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What Tests And Food Supplements Should Be Taken In Pregnancy?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Question: Hi, I am 3 week pregnant. What kind of tests should I do further? When should I book my first appointment with doctor? Shd I stop taking antoxid hc? Does it contain vitamin A
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
EXPLAINED BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting me with your health concern.
I would be glad to assist you.
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy !
Now, what was the date of your last mentrual period ?
Please let me know that so that I can guide you with a datewise plan.
Otherwise in general , please follow the below steps -
1. Stop taking antoxid HC, it does contain Vitamin A, so it should not be taken during pregnancy.
2. Take regular folic acid supplements.
3. Confirm the pregnancy with a pregnancy test.
4. See your gynecologist at 6 weeks of pregnancy ( if this is your first pregnancy, and you have had no complications earlier medically or obstetrically ).
5. Go for transvaginal ultrasound scan at 7 weeks of pregnancy - cardiac activity ( heartbeat ) in the baby will be seen then.
6. At your first appointment, go for complete physical examination, blood pressure, weight and pregnancy evaluation.
7. Tests to be done in the first trimester - Blood group ( husband and wife ), complete blood count, HIV, HBsAg, HCV, VDRL, Urine routine and microscopy with culture, OGTT, TSH, HBA2 assay, Ultrasound scan ( Double marker ).
8. Next go for quadruple marker at 16 weeks - two injections of tetanus toxoid 4 weeks apart, anytime after 14 weeks.
9. Iron, calcium, Vitamin D supplements and Protein powder from the second trimester onwards.
10. Repeat hemoglobin, TSH and blood sugars every 4 - 6 weeks.
11. Ultrasound scanning at 20 weeks and once in third trimester.

Any other information that I should provide ?
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (25 minutes later)
Thanx doc... My lmp was 27th March. It's my first pregnancy. I have done 2 pregnancy tests, both positive. I am taking fish oil omega 3, shd i stop those too. What other precautions shd i take?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Based on your LMP, you are now, 5 weeks pregnant.
So you can schedule an appointment after 2 weeks.
You can continue taking fish oil supplements, but start taking Folic acid ( Folvite 5 mg per day ) tablets.
ALso, avoid stress, lifting weights, heavy exercise, bending , preferably avoid sex till your first ultrasound is done and everything is confirmed to be alright.
Take nutritious food, 5 - 6 small meals instead of 2 - 3 big ones.
Have lots of water, nimbu pani, coconut water, buttermilk, juices.
Eat green leafy vegetables and lots of fruits in summer.
Sleep well, atleast 8 hours at night and 2 hours nap in the daytime.
Avoid hectic travelling and jerks.
Stay away from chemicals, radiation, all medications and drugs unless approved by your doctor, pollutants etc.
Continue light walking for 45 minutes daily right now.
Read up on pregnancy and motherhood.
All the best

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (11 minutes later)
Thanks alot doc!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
TAKE CARE.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the appreciation !
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (13 days later)
Hi, I am now 7 week pregnant, urine culture found out enterobacter infection. Is it dangerous? Should I be worried? How can it be treated?I just recharged for 599. Specialist top up.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Nice to hear from you.
Before guiding you further, I would like to request you to upload the urine routine microscopy and urine culture reports.
Also, are you symptomatic - do you have burning micturition , pain etc ?
Have you had urinary tract infections earlier ?
Please do upload the reports and write back.
Take care.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 minutes later)
I have uploaded urine culture report. Sometimes I get very mild burning sensation but thr has been no pain. I don't have any history of UTI.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I have gone through the reports.
Since you are having a burning sensation, it should be treated.
The urine culture reports lists the antibiotics that can work against the infection.
Only concern is the safety of these drugs in early pregnancy.
From the list I can see that the safest drug for you in early pregnancy is Nitrofurantoin.
A suggested dosage is 100 mg twice a day for 7 days.
However, only your consulting doctor will exactly prescribe after taking your weight, history etc in consideration.
Also, drink lots of water - atleast 4 - 5 litres per day to protect against infection.
Maintain strict perineal hygiene and avoid intercourse till you are treated completely.
Also, after passing urine, clean thoroughly with water.
Avoid using soaps, lotions, douches locally.
After a bowel movement wipe from front to back, never back to front.
Since it is summer, change underwear frequently, and wear cotton underwear.
All the best
DO discuss further if required.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (14 minutes later)
I have no loss of weight since long. Since I haven't consulted any OB previously can i consider taking nitrofurantoin as told by you from today. Will this antibiotics cause any kind of weakness? Also can oral sex cause any transfer of infection? Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW

Detailed Answer:
I would strongly advice you to first consult a gynaecologist.
You should have an ultrasound scan and first confirm the heartbeat of the baby, only then go for nitrofurantoin.
If the female is providing oral sex to the male, the yes, upper respiratory tract infections may occur to the female.
If the male is providing oral sex to the female, then urinary tract infection to the female might result from this , if proper oral / perineal hygiene is not maintained.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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What Tests And Food Supplements Should Be Taken In Pregnancy?

Brief Answer: EXPLAINED BELOW Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for trusting me with your health concern. I would be glad to assist you. Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy ! Now, what was the date of your last mentrual period ? Please let me know that so that I can guide you with a datewise plan. Otherwise in general , please follow the below steps - 1. Stop taking antoxid HC, it does contain Vitamin A, so it should not be taken during pregnancy. 2. Take regular folic acid supplements. 3. Confirm the pregnancy with a pregnancy test. 4. See your gynecologist at 6 weeks of pregnancy ( if this is your first pregnancy, and you have had no complications earlier medically or obstetrically ). 5. Go for transvaginal ultrasound scan at 7 weeks of pregnancy - cardiac activity ( heartbeat ) in the baby will be seen then. 6. At your first appointment, go for complete physical examination, blood pressure, weight and pregnancy evaluation. 7. Tests to be done in the first trimester - Blood group ( husband and wife ), complete blood count, HIV, HBsAg, HCV, VDRL, Urine routine and microscopy with culture, OGTT, TSH, HBA2 assay, Ultrasound scan ( Double marker ). 8. Next go for quadruple marker at 16 weeks - two injections of tetanus toxoid 4 weeks apart, anytime after 14 weeks. 9. Iron, calcium, Vitamin D supplements and Protein powder from the second trimester onwards. 10. Repeat hemoglobin, TSH and blood sugars every 4 - 6 weeks. 11. Ultrasound scanning at 20 weeks and once in third trimester. Any other information that I should provide ? All the best Please feel free to discuss further.