ABORTION
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Expulsion of the products of conception before the pregnancy has come to full term is termed as "abortion or miscarriage". About three-fourth of all miscarriages occur within the first twelve weeks and most of them occur due to some injury or fall during pregnancy; in cases of sudden shock, fear, joy or sorrow; in cases of mothers who are smoking, drinking alcohol or suffering from malnutrition; in cases where certain drugs are taken by the mother-taken for prolonged period or even once or twice (e.g. oral contraceptive pills) before or during the pregnancy; exposure of the expectant mother to radiation or toxic chemicals; due to some genetic abnormality of the embryo; some hormonal imbalance or due to improper implantation of the embryo.
HOME REMEDIES
1. Calcium-rich food-Eat lots of calcium-rich food like dairy products and green, leafy vegetables.
2. Cereals-Eat plenty of whole grain cereals such as bread, rice and pasta.
3. Cinnamon-In cases where there is bleeding in a pregnant woman following a false step, overlifting or over-reaching, chew on a piece of cinnamon (tuj) and take a little sugar.
4. Fruits and vegetables-Have plenty of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables daily.
5. Lotus root=Juice of lotus root is an age-old remedy for miscarriage.
6. Pomegranate (anar)-Pomegranate leaves given with powder of sandalwood, curds and honey helps prevent a miscarriage.
7. Protein-rich food-Eat lots of protein-rich food like beans, eggs, fish, nuts, peas, poultry, seeds, etc.
8. Sesame seeds (til)-Mixture of equal parts of sesame seeds, powdered barley (jau) and sugar with some honey stabilizes the embryo when there is a danger of spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
9. Turmeric-Mix two teaspoonfuls of turmeric powder in one glass of 200 ml of water and drink 50 ml of this water every two hourly till the bleeding stops.
10. Vitamins E and B complex-Grains, seeds and nuts are rich in Vitamin E and B complex and so should be taken liberally.
USEFUL DIETARY HINTS TO AVOID ABORTION
*Avoid caffeine products (like coffee, chocolate, tea, cola), alcohol and cigarettes.
*Mint leaves should not be taken in large quantities.
*Papaya and its sap should be avoided.
*Excessive pineapple in any form is harmful during pregnancy as it causes premature uterine contractions.
*Poppy seeds should be avoided by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
*Sesame seeds should not be consumed.
