Dr Abeda Ariff Gynecologist

Western Clinic Western Clinic located Karachi is a new medical centre which has a 24/7 Pharmacy and Emergency, Lab.

The Hicks et al. team (2022) have identified specific tiny molecules in human milk, known as microRNAs, that could potentially reduce the likelihood of infants developing eczema, asthma, and food allergies.

These microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating the immune system, and their identification opens up new possibilities for preventing and treating these common conditions. One-third of little ones experience food allergies, asthma, and atopic dermatitis, much to the distress of parents.

The protective factor in human milk appears to be miRNA-375-3p, which amazingly increases in concentration over time while lactating!

So keep it up parents, your milk is magic!



Citation: Hicks, S. D., Beheshti, R., Chandran, D., Warren, K., & Confair, A. (2022). Infant consumption of microRNA miR-375 in human milk lipids is associated with protection from atopy. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 116(6), 1654-1662.

Ge***al herpes is a common s*xually transmitted infection (STI). The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes ge***al herpes. Ge***al herpes can often be spread by skin-to-skin contact during s*xual activity.

Some people infected with the virus may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms. They can still able to spread the virus. Other people have pain, itching and sores around the ge***als, a**s or mouth.

Symptoms start about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. They may include:

*Pain or itching around the ge***als
*Small bumps or blisters around the ge***als, a**s or mouth
*Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed
*Scabs that form as the ulcers heal
*Painful urination
*Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body
*Discharge from the va**na

When to see a doctor
If you suspect you have ge***al herpes, or any other STI, see your health care provider.

This information is for you if you have had one caesarean section and want to know more about your birth options when having another baby.

https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/birth-after-previous-caesarean-patient-information-leaflet/

Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy
✔️

The non-invasive prenatal test, or NIPT, is a highly sensitive test that screens for Down syndrome and certain other abnormalities in a baby that is done in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The NIPT is a safe and highly effective way of screening for conditions that include:

Down syndrome (also called trisomy 21)
Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
Turner syndrome

Some laboratories also test the gender of the baby and look for problems with the s*x chromosomes.

It can take up to 3 weeks to get the result of your NIPT. If the result is ‘negative’, ‘normal’ or ‘low risk’, your baby is unlikely to have any of the chromosomal disorders tested. If the result is ‘positive’, ‘abnormal’ or ‘high risk’, this means your baby is likely to be affected.

The NIPT test is available in Pakistan. Talk to your health care provider for more details.

Image credits: thyrocare

Ways You Can Reduce Your Risk of Fibroids

Eat more fruits, especially citrus, and vegetables

Get more exercise

Avoid consuming too much alcohol

Drink more dairy

Increase your Vitamin D intake

Lower your stress levels

Courtesy of

https://www.fibroidfree.com/fibroids/causes-fibroids-to-grow/

Fibroids occur in 25% of women. Some fibroids do not show any signs or symptoms. In other cases the common symptoms are heavy me**es, inability to conceive, anemia, frequent need to urinate, bloating and pain during in*******se.
Treatment of fibroids depends on the symptoms it causes.
Consult your gynecologist if you face any of the above symptoms.

Please join us on December 6 for our next Gender Equity Webinar, "Supporting Young Parents: Becoming a Parent," featuring a panel of gynecologic oncologists offering several perspectives on pregnancy, parenting, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

This interactive event allows you to share your insights and offer suggestions on supporting working Gyn Onc parents. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask anonymous questions regarding featured topics.

Register Now
http://bit.ly/3U2eoGY

4 exercises to train for labor and delivery

Exercise can prepare your body for an easier – and perhaps quicker – delivery, and it can help you return to your pre-baby weight sooner. If you weren’t active before pregnancy, there’s no time like the present to get moving.

Whether you’re new to exercise or an old pro, here are five exercises and techniques you can use to prepare your body for labor and delivery.

1. Child’s pose

This yoga pose helps lengthen pelvic floor muscles and ease discomfort.

Kneel down and sit on your heels. Then lean forward slowly and walk your arms out long in front of you. Breathe deeply. You also can rest your elbows on the ground in front of you with your hands supporting your head. As your belly grows, you may need to spread your knees farther apart to create space. If it’s uncomfortable to sit your backside on your heels, you can sit up higher.

Take care to not raise your hips above your heart. Talk to your physical therapist for other guidelines specific to you.

Deep squats help relax and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles and stretch the perineum.

2. Deep squat

Deep squats help relax and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles and stretch the perineum.

Stand with your legs wider than hip width. Slowly squat down as far as you can go with your hands pressed together in front of you.

Your physical therapist can talk with you about how often and how many deep squats you should do.

3. Quadruped cat/cow

This yoga pose helps ease discomfort and decrease lower back pain.

Get on your hands and knees. Exhale and round your back as you tuck your chin toward your chest. Then inhale and gently arch your back downward and look up at the sky.

4. Perineal bulges

This trains you to push during delivery without holding your breath. Holding your breath while pushing is call Valsalva. Valsalva can decrease the rate of blood flow back to the heart, lower maternal blood pressure, decrease maternal blood oxygen and blood flow to the placenta, and increase the risk for injury. It also can increase fetal head compression and fetal distress.

Perineal bulges should only be practiced in the last three weeks of pregnancy. Don’t practice them often because it can place excessive pressure on your pelvic floor structures.

Don’t practice perineal bulges if you have premature rupture of the membranes, va**nal bleeding during pregnancy, or pelvic organ prolapse. Talk with your doctor and physical therapist before starting perineal bulges. They can guide you in best practices and how often to do them.

When you practice perineal bulges, do it in your planned labor and delivery positions. Sit on a small towel running length-wise from front to back. Gently press your perineal body, or the area between the va**na and re**um, into the towel. Think about gently moving the sit bones – the bones you can feel in your glutes – apart and moving the tailbone away from the p***c bone.

You also can use a mirror to make sure the perineum is bulging out and down, not up and in, which is a Kegel and the opposite of what should be performed during delivery.

Navigating pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic

How to protect yourself and your baby.

by UNICEF

Pregnancy is a special time full of excitement and anticipation. But for many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has clouded this time with fear, anxiety and uncertaintyre
the latest information on pregnancy, COVID-19 and vaccines, as well as expert tips on how to have a safe pregnancy during the pandemic.

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/navigating-pregnancy-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-pandemic?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid-ad-en&utm_content=dark-dynamic&utm_term=parents&utm_campaign=parenting-q2-2022&fbclid=IwAR1iEoXxkn3T75YO4qPhAEyWexShc-VhGf75w0NsgAbTOTXPEqr_7KD5u2s

ویکسین کی بوسٹر شاٹ کورونا سے دیر پا تحفظ فراہم کرتی ہے تمام ہیلتھ کئیر ورکرز، کمزور مدافعاتی نظام کے حامل افراد اور 50 سال سے زائد عمر کے افراد بوسٹر شاٹ لازمی لگوائیں۔

Calcium and vitamin D work together to protect your bones—calcium helps build and maintain bones, while vitamin D helps your body effectively absorb calcium. So even if you're taking in enough calcium, it could be going to waste if you're deficient in vitamin D

Premenopausal women should consume at least 1000 mg of calcium, while postmenopausal women should consume 1200 mg (total diet plus supplement). You should not consume more than 2000 mg of calcium per day (total diet plus supplement) due to the risk of side effects.

What is implantation bleeding and when does it occur?

Implantation bleeding — typically defined as a small amount of light spotting or bleeding that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception — is normal.

Why does implantation bleeding occur?

Implantation bleeding is thought to happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding usually occurs around the time you would expect to have a menstrual period. However, implantation bleeding is lighter than menstrual bleeding.

Some women don't experience implantation bleeding and others don't notice it. It's also possible to mistake implantation bleeding for a light period. If this happens, you might not realize that you're pregnant — which can lead to mistakes when determining a baby's due date.

Implantation bleeding is light, stops on its own and doesn't require treatment. If you're concerned about any va**nal bleeding or va**nal bleeding during pregnancy, contact your health care provider.

Image source verywell.com

50 to 90 percent of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during their first trimester. In general nausea and vomiting of pregnancy appear between the 4th and 6th week of gestational age, with a peak observed between week 8 and 12. A more severe form of this is known as hyperemesis gravidarum, will also occur in 0.5 to 3 percent of pregnancies and may lead to hospitalisation.

If you experience excessive vomiting which is causing dehydration or weight loss, visit your gynaecologist today.

Source BMC pregnancy and childbirth
Image credits JAMA networks

Dr Abeda Ariff Gynecologist updated their address.

Differences between false labour and real labour pains.


Source acog

October is breast cancer awareness month. 1 in every 9 women has a life time risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in Pakistan.
This is one of the highest among all Asian countries.
Unfortunately the rate of deaths due to breast cancer is also higher in Pakistan due to late diagnosis and delayed referral to appropriate facilities.


Image courtesy of the American cancer society

Mothers are usually asked to time their contractions before visiting the hospital.
Here is a guide that helps you do that.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-time-contractions-2752965

Image courtesy of verywellfamily.com

Discharge during pregnancy is quite a common occurrence.
If you are facing similar issues it is always better to contact your healthcare provider.

The article below will give you more information.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/pregnancy-discharge-3861797

Knowing the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia can save a life. If you are pregnant and experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider: https://preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptoms

Iron deficiency anemia affects 54% of the population in Pakistan.
WHO recommends iron supplementation for at least 6 months during pregnancy and 3 months after delivery.
Iron deficiency anemia can cause a multitude of problems for a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of the symptoms of iron deficiency.

Worldwide, about 8% to 18% of women have an ovarian cyst at some point in their lives.
Many do not produce any symptoms and are usually found due to
•pelvic and abdominal pain
•pressure
•urinary urgency
•bloating

Most ovarian cysts do not need any medical intervention other than regular follow up.
Consult with your gynecologist if you have any of the above symptoms.

Ehad Pharmacy & Medical Center, Main Saba Avenue, DHA Branch
(021) 111 113 423
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Western Clinic
(021) 35249039
https://goo.gl/maps/S6RKhUiGBt4RC4Fv5

Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is a combination of symptoms many women get a week or two before their me**es. It is estimated that 3 out of 4 women experience these symptoms which include mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating, headache and fatigue.

Symptoms tend to reoccur in a pattern during every menstrual cycle. Most symptoms can be managed at home.

But if you haven't been able to manage your premenstrual syndrome with lifestyle changes and the symptoms of PMS are affecting your health and daily activities, see your doctor.

Ways You Can Reduce Your Risk of Fibroids

Eat more fruits, especially citrus, and vegetables

Get more exercise

Avoid consuming too much alcohol

Drink more dairy

Increase your Vitamin D intake

Lower your stress levels

Courtesy of https://www.fibroidfree.com/fibroids/causes-fibroids-to-grow/

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should get vaccinated to protect themselves and their child. The vaccines approved in Pakistan are all safe for these groups.

September is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) awarness month.
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
There's no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated.
Medicines are also available to treat symptoms such as excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems.
With treatment, most women with PCOS are able to get pregnant.

Dr Abeda Ariff Gynecologist updated their phone number.