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Pregnancy after Menopause
Menopause refers to a stage which marks the end of menstrual cycles of a woman. It signals a drastic change in the hormones which are responsible for managing fertility in women. Read on for information on how this affects one’s ability to conceive.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause can be explained as the absence of menstrual periods for a year, when a woman’s ovaries stop functioning. The term is used to describe the changes a woman experiences prior to the end of her menstrual cycles. It also marks the end of her capacity to reproduce and conceive a baby. It is a normal condition which every woman experiences at an advanced age.
A woman’s ovaries are a storehouse for a massive amount of eggs. The menstruation and ovulation cycles are controlled by hormones like oestrogen and progesterone which are produced in the ovaries. When the ovaries are unable to release the eggs, menstruation comes to an end and menopause begins.
Difference Between Menopause And Perimenopause
The primary distinguishing factor between menopause and perimenopause is menstruation. Women in perimenopause are capable of producing oestrogen and are having periods regularly while women in menopause haven’t had a period for 12 months at least. Perimenopause is a time period the body needs to prepare for menopause than a physical condition itself while menopause is a medical diagnosis where menses are absent for a minimum of 12 months.
Perimenopause is defined at a transition time when your body produces less of oestrogen and progesterone. Your periods become irregular in terms of frequency and length while your hormone levels will fluctuate, leading to hot flashes and sweating at night. During menopause, however, LH and FSH levels are high and ovulation stop. A common question asked by women is how long does it take for menopause to end. The answer is obvious- Never. This is when postmenopause starts.
Is It Possible To Get Pregnant After Menopause?
A common and natural doubt arising amongst menopausal women is “can a woman get pregnant after menopause?” Once you have received a confirmation from the doctor that menopause has begun, there are no chances of you becoming pregnant. There are no eggs in your ovaries that can be released and hence zero possibility of pregnancy too. You can enjoy your sex life to the fullest at this time, since you and your partner do not have to worry about a surprise.
Although an unplanned pregnancy is not possible, menopause does not guard one against STDs and hence, practicing safe sex is always advised. You are also likely to hear tales about women who got pregnant even during their 60s and 70s but they are more of rumors than the truth. During menopause, pregnancy test will always yield a negative result and is a fruitless effort.
Chances Of A Woman Getting Pregnant After Menopause With IVF
IVF post menopause has been carried out quite successfully in women who wanted to get pregnant after menopause. A woman can get pregnant using IVF in two ways despite non-viability of her eggs. Her own eggs that were frozen earlier can be used or donor eggs can be used too. You would have to undergo hormonal therapy so that your body is ready for implantation and to nourish a baby for the entire term. However, your doctor will be the right person to decide if your health is good enough for IVF after menopause as postmenopausal women can experience certain complications after IVF. It is best to consult with a fertility expert in case you have decided to undergo IVF after menopause.
How To Reverse Menopause And Get Pregnant?
The answer to “can a woman get pregnant after menopause?” is presently no. However, modern science has found answers to many seemingly impossible questions and there is a lot of research work going on. Use of the mother’s platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one line of treatment that has caught the attention of clinical researchers. PRP is rich with cytokines and hormones. Ovarian activity restoration is possible for a temporary period, but clinical trials for the same are going on.
What Are The Risks Of Getting Pregnant Post Menopause?
As age increases, the health risks in pregnancy increases correspondingly. As compared to younger women, you could face risks of certain kinds if you are above 35. The risks associated with pregnancy during menopause are as follows:
Multiple pregnancies, especially if you have chosen IVF-In Vitro Fertilization as your preferred medium. This could lead to low birth weight, pre-term birth and difficult delivery.
Stillbirth or miscarriage
Gestational diabetes, causing health issues for mother and child
Caesarean birth
High blood pressure which needs proper monitoring and medications to prevent future complications
Low birth weight or premature delivery
Placenta praevia (low-lying placenta) which causes severe bleeding and needs medications.
Tips For Conceiving After Menopause
A question that haunts most women keen on conceiving is how to get pregnant after menopause. A woman needs to be careful if she decides to conceive post menopause and should emphasize on minimizing risks to the lowest possible levels. The following tips can help you to boost fertility levels and enhance your chances of getting pregnant:
The first step involves bringing your body to the high level of wellness before becoming pregnant whether menopausal or not. Three months before trying to get pregnant, you should consume prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements. You could also start on vitamin D and calcium to boost your wellness levels, but check with your doctor before doing so.
Ensure that your Body Mass Index or BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 before trying to conceive. Obesity is considered to be a critical risk factor in normal pregnancies, especially so with post-menopause pregnancies. Consider a diet that is high on proteins and low on calories to ensure the right weight and BMI. Avoid foods containing, saturated fats and white sugar. Stay away from processed foods too.
Visit your doctor to carry out tests like mammogram, PAP smear, Haemoglobin, Lipid profile, tests for STD and blood tests for diabetes. These preliminary tests are useful in finding out any issues associated with your pregnancy so that necessary steps can be taken.
It is necessary for menopausal women to take the FSH test to check if they are still ovulating. Check for post menopause pregnancy symptoms to be doubly sure. Women cannot produce their own eggs if the test reports 11.4 and above and medication is rarely of help in such cases. Fertility centres can be approached to help with pregnancy in such cases.
Menopause Myths
Myth 1: Menopause begins at 50
Fact: Although the average age for menopause is 52 years, you could begin in your late 30s or even late 60s. If you haven’t had your periods for a full 12 months, then you are in menopause for sure.
Myth 2: Weight gain is mandatory during menopause
Fact: While unwanted weight gain is common in menopause, it isn’t completely unavoidable. Due to rapidly lowering oestrogen levels, there is a hormonal imbalance in your body and it tries to protect itself by storing fat, thus leading to weight gain. However, through a controlled diet and exercise regime, it is possible to balance your hormones and maintain weight.
Myth 3: Menopause leads to weakened bones
Fact: The weakening of bones in a woman’s body has no direct correlation to menopause. Women lose 10% of their bone mass during menopause, which is a normal process around that age. However when coupled with a family history of weak bones, poor diet and an unchecked lifestyle, the bone loss can be doubled. By reducing stress, undertaking bone strengthening exercises and getting enough nutrients you can make sure that your bones stay strong.
Myth 4: Menopause has a huge impact on your sex life
Fact: Women are blessed to have an active sex life at any age be it 30 or 90. However, due to hormonal imbalance, a gradual decrease in sex life is possible. Also factors like vaginal dryness, tiredness and irritability can lead to infrequent sexual activity. The physical symptoms can be addressed through various channels and sex drive during menopause can be restored to its former glory.
Myth 5: The later you start menstruating, the later will you start with menopause
Fact: As a matter of fact, it is the opposite that’s true. If you have started menstruating at a later-than-average age, you are more likely to start menopause earlier. Check for the following clues if you want to predict your menopause age:
Smoking leads to earlier menopause
Alcohol consumption and more pregnancies can mean delayed menopause
Your mother’s menopause age is one of the best indicators of knowing when you will start.
Myth 6: Hot flashes are the first signs of menopause
Fact: Menopause is usually associated with hot flashes but there are many other symptoms which can signal the beginning of your menopause. These include difficulty in sleeping, weight gain, hair loss, food cravings, irritability and anxiety among many others. Due to this wide variety of signs of menopause, it is difficult for women to pinpoint and therefore understand these are the first signs of menopause or hormonal imbalance.
Now that you understand how menopause can affect your life, you can be better prepared to manage this important phase of your life. It will be easier to face the situation as you can differentiate between myth and reality and understand the role menopause plays in your life. You will also be able to overcome its distressing symptoms confidently and look and feel your best during these trying times.
Also read: Premature Ovarian Failure Read more
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How to Make Kids Eat Vegetables - Tips for Parents
You give a bowl of broccoli or carrots to your kiddo to munch and your kid may take forever to finish it. Does this sound like it is a story of your household? you're likely not alone - this is a struggle that most moms may be experiencing in their day to day lives. Why is there an aversion for vegetables in some kids and what can you do to make your kid eat his greens? If this is what you have on your mind, we may help you overcome this constant struggle to feed veggies to your child. Read this post for more!
Why is it Important for Children to Eat Vegetables?
With so many options available in the market for junk foods, children seldom pay heed when it comes to eating a nutritious meal that contains vegetables. There is no substitute for vegetables and thus no matter how much your child despises; you may have to find ways and means to feed them to your kid. This is because vegetables are high in essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and anti-oxidants, which are of utmost importance for the proper functioning of various vital organs. Eating veggies may help your kid against many dangerous health ailments too. A well-balanced and healthy diet should include a wide array of vegetables apart from other things, which means your child should eat various kinds and colours of vegetables to attain maximum nutritional benefits. On an average, your child (up to eight years of age) may require up to 2 to 4 servings of vegetables in a day.
Why Some Children Don't Like to Eat Vegetables
You may think that your kid may be the only one making faces at the sheer sight of vegetables. You may be surprised to know that it is very common for children to dislike vegetables. Let us help you solve this mystery, read below to know why your kid dislikes eating vegetables:
We can blame the human evolution for this, strange isn’t it, but it is not. It is believed that human being has evolved to like and prefer sweet-tasting things rather than sour or bitter tasting things.
Your child may cringe while eating Brussels sprouts or other such vegetables because of their peculiar or bitter taste. The presence of calcium and phytonutrients in most vegetables make them bitter and thus unpalatable for children.
Disliking for vegetable may mostly be seen in kids in the age bracket of 2 to 6 years of age. This is because they may develop food neophobia or fear of unknown or new food. This is usually a behavioural problem that kids of this age may experience.
Also, whenever we eat something for the first time, we may not like it and may start liking it after repeated exposure. The same may apply to the kids and as they grow they may start liking their vegetables. It may take 10 to 15 efforts on an average for you to finally make your child accept the taste of a particular vegetable.
How to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables
Here are tips that may help you make your kid polish off veggies from his plate:
1. Lead By Example
As boring and as clichéd as it may sound but it sure does work. If you snack and eat vegetables for your meals, your kid may do that too. Kids are like monkeys, well, not literally but they like to imitate their parents and siblings.
2. Give Them Time
Do not expect your kid to eat any vegetable that you may offer for the first time. As discussed in the above-section, kids may take time to familiarise and once they may be comfortable with the taste, they may begin eating that veggie.
3. Don't Create a Hullabaloo
Whenever it comes to feeding vegetables, do not make it appear like something grand is going to take place. Make it a regular eating experience and do not threat, bribe or do any such thing to make your kid finish his veggies.
4. Add the Touch of Beauty
Whatever appeals to the eye may appeal to the palate too. This means if you present the vegetables in a boring or drab manner, your kid may not be interested at all. However, if you present the vegetables in an appealing manner, it may grab your kid’s attention for sure. Carve roses out of a carrot or make a mouse from a cucumber and watch your kiddo hog.
5. Give Them Options
This sneak trick may work for sure. Whenever you cook vegetables, try and cook two or more options for your kiddo to choose from. This may give your kid the feeling of independence and he may feel free to choose. Don’t be surprised if he chooses one or more.
6. Use Peer Pressure
Well, peer pressure may not only work in the field of academics but it may also be helpful in making your kiddo eat veggies. Invite friends over for dinner (who like to eat vegetables) and just see how in order to impress his friends or to gain brownie points in front of you, your kid may finish all his veggies.
7. Spice It Up
Kids love to experiment with various tastes and flavours, add some punch and zing to their boring vegetables by adding some dressing, seasonings or dips.
8. Let Them Pick Vegetables
If you are fortunate enough to have a kitchen garden of your own then you may allow your kiddo to pick vegetables. On the other, you may take him to the supermarket with you and let him pick vegetables from the selves. Freshly grown or nicely arranged fresh vegetables are a visual delight and may lure your kid in eating them too.
9. Let Them Starve!
That sounds extreme, but sometimes you have to be strict with your child! If your kid refuses to eat his veggies, do not give him anything else. Whenever he asks for food, give him veggies only. Believe us, when hunger strikes, even a bowl of broccoli tastes like heaven!
10. Let Them Cook
Cooking may excite young children and if you involve them in cooking their vegetables they may be tempted to try out their creation. The entire cooking and eating experience may become one fun experience for your kid.
11. Praise Your Kid
If your kid makes efforts and tries to eat a particular vegetable, make sure you appreciate his efforts. Words of appreciation may pep up your child to try out different vegetables.
12. Experiment With Vegetables
If your kid does not like stir-fried carrots, you may give him the carrots in the form of a soup. In a similar manner, you may change the form of other vegetables too. Sometimes it may be the textures of a particular vegetable may make your child refuse to eat vegetables.
What Parents Should Avoid Doing While Making Their Kids Eat the Veggies
Firstly, we discussed the things for that may be helpful in encouraging a child to eat vegetables and now we shall talk about few things that you may like to avoid to make your kid eat his vegetables or things that you should refrain from doing for getting a toddler to eat vegetables:
1. Do Not Force Feed
You can be insistent but you should not force. Any kind of force-feeding may leave a negative impact on your child and do not be surprised if he may completely refuse to eat his veggies. Let your kid adjust to the new taste and he may eventually start liking the taste.
2. Do Not Give Anything Outside Meals
Refrain from offering anything else in between the meals because a hunger pangs may make your kid relish the veggies.
3. Do Not Prepare Special Meals
Offer your kid what everyone else will be eating. This way you may be snubbing the habit of picky-eating.
4. Do Not Label Your Kid
Refrain from giving any label, tags or names such as fussy-eater, picky-eater etc to your kid. This may give them a reason to stay away from vegetables.
5. Do Not Bribe
Bribing by giving them a candy stick or letting them play a video game may solve the problem in the short run but it may lead to negative association towards food in the longer run.
6. Do Not Sneak the Vegetables in Food
This way you may win a small war but not the big bigger battle of helping your kid develop a healthy habit of eating vegetables.
Hope this post may help in overcoming your vegetable-feeding woes.
Also Read: Ways To Develop Healthy Eating Habits in Children Read more
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Child Rights - Everything Parents Should Know About Them!
While we may live in a country where human rights is always a sensitive debate, it helps to know that there are laws set in stone to protect the future of the country- our kids!
Where there is a glimmer of hope, we’ll take it for the sake of our children, right?
So what are these Child Rights that the country is celebrating today? How do they protect our children? And why are they important to us as parents? Let’s find out.
According to the United Nations Convention that was on the Rights of Children, the following rights were touched upon and put in place-
Right to Protection - from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
Right to Development- to care, leisure, recreation, education and cultural activities.
Right to Survival- to life, nutrition, name and nationality.
Right to Participation- to information, thought, expression and religion.
And most importantly, the right to achieve their dreams.
In a society where these basic rights of our children are neglected and violated in new ways every day, it is essential to know and make attempts to exercise these rights for a generation that is aching to thrive on them.
Things Every Parent Must Know About Child Rights
Parenting choices are not easy and while some may come naturally, some choices are reinforced with some guidance. The knowledge of Child Rights can help you understand how you can ensure that your child gets access to these.
Child Rights help ensure that your child is getting the respect and the rights he/she deserves.
They offer your children the opportunity to enjoy the security of being a child and the freedom to develop in every aspect wholly
They exist so that all children, privileged or not, have access to the same basic rights and in no circumstance is any child deprived of them.
Child rights also exist to monitor the living conditions of children across our country.
They offer all parents support in understanding the responsibility of parents towards their children till they turn 18.
One of the most important things to know about the Child Rights in our country is that that they promote the legal and social rights of children and also ensure the prevention of any violence or abuse.
Lastly but most importantly, they help against sexual exploitation as well as trafficking of children, something our country is currently battling every single day!
Here’s What We Love About Child Rights:
When you become a parent, you begin to look at life from a new perspective. One that revolves around how to make this environment safe and healthy for your child to thrive and turn into the best version of himself.
Now think of this; Child Rights are set in place to that every single child, just like yours, has that chance to develop, grow and have the freedom to dream and achieve with no bias, no threat and ample security. It is essentially what we want for our own children but for the children of the entire country!
While the grim reality is that these rights are abused, knowing that these laws and rights exist and being well-versed with them can really take us a long way as parents, caregivers and facilitators of the dreams and lives of the children we bring into this world and that is to us, a big step in the right direction.
With collective knowledge of these Child Rights, more and more people will stand up against the violation of them so that every child has a right to childhood, one full of freedom and wonder, just like it should be! Here's to a future every child deserves and the celebration of that vision! Read more
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A Breastfeeding Journey and Some Common Issues.
My baby girl was in NICU for 7days, so I was eagerly waiting to hold her and feed her. During those days, my breast milk started leaking as she was not with me due to some health issue. I had to throw the milk from both of my breasts, it was excruciating, and I got a fever for the same.
On the 8th day, when the nurse handed me, my little girl, I was confused about holding her and feeding her. Somehow I managed to keep my baby in a proper position to breastfeed. Her first suck was so hard I could remember that feeling, my whole body shivered, and I got goosebumps; however, things went well then.
After 15 days, I felt a mild pain in my right breast during and after feeding. I started searching for the cause; mixed emotions and thinking ran in my head as I was going through post-partum depression. The pain began to worsen, and I consulted my mom, who found a white spot-like thing near the opening of my nipple. Mom told me that maybe it happened due to extra milk storage and gave a solution from her experience. The solution was:
1. Wipe the breast before each feeding with Luke warm water.
2. Feed the baby as much as possible from the affected side (right in my case).
3. Remove extra milk after feeding.
Once I followed her advice, my pain reduced, and things went back to normal. I hope my experience with one of the multiple issues with breastfeeding helps you. If you still feel pain while feeding, then never ignore it. Talk to your doctor because your "Health is wealth," and most importantly, there is a little life that depends on your breast milk. It's our responsibility to feed our baby healthy and nutritious milk.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. I cannot assist you on that because other things are also associated with the particular particular report so I think it’s better that once a gynaecologist is available she’s going to take up your query and she will be able to give you a better clarity as per the situation
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please do not take any medicine without consulting with your gynaecologist. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Actually on the ovulation time only you can conceive so yes if things are right with you you can go ahead with the conception but with what the details you have mentioned it would be better to have a discussion with your gynaecologist prior to you proceed to your ovulation and conception
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
57 mins ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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