It is essentially a preventive medicine. Pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon. A good Obstetrician is one who identifies the deviation or problems in pregnancy at the earliest and treats them efficiently so that the pregnancy returns back to the normal path.
At the first visit after confirmation of pregnancy, woman is screened for all high-risk factors with detailed history taking and investigations (blood and urine tests). Later on, at each visit, woman is evaluated for the growth of the baby and her health status. We advise genetic screening for all pregnancies at 2 stages, first at 11 to13+6 weeks with NT /NB scan and double marker test, second a detailed anomaly scan around 21weeks. Iron, Calcium and protein supplementation is very essential for all Indian women for the overall growth of baby and maternal health.
Immunisation against tetanus infection is done for all mothers with 2 doses of vaccine 4 weeks apart. We repeat the blood tests to look for anaemia, glucose intolerance ( Diabetes ), urine infection etc. in pregnancy. We advise all pregnant women to do antenatal exercises either Yoga or physiotherapy or Lamaze. Exercise in pregnancy can be started as early as 16 to 18weeks.
Breathing exercises can be started even earlier. Exercise in pregnancy keeps you fit. It reduces the back ache, cramps, aches, joint pains which most of the women experience in pregnancy. They also prepare you for normal delivery. Pregnant women who regularly do the exercises have significantly shorter duration of labour, are able to cope up with pain better and have more chances of normal delivery.