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Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count) During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman may face various medical challenges during her pregnancy and one such challenge is a low platelet count or Thrombocytopenia. Pregnant women go through many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy and these severe pathological changes in the body may result in conditions such as thrombocytopenia.
What is Thrombocytopenia
Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and play a significant role during pregnancy as well. The average or normal platelet count of a non-pregnant woman may range between 150,000 and 400,000 per microlitre of blood. The platelet count of a woman may drop to 116,000 per microlitre of blood during pregnancy. However, if it is less than 116,000, the condition is known as thrombocytopenia.
If there is only a slight drop in your platelet count, it is not a matter of great concern as it may not cause any medical complication for you or your baby. Though, your platelet count will be monitored closely by your doctor or midwife to see if there is a further drop. However, extreme drop in your platelet count may cause serious problems and therefore will require immediate medical help.
How Common is Thrombocytopenia during Pregnancy
Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count during pregnancy is the second most common blood disorder after anaemia. It is observed that nearly 5 to 8 percent women may get diagnosed with a low platelet count during their pregnancy. Not all cases of thrombocytopenia may cause serious complication in pregnancy or childbirth, but it is better to prepare yourself to face any complications that may arise with this condition.
What Causes Low Platelets Count during Pregnancy
Following are some of the causes of low platelet count in pregnancy:
High Blood Pressure or Preeclampsia: When your blood pressure reaches alarming levels in pregnancy it puts you and your child at risk. The risk involves damage to the organs of both mother and her unborn child. This condition may also cause low platelet count in a pregnant woman.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: Heparin is a medicine used to treat abnormal blood clotting. Sometimes the use of this medicine may result in low platelet count and this kind of thrombocytopenia is called Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
HELLP-Haemolysis of Red Blood Cells Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets: This medical condition results from high blood pressure which may cause severe damage to the liver. The damage to the liver leads to platelet to drop resulting in thrombocytopenia.
ITP or Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: This is an immune-mediated disorder which leads to a decrease in the platelet count of the body. In a primary ITP, the exact cause of immune destruction cannot be established, whereas the reason for immune destruction in secondary ITP may be caused because of Hepatitis C or SLE.
Medicine Induced: There are many medicines that may hamper the platelet production. Some common drugs that may be used in pregnancy, such as, ibuprofen, paracetamol etc can affect the platelet formation in the body, resulting in thrombocytopenia.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks itself. Pregnancy may elevate the chances of SLE by forming antibodies that destroy various organs. It may target bone marrow, which is responsible for platelet formation. The affected bone marrow may cause low platelet count.
Cancer: A pregnant woman may be affected with Myelodysplastic syndromes and lymphoproliferative syndromes. These are the common types of cancers that may affect a pregnant woman resulting in low platelet count.
DIC Or Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: This disease can be caused due to various pregnancy-related medical conditions. This condition may cause widespread clotting in the body. The clotting may result in low platelet count.
Aplastic anaemia: This blood disorder in pregnancy may result in complete destruction of the red bone marrow resulting in low platelet count.
HIV/AIDS: HIV is an immune disorder that may also affect a pregnant woman. This infection causes destruction in the bone marrow. When HIV causes destruction in the bone marrow, it results in low platelet count.
What Happen if You Have Thrombocytopenia
If you have thrombocytopenia before pregnancy, there is a fair chance that it is caused due to some existing condition or medication that you may be taking. This condition can be determined through an early pregnancy test as there is no specific diagnostic test to determine the cause of low platelet count in the body. Your doctor will monitor your condition regularly to check for any symptom of the underlying cause or to check any further decline in the platelet count.
If the low platelet count is established in the later stages of pregnancy, then it may due to various reasons such as preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. You will be treated according to the symptoms of your condition.
In case of gestational thrombocytopenia, you are unlikely to require any treatment. However, your doctor may keep a constant tab of your health.
Risks of Low Platelet Count during Pregnancy
The major risk associated with low platelet count in pregnancy is the increased risk of bleeding during the childbirth or post that. There is an increased blood supply to the uterus during pregnancy and the surgical procedure requires cutting of major blood vessels. Women with thrombocytopenia are at increased risk of losing excessive blood. The risk is more in case of caesarean delivery as compared to vaginal delivery.
If a woman with thrombocytopenia requests for an epidural then she may be at a risk of spinal epidural hematoma, a condition which can be caused by an accidental puncture in the spine. This condition may lead to permanent paralysis also.
Treatment for Pregnancy Low Platelet Count
The treatment for low platelet count in pregnancy depends on the severity of your condition. Milder conditions usually do not require any medical intervention but may require constant monitoring by your doctor. However, the severe cases will require a proper treatment. The treatment will involve treating the medical condition (preeclampsia, HHELP, SLE etc) which is causing the platelets to drop.
How to Increase Low Platelet Count Naturally
You may increase your low platelet count by following natural methods:
By including beetroot in your diet.
By including fish and meat in your diet.
By consuming astragalus (herb).
By adding zinc supplements
By consuming vitamin B-12, generally found in meat
By consuming Vitamin K, generally found in green leafy vegetables
By consuming chlorophyll
By consuming Vitamin C rich food ( citrus fruits )
By avoiding alcohol and refined sugar
Though consuming foods that may help increase your platelet count may seem like a good idea, but it is recommended to seek your doctor’s advice before making any dietary changes.
Though most cases of thrombocytopenia do not pose a serious threat to you or your unborn child, however, if you have been diagnosed with this condition, it is important that you get the apt treatment for the same. Timely detection and treatment of your condition will reduce the chances of complications.
Also Read:
Blood Clot in the Uterus during Pregnancy
Blood Clots during Pregnancy Read more
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10 Kid-Friendly Halloween Party Games for a Spooktacular Time
Have plans to organize perfect Halloween party games to give children a spooktacular time; you have to first scour the stores for the right costume and build up a candy stash which would make Willy Wonka proud. The ultimate idea is not to make the party games scary or send the children home, terrified to go to bed. You would definitely prefer a party where the fun will be there, and memories would be cherished. The party games would involve objects that you already have at your house. Halloween games are always spooktacularly fun and are great for people of all age groups. Some Fang-tastic games for all the family members make the occasion all the more special.
Fun Halloween Party Games Ideas for Kids
The Halloween time is the spookiest time of the year when people are filled with ‘Halloween Spirit’. The actual success of a party lies in planning the kid-friendly Halloween games. Here are some ideas to organize such games that will be a huge win and will also make you a coveted party planner. A frighteningly fun Halloween party is what you would wish to throw. A list of easy –to –assemble games is given below:
1. Mummy Wrap
It can be one of the best spooky Halloween games for kids. The hilarious game gets everyone into the festive mood of Halloween. The aim here is to wrap up a person using a roll of toilet paper and to make him appear as a mummy before the other team. The children run away when the creepy, scary mummy thus created, chases them.
What You Will Need
Toilet Paper (loads of it )
Scissors (1 for each pair)
How to Play
Pair the kids off, Allot lots of toilet paper for the game to each pair
The pair that wraps the other as a mummy the quickest wins the game
It has to be done perfectly so that the body appears to be absolutely like a mummy
The team which is fastest is also awarded a prize. The game becomes interesting when the mummy tries to chase and scare the little children
2. Guess the Number
There are hundreds of ideas of Halloween games for preschool kids. This game, in particular, is sure to be a big hit for kids and adults alike. It is a great guessing game which can be played in any party. Some Dracula Teeth are kept in a container, and the children are supposed to guess the number right.
What You Will Need
A bowl or a container
Some Candy corn
How to Play
Take some candy corn (Dracula Teeth) in a container
The participants stand in a line waiting for their turn
Children are to be called one at a time to guess on how many Dracula teeth are in the bowl and the answers are to be recorded
The winner is rewarded with a prize on the basis of the right guess
It sounds like so much fun for the little kids who would play the game
3. Eyeball Toss
Many a time scary Halloween games for kids are organised to create spooktacular time. The game not only refreshes the kids but also improves the reflexes of the child. It is quick to set up and play the game involving little babies. They have to play in pairs, and one will throw the eyeball, and the other is expected to catch the same. It is a game about a good partnership.
What You Will Need
Some Solo cups
Some Green grapes (eyeballs)
Blindfold arrangement (a handkerchief or a long sock)
How to Play
The game requires two kids in each team. One child is to be blindfolded and turned around to face away from his partner
The other partner needs to hold a solo cup. The teammate who is blindfolded has to toss an eyeball over his shoulder which the other child should try to catch
The team which catches the most eyeballs is declared the winner
Very young kids can play without the blindfold. It is such an adorable game for the young kids
4. The Witches’ Limbo
The game is full of zest and vigour which can be a hit in any Halloween party. This brilliant ghostly game is perfect to be played with all family members and friends. All vibrantly attired kids are made to go under the broom. If it happens to touch any part of the body, then the child is made to sit in a cauldron.
What You Will Need
A broom
Some Halloween decorations
Halloween music
A dark cauldron
How to Play
Kids should be dressed up in costumes, and then the Halloween music should be played
A broom should be decorated and all the kids, by turns, should be asked to line up and then they should go under the broom, one at a time
If any part of the body of the participants touches the witches’ broom, they will be asked to sit in a bubbling cauldron
A dark cauldron would be required to fit the children in
The last child who is left to defeat the lowering of the broom is announced as the winner
5. Pirate Jack’s Right Eye
It is an entertaining indoor Halloween game for kids that help to improve balance and gait. Apart from entertainment, the game can infuse enthusiasm and zeal. The child will be expected to balance a cookie on his eyes and has to eat it with his hands at the back. What a challenge it is!
What You Will Need
Round cookies
How to Play
A round cookie is to be placed over each child’s eye
The first to eat the cookie with his hands behind the back is declared the winner
It is quite difficult to eat the cookie in one minute without using hands
The child is to be disqualified if the cookie falls off the face. It is so easy to play and so much fun to see the small kids trying to balance the cookie
6. Frankenstein’s Cafe
A game to guess and eat as well is perfect Halloween food game for kids. Any Halloween party can be so much more engaging with such kinds of games for the little ones. The little ones have to touch, feel and taste the dishes to guess the name of the dish.
What You Will Need
Creative food
A handkerchief or a long sock for blindfolding
How to Play
The kids are to be made to sit around a table where several kinds of Frankenstein’s Halloween Specials are displayed
The Specials can be Dracula Teeth made with candy corn, Toxic Waste made up of Green Macaroni and cheese, Eyeballs made of grapes and Witches finger with hotdogs
A child who is blindfolded will be served some of the Specials
The child must touch and feel and eat each Special and guess the dish
The child who is not blindfolded, i.e. the partner, has to write down all the guesses
The kid with highest right answers wins the game
The partners can be switched, and different food items can be used to continue the game
7. Pumpkin Bowling
It is a spooky Halloween game for kids which can double up the entertainment quotient. It is a perfect outdoor Halloween game for kids. The children have to bowl into the stacked pins to knock them down to keep adding points. It is quite a challenging game, but kids love to take up challenges.
What You Will Need
Some Pumpkins
A Black Marker
6 toilet paper rolls
How to Play
With the help of the white toilet paper rolls bowling pins are to be created
Spooky ghosts can be created by drawing the eyes and a mouth on the pins
Using a pumpkin, the child has to bowl into the stacked pins
The pins knocked down with a scary ghost face drawn on them are awarded 4 points, and the pins knocked down with a happy face are worth 3 points
The child who scores the highest points based on the worth of the pins knocked down is declared the winner
8. Hut Hut Hoop
This game is a lively and creative game to make the party fun memorable. It will keep all the children excitedly entertained. A zombie style football attracts children, and they love to play the game to test if they can score goals for their teams.
What You Will Need
Hula Hoops
A Toilet paper roll
How to Play
Make use of the ghostly toilet paper as a football
It is a game of football in a zombie style
Instead of making a traditional field goal, two children are to be made to stand on each end with the hula hoop
The team which scores a number of goals wins the outdoor Halloween game.
To make the game spooktacular, children can wear their favourite costume and make the game look scarier
9. Pumpkin Stack Relay Race
This game full of agility for young fitness freaks. It is a wonderful idea of a party game challenging yet easy to play. Children have to race up and down and also stack the pumpkins on reaching the table. Though not easy, it is quite a popular game for all kids to play.
What You Will Need
A table
A Table Coordinator
Some mini pumpkins
How to Play
The game requires two teams of four or more kids
A table has to be set up with 5 mini pumpkins
Each child will require to race down to the table and stack the pumpkins and race back to the starting point
If the stacked pumpkins fall, they will have to be re-stacked
The team which gets 3 or more cycles of pumpkin stacking successfully is declared the winner
The table coordinator is responsible for unstacking the pumpkins to keep the table ready for the next participant
It is a great party game idea for the little ones
10. Bobbing for Doughnuts
This is a great fun game for children to eat and enjoy the Halloween party. When both the things children love are packed in one, it becomes the most sought-after game for a Halloween party. The little ones are supposed to eat the hanging doughnuts keeping their hands at the back. Not at all an easy venture for the kids but as you know, kids love to prove their mettle in every game by trying their best.
What You Will Need
Two chairs or trees
A Rope
Some Doughnuts
How to Play
Take two chairs and tie a rope between them for very small kids
For older kids, tie a rope between two trees high enough for children to reach
Tie two doughnuts about 12 inches apart on the rope
The children need to keep their hands at the back and begin only when a signal is given
The one who finishes eating the doughnut in one minute is awarded a prize for winning
The child has to be disqualified if the doughnut falls off the rope before finishing
Halloween Party Games are a big part of great family memories. The best part about these fun games is that they are all kid friendly and can be altered to accommodate and suit any age group. The cute costumes and lots of goodies add zing to the party. The Halloween Party Games can provide loads of joy and crank the fun up a few notches with such amazing and crowd-pleasing games. The most awaited part of a Halloween Party is, no doubt, the bursting of a Piñata and be showered with lots and lots of candies and goodies. The Halloween Party games are a perfect occasion to bring creativity to the fore in terms of dressing up in various costumes, decorating pumpkins with lights, playing different games, thus collecting memories to cherish forever. The ghoulish games, tricks, and treats after playing the brilliant ghostly games, fill the children with satisfaction and pleasant memories.
Also Read: Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
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Common ailments in toddlers which can be managed at home with proper care and few home remedies.
Kids are a bundle of joy but there are days when they are unwell and we turn worried thinking whether to visit the doctor or not? Most of the times the health issues will be minor and can be successfully managed at home with proper care and few homeremedies. What are those health issues? How to cure them? What are those little home remedies which we can follow? Read below
Gas/bloating/colic pain:
This is a very common problem experienced by most of the kids. In babies below 6 months of age you should compulsorily make a habit of burping them after every feed. Be it direct feeding or formula feeding. Burping infants is a must. You can pat the back or gently massage holding them upright. No matter you hear the burp sound or not it helps to release all the trapped gas inside making them calmer and fuss free.
Always keep the medicine, drops which is available for colic/gas handy. Infants usually cry a lot when they are colicky. Just give a few drops of the medicine as prescribed by your physician to settle them calmly.
Once they start solids by the age of 6 months there is no need of burping as they turn active with lot of movements. Still if you feel they are bloated help them with a gentle pat on their back, light belly massage. If needed give the medicine said above. For older babies you can add a pinch of jeera or cinnamon powder to their food preparation which helps in the digestion process.
Spit up and projectile vomiting:
These two are also very common problems. "Spit up" means infants especially spit a small of amount of milk out which is totally normal. It mostly happens when the baby's belly is full and the only way is to put some portion out.
Projectile vomiting is usually seen in a bit older babies. This too happens when they are completely full. Sometimes when they are on solids and eat in a hurry or gulp larger amounts too fast, that time it occurs.
Once they vomit, everything is out. Give few sips of water to drink. Give your routine food after sometime. No need of any kind of medicine.
Constipation:
Very common. Usually when the babies feed much or take less of fibres they experience constipation. Younger infants who are exclusively breastfed can go without passing stools for maximum 5 days too which is totally normal. When the stool is very hard to pass and very little in amount then it shows that the baby is constipated. How to avoid it?
See that your baby is hydrated well. If not breastfeeding, feed the formula milk in the required amount properly. The amount of water and the powder should be always proportionate. In older babies who are fed solids always include ghee or butter in their diet which is very essential for the smooth formation of faeces. Add fibre rich foods in their diet. When constipated take a bit of castor oil or ghee and just apply on their belly button and around the anus. Massage the belly gently. do the cycling moment of the legs in them. If you are giving iron drops and calcium syrup stop for a while and start later. Rice, sweet potato, lentils fruits like bananas, apples, musk melon are bulk producing foods.pp0 great for constipation.
Pricky heat/Rashes/diaper rashes:
Diaper rashes are very common because of the usage of diaper. Rashes in the private area is also common in chubby babies because of more friction between the skin. because of more fat and muscles there will be less gap between the thighs and wherever there are folds in the body parts.
You can apply coconut or pure almond oil before every diaper change. Look for rash creams which contain zinc in it. Use chemical free water wipes.
Prickly heat and rashes are one more problem which is irritating for babies. Skip soaps and any fragranced lotions if applying. Use milk cream, ghee or fine gram flour while bathing. Apply calamine lotion to soothe the area or overall after bath. You can also apply the dermadue cream which is really good.
Slight cold and cough in babies above 6 months:
Sometimes babies may have light, runny nose, bit of cough and appear dull. You can give this homeremedy which i have tried. Take 1 or two leaves of indian mint plant. Its very common everywhere. Its leaves are succulent and has a medicinal smell to it. Extract the juice about 1/2 tsp Add a pinch of jaggery to it and give them twice a day. You can also heat up its leaves a bit or the beetel leaves and place it on your babies's chest. Do it a couple of times. Still if the symptoms persit more than 2 days having fever then consult your doctor.
Teething process:
Teething process is very difficult for a baby. The symptoms come on and off, stay for a few days and vanish. May start as early as 4 months too. Babies in this phase experience irritation, pain in the gums, excessive drooling and loss of appetite. Untill the tooth erupts the symptoms appear and go. What you can do is give a gentle masage to the gums with clean fingers. Give them teethers to chew. If not eating solids give more amount of milk to compensate. Sometimes may pass stools too in little amounts like 5 to 6 times a day with greenish colour. Its normal. If the stool is more watery, runny with foul smell then consult your doctor.
Note: all the mentioned ailments above should only be treated at home when they are milder and do not last more than 2 or 3 days. You can exclude the teething process as the symptoms wont hamper the kids activities.
Consult the doctor if you see the below symptoms:
Fever.
rashes which are spreading and increasing.
Loss of appetite for more days.8k
Loose watery stools with foul smell, mucousy. Passing more than 5 timesa day.
Excessive crying and if the belly is too hard to touch.
Constipation more than 5 days.
Always with milder symptoms if the baby is active, happy and not loosing weight drasticaly then its perfectly alright.
I have mentioned a plant called indian mint its also called Mexican mint. Patta ajwain in hindi and dodda pattre in kannada. Its strongly flavored and even used in dishes.
Feel free to comment your queries if any, would love share my experience and knowledge. Read more
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Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
16 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreSwati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. Do consult your doctor as soon as you can. It's important to find the real reason because without that, proper medication is not possible.
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
16 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. it's my 5 month n I still didn't went for check up yet not even once is it okay if I go now or?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. You should have started going from the very beginning itself once you get to know you’re pregnant but since you haven’t reached that now if you’re pregnancy has been healthy last five months please get it checked with your doctor also if you need to start with any supplements or diet the doctor would advise you after a ultrasound so please visit your gynaecologist
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. size chart is not correct for age of the baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. generally it is available from Indian academy growth chart download from Google. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
1 hour ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
7 mins ago
A. during pregnancy it is always advisable to avoid sleeping on your tummy and you should always sleep on one side either left or right which ever you are feeling comfortable
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