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Category: Fetal Medicine

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Everything You Need to Know About Fetal Echocardiography

Fetal Echocardiography

While your baby is still inside your womb, various medical examinations are required to ensure the safety and growth of the fetus. Fetal Echocardiography is one of them. It is similar to ultrasound. An unborn baby can have various medical conditions which have to be diagnosed to eliminate risks and ensure their proper growth inside at this stage.

What Is Fetal Echocardiography?

 

Medical examinations like fetal echocardiography allow the doctors to inspect and determine the structure of your unborn baby’s heart. The second trimester is the ideal time for doing this examination. Between weeks 18 to 24, your doctor may suggest you for this test.

This examination applies sound waves to get an “echo” of the fetus’s heart to understand its structure. There is a machine that analyses these sound waves to create a picture or echocardiogram to show the interior of the heart’s structure. Doctors obtain valuable information about the structural growth of the fetus’s heart through this picture. They can determine if the heart is working fine or if there are any issues that should be addressed immediately.

When Your Doctor Can Suggest Fetal Echocardiography?

 

Not all pregnant women are advised by their OB-GYNs to go through this test. A basic pregnancy ultrasound works well for most women. If the previous medical examinations are not good enough or conclusive to determine the condition of your fetus’s heart, then your OB-GYN may recommend Fetal Echocardiography. In case they detect the irregular or abnormal heartbeat of the fetus while examining you, then also this test can be done to be sure.

Your doctor may suggest this test if;

  • There are clinical possibilities that your child will have heart abnormalities or other disorders

  • There is a history of heart disease in your family history

  • You already have a child with a heart condition

  • You have consumed alcohol or drugs during your pregnancy

  • You have consumed medications that can cause heart defects in the fetus

  • You have medical conditions like type 1 diabetes, rubella, lupus, or phenylketonuria.

Usually, an experienced and highly qualified ultrasound technician performs this test as per the recommendation of an OB-GYN.

Your OB-GYN will examine you thoroughly to find out difficulties in your unborn baby’s different body parts and ensure the desired level of growth at various stages of pregnancy.

At IFM, we perform all these critical and advanced medical examinations for fetuses and moms. We have highly trained and qualified technicians along with modern equipment and the right kind of setups.

Please get in touch with us for more information.

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How Does the Sleeping Habit Affect the Fertility Rate?

Infertility Specialist

Healthy sleeping habits are essential for promoting good health conditions. Research shows that women who are either insomniac or get fewer hours of sleep daily are less likely to get pregnant easily than those who follow normal sleeping patterns. According to experts, on average, an individual irrespective of gender, must sleep for at least eight to nine hours. Lack of sleep disturbs a person mentally and impacts negatively on the fertility level of the person.

Infertility specialists in Kolkata suggest infertile couples practice normal sleeping patterns as it helps to reduce anxiety, stress and maintains the hormone balance within the body. Moreover, a healthy immunity system is developed if your sleeping pattern is normal.

It is highly relevant that fertility level depends largely on a healthy lifestyle, weight management and appropriate hormone balance. Since all these are related to normal sleeping patterns, hence maintaining the same is essential.

4 infertility problems faced due to poor sleeping patterns

Hormone imbalance

Hormone balancing takes place when the body is at rest. Thus, when you sleep, your hormone levels increase. In the case of women, the levels of LH hormones tend to decrease if they stay awake through late nights. Thus, infertility specialists suggest women follow a regular sleeping pattern. This relieves them of stress and insitages better ovulation in the female body.

Risk of miscarriage

Night work or shift shifts during the pregnancy period is not an ideal option. The risk of miscarriage is high in case a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough sleep. The body needs double the amount of rest compared to a normal person’s amount of rest. Moreover, the majority of the medicines given during pregnancy are induced with mild sedatives to help the muscles and nerves relax. Since they are taken during bedtime, if the body doesn’t get the required amount of sleep, there’s a fair chance of miscarriage.

Delayed conception

As per the circadian rhythm, if a female body does not follow the regular sleeping pattern, the chances of conceiving early might get delayed. Lack of sleep gives rise to mood swings, irritation, depression, anger and tiredness. Hence, the rate of conception gets delayed as well.

Occurrence of PCOS

Irregular sleeping patterns increase body weight, which gives rise to problems like PCOS, Fibroid tumours, and endometriosis in the female body. These are a few unavoidable problems that make a woman infertile and, in most cases, makes it difficult for her to conceive.

To experience the joy of motherhood, contact experienced infertility specialists at the Institute of Fetal Medicine. Our infertility specialists will guide you through the process and make you aware of the do’s and don’ts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Book your appointment and discuss your problems with us.

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Down Syndrome – A High-Risk Factor For Early Mothers and Unborn Babies

Down Syndrome

From the moment a mother conceives a new life, taking good care of the fetus becomes an integral part of her life. Regular doctor visits, taking medicines on time, getting all prenatal tests done and maintaining a healthy diet – that’s it. A mother is always conscious of her baby’s existence and hence does all the right things for the unborn child.

Down syndrome screening in Kolkata is one such popular tests that doctors recommend for early mothers nowadays. Tests can detect down syndrome generally in the first trimester. Mothers above the age of 35 years are likely to suffer from this syndrome. Not everyone is affected by the same; however, precautions are necessary to avoid future problems.

What to do if the down syndrome is detected during pregnancy?

Every pregnancy is unique. How would you feel if you get the bad news right at the beginning of your first trimester? The mere thought of the same scares many women from availing this test. However, down syndrome is not a very common disease. Generally, women with a family history of the same show signs of this syndrome during the pregnancy.

If you’re the unlucky one, then the bad news is there’s no medicine even if the same is detected. However, confirmation of the same from the test will mentally prepare you and your family members for the upcoming unique child. Remember one important thing – take good care of the mother who is having down syndrome. These mothers generally have a high to medium risk pregnancy.

How are these tests performed?

If you’re scared, then don’t be! This test doesn’t involve any pain. It’s a combination of an ultrasound and a simple blood test. Within 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, the ultrasound examination is done on the mother. During the same visit, the doctors will collect your blood samples via the fingerstick.

Beta HCG and Plasma Protein  A components are tested in the blood samples. Although understanding the medical terms might be complicated, as a mother, you should question the doctor until you get everything clear in your mind.

Institute of Fetal Medicine, Kolkata is fully equipped and successfully conducts down syndrome screening in Kolkata for all pregnant women. If your case is severe and needs special attention, then our specialised doctors at IFM will guide you and take extra care while conducting the tests.

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Few Things To Avoid During Pregnancy

Fetal Medicine

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in every woman’s life. It is one of the greatest gifts of god. Though women have to make some sacrifices during this phase, it is worth the happiness. To ensure your good health and that of your child, you have to get in touch with a fetal medicine specialist. IFM has some of the most experienced, reliable, and dedicated Fetal Medicine Specialists in Kolkata. They will consider your pregnancy complications and let you know whether you have to avoid a few things which can impact you or your unborn child’s health.

Are You Pregnant? Few Things You Should Avoid

  • Alcohol

Though some people believe that consuming a small quantity of alcohol during pregnancy won’t cause much harm, it is advisable to avoid it altogether. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it enters their bloodstream, crosses the placenta and reaches the unborn child. It can impact the developing liver of the baby and stop its growth. The baby might have a low birth weight. Consuming excessive alcohol can also lead to miscarriage.

  • Smoking

Even if you are a chain smoker, quit smoking immediately once you find out that you are pregnant. When a woman smokes during her pregnancy, it increases the chances of giving birth to a baby with low birth weight. There are even a few instances when excessive smoking has led to the baby’s premature birth or been born with respiratory problems. Expecting mother’s smoking habits is also linked to miscarriage.

  • Addictive Drugs

Say no to drugs while you are pregnant, as it can impact the normal functioning of your body even when consumed in small quantities. When you intake drugs during pregnancy, it transfers to the unborn child as well. Drugs cross the placenta and pass down to the baby, irrespective of consuming cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy, cocaine, or other illegal drugs.

  • Caffeine

Every experienced Fetal Medicine Specialist in Kolkata will advise you to avoid caffeine during your pregnancy. High levels of caffeine can lead to a low birth rate or miscarriage. If you are a coffee lover, make sure not to exceed the daily consumption of 200mg of caffeine. You can replace your daily cups of coffee with some healthier drinks or herbal teas.

Avoid the items stated above during your pregnancy and get in touch with a fetal medicine specialist to ensure the birth of a healthy child.

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Know in Detail About the Chorionic Villus Sampling Test

Chorionic Villus Sampling Test

A prenatal test, Chorionic Villus Sampling, also known as Chorionic Villus Biopsy, is done by taking a sample of the body tissue from the mother’s placenta, where it attaches to the uterus wall. The test identify genetic problems like chromosomal abnormalities and more. It detects any issues or diseases during birth.  Usually done between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy, get it done from the center for Chorionic Villus Sampling Test in Kolkata.

The chorionic villi have the same genetic material as the fetus. The placenta is the structure that gives blood and nutrients to the fetus, taking it from the mother’s body.  Some women do a follow-up blood test between 16 to18 weeks to screen for defects in the neural tube.

Types of CVS Procedure

Transcervical procedure– The catheter is inserted inside the placenta through the cervix to get samples of tissues

Transabdominal process–  The doctors insert a needle through the abdomen and the uterus into the placenta to get tissue samples.

Detection of Problems

The CVS test correctly identifies chromosomal difficulties like Down Syndrome and genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis. Doctors detect other conditions like Sickle Cell Anemia or Tay Sachs disease. The doctors consider this test 98% effective to identify the sex of the baby, further detecting other disorders like muscular dystrophy.

Benefits of the Test

While deciding to take the prenatal test is very personal, it has its advantages.

Accuracy: Unlike the screening processes, CVS is a diagnostic whose results are accurate. Whatever the reports are, know that they will always be correct compared to any other system.

Timings: It is done mostly during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Until this time, the mother can research about her condition in detail.

Management: The test reveals if the baby has any genetic conditions. This can have an impact on the mother’s decision to continue the pregnancy. For some women, this becomes difficult otherwise.

Risks of the Test

One of the bigger risks associated with this test is a miscarriage. The possibilities are less since the doctors interpret it via a statistical lens. This will always reassure you about the test and its safety. Other few risks are infection and Rh Sensitization, which is normal. Also, the 1% chance of getting a false positive with CVS remains.

CVS is safe and reliable; if you get it done from good medical institutes like IFM Kolkata, Studies reveal that the chances of a miscarriage are only 0.22%. Hence, it is no risk at all. You can also ask the doctor about it and assess their skill and experience accordingly.

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Top 3 Benefits Of CVS Test

CVS Test

CVS or Chorionic Villus Sampling is a diagnostic test to check whether a newly developing fetus has any underlying issue or genetic problem. The best time to conduct the best is during the first trimester of pregnancy. Though CVS test is not as common as blood test, ultrasound or urine test, they offer numerous benefits. Choose the right clinic for CVS test in Kolkata and you can rest assured that the baby developing inside your body is well and doesn’t have any parental health problems.

3 Benefits Of CVS Test

  • Detect The Condition Of The Child Before Birth

Generally, the test is conducted during the trimester phase, i.e., before 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. A small particle of the developing cells is taken to conduct the test. A cell has all the features related to the gene so you can study it to find out whether it has any congenital disability. Early stage detection helps parents to decide whether they want the child or not. They can have better peace of mind if the child is safe and in good health condition.

  • Provide The Child Better Care

If any birth defect or genetic disorder is detected during the test, parents can become ready to provide their children with better care. After all, every parent wants their child to lead a healthy and happy life. If a severe health condition is detected during the test, the mother can start medication in the very initial stage so that the baby is healthy or less defected when he takes birth. The mother might also have to maintain some necessary precautions.

  • Decide About Child Birth

It takes around 7 to 10 days for the test results to come. If a defective child is detected at an early stage, parents will have sufficient time to decide regarding the child’s birth. Sometimes, abortion is beneficial for both the child and the parents. It might become a challenge for a child to survive normally if an incurable defect is detected during the CVS test.

Since there are so many benefits of undergoing CVS test during pregnancy, it’s time you start looking for a clinic offering the test in Kolkata.

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Why Do You Need the Best Possible Fetal Treatment?

Need for Fetal Medicine

A parent is always prepared to do whatever it takes to extend the excellent care to a child, especially when they are babies. In the postnatal months, parents stay up nights at a stretch sometimes to make sure that the baby is healthy and sleeping well.

Sometimes, the baby needs medical care even before they are born. They can have medical complications as a fetus, and that is when fetal medicine becomes essential.

The Need for Fetal Medicine

1. To Make Sure Your Baby is Born Healthy

There are several tests which can be done to determine whether your baby is healthy inside the uterus or not.

  • CVS test in Kolkata is done in several gynaecological clinics and speciality hospitals. CVS or Chorionic Villus Sampling is done to determine if your unborn baby is in risk from any genetic anomaly, chromosomal abnormalities, or metabolic disorders.

  • Amniocentesis is also a useful prenatal test that can be done upon a doctor’s recommendation to detect possible by-birth diseases such as down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.

2. Reduced Risk of Pregnancy

With any complication in the unborn baby’s health, the mother’s health is also at risk. Permanent tissue damage from complicated pregnancies or even fatality is not at all unheard of.

Parenthood can be a rewarding experience if one plans the pregnancy in their own time. So, one should not leave any stone unturned to make it the easiest and smoothest ride possible. Prenatal fetal medicine is one of the sure-fire ways to ensure that.

3. To Avoid Miscarriage

A miscarriage can be a painful and traumatic experience for any would-be parent. It is no less loss than losing a child.

If you have had miscarriages with your previous pregnancies, you should get yourself checked and treated with fetal medicine to avoid the same fate again.

If your body tends not carrying pregnancies to term, maternal-fetal medicine can help a lot.

Who Can Help You with Fetal Medicine?

A Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist is different from an OB-GYN. These doctors are obstetricians who specialize in high-risk pregnancies and prenatal medicine for the fetus.

Your OB-GYN will recommend you see a maternal fetal doctor if they determine you have potential risks with your pregnancy or your baby might be in a health crisis. If you have any of the following problems, you should consult them anyway.

  • Seizures

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension

Institute of Fetal Medicine in Kolkata offers state-of-the-art testing for amniocentesis, CVS, and prenatal diagnosis of several diseases such as Thalassemia and Down Syndrome. They are a trusted medical centre for undergoing procedures like fetal reductions and treatment of infertility in women. 

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