Pregnancy Care

Hello viewers, I am Dr Purnima Jain. I am practising Obstetrics and Gynaecology from last 17 years. In this video, I am going to talk about Pregnancy Care and the different investigations required during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is the most happiest period of a women's life but at the same time, women goes through various emotional conflicts during this epriod. So, she is happy about her pregnancy but at the same time, she is worried about the various ailments which affect during pregnancy. Also, she is scared about various investigations and scans which are being done repeatedly. So, she should be explained and informed and explained about various things which are required during pregnancy.

I am tyelling you the things which are commonly practised by all the gynaecologist. There may be different view of different doctors but the goal of all is same, that is, to have a healthy abby and a healthy mother at the end of pregnancy. And to achieve this, I think that the patient should be well informed because a well informed patient will enjoy her pregnancy and after the period is over, she will have a better outcome.

How to calculate the expected date of delivery?

The first question which patient asks is when will be the delivery date. So, we should know that how to calculate the expected date of delivery. Usually the duration of pregnancy is about 40 weeks or 280 days and it is calculated from the last day of periods. It is a simple method of calculation is, from last menstrual period + 9 months + 1 week gives the expected date of delivery. Suppose your Last month od periods was 10th.oct, 2016 then the expected date of delivery will be 17th.july, 2017.

Secondly, we divide pregnancy into 3 trimesters.

1st Trimester is from 1- 12 weeks.

2nd Trimester is from 12-28 weeks.

3rd Trimester is from 29-40 weeks.

The division of these three trimesters is necessary because problems during different period are different and care during different period are different.

In 1st Trimester, as soon as you diagnose your pregnancy, one should visit a gynaecologist and get registered with the gynaecologist because at this time, we need to get certain investigations done and patients usually have some problems like vomiting and most frequent problem during 1st trimester is problem of abortion. The routine investigation which are done during 1st trimester are Haemoglobin, serum TSH level, blood group, HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigens, BDRL, blood sugar levels, routine urine test, microscopic examination, IGM levels and if required HPMC level.

Ultrasound scan is usually done on 6th week for the confirmation of pregnancy, viability and in the later time for dating of pregnancy.

2nd trimester is usually healthier period. Patient usually suffer least problems. But during the 2nd trimester, at 16th week, we give first tetanus toxoid injections. And on 18th week, we do anomaly scan and triple or quad test. On 20th week, 2nd dose of tetanus toxoid is given. On 24th week, we do blood sugar test fastinga nd after meals. On 22nd week, if required a Fetal echo is done. If required means, if there is a malformation history of previous child or if the mother is suffering from hypertension, heart failure etc. Duering 2ns trimester, irona nd calcium supplementations are usually started and diet counselling is done.

During 3rd trimester, on 28th week, a color doppler test is done to see fetal growth and well being. On 32nd week, routine check up is done. And on 36th week, a repeat ultrasound for fetal representation is done.

After 36th week, a patient should visit gynaecologist every week to avoid complications.

For further information, please contact me through Lybrate.