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did you know
pregnancy?
group called group B in the vagina, urinary opening or
rectum, which if present can infect the baby at birth. In
case the test is positive, the woman is given antibiotics
when she is in labour.
One common question that is frequently asked on the
TARSHI helpline is whether it is advisable to have
intercourse during pregnancy. Penile-vaginal intercourse
is sometimes not advisable in the first three and the last
two months of a pregnancy as the foetus maybe dislodged
in the uterus. However, pleasure can be given and received
through other activities like massaging and touching. The
couple can try out different positions as the pregnancy
proceeds to see what the pregnant woman is comfortable
with, in consultation with her doctor. It is important for
any sexual activity to be consensual. Unless there are clear
instructions from the doctor to abstain, as in the case of a
difficult pregnancy, there is no reason why a woman cannot
be sexually active throughout her pregnancy. Activities like
mutual masturbation and oral sex may be engaged in until
the end of term.
A woman has the right to know about all screening and
diagnostic tests that may be advised. If the tests indicate the
existence of a particular impairment of the foetus, she has
the right to terminate the pregnancy within a safe period.
However, please keep in mind that all impairments are not
disabling. It is important for a woman to be well informed
about drugs, tests and treatments. She has a right to receive
information about the pregnancy and the qualifications of
those involved in her health care. She has a right to receive
all care in privacy, accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests
etc, choose another caregiver in case she is dissatisfied with
the present one, be informed about whether she has been
enrolled for a research study and have unrestricted access
to all records about her pregnancy.
If a woman is pregnant in her late thirties and forties,
she may be treated as at high-risk. There is a higher risk
of having a baby with Down’s syndrome and there may
be other age related conditions such as hypertension and
diabetes, but with due care and support many older women
can stay healthy during pregnancy and childbirth. Women
with chronic illness or disabilities also have the right to
make choices as women without disabilities. Pregnancy
is not a disease, although it may be a difficult process for
some women.
There are many books, websites and videos that provide
information about pregnancy. However, they may differ in
accuracy and it is important to refer to information that is
positive and affirmative of women and pregnancy.
Useful Websites:
www.about.com, www.gynob.com,
www.innerbody.com, www.kidshealth.org,
www.maternitywise.org, www.motherfriendly.org,
www.1to9months.com, www.tarshi.net
in plainspeak · ISSUE 1 · ‘09 · 47