Page 16 - Masala Lite Issue 164 August 2024

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through the pages in awe; the scientific diagrams of a woman with a baby inside
her captivated my imagination. As much as I was excited about my brother coming
into the world, I was more excited about what I saw in the pictures: a baby inside a
The woman. The physiology of pregnancy and a woman’s body seemed remarkable. How
is this little human surviving in another human? How is a woman’s body able to do
that? Those questions filled my mind with deep curiosity, and it was at that moment
WOMAN for I knew – I’d spend the rest of my life studying and trying to understand it. It has been
my most exciting and never-ending adventure.

How has your childhood, familial, and cultural upbringing influenced your approach
to medicine and patient care?

I’m the first doctor in my family, and contrary to expectations, it was my dream and
innate desire. This ambition flourished because of a family that believed in me and
my dreams. My dad and I used to watch medical shows together when I was a kid,
and all the doctors in the US in their blue scrubs looked so heroic in all the ways that
they saved lives – I used to tell my dad, “that’s what I want to do one day.” He always
reminded me that it will happen for me and that I should go for it. When you are
surrounded by people who believe in you from a young age, you grow up to believe
everything is possible.

What advancements in the field of Maternal-Foetal Medicine are you most excited
Maternal-Foetal Medicine specialist about currently?

The advancement of foetal surgery, like for spina bifida – a spinal cord defect – allows
DR. KAVITA NARANG in-womb operations that significantly improve survival and quality of life. These
surgeries dramatically enhance the chances of survival and the babies’ quality of life.
passionately cares for babies and mothers Additionally, advancements in genetic medicine have allowed us to diagnose many
conditions in parents and babies before they are born,
with high-risk pregnancies. allowing us to better care for the pregnancy and
counsel the patients on their options for a healthy
pregnancy.
BY AYUSH MADAN
What are some important things women should
be aware of when planning to start a pregnancy?

Start prenatal vitamins and folic acid before
pregnancy. Early and consistent prenatal care
reduces risks for mother and baby. Your body will go
through a lot of changes, and it can be emotionally
and physically challenging for some women; be kind
rom their extensive years of training, to yourself and your body, embrace the changes,
to the lifesaving work they carry out and remember that it is temporary, and eventually,
daily, and the massive ripple effect worth it.

they have on their community and public health, A lot of women are choosing to have children/
physicians have been held to the highest esteem in start families later in life; what are some of the
society since the Grecian days. Among these revered risks and benefits they should be aware about?
professionals, those who specialise in maternal-
foetal medicine (MFM) hold a particularly vital role, • Increased risk of preeclampsia, gestational
as they ensure the health and safety of both mother diabetes mellitus, and postpartum haemorrhage
and child during one of life’s most critical phases. • Increased risk of aneuploidies, especially Down
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of speaking
with Dr. Kavita Narang, an MFM specialist whose syndrome. I strongly encourage getting non-
story spans continents and defies most conventional invasive prenatal testing done.
paths of medical education. • Increased risk of infertility; if you are not ready

After graduating from Rangsit University, Dr. to have children till later into your 40s, consider
Narang became the first Thai doctor in over 20 oocyte or embryo freezing.

years to match into a surgical speciality in the US, Reproductive health can be challenging for women
pursuing her residency in obstetrics and gynaecology to discuss in Indian culture; how do you address
at Michigan State University and a fellowship in this with your patients and what steps do you take
maternal-foetal medicine at the Mayo Clinic, where to break these barriers? How can communities
she was the sole candidate selected for this highly- work towards destigmatising discussions around
competitive programme. During her time here, she reproductive health?
contributed to several peer-reviewed publications,
earning her the rank of Assistant Professor in just Make the patients feel comfortable and safe; if you
18 months. talk about a topic without stigma, the patient can
mirror the same approach and very slowly open up.
Today, Dr. Narang practices at the Perinatal I remind my patients that all their conversations
Associates of the Mid-Atlantic, part of the with me are confidential; I ask open-ended, empathic
Pediatrix Medical Group, treating underserved questions, and I’m the one to bring certain topics up,
patients in the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia area. as a lot of patients feel shame around discussing them.
She is also a life coach for other doctors, helping So I ask questions like, “How is your sex life?” and
them find balance in their demanding profession. Her uplifting personality, nurturing “How is your bowel and bladder function?” or, “What are your family planning goals?”
aura, and commitment to mental well-being has made her a sought-after speaker,
sharing her insights with medical professionals at conferences across America. Dr. During my visits, I also use the opportunity to educate my patients about their
Narang shares with Masala how she manages to do it all. reproductive health and what they should look out for, specific to their age group.
Knowledge is power – having sex education classes to educate teenagers and young
What is a Maternal-Foetal Medicine specialist, and how does one train to become adults is not only necessary but also empowering. It makes them more comfortable
one? having these conversations and seeking help through the right channels when they
A Maternal-Foetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, also known as a high-risk pregnancy need to. They will also learn to better care for their reproductive health when they
specialist, is a doctor who specialises in caring for complex and high-risk pregnant understand it.

patients and their babies. Examples include pregnancies with twins; triplets; recurrent Pregnancy is an important journey in a women’s life; what are your thoughts
losses; mothers with cancers/heart diseases/liver diseases, etc.; and babies with any surrounding the existing societal norms around pregnancy in the Indian culture,
abnormalities. The path to training to become an MFM involves completing medical and what changes would you like to see?
school (usually six years), followed by four years of obstetrics and gynaecology
residency training and three years of maternal-foetal medicine fellowship. • Do not ask when someone is planning to conceive; some women may be suffering
from infertility or may simply not wish to have children.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a
maternal-foetal medicine specialist? • Be respectful while commenting on pregnancies; some women may be already very

high risk, and your questions can make them very anxious.
I was born and raised here in Bangkok, Thailand, in a very supportive family that highly • Postpartum depression is very common, and women should be given love and support
valued education and big dreams. When I was six years old, my mum was pregnant during this time. Women should be encouraged to voice these concerns if they are
and had brought home a textbook called You and Your Child. I remember flipping
having symptoms, and they should not suffer in silence.
MASAL A LITE ISSUE 164 - AUGUST 2024