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Is Performing Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) during Pregnancy Safe?
Pregnancy is a crucial period that requires you to take care of yourself more than ever. Sometimes certain issues with your health may lead you to get your cerebrospinal fluid checked. A procedure called a lumbar puncture, or more aptly a spinal tap is used for diagnosing problems of the central nervous system.
But the question is whether it is safe to conduct this procedure during your pregnancy? Read on to find the perceptions and reality behind the same.
What is a Lumbar Puncture
Lumbar Puncture is a medical practice that involves insertion of a needle into the spinal canal of a person so as to pull together the cerebrospinal fluid which is a colourless fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain for further diagnosing. If any individual has a health issue pertaining to the spinal cord or the brain, this puncture procedure can help detect it.
Diseases that can be detected with this lumbar puncture include meningitis or a haemorrhage. Generally, this test is conducted under local anaesthesia, and a hypodermic needle is used to collect the specimen. Once this is done, it is sent for further analysis.
Can You Perform Spinal Tap During Pregnancy?
When concerned about whether it is safe to conduct spinal tap during pregnancy, steering clear of every doubt becomes important. Yes, it is safe to conduct spinal tap procedure when pregnant. The spinal fluid is not influenced by your pregnancy in any manner. None of the trimesters of the pregnancy can pose any risk when performing a lumbar puncture. Another thing to keep in mind is that this procedure would also not pose any risk to your unborn.
Benefits of Lumbar Puncture in Pregnancy
The major benefits of opting for lumbar puncture in pregnancy are present in many ways:
If severe headaches are what you experience when pregnant, the cause of it can be detected using a spinal tap procedure.
Frequent and unexplained occurrences of seizures or more, epilepsy can be detected through a lumbar puncture.
A pressure may sometimes build up within the skull which may further spread up to the brain tissue and also in the cerebrospinal fluid. This condition called intracranial pressure can be detected via a lumbar puncture.
An infection whether in the CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) or the brain’s lining can be detected with the help of lumbar puncture.
A disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome can be detected when you undergo a lumbar puncture. In this type of disease, the immune system may attack your nerves that may damage the myelin insulation in turn.
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a condition where the blood vessels inside or around the brain get damaged. When a spinal tap is conducted, the diagnosis of this condition becomes simpler.
The impairment of the spinal cord, the brain, or even the nerves leads to weakness and may also result in paresis (partial paralysis). But worry not as a lumbar puncture can help detect it.
The greatest advantage of a lumbar puncture is an infusion of spinal anaesthetic in the lower portion of the body where you do not even require any sort of general anaesthesia.
How is Lumbar Puncture Performed?
Usually undertaken at a hospital, the basic procedure of a lumbar puncture involves the following steps:
The doctor would tell you to lie on one side on the table in a posture where your legs are all curled up, and the chin tucked in. This is done so as to separate the bones and the spinal area which, in turn, eases the insertion of the needle.
An antiseptic is next applied at the base of the spinal area, followed by anaesthesia in order to make the region numb.
Next, a specialized spinal needle is inserted in-between the bones and over the spinal area. The needle penetrates the spinal canal where the membrane that contains the cerebrospinal fluid is targeted.
Once the CSF gets collected, the sample is stored in the container and sent for testing.
The area where the needle is applied is then covered up with the help of a small plaster.
Post-Lumbar Puncture Treatments While Pregnant
The possible treatments for post-lumbar puncture treatments involve:
1. Rest is the Best
Generally, your head or the back would ache after going through a lumbar puncture. Resting and relaxing is the key. Any side effects can be kept at bay with the help of proper rest.
2. Medications
Proper medications are another way by which you can treat the pain that you may be going through, post a lumbar puncture procedure. Though you need to consult your doctor before preferring any of medicines.
This was all about the lumbar puncture or what you can call it as a spinal tap. Whether you are pregnant or not, a lumbar procedure can help you detect a health issue that may have been bothering you for a while. Early detection can further help in treating the problem in a timely manner so that you stay healthy and can live a blissful life with your healthy new-born.
Also Read: Back Pain during Pregnancy Read more
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False Pregnancy: Reasons, Signs & Diagnosis
Pregnancy can be a truly joyous occasion with the expectation of a new baby being extremely blissful. Sometimes, there are cases there are some signs of that are indicative of pregnancy, but the woman is not pregnant. While this can be a stressful situation, it is best that you understand the full implications of this condition known as pseudocyesis.
What Is False Pregnancy Or Pseudocyesis?
Pseudocyesis is the medical term for false pregnancy. In these cases, the woman will experience many symptoms that indicate pregnancy, but there is not actual foetus developing. The symptoms include a growing belly, morning sickness, irritability, back pain, etc. This condition is also known as phantom pregnancy or hysterical pregnancy.
Surprisingly, this condition also occurs in men and is known as sympathetic pregnancy. It is mostly observed when the man’s partner is pregnant.
What Are The Causes Of Pseudocyesis?
While researchers have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of pseudocyesis, there are reasons to believe that the reason could be either physical or psychological. Physical reasons could be ovarian cysts or tumours. Most evidence shows that pseudocyesis is common in women who have an intense desire to become mothers. The intensity sends a signal to the brain which makes it believe that the body is pregnant. The rest of the body receives signals and is prompted to behave as it would if it were pregnant.
Pseudocyesis occurs with many bodily systems working in tandem. The endocrine, cortical, hypothalamic, and psychological functions work together complexly. Stress on the ‘hypothamo-pituitary-adrenal’ axis is what leads to a phantom pregnancy.
Who Are At Risk Of Having False Pregnancy?
It has been observed that false pregnancies occur in certain types of cases. Women who have had the following conditions are more at risk than usual:
Multiple miscarriages
Infertility
Loss of a child
Mental breakdown
Women who want a baby with intensity are usually seen to suffer from a hysterical pregnancy.
What Are False Pregnancy Symptoms?
In such cases, women feel signs and symptoms of pregnancy or rather, what they think the symptoms of pregnancy are, which is why they believe that they are pregnant. False pregnancy signs and symptoms include:
Missed periods
Swollen belly
Weight gain
Enlarged breasts
Changes in the skin and hair
Frequent urination
Morning sickness
A feeling of foetal movement
Usually, the woman will notice a false pregnancy belly and think that she is pregnant. It is advised that pregnancy is established only after the required pregnancy tests.
What Are Its Characteristics?
The main characteristic of a phantom pregnancy is the absolute belief of the woman that she is pregnant.
Irregularity with menstruation is commonly seen in women who are suffering from a false pregnancy.
A majority of women with a phantom pregnancy will report that they feel foetal movement.
How Is False Pregnancy Diagnosed?
There are several ways in which a false pregnancy is diagnosed. Some of these include:
Blood test to establish pregnancy
Urine test to detect pregnancy
Though the previous two methods are commonly used to diagnose pregnancy, they are not a reliable false pregnancy test. An ultrasound test of the abdomen and pelvis area will have to be done to establish the pregnancy. In case of a false pregnancy, the ultrasound will not show up a heartbeat, neither will a foetus be seen.
Other conditions could be the cause of the symptoms of pregnancy such as obesity or ovarian cysts. Tests will have to be done to diagnose these conditions.
Treatment For False Pregnancy
There are two factors to consider when treating a false pregnancy. If the condition has been caused due to some physical or physiological reason, then this will be treated first. In the case of cystic ovaries, the treatment plan will include medication, lifestyle changes, and maybe even meditation.
If the false pregnancy is brought about by a psychological reason, then it will have to be treated with the help of psychiatrists and therapists.
In either case, the woman might have become invested in the idea of being pregnant. Apart from the pregnancy, she might have also prepared herself for raising a child. Once it is established that the pregnancy is false, the woman will need a lot of care. The dream of having a child is a very dear one, and having those hopes unfounded can be emotionally hard for the woman. It is best that you talk to your doctor and also with a therapist to make peace with this apparent loss.
A false pregnancy looks and feels like any other pregnancy but is in fact not a real pregnancy. There is no foetus and is caused by a number of factors. It is best that you confirm your pregnancy with ultrasound as it is the most reliable test for establishing a pregnancy. Read more
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15 Must-watch Winter Movies for Kids
Winter months are long and cold, and there are a limited number of things that you can do with the kids. Outside activities aren’t an option all the time, and though there are many ways to entertain the kids indoors, sometimes it is nice to cozy up together for a night of entertainment and relaxation.
That’s where movie night comes in. But, trying to find good movies isn’t always easy, so we have put together a Winter Movies list that your children are sure to enjoy.
15 Entertaining Winter Movies for Children
Here are some of the most entertaining, heartwarming, and comical winter films that you can watch with the kids. You may be familiar with some of the names on the list and wonder why you didn’t think about them before.
1. Home Alone
Kevin is left home alone accidentally as his chaotic family rushes off on vacation. Happy to have the entire house to himself, Kevin lives to the fullest. Unfortunately, Kevin realizes that their home is being broken into. He isn’t going to take this sitting down, and comedy ensues as Kevin thwarts the attempts of the home invaders using just his wits.
2. The Mighty Ducks
This hockey movie will pull you in, leaving you so engrossed that you find yourself cheering the team on during their matches. A big-city lawyer is forced into coaching a pee-wee ice hockey team that doesn’t have the best reputation. While things are a bit rocky at the start, the team pulls together and learns many life lessons along the way.
3. Abominable
This animated film takes us to China, where a group of teenagers discovers a yeti on the roof of the apartment complex that they live in. They decide to help him get home and grow in courage, loyalty and strengthen the bonds of friendship as they face many dangers together.
4. Ice Princess
Teenager Casey wants to become a figure skater, but her mother thinks otherwise. Preferring for Casey to focus on her academics, Casey’s mother is unaware when Casey takes lessons in secret so that she can participate in an ice-skating competition.
5. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
This comedy is sure to leave the family feeling warm on the inside. A businessman finds himself with an inheritance of six penguins. When his ex-wife and children visit and see the penguins, he comes to realize that these little penguins may be the key to helping him reunite with his family.
6. Golden Winter
A boy finds and befriends a litter of golden retriever puppies who are helpless and homeless, and together they manage to help stop a bank robbery. Also known as “Santa’s Little Yelpers,” this is a heart-warming film that the whole family can enjoy. Not to mention, it features a lot of adorable talking puppies!
7. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween Town and rules a land of all things spooky. He is amazed by the joy, laughter, and festivities when he finds the Christmas Town. He tries to bring the same joy and festivities into his home and enlists the resident ghouls, bats, and goblins that live in Halloween Town to help him celebrate Christmas rather than Halloween. Unfortunately, they cannot get things quite right, and everything only ends up in a state of comical confusion and delightful adventures.
8. Cool Runnings
Get ready for a night of laughter! Cool Runnings is one of the most epic winter comedy movies of all time! It is about a group of young men from Jamaica who band together to form a bobsled team. Comedy erupts as these young men from the tropics attempt to win a winter sports competition.
9. The Santa Claus
Christmas is in crisis when Scott accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall off his roof. He agrees to help Santa deliver the presents without realizing that he agreed to become the next Santa. He now needs to protect his secret while managing his suspicious ex-wife.
10. Rise of the Guardians
Pitch Black, a boogeyman who turns all children’s dreams into scary nightmares, is on the prowl, causing children to stop believing that their Guardians are still there. Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and the Easter Bunny, known as the Guardians, recruit Jack Frost and stop Pitch Black.
11. Togo
This film is based on the true story of the sled dog who helped save the town of Nome in 1925. In dire need of the medication Diphtheria, Leonhard Seppala and his dog, Togo, run the longest and perilous leg in the relay held to bring the medication to the remote village in Alaska.
12. Happy Feet
A little penguin feels odd amongst his peers as he cannot sing like others. Soon, he finds out that he has another unique talent - tap dancing. Worried he may not find a mate because he would not be able to sing a “heart song,” he still finds a way to defeat the odds without changing who he is.
13. Ice Age
An unlikely trio consisting of Manny the Mammoth, Diego the Sabretooth, and Sid the Sloth find a little human infant. They decide to follow the baby’s father to return the child to him and find themselves on a crazy adventure.
14. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Four siblings are sent to live in the countryside during the second world war, where they stumble across a wardrobe that acts as an entrance to the magical land of Narnia. Doomed to a never-ending winter, the four siblings must do all they can to find Aslan, who can help them save the land of Narnia from the terrible White Witch.
15. Snow Dogs
After discovering that he is adopted, a Miami dentist is called to Alaska to claim his inheritance: a pack of sled dogs. Now, he needs to either learn how to work with them or lose them to someone he dislikes. In this comical adventure, the bond between man and dog and the incredible things they can accomplish when they learn to understand each other shines through.
Your days of struggle to figure out what movie to watch are over. With this handy list of kid-friendly winter movies, the only things you will need to worry about are the snacks. Each of these movies will teach your children some important life lessons while also providing a lot of fun, magic, and entertainment.
So, let the family know that you will be planning the movie nights from now on. Pick out any one of these winter-themed movies, make some hot chocolate and enjoy some cozy bonding sessions with the kids as you get through the winter.
Also Read:
Spy Movies for Children
Educational Movies for Children
Summer Movies for Kids to Watch in Vacation Read more
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Mashed khichdi with carrots
Khichdi made up of rice and moong lentils is a comfort meal for many in India. Young babies to senior citizens, those who're ill or recovering, those who are on detox diet (plain khichdi sans any seasoning), all like to grab at least some of this soft and soothing khichdi. Add up vegetables to it, to make up a healthier combo pack of all vital nutrients.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
15 Minutes
15-20 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup rice
1/3rd-1/2 cup moong dal
split and husked 1/4th carrot, grated or finely chopped
2-3 cups water
1/4 tsp turmeric
a pinch of salt
ajwain seeds to taste
Method
Step 1
Rinse rice and dal a couple of times and drain.
Step 2
Put all the ingredients together in a large pot with about 2-3 cups water.
Step 3
Cook over high heat, partially covered till it boils.
Step 4
Lower the heat to medium and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 5
Simmer, covered, until rice and dal are tender(about 10 minutes).
Step 6
Add more water as needed so as to make a semi-solid or thin consistency.
Step 7
Mash it a little.
Step 8
Serve warm. Add ghee or yogurt, to improve the taste.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 49.8g
Calories
177
Calories from Fat
14
Total Fat
1.5g 2%
Saturated Fat
0.2g 1%
Trans Fat
0.0g
Cholesterol
0mg 0%
Sodium
440mg 18%
Potassium
251mg 7%
Total Carbohydrates
32.3g 11%
Dietary Fiber
7.6g 30%
Sugars
1.3g
Protein
8.4g
Vitamin A
0%
Vitamin C
3%
Calcium
2%
Iron
18%
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
Nutritional details are an estimate and should only be used as a guide for approximation. Calories will vary if a different vegetable is added or rice:dal proportions are varied.
Read more
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7-year-old Pune Boy Speaks Mandarin, Hasn't Ever Eaten Processed Sugar & Has Climbed Mt Everest!
This boy is a multi-talented achiever and all-rounder - and he's only 7 years old!
What were you doing at the age of 6? Probably catching up with homework in school, a few extra-curricular activities here and there, and plenty of fun playtime with your friends? This youngster from Pune, however, has already achieved what plenty of adults would consider their #BucketList goals - climbing Mt. Everest!
Trekking for 12 long days to scale the base camp of Mt. Everest is no mean feat, even for adults who are in good health. Advait Bhartia, now 7 years old, along with his mother Payal Bhartia, undertook the great expedition last year - and considering his track record of sport and musical talents, as well as being the youngest Indian to earn a language certification in Mandarin, this trek just added yet another feather to his cap!
Advait walked in on his mother talking to the leader of the expedition she was going to embark on, and convinced her to let him accompany her on the trek, with a promise that he would train really hard - and he stayed true to his promise! He trained hard for three months, indulging himself in various activities, including swimming, Parkour, football, skateboarding, and climbing up and down a 100 flights of stairs. He has also always been a healthy eater, his diet comprising of lots of proteins, rice, quinoa, amaranath, and millet - and has never tasted processed sugar till date!
Of course, the credit goes to Payal, who is a major fitness enthusiast herself and follows a strict healthy lifestyle, having the need to eliminate only sugar from her diet when she began training for the trek. Her own training comprised of gruelling workouts at the gym, climbing stairs, and lifting weights. She has always been an avid trekker and being a mother to two kids sure hasn’t slowed her down.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Source: http://www.femina.in/[/caption]
The road was not always smooth, however. There were difficult moments during the trek, such as when Advait’s heart-rate had slowed down dangerously, or dealing with the challenges that the cold temperatures presented them with, like having their drinking water freeze. Despite the odds, Advait and Payal scaled great heights and achieved what they set out for!
So what’s in store for this inspiring mom-son duo? They’re already planning their next trek to Mt Elbrus in Europe and Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, and seem super excited about it. We wish them all the very best, and hope that this spurs on more parents to follow theirs, and their kids' dreams.
Read more
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. @ the time of birth baby weight 2.475kg but after completed 6weeks baby weight approx 3kg, why baby weight gain very slow, till breast-feeding milk and urinate 6-7 times and potty 2-3 times. can u please suggest why slow in progress in weight gain???
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. the average birth weight of neonates is about 3 kg.
during the first few days after birth, the newborn loses
extracellular fluid equivalent to about 10% of the body
weight.
most infants regain their birth weight by the age of 10 days. subsequently, they gain weight at a rate of
approximately 25 to 30 g per day for the first 3 months of life.
thereafter they gain about 400 g weight every month,
for the remaining part of the first year. x
an infant usually doubles his birth weight (taken as 3 kg) by the age of 5 months. the birth weight triples at 1 year and is four times at 2 years of age.
the weight of ca child at the age of three years is usually
five times that of the birth weight.
Manisha Singh has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mera baby 3 month ka h use gas bhuat banti h is karan wo bhuat rota hai
Manisha Singh
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
A. it's very common for babies having gas problem ...you should recommend your doctor for this
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. Hi
what to give 6 months old baby to eat
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello dear! Once your baby completes 6 months you can start giving small quantities of semi solids like homemade cerelac, mashed bananas, apple puree, ragi and so on. Continue with breastfeeding. Keep Babyhug tummy roll on handy
Dr Muhsina has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. now I am in 30 weeks of pregnancy I have vomiting.I couldn't control what the reasons for this vomiting
Dr Muhsina
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
1 hour ago
A. Some women may have vomiting throughout their pregnancy. The most common reason for vomiting during the third trimester may be gastritis. Make sure you eat small frequent meals, preferably every 2 hours. If your baby's weight during checkups are adequate..u needn't worry much about this. You can also consult your doctor and take anti emetics and PPIs if the vomiting is bothering you or interfering with your daily activities.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 mins ago
Q. Is it okay is the baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
10 mins ago
A. For breastfed infants it depends on age. During the first month of life, stooling less than once a day might mean your newborn isn't eating enough. However, breastfed infants may go several days or even a week between bowel movements, using every drop they eat to make more baby, not poop.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 mins ago
Q. Is it okay if my baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
8 mins ago
A. Yes it is ok dont worry.
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