Pregnancy (Before & After)

Article by Dr. Shraddha Kute (Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Nashik)  with over 10 years of experience.

1. Steps to a healthy pregnancy

2. Symptoms during pregnancy shouldn't ignore

3. After delivery precautions

4. How to keep yourself physically healthy after delivery

5. Reasons babies cry

6. Is your baby getting enough milk?? Or are you producing enough breastmilk?

7. Foods are believed to increase breastmilk production?

Steps to a healthy pregnancy

1. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

2. Keep up your iron

3. Stay hydrated

4. Take folic acid supplements

5. Deal with the munchies (dried apricots, almonds, fresh fruit)

6. Get enough sleep

7. Keep on moving (walk)

8. Reduce stress (do meditation)

9. Cut out alcohol

10. Cut out caffeine (say no to coffee as well)

Symptoms during pregnancy shouldn't ignore

1. Feel faint and dizzy

2. Pain in middle or upper tummy

3. vaginal bleeding

4. Constant vomit

5. Fever

6. Blurred vision or can see flash spots

7. Swollen hands and feet

8. Continuous severe headache

9. Burning sensation during urine

10. Sudden dehydration

11. Itching

12. leaking fluid from vagina

13. baby’s movements have slowed down

14. fell and hit the belly

15. Just don’t feel right

After delivery precautions

1. Do not lift anything heavier than baby, mainly if you have had a cesarean section.

2. Don't be hesitant to ask for help. Let family and friends know they can help you by cooking, laundry or shopping.

3. Wash hands regularly, especially after each visit to the washroom, diaper changes, and before feeding baby.

4. Limit stair climbing at least for the first week after delivery.

5. Do not try to be a perfectionist. Don’t do much housework.

6. Keep baby's care simple. Baby does not need a bath every day. Simply wipe off the baby's hands, face, and diaper area regularly.

7. Remember when you need expert help. If you are feeling uneasy most of the time, can't sleep, call your doctor.

How to keep yourself physically healthy after delivery

1. Within a week after delivery, make an appointment with the obstetrician

2. Wait to have intercourse until after your first check-up.

3. Be sure to discuss birth control options. Even though you might not menstruate while breastfeeding, you can still get pregnant.

4. Do not use tampons for 4 to 6 weeks after delivery.

5. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins every day.

6. Eat healthy meals every day.

7. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

8. Take a walk and get out of the house for a break. (ask doctor when to start exercise again)

9. Drink 8 large glasses of liquid (Water, juice, and milk) each day.

Reasons babies cry (To soothe a crying baby)

1. Hungriness

2. Tired (want to sleep)

3. Soiled Nappy (Nappy change time)

4. After feed if not burp (due to the gas problem)

5. If they feel too hot or too cold

6. If not felt well

7. If they want cuddle

8. If they are getting too much attention

Is your baby getting enough milk?? Or are you producing enough breastmilk?

You can get to know it by the following points:

1. If breastfeeding feels relaxed and painless.

2. Your newborn is feeding at least six to eight times a day.

3. Your breasts feel emptier and smoother after feeds.

4. You can see and hear your baby swallow while feeding.

5. Your baby comes off your breast automatically when finished.

6. Your baby passes urine at least seven times in 24 hours, it just looks yellow with little lumps of what looks like thickened milk. A completely breastfed baby can poo many times a day or only once in five days, both conditions are considered normal.

Foods are believed to increase breastmilk production?

1. Fenugreek seeds (methi)

2. Fennel Seeds (saunf)

3. Garlic (lehsun)

4. Green leafy vegetables

5. Cumin seeds (jeera)

6. Sesame seeds (til)

7. Holy basil (tulsi)

8. Gourd vegetables [bottle gourd (lauki), apple gourd (tinda) and sponge gourd (tori)]

9. Dill seeds (suwa)

10. Pulses or lentils (dals)

11. Nuts and dried fruits (meva)

12. Oats and porridge (daliya)