From coitus interruptus to sterilization- an evolution of birth control practices The concept of family planning is not new to the human race. Ancient human civilization understood that the simplest way for birth control is to prevent the sperm from meeting the egg. So they placed herbal preparations inside the vagina and also practiced abortion when it failed to prevent fertilization. Coitus interruptus was practiced by the Jews and materials simulating modern day condoms were used during the pre-Christ era. Today, there are irreversible methods like sterilization. Though the practices have evolved over time, yet the underlying principles and the need for contraception have remained the same – enjoying sex without having to face the consequences. Today we have a better understanding of how conception, pregnancy and other related conditions work. This has enabled us to develop a number of birth control practices : Male condoms The most popular and universally used method of contraception is the male condom. It is a barrier method. It acts by preventing the sperm from meeting the ovum. It is very cheap and can be used easily. There are no side effects of male condoms and they come in a variety of materials, designs, and flavors.

Waking up many times at night to urinate, discomfort in the upper abdomen, heart burns that stop you from sleeping well, consistent back pain that makes you wriggle in bed, difficulty in falling asleep and you are pregnant… sounds familiar? Welcome to the club of pregnant women who face sleep disturbances. What to expect during pregnancy? Pregnancy is marked by sudden changes in the sleep pattern, due to the new physical and physiological changes that pregnancy offers. It is perfectly normal to experience sleep pattern changes when you are expecting a baby. The symptoms may begin early in the first trimester and may increase during the second trimester. After 12 to 15 weeks, you get used to it, and the body adapts to the new physiological scenario. Although in the third trimester, nearing childbirth, the sleep patterns hit an altogether new low, which causes frustration. But don’t worry! There are solutions to handle this. First-trimester sleep patterns The first trimester is marked by dullness and tiredness most of the time. This can be attributed to the hormone progesterone that is essential for the maintenance and a normal healthy outcome of pregnancy. The developing fetus consumes your nutrition and energy for growth and development.

Pregnancy is a period during which a woman goes through serious physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. This new phase of life brings with it a plethora of changes that might challenge you. The most important of all the changes is with regards to nutrition. You can no longer afford to skip meals or take chances on eating whatever you like. Your entire nutritional focus should fall on the developing fetus that is dependent on you for nutrition. You are probably aware of the importance of the first few weeks of pregnancy when organogenesis takes place. This phase is significant because it is during this time that the fertilized ovum develops into a fetus. It changes from a single-celled organism to a more complex organism – with organs like a heart, a brain, etc. Any damage sustained in this period would be permanent and could result in a miscarriage. Even if the fetus manages to survive, it will face developmental problems that will result in severely debilitating conditions throughout life. So, having understood the significance of the organogenesis, let us now delve into one nutrition element during pregnancy that is particularly crucial, namely Folic acid. What is folic acid? An important vitamin B, folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for the sustenance of the red blood cells.

Nausea and vomiting during the early phase of pregnancy , particularly in the first trimester, is very common. Though there are various causes attributed to it, there is no conclusive evidence on why nausea and vomiting occurs. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon that settles down before the 12th week of pregnancy. This is also known as morning sickness, as the symptoms are profound around sunrise. Even a slight smell is enough to stimulate the gag reflex; making a woman averse to lots of foods. South Asian physicians attribute this gag reflex to the physical pressure of the growing fetus on the underlying abdominal organs, which affects the motility of contents in the intestinal tract forcing it to throw upwards. American studies, on the other hand, suggest that it might be due to the hormone hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), whose levels in the body are increased during pregnancy. For women with severe nausea and vomiting, these levels are much higher. Estrogen levels are also associated with increased nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. There is no conclusive evidence for this, but there are definitely strategies to effectively handle nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Severe retching, vomiting, and dehydration warrants medical attention.

Pregnancy is a phase marked by a lot of physiological changes . Sometimes these physiological changes cross the mark into the pathological state that warrants attention and medical intervention. One such physiological symptom that must be watched for is pedal edema or ankle edema of pregnancy. There is always fluid retention in pregnancy, but when it goes above normal, it cannot be ignored. Ankle edema is a normal physiological phenomenon Normally, the blood from the lower part of the body and legs moves upwards through the inferior vena cava to reach the heart. It has to work against gravity. During pregnancy, the growing fetus presses on the blood vessels obstructing the normal blood flow through the veins. This leads to the accumulation of fluid in the most dependent part of the body – the legs. A minimal accumulation of fluid in the legs up to the ankles is normal. In order to ascertain the physiological nature of the edema, it must be present on both legs and show pitting on pressure. This usually resolves if the legs are elevated for some time. Pathological edema usually extends above ankles up, to the knees and even the legs. Pathological edema is usually present with other co-morbid conditions.