Pregnancy with an Autoimmune Disease: A Comprehensive Guide Understanding Pregnancy with Autoimmune Diseases Pregnancy with an autoimmune disease can be safe with the right planning, treatment, and medical care. It’s essential to understand how autoimmune conditions affect pregnancy, what precautions to take, and how to protect both your health and your baby’s well-being. What Are Autoimmune Diseases? Our immune system protects us against infections and harmful substances. In

A reminder that some obstetric emergencies reveal themselves only when we are prepared for them Pregnancy after two previous Caesarean sections always deserves careful monitoring. When placenta previa is also present, the pregnancy becomes one that requires a high degree of vigilance and preparation. This is the story of one such patient. She had undergone two previous Lower Segment Caesarean Sections (LSCS) and was now pregnant again. During this pregnancy, she was diagnosed

“Doctor, I am only six weeks pregnant… and I have an 8 cm fibroid. What should I do?” Those were the words of a young woman who came to me in the very early weeks of her first pregnancy. She was a primigravida—pregnant for the first time—and understandably, she was frightened. Along with the excitement of seeing her pregnancy on the ultrasound, she had also been told that she had a large uterine fibroid measuring about 8 cm. For a first-time mother, hearing the words “8 cm fi

“Doctor, I have fever. Will my baby be okay?” This is a common concern during pregnancy. Let’s take the example of Meena, 28 weeks pregnant. One evening, she developed a fever of 101°F along with body ache and tiredness. She initially thought it was just a viral infection and decided to wait. But the next morning, the fever continued. Meena called her doctor. Her doctor explained, “Fever during pregnancy should not be ignored. Most fevers are treatable, but we need to find ou

Many women today choose to start their families after 35 because of education, career, relationships, financial planning, or personal circumstances. While pregnancy after 35 is common and many women have healthy pregnancies, fertility does change with age. Understanding these changes can help you plan your pregnancy and seek medical advice at the right time. Does fertility really decline after 35? Yes. Female fertility gradually declines with age and the decline becomes more

Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs during pregnancy is very common. Many pregnant women notice that their shoes feel tighter or that their ankles look puffy, especially towards the end of pregnancy. In most cases, mild swelling is a normal part of pregnancy and improves after delivery. However, sudden or excessive swelling during pregnancy can sometimes be a warning sign of a medical problem and should not be ignored. Why Do Legs Swell During Pregnancy? Leg swelling during

A real-life obstetric case that highlights the importance of close monitoring in high-risk pregnancy Pregnancy is usually a beautiful journey, but certain warning signs can quickly change the course of care. This case involved a woman with one previous LSCS (caesarean delivery) and a history of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in her previous pregnancy, which ended in delivery at 36 weeks. Because of this history, her current pregnancy was monitored closely. A new

Pregnancy is a special time, but if you have diabetes during pregnancy, keeping your blood sugar within the recommended range becomes especially important. Good blood sugar control can help reduce pregnancy complications and support the healthy growth and development of your baby. Whether you had diabetes before pregnancy (pre-existing diabetes) or developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy, regular blood sugar monitoring in pregnancy is an important part

When it comes to women’s health, finding the right gynecologist is crucial. The journey through different stages of life - from adolescence to maternity, and later menopause - requires expert care and understanding. In Chembur, Mumbai, there are several options, but choosing the best gynecologist can make all the difference in your health and peace of mind. I want to guide you through what to look for, where to find trusted care, and how to make the most of your visits. Under

When Pregnancy Became a Battle Against Time: Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy with Systemic Sclerosis and ILD Some pregnancies are straightforward. Some demand constant vigilance. And then there are pregnancies where every decision has to be weighed against the possibility of two lives being at risk. This was one such case. I recently had the opportunity to manage a young woman with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD) who presented to

Does an anterior or posterior placenta mean you need a C-section? Not necessarily. The location of the placenta, particularly its relationship to the cervix, can influence delivery planning. Learn what different placental positions mean, when a low-lying placenta needs special attention, and why the final mode of delivery depends on your overall pregnancy and not the placental position alone.

Endometriosis and pregnancy are closely linked because endometriosis can affect fertility—but having endometriosis does not mean that pregnancy is impossible. Many women with endometriosis conceive naturally, while others may need medical or assisted reproductive treatment. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis and are planning a pregnancy, understanding how the condition can affect fertility and pregnancy can help you make informed decisions. What is endometriosis? E

# Bleeding During Pregnancy: When Should You Worry? Bleeding during pregnancy can be frightening. Seeing blood when you are expecting a baby naturally causes anxiety. However, bleeding does not always mean that you are losing the pregnancy or that something serious has happened. At the same time, bleeding during pregnancy should never simply be ignored. The cause can range from relatively minor cervical changes to conditions that require urgent treatment. Getting assessed at

Amniotic Fluid in Pregnancy: Why It Is Important and What Happens When Levels Are Abnormal? Amniotic fluid is the clear fluid surrounding your baby inside the womb during pregnancy. It plays an important role in your baby’s growth, development and protection. During antenatal scans, your doctor may mention the amniotic fluid index (AFI) or single deepest pocket (SDP). If you are told that your fluid is low or high, it is natural to feel worried. However, an abnormal fluid lev

Bleeding During Pregnancy: Causes, When to Worry & What to Do Bleeding during pregnancy can be frightening. While some bleeding in pregnancy can occur without serious complications, bleeding should never be ignored. The cause can range from minor changes in the cervix to conditions that require urgent medical attention. If you notice vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, contact your obstetrician and get assessed, particularly if the bleeding is heavy, recurrent, or associated w

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH): High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Pregnancy is a time of significant physical and hormonal changes. While most pregnancies progress normally, some women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can affect both the mother and baby. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a common pregnancy complication and, when detected early and monitored carefully, many women can have a safe pregnancy and healthy baby. What is Pregnancy-Induce

She came to me with a simple dream — to conceive and have a healthy baby. She conceived in that very cycle. But sometimes, pregnancy writes a story we never expect. At 16 weeks, she developed leaking and sadly lost the pregnancy. What followed was not just a physical loss. It was an emotional one. The couple went through a period of profound grief and depression. But slowly, they recovered. And when they were ready, they decided to try again. This time, we knew we had to be c

#HIGHRISKPREGNANCY #itchinginpregnancy #gynecologistinmumbai #Cholestasiaofpregnancy #safemotherhood #jaundiceinpregnancy #liverprobleminpregnancy Cholestasis of Pregnancy: When Itching in Pregnancy Should Never Be Ignored By Dr. Anuradha Narayanan Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Anurag Women Health Care, Chembur, Mumbai Pregnancy brings many changes to a woman’s body, and mild itching due to stretching of the skin is common. However, intense itching—especially on th

A successful VBAC depends on careful patient selection, close intrapartum monitoring, and timely intervention when necessary. While scar thickness and the interval since the last Caesarean are valuable considerations, they should complement—not replace—comprehensive clinical judgement and shared decision-making between the woman and her obstetrician.

Is your baby measuring small on ultrasound? A small baby doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. Understanding the difference between Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)—now called Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)—and Small for Gestational Age (SGA) is essential for every expectant mother. In this article, Dr. Anuradha Narayanan explains the causes, diagnosis, Doppler scans, treatment, and pregnancy outcomes, helping you understand when a small baby is healthy and whe