PREGNANCY: WOMAN AS A MOTHER
Pregnancy is a proud moment for any lady and should never be viewed as a burden nor accepted reluctantly. No doubt, the pregnant lady has to pass through a totally novel experience in her life. There could be multiple problems in a primipara ( the lady who is going to deliver a child for the very first time). Still, in a multipara, the problems are neither novel nor disturbing for the simple reason that she is now an experienced lady who can weather any storm. The pregnancy period has been divided into three parts—I trimester, II trimester, and III trimester.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY
• Stoppage of menstrual flow
• Hardening of nipples and change in colour of nipples and area around nipples ( Areola)
• Heaviness at the pit of the (lower) abdomen
• Occasional vomiting (though rare) and nausea (though quite common)
• Occasional fainting
• Pain in back and loins
• Dizziness and headache
At the onset of pregnancy, ensure that the mother does not have—
(i) Low haemoglobin count
(ii) German measles
(iii) Any venereal disease like syphilis, gonorrhoea
(iv) Any toxic or harmful element in her blood
(v) HIV infection
(vi) High Blood Pressure
Also, Ensure
(i) She does not pass sugar/protein; if the result is positive, it points to diabetes and malfunctioning of kidneys.
(ii) Her Blood Group
(iii) Routine urine and stool tests
(iv) Have her ultrasound scan tested so that the following conditions are ascertained—
• Whether she is going to deliver twin babies.
• Positions of the foetus in the uterus and whether the uterus is placed in its normal position.
• Period of pregnancy (especially when the date of the last menstruation is forgotten)
• To know if the child is suffering from any spinal curvature, has a large head etc.
• If the child is alive or dead
• Growth of the child etc.
PERIODICAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP
When pregnancy has been confirmed, the pregnant lady
must be medically checked up as follows—
Frequently up to 8-12 weeks (weekly check-up)
After every 4 weeks up to 28 weeks
After every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks
After every week from the 37th week until the time of delivery, If any abnormality or disease is detected, timely treatment by a qualified physician will go a long way in averting a crisis. Medical guidance and check-up ensure proper progress of the mother and her offspring. Any causal approach or delay is bound to create problems. Let only one doctor attend to the case so that the patient and the doctor have a common and close rapport, understanding and approach. No medical advice should ever be overlooked, as discretion is no substitute for an expert’s advice.
All the patients are advised to get their tests/themselves tested in a reliable pathological lab. It has often been observed that sometimes such labs show misleading reports on tests, which, at times, endanger a patient’s health.