Frequently Asked Questions
OBSTETRICS
FAQs on Pregnancy Care
Before conceiving, it's vital to prepare your body. Have a pre-pregnancy check-up with an obstetrician or gynecologist to discuss your overall health, your current health conditions, any medications if you are taking currently. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet and moderate exercise to significantly improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy!.
Upon confirming your pregnancy, your obstetrician/gynae will suggest you essential initial tests which include comprehensive blood tests to check your blood group, hemoglobin, and screen for infections like HIV and Hepatitis B, as well as thyroid and blood sugar levels. A urine test is also done, alongside an early ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy, check the baby's heartbeat, and accurately determine the due date.
Antenatal care or prenatal care is important for pregnant women to diagnose complications and other potential problems that can affect the outcome of pregnancy.
Maternal fetal medicine specialists play a major role during pregnancy to diagnose pregnancy complications and provide the right treatment to overcome those complications.
A high-risk pregnancy is one in which the mother, baby, or both have an increased chance of complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Factors such as advanced maternal age (being 17 or younger or above 35), pre-existing health conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, or heart disease), multiple pregnancies (twins/triplets), lifestyle factors, or complications arising during pregnancy (like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or preterm labor) can classify a pregnancy as high-risk.
Management of a high-risk pregnancy involves: Early and regular prenatal checkups to closely monitor the mother’s and baby’s health, detailed ultrasounds for early detection of complications, personalized care including nutrition guidance, medications, and lifestyle adjustments to ensure a safe pregnancy. With timely diagnosis, proper monitoring, and expert medical attention, most women with high-risk pregnancies can still have safe and healthy deliveries.
GYNECOLOGY
FAQs on Women Health Care
Your lifestyle significantly impacts your overall gynecological health and well-being. Adopting healthy habits like balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, adequate sleep. and avoidance of toxins can help prevent or manage various women's health issues. Making mindful lifestyle choices is a proactive step towards ensuring long-term gynecological well-being.
It is important for every woman over the age of 21 to visit a gynecologist once in a year for annual examinations. A typical gynecological examination usually includes: general health check-up, physical exam, breast exam, pelvic exam and a few screening tests which include a Pap smear, HPV test or STI screening. Regular check-ups allow for early detection and management of various conditions, promoting optimal women's health.
Pap smear test also called Pap test (Papanicolaou test) is a procedure used to test cervical cancer in women.
Generally, women aged 21 to 29 should do a pap smear test once in a year. If the reports are normal for 3 consecutive years then you can do it once in 3 years. Women aged 30 to 65 can extend this to every 3-5 years if combined with HPV testing. Over 65 years, if you've had regular screenings with normal results for several years, your gynecologist might advise you to stop screening.
For most women, regular mammogram screening is recommended to start around 40 years of age. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your gynecologist might recommend starting earlier, possibly from age 25-30.
Yes, absolutely! You still need to see a gynecologist after menopause. Many women mistakenly believe that once their reproductive years are over, gynecological visits are no longer necessary. However, this phase of life brings a new set of health considerations that your gynecologist is uniquely equipped to address.
Post-menopausal gynecological care is absolutely crucial for several significant reasons, focusing on overall wellness, preventive care, bone health, cardiovascular health, and managing new challenges that arise during this stage of life. Post-menopausal gynecological care shifts its focus from reproductive health to preventive health, disease screening, and symptom management, all of which are vital for ensuring a healthy life in your later years.
LAPAROSCOPY
FAQs
Laparoscopy is used for diagnosis, treatment, and exploration of various conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, and appendicitis.
Unlike traditional open surgery, laparoscopy requires smaller incisions, causing less trauma, reduced scarring, and faster recovery times.
Recovery is typically quicker than traditional surgery. Most patients can return home the same day and resume light activities within a week.
Yes, laparoscopy can be used to treat conditions affecting fertility, like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and adhesions.
FERTILITY
FAQs on Fertility Treatment
Many factors can make it hard to get pregnant. Some of the main causes of infertility could be age, ovulation disorders, hormonal imbalance, uterine fibroids, STIs, varicocele and much more. For men, it might be due to low sperm count or poor sperm quality. Unhealthy lifestyle choices also play a big role.
Yes, female fertility declines with age, especially after the age of 35, due to a decrease in egg quantity and quality. You need to consult a fertility specialist when you are 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for more than a year with no success.
Many factors influence the success, including the woman's age, the cause of infertility, and the quality of eggs & sperm. However, it's best to discuss your individual chances with your fertility specialist.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) often recommended when the couple who have been trying to conceive for at least a year without success and other fertility treatments haven't worked. And it's also recommended for women with conditions like blocked fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis, or certain ovulation problems and for men dealing with severe male infertility issues (like very low sperm count) or for cases where the cause of infertility is unexplained. Consult our IVF Specialist in Hulimavu, Arekere who will guide you through the process.
Semen sample is processed and then inserted into the uterine cavity using a thin catheter, timed around ovulation. IUI is generally painless but some women might experience minor discomfort.
Yes, both PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and endometriosis are common conditions that can significantly cause infertility in women. PCOS often disrupts regular ovulation (egg release), making it hard to conceive. Endometriosis, tissue similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus scar tissue by blocking fallopian tubes, or affecting egg quality.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
FAQs
Gynecological ultrasound evaluates the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding structures. It helps diagnose conditions like fibroids, cysts, and abnormal bleeding.
Ultrasound tracks fetal development, detects abnormalities, determines due dates, and monitors the health of both the fetus and mother.
Yes, ultrasound is considered safe. It uses non-ionizing radiation, unlike X-rays. It's important to follow your doctor's recommendations for the frequency of ultrasounds.
Some birth defects can be detected through ultrasound, especially during detailed anatomy scans in the second trimester.
ORTHOPEDICS
FAQs on Ortho Care
You should visit an orthopedic specialist if you have ongoing joint or muscle pain, swelling, stiffness, or difficulty moving that doesn’t improve with rest. Sudden injuries like fractures, ligament tears, or severe back/neck pain are also signs to seek professional help early to avoid complications.
Orthopedic issues can affect your bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Some of the most common problems include arthritis (like osteoarthritis), back and neck pain, fractures, sprains, strains, ligament injuries (like ACL tears), tendonitis, and sports-related injuries.
Yes, many orthopedic conditions can be managed without surgery. Treatments often include physiotherapy, pain-relief medications, lifestyle changes, or medications. Surgery is usually recommended only when conservative options don’t provide enough relief.
Many bone and joint issues improve a lot with physio, activity modification, pain relief, braces etc. Surgery is considered when conservative treatments fail, or there's structural damage (e.g. torn ligaments, severely damaged cartilage).
Arthroscopy is a modern, minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems. A tiny camera called an arthroscope is inserted through a small incision, allowing surgeons to see inside the joint and perform the procedure with minimal pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.