There are several signs and symptoms that indicate pregnancy. These include -

• Missed Period - If you are of childbearing age and a week or more has passed with you having a period then you may be pregnant. However, this is also a misleading symptom as a delay in the period can also be caused due to an irregular menstrual cycle.
• Tender Nipples and Swollen Breasts - Sensitive and sore breasts are the early signs of hormonal changes during pregnancy. This discomfort is likely to decrease after a few weeks when your body starts adjusting to the hormonal changes.
• Nausea - Pregnant women often experience nausea anytime during the day or night after one or two months of their pregnancy. While some women may feel nausea earlier, however, some may not even experience it.
• Increase in urination - Many expecting mothers often complain of increased urination. This usually happens because the amount of blood in their body increases during pregnancy which causes their kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in their bladder.
• Fatigue - This is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy and many women experience sleepiness during their first trimester. A rapid rise in progesterone hormone also contributes to fatigue during pregnancy.
• Mood Fluctuations - Hormonal changes often lead to moodiness among expecting mothers due to which many women feel unusually emotional and weepy. Mood fluctuations during pregnancy are quite common.
• Bloating - Hormonal changes during early pregnancy also lead to increased bloating which is similar to how one may feel at the start of their menstrual period.
• Light Spotting - Also known as implantation bleeding, light spotting may be the first sign of pregnancy. It usually happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus, 10 to 14 days after conception. Light spotting usually occurs around the time of your period, but not all women experience it.
• Cramps - Some women may experience mild uterine cramping early in their pregnancy.
• Constipation - Changes in hormones often slow down the digestive system leading to constipation
• Aversion to food - Pregnant women often become more sensitive to certain odours and may experience a change in the sense of their taste.
• Nasal Congestion - An increase in blood production and hormone levels can cause swelling or drying out of mucous membranes in your nose causing them to easily bleed. This hormonal change also causes a stuffy or runny nose.

While based on these symptoms you can take a home test, however, it is best to consult a gynaecologist to get a pregnancy test done and confirm if you are pregnant.

You must carry the following documents while visiting us -

• Paperwork
• ID
• Insurance card from the doctor
• Bathrobes
• Socks
• Eye Mask
• Heavy-duty Pads for Maternity
• Oil for massage
• Nursing Bras
• Toilet services
• Handouts and books with references
• Skincare and cosmetics for skincare
• Charger and phone
• Water and Snacks
• Baby’s Blanket & Baby Bodysuits.

There are several things that you can do to prepare yourself and your home for the newborn. These include -

• Prepare a crib for your baby
• Install a bouncy seat for your newborn
• Prepare a stock of formula milk for emergencies along with feeding bottles
• Get a pack of disposable diapers and a diaper rash cream for your newborn
• Fix a baby chair in your car to prevent the child from constant jerks during his/her commute
• Baby-proof your home to avoid any unintended accidents
• Seek help from your loved ones and talk to other mothers for tips and tricks to efficiently manage the child.

In case of a c-section delivery, your doctor may recommend you to stay for at least two to five days after birth. During this time, your doctor will see your recovery and will check how well your baby is coping with the new environment.

The gynaecology team will also ensure that -

• You are able to walk to the toilet
• Pass urine without a catheter
• Discharge gas and eat and drink without falling sick
• If your scar is healing well.

Once you have recovered, your doctor will remove your intravenous medication and all your painkillers will be given as tablets or pills that can be swallowed.

With the below-mentioned tips, you can increase your chances of a normal delivery -

• Attend prenatal classes to increase your knowledge about the complications that may occur during pregnancy and the right exercises that you should follow for overall wellness
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Ensure that you get adequate sleep
• Practice the right breathing techniques to increase your oxygen levels
• Consume plenty of water.

While you can request an epidural at any time during your labour, the ideal time for taking it is when you are experiencing excruciating pain and cannot tolerate it any longer. Also, an epidural is a completely safe procedure and there is no evidence that it increases your chances of a C-section.

There are certain side effects of epidural such as -

• Fever
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Back Pain
• Shivering
• Severe migraine may occur along with headaches due to epidural leakage in the spine
• Difficulty in passing urine after childbirth
• Difficulty in walking due to numbness
• Lowered blood pressure of the mother and lowering of the heart of the child in rare cases
• Emergency c-sections in extreme cases.

There are several ways through which you can tackle your postpartum issues. These include -

• Massage your pain areas using hot oil or a heating pad
• Take warm baths and massage yourself with ice for the first 24 hours after your delivery to effectively heal your perineum and overcome achy breasts
• Eat fiber-rich foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains to ensure proper bowel movement
• Do kegel exercises to strengthen your recovery process
• Stay connected with your doctor.