Gouri Hospital

1. What is infertility?

2. How Common is this problem?

3. Who is at fault, Male of Female?

4. Do this condition have treatment?

5. What problems in women cause infertility?

6. What causes Male infertility?

7. Do we have a Solution for all these problems?

8. If the fallopian tubes are badly damaged, what can be done?

9. If the Male has Azoospermia , then what?

1. What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. But when the woman is more than 35 years it is better to investigate after 6 months.

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2. How Common is this problem?

About 15% of patients who attend a Gynecologist’s outpatient has this problem.

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3. Who is at fault, Male of Female?

In about 40% cases male & another 40% female are at fault. About 20% cases either both are at fault or there is no reason at all. (What we call as unexplained infertility).

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4. Do this condition have treatment?

Yes, Of Course. The couple should contact the family doctor who can refer them to specialists who practice in this field.

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5. What problems in women cause infertility?

• Uterine defects like adhesions in the cavity of uterus, fibroids, some birth defects like Septate uterus can cause infertility.  One important Cause in India is TUBERCULOSIS which can damage the uterine lining and fallopian tubes.
• Fallopian tubes may be blocked or may not function due to infections, endometriosis or prior surgery of pelvis.
• Ovaries may not ovulate or may have infrequent ovulation.
• Cervical mucus defects might lead to prevention of sperms from swimming through it to the cavity of uterus.

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6. What causes Male infertility?

• Impotence – Inability to consummate the sexual intercourse.
• Premature Ejaculation – wherein the male partner is unable to deposit the semen high up in the vagina.
• Low Sperm Count- (Less than 20 million per ml), low sperm motility, infections in semen (oligo- asthenospermia).
• Total absence of sperm called Azoospermia.

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7. Do we have a Solution for all these problems?

Most of them can be treated. Initial investigations in some of these conditions are expensive and once the cause is found, Solution is there.

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8. If the fallopian tubes are badly damaged, what can be done?

We do a Laparoscopy to find out the extend of damage whether it can be repaired. If it is an irreversible damage as in the case of tuberculosis we have to resort to TEST TUBE PREGNANCY.

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9. If the Male has Azoospermia , then what?

• There are facilities for donor insemination program.
• In some cases ART Might help.

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1. How much rest should I take after delivery?

2. What diet do you advise after delivery?

3. How can I avoid Constipation after delivery?

4. When will I resume my periods after delivery?

5. What is afterpains?

6. How should I take care of my Episiotomy wound?

7. When should I start using contraceptive methods?

8. When can I start breast feeding my baby?

9. When can I start intercourse?

10. Give me some advice regarding breast care?

1. How much rest should I take after delivery?

For initial 6 weeks , take as much rest as possible and avoid strenuous work specially lifting, straining and pushing.

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2. What diet do you advise after delivery?

Light diet as advised on first day, normal diet may be resumed from the 2nd day. Diet should contain adequate Proteins, Minerals, Vitamins & plenty of fluids.

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3. How can I avoid Constipation after delivery?

A diet containing sufficient roughage and fluids is enough to move the bowel. Mild laxative like Isabgol husk 2 tea spoons with milk may be taken.

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4. When will I resume my periods after delivery?

The onset of menstruation following delivery varies considerably from one individual to another and is influenced by lactation. In non-lactating mothers menstruation usually returns between 6 and 12 weeks following delivery. Menstruation in lactating mothers is often suspended as long as breast feeding is continued.

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5. What is afterpains?

After pains is the spasmodic, intermittent pain felt in the back and lower abdomen. It is due to vigorous uterine contractions, often felt more frequently while breast-feeding. It can be effectively controlled by analgesics & antispasmodics.

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6. How should I take care of my Episiotomy wound?

Episiotomy should be cleaned each time following urination and defecation by swabbing with cotton swabs soaked in antiseptic solution followed by application of antiseptic ointment for at least 2 weeks after delivery.

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7. When should I start using contraceptive methods?

It is important to know that you can became pregnant before your periods start, so proper contraceptive methods should be used 6weeks after delivery.

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8. When can I start breast feeding my baby?

You should start breast feeding the baby as soon as possible. Initially the secretions are thin & colorless which is known as colostrum which is very nutritious and it should never be discarded.

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9. When can I start intercourse?

Intercourse can be started two weeks after delivery but it depends on women’s desire & comfort.

10. Give me some advice regarding breast care?

Use tight breast support. Breast should be washed with water & mild soap before and after each feed.

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1. What type of diet do you advise in Pregnancy?
2. When should I take Tetanus Immunization?
3. Is Vomiting common during pregnancy?
4. Can I continue my routine activities during pregnancy?
5. Can we have intercourse during pregnancy?
6. Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?
7. Can I smoke or drink during pregnancy?
8. What exercise can I take during pregnancy?
9. How can I avoid backache?
10. How do I avoid constipation?
11. What can I do for heartburn?
12. What medicines can be safely taken during pregnancy?
13. How can I prevent stretch marks on my abdomen?
14. What is the normal weight gain during pregnancy?
15. What are the Symptoms of onset of labour ?

1. What type of diet do you advise in Pregnancy?

The Pregnancy diet ideally should be light, nutritious, easily digestible and rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. The diet should consist in addition to the principal food at least one liter of milk, plenty of green leafy vegetables, fruits and cereals. It is recommended to take small and frequent meals. Diet should be supplemented with 1gm of calcium and one tablet of ferrous sulphate to avoid Anemia during pregnancy.

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2. When should I take Tetanus Immunization?

Immunization against Tetanus not only protects the mother but also the neonates. In unprotected women two doses of Tetanus Toxoid are given at an interval of 4 to 8weeks, the first are to be given between 16-24weeks. Women who are already immunized in the past, a Booster dose is given in the last trimester.

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3. Is Vomiting common during pregnancy?

Nausea & Vomiting specially in the morning, soon after getting out of the bed are usually common. They usually appears following the missed period and subsides by end of 3 months of pregnancy. Emotional support is very essential for this one should move the limbs for few minutes before getting out of bed and take a dry toast or biscuit before rising from bed. Avoid fatty foods and liquids in empty stomach. One should not force pregnant women to eating because that will precipitate more vomiting. If Vomiting is severe enough to affect the health of the pregnant women, then she must consult the obstetrician. Anti-emetic drugs and plenty of glucose drinks usually cure this condition.

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4. Can I continue my routine activities during pregnancy?

How may hours of sleep do you advise? You can continue your usual activities throughout pregnancy. If you feel tired, you should
limit your work. However hard and strenous work should be avoided. Women in employment, can continue their activities in uncomplicated cases. Pregnant women should sleep for at least 8 hours at night and 2 hours at noon.

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5. Can we have intercourse during pregnancy?

Coitus should be avoided during the first 3 moths and during last 6 weeks of pregnancy.

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6. Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?

Travel by vehicles having jerks is better avoided specially in first 3 months and last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Train route is preferable to bus route. Travel in pressurised aircraft offers no risk.

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7. Can I smoke or drink during pregnancy?

One should avoid smoking and drinking as it increases the chance of abortion and low birth weight babies.

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8. What exercise can I take during pregnancy?

Walking is good for health even during pregnancy – one should also do pelvic floor exercises which help during labour. It is
advisable to exercise to a point short of tiredness.

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9. How can I avoid backache?

Improvement of posture & rest in hard bed often relieves backache.

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10. How do I avoid constipation?

Constipation is a quite common problem during pregnancy. Normal bowel habit may be restored with advice to take plenty of fluids
( at least 2 liters daily) and plenty of green leafy Vegetables and fresh fruits in diet. A mild laxative like Isabgol husk 1-2 tablespoons at bed time is best.

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11. What can I do for heartburn?

Regular bowel action & restriction of fatty and spicy foods often relieves the symptoms. Antacid preparations (either chewable tablets or gel) can be taken to relieve this problem.

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12. What medicines can be safely taken during pregnancy?

In first 3 months of pregnancy one should avoid taking any medicine except few anti-emetics for vomiting and paracetamol for
fever & headache.

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13. How can I prevent stretch marks on my abdomen?

You can use any lubricant such as olive oil from the 5th month of pregnancy onwards. It helps in smooth stretching of abdominal skin and prevents stretch marks. One should also avoid scratching abdomen.

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14. What is the normal weight gain during pregnancy?

Usual weight gain during pregnancy is 8 to 12kgs but it also depends on the pre-pregnancy weight of the women.

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15. What are the Symptoms of onset of labor ?

• Painful uterine contractions at interval of about 10 minutes or earlier.
• Sudden gush of watery fluid per vaginum.
• Vaginal bleeding, however slight may be.

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