Date Archives June 2021

COVID Vaccination in Pregnancy

0 Comments read Pregnancy

There’s good news for many pregnant girls who have been expectantly waiting for the COVID vaccine. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has given us the green signal for vaccinating this vulnerable section of women.

Which group of pregnant girls need the vaccine?

All pregnant girls should get the vaccine

AND 

  1. A special mention for girls who are:
  2. Healthline workers
  3. Obese
  4. Suffering from comorbid conditions
  5. Hypertensive
  6. Diabetic

More likely to get an infection due to living in areas that have a high load of cases

Older than 35 years of age

Have a history of clotting in the limbs

Exposed to people outside the household

Living in crowded areas and unable to practice social distancing

This set of pregnant girls definitely need the vaccine as they are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease and developing complications of COVID infection. 

Also remember that girls who have had COVID in this pregnancy, still need the vaccination though it can be stalled after delivery.

Which vaccine is better?

Covishield or Covaxin-whichever is available

How to go about it?

Both, registration on the Co Win App or on-site registration is required.0.5 ml of the vaccine is given intramuscularly in the upper arm. After receiving the vaccine it is mandatory to stay at the vaccination site for half an hour so that doctors can monitor side effects if any.

Side Effects 

  • These are generally minor and last for 1-3 days
  • Pain at the vaccination site
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Muscle pain 
  • Weakness 
  • A feeling of being unwell

Major side effects to watch for:

Within 20 days of vaccination the vaccinated girls must watch out for:

  • Severe headache with or without vomiting 
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Blurring of vision
  • Chest pain 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Severe abdominal pain 
  • Small pinpoint haemorrhages
  • Weakness or paralysis on either side of the body
  • Pain, swelling and tenderness of the calf

These are red flag signs for which expectant mothers or their families must inform the healthcare workers immediately; the good news is that these side effects are extremely rare.

The long term effects and safety of the vaccine on the foetus and child have yet not been established.

Myths that need to be busted

  • One gets the disease after vaccination 
  • One turns positive after the jab
  • The DNA gets altered
  • After getting the disease pregnant girls don’t need to be vaccinated

Let’s bust all these myths and join hands to bust this disease together. Prevention, as we all know, is better than cure. And what is more important than protecting ourselves while we carry our precious bundles of joy? Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed!



Decoding the COVID Vaccine

0 Comments read Women Health

Currently, as we all know there are three vaccines available for use in India- COVISHIELD,  COVAXIN and SPUTNIK.

We began vaccinating our large population from January 16th this year and 6 months into the vaccine we are reasonably sure of their efficacy in preventing serious disease. The vaccine has been rolled out in phases and now includes the 18 + population including breastfeeding and new moms. It also gets the nod from ICMR for pregnant girls from the 25 th of June; in the latest development, we have also been given the go-ahead signal from the MOHFW, Government of India, as I write today.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE VACCINES

Covaxin is indigenously developed in India; manufactured by the Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the National Institute of Virology. It is an inactivated viral vaccine containing the whole virion inactivated virus which can’t infect a person but which prods the immune system to form antibodies against it.

Covishield is a vaccine developed by the Oxford Astra Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. This has been prepared using viral vector technology. A chimpanzee adenovirus-ChAdOx1 has been used to carry the spike protein of the virus into human cells. This again does not infect the person getting the vaccine but mounts an antibody response. Vectors are “vehicles” which carry this genetic material inside the cells.

Sputnik V is the Russian developed vaccine made by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology which will be manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s laboratories. This uses the human adenovirus 26 and 5 to act as vectors for the Coronavirus spike protein.

Doses and timing of these

Both Covaxin and Covishield are given in 2 doses. 0.5 ml is administered intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle. Covaxin is given at an interval of 4-6 weeks apart and Covishield is prescribed at an interval of 12-16 weeks.

Sputnik vaccine is a double dose vaccine, also administered as an intramuscular dose. The interval between both doses is likely to be 21 days.

Even if one has had COVID, the vaccine must still be taken, however, delay the jab to 3 months after recovery from the disease.

If one gets COVID after the first dose of vaccine, it is recommended that one gets the second dose at the scheduled date provided one has no symptoms and the quarantine period is over.

Efficacy

The efficacy of Covaxin is around 81% in phase 3 trials whereas that of Covishield is around 90% . The efficacy of the Sputnik vaccine is 91.6 % as per global studies.

The chances of getting the disease after 2 doses of Covaxin are 0.4% and of Covishield are 0.3%

Side Effects

Pain at the site of injection, fever, headache, joint pain and weakness are common side effects of the vaccine which generally go away after 1-3 days. Rashes, nausea and vomiting are some other side effects.

Some serious side effects may be allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, palpitations, throat and face swelling but these are rare.

Some myths that need busting

  • COVID vaccine can infect one with the disease
  • COVID vaccine can cause one to become positive for infection
  • COVID vaccine can alter one’s DNA
  • COVID vaccine can’t be taken during one’s periods
  • The vaccine will decrease one’s fertility
  • After recovering from the disease one doesn’t require vaccination

Talk to your doctor; let’s all dispel myths and fears about the vaccine and move ahead in our fight against this terrible disease. 

 

WE WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUSLY; ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO JOIN HANDS 

REMEMBER PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE

Tips on Prenatal yoga by Dr. Shelly Singh

0 Comments read Pregnancy, Women Health

Pregnancy…. It comes with its share of mixed feelings , elation , enthusiasm , positive anticipation as also fear , irritation and a host of other emotions you can’t label as positive. In these current COVID times we are all reeling under the stress and psychological trauma of this disease and its associated impact. 

I always reiterate the need for eating healthy and exercise. And what better than yoga? 

When is the best time during pregnancy to start yoga? 

You can start at any time as early as you like after talking to your doctor. Some girls may start in the second trimester though once the morning sickness of the first trimester has passed.

Health benefits of Prenatal Yoga: 

  • Your body remains flexible and supple. This always helps in labour and normal delivery.
  • Yoga and Pranayam also help in deep breathing and relieve you of stresses. It is one of the oldest forms of relaxation.
  • Yoga also helps in relieving some common problems of pregnancy like leg cramps, backache, constipation, leg oedema, nausea and gastritis.
  • Yogasanas help you recover faster post-delivery

Health benefits of Prenatal Yoga: 

  • Your body remains flexible and supple. This always helps in labour and normal delivery.
  • Yoga and Pranayam also help in deep breathing and relieve you of stresses. It is one of the oldest forms of relaxation.
  • Yoga also helps in relieving some common problems of pregnancy like leg cramps, backache, constipation, leg edema , nausea and gastritis.
  • Yogasanas help you recover faster post-delivery. 

What yogasanas are allowed and beneficial during pregnancy ? 

  • Cat stretch or Marjariasana
  • Konasana
  • Warrior pose or Veerbhadrasana
  • Triangle pose or Trikonasana
  • Butterfly pose or Badhakonasana
  • Shavasana
  • Yoga Nidra or Yogic sleep

Pranayamas or breathing exercises

  • Meditation 
  • These are huge stressbusters

Yogasanas not allowed in pregnancy:

  • Boat Pose
  • Cobra Pose
  • Superman Pose
  • Plough Pose
  • Sitting half spinal twist pose

Always remember

 

  • To begin with a warm-up and end with cool down
  • Set realistic goals for yourself after talking to your obstetrician.
  • To avoid asanas with inversion poses 
  • To avoid asanas that need you to lie on your back and hold it for long as the pregnant uterus puts pressure on the large blood vessels of the body and causes less blood supply to the brain leading to dizziness. 
  • Do standing poses as they strengthen the legs and increase their tone, improving circulation and even leg cramps
  • Reduce time holding asanas in the third trimester and do more of pranayam and meditation .
  • Stay cool and hydrated 
  • Wear well stretching yoga maternity gear.
  • Always enrol with an instructor who is well versed with prenatal yoga only after you get the go ahead from your doctor . Sometimes, exercises are completely prohibited like in cases of threatened miscarriage, bleeding in pregnancy, placenta previa, preterm labour etc. 
  • Listen to your body and do your yogic practice and exercises only till the point where you are not fatigued. 
  • Also let your instructor and doctor know about any associated medical condition during your past or current pregnancy . 
  • Moreover if you experience any pain or these red flag signals I’ve mentioned just stop immediately and consult your doctor. 
  • Let your yoga practice in pregnancy be fun , slow and relaxing rather than an intense workout. 

Hymenoplasty

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In recent times request for hymenoplasty has increased. This is a surgical procedure for restoration of the hymen, also called hymenorrhaphy or reorganisation. And while endless debates continue on whether it should be done or not I believe it is the choice of a patient. Numerous cultures and religions still believe that having a hymen is a sign of virginity and purity. Needless to say, it is not just sexual intercourse but even sports like cycling, horse riding and gymnastics as well as trauma and even fingering and use of tampons and menstrual cups can cause the hymen to rupture. On the other hand, sometimes the hymen is so elastic that it may not tear even after a woman is sexually active.

 

NOW, WHAT IS THIS HYMEN?

 

The hymen is a thin ,flexible or thick and elastic tissue that is crescent or doughnut-shaped and guards the lower part of the vaginal opening. It begins to form when the foetus is still in the mother’s womb at around the 4 th month of pregnancy. It allows for menstrual blood and vaginal secretions to come out, so it is not an impenetrable seal. This serves no real purpose but in some cultures ,is still believed to be a sign of virginiy once it ruptures at the first penile penetration. In some women a hymen may not be present at all; that’s 1:1000 cases.

 

REASONS FOR HYMENOPLASTY:

Cultural beliefs

To bury the past especially if hymen rupture has happened after sexual molestation 

Accidental rupture while sporting or some of the non sexual reasons Ive spoken about 

Enhancement of sexual pleasure after childbirth: This procedure can also be done along with tightening of vaginal muscles in women whose muscles may become flaccid due to childbirth and with age.

Imperforate hymen: this is a birth condition where the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening and there is no way for menstrual blood and secretions to track down. This condition requires a small hole to be made in the hymen, a procedure called hymenotomy.

Septate hymen where the hymen is split into rope-like bands. This can also be corrected by hymenotomy.

 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING HYMENOPLASTY?

BEFORE SURGERY

You will be asked to get a few blood tests done and will be asked to give up smoking for a few days prior to the procedure. If you are on any blood thinners, those will need to be stopped too, at least 10 days prior to the procedure.

It is a daycare procedure and you are discharged after a few hours on the very same day.

Strict confidentiality is maintained.

 

DURING SURGERY

It takes under an hour to do the surgery.

Local anaesthesia is generally all that is required 

The old hymenal tags are freshened and hymen recreated from the same tags in two layers

Sometimes if hymenal tissue is missing it can be created from the vaginal tissue

 

AFTER SURGERY

Immediately after the procedure, there may be a bit of spotting and swelling 

You can return to work after 1-4 days

You will be given antibiotics and a mild pain killer though most cases have only mild discomfort 

You have to abstain from intercourse for at least six weeks till healing happens 

Avoid tampon use, fingering ,  sports,the latter for at least 3 weeks

This procedure is done with absorbable, very fine sutures and does not need stitch removal. Stitches dissolve on their own

COMPLICATIONS

 There may be slight swelling, spotting and discharge

Itching 

Occasionally there be an infection 

This is, as you may see now, a very simple procedure that may restore not just the hymen but also control over your body if you make the choice. For some women, it may signify healing from traumatic past sexual experiences one may want to forget. ULTIMATELY ITS YOUR BODY; THE CHOICE SHOULD REMAIN YOURS!

 

An ode to dyslexia

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My younger son was diagnosed with Dyslexia when he was in Prep. We’ve changed three schools and I often refer to him as “ us” because it’s been a collective journey for the two of us.

Some of you must be struggling with issues of dyslexia and ADHD with your young children . As a parent who’s gone from pillar to post and with some good and some terrible experiences there’s a lot I have to share….

To me the biggest mistake was to label the child. It’s alright to get him / her evaluated but labelling them even in what seems to be their best interests at that time does the biggest harm!

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All you need to know about preconceptional counselling

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Meeting your doctor before you become pregnant is called preconceptional counselling. There’s a whole lot of information available on the net that may astound, confuse and scare you . It’s best you meet your obstetrician gynecologist and sort out the confusion. The goal is to check any potential risks to you and to your baby during pregnancy and to be prepared in handling them beforehand.You need to be the healthiest version of yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally to bring your little bundle of joy into this world. And preconceptional counselling will exactly achieve that.

How do you need to prepare for this meeting?

There’s nothing special that needs to be done. Just fix an appointment with your gynaecologist and frame all the questions you want to ask in your mind or jot them down.

What is the importance of preconceptional counselling?

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4 early signs of ovarian cancer that women must know

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Cancer- the name itself sends shivers down any one’s spine .

Ovarian cancers count for 6-8.7% of all female cancers in India. These cancers have very non specific symptoms so they are difficult to diagnose in early stages. Once they’re diagnosed it is in late stages when cure rates are low.

Since early detection always helps to increase the survival rates it is important that we women must all know what are the early signs of ovarian cancer.

Remember ovarian cancer is SILENT but it is not quiet!

Be watchful in case you have:

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