OBSTETRICS – GYNECOLOGY

Close to moms-to-be & and every woman…

Obstetric Issues
How much weight should a pregnant woman gain during pregnancy and how can she achieve this?
It is important that pregnant women gain the proper weight and follow a proper nutrition (5 meals), in order to keep their blood sugar at good levels and their metabolism active. A pregnant woman does not need to increase her daily calorie intake by more than 300 calories compared to her previous calorie intake. Thus, a pregnant woman who starts from a good base weight, will gain approximately 8-10 kilograms. If she starts from some other base weight, then depending on her weight, she shall follow a diet in collaboration with a nutritionist, in order to preserve her health and the one of her child.

What should I avoid in my diet?
You must pay attention to mercury. You should eat fish only twice a week and prefer fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna or sardine.
Low caffeine intake (coffee, tea, chocolate); it is allowed only once per day.
Do not consume alcohol.
Always pay attention, when you do not eat at home, to raw vegetables that may not have been properly washed, and exposed or perished foods.
Always keep in mind that your meals must be balanced in hydrocarbons - protein

Can I travel during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as you travel to a place where you can access an organized maternity hospital, in case of any complications during pregnancy. Take care that you stay hydrated and if you travel by airplane, it is advisable to wear anti-thrombosis stockings during the flight, particularly in the case of long flights. Up to 35 weeks of pregnancy, you can organize your holidays or professional trips.

Swimming and pregnancy. Can I?
It is the optimal exercise for you in this period until the last day of your pregnancy.

Sauna, hot steam baths and pregnancy. Can I?
No, because they may cause drop in blood pressure and arrhythmia to the fetus or contractions.

Supplements and pregnancy: What medicines can I take when I am pregnant?
In the First trimester you can take folic acid and if there is the need of support of more elements, maybe a multivitamin that is special for the First trimester of pregnancy. In the process, we administer to the body supplements of iron, magnesium, while we check the levels of vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12, so that we administer the respective supplements if necessary. Any special medicine that is required depending on the existence of pathology or not, must be administered always in consultation with a gynecologist who is responsible for you.

What does the pregnancy monitoring include?
Initially and ideally, before you get pregnant it is good that the prenatal blood tests, PAP test, culture of vaginal fluid, ultrasound of internal genitalia and breast palpation have been completed; otherwise they shall be performed at the first appointment. Subsequently, there is a schedule of ultrasound and blood tests, general and special, which guarantees the good health of the pregnant woman, as well as the good state of the fetus, until childbirth and puerperium, in collaboration with a maternal-fetal physician, a midwife and a neonatologist. The number of additional tests or ultrasound examinations depends on the existence of any pregnancy pathology, the age of the pregnant woman or the medical history of the family.

What causes nausea or vomiting during pregnancy?
The pregnancy hormone, hCG, is the main cause by itself, the action of which may be also reinforced by any hypoglycemia of the pregnant woman. Usually They become less frequent and fully disappear before the 12th week of pregnancy.
To help relieve symptoms, we recommend:
a diet rich in protein and hydration
the absence of high fat meals
to avoid environments with strong odors
exercise
supplements containing ginger
a complex of vitamins B, particularly vitamin B64
good psychological support
Hyperemesis is a pregnancy pathology and is specifically and individually treated.

When must I contact my obstetrician urgently?
Vaginal bleeding, regardless of the blood loss.
Fluid coming out of the vagina.
Abdominal pain, continuous or periodic.
Reduction of fetal movements.
Disturbed vision.
Severe headache.
Persistent vomiting, for more than 24 hours.
Swelling of the lower limbs, arms, face.
High blood pressure

When can I distinguish the sex of the fetus?
After 13-14 weeks, that is by the end of the third month and the beginning of the fourth.

SEX and pregnancy?
Yes, with a condom, as long as there are no gestational complications or contractions.

Usually, sex should be avoided in the 9th - 8th month. In the 9th month you should not use a condom, as the sperm helps in the preparation of the cervix for vaginal delivery.

How do I know that the delivery is imminent?
You will experience any of the following:
Contractions of progressively increasing intensity and at shorter intervals.
Blood loss.
Fluid exiting from the vagina.

What should I expect in puerperium?
The first six weeks /40 days are the period in which all the hormonal changes that will allow the uterus to return to its original size before pregnancy take place. It is a period of happiness, since now you have your baby! However, sometimes, due to hormones, you may experience a minor depression.
Therefore:
Rest as much as possible.
Get out of your home.
Ask for help, if you cannot handle it.
Consult your gynecologist frequently.
Ask for breast-feeding support, which is personalized by a midwife and an obstetrician.
Do not omit the puerperium checkup and the supporting supplements (iron, calcium or vitamin D)
Gynecological Issues

What is HPV?
It is the Human Papilloma Virus or as it is more widely known, the wart virus. It has many types, however, what interests us are the sexually transmitted types that cause genital warts, or some oncogenic types, that can cause from abnormalities in the PAP test to dysplasia or cancer. There is a vaccine that covers 9 types of the virus and is recommended for boys and girls in their adolescence.

Vaginal bleeding in menopause?
If your period has stopped for 1 year, then it is considered that you are in menopause. If you observe any amount of blood on your underwear, you should immediately visit the medical practice in order to find the cause of bleeding and get immediate treatment. It can be from an abrasion to endometrial cancer.

Vaginal secretion: When should I worry?
Vaginal secretion differs during the course of the menstrual cycle, as well as from woman to woman due to hormonal changes. What should worry you is if you observe any changes in the color, odor and if this is accompanied by irritation, itching or pain, because this may be the manifestation of an infection. In this case, you should visit your doctor for culture of the vaginal fluid and you should not take any medication by yourself from the drugstore.