From Maternity to Menopause… Women’s Health Questions, Medical Explanations!

We asked Obstetrician N. Suchitra from Trichy Kaveri Hospital for detailed explanations of various women’s health issues…

Childbirth…

If the first delivery is a cesarean, will the next delivery also be a cesarean?

If the first delivery is a caesarean section, there is no requirement that the next delivery should also be a caesarean section. The reason the first baby was delivered by caesarean section can tell how the next baby will be born. In cases where the uterus is not normal, i.e. divided uterus, double uterus, small cervix, the baby is delivered by caesarean section. Apart from this, caesarean section is recommended if the mother has cardiac problems and the height of the mother is less than 140 cm.

Otherwise, caesarean section may be performed due to the position of the baby, dehydration, diabetes or high blood pressure during the first delivery. In that case, if there is a favorable situation during the second delivery, you can try for a healthy delivery.

They say that the vaccine given in the back at birth will give you back pain for life… is that true?

Not really. Spinal anesthesia is the name given to the injection in the spinal cord at the time of delivery. This injection is used to numb the body parts below the waist by injecting medicine through a small needle in the back. Spinal anesthesia is more suitable for use during childbirth than general anesthesia which numbs the entire body. It is also good for the child’s health to administer anesthesia in this way. If the injection is given to numb the entire body, the effects of the anesthetic may be minimal on the child. However, the child will not be affected by the anesthetic when injected into the cord.

Postpartum mother getting up and walking around and getting back to her old position will be a little easier with the umbilical cord injection. It can become a little more difficult if the general anesthesia is administered. Even after an injection in the umbilical cord, when women exercise properly after delivery, the muscles return to their original shape. It can reduce back pain.

Cervical cancer

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

It is one of the most common cancers among women in India. The main cause of this cancer is a type of virus called Human Papilloma Virus. This virus can be transmitted through sexual contact. It is transmitted from men to women through the reproductive tract during sexual intercourse. An infection of the cervix caused by this virus can turn into cancer in some women.

A pap smear test should be done to detect this at an early stage. But there are some symptoms of cervical dystonia.

* Whitening.

* When it turns white, it looks like it is accompanied by a bad sore throat.

* Ejaculation during intercourse.

* Shedding occurs even when there is no period.

What are the ways to prevent cervical cancer?

The HPV vaccine is now available to prevent cervical cancer. This can be paid from the age of ten. This injection, which is given in two installments, is mandatory for boys as well as girls. Because this virus is likely to spread from men to women.

Does having cervical cancer cause problems in conceiving?

Will definitely come. Women with cervical cancer have very low immunity. The body also feels as if it is always empty. Cancer in the body can cause many problems during pregnancy. Cervical cancer is diagnosed by taking a muscle sample from the cervix. When this is done, the cervix becomes smaller. This can lead to problems such as low birth weight and premature birth.

Gestational diabetes

Is gestational diabetes likely to continue after delivery?

Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy is called Gestational Diabetes. It is very likely to continue after delivery. If a woman develops diabetes during pregnancy, her blood sugar levels should be monitored even after delivery. Follow-up and appropriate treatment are mandatory for up to six weeks. Apart from this, women with Gestational Diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes years later than normal women.

Gestational diabetes Does it affect children too?

Babies of diabetic mothers tend to be larger. There is also a chance of having a baby in a premature month. Lung development is a little less. This can cause respiratory problems. After the baby is born, the sugar level in the baby’s body is low (Hypoglycemia). If the mother’s sugar level is too high, the baby may die in the womb. Children born to mothers with diabetes during pregnancy may develop obesity and diabetes later in life.

A high-risk pregnancy

Can placental abruption lead to complications during delivery?

Delivery may be complicated by placental abruption. The placenta is usually attached to the top of the uterus. Otherwise, the presence of placenta in the cervix and birth canal can cause many complications. When the placenta is low, the mother may bleed and become anemic.

This can make childbirth complicated. A placental abruption may occur from three to seven months of pregnancy. It is also possible to have a baby in a premature month. A caesarean section can be delivered only if the placenta is low even up to the full month. But even in that situation the bleeding can be profuse. It can even be life-threatening for the mother. Therefore, such persons should ensure delivery in a hospital with all facilities like ICU, blood bank, NCU care for the baby.

They say that over 35 years of age there will be problems conceiving… is it true?

It’s true. When a girl child is born, the child is born with two testicles. A certain number of eggs are present in the vagina at birth, as is appropriate for each woman. This amount varies from woman to woman. After the girl reaches puberty, she starts shedding and ovulates every month at the time of menstruation. At the age of 45, menopause occurs and ovulation may stop. If a woman tries to have a baby at 35 years of age, many of her ovaries are already depleted by that time. This can cause problems with conception.

Menopause

Some people always say they feel tired after menopause… What is the reason?

After menopause, a woman’s body undergoes many hormonal changes. These changes reduce bone strength. This can cause leg pain, joint pain etc. Supplementing with calcium and vitamins during this time can help reduce fatigue.

At what age is menopause considered normal?

It is normal for menopause to occur between the ages of 45 and 55. But when a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40, it is called premature menopause.

PCOD and mood swings (PCOD + Moodswigs)

Does eating chocolate and ice cream during mood swings cause hormonal changes?

Moodswings are more likely to occur a few days before your period. A lot of hormonal changes happen in women’s body about ten days or a week before menstruation. It causes moodswings. Problems such as anger, irritability, stress may occur.

Eating foods high in sugar such as chocolate and ice cream during this time can further affect hormone levels and increase mood swings. So, it is better to avoid such foods and eat foods rich in vitamin and iron.

What are the early symptoms of PCOD?

An early symptom of PCOD is irregular periods. A woman’s normal period of 25-30 days is irregular, every two months, every six months, or only when she is on the pill.

Apart from this, women with PCOD problem have unwanted hair growth. Women with PCOD have an excess of androgens in their bodies. This hormone can cause problems such as mustache growth, hair growth under the chin, hair growth in the neck area. Both testicles in women with PCOD appear slightly swollen and larger than normal. This can be detected by scanning.

Pregnancy past term

At what age is it appropriate to plan a pregnancy?

A person can plan to have a child by the age of 35 over the age of 25. The period will be perfect.

Is it true that late conception means less chance of normal delivery?

Somewhat true. Because a woman over 35 years of age is more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure etc. It can cause complications in childbirth. Additionally, the muscles in the birth canal weaken as women age. Due to such reasons, the chances of a healthy delivery will decrease.

Apart from this, as women age, the flexibility of the pelvic bone and the surrounding muscles decreases. Due to such reasons the chance of a healthy delivery will decrease. Exercises taught before and after delivery can help avoid this.

IVF

Will the baby’s body weight be low if conceived through artificial insemination? Is there any problem with the child’s health?

This is true. Babies created through artificial insemination are often delivered by caesarean section shortly before delivery. This is the reason why they weigh less than normal developing babies.

What is the reason why insemination with artificial insemination often gives birth to twins?

In artificial insemination, drugs are injected to stimulate the vagina to release more eggs. The higher the number of eggs released, the greater the chance of having twins.