Pregnancy can bring happiness, excitement, worry and fear. These mixed emotions are normal. A positive attitude cannot guarantee a particular pregnancy outcome, but emotional well-being can help you manage stress, follow healthy habits and communicate with your healthcare team. Caring for your mental health is part of caring for yourself during pregnancy. What Does a Positive Attitude Mean? Being positive does not mean feeling happy all the time or never worrying. It means: A

“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

An NT scan, or Nuchal Translucency scan, is an important first-trimester ultrasound performed during pregnancy. It helps assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions and can provide valuable information about your baby’s early development. For many expectant parents, the first trimester is filled with excitement as well as questions. One common question is: “Why is an NT scan important?” Understanding what the scan looks for and when it is performed can help you make inf

How to Interpret Your Dual Marker Test Report: A Simple Guide for Pregnant Women If you are pregnant and have recently received your dual marker test report, you may be wondering what all those numbers and terms mean. Words such as PAPP-A, free beta-hCG, MoM, risk ratio, and Trisomy 21 can be confusing. The good news is that the dual marker test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to estimate whether your pregnancy has a higher or lower chance of certai

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

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

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

Food Aversion in Pregnancy: Why It Happens and How to Manage It Food aversion during pregnancy is common, especially in the first trimester. Foods you once enjoyed may suddenly become unappealing, and even the smell of certain foods may trigger nausea or vomiting. Although this can be frustrating, food aversion is usually temporary and often improves as pregnancy progresses. The important thing is not to force yourself to eat foods that make you feel sick. Instead, focus on m

Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: What Is Normal and When Should You Worry? Vaginal discharge is very common during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the vagina can cause more discharge than usual. This normal discharge is called leukorrhea. However, not every type of discharge during pregnancy is normal. Changes in colour, smell, consistency, or associated symptoms may indicate an infection or, sometimes, leakage of amniotic f

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

The Role of Antioxidant-Rich Foods in Pregnancy: Nourishing Mother and Baby Pregnancy is a time of remarkable growth and change. The mother’s body works continuously to support the developing baby, increasing the demand for essential nutrients. Along with adequate protein, iron, calcium, folate and other vitamins and minerals, antioxidants from a balanced diet can play an important role in supporting maternal and fetal health. Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds th

Vaccination During Pregnancy: Which Vaccines Are Recommended and Why? Pregnancy is a special time when protecting the mother also means protecting the baby. Vaccination during pregnancy helps prevent certain infections that can cause serious illness in the mother and may also provide protection to the newborn during the first few months of life. Many women are unsure about which vaccines are safe during pregnancy, when they should be taken, and which vaccines should be avoide

The Importance of Mental Health During Pregnancy: Caring for Your Mind and Your Baby Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it is also a period of significant physical, emotional and psychological change. While most antenatal care focuses on the physical health of the mother and baby, mental health during pregnancy is equally important. Feeling excited, worried, emotional or overwhelmed during pregnancy can be completely normal. However, persistent anxiety, sadness, irritabili

Antenatal Surveillance: Why Regular Pregnancy Monitoring is Essential for a Healthy Mother and Baby By Dr. Anuradha Narayanan Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist | Anurag Women Health Care Introduction Pregnancy is a beautiful journey. However, it brings significant changes to a woman’s body and the developing baby. While most pregnancies progress normally, some may develop complications without obvious symptoms. This is where antenatal surveillance plays a crucial role.

How to Interpret a Home Pregnancy Test: Understanding Positive, Negative & Faint Results

Wondering if you’re pregnant? Discover the most common early signs of pregnancy, including missed periods, nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, implantation bleeding, and frequent urination. Learn when to take a pregnancy test and when to consult a gynaecologist.