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What is abortion in pregnancy?

Abortion is the removal of pregnancy tissue, products of conception or the fetus and placenta (afterbirth) from the uterine cavity. In general, the terms fetus and placenta are used after eight weeks of intrauterine pregnancy. Pregnancy tissue and products of conception refer to tissue produced by the union of sperm with the ovum.

Other terms for an abortion include elective abortion, induced abortion, MTP, termination of pregnancy and therapeutic abortion.

Preparing for abortion

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and examine you internally as well. Even if you used a home pregnancy test, another pregnancy test often is needed to confirm that you are pregnant or not. In some cases, you will need an Ultrasound, may be transvaginal, to determine how many weeks into the pregnancy you are and the size of the fetus, and to make sure the pregnancy is not ectopic /tubal.

An ectopic pregnancy is one that is growing outside of the uterus, mostly in the tubes.

A blood test will determine your blood type and whether you are ABO Rh positive or negative. The Rh protein is made by the red blood cells of most women. These blood cells are considered Rh-positive. Some women have red blood cells that do not produce Rh protein; these blood cells are considered Rh-negative.

Pregnant women who have Rh-negative blood are at risk of reacting against fetal blood that is Rh-positive. Because a reaction can harm future pregnancies, Rh-negative women usually receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG) to prevent Rh-related problems after miscarriage or abortion.

How it is done

Doctors can use medicines, surgery or a combination of both to end a pregnancy. The method depends on how far along in the pregnancy you are, your medical history and your individual preference.

Abortions during early pregnancy, before 49 days, can be done safely with medications. Abortions between 6 and 14 weeks usually are done surgically, although medications may be used to help soften and open the cervix.

After 14 weeks, abortions can be done using labor-inducing medications that cause uterine contractions or by using these medicines in combination with surgery.

Medical abortion
Abortions completed with medication, called medical abortions, can be performed within 49  days of gestation. Days of gestation are the number of days beginning on the first day of your last menstrual period.

Most often doctors use a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol.

Surgical abortion

Suction or aspiration abortion

Sometimes called a suction D & E (for dilation and evacuation), this procedure can be done up to 14 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. Suction D & E is the procedure most commonly used to end a pregnancy. One dose of antibiotics is recommended prior to the procedure to prevent infection. The cervix is dilated (widened) and a rigid hollow tube is inserted into the uterus. An electric pump sucks out the contents of the uterus. The process takes about 15 minutes. Local anesthesia is usually applied to the cervix to minimize the pain of dilating the cervix. Medication given intravenously (into a vein) may help to decrease anxiety and relieve pain.

Why Dr. Ruchi Tandon is the best choice for your abortion?

Dr. Ruchi Tandon, is a gynecologist, based in South Delhi, practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 14 years. She is proficient in all kinds of medical, surgical and high-risk abortions. She is available at her clinic in greater Kailash part 2, max smart super specialty hospital, Saket and Apollo Cradle Royale, Nehru Place, Delhi.

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Menopause in Indian women – An enigma

Menopause is the process through which a woman ceases to be fertile or menstruate completely. It is a normal part of life and is not considered a disease or a medical condition.

Symptoms may occur years before a woman’s final period also called as Perimenopause. Some women may experience symptoms for months or years afterward or before actual menopause.

In India, the average age for menopause is 47 years.

Despite being a natural process in the body of any woman, menopause can cause drastic changes that trigger a variety of symptoms.

While menopause is not a disease or disorder, it does trigger some profound changes in a woman’s body.

A diagnosis of menopause is confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for one continuous year. However, the symptoms of menopause generally appear before the end of that one-year period.

Signs and symptoms

Irregular periods

Changes to the menstrual pattern are the first noticeable symptoms of menopause. Some women may experience a period every 2 to 3 weeks. Others will not menstruate for months at a time.

Lower fertility

Perimenopause is the 3-to-5-year period before menopause.

During the perimenopausal stage, a woman’s estrogen levels will drop significantly. This reduces her chances of becoming pregnant.

Vaginal dryness

Dryness, itching, and discomfort of the vagina tend to occur during perimenopause.

As a result, some women may experience Dysparenuia , or pain during sex. Women experience this pain due to lowering estrogen levels. These lower levels cause vaginal atrophy.

Vaginal atrophy is an inflammation of the vagina that happens as a result of the thinning and shrinking of the tissues, as well as decreased lubrication.

Hot flashes

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body. It may start in the face, neck, or chest, and progress upward or downward.

The skin may become red and patchy, and a woman will typically start to sweat. Her heart rate may suddenly increase, strengthen, or become irregular. Hot flashes generally occur during the first year after a woman’s final period.

Night sweats

Hot flashes that occur during the sleep cycle are called night sweats. Most women say their hot flashes do not last more than a few minutes.

However, studies have confirmed that moderate-to-severe night sweats and hot flashes may pose a problem for 6-8 years before actual menopause.

Disturbed sleep

It can be difficult for women to fall asleep and stay asleep as they progress through menopause.

In some cases, night sweats can lead to discomfort during the night and difficulty sleeping. Sleep disturbance may also be caused by insomnia or anxiety.

Urinary problems

Menopause can disrupt a woman’s urinary cycle.

Women tend to be more susceptible to Urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause, such as cystitis. They may also find that they also need to visit the toilet more often.

Emotional changes

Women can experience depression and low mood during menopause.

Hormonal changes can often trigger depressed feelings and mood swings. In many cases, these emotional symptoms also go hand-in-hand with sleep disturbance.

Women may also experience low libido, or sex drive, as a result of these emotional changes.

Problems focusing and learning

Menopause can affect cognitive functions, such as concentration.

Some women may also experience short-term memory problems and difficulty focusing for long periods.

Other effects

Other symptoms of menopause include:

  • a buildup of fat in the abdomen, sometimes leading to overweight and Obesity.
  • Hair loss and thinning hair
  • breast shrinkage

Without treatment, symptoms usually taper off over a period of 2 to 5 years. However, symptoms can persist for longer. In some cases, vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort can become chronic and eventually get worse without treatment.

Complications

Menopause can lead to the development of complications, including:

  • Cardiovascular disease: A drop in estrogen levels has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Osteoporosis: A woman may lose bone density rapidly during the first few years after menopause. Low bone density leads to a higher risk of developing Osteoporosis.
  • Urinary incontinence: Menopause causes the tissues of the vagina and urethra to lose their elasticity. This can result in frequent, sudden, and overwhelming urges to urinate. These urges can be followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Women may involuntarily urinate after coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting during menopause.
  • Breast cancer: Women face a higher risk of breast cancer following menopause. Regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk.

Menopausal remedies at South Delhi

Dr. Ruchi Tandon is an exceptional  Gynecologist specializing in disorders such as menopause. She has over 14 years of experience in pregnancy, fibroids, fibroids, excessive bleeding, and hot flashes. She is a new generation doctor with a holistic approach towards her Perimenopausal and menopausal patients. She specializes in providing the best treatments for all patients.

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Why you should choose a specialized Laparoscopic Surgeon and Cosmetic Gynecologist?

Laparoscopy is a skilled profession that demands a high level of expertise and well-versed training. Gynecological Laparoscopy involves procedures such as

  • Laparoscopic Myomectomy
  • Laparoscopic hysterectomy
  • Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy
  • Laparoscopic tubal evaluation and repairs
  • Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy for Infertility
  • Hysteroscopic Polypectomy
  • Hysteroscopic septal resection
  • Hysteroscopic D&C

Gynecological expertise is of paramount importance in all of these procedures.

Reasons for gynecologic laparoscopy

Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both of them. A diagnostic procedure can sometimes very commonly turn into a treatment.

Some reasons for diagnostic laparoscopy are:

  • unexplained pelvic pain
  • unexplained infertility history of pelvic infection

Conditions that might be diagnosed using laparoscopy include:

  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Ovarian cysts or tumors
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Pelvic adhesions
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease

Some types of laparoscopic treatment include:

  • Hysterectomy or removal of the uterus
  • Removal of ovaries
  • removal of ovarian cysts
  • removal of fibroids
  • blocking blood flow to fibroids
  • adhesion removal
  • reversal of a contraceptive surgery called tubal ligation
  • Burch procedure for incontinence
  • vault suspension to treat a prolapsed uterus

Preparing for gynecologic laparoscopy

Preparation depends on the type of surgery. You may need imaging tests, or your doctor might order fasting or an enema.

Tell your doctor about any medication you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs and supplements. You may need to stop them before the procedure.

Ask a friend to come to pick you up after the surgery or schedule a car service. You will not be allowed to drive yourself.

Cosmetic Gynaecology

Cosmetic Gynaecology is one of the emerging areas of Gynecology and includes :

  • Non-surgical vaginal tightening
  • Surgical vaginoplasty
  • Hymenoplasty or restoration of virginity
  • Ovarian rejuvenation
  • Reversing menopause
  • Labiaplasty
  • Non-surgical treatments for painful intercourse

Dr. Ruchi Tandon, is a specialized gynecologist practicing in Greater Kailash, South Delhi with over 13 years of experience in operative laparoscopy, cosmetic Gynecology, and high-risk pregnancy cases.