pregnancy – Page 2 – Hello Doctor

How to produce more breast milk

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Being a new mother can be scary! Even more so, if you a low milk supply. There are different reasons for this condition, including waiting too long to start breastfeeding, not breastfeeding enough, breast surgery and certain medications. Other factors may include premature birth, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and maternal obesity.

If you’re struggling with producing enough milk for your baby, here are some things you can try:

Latch on

If your baby has a poor latch, he’ll struggle to remove the milk from your breast. To check that your little one is latched on properly, make sure his mouth is open wide enough before he attaches to your breast. Check that his tongue, bottom lip and chin touches your breast first. Once attached, see that his chin is touching your breast and his nose is free so he can breathe easily. Once your baby latches properly, your body will easily produce more milk.

Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed

Think of breastfeeding as supply and demand. The more milk your baby wants, the more milk your body will make. In the first few weeks after your baby is born, you should be breastfeeding at least every two to three hours. If more than three hours have passed since the start of your last feed, wake your little one up to feed. The number and length of feeds will naturally increase your milk supply.

Power pump

Another way to increase your supply is with the help of a breast pump. A breast pump is a manual or electrical device that helps you extract milk from your breasts. The more you empty milk from your breasts, the more milk you will make. Aim to pump after every second breastfeeding session for about 15 minutes. The additional suction will send a message to your body to make more milk.

Revitalise yourself

A healthy mom means a healthy milk supply. Stress, tiredness, smoking and a bad diet can all affect how much milk you’re producing. Identify your bad health habits with the help of your doctor and make some changes! Looking after your own health will help increase your milk supply, naturally. Also, remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated while breastfeeding.

Change it up

To build a strong supply of breast milk, feed your baby with both breasts. If you feed with just one breast more than the other, one breast may become larger. Remember to take turns feeding with both your breasts for your comfort and to ensure that you have more than enough milk in both of them.

Ditch the formula

Offering your baby milk formula instead of your breast all the time may seem like you’re helping yourself, but it may decrease your milk supply. Not only will you produce less milk, but your baby may stop early and refuse your breast. Avoid using formula as far as possible to keep a regular breast milk supply.

References

Can you be ‘pregnant’ without having a baby?

January 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Is this even possible? Yes, shockingly, it’s true. You can be “pregnant” without really being pregnant.

What is ‘false pregnancy’?

Also known as pseudcyesis or phantom pregnancy, this condition happens when you believe that you are carrying a baby, but there is no evidence that this is true. Your body can basically respond in the exact same way as if you were pregnant, but you have no foetus in the womb.

The symptoms are all there: swollen belly, nausea, vomiting, enlarged breasts – and the woman may even feel like there’s movement in the tummy. Your menstrual cycle may even stop for a while, and some women even report feeling contractions!

How does it work?

Doctors aren’t certain why false pregnancy happens. One theory suggests that it’s the desire for a baby that creates the sensation of pregnancy. In other words, your mind “tricks” you into thinking you’re pregnant because you really want to be pregnant.

This belief could be caused by trauma from previous miscarriages, stress, depression, infertility or getting closer to menopausal age. “As unbelievable as it may sound, the mind is actually able to take control and prompt the body to produce believable signs of conception,” explains Dr Nada Stotland from Rush Medical University in America. This means that false pregnancy can last anywhere from a few weeks to the full nine months.

If this sounds too fantastical to be true, let’s look at a very real case. A woman in Brazil experienced this false pregnancy a few years ago – to the extent that she went to the hospital for an emergency caesarean section – only for the doctors to realise she wasn’t pregnant. All reports say that she looked pregnant and was experiencing pregnancy symptoms. Thankfully, the doctors realised it was a false pregnancy before they began surgery!

In some exceptional cases the false pregnancy is brought on by real medical issues, like an ovarian tumor or a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Is there treatment?

Finding out that you’re not pregnant can be very upsetting. Doctors should break the new gently to the mother, and therapy can help the patient recover from her disappointment. The only way to come to terms with the reality of not being pregnant, is through some psychological support.

It happens to men too!

If phantom pregnancy isn’t frightening enough, experts believe that men can also suffer from this condition. Years ago, researchers at St George’s University in the UK found that husbands of pregnant wives can feel the similar symptoms of pregnancy. They feel and go through all the morning sickness, cramps, back pain and swollen tummies that their pregnant partner experiences. In their case, it’s called Couvade syndrome.

For the most part, phantom or false pregnancies can’t be explained away or easily understood. They are quite rare, but can be hard to treat. Even when presented with a clearly negative pregnancy test, they can refuse to believe the results.

As Dr Stotland explains, “Some patients can be persuaded by the lack of confirming evidence but there are others who just stop coming in for prenatal care. When it becomes clear that there’s no baby, many women will push back the claimed due date to a later time and continue to insist they’re expecting.”

References

Stopped The Pill? Here’s why you’re not menstruating.

January 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to have a baby. Or, you just want to go off contraception. When you go off the pill, you expect your menstrual cycle to get back to normal; but what happens when your cycle doesn’t start?

Post-pill amenorrhea

This is a fancy way of saying that many women experience a delay of menstruation after stopping the birth control pill. You could also experience spotting, or a much lighter flow during your period. It might carry on this way for up to six months. In most cases, the effect is temporary and your cycle may return on its own after a couple of months.

Why it happens

Birth control pills suppress your pituitary gland from making hormones involved in ovulation and menstruation. When you stop taking the pill, it may take some time for your body to return to normal production of these hormones.

It’s like your body has unlearnt how to produce the hormones, so it may take some time to get back into the normal cycle.

What can you do about it?

Technically, this isn’t a medical condition, and you can just wait for your body to get back to normal. If you don’t get your period within the first three months, take a pregnancy test or go see a doctor. Once you stop taking the pill, your ovaries take about two weeks before the process of ovulation starts again and normal menstrual cycle restarts after a few months.

Can I get pregnant after stopping the pill?

Research suggests that most of the time, birth control doesn’t necessarily have a negative impact on fertility. Many women go off the pill and conceive on the very first cycle. Your body will gradually begin to get back to its normal state. The good news is that you can get pregnant during your first cycle after stopping the pill.

When do I see the doctor?

The time-limit to get your period may vary; it could be between six to nine months. See your doctor if you’re anxious and the wait feels too long. He may advise an active treatment that can be started as soon as possible. He may prescribe Clomiphene Citrate. This is a medication that’s used to treat infertility in women who don’t ovulate. It works by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH. There are other medications available that your doctor may prescribe too, but the best is to let your body take its normal course.

References:

Wait! Don’t wash your newborn yet!

November 13th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

After nine months, your bundle of joy has finally arrived and is now ready for your love and affection. Just before you can get to cuddle time though, the nurse is ready for a little wash and dry. But is washing your newborn really necessary? Don’t be so fast!

Bathing dos and don’ts

The waxy coating on your newborn’s skin (vernix caseosa) is the wax that develops in the womb. It contains loads of benefits for your baby when it’s left behind or even rubbed in. The coating is filled with amino acids, proteins, and antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds.

According to the World Health Organization, bathing can wait for up to 24 hours after birth. If this isn’t possible, wait at least six hours. Vernix caseosa is 80% water. It plays the role of being a waterproof barrier in the womb. Your baby swims in amniotic fluid for about 40 weeks, and this coating protects your baby’s skin from the fluid and any infection while in the womb. Without this protection, your little one’s skin would wrinkle or chap.

Thanks to this waxy coating, your baby passes through the birth canal during delivery easily, with little friction. Vernix also stabilises blood sugar and maintains your baby’s temperature, whereas bathing your newborn can cause his blood sugar to drop.

Vernix also improves breastfeeding. A baby is likely to release stress hormones when taken away from the comfort of their mother. It then becomes difficult to breastfeed a distressed baby, but with the vernix coating still all over your baby, this process becomes a little easier.

A little-known factor about vernix is its smell. Wonder why newborns have that fresh and mesmerising smell? This distinctive sweet smell is unique to each baby and only lasts a short time. When you breathe in the special scent, the hormone oxytocin is released, which helps you relax and bond with your little one. Research suggests that a mother and her baby shouldn’t be separated after birth and should stay in the same room for at least 24 hours.

There’s no harm in delaying the first bath. Remember, your little one will have routine tests after his birth and this is just one of the reasons doctors recommend delaying that first bath.

Good to know

Humans are the only animals whose newborns are coated in vernix.
Research shows that leaving the vernix may even encourage antibacterial and wound healing properties.
You will find the gooey substance hidden in your baby’s folds. You can also find it in the folds of the vagina for several days or even weeks. Gently wipe it away or simply leave it.
Although your unborn baby can start to hear your voice during the 25^th week of your pregnancy, the sound may not be clear because his ears are covered with sound-shielding vernix.
Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology says that the vernix can protect against Group B strep and E. coli bacteria.

References:

8 Steps to lose weight after having a baby

October 31st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

The experience of having a baby is hard to describe. It’s amazing, it’s exciting, and, at times, just plain scary. While you navigate the emotional ups and downs of being a new mother, seeing pictures of other women who appear to bounce back to their pre-baby shape within hours of giving birth can make you feel more down than up! While we can’t promise you’ll have Beyoncé’s pre-baby body, there are a few things you can do to get your OWN body back.

1. Be realistic

It took 9 months (and a new person), to gain the pregnancy weight. Don’t expect to lose it overnight. It’s also unrealistic to think that you can get back into your old diet and exercise habits right away. Most experts recommend that you should only start thinking about losing excess baby weight after about 6-12 weeks. You’re sleep deprived, emotional, and if you’re breast feeding, probably hungry. Life is not quite as simple as it used to be!

2. Don’t eat junk food

It’s so tempting to simply grab something quick and easy, but besides sabotaging your weight loss efforts, you won’t be giving your baby what he or she needs if you’re breastfeeding. The nutritional content is limited in convenience foods and instead of giving you vitamins and minerals, they give you sugar and salt! Too much sugar plays havoc with your metabolism, so now is a good time to kick your habit! Good quick fix snacks (and something you only need one hand to eat), include

Smashed avo on toast
Boiled egg
Nuts
Biltong

3. Be prepared

Shop smart and get organised. You won’t be tempted to eat junk food if it isn’t in your house in the first place! Put together a weekly meal plan and prepare and freeze as much of this as you can over the weekend. Bulk up meals with loads of vegetables, these keep you going for longer as well as delivering all the nutrition you need.

4. Be consistent

Just as your baby needs routine, so does your body. Between feeding, nappy changes and crying (your baby) making time to sit down to a meal can feel like an afterthought. Don’t let it be. Without eating regularly, energy levels start to fade, emotions run high and irritability sets in, making it likely you’ll just eat more (or more of the wrong things), at your next meal. Eating at the exact same time every day helps to regulate your hormones and your appetite. If sitting down isn’t an option, consider a nutritional shake or smoothie that you can have on the move.

5. Sleep

“Yeah right” we hear you say! Sleep is hard to come by, but is also the secret to weight loss. Being sleep deprived upsets the balance of the hormones that regulate your appetite. It can sometimes be impractical to “sleep when the baby sleeps” as there is always so much else to do, but shift your priorities around. The dishes can wait, can’t they? Try to nap during the day, even 30 minutes can do the trick. At night, include your partner in the feeding schedule.

6. Step away from the kitchen at midnight

If your baby has been up 3 times before midnight, or if they have just had their feed, it’s easy to head to the kitchen for a quick snack. These little snacks all add up and since you won’t be using up any of that energy you just ate, its likely to be stored as extra fat. If the urge for a midnight snack is overwhelming, have a glass of milk or some herbal tea. Neither will send your blood sugar rocketing and both will calm you down, helping you go back to sleep (as short lived as that may be).

7. Bond with your baby while getting active

Your days of going to gym for 2 hours have had to be put on hold, but that’s no reason you can’t be active. Moving around not only helps keep your weight in check, it also helps to boost your mood, ease anxiety and help you sleep better. Going for a walk pushing a pram, or carrying your baby in a pouch can be surprisingly good exercise. You don’t even need to leave the house! There are several good home exercise programmes where all you need is your baby and the floor! For some ideas, check out http://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/mommy-and-me-workout/

8. Don’t eat your feelings

When you’re sleep deprived and feel overwhelmed and stressed out, it’s common to rummage through the fridge for something to make yourself feel better. Yet if you don’t break that habit, it can prevent you from losing weight. Instead of turning to food to feel better, have a list of healthy activities you can do when you’re trying to cope with your feelings. That might include going for a walk, phoning a fellow mom, or simply sitting down on your own for 5 minutes. Parenting can be hard, so don’t go it alone. To be the best mom you can be don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

References

http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2017/03/30/10-reasons-cant-lose-baby-weight.html
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/expert-qa-losing-baby-weight#2
https://www.livescience.com/53768-how-to-lose-weight-after-pregnancy.html

The 10 pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

No matter how much you have read up on pregnancy, or how much advice you get from other pregnant moms, there may still be times when you worry about certain feelings and symptoms. But how do you know what’s “normal”, or when it’s time to see a doctor? Here are the main pregnancy symptoms that should set off alarm bells. If you experience any of these, call your doctor right away.

1. Pain in the lower belly

Severe pain on either or both sides of your lower belly needs investigating. While you could have stretched a ligament, which is common during pregnancy, it could also indicate something more sinister, for example a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature labour or placental abruption.

2. Pain in the middle or upper tummy area

Sharp or severe pain in your middle or upper tummy, with or without nausea or vomiting, could be caused by severe indigestion, heartburn, a stomach bug, or food poisoning, which could be indirectly harmful to pregnancy. If you’re in the second half of your pregnancy this pain could also indicate pre-eclampsia, a serious condition which requires immediate medical attention.

3. Running a fever

If you have a fever with a temperature above 37.5 degrees C, but with no cold, flu or other symptoms, call your doctor within the day. If your temperature is more than 39 degrees C, call your doctor immediately, as you may have an infection which will need treating. If your temperature rises higher than 39 degrees C for an extended period of time it can be harmful to your baby.

4. Blurred vision and flashing spots

If you experience double vision, blurring, flashing spots, dimming or similar vision disturbances in the second half of your pregnancy, call your doctor straight away. These vision symptoms may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

5. Swollen hands and feet

Swelling or puffiness in your hands, face and eyes is common in late pregnancy, and in most cases it’s not a cause for concern. However, if your swelling is severe or comes on suddenly, with a headache or problems with your vision, you may have pre-eclampsia.

6. A headache that won’t go away

If a bad headache lasts for more than 2 or 3 hours, and you have vision disturbances and severe swelling in your body in the second half of your pregnancy, again, this could be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

7. Vaginal bleeding

Spotting or very light bleeding without pain is common in early pregnancy, and it may simply be what is known as breakthrough bleeding. Even so, let your doctor know if you bleed at any stage during your pregnancy. It may indicate a serious complication if it’s:

Heavy bleeding, combined with persistent back or abdominal pain
Bleeding that’s different from your normal period, i.e. darker in colour or lighter in flow than usual, together with severe, persistent, one-sided pain in your tummy
Sudden, painless bleeding, which can happen if you have a low-lying placenta (this will be seen at your 20 week scan)
Dark bleeding with clots

8. Fluid leaking from the vagina

If you are leaking fluid from your vagina before 37 weeks it may mean that your waters have broken early – let your doctor know. You should also call your midwife or labour ward to find what’s best to do if your labour doesn’t start within 24 hours of your waters breaking.

9. Sudden thirst

If you’re suddenly thirsty, and your urine is dark yellow, it could be a sign of dehydration. If you’re thirsty and urinating more often than usual it could be a sign of gestational diabetes. Both of these increase the risk of complications for you and your baby, so let your doctor know.

10. A burning sensation when I urinate

This may mean a urinary tract infection if you feel a painful or burning sensation when passing urine, pass cloudy, bloody or smelly urine, have a raised temperature and feel feverish, or experience pain. If you have any of these symptoms then see your doctor, so they can treat your UTI.

If you’re not sure about a symptom, or simply feel uneasy, trust your judgment and call your doctor. Remember, you can always talk to one of our doctors. Just sign up here if you’re not a member, or log in here if you are. We are here for you – 24/7/365!

Source:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore#ixzz2rCiyRP6S

Can you choose your baby’s gender?

October 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve wanted a little girl ever since you were a little girl yourself. Or maybe your husband is keen for a boy to play sports with. Is it possible to choose the gender of your baby? Let’s first understand how gender works.

All women’s eggs carry the X chromosome.
Sperm carries either an X or Y chromosome.

X is for girls, Y for boys. If the Y-bearing sperm penetrates the egg, then the baby is a boy. If the X-bearing sperm penetrate, then the baby is a girl.

It basically comes down to which sperm gets to the egg first, and there are 100 million sperm-cells swimming against each other! 50% carry the boy-gene, and 50% carry the girl-gene. So, your chances are basically 50:50 – just like flipping a coin!

Pink or blue?

There are a ton of old-wives tales about how to get a boy or girl: from taking a hot shower, having sex in certain positions, or eating certain foods. None of these have been proven, and, scientifically speaking, most of them do not make any sense.

What research does tell us, is that the girl-making sperm is large and slow, while the boy-making sperm is light and fast. The girl making-sperm can also live a bit longer than the boy-making sperm.

Because of this, scientists developed a technique called Sperm sorting, or Microsort. The scientists basically sort the sperm to get more boy-sperms or more girl-sperms together. With this technique, your chances increase from 50% to about 70% to 80%.

Sperm sorting is not available in South Africa.

The only way to choose with 100% certainty

The only way to choose your baby’s gender, would be to go for IVF (in vitro fertilisation). In this process, the eggs of a woman is fertilised with the man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. The doctors can check the gender of the different embryos before they re-implant them in the mother.

This process is very expensive! So, if you want to try some techniques at home, here are the ones that science suggest could work in your favour:

Timing

Timing is everything. It’s believed that the closer to ovulation you have sex, the greater the chance of having a boy as the Y-sperm is faster and gets to the egg first. If you want a girl, having sex three days or more before ovulation may work in your favour. Dr John Martin Young, an American sex selection expert, recommends women keep a chart of their monthly cycle. “If patients pay attention to the timing of their cycle their chances of conceiving the sex they’d like can be as high as two in three.”

Age

As women age, the theory goes that the chances of conceiving a boy increases. So if you’re in your late 30s trying to get pregnant, it may just be a boy!

In the end, the people who make the best parents, don’t care what gender their child is: they love them with the selflessness, fullness and dignity that every person deserves: man or woman.

References

Water birth: is it better than normal birth?

July 26th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

No longer just a Hollywood hippie scene, water births are becoming increasingly popular. Water birth involves immersing yourself in water as you prepare to go into labour. With the help of a midwife or doula, you then birth your baby as you would in a hospital, except in this case, you welcome your little one under water.

A cool concept certainly, but is it safe?

The benefits of swimming into life

Water birth works on the premise that your baby, having lived in an amniotic fluid sac for his gestation period, will feel comfortable being birthed into a similar environment. Studies into the practice say that the method of birthing is softer and gentler for both mom and baby, in comparison to the harder, colder environment of a hospital room.

Water birth is more of a philosophy of non-intervention, says pregnancy expert and midwife, Tina Otte. “Water is a relaxing medium. When a woman in labour relaxes in a warm bath, buoyant and free from gravity’s pull, with sensory stimulation reduced, her body is less likely to secrete stress hormones.”

As Otte explains, water birth does have merit. Water makes for a softer landing and reduces injury and risk to the mom and baby. “The water softens the perineum, reducing injury while skeletal pressure is reduced, helping the mother conserve her energy.”

Water birth is also thought to be gentler for the baby. Babies are aquatic creatures throughout pregnancy. At birth, a newborn is bombarded with new sensations. When birth takes place in water this transition is less traumatic. The water offers familiar comfort after the stress of the birth.

A 2009 report by the Cochrane Organization about water births found that:

Water immersion during the first stage of labour significantly reduced epidural and spinal analgesia requirements.
One trial showed that immersion in water during the second stage of labour increased women’s satisfaction with their birth experience.

Other research shows that there’s no evidence that a water birth would adversely affect the baby. A recent study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health found that newborns born in water were no more likely to need hospital care, than babies born in hospital. This is one of the largest studies done on water births to date. “The findings suggest that water birth is a reasonably safe, low-intervention option for women who face a low risk of complications during the birthing process.”

How to swim safe

A water birth needs to be done with a professional. There’s the risk of aspiration, which is a concern. A 2014 study by the National Health Institute in America details this risk: “When a baby is born, everyone awaits that first cry, which signals that the newborn has emerged safely from the womb. The delay of that response is very stressful for most people. There are several mechanisms that prevent the baby from inhaling or gasping while it is still submerged in the water as the head is born and after the full body has slipped into the water.”

There other risks too.

Overheating. Water that’s too hot can cause dizziness, dehydration and discomfort for mom, as well as dangerously increasing the foetal temperature.
Infection could pose a problem. Just because you’re in water doesn’t necessarily mean the risk of infection is washed away.
“The incidence of post-partum haemorrhage is not increased after birth in water, however if bleeding is excessive, the mother must leave the water immediately. The pool should be near the labour ward to ensure that the transfer time is short,” explains Otte.

In the end, deciding what type of birth you want, is up to you, your partner and your doctor. Moms with higher risk pregnancies, such as twins, complicated pregnancies or large babies, may be advised to get a Cesarean, or at least be admitted to hospital where they can be monitored. Discuss your options with your Gynae, and – when in doubt – you can always go for a second opinion.

It’s your pregnancy, and you deserve to give your baby what is best!

References:

Infertility: there is hope!

July 9th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s heartbreaking to realise you may not be able to get pregnant. Infertility is not the end of the road, though. Medically defined, infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse in women under 35, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

In South Africa, it’s estimated that one in six couples struggle with infertility.

As doctors and experts understand, lifestyle factors can wreak havoc on fertility. Dr Paul le Roux from Cape Fertility concedes that infertility is on the increase in SA, at least 10% each year. “Women are now delaying childbearing until they’re older. This is a global trend and all around the world with women having children at an older maternal age, until after they’ve completed their studies, established a career, and found the right partner. Unfortunately, medical science cannot always assist due to the deteriorating quality of their eggs. Excessive alcohol and smoking is bad for fertility, as is being over- or underweight when trying to conceive.”

A particularly sad aspect of infertility is the age factor. Age does affect fertility, especially in women. Studies show that a woman’s fertility starts to decline at age 30, and then even further in her late 30s and early 40s. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), in America, a healthy 30-year-old woman’s odds of getting pregnant during a specific ovulation cycle is approximately 20%.

Why is age such a big issue? All women are born with a finite amount of eggs, as they get older, the eggs too get older. These eggs don’t have the same “potency” as they age to respond to fertilisation. “It’s true that women have a limited number of eggs,” confirms Dr le Roux. Here, knowledge is power, and a scan of the ovaries and a blood test (called an AMH) can tell you how many eggs remain.

Male infertility is also a smoking gun, and can be brought on by the same lifestyle factors that affect women. Stress, excess body weight, smoking, too much alcohol, drug use and erectile dysfunction are all possible risk factors.

The good news

Tackling the issue of ineffective eggs, egg freezing is a viable and successful procedure that’s worked for many couples. The process of preserving eggs or oocytes is called vitrifcation. This involves stimulation with injections and getting the ovaries to product a number of eggs which are then retrieved through the vagina. Once these eggs have been extracted, they can then be frozen for the future.

This isn’t to say that the eggs, in a few years’ time, will be completely viable. Experts still debate the success rate of thawing and fertilising at a later stage. It really depends on the experience and expertise of the individual fertility centre. Some institutions have a pregnancy rate of 20-25%.

Egg donation is another possibility. This is used for women with poor quality eggs or those who are premenopausal or menopausal. The treatment involves stimulation of the egg donor’s ovaries, retrieval of the eggs and fertilisation of the eggs with the recipient’s partner’s sperm. You’ll then carry the baby, but it won’t be your DNA.

Millions of couples have also successfully opted for IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). In this process, eggs are surgically removed from the ovary and mixed with sperm. This is done outside the body in a dish and after about 18 hours, the eggs are examined to see if the sperm has fertilised them.

Other options like sperm donation and surrogacy can be helpful in certain patients, and of course – adoption. So, there are always avenues to explore.

As always, before it gets to this stage though, it’s a good idea to watch for infertility culprits (taking care to manage stress, and make healthy lifestyle choices).

Go for regular check-ups if you want to get pregnant soon so if there are any potential threats, you can take steps to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Always be safe when having sex. Sexually transmitted diseases can harm your reproductive system.
Smoking and other recreational drugs can do a lot of damage to your infertility so stop well before you want to conceive.

References

The truth about stretchmarks

June 23rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Stressed out about stretchmarks? You have no reason to be. Stretchmarks are perfectly normal, not harmful.

Little white lies
Stretchmarks are long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that develop when your body grows faster than your skin can keep up. This type of scarring is common during pregnancy thanks to rapid weight gain, but can also happen in adolescents who are rapidly growing. They can also appear after you’ve lost a lot of weight, when your skin stretches expansively and can’t bounce back.

Stretchmarks are a different colour and texture to the rest of your skin, and can range from dark purple to bright pink to light grey. These marks typically appear on your stomach, breasts, thighs, upper arms, and buttocks.

Anyone can develop stretchmarks, but they tend to affect women more than men.

Are they dangerous?
Not at all! They may look frightening, and feel itchy or sore at times, but stretchmarks are completely natural and nothing to worry about. Although, it does affect what your skin looks like, which can cause emotional and psychological distress. For some people, stretchmarks can be such a significant cosmetic concern that they affect your quality of life.

Dealing with stretchmarks
You can’t get rid of them, but you can make them less noticeable.

Try a cream or gel designed to treat and minimise stretchmarks or scars. Look for one with collagen and elastin to help tighten your skin. Make sure you use the product as instructed for the best results.
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to the affected areas. Tanning can make stretchmarks look more obvious, since they’re less likely to tan than the rest of your skin. Too much sun in general can be harmful to your skin, so always make sure you’re covered.
Layer cocoa or Shea butter on your stretchmarks a few times a day. Both cocoa and Shea butter are hydrating, and can boost smoothness and elasticity of the skin.
Massage the affected areas with Vitamin E oil every day. Vitamin E oil can reduce the appearance of unsightly stretchmarks, and prevent them.
Use body make-up to conceal your stretchmarks. Go for a product that matches the colour of your skin, is water-resistant, and contains an SPF.

Your lifestyle choices can also make a difference.

Exercise regularly to avoid weight gain, tone your body, and keep stretchmarks from developing further.
Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water can make your skin soft and supple, and restore its elasticity, which can reduce the appearance of stretchmarks.
Eat foods high in Vitamins A and C. These vitamins boost the production of collagen and elastin, which can help heal stretchmarks. Add more oranges, grapefruits, spinach, broccoli, and carrots to your diet.

References:

Pregnancy – it’s not nine months of no’s

June 22nd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

So, you can’t drink anymore, but there’s still a ton of stuff you can do! Here are five of them:

1 Do exercise
Staying active will work in your favour. Exercise has been shown to relieve the symptoms of pregnancy discomforts like, back pain, swelling, bloating, fatigue and constipation. Choose low-impact exercises that are safe for you and your baby. Try brisk walking, yoga, indoor cycling, swimming or an aerobics class. Exercise minimise the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. They promote flexibility, boost your mood and may speed up your postpartum recovery process. Breathing exercises help your baby get oxygen too. Just get the go-ahead from your doctor first!

2. Have sex
Sexual desire may increase or decrease during pregnancy. According to studies, sex will not harm your baby. Your little one is safely protected by the strong muscles and fluid in and around your uterus. Depending on your comfort, most positions are fine. Oral sex is safe too during your pregnancy. Be sure to use a condom if you’re not in a monogamous relationship. Having an orgasm increases your contractions, which helps to strengthen your pelvic floor. This makes it easier for delivery and post labour. It boosts immunity and improves blood circulation, which both play a big part in restoring the body’s function. The release of hormones and oxygen is good for the baby.

3. Enjoy your morning coffee
Yes! You can still enjoy your favourite morning pick-me-up – and gosh – you sure need it while your body works at creating another life-form! In fact, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists made it official: moderate amounts of caffeine should be safe. How much? Less than 200 mg per day. Remember: a brewed cup of coffee is about 137mg of caffeine, and tea is about 48 mg. So a cup or two in the morning will do just fine (and, with a ‘Ouma’-rusk, it may well pull you through those throngs of nausea).

4 Visit the spa
Always be safe and tell your masseuse that you’re expecting. The best time to go to a spa would be during your second trimester. A massage is a fantastic way to relieve aches and tension in the back, neck, shoulders, hips, legs and feet. Be mindful of your skin sensitivity at this point, as some treatments may not be suitable for you and the baby. A spa day can increase your blood circulation, the placenta and the baby. It can reduce anxiety and stress. It promotes rest and relaxation and support a healthy functioning state.

5 Drive where you need to
Doctors would advise to minimise this if possible. As your belly grows bigger, it will make driving unconformable. Check with your doctor before any trip, especially if you’re travelling long-distance. Be sure to always wear your seatbelt. Position yourself correctly and take regular breaks. Carry your essential snacks and water for your trip as your blood sugar levels may drop.

References

Pregnancy & Periods: Truth vs. Myth

May 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re on your monthly period, so falling pregnant is highly unlikely right? Wrong. When it comes to menstruation and pregnancy, there are many misconceptions. And, if you follow them blindly, you may harm your health. We separate myth from fact.

Myth #1: Your period protects you from pregnancy

Ovulation is when you release an egg each month. During this process you may bleed and confuse it with your monthly period. You’re at your peak fertility in ovulation, so if you have unprotected sex during this time, you’re more likely to fall pregnant. A male’s sperm can live inside a woman for up to 72 hours after ejaculation. Towards the end of your period, your chances of falling pregnant may increase, so if you have sex during this period and sperm is still inside you, you could fall pregnant.

Myth #2: You shouldn’t have sex while you’re pregnant

Sex cannot physically harm your baby. The baby is fully protected by your strong uterine muscles and an amniotic sack. A thick mucus plug also seals your cervix. Contractions from an orgasm are completely different to the ones in labour and will not induce early birth. If you’re worried, check with your doctor. He will advise whether it is necessary for you to avoid sex while pregnant.

Myth #3: Your cycle is always supposed to be every 28 days

The average menstrual cycle is usually 28 days long, but can range from 21 to 35 days. To figure out the first day of your next period, start counting from the first day of your next period and end it on the first day of the following one. A regular cycle is a sign of good health, but often, stress can delay or bring on your period early. If you’re always irregular, speak to your doctor. You may have a hormonal imbalance or other health problem.

Myth #4: You get your period to cleanse your reproductive system

Your period marks the end of a process where your body grows a lining of uterine tissue to prepare your body in case you are impregnated. Once your body realises that your eggs haven’t been fertilised with sperm, the lining is unnecessary. Your hormone levels, which help grow the tissue, then drop and your body sheds the tissue as your period.

Good to know

Always use a condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs, whether you’re on your period or not.
If you have a short period cycle, you won’t have the same amount of time between having your period and ovulating.
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant and haven’t been successful after having unprotected sex for more than a year, speak to your doctor.