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Eating Betel Leaf (Paan) during Pregnancy
Having betel leaf is quite a common thing in our country and families. Betel leaf brings its own share of benefits for the body and is known to have an impact on appetite as well. At times, you might even crave for a meetha paan during pregnancy and want to relish those flavours. But is it safe for the baby, or does it have harmful effects? Let’s find out.
Is Eating Paan Safe During Pregnancy?
Betel leaf might be a healthy choice for many. However, it is recommended to avoid having it while you are pregnant.
Having betel leaves with betel nuts could have a harmful impact on one’s health, and can even result in cancer. Many parts of the world where people have a tradition of regularly eating betel leaves, even during pregnancy, have shown higher cases of pregnancy complications, birth disorders, etc.
Why is Betel Leaf Consumption Common During Pregnancy?
Most pregnant women that continue to eat betel leaves during pregnancy do so as a result of long-held traditions in families and neighbourhoods. There are reports of betel leaves aiding the process of digestions and stimulating the appetite of a person. In certain areas, betel leaves are applied to the breasts while breastfeeding in order to boost the production of milk.
Betel leaves do contain antioxidants in substantial quantities. These make them a natural cure for typical illnesses and issues such as a cough, dehydration, inflammation, constipation, headache, and many others.
Benefits Of Betel Leaf During Pregnancy
Betel leaf uses in pregnancy can be generally summarized as follows:
Due to the natural tendency of betel leaf to stimulate the appetite, eating betel leaves could help improve the digestion process in a pregnant woman and relieve any issues of constipation.
The multiple antioxidants and minerals present in the leaf add to the nutritive value that can be obtained by consuming them.
Harmful Effects Of Betel Leaf Consumption While Pregnant
One of the major harmful effects that have been observed in regular eaters of betel leaves is its high risk of causing cancer. Most of the times, it is oral cancer that can affect not only the mother but also the child.
Consumption of betel leaves during pregnancy can adversely affect the foetus. While it is at its most vulnerable in the development stages, this could expose the baby to developing birth-related defects or could even cause a miscarriage.
Consuming sweet paan during pregnancy may cause cancer, but there is an even higher chance of the formation of mouth ulcers. At times, these take a long time to be cured. Furthermore, these can reach inside the body and affect organs like the oesophagus, larynx, and the throat, causing immense discomfort.
Most betel leaves are mixed with tobacco when they are given from paan shops. Tobacco is known for being a stimulant that increases the dopamine levels and affects the biology of the body. This could lead to addiction on one the hand, and may adversely affect the baby since these changes could be harmful to his growth.
The layering of slaked lime on the leaves may not bring out all the nutrients but can definitely result in affecting the heartbeat and can cause palpitations. Long-term damages include coronary heart diseases. At times, people do get addicted to the consumption of slaked lime, too.
Regular consumption of meetha paan can lead to the rise in weight, resulting in obesity.
Pregnancy cravings are not a new thing, and nearly all mothers desire foods that can be rather strange at times. However, it is necessary to know that not all cravings are safe to be satiated, and some of them can lead to long-term damage. Be it a craving, a long-held tradition, or just a casual option, keeping betel leaves away during pregnancy is your best bet in ensuring the healthy development of your baby and keeping yourself healthy to take care of him as well.
Also Read:
Fennel Seeds During Pregnancy
Tulsi during Pregnancy Read more
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
13 hours ago
Q. Can I check baby heartbeat in 9th week of pregancy?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. See that can only be monitored with a proper ultrasound or a machine which can check the heartbeat of the child otherwise there is no third way to figure it out further if you need to know more you can get a sonography done with your gynaecologist to have better clarity
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Can Long-Term Use of Birth Control Pills Make it Difficult to Conceive?
Birth control pills are one of the most preferred options of contraceptives that are used by women all over the world. These pills are not only used by women for prevention of pregnancy sometimes but also for curing PCOS, endometriosis, acne, irregular menstrual cycle, PMS and other such issues. However, many of you, who may have been taking this pill regularly or have been taking this pill for a while, may wonder whether these pills can make conception difficult or take a toll on your fertility? Well, if you are interested to know, this post will help you gain some insight on the topic.
Can Birth Control Pills Cause Infertility?
No, taking any kind of birth control pill does not affect the fertility of a woman. Also, there is no scientific evidence available that finds a direct relation between prolonged use of birth control pills and infertility in women. But it has been observed that women who have been using birth control pills for a long time experienced a disruption in their menstrual cycle for a few months after they stop taking the pills. However, this condition of the disrupted menstrual cycle or post-pill amenorrhea usually happens due to some other underlying medical conditions and not because of taking the birth control pills. On the contrary, taking birth control pills have been found to have positive effects on fertility because prolonged usage of pills protects women from the dangers of uterine and ovarian cancer. It has also been proved that taking pills help women to fight abnormal menstrual bleeding caused due to endometriosis. Taking birth control pills also reduces the chances of ectopic pregnancies in women. Therefore, if you wish to know will the pill affect fertility later in life? Well, the fertility may not get affected by taking the pill, but it may get affected because of some other underlying issues.
How Can Birth Control Pills Negatively Impact Your Long-term Fertility?
Any kind of hormonal contraceptives that a woman takes may have its impact on her body. Although it may not impact the fertility, it may fiddle with the long-term fertility of a woman. Here are some ways in which taking birth control pills may negatively impact the long-term fertility of a woman.
1. It May Cause Hormonal Imbalance
Women may sometimes be prescribed birth control pills to overcome the problem of hormonal imbalance. However, prolonged use of the pills may hamper the natural production of progesterone and estrogens in the body. The synthetic production of hormones in the body can also fiddle with the natural hormone production and thus this may sometimes lead to fertility issues.
2. It May Disrupt the Menstrual Cycle
It has been observed that women who take these pills experience longer menstrual cycles and may have a shorter luteal phase, after stopping them. However, usually, these disruptions in the cycles may better approximately after nine months of stopping the pills.
3. It May Make Changes in the Cervical Mucus
Healthy cervical mucus helps the sperms to travel through the vagina and cervix to reach to the egg to fertilize it. However, taking birth control pills for longer periods may thicken the cervical mucus. The thicker cervical mucus may hamper the easy mobility of the sperms and thus may cause hindrances in the process of fertilization and cause problems in conception.
4. It May Cause Disruption in Ovulation
The birth control pills help release synthetic hormones in the body, which hamper the process of ovulation. However, this is not how the normal female body functions. Rather during the normal menstrual cycle, the body releases the hormones that prepare the follicle for ovulation, which may eventually lead to a pregnancy. However, when a woman takes the pill, it disrupts the natural flow of events, and the prolonged usage of the pills may make the ovaries not do its job properly. This kind of situations may give rise to fertility issues in women.
5. It May Make Changes in the Uterine Lining
It is important for a woman to have a healthy uterine lining in order to let the fertilized egg to plant itself on it. However, women who take birth control pills for longer periods of time may experiences changes in their uterine lining, which means their uterine lining becomes unreceptive for embryo implantation. This happens because the release of synthetic hormones in the body affects the natural hormonal production that is required to maintain a healthy uterine lining that supports implantation.
As per a study conducted on women who used birth control pills, it had been observed that approximately 20 percent of women became pregnant within one month after they stopped taking the pill. And approximately 80 percent of women conceived within one year after they stopped taking the birth control pill. However, there are some studies available that take into consideration the long-term risks for women who took birth control pills for an extended period of time.
If you have stopped taking your pills, your periods must have become normal. But if you are not able to conceive, you must be thinking that it is because of taking birth control pills. Well, that may not be the case because infertility may not result from taking birth control pills. There are many reasons that may cause infertility in both men and women.
If you have been facing problems in conceiving after you stopped taking birth control pills, it is suggested that you take your doctor’s advice on the matter and know what may be causing the problem.
Also Read:
What Happen When You Suddenly Stop Birth Control Pills
Can You Get Pregnant While on Birth Control Pills
Is It Normal to Have Brown Discharge while on Birth Control Pills? Read more
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Weaning a Premature Baby
When it comes to weaning a premature baby, age tends to be relative. Determining the proper age for weaning can be perplexing. Mothers may wonder whether to consider the corrected age which reflects the prematurity of the baby or to consider the chronological (actual) age. Doctors propose that a baby’s corrected age should be of importance than his chronological one. However, every single baby is different. Therefore, much may be subject to how early a baby was born and what was his health condition at the time of birth.
When to Start Weaning Premature Baby?
Parents should avoid weaning premature babies early as their digestive system can find it tough to manage diets other than breast milk. Some points to bear in mind about weaning premature baby can be:
1. Look for Signs
Allow your baby to be your guide when contemplating weaning your premature baby. Take into account the signs your baby may give you to indicate that he is ready to start taking solids. It may be better to initiate weaning once you feel your baby looks prepared to do it. Introducing solids at an appropriate time can help promote the strengthening and coordination of your baby’s jaw and mouth muscles and ensure his overall healthy growth.
2. Chronological Date
According to the newest guidelines weaning of premature babies can start around 5 to 8 months from their actual date of birth and not the corrected age.
3. Weaning off Preemie Formulas
You may want to delay switching to regular formula from preemie formula until your baby turns 12 months of age as preemie formula is specially designed to cater to the bodily needs of premature babies.
4. Weaning to Whole Milk
You can introduce a premature baby to whole milk when he turns the corrected age of one year or more. In case your baby was delivered one month early, you may like to wait until he becomes at least 13 months of age. In case he was delivered three months early, he may have difficulty digesting whole milk if you were to introduce it before he reaches 15 months of age. In any case, it is prudent to wait a bit longer before offering whole milk as preemies tend to be vulnerable to intestinal issues like gastrointestinal reflux which can result in pain and vomiting.
5. Consult your Paediatrician
It may be best to discuss with your doctor who can suggest appropriately regarding weaning your baby after examining the health and the developmental milestones covered by him.
Signs that Your baby is Ready to Wean
Certain signs that may show that your baby is ready to wean can be:
He may display a keen interest in what other people are eating
He is putting objects or even his hand into his mouth
He appears less satisfied or hungry after a milk feed alone
He seems to be eager for more frequent nursing than usual
In case he starts to demonstrate a munching (chewing) up/down mouth movement when taking in non-food things
In case he begins supporting himself in an erect position with slight or no support
How to Start Weaning a Premature Baby?
Most premature babies advance through the usual stages of weaning the way term babies do. However, some premature babies can take longer to adapt to weaning. Most babies may naturally take to sweet tastes readily but starting with veggies can benefit them ultimately. Encouraging intake of vegetables during the early stages of weaning can help in forming healthy eating habits for later.
The initial stages of weaning are merely about making your baby familiar to new and varied tastes and textures. Be patient and repeat steps if required while teaching your baby to eat with a spoon, swallow, chew his food. You can either offer purees or finger food or even a combo of two while trying to wean off your baby.
Common Problems and Tips to Keep in Mind
Some likely problems and tips to keep in mind can be:
Offer solids in small quantities at first to account for any possible food allergies. Usually, food allergies are common in case there is a family history of it.
Introduce various single veggie flavours without mixing them with fruit to make them sweeter. Your baby may not take to it at first but will get used to it eventually.
Refrain from adding sugar or salt to your baby's It is not required and can prove harmful.
You may like to give cooled and boiled plain water to your baby a few times a day once he starts having solids. Avoid offering sugary drinks. It may be a great idea to have your baby drink from a cup or sipper rather than a feeding bottle.
Expose your baby to a variety of diverse flavours from the start as this may not only help in curbing any likely food fussiness in the future but can also guarantee a good supply of nutrients.
Irrespective of the age you begin weaning your baby try and introduce him to lumpy foods which entail munching latest by the age of 9 to 10 months.
In case your baby suffers from digestive issues like reflux because of being born before the scheduled time, he may have more intricate feeding and nutritional needs. In such a scenario refer to your paediatric dietician for consultation and guidance.
Weaning premature babies off oxygen in case they have been on breathing support from the time of birth can take months. In such a case, it is advisable to make any weaning decisions after consulting with a doctor.
Premature babies often need extra care and support. Breast milk is good for them as it provides the specific nutrients that their little bodies require in order to overcome the challenges of being born prematurely and grow into healthy toddlers. As a result, weaning premature babies can be a slow process but don’t worry you will sooner or later get there. Until then, enjoy exploring new foods with your baby!
Also Read: Bottle Feeding Tips for Premature Babies
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Father of a 6 yr 4 m old child
15 hours ago
Q. my son is now 7 yrs and and last 3 three days ,he is complaining that he had bad and negative thoughts and this is too hilarious that.
we r too worried ,pls suggest 🙏
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
15 hours ago
A. it is quite natural small babies will be having different moods different types of behaviour please continue to interact the baby engage activities like drawing painting even clay sculpture o k
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
13 hours ago
Q. Hi this is pooja I am 6 weeks 3 days pregnant n m 31 yrs old my doctor prescribed me this interjection called choriotec 5000 once a week for a month .. I have already took two times but now my lil scared so can u pls tell me anyone here is it safe to take more ??? It’s not harmful nah ??? Pls ans dr
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
13 hours ago
A. Your doctor must have given it to you for a particular reason so I’m just going to advise you to follow what she says yet if you have a doubt or you’re scared about anything then why don’t you just prospect with your Dr as to what what purpose are you taking this and what is meant to be done in case you do not take the injection or you do not want to take
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
10 hours ago
Q. Mam last perioda mujhe 10 april ko aye the aur aj mene pregnancy test kiya hai to 1 line light ayi h to mujhe kya krna chahiye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. beta HCG test kare ok. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
9 hours ago
Q. can I eat egg daily?
now I am in 1st trimester
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. yes you can eat egg daily even in first trimester. 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
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Which are the safe sites to hire japas in New Delhi (EDD July)
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. you can always ask questions related to the health of child and mother in this section and it can bez either related to diet or food or vaccination or any type of medicine goingz on and given by your doctor.
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