Training
30 Aug
I'm back!

It seems ages since my last posting…. But the fact is, we have been working hard on some new initiatives at Healthy Mother, ones which we hope will further the cause for Natural Childbirth and safe and healthy birth practices in India.

First, we have partnered with Douglas College, Canada to bring Lamaze Teacher Training Skills knowledge to India. We successfully conducted Lamaze Teaching Skills Workshops for aspiring Lamaze teachers in two locations, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Both were runaway successes, judging by the tremendous response we got from our committed group of participants. Over the next few months, we will be conducting such workshops, which are part of Douglas College’s Lamaze Certified Teaching Skills Workshops to other parts of India as well, as I have received calls and emails from many women from all over India who want to join this effort. I am glad our workshops have found such support.

My thanks to Kathie Lindstrom, Program Manager of Douglas College’s Perinatal Program and her wonderful daughter Brea for their enthusiasm in bringing these workshops to India and helping us conduct them. I am sure, our partnership with Douglas College will go a long way in ushering a change for the better in safe, healthy natural birth practices in India. Kathie’s blog on the trip can be seen here.

Our new website is operational! After two months of hectic activity behind the scenes, our technology group has put out a fantastic website (www.healthy-mother.com), that I am sure everyone will like. Please do send in your feedback and comments.

I will post some pictures taken during the Workshops. Meanwhile stay tuned for some more important announcements….

Dr. Vijaya

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  • amanda
    I had my 20wk sonogram and the Dr. told me that my son has a small cyst on the brain, but everything else was normal. She told me its something not to worry about and there were no other ssigns but yet I am very worried. Is tjere any advice you could give me.
  • Hi Amanda,

    No, I do not have anything more to add.

    Your doctors will continue to monitor, and advise you accordingly.

    All the best-
    Vijaya
  • Kate
    Dear Dr Vijaya

    I would appreciate your help with my pregnancy. This is my first pregnancy and I am currently 20 weeks 1 day pregnant. Due to the fact that I had previously had laser treatment for cervical cancer my OB had me have a transvaginal ultrasound at 16 weeks to check the length of my cervix. At that time it measured 2.9. Then yesterday they measured it again at 20 weeks at which time it came back as 2.4. He has recommended I come back in 2.5 weeks for a further ultrasound to check the length and has said that if there is any problems we could still do a cerclage at 22 weeks.

    I am concerned firstly because he has not recommended any modifications to my lifestyle so far and further has advised that he thinks it is ok if I fly next week on a one hour flight to a holiday where I will be driving around for 1 week. Also the last few days i have been having a lot of cramping and pulsing in my vagina. Finally today I felt a hardened area above my pelvic bone which I initially thought was part of the baby.It went away after a minute or so. Would that be right or could it be contractions?
    I am really concerned and so called my OB today who has said he thinks I am fine however has written me a prescription for supposetry progesterones. Do you think I need o do anything else?

    Thank you for your help.
  • Dear Kate,

    The change in your cervical length is not alarming. In some women the process of shortening starts in the second trimester, and in others it does not happen till the very end. However, with your previous history it does make sense to get monitored closely - I would recommend once every other week.

    For now, I do not think any major precautions are required. Do enjoy your vacation ( I would not go horseback riding though:)). I would also recommend not lifting anything heavy, as well avoid intercourse, until your next check up. If your cervical length holds, or does not show any major reductions, you can resume all activities at that time.

    I am not concerned about your slight pulsing in the vaginal area; However, I would like for you to monitor your tightening in the pelvic/lower abdominal area. If this continues more than a couple of times, I would get it checked immediately. The Progesterone suppositories strengthen pregnancy - but are useless in minimizing uterine contractions. So, if this continues, you should consult your OB, who may want to prescribe a tocolytic ( uterine muscle relaxant) instead.

    Hope I answered all your questions.. All the best!
    Dr.Vijaya
  • Jackie
    My daughter's baby @20wks was diagnosed with a Choroid Plexus Cyst in the brain. It also showed a cyst in the heart. The doctor said these mostly disolve between 24-27 weeks. What is your take on this? Thank you for your time.
    Nana
  • Dear Nana,

    Sorry for my delayed response. Your daughter's doctor is right - most cysts are gone by 32 weeks at the most. The only reason why these are even monitored on the ultrasound, is because there has found to be a weak association between these cysts and some chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. However, if all other risk factors are low, such as maternal age, family history as well as other screening tests (such as Triple Screening etc.), one does not need to worry about it any further, and no further testing is required. If there are other risk factors, or if one of the screening tests comes up with increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities, then an amniocentesis may be recommended.

    For now, it does not seem like there is anything major to worry about - Enjoy your daughter's pregnancy!

    All the very best to you and her,

    Dr.Vijaya
  • Guest
    Hi Dr Vijaya,

    I just had a C section two months back. This is my second baby. The first one was a normal birth at 35 weeks gestation. I am fully determined to have a VBAC next time around and would like your inputs about spacing my pregnancies, lifestyle, pregnancy health etc., to increase my odds of a normal birth.

    I also have minor aches and dull soreness in my c section incision and the area around it. Can you tell me what measures I should take to feel totally normal again just as I was before I was pregnant with no aches and pains due to the surgery? How long does it take to completely become normal and painfree on its own?

    The internet is full of websites that speak of abdominal adhesions post-surgery that can create problems later in life and that the risk of forming adhesions is very high in C sections. How do I ascertain if I have developed adhesions and is there any way to prevent or get rid of them?

    Regards.
    Syeda.
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