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Dr. Prachi Benara has 14 years of experience as an infertility specialist. Having done her graduation and postgraduation in India, Dr. Prachi trained in reproductive medicine and IVF in the UK. In addition to a one-year PG diploma, she worked as an observer in the Oxford University Hospitals and trained in IUI, ultrasound, and embryo transfer at the British Fertility Society. Currently, she is heading the Gurgaon center of Birla Fertility and IVF.
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A poxvirus (known as molluscum contagiosum virus) causes the infection Molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum during pregnancy may cause varied symptoms such as skin issues, white sores around your face, and the spores spread to other regions of your body. Read this post to know about molluscum contagiosum in pregnancy, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. [mj-toc] What Is Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection caused by the virus Molluscum Contagiosum. The molluscum virus produces bumps or papules on the skin's upper layer, which can be smooth, shiny, and fleshy (3). [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/tips-take-care-skin-hair-post-pregnancy_0084644/" title="Top 10 Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin And Hair Post Pregnancy"] Causes Of Molluscum Contagiosum During Pregnancy Here are some of the common causes of Molluscum contagiosum: 1. Skin Contact: The infection spreads through skin contact. Avoid skin contact with an infected person. The virus survives on the surfaces and comes in contact with the skin of a person infected with Molluscum...
Mussels are rich sources of many nutrients, yet they can be poisonous if consumed incorrectly. This may make you wonder if you could eat mussels during pregnancy, the time when every food eaten is scrutinized before consumption. It is important to eat healthy food during pregnancy for the well-being of the mother and the fetus. While most foods make it to the safe list, mussels could test the predicament since there are many rules to follow before their consumption. If you enjoyed this seafood before conception and you wish to eat it when pregnant, here’s all you need to know about before adding them to your diet. [mj-toc] What Are Mussels? Mussels are the name given to the family of sea clams, but mussels live in freshwater bodies as well. Is It Safe To Eat Mussels While Pregnant? Once you are pregnant, it is important to consult your doctor first and learn what is safe, and what isn’t. During your...
Pregnancy is a lifetime experience that also brings various physiological, metabolic, and anatomical changes in a woman’s body, right from the time they conceive to birth and even after delivery. But have you ever noticed a woman’s voice change during pregnancy? If you enjoy singing but have found it difficult to do so after becoming pregnant, or if you observed a change in your voice after conceiving, there is no reason to panic as it’s quite normal. Pregnancy alters the quality and pace of [simple_tooltip text="perturbation of the voice" tooltip="Cyclic changes in frequency and intensity of voice observed while sounding words" ], especially during the third trimester (1). Moreover, due to fluid retention during pregnancy, your vocal cords may also swell up, resulting in voice change (2). Continue reading to learn more about how your voice may change when pregnant. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/third-trimester-of-pregnancy_00772899/" title="Third Trimester: When It Starts And What Changes Happen"] [mj-toc] Causes Of Voice Change During Pregnancy Voice change...
What men should know about pregnant women? This question may make you curious if you are an expecting parent. Pregnancy brings several physical and emotional changes in a woman. However, men are not aware of many of these changes. Therefore, they stay unsure of the kind of behavior they should display toward their pregnant wives. If men become more involved in pregnancy and try to understand the feelings and emotions of their pregnant wives, they can bust the pregnancy-related misconceptions and support their wives. It would create a strong bond between the parents and create a healthy and loving environment for the arriving child. This post will tell you a list of facts about pregnant women that men would find useful. [mj-toc] 15 Things All Men Should Know About Pregnant Women Let us tell you exactly what men should know about pregnant women: 1. She Is Hungry, Feed Her: Yes, you know that your pregnant wife needs to eat more...
Contracting croup during pregnancy may affect maternal health and result in more serious symptoms than when contracted at other times. Coughing and breathing difficulties at night are some common symptoms of croup. It is caused by the parainfluenza virus and results in inflammation of the larynx (vocal cords), bronchi, and trachea (windpipe). Barking cough, which sounds similar to barking, is often seen in croup. This sound is produced when air is forcefully expelled while coughing through the airways narrowed by inflammation. It may also result in whistling sounds while you inhale (1). Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for croup during pregnancy. [mj-toc] What Is Croup? [caption id="attachment_890154" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Croup is a respiratory infection that causes difficulty in breathing and a cough that sounds like barking. While suffering from this condition, the area around your vocal cords (larynx), bronchial tubes (bronchi) and windpipe (trachea) becomes inflamed. As you cough, air is forced...
Wearing comfortable clothes during pregnancy is essential to facilitate easy movement and give space to the baby bump. A pregnant woman’s body goes through various changes, both internally and externally. Therefore, maternity clothes help provide comfort to the mother and allow space for the baby to grow. Moreover, a pregnant woman might experience various kinds of physical discomfort and pain during this time. Comfortable clothes allow her to flex and also provide relief from the discomfort. Read on to know more about the importance of wearing comfortable clothes when pregnant. We also suggest some types of clothes you can try wearing and give you tips on choosing the right clothes that offer comfort and are stylish. [mj-toc] Maternity Clothing Styles [caption id="attachment_894114" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] It has become a popular trend to wear fine quality and well-designed clothes during the pregnancy period. Most pregnant women today are no longer trying to hide or cover up their pregnancy; instead, they...
Tapeworms are parasites that cause intestinal infections. A tapeworm infection during pregnancy may cause health complications for you and your baby. If you are experiencing symptoms such as excessive vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and vitamin B12 deficiency, you could have a tapeworm infection. Hence, seek medical attention and get screened to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment for tapeworm infection is based on the type of tapeworm that has infected the body. Keep reading this post to learn more about tapeworm infection, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment in pregnant women. [mj-toc] What Is Tapeworm Infection? Tapeworms are parasites that thrive in your gastrointestinal tract. A tapeworm infection affects your digestive system and leads to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia, and weight loss. As an expectant mom, a tapeworm infection may be more dangerous for you than others, so visit a doctor immediately if you suffer from the symptoms of a tapeworm infection (1). [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/causes-vomiting-pregnancy-17-remedies-keep-bay_0075698/" title="Vomiting And Nausea During Pregnancy:...
Ovarian cysts or ovarian masses are benign and harmless fluid-filled structures formed during the menstrual period every month. However, ovarian cysts during pregnancy may have developed in the pre-pregnancy period and continued to grow throughout the pregnancy. The size of these cysts could range from one centimeter to more than ten centimeters in diameter, but they are harmless and quite common in women. However, sometimes, ovarian cysts may twist and rupture during delivery. In rare cases, they turn malignant or cancerous and may require medical care (1) (2). Read this post to learn about the causes of ovarian cysts during pregnancy, the symptoms of being pregnant with ovarian cysts, and the treatment options available. [mj-toc] What Are Types Of Ovarian Cysts? Ovarian cysts can be of different types depending on their clinical features (1) (3). 1. Functional cysts These are the most commonly found ovarian cysts and are typically benign. The functional cysts can further be classified into two categories....
The delivery process is challenging and can mentally and physically drain you. So, while you care for your baby, care for yourself as well with a relaxing postpartum massage. A postpartum massage is a full body massage that mothers get a few weeks after childbirth. The massage helps the mother’s body and mind relax and hastens postpartum healing. If you are an expecting mother, knowing about the benefits of postpartum massages can help you make informed choices. Read this post to learn about the right techniques for a postpartum massage, the oils most suitable for it, and when you should avoid it. [mj-toc] What Is Postpartum Massage? A postpartum massage is a complete body massage given to the new mom to soothe and relax her mind and body, and also alleviate any pain or soreness in the body. A good massage can support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of the mother (1). Following childbirth, you can take an appointment...
One out of four pregnant women experiences first trimester bleeding during pregnancy. Fortunately, despite bleeding in the initial days, many women have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Vaginal bleeding is when there is a discharge of blood from the vagina at any time during the pregnancy. It may occur between conception and delivery. You should report vaginal bleeding during any stage of pregnancy to the OB/GYN. They would focus on identifying the underlying cause after running a few advanced tests. The following treatment or preventive measures depends on the diagnosis (1). Read on to know the causes and treatment for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. [mj-toc]Spotting Vs. Vaginal Bleeding Spotting is a light, bloody discharge that happens now and then and is not heavy enough to cover a panty liner. Bleeding is a heavier blood flow, and one might need a pad or liner to prevent the clothes from getting soaked (2) (3). While spotting or bleeding is not...
The mucus plug in pregnancy is a thick layer of mucus that forms in the cervical canal (1). The plug helps prevent the carriers of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms from entering the uterus and infecting the baby. When the cervix starts to dilate during childbirth and pushes the baby out of the womb, the cervical mucus plug moves into the vagina and eventually exits the body. Learn more about the mucus plug and what to expect after it comes out of your body through this post. [mj-toc]What Is The Mucus Plug? A mucus plug is a collection of mucus that forms a thick layer in the cervical canal between the vagina and the uterus. The mucus, which is secreted by the uterus during pregnancy, accumulates and forms the mucus plug. It appears as a jelly-like substance, either white or slightly pink. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/uterus-during-pregnancy_00395837/" title="Uterus During Pregnancy: Sizes And How It Works"] Research has shown that the mucus plug contains...