Pain relief in labour

Labour is painful so it’s worth considering what options are available to help you out
• A TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation machine delivers small electrical pulses to the body through pads on the back, these block pain signals and encourage your body to produce endorphins, which are natural painkillers. They are not very effective though.
• Gas and air or entonox is inhaled through a facemask or mouthpiece and works by anaesthetising the pain.Good pain killer but not available in majority of birthing centres in India.But you can always ask your obstetrician to confirm,just in case it is available.
• An epidural is a powerful local anaesthetic that is injected into the spine, it still allows you to move around and feel the pushing sensations. Side effects can include a fall in blood pressure and headaches(incidence is not very frequent).
• There are other painkilling medication available, such as pethidine, but these can cause side sleepy mother and baby.
• There are pros and cons to each of these options, by going through them with your doctor in your third trimester you should be able to determine, which will work best for you.

Medical terms explained

As I was eye balling through my college website,I came across this very interesting link which explains the medical terms in simple English.I hope it is useful for the readers.That's the reason why RCOG website is my favourite.It is full of knowledge for doctors and patients alike.
http://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/patient-information/medical-terms-explained

A dedicated floor for Women health in Max Gurgaon

Now there is some good news for those patients who always wished to have that feel of a 5 star delivery with big rooms,a LCD screen and all the designer stuff to make their child birth memorable in' Cradle style 'as Max Gurgaon is converting it's 3 rd floor entirely into delivery suites.So now you have a twin benefit of competent doctors with a multidisciplinary backup in a luxurious ambiance.

Are you HPV POSITIVE?

Advances in medicine are good,but new tests also run the risk of over treatment if not used judiciously.Here I am taking about the latest health fad to grip Indian urban ladies and gynaecologists alike.HPV,HPV vaccine....It is good,i.e the awareness regarding HPV and cervical cancer but there shouldn't be any unnecessary panic.
Your gynaecologist tests you for a pap smear and HPV .You turn out to be HPV Positive.What next????
Certain facts
80% of ladies are infected by HPV and 90% of it clears without any treatment.
As per the UK cervical screening guidelines your further treatment would be

Inflammatory cells in pap smear-repeat pap smear and HPV after 6 months.No Colposcopy needed
Mild dysplasia-same as above
Moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia-Colposcopy,biopsy,LEEP.You don't need removal of uterus unless it has cancerous cells.So relax!!!!

Gurgaon the hub of Medical tourism in India

India has become and has a vast potential for medical tourism.All the international patients coming in search of good and cheap healthcare can get a good deal if they land up at right hospitals directly or to Medical tourism agencies.I would advice all Foreigners who are coming through small time touts,please avoid it.You end up getting investigated for more than you are required as your tout as got a referral fees for every thing you get done.(I am sorry,am making a lot of unnecessary enemies,but medical profession can't be just buisness)
There are many gynaecological procedures which one can get done in India by internationally trained professionals.These procedures can range from
Hymenoplasty
laparoscopic or key hole Hysterectomies
Removal of Ovarian cysts
Operation for severe endometriosis

Hospitals encouraging c-section

I often get this query from my patients that doctor we know that you are pro vaginal delivery, but we also know that you are compelled by your hospital to do Cesarean section.How will you go against them?
Well.....I do agree that medicine is a pure business now and hospitals are money making organizations.There is nothing charitable about these new age hospitals,but still it is a myth that hospitals force clinicians for cesareans.They don't want a bad name for them as money gained by Cesarean in comparison to vaginal delivery is very nominal but does get bad name for them.It is true that they are not stringent about the Cesarean section rates of their hospital as long as doctors and patients are fine with it but for sure they don't force any doctor for the same.
The rise in rate of c-section is multi factorial.It can be patients demand.An easy way out.Defensive practice by doctors.A tired doctor wishing to rush back home after a long day........but for sure not due to hospital pressure.

give me some sunshine

Corporate hospital politics makes me say

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do