Preeclampsia

Originally posted on ActiveYou Facebook Page on 19th Aug.]

What Is Preeclampsia?

Formerly called toxemia, preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women develop. It is marked by high blood pressure in women who have previously not experienced high blood pressure before. Preeclamptic women will have a high level of protein in their urine and often also have swelling in the feet, legs, and hands. This condition usually appears late in pregnancy, generally after the 20 week mark, although it can occur earlier.

If not diagnosed, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk, and in rare cases, cause death. Women with preeclampsia who have seizures are considered to have eclampsia. There's no way to cure preeclampsia, and that can be a scary prospect for moms-to-be. But you can help protect yourself by learning the symptoms of preeclampsia and by seeing your doctor for regular prenatal care. When preeclampsia is caught early, it's easier to manage.

What Causes Preeclampsia? The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia -- a result of a placenta that doesn't function properly -- are not known, although some researchers suspect poor nutrition or high body fat are possible causes. Insufficient blood flow to the uterus could be associated. Genetics plays a role, as well.

Who Is at Risk for Preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is most often seen in first-time pregnancies, in pregnant teens, and in women over 40. While it is defined as occurring in women have never had high blood pressure before, other risk factors include:

A history of high blood pressure prior to pregnancy A history of preeclampsia Having a mother or sister who had preeclampsia A history of obesity Carrying more than one baby History of diabetes, kidney disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia? In addition to swelling, protein in the urine, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia symptoms can include:

Rapid weight gain caused by a significant increase in bodily fluid

Abdominal pain

Severe headaches

Change in reflexes

Reduced urine or no urine output

Dizziness

Excessive vomiting and nausea

Vision changes

You should seek care right away if you have:

Sudden and new swelling in your face, hands, and eyes (some feet and ankle swelling is normal during pregnancy.)

Blood pressure greater than 140/90.

Sudden weight gain over 1 or 2 days

Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side

Severe headaches

A decrease in urine

Blurry vision, flashing lights, and floaters

You can also have preeclampsia and not have any symptoms. That's why it's so important to see your doctor for regular blood pressure checks and urine tests.

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Contact us for more details regarding Diastasis recti  and how to correct it.

This article is written by Dr. Rashmi Kapoor. Dr. Rashmi has a B.P.T, M.B.A. and is specialized in women health. She is founder of www.activeyou.co.in. She conducts Prenatal Sessions and is also ergonomics consultant. She can be contacted at active.u.in@gmail.com or +91 7760610982.

Common Problems during Pregnancy - Diastasis recti

[This post was originally published on @Activeyou.in Facebook page on 31st May 2016 ]

Diastasis recti is a fairly common condition of pregnancy and postpartum in which the right and left halves of Rectus Abdominis muscle spread apart at the body's mid line fascia, the linea alba. Widening and thinning of the mid line tissue occurs in response the force of the Uterus pushing against the abdominal wall, in conjunction with pregnancy hormones that soften connective tissue. A mid line of more than 2 to 2.5 finger-widths, or 2 centimeters, is considered problematic.

Diastasis recti can occur anytime in the last half of pregnancy but is most commonly seen after pregnancy when the abdominal wall is lax and the thinner mid line tissue no longer provides adequate support for the torso and internal organs. A small amount of widening of the mid line happens in all pregnancies and is normal.

Diastasis recti occurs in about 30% of all pregnancies. Some postpartum women's mid lines close to less than 2 finger-widths spontaneously, but for many, the tissue remains too wide, causing problems. 

Diastasis recti can also be seen in infants and adults with excessive abdominal visceral fat. Illustration of normal abdomen, without diastasis recti/abdominal separation.Illustration of diastasis recti/abdominal separation after pregnancy. 

Diastatsis recti reduces the integrity and functional strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain and pelvic instability. Separation in a previous pregnancy significantly increases the probability, and severity, of the condition in subsequent pregnancies. Women expecting more than one baby, petite women, those with a pronounced sway back, or with poor abdominal muscle tone are at greatest risk. Genetics also plays a big role. For some women, it simply how their bodies respond to pregnancy.

Unfortunately, flurries of misconception swirl around diastasis recti and abdominal exercise during and after pregnancy in general. You're likely to encounter a broad range of contradictory opinions and advice about how to recondition your abdominal wall and how to restore the mid line after childbirth. Some of these assertions can cause unnecessary alarm, while another common piece of advice-do a lot of "crunches"-can actually worsen diastasis recti/abdominal separation.

COMMON MYTHS about Diastasis Recti/Abdominal Separation and Postpartum Abdominal Reconditioning:

• Diastasis recti/abdominal separation causes permanent damage to your abdomen.

• Diastasis recti/abdominal separation requires surgical repair.

• Diastasis recti/abdominal separation causes permanent bulging of the abdomen, i.e., "mummy-tummy."

• Diastasis recti causes pain.

• The abdominal muscles will always be weaker after childbirth.

• All women should wait for at least six weeks after delivery before beginning any abdominal exercises or postnatal reconditioning program.

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Contact us for more details regarding Diastasis recti  and how to correct it.

This article is written by Dr. Rashmi Kapoor. Dr. Rashmi has a B.P.T, M.B.A. and is specialized in women health. She is founder of www.activeyou.co.in. She conducts Prenatal Sessions and is also ergonomics consultant. She can be contacted at active.u.in@gmail.com or +91 7760610982.

Pregnancy : Myth Vs Truth

[Originally Posted on @Dr. Rashmi's ActiveYou Facebook Page on 31-Aug-2016]

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Myth : Normal delivery is easy and recovery is a cake walk and C section is an option to escape from labor pain.

Truth : Normal delivery has its own advantages and disadvantages and nothing is a cake walk as far as bringing a new life to the world is concerned. Episiotomy (tear during normal delivery) also takes time to heal and is fussy and painful. C-Section is not a choice but a mandate in many cases and it’s a struggle for the mother to even breastfeed the baby after C-section. If labor is painful for few hours, C-section can be painful for a few months till it completely heals and back pain can be a complaint for a long time later as well.

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Myth : Feeding the baby at night is the easiest way to put them to sleep.

Truth : Though this is partly true, we should slowly discontinue this habit when teeth start growing because this can cause tooth decay of the milk teeth. Using Bottles at night also should be avoided as it may cause Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

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Myth : Sleepless nights for mothers are just for a few months and then the baby gets a perfect sleep routine.

Truth : Though true with a very few kids, kids don’t get a proper sleep routine until they are 5 and we need to try planning their routine and see what works to ensure that they get adequate sleep – 8–10 hours a day for a toddler.

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Myth  : Google has all answers to baby’s health Google.

Truth : Google shows what you want to hear and see, it is always better to trust your pediatrician's qualification and experience than Google’s search results.

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Myth : You are not supposed to exercise and exert yourself when pregnant.

Truth : Maternity exercises are extremely important and it is good to resort to good antenatal maternity classes. This sometimes helps a long way in normal delivery.

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Myth : Keep eating and eat more when pregnant.

Truth : What we need to concentrate on is the nutrition and not the quantity of food intake. Plenty of water, fruits, vegetables and nuts and more frequent and smaller quantity meals will seal the deal.

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Myth : If your baby doesn’t meet all required milestones, it is a serious problem.

Truth : Stop listening to those neighbors, and trust your doctor – not all kids meet all milestones bang on. Some might walk a little late, some might talk a little late ,just take it easy they will catch up soon

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Myth : Skinny babies are malnourished and chubby ones are healthy.

Truth : This is an absurd myth. Skinny active babies are way healthier than the chubby kids around. Appearances are indeed deceptive. Just make sure your kid is active - skinny or chubby really doesn't count.

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Myth : You should follow all advice of experienced mothers because they know it all

Truth : To each their own – each child is unique and every parent’s experience in bringing up their kid is different from the other. So don’t panic or give in to all advice and suggestions from other mothers around. Be wise on what to take and what not to.

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Myth : Motherhood is the most wonderful thing in the world.

Truth : Motherhood is the most tiring, shameless, exhausting, energy and time sucking experience – nevertheless it is the most wonderful thing in the world

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This article is written by Dr. Rashmi Kapoor. Dr. Rashmi has a B.P.T, M.B.A. and is specialized in women health. She is founder of www.activeyou.co.in. She conducts Prenatal Sessions and is also ergonomics consultant. She can be contacted at active.u.in@gmail.com or +91 7760610982.