Here’s how to stay one step ahead during pregnancy to prevent complications

Giving birth at any age is a big challenge and change pregnancy and motherhood can be difficult or easier depending on the physical and mental health of women. Every woman is different and so are their experiences of pregnancy where not every woman has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Gauri Agarwal, Fertility Specialist and Founder-Director of Seeds of Innocence and Genestrings Diagnostics, revealed, “Approximately 8% of all pregnancies have difficulties that, if not addressed, could endanger the mother or the baby. While some problems are related to pre-existing health issues, others arise suddenly and are unavoidable. To stay one step ahead of any potential problems, it’s vital to communicate with your gynaecologist on a regular basis. Never disregard your doctor’s test or precaution suggestions.”

She advised, “A pregnant woman should get the required vaccines during each trimester. In addition, keep your personal hygiene up to date to prevent the transmission of any diseases. It’s also a good idea to keep clear from the droppings of wild or pet rats, lizards, and turtles. It’s crucial to avoid alcohol, smoking, and tobacco when you’re carrying a baby. Maintain a healthy weight during your pregnancy to avoid preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys), gestational diabetes and other issues.”

Dr Aman Puri, Founder of Steadfast Nutrition, shared, “Pregnancy can be exciting and daunting at the same time for a woman as it becomes her responsibility to maintain optimum nutrition and take appropriate precautions for a healthy baby and delivery. Pregnant women should avoid foods that are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria or heavy metals. Restrict the intake of unpasteurised milk, raw eggs, raw or undercooked fish, and processed meats. Avoid consuming tuna steak, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and others as high mercury content in these fishes can impair the brain development of the baby.”

He added, “Emphasise more on nutrients such as calcium, folate, iron, protein, iodine, zinc, vitamin A, C and D to support additional nutritional needs of the mother and the baby, thereby preventing the risk of any nutritional deficiency. Many women are at risk of developing gestational diabetes during their second and third trimesters. Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy BMI (body mass index) and cut down on high glycemic index foods such as biscuits, cakes, white bread/pasta, processed cereals, chips and namkeen and packaged juices. Uncontrolled sugar levels at this time can elevate the chances of birth defects and other health complications during pregnancy.”

Asserting that pregnancy is an important phase in a couple’s life and staying one step ahead requires close monitoring, Dr Alap Christy, MBBS, MD, PGDM-HC, Scientific Business Head – Clinical Chemistry at Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, suggested, “While your gynaecologists would advise you on the routine visits, vaccinations, tests and diet, it is important for you to understand the importance of it. Getting yourself tested for a Trisomy Screening between 8 to 14 weeks is considered one of the most important measure to rule out genetic defect in the child.”

He highlighted that a combined pre-eclampsia screening done as early as at 10-12 weeks can help you predict the risk for developing pregnancy induced hypertension in later trimesters of the pregnancy. According to Dr Alap Christy, if this is missed, an advance test using sFLT can still diagnose pre-eclampsia as early as from 20 weeks. He said, “Important test to detect Neural Tube Defect in a child is a Quadruple Marker which tells you if the child has risk for developing disease related to spinal chord. These tests play a very important role when done along with ultrasonography by an expert sonologist who is preferably certified by fetal medicine foundation.”

He said that confirmed diagnosis is possible for the disorders and recommended advanced Genetic Tests like NIPT, Karyotyping and Microarray since it prepares you for upcoming precious time and helps you to take right decision.