by Little Stars & She | Feb 6, 2025 | Gynecology
Which prenatal vitamin is best?
When Planning and during the first three months, Folic Acid (400-600 mcg) is essential for baby’s brain development. After that, doctors usually recommend Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin D tablets.
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
- Mother in normal weight prior to Pregnancy, can gain weight 10-12 kgs during Pregnancy
- Underweight mothers Gain 12-15 kg in pregnancy
- Overweight mothers Gain 7-9 kg in pregnancy
Weight gain should be gradual and healthy starting from 4th month.
What foods should I eat or avoid during pregnancy?
✅ Foods to Eat:
- Dairy: Milk, curd, paneer, ghee
- Proteins: Dal, sprouts, eggs, fish (fully cooked)
- Fruits & Veggies: Apples, bananas, carrots, spinach, beets
- Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds
- Fluids: Coconut water, buttermilk, fresh juices
❌ Foods to Avoid:
- Too much tea/coffee
- Street food & processed food
- Raw or undercooked meat & eggs to avoid Infection
- Papaya & Pineapple
- Ajwain & Fenugreek seeds
📌 Home Remedy: Drink ragi malt for calcium and iron. Have dry ginger (saunth) powder with warm milk for better digestion.
How can I manage morning sickness?
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Avoid oily/spicy food
- Drink ginger tea
- Eat soaked almonds
- Suck on lemon candy
📌 Home Remedies:
- Mix honey + ginger juice and take a spoon when feeling nauseous.
- Drink jeera (cumin) water in the morning for digestion.
Is bleeding during pregnancy normal?
- Mild spotting in early pregnancy is common.
- Heavy bleeding, pain, or clots? Visit a doctor immediately!
📌Home Remedy: Rest well and drink coconut water or pomegranate juice for strength
What are the signs of labor?
- Strong back pain
- Water breaking
- Frequent contractions (every 5-10 minutes)
- Bloody discharge
- Pressure in the lower abdomen
📌Home Remedy: Drinking ajwain (carom seed) water or warm milk with ghee can help ease
contractions.
Can I exercise during pregnancy?
Yes! Moderate exercise helps in easy delivery. You can:
- Walk 30 minutes daily
- Do pregnancy yoga
- Try kegel exercises
- Avoid heavy lifting or high-intensity workouts.
📌Home Remedy: Soak 2-3 munakka (black raisins) overnight and eat in the morning for energy.
Traveling during pregnancy?
- Best time to travel? 4-6 months (2nd trimester)
- Avoid bumpy roads & long journeys
- Carry medical records at all times
- Avoid travel after 8 months
📌Home Remedy: Carry homemade lemon juice or buttermilk to stay hydrated during travel.
by Little Stars & She | Feb 6, 2025 | Diabetes, Gynecology
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It means your body isn’t able to use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels1. This can affect both your health and your baby’s health. The good news is that it usually goes away after the baby is born, but it does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
How do I know if I have it? (Symptoms & Diagnosis)
- You’ll be screened for gestational diabetes between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy through a glucose tolerance test. Symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. However, some women may not experience any symptoms at all
What causes it?
- The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that the hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy can make your body resistant to insulin. This insulin resistance makes it harder for your body to use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels.
How can I manage it?
- The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that the hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy can make your body resistant to insulin. This insulin resistance makes it harder for your body to use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Will it affect my baby?
- Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications for your baby causing anomalies and being born too large (macrosomia), which can lead to delivery complications. It can also increase the risk of jaundice, low blood sugar, and respiratory distress syndrome.
What happens after I give birth?
- After giving birth, your blood sugar levels usually return to normal. However, you’ll need to be tested for diabetes regularly, as having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Can I prevent it?
- While you can’t always prevent gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active can help reduce your risk.
Is it dangerous?
- With proper management, most women with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and babies. However, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to complications for both mother and baby. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage the condition effectively.
How often should I check my blood sugar levels?
- Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions, but generally, you should check your blood sugar levels multiple times a day. This might include fasting blood sugar in the morning and after meals.
Can gestational diabetes affect my future pregnancies?
- Yes, having gestational diabetes in one pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing it in future pregnancies. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider if you’ve had it before.
What are the long-term risks for my baby?
- Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Monitoring their diet and activity levels as they grow can help mitigate these risks.
Can I breastfeed if I have gestational diabetes?
- Yes, breastfeeding is encouraged and can provide numerous health benefits for both you and your baby. It can also help you lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy, which can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Will I need insulin?
- Not all women with gestational diabetes need insulin. It depends on how well your blood sugar levels are controlled with diet and exercise. If necessary, your healthcare provider will prescribe insulin.
What kind of diet should I follow?
- A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients is important. Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. Your healthcare provider or a dietitian can help you create a personalized meal plan.
Can exercise help manage gestational diabetes?
- Yes, regular physical activity can help manage your blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are good options.
Can I have a normal delivery if I have gestational diabetes?
- Many women with gestational diabetes have normal deliveries. However, if your baby is very large, your healthcare provider may recommend a cesarean section to avoid complications during deliver
by Little Stars & She | Feb 6, 2025 | Child Health, Gynecology
Fetal Development Week by Week: A Comparative Analysis of Your Baby’s Growth The journey of pregnancy is both beautiful and exciting. Gaining insight into your baby’s weekly growth and development might help you better relate to the changes taking place in your body. We’ve simplified this by comparing your baby’s size to well-known fruits that you can identify with.
Early Life Stages of the First Trimester (0–13 Weeks)
Your baby is developing vital organs and growing quickly during the first trimester
The Baby is 1 mm in size, about the size of a poppy seed. The fertilised egg joins the uterus at this point.
The Baby reaches 2 mm, about the size of a sesame seed. The formation of the brain and spinal cord is beginning.
The Baby reaches 4-5 mm, about the size of a lentil. The heart starts beating.
The baby is about the size of a chickpea at 10 mm. Legs and arms begin to develop.
The Baby is 14 mm in size, about the size of a kidney bean. Limb buds start to develop.
The Baby is roughly 23 mm in size, or the size of a Grape. Internal organs arestarting to take shape.
The Baby is 3 cm in size, about the size of a olive. The baby’s facial characteristics begin to grow, giving them a more human appearance.
The Baby measures 4.5 cm, about the size of a fig. The Baby is now moving.
The Baby measures 5.5 cm, or the size of a plum. The baby’s face is complete, and its activity level is increasing.
Second Trimester: Development and Motion (14–27 Weeks): Baby can Feel and hear you.The baby’s organs develop during the second trimester, and you can start to feel the baby move. Your baby’s growth throughout this trimester is as follows:
The Baby is now 8.7 cm in size, or the size of a Lemon. The Baby is capable of making facial emotions
The Baby measures 10.1 cm, or the size of an apple. The Baby’s bones are beginning to solidify.
The Baby measures 11.6 cm, or the size of an avocado. The skin of the Baby is beginning to take shape.
he Baby is 13 cm in size, about the size of an onion. You may begin to feel tiny movements.
The Baby is 14.2 cm in size, about the size of a sweet potato. The Baby’s kidneys and heart are functioning.
At 15.3 cm, the baby is the size of a mango. A layer of protection covers the skin.
The Baby is 16.5 cm in length, about the size of a banana. The Baby is moving more and swallowing.
The Baby measures 26.7 cm, or the size of a Carrot. More details are being added to the baby’s face.
At 27.8 cm, the baby is the size of a papaya. The Baby is now able to hear sounds.
he Baby measures 28.9 cm, or the size of a grapefruit. The lungs are preparing to breathe.
The Baby is 30 cm in size, about the size of a coconut. The Baby has opened its eyes.
At 34.6 cm, the baby is the size of corn on the cob. The Baby is becoming stronger and gaining weight.
The Baby measures 35.6 cm, or the size of a bottle gourd. The Baby’s immune system is growing more robust.
At 36.6 cm, the baby is the size of a cauliflower. The Baby is preparing for life beyond the womb.
28–40 Weeks of the Third Trimester: All Set to Meet You Your baby gets bigger and gets ready to be born throughout the third trimester. Here’s how your Baby stacks up against fruits in the last stretch:
At 37.6 cm, the baby is the size of an Large Brinjal. The Baby is getting heavier.
At 38.6 cm, the baby is the size of a pumpkin. The skin of the Baby gets smoother.
At 39.9 cm, your baby is the size of a cabbage. The Baby begins to practise breathing.
The Baby is 41.1 cm in size, about the size of a giant coconut. The Baby is moving more.
At 42.4 cm, the baby is the size of a pineapple. The Baby is positioning itself for delivery.
The Baby is 43.7 cm in size, about the size of a jackfruit. The baby’s lungs and brain are growing quickly.
Your Baby is 45 cm in size, around the size of a large papaya. The organs of the Baby are nearly ready.
The Baby is 46.2 cm in size, about the size of a honeydew melon. The body of the Baby is growing.
At 47.4 cm, the baby is the size of a watermelon. The Baby is preparing to be born.
The Baby is 48.6 cm in size, about the size of a muskmelon. The lungs of the Baby are fully formed.
At 49.8 cm, the baby is the size of a large watermelon. The baby is nearly ready for delivery.
Your baby is ready to meet the world and is about the size of a pumpkin (50–52 cm).
From a tiny poppy seed to the size of a pumpkin, your baby’s growth journey is amazing. Each week brings new developments, and comparing the baby’s size to fruits makes it easier to understand. It’s a special time, and knowing how your baby grows helps make the experience even more memorable.
Make sure to visit your doctor regularly to track your baby’s growth and development, as every pregnancy is unique. Enjoy the journey, and remember, your baby is growing stronger each day!
