If you are a mother of a child who is under the age of 5 years then I would say don’t worry about the frequency of which the baby is falling sick. Till the age of five years, the immunity of the baby is in the developing phase. Recurrent colds, coughs are known to help in increasing antibody production which in turn helps in building the strong immunity of the baby. However certain foods are known to increase the immunity of the baby. You can read the following article for further knowledge of foods that will help in increasing immunity.

http://www.arogyadaclinic.com/blog_posts/19

I am a working mother and I feel guilty leaving my child behind to resume work again.

Dear mommy,

I am sure it is always tough to choose to work after maternity leave. The most important concern is that often we think that what will happen and how will the child cope up. But the truth is that they adapt and they will adapt just fine. Initially maybe if the child is very much used to having you around then the baby may react but gradually things fall in place. It won’t be as tough as we think. Just be positive and have immense trust that all will be well, the child will cooperate gradually. Don’t have a heavy heart as it is fine thinking about yourself or your career after giving time to your baby for the initial 6 to 8 months.

Yes, you can get intimate or have sex during pregnancy. The first three months are crucial so usually, we do not recommend it. The second trimester is safest wherein there won’t be any issue. The last two months are again crucial so you need to be very safe regarding having sex. It may cause premature labor in some cases.

While having two babies is entirely a personal choice this question comes up quite frequently. The ideal age gap is 18 to 23 months as by that time your replenished iron and other resources are well in place back. Having a wider gap may at times be difficult to manage as you never know how the elder baby will react. The elder may be very cooperative or may not be that accommodating as the privileges will get divided according to them. It’s completely your call as at the end of the day you should be mentally prepared for what is in store. It will go happy go lucky if you are ready to take as it comes.

Post partum depression is an upcoming issue these days wherein the mother is unable to enjoy the joys of motherhood. You can read the article pasted in the link below for things to do to fight post partum depression.

The top reasons include an empty stomach, pain in the stomach, feeling excessively hot or cold, need to burp, or at times are too sleepy but can’t sleep. We cannot put a finger on one single reason as every baby has different demands and hence the reasons are different.

Diet during pregnancy should be taken care of as constantly your baby is consuming the resources in store of your body. There is some food that is highly recommended for the overall development of your baby. Listing them below:

• As they say that we become what we eat. If we eat healthy food, we are going to remain fit and healthy. Your body needs 300 more calories daily when you are expecting.
• Make sure you are eating adequate green leafy vegetables for maintaining the iron content in your body. In order to prevent neural tube defects, 0.4 mg of folic acid per day is recommended. A good source of folic acid can be found in dark green leafy vegetables other sources include legumes.
• Fresh fruits are highly recommended. Fruits like papaya are considered to affect uterine contractions and hence they should not be consumed during pregnancy.
• Whole grain wheat is a great source of fiber and is recommended during pregnancy and helps in preventing constipation as well.
• Drinking an adequate amount of water is important to keep you fresh and hydrated.

• Protein is very important in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Pulses are rich sources and can be consumed daily for proteins.
• Calcium is essential for both the baby and the mother and hence during pregnancy, the dietary requirement is high. Dairy products, bananas, dried figs are known to be a rich source of calcium and should be consumed regularly.
• Though it is necessary to have the extra calories make sure you are eating healthy and avoid the foodstuffs which will unnecessarily add body fat to your body.
• Salt should be used in moderation and you should not overuse it.
• Dry fruits like almonds, pistachios are very good for health. Even different berries that are rich in anti-oxidants are recommended.
• The foodstuffs which should be strictly avoided are fish with a high level of mercury, raw meat, alcohol, Ajinomoto, undercooked foodstuffs, food with added preservatives, caffeine to name a few.

A balanced diet is a key to a healthy pregnancy.

Vomiting is not a good sign after a fall and it indicates head injury. Immediate attention by a medical professional is needed. It may indicate internal hemorrhage or skull fracture and must be ruled out safer side.

We often say that every head has its own headache. There are various causes for headaches and the cause should be ruled out before treating the headache.

We have written in details about headache and you can read about them at the following link

http://www.arogyadaclinic.com/blog_posts/5

There are times when we are not satisfied with the ongoing treatment and we feel the results are not satisfactory. What should be done at that time? We can voice our concerns to our current doctor and ask him why the desired response has not yet come. We can ask him for the suggestion of a second opinion. If his reply does not feel authentic and if still, the condition is not improving then you can go for a second opinion. But first, your current doctor should be talked with thoroughly.

• Safe, gentle, and nontoxic.
• Holistic approach as it treats at the mental, physical, and emotional level. It treats the patient as a whole and not just the disease.
• In today’s fast world, the physician is very busy and usually spends very little time with the patient. He will prescribe you according to the symptom whereas a homeopath will inquire and dig deep into the cause of the trouble and would know the root cause of it. For example, many gastric ailments are due to ongoing stress, the homeopathy instead of just prescribing antacids for gastric ailments will extend its support by removing the effects of stress and will help you overcome it. Once you are able to overcome it, the gastric ailments will decrease and disappear. This is what we do by saying holistic healing.
• Homeopathy cures by stimulating and restoring the body’s vital energy to heal itself.
• The effect of homeopathic medicine is best seen in children. Even the hereditary tendencies which run in family can be minimized. The homeopathic medicines can be administered in a very simple way and because of their sweet taste kids take the medicines without any fuss.
• The effect of homeopathic medicine is best seen in children. Even the hereditary tendencies which run in family can be minimized. The homeopathic medicines can be administered in a very simple way and because of their sweet taste kids take the medicines without any fuss.
• It is also safe for pregnant women, nursing women, and infants as well.
• Unlike Antibiotics, homeopathic remedies do not disturb the digestive system nor do they lower the immune system (Body’s resistance).
• Homeopathic remedies are not addictive. Once relief is felt, the patient can stop taking them.
• Homeopathic medicines are proven and experimented on healthy people, not on animals.
• Homeopathy improves the body’s resistance and immunity.
• Homeopathy enhances Health rather than Diminishes Illness.
• Homeopathy ensures long-lasting to permanent cures as it has long term benefits.
• No complicated procedures to take the medicine as the pills are sweet and no painful injections or procedures.
• Homeopathic medicines are administered in minute doses that act gently and stimulate the body’s self-healing response.
• Prophylactic treatment: We can use these medicines as preventive medicines for several ailments.
• Homeopathic remedies can be stored for long periods of time.

Weight loss is a process and that too a time consuming one. I would recommend you to have a healthy diet which has fewer carbs and fats. Start some mild form of exercising after 8 weeks of your delivery. To start with walking is the best. When you have a balanced diet coupled with a mild form of exercise you will gradually lose weight. Heavy exercises and gymming is not recommended till 6 months after pregnancy.

You can take a sneak peek at our article on how mothers feel about obesity and how it can be addressed.

The major cause of hair fall after pregnancy is the lack of needed vitamins and calcium. Mostly after pregnancy, we are recommended to eat calcium and iron till six months after delivery, which many mothers fail to comply with. Nutrition is very important for hair. You need to have a balanced diet even after delivery and also you should take out time for yourself. While the causes of hair fall should be ruled out if it is extensive, hereby posting a link on home remedies for hair fall. Hope this helps.

Stress is a part and parcel of our everyday lives. What can be best done is focus on three main points which help cope with stress better. First is to eat well as a healthy diet and proper nutrition will give you good energy levels that can help you throughout the day. The second is to sleep well. Lack of adequate sleep is known to reduce the stress-bearing capacity of a person. The third and most important is a compulsory exercise routine. Anything as simple as walking is very beneficial to flush out the toxic stress out of your body. Minimum 45 minutes of walking or any other form of exercise is a must. It helps you balance your thoughts.

We usually don’t prefer the term hyperactive, these little ones are energy packets. The idea is to channelize their energy correctly. Explore what fascinated your baby. Enroll them in some classes which will make them use their mid-brain. These energy packets do very well when we make them use their mid brain. They become subtle and their memory and concentration increase. We are rich culturally so you can introduce your child to meditation also.

The best person to guide you on whether to go C section or normal delivery is none other than your gynecologist. Most of the gynecologist stress on one major point that they will wait for the normal delivery pains to come. In the absence of pain, the protocol is to induce and if for some reason that did not help or if there are complications then they will suggest a C section. There is a lot of myth around the C section and there is a great hype created that it is risky and unsafe. While the best form of delivery is normal nonetheless C sections are indeed a blessing in case of complications like a cord around the neck, heavy baby weight, breech presentation, oligohydramnios, and other complications. Whatever it is trust your gynaec as she has been with you throughout your pregnancy and her verdict would be the best possible in your case.

There are a few reasons because of which your child can face hair fall. A little bit of hair fall is normal and can be due to pollution, use of various shampoos, and poor dietary habits. Attention is needed when the hair fall is prominent. There are six major causes of hair fall from a medical perspective.

• Fungal infection: This is one leading cause of hair fall in children. The main cause is ringworm and should be treated medically.
• Alopecia Areata: This is a condition in which the body’s immune system acts against it and causes the damage of hair follicles resulting in hair loss.
• Trichotillomania: This is a condition in which the child has a habit of pulling hair leading to hair loss.
• Telogen Effluvium: In this condition, the normal growth of hair is affected by sudden and severe stress. The conditions which can affect the normal hair cycle are:

High-grade fever, surgery which includes the use of anesthesia, injury, and certain medications.

• Nutritional Imbalance: Deficiency of vitamins can be a cause and should be treated accordingly.
• Endocrine Issues: Hypothyroidism is also one cause and should be ruled out as well.

Back pain is the most common type of pain which is frequently seen in individuals. Hereby posting a link which will give a detailed outlook on back pain especially its causes, what can be done to treat back pain, exercises which can help in back pain, and tips for a healthier back.

The last month of pregnancy is very vital as it is the month of mixed emotions. While there is excitement for the coming baby there is an equal amount of anxiety as well as how well things go. Some points to remember during the last month of pregnancy are as follows:

1. Make sure you keep your hospital bag ready as you never know when you need to go to the hospital.
2. Count the fetal kicks or movements during the day so that any change in fetal activity can be marked and noted. This is very important in cases where complications may arise.
3. Make sure you are eating well, sleeping well, and walking regularly to keep fit. Breathing exercises are very important and can help you a lot.
4. In the last month, your doctor may call you for a weekly visit and it should be done as per the suggested dates.
5. There may be some blood mucus plug that may come out from your vagina which is called the show. It is indicative of the forthcoming labor in the coming days.
6. Be alert regarding contractions and mark them and their frequency as and when they start.
7. Backache may increase due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. A small triangle-shaped pillow can be used in the hollow of your low back for support.
8. Your vaginal discharge may have increased and that is normal. Be alert for changes in its smell or any other abnormality if any.
9. Frequent urination or an occasional leak is normal during the last month of pregnancy.
10. If you find colostrum leaking from your breast use of breast pads is recommended.
11. If you have learned Kegel’s exercises continue doing them for strengthening the pelvic floor and this will further help in normal delivery.
12. Keep your mind state positive as any mental stress is not good for you and your baby both.
13. Avoid heavy physical activity.

We always insist that for any condition the cause must be treated. Without treating the cause you are just palliating the symptoms. For example, if you know if you are not drinking a sufficient quantity of water and if you feel that is the cause of constipation, don’t try home remedies. Increase your water intake first. Observe for a few days that an increase in the intake of water has helped you or not. Then you are free to try our home remedies.

1. Change in diet: You might be eating more greasy food than usual or may have started a new weight-loss program, any change in your diet could trigger the odd bout of constipation. There are certain foods that can also bring this on high-fat or processed food, alcohol, or even too much caffeine. We suggest a high on fiber diet for better roughage and hereby your constipation can be relieved.
2. Lack of exercise: It is a major cause of constipation as it slows down your digestion. So we recommend a 5 days a week schedule of exercise. It can be anything from walking to swimming whatever suits you. Any form of exercise helps you increase your metabolism which in turn aids to better digestion.
3. Green leafy vegetables: They are a rich source of fiber and are also magnesium-rich. Both the factors help in relieving constipation. They are also rich in nutrients and have a high water content so they can be consumed daily as well.
4. Warm liquids: Liquids when consumed warm or at room temperature when taken as soon as you get up in the morning aid indigestion. They stimulate the digestive system and hence constipation is better by them.
5. Prunes and figs – These fruits are high in fiber and tend to have a laxative effect. Several a day can help relieve constipation, but in general, be careful not to go overboard with dried fruit since it contains a decent amount of sugar given a small size.
6. Castor oil: It is a great laxative as it increases the movement of the intestine and helps in cleaning them out.
7. Raisins: They are rich in fiber and have a wonderful laxative effect. You can use them by soaking 10 to 12 raisins overnight and taking them first thing in the morning.
8. Lemon juice: Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in a glass of warm water. Add a bit of salt to the solution. Drink this juice on an empty stomach to relieve constipation. It also acts as a good detox agent for your body. The salt helps in the quick and easy passage of stool and overall lemon juice helps as a great cleaning agent for the intestines.
9. Figs.
10. Guavas
11. Flax seeds
12. Oranges
13. Seed mixture: 2-3 sunflower seeds, a few flaxseeds, til or sesame seeds and almonds ground together to a fine powder can help relieve constipation.
14. Brown rice: These are great for constipation. Rich in fiber, brown rice draws large amounts of water, making the stool heavier and softer, allowing it to move quickly through the body.
15. Honey: Sugar in honey can stimulate bacteria in the intestines causing it to draw water which will aid in relieving constipation. Has honey mixed with foods, salads, fruits, or in warm milk?
16. Dates: Eating them with a glass of milk helps in relieving constipation effectively.
17. Yogurt: There are a number of ways to go about helping your healthy gut bacteria flourish, but one simple method is to enjoy a cup of yogurt, which is filled with probiotics, with breakfast and during the day.
18. Mint or ginger tea: Mint and ginger are both proven home remedies to help alleviate digestive problems.
19. Aloe Vera juice is a popular home treatment for constipation. Dilute Aloe Vera juice in water and drink first thing in the morning and the last thing at night for regular bowel movements. Some people may experience cramping or diarrhea with aloe vera juice so proceed with caution.
20. Pears and pear juice if consumed at breakfast and dinner time can help relieve constipation symptoms. If the constipation is severe, a fruit-only diet for a few days will go a long way towards clearing up the condition.
21. Grapes contain organic acid and cellulose that makes them a natural laxative. Grape juice can help tone the internal muscles of the stomach and prevent chronic constipation.
22. Raw spinach helps cleanse the digestive tract and cures constipation. Drink raw spinach juice mixed with water twice a day for the most effective treatment.
23. Ripe banana: They are very high in soluble fiber, which in some cases can help to push waste through the bowels, so bananas can also be helpful in eliminating constipation issues.

Homeopathy is an individualized system of medicine that treats the person as a whole. Since it a holistic system of medicine it works at the physical, mental, and emotional levels as well. The World Health Organization estimates that homeopathy is used by 500 million people worldwide, making it the second most widely used medicine in the world.