Healthy thyroid essential to healthy pregnancy

Healthy thyroid essential to healthy pregnancy

May 13, 2023

MakatiMed advises to keep this gland in good working order

Whether you’re already a mom or are thinking of becoming one, you know the importance of prenatal care. Monitoring the development of your unborn baby as well as your own health and wellbeing with a doctor’s guidance helps avert potential health issues early. Regular prenatal care ensures you and your little one come out strong and ready for this exciting new chapter in your lives.

But the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) believes that caring for your baby should begin even before you try to get pregnant. 

“Preconception healthcare makes you aware of how your health condition and risk factors could affect your unborn baby, should you decide to get pregnant,” says Maria Theresa T. Lopez, MD, an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist. “It also means knowing which foods, medications, lifestyle habits, and preexisting health problems pose harm to your baby.” 

If you’re diabetic or have uncontrolled high blood sugar around the time you conceive, MakatiMed explains that you increase your baby’s risks for preterm birth, stillbirth, and birth defects. Chronic hypertension may develop into preeclampsia 20 weeks into your pregnancy. Preeclampsia has been associated with less blood flow to the placenta, slow or decreased fetal growth, and premature delivery, among other complications. 

Pregnancy and your thyroid. A well-functioning thyroid is also essential to a healthy pregnancy and baby. Shaped like a butterfly and located at the base of the neck, the thyroid is a gland responsible for the hormones that allow the body to perform crucial tasks. “It plays a major role in the growth and development of our body and how well our body metabolizes or processes what we eat and drink into energy depends on thyroid hormones,” Dr. Lopez points out. 

According to MakatiMed, the thyroid sometimes produces small amounts of hormones (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). Either way, they can affect your pregnancy and baby.

“With an abnormal thyroid function, your baby could have low birth weight problems with growth and the development of the brain and nervous system,” Dr. Lopez, explains.

Could you have a thyroid problem? “Signs and symptoms of a thyroid problem include goiter or a swollen thyroid, unusually slow or fast heart rate, raised itchy rash, weight loss or weight gain, fatigue, and sensitivity to cold or heat,” Dr. Lopez says. “A physical exam and blood tests to check the levels of your thyroid hormones will confirm if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.” 

Medications can help restore the levels of your thyroid hormones. They’re also safe to take during pregnancy and may only need adjustments in dosage. 

Dr. Lopez advises, “Let your doctor know if you’re taking medicine for a preexisting thyroid condition. And don’t hesitate to tell your health practitioner if you suspect you could have a thyroid issue. Once your thyroid function is under control, you can have a smooth pregnancy journey.”

For more information, you may contact the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology through MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

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5 Annoying People Every Childless Married Woman Meets in Her Lifetime

5 Annoying People Every Childless Married Woman Meets in Her Lifetime

June 09, 2018

"Oh you are married? How many children do you have?"
"None."
"Why?"
"Who's got a problem?"

If you are married and don't have a child (yet), you probably have been asked these questions all the time. While you wish you could say right into their faces it's none of your f*cking business, you end up giving an explanation.

Do we really owe them an explanation?

I am already 41 years old and I still get asked by people why I don't have a child yet. At my age, I must say I still long to have at least one but it's not much of a priority. I'm not as pressured or anxious as I was like a decade ago.

Childless married women, I'm sure you've met at least one of these 5 annoying people:

Pixabay

1. The "feeling-close-not-so-immediate" family members and in-laws.

We all know that after the wedding, family members are excited to have an addition -- the baby. They are not aware though that they are putting too much pressure on the newlyweds. They are also forgetting that the couple have plans and they are not really part of the decision making or are entitled to details.

A week after I got married, some relatives of my husband kept asking me if I'm already pregnant. Then bumping into them after a few days, I still got the same question and every time I see them. It got to a point that we deliberately avoid them. On my side of the family, most of them know that I'm not the type who shares personal details so I was never asked. But I've got a feeling they talk about me and are curious why I have no child.

2. The insensitive family "friends"

When my mom died in 2010, I was the only one married. Day 2 of the wake, some of her friends and co-workers arrived. I was mourning and they kept saying how sad that my mom died without even experiencing how it's like to have a grandchild. They said it was a pity I was not able to make my mom happy.

Seriously?!

I must admit I got affected with what they said. I've been battling depression since 2007 and their insensitive comments made it worse for me.

3. The medical "expert"

I've met people who have shoved into my face medical procedures, doctor recommendations, herbal remedies and "expert" advice because someone they know went to this and that, tried this and that and it worked.

They will ask you questions like, "Who is infertile?", "Have you consulted a doctor?", or will lecture you about your biological clock, "Why did not have child right away?", "You are already old that's why you are having difficulty."

I got married at 27. We really didn't plan to have a child right away. We already have our own house when we got married and we have a car but we felt like we still want to focus on our careers and save up money. When we decided five years after, that's when we realized it was not easy for us.

Did we seek for medical help? Yes, from areal medical experts. We spent money that some of you may not be able to save in your lifetime so please stop recommending doctors already.

4. The "blessed" mommy friends

Your friends know you are struggling to conceive. It's okay if they ask you if you are not pregnant yet (although unnecessary because you will definitely inform them if you are) but it's NOT okay that after asking, one will keep whining about having too many kids already or how she can quickly get pregnant. And then they will all agree that it's a blessing making you feel left out and question yourself, "Am I not good enough to become a mom?"

5. The judgmental

Not all married couples want to have a child. It's their choice and we should respect it. I have a friend who deactivated her social media accounts years ago because people are judging her for not wanting to have a child. My favorite Ina Garten of the Barefoot Contessa Food Network Program, do not have a child and said in one of her interviews that it was their choice and would not wish to further elaborate or see the need to explain. Don't ever feel like you are morally superior over those who chose not to have children. 

Pixabay

Whether being childless is a choice or fate, be careful when talking to childless married women because you don't know what they went through or currently going through physically and emotionally. Some may have lost a child and never conceived again and you are just bringing up a painful or unfortunate past event.

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Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy: Two Chronic Conditions that May Contribute to Each Other

Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy: Two Chronic Conditions that May Contribute to Each Other

May 11, 2018

Diabetes and cerebral palsy, or CP, are both chronic medical conditions, and, on the surface, seem unrelated. The former presents with problems in blood sugar control, and the latter represents a neurological condition that develops in childhood and affects movement. Research suggests, however, that the two have an interesting and complex relationship. Not only may abnormal blood sugars play a role in the development of CP, but people with CP are at a higher risk for having problems regulating glucose levels. 

Maternal blood sugar malfunction may play a role in the onset of CP. People with diabetes have difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, and they tend to have problems with insulin, which helps to take sugar into the body's cells. This leads to higher levels of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream. People with the Type 1 variety do not make insulin properly, and people with Type 2 have developed a decreased response to insulin. There is an additional, gestational form of this condition that a mother may develop in the second portion of her pregnancy, and it may be due to a maternal resistance to the effects of insulin. This can lead to problems for the baby like surplus fat stores and a higher risk of developing blood sugar problems later in life. These babies also tend to be larger in size, which can make delivery more difficult and can put the baby at risk for asphyxia. Asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, can result in brain damage and is the leading cause of CP. 

Cerebral palsy presents a unique set of challenges that may predispose someone to develop increased blood glucose levels. Diabetics have a higher risk of significant medical problems such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney dysfunction. A recent study found that adults with CP are more likely to develop blood sugar problems than those who do not have CP. There are several possible reasons for this, and one area of concern is that individuals with CP have difficulty being active since CP can create spastic muscles and problems with movement. This inactivity can lead to excess weight, which in turn may result in elevated glucose levels. It is important to counsel children with CP on their risk of developing these issues and advise them to make healthy food choices to help combat that risk. 

Elevated blood sugar levels may play a significant role in both the creation of CP and adversely affect its condition. Both issues are serious medical conditions, but it may be possible to improve the prognosis of CP by maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. As research continues to emerge on CP and surrounding issues, it presents an opportunity to equip parents and children with information that can improve their quality of life. 

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