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Maternity Leave is over!

You would not even get to know and your maternity leave would be over! If you have decided not to quit job, it’s better to start preparing yourself for joining back the office leaving the baby back home. Transition would not be a cake-walk; this is what you can do to ease it.

Staying in touch

Staying in touch with your colleagues and boss during maternity pays dividends when you join back. Calling and checking what is happening at office would be good. At the same time you need to optimise this. Poking too much into office talks means cutting your baby’s time. Work anyways will still be there and kicking at normal speed when you go back.

Preparing the baby

If you are exclusively breast-feeding, you must start 2-4 external feeds a day at least 2-3 weeks before joining work back. You can also express your breast milk and feed that externally. This will prepare baby to take external feed when you are away.

Try to leave baby alone with your baby care-taker (parents, in-laws, nanny, crèche etc.) for 3-4 hours at a stretch in last 2-3 weeks.

Preparing yourself

Foremost, don’t let the guilt sink in you. Leaving baby back for work is absolutely OK and doesn’t make you bad Mom! You always do and will keep doing best for your baby. So let go the guilt.

Buy a good breast pump (in case you do not have one) which you would be carrying to office. Start expressing milk at home as well and feed that to baby externally (by bottle or spoon). You body will also get used to pumping of milk.

Schedule your nursing timings so that you feed your baby before leaving for work, pump 1-3 times in office and feed again once you are back. Mother’s milk lasts for 4-8 hours at room temperature, you can use office refrigerator for storing if possible.

Carry sufficient breast pads to office each day. You would never like your breast to leak in office or in a meeting.

Lastly, never neglect yourself. Read books, go for spas, take hot baths, and pursue your hobbies as and when you get time. Pamper yourself celebrate your motherhood!

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Bag packs for Delivery

Once you enter your eighth month, it’s time to gather your essentials and get bag packs for delivery ready as you may get into labour anytime unexpectedly. Here is the list of things recommended:

For You

All medical records

You insurance card and papers (you must speak to your hospital/nursing home in advance for smooth operations)

ATM card and some cash

Mobile phone and charger

Camera

Baby record book (to ensure you don’t miss recording anything!)

During Labour

Gown & slippers (in case hospital doesn’t provide)

Cotton socks

Lip balm (you will surely have dry lips while shouting in labour)

Wet tissues

Snacks and candies (if allowed inside the labour room)

After Childbirth

2-3 gowns or T-shirt & payjamas. Front open with a zipper or hook are preferred for ease in breast feeding

Scarf / dupatta for you head covering and socks for your feet

2-3 nursing bras

Sanitary pads. Buy plain ones and avoid one with weaves.

Loose underwear to ensure sanitary pads fit in

Your usual cosmetics and toiletries

You going home outfit (ensure it is a loose one)

Woollens (depending on weather conditions)

For Baby

First pair of clothes (to be given inside the labour room). These are really special ones so make sure they are ironed properly. You would never like your little one to be in clumsy clothes.

4-6 pairs of new baby clothes. Wash them and iron properly to ensure all germs are killed.

Diapers/nappies

2-3 pairs of booties and mittens

Bibs (to avoid changing clothes after each milk meal)

Soft hankies/towels; baby wipes

Wrapping towels/blankets/sheets

Baby’s going home outfit

Woollens (depending on weather conditions)

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When to start Maternity Leave

Working women often contemplate upon what is the right time to start Maternity leave. And to say is truly there is no ‘fixed answer’ for this. Each pregnancy is special and different; each body responds differently, so answer to when to start leave is also different for each one. It also depends upon how stressful and physically demanding job you have. Your financial conditions also play a vital role here.

Foremost advice for career woman - information about your pregnancy and the fact that you would be off for maternity leave must be known to your boss well in advance. Refer to other blog on “Announcing Pregnancy at Work” for more details 

Some pregnancies have complications – bleeding, low lying placenta, past cases of miscarriage etc – for which the gynaecologists suggest complete bed rest for first trimester or sometimes for the complete tenure. Listen to your doctor and body first. You can talk to your boss and HR about it and can apply for leave without pay or sabbatical leave as per the company policy.

For healthy pregnancies, even if you go for delivery directly from your office your gynaecologist would be more than happy.

Some women start their maternity in seventh or eighth month while others prefer to work until the end. It totally depends upon your energy level and health.

Another important point here is that you must be completely aware about your company policies for maternity leave, sabbatical leave, leave without pay, medical reimbursement and child-care policies.

Legally:

Indian Law prohibits the working of pregnant women for a specified period before and after her delivery. The Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017 has increased the duration of paid maternity leave available for women employees from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks. Under the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, this benefit could be availed by women for a period extending up to a maximum of 8 weeks before the expected delivery date and the remaining time can be availed post childbirth. For women who are expecting after having 2 children, the duration of paid maternity leave shall be 12 weeks (i.e., 6 weeks pre and 6 weeks post expected date of delivery).

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12 Pregnancy Food you must have

Here is the list of Pregnancy food packed with plenty of nutrients for mommy-to-be and baby.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Leafy greens are rich in folic acid, iron (blood), vitamin A (eye-sight, skin & bone growth), potassium, fiber and calcium. Try to add Spinach to your meal everyday.

Vegetable and Fruits

These are rich in nutrients like vitamins, folic acid, potassium and fibre. Fruits not only help in easy digestion but also help during morning sickness. You must add atleast two variety of fruits and two of vegetables to your meal each day.

Fresh juice

Fluid intake is absolute must during pregnancy. Apart from having lots of filtered water you must also add a glass or two of fresh juice to your diet. Citrus fruit juices (orange, grapefruit) are best source of Vitamin C. You can add vegetable juice alternatively.

Tender Coconut Water

Tender coconut water is a wonderful source of various nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, folate and a number of B vitamins. This helps in preventing fatigue and dehydration and also helps in digestion. Try to add one portion of coconut water each day.

Milk

Milk is full of calcium and is must to have during pregnancy. It is good for bone development of baby and also to keep mother healthy.

Cottage Cheese (Paneer)/Tofu

Paneer is rich in calcium, proteins and Vitamin B. You can add 100-200 gms of paneer to your meal each day.

Curd/Yogurt

Yogurt is not only rich in Calcium as milk, but also is a wonderful source of proteins, folic acid and Vitamin B. Butter milk (Chhachh/lassi) is also recommended.

Oats/Dalia

Wonderful source of fibres and proteins. Keeps your bowel movements under control. A must during pregnancy.

Daal (Lentils) – whole, half and sprouted

Besides providing proteins and fibre, these are wonderful source of iron, folic acid, zinc and calcium. A bowl of daal each day is recommended. You also should add one bowl of sprout daal.

Nuts

These easy to carry snacks are rich in good fats, proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals. You can munch them in between the meals.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are full of nutritious fiber, vitamin B6, potassium (even more than bananas have!), vitamin C and iron, as well as copper and beta-carotene (needed by your body for iron absorbtion)

Eggs

Eggs are good source of protein that provides amino acids you and your baby need. They contain more than a dozen vitamins and minerals, including choline, which is good for baby's brain development. Be sure you don’t eat raw/undercooked eggs.

And most importantly No Fasting during pregnancy!

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Five Big NO during Pregnancy

Pregnant and looking for what’s good and not good for you at this stage. Here are the Five Big NO during pregnancy:

NO Stress:

Stress and tension attacks your physical body in many surprising ways. Stress has no good effect at any stage but becomes highly dangerous when you are carrying a baby. In pregnant women, stress can cause constipation, back pain, insomnia, and even lead to preterm or low birth weight.

NO Excessive caffeine

It is advised to avoid excessive intake of caffeine at this stage because when you drink caffeine, you’re also feeding this stimulant to your unborn baby. Caffeine stimulates the heart and brain, and is an addictive substance with drug-like qualities. It is also believed that caffeine increases the probability of a child contracting diabetes. It’s wise to avoid coffee, tea, or aerated drinks that contain caffeine.

NO Aspirin or any other the counter medicine

Drugs that are safe to take when not pregnant can cause devastating effects to a foetus when you are pregnant. Aspirins, disprins are big NO. Please consult your doctor before you take any medicine. Must avoid self-medication.

NO Smoking or Alcohol intake

Smoking has well known hazards for adults and just to continue it is extremely harmful to the foetus as well. Exposure to smoke can result in spontaneous abortion, pre-term births, low-weight full-term babies, and foetal and infant deaths. In fact, it’s so harmful, that pregnant women should even avoid passive smoking (other people’s smoke).

Alcohol has a variety of negative effects on your foetus depending on the dose and frequency. In worst-case it may lead to severe retardation, congenital birth defects and other abnormalities.

NO Junk food

Healthy food intake is must during pregnancy. If the hunger is satisfied with junk food there is no room left for eating nutritious vitamins and proteins rich food. Try to check your cravings for junk food and limit the intake as much as possible. There are several studies to prove junk food is as hazardous for baby as smoking is.

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Wax during Pregnancy

Waxing is periodic phenomenon for all women unless they are too lucky to have no hair on their body or have done some permanent treatment for hair removal. Carrying baby doesn’t mean that you start growing bushes and feel the embarrassment and annoyance. Moreover, due to hormonal changes the hair growth might increase during pregnancy. Now the question is - Is it safe to wax during pregnancy?

The answer is that it is usually safe but not advised if you are too sensitive. Fluid retention, common during pregnancy, can lead to swelling of the body which makes it more sensitive and prone to irritation. Waxing can increase this irritation and lead to acne, breakouts and ingrown hairs.

However many women continue with their regular waxing schedule throughout the pregnancy. These are some of the points you must keep in mind:

Test the wax (even your regular wax) for small skin patch to check your skin’s reaction.

Do mention to your beautician that you are pregnant until it becomes apparent.

Apply antiseptic lotion before and after wax.

As it might hurt more that earlier, take small breaks to avoid stress level.

Get bikini wax done only by an expert.

If you wish to you can avoid bikini and upper legs wax done during last weeks as physical changes of your body come into way.

Make sure your parlour uses fresh wax and wax knife for you. At this stage you have an increased risk of infection.

There are other alternates available in case waxing doesn’t suit you. You may choose to shave your hair with a soft razor or epilator or use hair removal cream.

True for any new cosmetic, you must try removal cream on a patch of skin to see its reaction, if any. These creams, once exposed to oxygen, leave a distinct odour, which is usually unpleasant. Use them in a well-ventilated area to reduce the amount of chemicals you breathe in. Avoid using them in bathrooms.

Try to get your beauty treatment done in your last days before delivery, as it will last well during your initial days of motherhood, when you would be too occupied to go out to the parlour.

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Working Being Pregnant

Should I work being pregnant?

Will it be safe for my baby?

Won’t I get too tired?

Will I be able to do justice to my job?

How will my colleagues take it?

These are the most common questions you ask yourself when you get a positive pregnancy test. Same happened to me almost four years years back.

Being my first pregnancy, it was really special for me and my husband as it is for everyone. But working for a manufacturing company with 9 hours of work schedule in addition to 2 hours of daily travel; was it really good at this stage?

I thought let me take a few days off to get a flavour of being pregnant and being a house-wife, before I decide to permanently quit.

No offences to house-wives, the house really sucked when I was at home for full days. Being at job I always wondered how amazing this would be for people who stay at home. Wake up at leisure, work-out for yourself, pursue your hobbies, give time for home decor, have a wonderful social life.

But my one week at home had an altogether different story. I had to wake up early as my husband was neither pregnant nor on work off. Morning sickness had led exercising to take a back seat. Yes I got time to read through all my pending novels, but finished them in first three days and was too lazy to go out to buy new interesting reads. Thought of catching with old school and college friends but didn’t realize these are working week-days and no one is free for me. Icing on the cake was getting official calls on mobile phone throughout the day as apart from my main team members, for  everyone else t I was at the office.

Having had enough that week, I joined back the office very next Monday. The 6-days work week was tiring so started placing my leaves here and there round the month. Believe me I worked till my full term and started maternity just two days before my boy was born! To mention here I completely enjoyed my pregnancy – carried multiple meal boxes to office, enjoyed the special treatment, had husband as driver for pick and drop, did ante-natal exercising on weekends.

Final advice to all the working mums-to-be, till the time your body allows keep working. This is not only good for your mind and body but also for your pockets!

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I am pregnant, should I travel?

Being pregnant doesn’t stop the world dynamics around you. There are occasions when you need to travel distances during pregnancy be it official or personal. But is it safe?

Answer is Yes with some travel precautions.

Consult your Gynaecologist before you travel. In some cases it is advised not to travel especially during first trimester.

Carry all your doctor prescriptions and reports with you

Keep sipping water at regular intervals. Keep some healthy snacks handy.

Take breaks for urination as and when required.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

Travel by Two-wheeler:

Avoid travelling too long a distance.

If you feel dizzy, donot travel

Stay away from bumpy roads

Travel by Car:

Avoid travelling too long a distance at a stretch. Try to break the journey and do not travel more than 6-8 hours at a stretch.

Take a short break every 2 hours. Stretch your arms and feet to avoid swelling. Rotate your feet in clock-wise and anti clockwise direction five times each.

Always wear seatbelt. The lap belt should lie beneath your baby bump. Wearing over the bump can harm baby during jerk. The shoulder belt should fit snugly over the top of your bump and between your breasts

Carry cushions to make your travel convenient.

Travel by Train:

Book lower berth or aisle seat

Take frequent walks in the aisle area – take support of metal ladders and seats to avoid jerk.

Take extra precautions while using toilets. The door of train toilets are usually very heavy, lock them properly as they tend to bounce back when train is in motion.

The stations are generally overcrowded. Walk safely, carry a lot of time in hand.

Travel by Plane

Most airlines allow travelling upto 32 weeks of pregnancy. However, it is advised to check with your airlines to avoid surprises. They may ask you to carry “fit to fly” letter from your doctor.

Cabin pressure usually doesn’t affect the baby. Neither does the metal detector check at airport.

Take a walk in aisle area to avoid nausea. Prefer to take an aisle seat.

Avoid travelling during 1st trimester. Best time to travel is between 14-27 week.

Feel the pride when people focus at your bump rather than you. Relish the special attention you get, the seat you are offered, the doors which are opened for you.  Enjoy every phase of motherhood!

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Folic Acid a must for Pregnancy

Baby with birth defects is a nightmare for all the parents-to-be. Neural Tube Birth Defects (NTDs) are one of the most common birth defects and the only birth defects to be so directly linked to the mother's nutritional status.

The most common NTDs are:

Spina bifida, an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column

Anencephaly, severe underdevelopment of the brain

Encephalocele, when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin from an abnormal opening in the skull

By getting enough of the B Vitamin (B9) folic acid in the month before the lady conceives and during the first several weeks of her pregnancy, risk of developing NTDs can be reduced.

The early spinal cord of the embryo begins as a flat region, which rolls into a tube (the neural tube) 28 days after the baby is conceived. When the neural tube does not close completely, an NTD develops. NTDs develop before even before most women get to know about their pregnancy. By the time a pregnant woman visits her doctor and begins taking supplements that provide folic acid, it is already too late to prevent an NTD.

Thus it is advised to consult your doctor when you are trying to conceive and start with Folic Acid supplement as per their advice.

Folic acid occurs naturally as Folate in food like pulses and green leafy vegetables. It is recommended for all women of childbearing age eat a diet high in folic acid.

Here are some foods with lots of Folate:

Green leafy vegetables – Spinach (palak), Fenugreek (Methi)

Vegetables – Cauliflower, Corn, Peas, Beetroot, Broccoli

Nuts - almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, walnuts, sesame seeds

Pulses (daal)

Fruits – Strawberry, Orange, Banana, Avocado

Grains – Oats, whole grain flour

Eggs

Please note that folic acid is lost by overcooking.

Healthy mother delivers a healthy baby. Eat healthy for yourself and your baby!

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Emotional Changes in Daddy during Pregnancy

If Mommy-to-be is the Star during pregnancy, Daddy-to-be is no less than the co-star. He also undergoes psychological changes if not the physical ones.

Men are less expressive about the feelings they undergo, hence there are not many reports to support the emotional changes for the Daddies-to-be. Here are the some of the common feelings men experience:

Apprehension over baby’s and wife’s health.

Many fathers become anxious over the time management. They worry weather they would be able manage the responsibility as father and career well after the baby. They feel their professional desires would take a back seat now. This is most common with the unplanned pregnancies.

Worry about their ability to be a good father, finances etc.

Start reliving their own childhood memories. Recall their bonding with their fathers.

Become Creative – Towards the end of pregnancy, many fathers feel like doing something creative to welcome the new member. This includes decorating the room or crib, going for photoshoots with baby bump.

Want to live pregnancy moments with wife. They talk a lot about pregnancy and foetal movement feelings with wife.  Feel good when they go for Ante-Natal classes and for Ultrasound check-ups.

Though the sex desire doesn’t change in men; but the fear of harming the baby pulls them off. However, in most of healthy pregnancies, sex will not have any effect on baby’s health. It is always good to talk to your doctor regarding this.

Some men feel jealous over the attention the lady receives during pregnancy. Learning more about pregnancy and attending Ante-Natal counselling sessions help a lot here.

The emotional changes experienced are fairly normal. It is always good to talk about them.

They make you strong and ready for upcoming parenthood!

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Emotional Changes During Pregnancy – 3rd Trimester

This is the time of anticipation. You now wait eagerly for your baby’s arrival. As gender of the baby is unknown, you tend to make predictions.

Anxiety: There is a lot of anxiety and fear for delivery, labour pain and baby health. You also feel anxious when asked for your due date by almost every person you come across.

Impatient: You get excited and feel eager for child birth. You want this term to end quickly. At the same time you tend to have feeling of separation from the baby as he/she will be born soon.

Differential treatment: As your belly size has increased significantly, you get different treatment in society. People rise to offer you seat, stop when you cross the traffic light, drive extreme slowly with you. This treatment may appeal some ladies but has negative impact on many. The professional ladies feel this as discrimination treatment at office.

“Organise well before baby arrives” is the feeling usually ladies face. They want things to be in proper fashion before the little one comes. There is a sense of urgency in every action.

Increased belly size, fatigue and acidity generally decrease the desire for sex.

How to cope up with these changes?

Exercising and meditation is extremely helpful

Be close with your partner.

Feel at peace with your body, this is just a phase.

Talk about your emotions freely. Record them in a diary.

You should reassure yourself that you are extremely beautiful. Your beauty has doubled by carrying another beauty inside you. You are going to be a wonderful mummy. All the best!

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Emotional Changes During Pregnancy – 2nd Trimester

Emotional stress, anxiety and mood swings begin to disappear as you enter the second trimester.

You feel excited about the first foetal movements (which you start feeling around 18th week). You look forward for the ultrasound tests as you can see your full baby at this stage. You feel the baby more intensely during 2nd trimester.

As the fear of miscarriage would have significantly decreased, your sexual desires also increase. This is also due to increased blood flow to vaginal and pelvic regions. It is usually safe to have sex during second trimester (though you must consult your doctor for medical advice).

Low in confidence is what is usually seen in pregnant women in early 2nd trimester. This is mainly because you have started looking fat but not actually pregnant.

Your emotional dependence on partner also increases. You would like to get more attention and time.

Many ladies become forgetful at this stage. You get so engrossed with your pregnancy that other things become unimportant.

How to cope up with these changes?

Take time for yourself. Rest in plenty, avoid fatigue.

Do things which make you feel good and special. Pamper yourself.

Reveal about your pregnancy to avoid starry eyes.

Meet with other ladies at similar stage and discuss.

Exercise and meditate.

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Emotional Changes During Pregnancy – 1st Trimester

Carrying baby is the happiest phase of woman’s life. At the same time, this phase is full of mixed emotions starting from the first trimester itself.

Though you will look just the same to the other people for weeks to come, you start to feel huddles of emotions from the beginning. You are anxious for a day and next day you are full of energy and thrill. These changes are unique to each pregnancy and are fairly normal.

Each pregnancy is distinctive and special; though there are certain generic similarities which I would like to mention here.

Highs and lows: You will face a lot of mood swings during your first trimester. If it is your first pregnancy, these feelings confuse you many times. Even small normal situations would bring tears to your eyes. You would get upset or depressed over trivial issues.

Fear of miscarriage: As the risk of miscarriage is quite high during first trimester, you may worry about whether your pregnancy is healthy or not. If you have had a previous miscarriage, this is a time of heightened stress and anxiety. This fear also results in decreased interest in sexual intercourse.

Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares: You may dream about the gender of your baby, how he/she would look like, about the health of the baby. These dreams also make you anxious at times.

How to cope up with these changes?

Be aware about the changes and feel normal about them.

Read more about them on internet or books. Try to get at ease.

Talk about them openly with your partner and doctor.

Pamper yourself.

Exercise and meditate.

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Announcing pregnancy at work

As soon as you get the news of pregnancy, you would want to shout and tell everyone. But as, mentioned in my last blog as well, usually as customary practice we (Indians) tend to disclose it only after completion of our first trimester.

This is rather a blessing for working women, as freely disclosing about pregnancy at work can be more detrimental. Announcing Pregnancy has to be a well thought and planned action.

Home-work you must do

Know about your company rules

Maternity rules– Maternity leave, extension period ( with-pay and without-pay)

Health Insurance cover

HR schemes for Pregnant employees – flexi-timings, work-from-home etc.

Family discussions (Thorough discussions with the spouse)

Do you intent to join work back after delivery? Initial plan must be made athough many women change their minds about maternity leave and work plans after giving birth.

Work out for finances and resources (who will do the baby-sitting when you join back etc.)

Medical condition

There are some cases where-in your Gynaecologist advices complete bed-rest for some weeks or may be during complete pregnancy.  

Who should know first?

The answer is your immediate Boss! When a problem, announcement, resignation, or other work event occurs, it's considered respectful to go to your direct superior first and then move up the ladder to your boss' boss and then perhaps HR. You never start off a chain of events by telling a co-worker or your boss' boss first. It's simply not considered acceptable in the business world.

Few tips:

Time the meeting properly. If the performance reviews are around the corner wait for sometime (but don't wait until it's obvious!). Never have this meeting when your Boss is low in emotion or in a bad mood.

Carry a plan of how you will distribute your work amongst other colleagues when you are away on the maternity leave.

Discuss your pregnancy in a business-like manner—emphasize on the temporary nature of the situation. Underline your enthusiasm for your work and your determination to be as productive as ever.

Even if you are not clear on your working after giving birth – do not reveal your cards. Leave no room for someone to spin wild tales about you leaving forever.

Announcing to Co-workers and Clients

After your boss knows, it is good to share your news with clients and co-workers, though if you wish to you can delay it as much as you can. Few helpful tips:

Tell to your close team first.

Try to tell the complete group in a short time frame (may be same day). Telling a few scattered employees may contribute to a rumour mill. The same goes for clients.

When you do tell your clients, make sure to discuss with them how their needs will be sufficiently covered when you are on your maternity leave.

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Papaya and Pregnancy

I was towards the end of my first trimester, and for the Indian cultural reasons (not to reveal your pregnancy till first three months!) no one in my office knew that I was pregnant.

Doctor suggested adding lots of fruits in my diet, so, I started having fruit breakfast every day. Fed up with Apples and Oranges, I thought to switch to Papaya. Papaya had always been my favourite fruit (read as forcefully made favourite) since the days I had piles. Though the piles problem was over, but, as I considered Papaya good for bowel movements – so, went to office with Papaya in breakfast!

I was happily munching my second-last bite when a junior female colleague enquired “Are you observing a delay in periods? The reason for you having Papaya is to set your menstrual cycle right?” These words came like a volcanic lava on me. “Papaya is to get Periods!! God! I am pregnant!” Somehow, I swallowed that bite (and felt like I was hurting my baby inside), took her excuse and went to washroom to puke!

Next reaction was calling my mom-in-law and my mom to burst upon. “Why didn’t you advice me not to eat Papaya during this time??” and the answer from both the mothers was “We didn’t know”. “My junior colleague knows and you 50+ aged ladies don’t know Papaya is to set periods right!”

Googled on the internet to find the following:

An unripe or semi-ripe papaya is rich in a substance called latex. Research shows that this concentrated form of latex may trigger uterine contractions. Also, papaya skin and seeds shouldn't be eaten.

However, a “fully” ripe papaya is a good source of vitamins and minerals and can be taken in pregnancy. This is because the latex concentration in a fully-ripened papaya is significantly reduced.

As a safety measure, many pregnant mums exclude papaya from their diets altogether. Despite the research, it is a traditional belief that eating papaya can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

If you're still unsure about whether to eat papaya, talk to your doctor.

Next person to consult was my Gynaecologist. Fixed up an appointment for the same evening, visited her. She, like most Gynaecologists, was indifferent towards my question. Her reply was “It is not harmful but you can avoid”. Man, what should I do for the half kg I have already eaten? Just to cool me down, she checked me and suggested to pre-pone the next week ultrasound to today.

The ultrasound report was fine. Baby was hearty and healthy. A big sigh of relief!

Seems my baby (now 3-yr old) loved Papaya then and he loves it today as well!