple pain which is not getting better by day three or four or lasts beyond five or six days should never be ignored. A new onset of pain when things are normal for a while may be due to a yeast infection of the nipples. Limiting the feeding time does not prevent soreness. Taking the baby off the breast for the nipples to heal should be a last resort only.
Myth#13- A breast feeding baby needs extra water in hot weather
Fact- Breast milk contains all the water a baby need.
Myth#14- A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby.
Fact- Washing nipples before each feeding makes breast feeding unnecessarily complicated and washes away protective oils from the nipple.
Myth#15- Breast feeding ties the mother down.
Fact- It depends on how an individual looks at it. A baby can be breastfed anywhere, anytime and therefore breastfeeding is liberating for the mother. No need to drag around bottles or formula or where to warm up the milk or sterility of the bottles. No need to worry about how your baby is because he is with you.
Myth#16- Modern formulas are nearly the same as breast milk.
Fact- Modern formulas are only superficially similar to breast milk. They are the inexact copies. Formulas contain no antibodies, living cells, enzymes and hormones. The proteins and fats are basically different from those in breast milk. Breast milk is tailor-made for the baby. Formulas do not differ from the beginning to the end of the feed or from day 1 to day 7 to day 30 or from woman to woman or from baby to baby. Formulas are successful only to make babies grow well usually but there is much more to breast feeding than just nutrients.
Myth#17: If the mother has an infection, she should stop breastfeeding
Fact: Baby is relatively less threatened if the mother continues to breastfeed the baby. Till the time, mother is suffering from fever or cough, vomiting, diarrhea, rash etc. she has already transferred the infection to the baby as she has been infectious for several days before she even knew she was sick. Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect the baby from infection and is the recommended source of nutrition, even when the mother is ill.
Myth#18: If your baby has diarrhea or vomiting, then the mother should stop breast feeding
fact: The best medicine for a baby’s gut infection is breastfeeding. Stop any other foods for a short duration but continue with breast feeding. In such conditions, the baby requires breast milk for fluid intake, except under exceptional circumstances.
Myth#19: If the mother is taking medicines, she should not breastfeed the baby
Fact: There are limited medicines which a mother cannot take safely during breast feeding. Inform your doctor that you are lactating and she will offer you a substitute if medicine is truly of concern.
Visit our consultants at our obstetrics department for special maternity services, clarifications and guidance.
Improving the diet program or adopting a new diet plan and making changes to the lifestyle may reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases associated with PCOS such as diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer.
Below are some symptoms of PCOS: –
Recommended Meal Plan for PCOS
| Prefer complex carbohydrates. Whole wheat, ragi, dalia, oats, quinoa in daily diet | Limit refined cereals maida, bread, biscuit, pao, noodles etc. |
| Aim to eat 6-7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily | Limit intake of fruit juice |
| Eat protein with every meal or snack | Limit salt intake-no canned and tinned food, table salt, excess salt, achaar, papad |
| Choose good fat -nuts, seeds, Blends of oil in daily diet | Say no to saturated and trans-fat chips, bakery products, fried food |
| Regular exercise – 30-45min /day | Late breakfast and dinners to be avoided. Right food at right time is the key |
| Small and frequent meals | Packaged food and junk food to be avoided |
| Hydrate yourself -2.5 -3 ltr water daily | Avoid alcoholic drinks, cold drinks and juices |
| Use healthy cooking methods like Bake, grill, broil, boil, steam and microwave | Don’t reuse oil as it has trans fat |
With temperature going up, we get dehydrated easily due to excess sweat and perspiration and we constantly reach out for things to keep us cool.
Major problems during summers are acidity, heartburn, lack of energy etc.
Points to keep in mind during summers:
Infertility is rising with more and more young couples delaying their first child. Priorities have changed, and women are getting married late for education and career. Statistics reveal that since the 1990s, the average age of women having children after 30 years of age has been rising as compared to women younger than 20 years of age.
It is imperative that each infertility case should be considered as a couple’s problem. Only 35% of infertility cases are caused solely by female factors.
Another 35% are caused by factors in the male reproductive system, 20% arise from both, and the remaining 10% is undetermined.
A simple test like semen analysis can help in identifying the problem. Science has really advanced a lot in this field. Many advanced techniques like IVF/ICSI/IMSI/PICSI are available to combat infertility.
In the RMANJ survey, roughly 2/3rd of the millennials surveyed said they used to think that they didn’t have to worry about infertility — that they’d be able to get pregnant no matter what.
However, there are a few limitations to this treatment. IVF success declines with age and it’s negligible after the age of 42years.
In fact, there is a sharp rise in the loss of eggs every month after the age of 35. Once a woman is out of eggs, she is out of eggs. The only option she has is to use donor eggs.
Most of the couples keep delaying IVF thinking that it’s the last resort. This outlook actually worsens their chance of conceiving. Age is the single most important factor affecting your fertility, even if you are healthy.
At 30yrs of age, the chance of conceiving each month is about 30% whereas at 40yrs it is around 5%. Also, eggs age with women’s age. Aged eggs are at risk of producing abnormal babies.
One in 100 live births can have down syndrome if the mother is 40yrs or above. The risk of miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterine cavity) also increases with age.
Poor nutrition can have an impact on fertility. Women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 or those who are severely underweight may have difficulty in conceiving.
Even a man’s age matters too! Men see a decline in fertility in their 40s and 50s. This reflects the age-related increase in acquired medical conditions, decreases in semen quality, and increasing rates of DNA fragmentation seen in sperm.
In addition, there is an association between the age of the male partner and the incidence of birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities and higher psychiatric disorders like autism, schizophrenia.
Relaxation alone won’t help anyone become a parent. Medical conditions in one or both partners may stand in the way of conception.
If there is no obvious physical explanation for infertility, a doctor can still suggest lifestyle changes that could boost the odds of conception.
We need to understand that these artificial reproductive techniques are here to help you provided you with reach out to the doctor at the right age and the right time.
Results steeply decline with advancing age and they should not be chosen as the last resort. At the CK Birla Hospital, our fertility experts treat all facets and causes of infertility including recurring miscarriage, ovulation disorders, menstrual disturbances, and other reproductive and endocrinal problems.
With the increase in humidity levels during monsoon season, so do a number of skin infections. The skin remains wet for a long period of time, due to sweat and when it rubs together, it gives rise to a condition called Intertrigo. The first and foremost advice is “Don’t neglect it”. It is a very common skin infection in all age groups, including children. People, who work in hot, humid conditions or are obese, are more prone to this type of skin rash. It may be contagious.
The areas that are commonly affected are:
The most common symptoms of Intertrigo are redness and itching of the affected area. Your skin may develop cracks that become wet and oozy. If there are pus-filled boils in the margins of the affected area, it signifies yeast infection. Another variant of skin rash is Tinea Cruris, which is caused by a fungus called Dermatophyte. The skin may not be very wet or oozy, but will have red centres with dry and scaly borders.
Not all skin rashes can be termed as Intertrigo or Tinea Cruris. Your doctor is the best person to determine the type of rash on your body and suggest the most effective method of treatment. In most cases, some anti-fungal creams and tablets are prescribed by dermatologists, depending upon your condition. Some anti-allergic medicines can also be prescribed for additional relief.
Medications can give relief from the discomfort and cure the infection, but you must take some simple precautions to keep such skin conditions at bay, and maintain healthy skin throughout the year.
Dos –
Don’ts
As you need to breathe to stay alive, similarly, your skin also needs to breathe to stay healthy. Though you can’t avoid the heat and sweat in summers at all times, you can prevent and treat such infections by not neglecting it and identifying it at an early stage.
Hygiene is your best answer to Healthy Skin.
Liposuction has become one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures. The popularity of this plastic surgery procedures continues to rise with it becoming the second most common plastic surgery procedure in the world. Keen to know about this increasingly popular plastic surgery procedure? Read on.
What is Liposuction?
It is a surgical procedure that breaks down subcutaneous fat (fat just under the skin) in those parts of the body that are resistant to diet and exercise. Traditional liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is a way to remove pockets of fat in otherwise healthy individuals.
Why is Liposuction done?
Each year, getting in shape features at the top of most people’s lists. Most of us follow diet plans and workouts, thinking of the magical results that will follow. But the puffy fat on the sides and back of the waistline, just won’t go away. This can be a tricky area to trim down, and diet and exercise doesn’t always seem to deliver. The main objective of liposuction is to do away with this excess fat in the body.
Below are some common problem areas of the body where liposuction may be performed.
It is always advised that patients consult experts in plastic surgery to assess the areas of the body where liposuction can be performed.
Ideal candidate for Liposuction
The best candidates for the plastic surgery procedure are healthy individuals who have stubborn subcutaneous fat. This does not include those that have visceral fat in which the layers of fat reside around the abdominal organs.
Before recommending liposuction, the surgeons evaluate the condition of the prospective patient. Patients with good skin elasticity are ideal candidates for liposuction, whereas patients with loose skin or cellulite are not, as these conditions can result in uneven or dimpled skin.
As indicated above, liposuction is not a weight loss treatment, but a fat reduction procedure. The safe limit of fat removal during a single procedure is 7% to 8% of body weight, but it also depends on the surgeon’s assessment of the patient’s health and his/her aesthetic goals.
Is liposuction painful?
You won’t feel any pain during a liposuction surgery as you would be given an anaesthesia before the start of the procedure.
Plan to go for a cosmetic surgery on arms, face, chin, body or breast?
At the CK Birla Hospital, our aim is to provide you the best treatment possible with the greatest possible care.
Watch the video here as, Consultant, Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, who brings more than 14 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgeries talks about liposuction, a body contouring procedure that targets resistant areas of fat like the abdomen and back.
Osteoporosis is characterized by tiredness, pain in bones and difficulty while performing physical activities. This condition silently affects the human body and with age and time, bones gradually lose strength, become weaker, therefore increasing the risk of falls and fractures.
So, what exactly is osteoporosis?
It is a medical condition in which the bones become frail due to the deficiency of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. This deficiency could be due to hormonal changes, or could even be genetic. A low bone density in turn becomes a precursor to osteoporosis.
As per International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis mostly goes underdiagnosed and people don’t take proper treatment, until something major, like a fracture, happens. Surprisingly, this problem is not just restricted to rural areas but is widely prevalent across.
While physical activity is a must to keep our body fit and active but it doesn’t specifically guarantee strong bones. Hitting the gym and lifting iron may help you strengthen your muscles but you also need to nourish your bones with Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, calcium, iron, protein and other nutrients. Surprisingly, Osteoporosis can be prevented with proper intake of vitamin D and vitamin B12 along with calcium.
Don’t wait till its too late. Take a Dexa scan today at our orthopedics department.
Vaginal discharge is seen as a normal cleansing process in the female reproductive system. It is a common phenomenon among girls and women. This discharge is in the form of fluid or mucus from the vaginal and the cervix glands. It helps in keeping the area clean and moist, washes away the dead cells and bacteria, and prevents infection.
However, in line with the various changes you experience in your body over time, this discharge also changes. Abnormal vaginal discharge is also commonly experienced by women during various stages of life. Abnormal vaginal discharge is different in appearance, odour and flow from what is expected. The presence of abnormal discharge indicates an underlying health concern such as infection or onset of menopause.
In this article, with insights from Dr. Astha Dayal, we will explore what is a vaginal discharge and what to expect from it.
Table of Contents
Normal vaginal discharge varies in amount depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. It varies from body to body. It could be clear or milky white in color, it is thick, sticky and slippery, and might have some odor.
In most women, this is normal. During ovulating, pregnancy, breastfeeding, using birth control or sexually aroused, there is a slight increase in discharge. It may smell different when a woman is pregnant or when she is not paying heed to personal hygiene.
However, none of these changes are a cause for concern. Vaginal discharge is a natural process and has no link with age.
There are several different types of vaginal discharge that are usually characterised by their different colours and consistencies. Common types of vaginal discharge include:
The most common colour type of discharge is white. It is usually seen at the beginning or end of the menstrual cycle. While white discharge is normal, cottage cheese discharge which is thicker in appearance indicates an underlying health problem such as a yeast infection.
Another common type of vaginal discharge is clear and watery. It is mostly seen after heavy exercising.
Clear and stretchy discharge is identified by a mucus-like, stretchy discharge. This type of discharge is usually indicative of ovulation.
You may experience brown or bloody discharge around the time of your menstrual cycle, especially after. Blood discharge is also normally seen in between menstruation, this is known as spotting. If you experience spotting at a time which is not closer to your menstruation, it can be an early sign of pregnancy. In rare cases, this type of discharge may also indicate endometrial or cervical cancer.
A yellow or green tinted discharge is not a normal type, especially when it is thick or has a foul odour. This type of discharge can indicate trichomoniasis infection.
A change in the color, smell, or consistency especially if it is accompanied by vaginal itching or vaginal burning, could be indicative of an infection or any other underlying condition.
The change in the nature of discharge could be because of a change in the balance of the vaginal bacteria.
Abnormal vaginal discharge can result from a range of health concerns or underlying conditions. Here is a list of some common causes that can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge:
Antibiotics which are used to treat bacterial infections can upset the yeast and bacterial balance of your vagina causing the development of abnormal vaginal discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have multiple sexual partners. This infection can cause a fishy odour in the vagina along with vaginal irritation.
A vaginal yeast infection is a condition that causes irritation and abnormal whitish discharge from the vagina. It is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina. Symptoms of yeast infection discharge include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, along with itching, redness, irritation, and burning.
Almost 90 per cent of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life. Yeast infections are not contagious, and over-the-counter antifungal creams are available for a patient to use.But, if symptoms don’t improve with treatment or you get these infections repeatedly, please consult a gynaecologist. The discharge experienced as a result of yeast infection is often thicker, creamy and white discharge no odour.
Birth control pills can lead to the formation of an increased amount of vaginal discharge that is slightly different from the normal one. It does not usually indicate any illness and occurs due to an increased production of cervical fluid.
Cervical cancer occurs when the healthy cells in the cervix begin to divide and multiply at an abnormal rate leading to the formation of a mass called tumour. Cervical cancer can impact your vaginal discharge by making it foul smelling.
A colour-tinted discharge, usually green or yellow, is indicative of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs can cause vaginal discharge smell along with itching and irritation.
Being diabetic can increase your chances of developing a yeast infection. It is because your body tends to get rid of excess sugar levels through bodily fluids such as vaginal discharge.
Douching is the process of cleaning out the vagina and vulva with a mixture of water and other fluids. Experts suggest that women should avoid douching as the vagina can clean itself. Douching can also increase your chances of developing vaginal infection. It is also advised that women should avoid using scented soaps or other products on the vagina as they can mix with your natural odour and cause vaginal irritation.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection causing pain, cervical tenderness and vaginal discharge or white discharge no odour. It usually spreads through sexually transmitted infections. It leads to the secretion of white, cloudy discharge.
Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex. This infection can cause vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin or yellowish or green in colour.
Vaginal atrophy is a condition that causes the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause. This condition can cause inflammation of the vaginal wall and lead to a thin, watery and yellow or grey-tinted discharge.
Vaginitis is an inflammation or irritation in or around the vagina leading to discharge, itching and pain. Abnormal vaginal discharge caused from vaginitis can be foul-smelling or brown or green in colour. It occurs due to a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria.
Abnormal vaginal discharge is usually detected or diagnosed when a woman visits a gyanecologist with complaints of above-given symptoms or during the regular screening.
Your gynaecologist will discuss your symptoms in detail along with your personal medical history. He/she will then perform a physical test and general health check including a pelvic exam and pap smear to examine and find out the cause of the discharge. In addition, your doctor may also perform a pH test and STD testing.
| Milky or white. Odorless | Normal discharge | None | This is normal |
| Thick, white, and may resemble cottage cheese | Yeast infection | Vaginal itching, burning, soreness, or pain. Some women experience pain when urinating or having sex along with and redness, swelling or rash around the vulva | Consult your gynecologist |
| White, yellow or grey | Bacterial vaginosis | Fishy odor, itching, and swelling | Consult your gynecologist |
| Yellow or green, thick or chunky | Trichomoniasis or bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease | Foul odor | Consult your gynecologist |
| Brown or bloody | Irregular menstruation or a sign of something more serious | Pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding | Consult your gynecologist |
| Cloudy, yellow | Gonorrhea | Pelvic pain | Consult your gynecologist |
It is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina. Symptoms of yeast infection discharge include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, along with itching, redness, irritation, and burning.
Almost 90 percent of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life. Yeast infections are not contagious, and over-the-counter antifungal creams are available for a patient to use.
But, if symptoms don’t improve with treatment or you get these infections repeatedly, please consult a gynecologist.
In case of the following, please consult your gynecologist:
While it is recommended to visit a verified gynaecologist for effective treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge, you may take the following measures to help for temporary relief from symptoms.
Greek yoghurt – Probiotics such as Greek yoghurt contains live bacteria and supports in creating a healthy environment for your vagina.
Coconut oil – Coconut oil has several health benefits. It is popularly known for its antifungal properties. Coconut oil can help in treatment of vaginal yeast infection.
Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is an essential oil used for the treatment of viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Tea tree oil also has antimicrobial properties that can help in easing vaginal irritation caused by abnormal discharge.
Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for the treatment of vaginal yeast infection.
Vitamin C – Along with being a immune system booster, vitamin C helps in retaining the vaginal balance and treatment of yeast infections.
If you are suffering from a vaginal infection, it is recommended that you should practice the following measures to help control or stop excessive discharge:
Early detection is key when it comes to breast cancer. Though breast pain and breast lumps in the breast are the most noticeable symptoms, some signs may not be as noticeable as others. Hence, it’s important that women know what the symptoms are, and learn how to spot them. Women should check their breasts regularly for any changes/ symptoms and get examined by a specialist. Let us analyze the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer.
Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
A family history of breast cancer is a risk factor that should not be ignored. If any relatives in your family are affected with breast cancer, your risk of developing it is high.
French fries, burgers, colas may be your favorite snacking options, but do not ignore the damage they cause. Red meat, saturated fats, processed food can cause cancer of the breast, stomach, bowels, mouth and food pipe.
Being obese increases your chances of breast cancer, especially in the case of postmenopausal women.
Regular consumption of alcohol increases your risk of developing breast cancer.
Age: Although breast cancer is more prevalent for women above 40, it is the most common type of cancer diagnosed among women of reproductive age.
In your busy life, how often have you looked and felt your breasts to spot any changes in them? The following signs are indicative of changes in your breast and possible symptoms of breast cancer which need immediate attention.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Keep checking for any abnormalities/unusual changes in your breast from time to time. Consult our expert Breast cancer Doctors at The Breast Centre to help detect breast cancer in its early stage.
