Consult Dr. Praveen Tittal, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in Gurgaon at the CK Birla Hospital if your child is suffering from clubfoot. Book your child’s appointment today!
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Congratulations on becoming pregnant! This marks the start of a beautiful and exciting part of your life. Your body goes through major changes whilst preparing to give birth and it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. To make this journey smoother and worry-free for you, we have put together an “ultimate guide for your first trimester” to help you navigate through your first trimester. So, take a deep breath and read on.
Before we begin to cross off the completed tasks in the “ultimate guide for your first-trimester” checklist, let us understand the first phase better. Your pregnancy is divided into three stages: the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. Your first trimester starts from the date of your last period and lasts till week 12 of the pregnancy. In these first three months, your baby grows faster than any other time. Starting out as a couple of cells, by the end of the first trimester, your baby’s bones muscles and all the organs would have formed. By this point, your tiny little miracle will even start looking like a mini human in the ultrasound.
Without further ado, let us start preparing to bring your little bundle of joy into this world.
First things first. Visit your obstetrician. Your doctor would first take your detailed medical history and perform a pelvic exam. He/she may also confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound, test for STDs, estimate your due date, and screen you for risk factors.
In case of any complications, your doctor would also help you plan out your pregnancy to mitigate any of risks (such as diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy). Your doctor is an important aspect of having a healthy pregnancy. Make sure to discuss all your questions and feelings with full candour. If you don’t understand anything specific, be sure to ask.
Prenatal vitamins are an important part of pregnancy care. These vitamins such as folic acid are used to make up for any nutritional gaps in the mother’s diet. They go a long way in protecting your baby from developing any complications such as spina bifida. Your obstetrician would recommend prenatal vitamins based on your general health and diet.
There is no grey area when it comes to smoking during pregnancy. Smoking puts you at a greater risk of preterm labour, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, not to mention complications in foetal growth and development. If you smoke, quit as soon as you find out about your pregnancy.
Excessive consumption of caffeine has been linked to an increased chance of miscarriage. Limit yourself to less than 200 mg of caffeine in a day (equivalent to two cups of instant coffee or one cup of brewed coffee). You can even switch to decaf.
Remember, your baby eats what you eat. Diet is an important factor in ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Develop a tailored diet to your needs with the help of your obstetrician and nutritionist. Certain foods such as unpasteurised dairy products, raw or undercooked meat, raw shellfish, liver and pate, and some cheeses should be strictly avoided. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and folate rich food.
Alcohol and illicit substance consumption during pregnancy has been linked to several birth defects, miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. Consult your doctor to help you stop consuming any addictive substances during pregnancy.
Building a tiny human from scratch is no easy feat. Give your body time to adjust to the changes and get plenty of rest. Try to fix your sleep schedule and get as much sleep as possible to prepare yourself for the arrival of your little one. Your sleeping position is also important. It is advised to sleep on your side especially in the third trimester, getting used to this sleeping position is advised early on.
Understand what to watch out for during pregnancy. In case you feel any form of cramps or observe any amount of bleeding, get it checked to ensure the health of your baby. If you have any pregnancy conditions such as gestational diabetes or hypertension, take advice from your doctor to identify any early signs of complications.
Mastalgia (breast pain) is a common complaint amongst pregnant women. In the first trimester, you can experience discomfort and tenderness in your breasts. Your breasts might even grow in size. Invest in good supportive maternity bras to help you relieve the symptoms.
Unfortunately, coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID_19) is especially dangerous for pregnant women. So, it becomes more important for you to take the necessary precautions against this 2020 pandemic. Step out as little as possible to minimise your exposure, wear proper masks to cover your nose and mouth, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, use hand sanitiser if necessary, minimize your contact with outsiders and seek guidance from your doctor regarding any additional precautions you should take.
Read: Early signs of pregnancy
Most importantly, remember to stay positive during your pregnancy. Stress is never good, especially not for the little one growing inside you. Fix regular appointments with your doctor to monitor the health and growth of your baby. Every pregnancy is unique in its own way, understand your needs and indulge once in a while. The best way to take care of your little one is by taking good care of yourself. Stay happy and stay healthy while you get ready to take on your new role.
Read: How to prepare your body for Pregnancy: A complete how-to-guide
It is estimated that 1 in every 1000 live births is affected by clubfoot. These numbers vary amongst different countries. Clubfoot can result in lifelong disability and pain if not treated correctly and on time. In fact, if treated right after birth, this condition does not even require surgery for correction. Lack of awareness is one of the leading causes due to which this easily correctable deformity progresses to permanent disability in so many children. In this article, we will explore this condition in further detail to understand it better.
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Clubfoot is a congenital deformity (present at birth) of the foot. In this condition, the infant’s foot is twisted out of shape, inward and upward. It is one of the most common deformities that occurs in the bones and joints in new-born.
This condition can be mild or severe. It can also appear either one or both of the feet. This deformity occurs when the tendons connecting the leg muscles to the foot bones are short and tight. This causes the foot to twist inward.
The exact cause of idiopathic clubfoot is still unclear. Research indicates that it is mostly due to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and not because of any single gene transmission.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of a baby born with clubfoot include factors such as:
Another form of clubfoot can be sometimes seen in babies with underlying genetic or neurological problems that cause muscle imbalance. This form of clubfoot is called a “secondary clubfoot”.
Clubfoot can be diagnosed during pregnancy itself, in the 20-week ultrasound scan. However, most cases are diagnosed at birth after a clinical examination by a paediatrician or a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon.
Fortunately, clubfoot is completely correctable, provided it is treated on time. Sequential plasters are used to correct this deformity and prevent any long-term effects. In fact, children with this deformity may not face any functional limitations with the right treatment.
Starting the treatment as early as possible is key to ensuring maximum results. It is advised that the casting should start as early as 5-7 days after birth. Almost 95-98% of affected children can fully recover without any surgical correction. So, most parents need not be alarmed if they get a diagnosis of clubfoot during pregnancy or after birth.
It is important to remember that this condition only worsens with age. So early medical intervention is essential for the child to lead a healthy and normal life.
Clubfoot is generally treated with non-surgical methods. The treatment protocol is a combination of initial stretching, weekly casting and bracing.
The treatment is started 5-7 days after birth as long as the baby is otherwise healthy. If the baby is premature or has very or extremely low birth weight, stretching is done till the time the baby is healthy enough for casting.
This process of gradual correction of the foot using weekly casting is called the “Ponseti technique”. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can span over a few months and also require the use of a special boot and bar.
The main aim of this treatment protocol is to achieve a functional, pain-free foot that allows standing and walking with the sole of the foot flat on the ground. Starting the treatment early ensures faster and fuller recovery.
In rare cases, the Ponseti technique might not yield the desired results. This can happen if the condition is extremely complex or caused by underlying conditions (secondary clubfoot). Surgical correction can be used to treat such cases.
Named after Ignacio V. Ponseti, a physician recognised for his contribution to the field of orthopaedics, the Ponseti technique is the most widely used technique for treating clubfoot around the world.
It uses a combination of gentle stretching and sequential casting to correct the deformity over a period of time.
In this technique, the baby’s foot is stretched gently and manipulated into a corrected position. It is then held in place with the help of a cast (typically covering toes to thigh). This process is repeated every week till the desired results are achieved. It can take 6-8 weeks or more.
Once the stretching and sequential casting is complete, the surgeon releases the tightness in the Achilles tendon (heel cord) with the help of a minor procedure. The next phase involves a minor procedure. This procedure is called tenotomy and involves using a very thin instrument to cut the tendon. Stitches are not required in this procedure.
A cast is then applied to protect the tendon, usually for about 3 weeks. Once the tendon regrows to a proper length and heals, the condition (clubfoot) is considered it be completely corrected
In the Ponseti technique, the cast is changed weekly after gently manipulating the foot. Every time the plaster is cast, the foot is corrected a little more. Hence, the number of casts required depends on the severity of the deformity. However, generally, 4-10 casts are used on average. This may increase if the age of the child is greater, if the deformity is more complex, or left untreated for long. In such cases, biweekly casting might be required as well.
Once the final casting is complete and removed, the baby will be required to wear special boots connected with a metal bar. This is called the Dennis Brown/Mitchell Ponseti splint. These boots are typically worn for 23 hours a day over a duration of 3 months. Post this, they are recommended while the baby is sleeping and at night, till they are 4 years of age.
Parents are also required to continue performing the stretching exercises on the baby. Proper usage of the boots is essential in correcting the deformity.
In the following cases, a surgical correction might be required to treat clubfoot:
In such cases, tendon transfer is usually required if the child shows signs of the hyperactive tendon when they start walking. This causes inward movement of the feet while walking.
Other surgical treatments for clubfoot also include soft tissue release, gradual correction with an external fixator, bone-cutting surgeries or fusion of foot joints.
As long as the right treatment protocol is followed, there are no significant risks involved in this treatment technique. In some cases, if the baby’s skin is more sensitive or if the cast is not proper, the plaster can cause sores on the skin. These are easily treated with antibiotics and forgoing casting for about a week.
If the Ponseti technique is not done correctly, it can result in complications such as rocker-bottom foot (midfoot break) or an iatrogenic complex clubfoot. The procedure used to cut the heel cord after the casting can also result in bleeding although, this is easily managed.
Fortunately, with the right treatment, babies born with this deformity can grow to have a nearly normal foot and be able to run, play and wear regular shoes. The affected foot might become 1 to 1.5 inches smaller than the other foot. The calf muscles might also be smaller causing the child to feel sore or tired easily. However, it rarely causes any significant problem.
This condition is best treated by a trained paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. Attention to detail is key in avoiding long term complications and for achieving full functionality of the foot by the time the child starts walking.
Even though the procedure is relatively simple and non-surgical, great precision is required to align the foot correctly. Choose an experienced pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who is well versed in clubfoot treatment.
If your child is diagnosed with clubfoot either during pregnancy or right after birth, the most important thing to do is start treatment right away. Follow the home care instructions such as stretching exercises for the baby provided by the doctor diligently for the best results.
Also, read: Vaccinating your child – What you need to know?
Consult Dr. Praveen Tittal, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in Gurgaon at the CK Birla Hospital if your child is suffering from clubfoot. Book your child’s appointment today!
Vaccinations play a key role in enabling our babies and children to grow strong and healthy. Child vaccination also helps us avoid a number of diseases in our adult life. In fact, some of these infections (ex: chicken pox) are far more severe if it occurs later on in life.
Routine childhood vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to cut down on the requirement of life-saving medical interventions. Unfortunately, not all children are vaccinated. While in some cases, it can be due to the unavailability of the required medical care; in others, vaccinations can be missed due to a lack of awareness.
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Here is a list of essential vaccinations as defined as per the National Immunisation Schedule by the Government of India.
BCG is the acronym for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. It is administered at birth and is used to protect them from Tuberculosis (TB). This vaccine is 70%-80% effective in preventing more severe types of TB such as Tuberculosis meningitis.
The vaccine contains weakened live bacteria that help stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies.
It is not given to individuals and babies who are immuno-compromised or have any other complications.
OPV or oral polio vaccine protects the baby from polio throughout his/her life. It is a mixture of attenuated poliovirus strains, which is capable of inciting an immune response from the body while not causing severe symptoms. The poliovirus strains used in OPV are carefully selected by their ability to mimic the immune response triggered by an infection of wild poliovirus.
OPV vaccine is given in spaced doses for the required efficacy. According to the National immunisation schedule, OPV vaccine is administered as:
Hepatitis B vaccine protects the body against hepatitis B, a viral infection that can cause acute or chronic liver problems. It is generally transmitted from mother to child during birth, but can also be transmitted by coming in contact with bodily fluids such as blood and sperm. This infection can be transmitted via sexual intercourse.
The vaccine offers an impressive 98%-100% protection against this infection.
Similar to OPV, this vaccine is also administered in spaced-out doses. The schedule is as follows:
HiB vaccine provides protection from pneumonia, meningitis and other invasive diseases caused by the haemophilus influenza type b bacteria. It is generally transmitted through the respiratory tract.
Vaccines are considered to be the only way to curb the spread of this infection. HiB vaccines are safe and extremely effective when they are administered during infancy. This vaccine is given in spaced out doses. The defined schedule is as follows:
DPT vaccine offers protection against diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and tetanus. Vaccination is the single most effective way to reduce the number of fatalities associated with these infections.
DPT vaccine can be administered on its own or as combination shots with HepB and HiB vaccines. The recommended dosage schedule is:
Inactivated polio vaccine or IPV is made from wild-type poliovirus strains of each serotype that has been inactivated with formalin. It is an injectable vaccine. It protects a person from polio.
IPV vaccine is administered on its own or combined with other vaccines. According to the national immunisation schedule defined by the Government of India, IPV vaccine is administered when the baby is 14 weeks old.
The MMR1 vaccine is a combined vaccine that offers effective protection against:
These are extremely contagious viral conditions that can be more severe in adults. So, safeguarding yourself during childhood itself is the best way to steer clear of these illnesses. The National Immunisation Schedule states that the MMR1 vaccine should be administered when the child is 9 months of age and when he/she is 16-24 months of age.
This vaccination protects the individual from Japanese encephalitis. This is a relatively common infection in Asia. It causes inflammation in the brain which can prove to be fatal. This vaccine is administered to babies who are 9 months old with a second dose when they are 16-24 months old.
There are still many who are apprehensive about the effects of vaccines on children. In reality, not only do vaccines contain inactive and mainly harmless strains of the virus and bacteria, but these infections are usually significantly milder in childhood. So, getting immunised during childhood is the best way to be healthier as we grow older.
If you are concerned that you have missed any or some particular vaccines for your child, you can always get in touch with your paediatrician for booster shots to help your child catch up.
Watch Dr Shreya Dubey, paediatric and neonatology specialist at the CK Birla Hospital, explaining why administrating child vaccination on time is essential. She also speaks about what one can do to help their child catch up on any missed vaccinations.
Ques: Can I still get my child vaccinated during COVID-19?
Today, as we are struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, many parents consider pushing back their child vaccination for a safer time. This is not advised. Try not to delay your child vaccination as far as possible.
In fact, the truth is that no one knows when the pandemic will end. While ensuring protection against coronavirus is still an impossible task (without a vaccine), safeguarding your child against these specific diseases is still under your control. So, it is never a good idea to delay vaccinations.
Ques: Can you delay your child’s vaccination?
In certain unavoidable scenarios, you may end up skipping the ideal age of getting a specific vaccination. In such a case, if you have missed any vaccination, talk to your paediatrician for booster shots and other alternatives.
Ques: Can my child still get vaccinated if they are sick?
Children with mild illness may still be considered for vaccination. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, consult your doctors for steps to take in case your child is showing signs of fever, cough or runny nose.
Also read: Behavioral problems in children in a cosmopolitan city like Gurgaon – Fussy Eating
Pregnancy and childbirth can cause pronounced changes in a women’s body – visible veins, enlarged uterus, and weight gain are all frequent physical changes that a pregnant woman may undergo.
Apart from these changes, sagging or drooping breasts is considered another inevitable norm for most pregnant and ageing women. This can be a cause for significant concern and embarrassment.
Unfortunately, there is very little you can do to combat sagging breasts or what is medically termed as ‘breast ptosis’.
These breast changes are a distressing reality for every woman at some point in their lives, young or old. Lifestyle changes and certain home remedies can, however, help to slow down the sagging process.
If droopy breasts are a concern for you, read on to find out some of the most common causes of loose breasts and what you can do to prevent excessive sagging.
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Breast ptosis or sagging of breasts is one of the many natural bodily changes that a woman may experience with pregnancy, ageing, weight fluctuations and nursing.
According to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the skin surrounding the breasts loses volume and elasticity. As they stretch and lose shape and firmness, they begin to sag.
There are varying degrees of ptosis or breast sagging, including mild, moderate, significant, and unusual. The degree may be determined by an individual’s genetics, changes in body weight, and pregnancy history.
Saggy breasts are primarily attributed to the following causes:
In addition to this, causes of loose breasts entail low estrogen, menopause, and nutritional deficiencies. Even diseases like breast cancer or tuberculosis can also potentially accelerate the sagging process.
Wearing the right kind of bra can hold up your breasts and give it the support it needs after pregnancy. This is especially important when you exercise or perform high-impact workouts.
Neglecting to give your breasts adequate support can cause permanent damage to connective tissues of the breasts over time.
If you want to prevent breast sagging post-pregnancy, ensure that you breastfeed on demand. Don’t keep long intervals between your feeding sessions as this may lead to engorged breasts.
Engorged breasts can not only cause the skin of your breasts to stretch, but it may also sometimes result in clogged milk ducts that could lead to a painful condition called mastitis.
If you find that your breasts feel engorged, breastfeed your baby. If your baby is not ready to nurse, pump the breast milk and freeze it for later use.
Staying well-hydrated helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity and slow the progression of sagging.
To keep your breast from sagging, drink at least eight glasses of water daily and steer clear of diuretics and dehydrating drinks such as alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda.
In addition to this, use a safe moisturiser to take care of the delicate tissues around your breasts.
If you want a firm pair of breasts after delivery, don’t try to lose the baby weight too quickly. Rapid fluctuations in weight can cause elastin and collagen loss, contributing to droopy breasts.
Regular exercise and nutritious food are imperative for perky breasts post-delivery. Fad diets and food low on nutrition can steal the skin of its elasticity and result in droopy breasts.
Breastfeeding has been widely attributed as a major cause of saggy breasts. However, as indicated in a 2007 study conducted by Dr Brian Rinker and his colleagues, this is just a plain misconception.
A tip that could help tighten breasts after delivery, though, is gradual weaning. Slow or gradual weaning allows for slower involution (the shrinking of an organ to its former size) and will be less traumatic for both your breasts and your child.
Proper posture, especially while breastfeeding, can help you avoid sagging breasts. Use a supportive breastfeeding pillow if possible, as this can reduce a lot of unnecessary pull on the breast tissue.
Cold showers have proven to be another effective way to improve breast shape after pregnancy.
Anatomically, the breasts do not have any muscle and are principally composed of only specialized tissue and fat.
Logically, therefore, there are no exercises that can tighten or tone the breasts. Certain chest exercises can, however, help to strengthen the ligaments surrounding the breasts and improve its overall appearance.
Before trying any new physical exercise, check with your healthcare specialist.
Most of the remedies suggested in this article intend to improve sagging breasts after breastfeeding and delivery.
If, however, you experience premature sagging or suspect an underlying medical condition such as hormonal imbalance or breast cancer, it is worth checking with your doctor to ensure that everything is as it should be.
Detecting early signs of breast cancer or other malignant breast conditions can help your doctors provide you with timely and rapid medical care.
Gynecomastia is a medical term used for enlarged or swollen breast condition in males. It occurs due to excess tissue under the breasts. Breast enlargement may be accompanied by pain and tenderness in some individuals.
Breasts consist of glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Glandular tissue is dense and firm while fatty tissue is soft. A man with gynecomastia is likely to have more than normal levels of both types of tissue, resulting in abnormally large looking breasts.
Pseudo gynecomastia or false gynecomastia refers to excess fat deposits under the breast area. However, true gynecomastia occurs when there’s excess growth of glandular tissue beneath the breasts. In such a case, male chest reduction surgery is the best treatment for gynecomastia.
It is a common condition affecting men and boys, with hormonal imbalance being the most prevalent cause.
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The hormone testosterone guides sexual characteristics in males, whereas estrogen governs sexual traits in women. However, men and women both have the two hormones in some proportion. Males make more of testosterone and females make more of estrogen.
Estrogen is primarily responsible for the development of breasts in females. But when the male body starts making too much estrogen and low testosterone, it may result in abnormal breast enlargement.
Gynecomastia can occur naturally in men at different phases of life.
Medical conditions that can disrupt natural hormone balance and cause gynecomastia includes:
Between 10 to 25% of cases of gynecomastia can result from medications and herbal products. These include:
However, the medical evidence on their effect on gynecomastia is limited.
Read: How Chemotherapy Works Against Cancer
The foremost thing you should do as soon as you notice anything unusual with your chest is to consult a doctor. Your doctor will first run some blood tests and imaging tests to precisely diagnose your condition and identify the likely cause.
The best treatment for gynecomastia will depend on its cause evaluated by your doctor. If the condition occurs naturally, it usually goes away on its own. Most individuals with mild gynecomastia do not necessarily require treatment.
However, in cases where gynecomastia occurs due to some underlying health concern, treating the target issue will prove helpful.
If some medication is responsible for your breast enlargement, then as per doctors advise stopping its use or changing the drug will improve your condition within a few months.
Men who find this condition embarrassing and whose quality of life is impacted by it can surely opt for surgical treatment to get rid of gynecomastia.
Male chest reduction surgery is the most effective treatment to get rid of gynecomastia and restore your usual chest appearance.
Doctors may also advise surgery for men who find their condition is affecting them emotionally and lowering their self-esteem.
The doctors perform gynecomastia procedures under general anaesthesia. The complete surgery typically takes around one to two hours to complete.
To further maintain the effects of the gynecomastia procedure, a well-rounded approach is vital. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, healthy dietary habits will play a long-term role in the overall efficacy of the surgery.
Can gynecomastia be cured without surgery? It is often the question asked by men. No doubt, options like weight loss and exercise are great ways to enhance your overall health and fitness, but you cannot cure true gynecomastia with it.
Though most people think obesity to be the main reason behind gynecomastia, that’s seldom the case. Being overweight can only contribute to worsening the problem but isn’t the primary culprit.
Exercise and diet help eliminate fat in the body and are popular among people when it comes to male breast reduction without surgery. Since the cause of true gynecomastia is excess glandular tissue in the breasts, it doesn’t respond to diet and work-outs. In fact, in some cases, weight loss and exercise has caused gynecomastia to become more apparent, leaving you with a sole surgical option.
That said, weight loss and exercise may be partially effective in treating pseudo gynecomastia, or when there is excess fat tissue under the breast area. You can try jogging, swimming, cycling to burn body fat and do push-ups to tone your chest muscles.
Whatever the case, you need to consult a doctor first for a proper diagnosis to find the best gynecomastia cure which suits your condition.
There is no denying the fact that gynecomastia can often lead to stress, anxiety and confidence issues in men. As such, it is significant to reach out to your family or friends for your emotional well-being. You can also consult a counsellor who will guide you in the right direction.
Always remember, seeking help and support isn’t a sign of weakness. Talk to a specialist right away, and you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.
IVF or In vitro fertilisation is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) which is done to help couples and individuals conceive. It uses a combination of medical and surgical treatment to fertilise the egg outside the body and implant the resulting embryo into the uterus. It is one of the most widely known forms of ART. The description is, however, an extremely simplified version of this long and complex process. The outcome depends on a number of factors including the age and health of hopeful parents.
There is no doubt that IVF has revolutionised the field of fertility. It has enabled couples and individuals all around the world fulfil their dream of becoming a parent. As it rises in popularity it is necessary to raise awareness about what it all entails. Here we will explore IVF a little further including its risk factors associated with IVF, IVF process and its suitability.
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A common misconception is that IVF is the only fertility treatment available. It is the most recognised type of artificial reproductive technology, and is used for patients with:
IVF is an extremely complex and long procedure. Each course of treatment will end with implantation of the embryo into the uterus, this is called an IVF cycle. Patients may need either one or multiple IVF cycles to conceive. The steps involved in an IVF cycle are:
Before you begin your treatment, your doctor will evaluate your uterus and fallopian tubes to rule out any issues that might need surgical repair. You would then be given fertility medications to stimulate egg production. This protocol used to decide the dose and frequency of drug administration is carefully chosen to maximise egg production while avoiding the development of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome. It is desirable to harvest multiple eggs as not all harvested eggs are viable for fertilisation. You would have to undergo an ultrasound to examine the ovaries as well as a blood test to assess hormone levels in your body.
Your eggs would be harvested with the help of a minor surgical procedure. Ultrasound imaging is used to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity so as to retrieve the eggs. You would be sedated and monitored by an anaesthesiologist to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Sperm samples would be taken from the male partner.
The collected sperm is then used to fertilize the retrieved eggs in a laboratory dish. This process is called insemination. In case there is a low probability of fertilisation, a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. The sperm to be injected is carefully selected from the sample to increase the chances of success. Once this is done, the eggs are monitored to check for growth. If the cells start multiplying, the egg is considered to be fertilised and are called embryos.
Usually 3 to 5 days after fertilisation, the embryos are implanted into the uterus. A small tube or catheter is used to transfer the embryos. This procedure is generally painless, although some women do complain about experiencing mild cramping. Implantation generally occurs around 6-10 days after egg retrieval in case the process is successful.
Read: Five things you should know before visiting an IVF centre
It is important to remember that IVF does not guarantee a pregnancy or live birth. The success of the treatment depends on a wide range of factors such as reproductive history, maternal age, cause of infertility as well as lifestyle. The live birth IVF success rate drops drastically with maternal age over 35 years (40% at 35 years of age and 4% over 40 years of age).
It is also important to know that for most people, multiple IVF cycles would be required for successful implantation. So, do not lose hope right away in case of an unwanted outcome.
Like all medical procedures, IVF does not come without any side effects. They can be mild or severe from patient to patient. Common side effects of IVF include:
There are a few risks associated with IVF treatment. These would be explained to you in full detail by your doctor before you start the treatment. They include:
Be sure to do your research before you start with any treatment. Choose your IVF centre and fertility specialist doctor with extreme care and caution. Remember IVF is a long and arduous journey. Take time to recuperate between cycles. Follow a healthy lifestyle and diet to maximise your chances for success. Be patient, strong and positive during this time.
Que 1: Why is there a higher chance of having twins with IVF?
Ans: For a higher chance of implantation, the doctor generally implants multiple embryos in the uterus. This increases the risk of having multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, quadruplets etc). As there are a whole other range of risks associated with multiple pregnancies such as preterm labour and miscarriage, doctors have now started limiting implantation to one embryo after carefully selecting the most viable and healthy embryo.
Ques 2: What should I eat during my IVF treatments?
Ans: You should follow a healthy balanced diet during your IVF treatments. Don’t drastically change your diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein and low-fat dairy. Diet is also significant in maintaining sperm health, so the male partner should be careful about what they eat as well.
Ques 3: What do I do if my eggs or my partner’s sperm is not viable?
Ans: If your eggs or your partner’s sperm are not suitable for fertilization, your doctor might recommend using a donor. Many facilities now offer egg donation and harvesting services and have contact with egg and sperm banks. The donors are generally kept anonymous. You can get a better idea about the procedure with the help of your doctor.
Ques 4: What do I do if implantation is not successful?
Ans: In the case of multiple implantation failures due to an unsuitable uterine environment, you can opt for surrogacy. In surrogacy, your embryo would be implanted in a gestational surrogate who would carry your baby to term. Seek medical counsel to understand the legal aspects of surrogacy in your region.
Read: What to do When You Suspect Infertility
At the CK Birla Hospital, we aim to provide the best treatment with the utmost care and our Department of Fertility has one of the largest IVF centres in Gurgaon with a combined team experience of over 100 years and 55% IVF success rate.
Connect with our team of IVF experts to learn more about the IVF process and treatment. Book appointment today.
According to WHO 2010 data, infertility affects one in four couples. People sometimes find it difficult to accept that it is a medical condition like any other and needs medical attention. Reproductive endocrinologists (commonly known as infertility specialists) are experts in this field and should be considered as first choice for all infertility treatments. If you are in the process of looking for the best IVF centre, here are some tips for you to choose the right one.
Success of the IVF procedure depends upon a number of factors, most important of which is the age of the patient and the factor causing infertility. Two main factors affecting it are the age of the mother and the factor causing infertility. The success rate comes down with the age of the mother. If the age of the mother is less than 30 years, the success rate can be as high as 60-65%. If the mother’s age is more than 35 years it drops to 35-40%. If mother’s own eggs are used and her age is over 40 years, then the success rate can be as low as 10%. The success rates can be improved by proper selection of the IVF protocol, choosing the best embryos based on strict guidelines and proper pregnancy support.
Embryos that can survive and grow in lab to the blastocyst stage, have the highest chance of implantation and success. It’s a natural way of embryo selection. Only the most competent embryo reaches a blastocyst stage. It is helpful in patients who have plenty of embryos. The embryos are made to grow to reach the blastocyst stage, and this selects the best embryo to be transferred. The surplus embryos are frozen and can be used in the future.
The doctor you feel comfortable with should be your choice. You might have some questions, and you need to get them answered. Only a doctor who is polite and friendly will answer all your queries. When you feel connected with the doctor, you will end up satisfied with your treatment. The bond of trust is essential so that your doctor can look into the emotional needs as well. At times, IVF is not successful at the very first time. You can lose patience and hope, and you need a doctor who can help you through this.
IVF is no doubt a costly procedure, because of the drugs, culture media and equipment used. On an average a patient needs to try it 2-3 times before getting any success. This can be made cost effective if the centre has expertise in freezing of gametes. By freezing surplus embryos, patient has the advantage of getting repeated embryo transfers without paying for whole IVF cycle again and again. When you are looking for somewhere to go for IVF you should consider if the centre has this option.
In an IVF cycle, a good laboratory is as important as a qualified and experienced doctor. The most important part of IVF i.e. embryogenesis (mixing of eggs and sperm) happens in the lab. Skilled doctors who have received special training in embryology are needed for the same. They are called embryologists. Get to know what standard of laboratories the IVF center has and if they have a good embryologist.
Apart from these, you should also check the scan facilities the center has. For instance, highly skilled doctors and advanced technology ultrasound present in the reputed Fertility center at the CK Birla Hospital can save your time and efforts. Moreover, the hospital also has advanced labour and recovery rooms, NICU and the best neonatologists in Gurgaon, as even after delivery, it can provide neonatal and special baby care that is all facilities are available under one roof.
Becoming a parent is an incomparable experience. The excitement and the joy of watching your newborn grow up are unmatched by anything else. These uncharted waters also bring along a plethora of questions and doubts. First-time mothers often find themselves swinging between ecstasy and anxiety.
Nowadays, there is no shortage of advice for a new mom. From the internet to every relative who visits you, everyone has some parenting tips to offer. Sometimes, the well-meaning pieces of advice for a new mom from different sources contradict each other and leaves you wondering which one to follow.
Every new mother or soon to be mother faces a similar set of emotions. Only those who have been in that position can offer the best advice. Here are some newborn tips for first-time parents from those who have trodden the path of motherhood before you.
WHO advice for new moms is that babies must be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life. Breast milk is the best food that your baby can get as it is optimised to meet their nutritional requirements. It provides them with the necessary antibodies to ward off illnesses.
Breastfeeding is touted as the most natural thing a mother does her newborn. Because of this, the expectation is that breastfeeding is simple and requires no prior preparation. However, nothing could be further from the truth for many mothers.
Many new mothers face issues such as low supply, breast engorgement, inverted nipples, and improper latching. If you do face trouble with breastfeeding, then you are not alone. Over 70% of women in India face some issues with breastfeeding.
The best advice for new moms is that you should learn about breastfeeding before the baby arrives. Use online resources or take online classes to understand various breastfeeding positions and remedies to most common breastfeeding issues. Proper knowledge will equip you to face anything that comes to your way in your breastfeeding journey.
Read: Breastfeeding FAQs
Irrespective of how much you prepare, a newborn can throw up a lot of surprises. Babies are just forming a routine in the first six to eight weeks. Your body has also been through a lot and needs time to recover. The good news is that there is no shortage of help in the Indian family.
All your relatives and friends want to help. All you need to do is ask. Often, new mothers feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness. If you ask an experienced mom, “What is your best advice for a soon-to-be first-time mother?” they will tell you not to be shy about asking for help. It is often a godsend. You will also find that many want to help if you just ask.
Milestones are an important part of your baby’s development. They tell you how your baby is developing various skills. However, each child develops these skills at a different pace.
Comparing your baby with other babies is the worst thing you can do to yourself and the baby. When you compare, you become anxious if your child hasn’t crossed a milestone that others have. You may end up pushing your baby to do something that they are not ready to do.
Similarly, comparing yourself to other mothers is another rabbit hole that you do not want to enter. You may come across many moms on social media who seem to have everything under control and who seem perfect in every way. Keep in mind that you only see what they choose to show you, so you must avoid comparing yourself with others.
Kangaroo care is essential to help you bond with the baby. A doctor’s advice to a new mom almost always includes performing kangaroo care daily.
It allows you to bond with your newborn and has a host of other benefits for you as well as the baby. It helps stabilise the baby’s weight, makes them feel safer, promotes neurodevelopment, and also helps you enhance your milk supply.
Many first-time mothers often neglect kangaroo care. However, it has many proven benefits and should not be overlooked under any condition. This is a part of the most essential baby care tips for new moms.
A support system is vital for a new mother. Your family is an important aspect of your support system, but you need to find a group of other first time mothers who can become your tribe.
Such a group understands what exactly you are going through and provides valuable parenting tips for new moms. Having a support group also ensures that you never feel alone.
Following the doctor’s advice seems like the most obvious advice to a new mom. But every region in India has its traditions and home remedies for treating common ailments in newborns.
While these traditional wisdom work in many cases, they are not foolproof, and might even have an adverse impact on the newborns. Doctors in your hospital will be aware of these and may ask you to stay from them. The best advice for first-time moms is to follow your doctor’s advice, irrespective of pressure from family.
There is little that can prep you for the sleeplessness that becomes your permanent companion for a few months after the baby arrives. One of the most common newborn tips for first-time parents is to sleep when the baby sleeps.
This may seem hard to implement in real-life. Household chores and visitors for the new addition to the family will make it difficult for you to find proper time to sleep. However, you must try to get some shuteye at every possible instance.
Never think that you can only sleep during the night. Squeeze in some naps during the day as well: even a small nap can leave you feeling refreshed.
Read: Good Parenting tips by Dr Shreya Dubey
There is nothing that can compare to the feeling of holding your newborn in your arms and watching them grow up. It is a magical experience. One of the best positive parenting tips is to enjoy these moments to the fullest. If you are wondering what some of the best parenting tips for new moms are, then it is to be with your baby and take in every moment.
Read: What to expect when your baby is in the NICU
Visit our consultants at our Paediatric and Neonatology department for special Newborn care tips, clarifications and guidance.
“I have a sharp pain underneath my feet and it is usually worse early mornings especially when I am pressed to use the bathroom. What could be the cause?” This is a common complaint received by physicians, today. The pain in heels could be due to a condition known as plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain.
According to a study, it is said that one in 10 people will experience plantar fasciitis symptoms in their lifetime. Its occurrences tend to be highest in middle-aged women who are obese as well as young male athletes, who put themselves through high levels of endurance.
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Plantar fasciitis heel pain occurs due to an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot. This thick, web-like ligament is called the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia connects your heel bone to your toes. This ligament is kind of like a shock absorber, cushioning your heel from pain when you walk or run. It supports the arch of your foot. When it experiences inflammation, the result is plantar fasciitis. As you grow older and hit your 40s, or if you start gaining more weight, there’s more pressure placed on the plantar fascia, causing it to be at higher risk of plantar fasciitis.
If you experience plantar fasciitis symptoms, it’s important not to ignore it as repeatedly putting pressure and not getting the medical care you need can lead to wear and tear of the ligament, aggravated pain and sometimes, even surgery.
Let’s delve into some of the common causes of plantar fasciitis.
The causes and treatment of plantar fasciitis depend on several factors such as your lifestyle, profession and daily habits. Several activities or factors can increase the risk of this condition.
There is no one specific plantar fasciitis cure as such. It is a mix of treatment and prevention approaches.
When you experience continuous bouts of pain, get it examined early on. Your doctor might order an X-ray or ultrasound imaging. The idea is to rule out any other conditions, such as a tumour. Once identified as plantar fasciitis pain, your doctor may suggest applying ice packs to reduce the swelling, taking anti-inflammatory medications or certain injections, as well as medication to manage plantar fasciitis pain.
Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy to help heal the swelling over a period of a few days.
“Doctor, when one has plantar fasciitis, does it matter if they rest their feet on the floor, stretched out, or elevated?” This is a common question asked by those recovering from plantar fasciitis. Yes, it is recommended that the patient keep the leg at an elevated level and not put pressure on the foot.
Read 4 Types of foot pain one should not ignore
Severe plantar fasciitis symptoms such as a chronically inflamed ligament may require surgery–either an open one or an Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF). The recovery time for the formed is four to six weeks, while the latter is almost instant. Both are minor surgeries.
There are certain newer treatments also available, but it is best to get your physician’s opinion for the best diagnosis of your specific case. Post the surgery or reduction of the swelling, physical therapy may also be recommended.
To reduce the risks of plantar fasciitis occurring again, taking a preventive approach can be the best policy.
Reducing your weight to the prescribed amount recommended for your height and age is a long-term but essential approach to ensuring there are no recurrences of plantar fasciitis pain.
Avoid practices like crash dieting, and exercise routines that place pressure on your heel, and further aggravate it. The best approach is to consult a nutrition and fitness trainer, for a good weight loss regimen, with a sign-off from your physician
Another smart thing to do is to ensure your footwear is optimal, whether for walking or running. Using sneakers with soft, cushioned soles that reduce the pressure on your heels, and purchasing some custom orthotic shoe inserts can also be used to reduce the stress.
Avoid exercising on hard surfaces and ice your foot after every high-intensity workout session. Reduce the frequency of physical activities that involve a lot of pressure on your foot, such as jumping and running.
Plantar fasciitis is emerging as one of the top orthopaedic complaints in the world. In many ways, plantar fasciitis can be considered as a “lifestyle” condition that crops up due to poor fitness habits, as well as hazards of certain types of professions.
The occurrence of plantar fasciitis symptoms, treatment, and prevention is in your hands provided you take care of yourself, and your body. However, if you do experience pain, remember that pain is always an indicator that your body is trying to tell you something. So be alert to it, and consult your doctor so that you can course-correct early on.
Read: From bunions to hammertoes: How to avoid the shoes that kill your feet