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Tramadol in Pregnancy - Complications and Precautions to Follow
Most medicines that mothers take during pregnancy will cross the placenta and reach their babies. This can sometimes be beneficial to the child, but not always; there are some medications that can be quite harmful to your baby’s growth and development. It really depends on the type of medication prescribed and at what stage of pregnancy a woman is at. All the changes in the body that take place during pregnancy are bound to cause a lot of stress, and everyone already knows that hormonal changes often bring with them unwanted aches and pains. This is why some women would rather be on some kind of medication for the pain rather than not have anything at all. Tramadol is used to treat pain in some situations.
What is Tramadol (Ultram)
Moderate to severe pain during pregnancy can be treated by Tramadol, a medication that works by affecting the balance of mood chemicals in the brain. This is often prescribed to patients who are suffering from an injury or when recovering from surgery. Sometimes it is used as a recreational drug, but in doses much higher than that required when it is only used as a painkiller.
Why Do Pregnant Women Require Pain Medication
During pregnancy, the body undergoes physiological and hormonal irregularities that result in different symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are trivial and do not require any kind of pain medication, but there are also times when the pain is quite severe, and it requires some kind of action. Here are some reasons why pregnant women may need to take something for the pain:
The diameter of blood vessels changes due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy and results in headaches and migraines. The intensity of these can vary, but they have been known to be severe enough to warrant some kind of medication for relief.
Pressure on the spine caused by your expanding foetus can result in backaches that can sometimes become unbearable. Those who are carrying multiples will find this especially relevant in their case.
The stability and strength of the ligaments changes as the body tries to prepare the pelvis for delivery. This results in a lot of pelvic pain that may sometimes require medication.
Your lower limbs have had to deal with a lot of extra weight, and this causes pain from all the nerves and ligaments that have been bearing the strain of your baby’s additional weight.
Is Tramadol Safe in Pregnancy
Though there are some medications out there with more serious side effects of dependency due to their higher opioid content, Tramadol is also known to cause addiction and neonatal dependency on the drug. A change in the diameter of the umbilical vessels is caused due to the painkillers, and this will have an effect on the flow of blood to your baby. This is why it is best to stay away from painkillers in general during your pregnancy unless you have no choice but to take them.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in particular are known to cause this problem. If the blood flow is restricted, your baby will not get enough nutrition, which will either result in restrictions in growth and in extreme and unfortunate cases, the death of the child.
So, can you take tramadol while pregnant? Only if prescribed by your doctor when there is no other choice. It is best to stay away from it as it is not considered safe due to lack of proper study. In tests done on animals, it showed that Tramadol has the possibility of causing moderate to severe damage in the foetus. Respiratory depression and collapse in the foetus is a very serious threat, and so the use of Tramadol is strictly forbidden during delivery.
What If a Pregnant Woman has Already Taken Ultram In Pregnancy
If you have taken Tramadol, let your doctor know about it and so that you can get the proper advice on how to go about it from there. If at all your doctor feels you need it, the smallest possible dose will be prescribed to you. But most doctors will prescribe something that is less harmful. If you take them frequently and you want to stop, it is not advised that you stop taking it cold turkey. Instead, bring this to your doctor’s attention so that you can get professional help in weaning yourself off the drug without incurring the sudden withdrawal symptoms that can take place from such a sudden action. If the drug is stopped cold turkey, you are likely to experience irritation, anxiety or panic, diarrhoea, chills, hallucinations and so much more.
Complications & Side Effects of Taking Tramadol during Pregnancy
Here are some of the complications or side effects associated with taking Tramadol during pregnancy:
1. Easily Abused
The central nervous system responds to pain differently because Tramadol changes this aspect, making it very easy to abuse the drug.
2. Maternal and Foetal Addiction
Due to the potent and opioid components in this drug, it is addictive in nature, something that is very dangerous for babies. If this drug is used consistently, there is a high chance that babies will become dependent on it. Even after the drug is discontinued, babies will still experience withdrawal symptoms one month after birth. Babies can also experience birth defects or premature births. A few other symptoms include irritability, jitteriness, seizures and abnormal muscular activity.
3. Dangerous Combos
If this drug is mixed with other medication it may cause uncontrollable shaking and seizures can result.
4. Simply Problematic
Even when taken in the correct dose, Tramadol has been known to cause side effects such as abdominal pain, itchiness and rashes, joint pains, depression, severe headaches, nausea and more.
5. Learning and Behavioural Problems
Your baby’s brain is developing even until the end of your pregnancy. Taking medications during your pregnancy can have lasting effects on your child’s learning and behaviour.
6. Tramadol and Breastfeeding
Like some other medications, Tramadol can be transferred into the breast milk. If babies consume too much of it through breast milk, they are likely to show signs of increased sleepiness, sedation, difficulty breastfeeding, difficulty breathing and limpness, and will need to see an expert.
Precautions to Follow While Taking Tramadol
If you do need to take this drug for some reason, keep the following precautions in mind:
It is not meant to be used along with MAO inhibitors.
Avoid alcohol during treatment.
When it comes to patients who suffer from drug dependence, central genesis, liver dysfunctions and increased sensitivity to opioid components, treatments with this drug should be avoided.
Avoid it for treatment of narcotic withdrawal syndrome.
It should not be used for more than the specific amount of time needed as prolonged use can cause dependency on the drug.
It should not be used for children under 14.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Will baby require extra monitoring during pregnancy or after delivery?
At around twenty weeks, most women are offered scans as a part of their antenatal care. Here they will check for birth defects in the baby. Though using Tramadol is not actually expected to cause any problems that would require the need for extra monitoring, those who need to take the drug for a particular medical condition are watched more closely so that you can be sure that your baby is growing and developing the correct way. Women who tend to use the drug for recreational purposes are watched even more closely. Those women who have had to take Tramadol during their late pregnancy will have babies who will need to be kept for observation after birth for any kind of signs of withdrawal.
2. Does it affect the baby's health if the father has taken Tramadol?
So far we have seen how tramadol and pregnancy go together from the maternal side. Though there has been no study dedicated to investigating what the effects of Tramadol in the father have on the unborn child, most experts say that it is not likely that the drug can cause any harm to the baby through the sperm. More study in this area is needed, especially on the effects the drug has if the father takes it at the time of conception.
Always keep a record of any medications you take so that you can inform your doctor about them if and when needed. If you have any need to see a doctor for your own health, make sure that the doctor knows that you are pregnant so that this can be taken into consideration when medication is being prescribed for you.
Being prescribed medication like Tramadol, something that has been known to cause some unpleasant side effects, you will have to examine the benefits and disadvantages before deciding on whether it is worth taking the risk. How medications affect your baby is important, and you need to be very careful about what medication you decide to put into your body.
Also Read: List of Unsafe Medicines Pregnant Women Should Avoid Read more
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Retained Placenta: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
The placenta is an organ which connects the developing foetus to the uterine wall of the mother. It provides oxygen and nutrients to the little one and removes waste products from the baby’s blood. The placenta is expelled from the body after the birth of the child. For most women, this expulsion happens on its own, but in some cases, this process may not happen automatically. This phenomenon is known as a retained placenta.
What is Retained Placenta?`
The delivery process is not complete with the birth of a child. The expulsion of the placenta is the final stage in the delivery process. Labour takes place in 3 steps:
The first step begins when the contractions begin. This is the indication that the uterus is preparing to deliver your baby.
The second step is complete when the baby is delivered.
The third and the final stage of labour is when the placenta is expelled from the womb. This usually happens within 30 minutes of the baby’s birth.
As the name suggests, a retained placenta is a condition where the placenta is not expelled from the body naturally after the birth of the child. In such a scenario, the process must be manipulated in order to remove the postpartum retained placenta from the woman’s womb. If the body has not expelled the placenta within 30 minutes, it is considered as retained placenta because the body has kept the placenta instead of removing it.
If the retained placental tissue is not treated, the mother is susceptible to health hazards like infections and blood loss.
Types of Retained Placenta
Retained placenta can be of three types:
Placenta Adherens: Placenta adherens occurs when the uterus or the womb is unable to completely expel the placenta due to the poor intensity of the contractions. This leaves the placenta loosely attached to the wall of the uterus. Placenta adherens is the most common type of retained placenta.
Trapped Placenta: Trapped placenta takes place when the separation of the placenta is not followed by its evacuation from the body. This happens because the cervix acts as a barrier resulting in the placenta getting trapped behind it.
Placenta Accreta: Placenta accreta is the situation where the placenta attaches to the muscular layer of the womb instead of the lining of the uterine wall. Delivery becomes more complicated as a result of placenta accreta which may cause severe bleeding. Blood transfusions or even a hysterectomy may be required if the bleeding does not stop.
Causes
Following are the common reasons which can cause retained placenta:
Uterine Antony: This occurs when the contractions in the uterus are not strong enough for the placenta to come out. This is the most common cause of retained placenta.
Succenturiate Lobe: Succenturiate lobe is a blood vessel that connects a small chunk of the placenta to the main part. There are instances when the main part of the placenta has been expelled but the lobe remains along with a small part of the uterus.
Placenta Accreta: This is a situation where the placenta becomes deeply embedded in the womb, possibly due to a scarring from previous caesarean section surgery. This can result in a retained placenta.
Placenta Percreta: This is a situation when the placenta grows all the way through the womb wall causing retained placenta.
Closed Cervix: Retained placenta can also be caused by the closing of the cervix before the placenta has been expelled from the uterus.
Signs and Symptoms
The placenta should be discharged completely within 30 minutes after the baby’s delivery. If the placenta fails to be completely removed from the womb within an hour after baby’s delivery, it is a clear sign of retained placenta.
A woman may also experience the following symptoms in case of retained placenta:
An abhorrent odour emanating from the vagina
Heavy bleeding
Continuous pain and tummy cramps
Discharge of large pieces of tissue from the placenta
Fever
Delay in production of milk
You should contact your doctor or midwife if you experience any of the symptoms for a prolonged period after the birth of your child.
Risk Factor for a Retained Placenta
There are certain risk factors which can increase the likelihood of a woman experiencing retained placenta. They are as follows:
Conceiving a child over the age of 30
Having a premature delivery or giving birth before the 34thweek of gestation
Going through an extremely long labour and delivery process
Delivering a stillborn baby
Previous case of retained placenta
Uterine surgery performed previously
It is not necessary that women who are high on these risks will experience retained placenta, but if you have any of the above risk factors, you should inform your doctor about them in advance.
Diagnosis
A careful examination after delivery can help the midwife or the doctor identify if there is a case of retained placenta.
In some cases, there may be partial retention of the placenta. A careful examination of the expelled placenta can help the doctor identify such a case. If the doctor is unable to notice that a small part is missing from the placenta, the woman will soon display symptoms of retained placenta.
The doctor will perform an ultrasound to look at the uterus they suspect that you have a retained placenta. Immediate treatment will be required to avoid complications in case any part of the placenta is missing.
Complications of Retained Placenta
Durin a vaginal birth, the uterus prevents the blood vessels from bleeding excessively through contractions. A placental tissue that has remained will not allow proper contraction causing a haemorrhage.
How Can You Separate the Retained Placenta?
Exercises to stimulate the release of the oxytocin can be done by gently massaging the nipples. This should be done in the event of delayed labour. The hormone will cause contractions which will help to remove the placenta.
You can also try changing your position and turn upside down to expel the placenta.
The doctor can also give you medication to help with the extraction in the form of an injection of oxytocin. Following an injection, the doctor can manually assist in the removal of the placenta. In case the placental is still not expelled, a saline injection will be administered into the umbilical vein, followed by a second oxytocin injection.
Treatment
There are different methods by which the retained placenta can be removed.
The doctor can remove the placenta by hand. Your bladder will be emptied by inserting a catheter and intravenous antibiotics will be given to prevent infection. Local anaesthesia will be administered to do this procedure.
The doctor can use medication to make your uterus contract and remove the placenta.
In case of placenta accreta, a curette is used to remove placental remains from the uterus through scrapping. This method is known as curettage.
Another way of removing the retained placenta is through a hysterectomy. The disadvantage of this treatment is that you cannot carry pregnancies in the future.
Retained Placenta After C-Section
There is a chance that a woman might suffer from retained placenta if the previous birth was by a caesarean section surgery. Placenta Accreta is a situation where the placenta becomes deeply embedded in the womb, possibly due to a scar from a previous caesarean section surgery resulting in retained placenta.
Management During Labour
While preparing for delivery, doctors do everything possible to ensure complete delivery of placenta after the birth of the baby. The following steps can be taken during labour to minimise the chances of retained placenta:
Administration of medication which encourages uterus to contract and release the placenta. Oxytocin is one such medication that can be used.
Controlled cord traction (CCT) is a procedure where the doctor manually removes the umbilical cord enabling the placenta to be removed after delivery.
The uterus can be stabilized by touching while applying CCT.
Some doctors may encourage you to gently run your hands over your abdomen in an attempt to reduce the haemorrhaging which would prevent the uterus from expanding.
Prevention
Here are a few precautions that can be taken in order to minimise the chances of retained placenta.
Inform your doctor if you have experienced retained placenta previously or if you are exposed to any other risk which can result in this situation in advance so that they can take extra care during the third stage.
Close proximity of the mother and the baby reduces the incidence of retained placenta
Limiting usage of synthetic oxytocin has shown to reduce the incidence of caesarean sections. .
Removal of placenta is a critical part of the labour process and its complete expulsion is important for ensuring normal delivery without further complications. Special care should be taken to minimise the risk of having a retained placenta. The doctors should be well informed about any risks or past events which expose you to a greater risk of getting affected by this condition.
In case of retained placenta, it is important to get the necessary treatment done immediately and then follow your doctor’s instructions to recover from the implications of this condition.
Also Read: Placenta During Pregnancy Read more
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"Babyhug Feeding Bottles, Accessories & Vegetables Disinfectant Liquid Cleanser Review"
Introduction:
Hi !
I am a mom of 9 months old, named Adhira. She is very naughty and use to throw her
toys or anything in hand at the back of the bed.
So, I have ordered BabyHug Disinfectant Cleanser which is made up from natural
plants and it is anti-bacterial free. I have used this product in washing her toys,
vegetables, fruits, teethers, feeding bottles, nipples, breast pumps. I felt this product
very safe and soft in use.
Main Content:
I like the bottle of this product as it is very big and easy to handle and the best part of
this product is we have to take only to two drops while washing any products and it
created lots of bubbles in two drops only. It is very safe for cleaning baby care products
and mother’s nipples, breast pumps and feeding bottles. We have to take very much
care of our baby, like not to put any toys in their mouth which they have thrown as it
can cause infection very rapidly to the little ones. So, after washing with this
disinfectant cleanser they will be safe as this product is anti-bacterial.
Conclusion:
I would advice new parents to be to use this product as it is very beneficial and the best
part is that we have to use very less quantity while washing anything. Like baby use
teethers and soothers, as it is not good if we wash with the water and again give it to
the baby one should wash with this cleanser as it is anti-bacterial product. It will protect
the baby from to get infected from any kind of bacteria. As this product is not that
costly. Every parent can afford it for their little ones to protect from any kind of infection. Read more
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Every Woman is Special in Her Own Way - Know Your Worth
'Woman' is the strongest and most beautiful creation of God...she is the creator of life; address of love; the asset of her entire family. Whether it is family, social life, politics or business, toady, women are walking hand-in-hand with men.
She bears so much pain and suffers from so many ailments keeping her baby in her womb for nine months and then delivers the baby; she is the first teacher. She not only teaches the basics like eating, walking, etc but she is also the mirror of her child and lays the foundation for building up a good character. That's why it is said that as God cannot be everywhere, he created a MOTHER. Each and every woman is extraordinary in her efforts to keep her family and children happy.
In our country, women are suffering in different ways, either in the form of dowry at the time of marriag; leaving their jobs under the pressure of their in-laws; recurrent child birth and abortions in the lust of in-laws for a male child, or being beaten by a drunkard husband. Whether educated or not, women work hard inside the house, and outside to fulfil the requirements of the family. Despite of all their sacrifices and hard work, many a times they do not get the respect, love and affection they rightly deserve. So it's high time for the women out there to know their real worth.
Be successful and independent by fighting for your dreams, your vision, your thoughts and ideas and just stop being quiet whenever your are harassed in any form. Just give up over small fights with the husband and in-laws. Just stop small fights for the attention of others and to meet everyone's expectations from you. The most important aspect of women's empowerment in today's life is just to support each and every other women you know - either your friend, mother, colleague or your house help. Because when women support each other, incredible, unbelievable, unexpected things and great achievements happen. This is the real NAARI SHAKTI.
Salute to selfless love and sacrifice of each and every NAARI for the betterment of her family and society as a whole. Loads of love to all.
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
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No One Knows You Better than You Do Yourself
You've probably heard the saying, "No one knows you better than yourself."
Being a mother is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences one can have, especially if one is a working professional. People will immediately criticise you and offer you a lot of free advice that you are not looking for. I've encountered many challenges and felt comparable pressures, but I never gave up, and every day I told myself, "One more step," and "You're doing great." People called me cranky, arrogant, over-smart, and over-ambitious, but what's wrong with that?
Over time, I realised that the people who said all of this about me were not truly concerned, but instead were the ones who couldn't do anything better, the ones who had never tried or achieved anything in life, and who, if someone was trying, wanted to hold them back by spreading wrong views. These people are unlike anyone else; if you look around, you will encounter plenty of fools - your friends who pretend to be wonderful earlier aren't any good anymore. Your family members, relatives, and others profess to be your pillars but aren't. They will tell you anything that is on their minds by quoting the names of society. Don't be afraid of them; instead, learn to ignore them and listen to the advice of experienced people. By experienced people, I don't mean someone with grey hair or who has 5-6 children; instead, someone who is actually experienced, such as a pediatrician or gynecologist for health advice and a consultant coach or mentor for career advice.
Apart from these bad people in your life, there are a few positive people in your life as well, so always look for the positive. The same thing was taught to me and put into practice. I've learned endless love, strength, empathy, sacrifice, resilience, and strength as a mother.
Here are a few pointers that will undoubtedly assist you:
Never compare yourself with others because you are unique and different, and never let anyone dull your sparkle.
Never compare your challenges with others; you will not have the same.
Keep limited, but good friends who talk positive cut negative people entirely from your life.
Eat well, exercise, do whatever you love; dance, sing, paint, sports, hang out, gardening, travel, etc.
Pamper yourself! Don't feel that you are a mother and don't have the right to get ready or be pampered.
You want to continue to work or leave your work, which is completely your choice, not your relative's advice.
Always talk to yourself and remember that you are beautiful.
Stay focused and love yourself. If you love yourself, then only you will love people around you.
Seek help whenever needed, don't try to do everything on your own.
There is plenty of community club that offers help on parenting careers; joining those clubs actually helps.
Do share your anxiety and feelings with your partners, friends, or parents.
Mistake happens: Don't try to become a perfectionist; it is entirely okay to fail but try again and do it because now you are experienced.
Relax, rest, smile, live and spread the love!
Remember, only you can decide; no one else can do it for you!
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.
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
16 hours ago
Q. I got faint line all my pregnancy test and I missed my periods for 10 days but USG and TVs test confirm there is no pregnancy is there any chance that it is very early stage that's why it is not visible???? or TVs test is the last thing that can tell that really there is no pregnancy
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
15 hours ago
A. I think it would be advisable for you to get an ultrasound done with your doctor that’s going to give you a clarity because if there is a pregnancy it would be visible at least at least that sack is visible if it’s a regular pregnancy so it would be advisable to have a test with your doctor
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby girl and boyhai one month 8 days old kya mai ghutti de sakte hun ya gripe water de sakte hun aur kab se start kar sakte hun
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
11 hours ago
A. dear Mum, you should not give any sort of gripe water or ghutti to your baby. these are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause infection to your baby. so, these should be completely avoided.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
11 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
57 mins 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
11 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
3 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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
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