MD
Dr. Mona Hardas is a practicing Ob/Gyn from Flint, Michigan, with over 20 years of experience in private practice. She is also actively involved in teaching medical students and residents as an associate clinical professor from MSU College of Human Medicine.
Dr. Hardas is interested in minimally invasive gynecology procedures, including laparoscopic hysterectomy, myomectomy, removal of adnexal masses, etc. Having done her master's training in cosmetic gynecology, she has been performing those surgeries for over seven years. Apart from medicine, she enjoys mentoring and empowering women and is involved in the local communities. She has authored a book for young adults - “Pocket guide to your periods,” which educates young girls on the menstrual cycle. In addition, she enjoys painting, exercising, hiking, cooking, and traveling. She is most proud of her three daughters and enjoys spending time with them and her family.
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Basil or tulsi is a herb known for its minty flavor and is frequently used in Italian recipes. Considering its wide usage in Italian cuisines, you may wonder if it is safe to consume tulsi in pregnancy. This herb has an intense flavor that enhances the taste of Italian food. It is also a part…
An incomplete abortion or incomplete miscarriage is when some products are held back in the uterus after a miscarriage (1). It is also referred to as spontaneous abortion. The products of conception retained in the uterus do not have viable fetuses. This implies that there is no possibility to continue the pregnancy after an incomplete…
Once you are 5 weeks pregnant, you are at the beginning of the second month of pregnancy. The fifth week of pregnancy usually brings significant changes and developments. Your baby will experience rapid growth with the first organs starting to develop this week. The 5th week of pregnancy is also when you might get to…
Constipation is a common pregnancy complication. Most women can relieve it by staying active and increasing their fiber and water intake. However, if it persists, the doctor may prescribe laxatives. But is it safe to take laxatives during pregnancy? Laxatives or purgatives are medicines used to treat constipation. You can get them over-the-counter (OTC) under…
Regular exercise can help maintain and improve the physical and mental health of pregnant and non-pregnant people. For many, exercising during pregnancy is safe, provided they do not have a high-risk pregnancy. However, choosing the right exercises for pregnant women is essential to reap their benefits. Your OB/GYN can guide you to a trainer or…
Ovulation is when a mature egg (ovum) is released from the ovary. It is a hormone-mediated process where the follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates follicular growth, and the luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation. The released ovum moves from the ovary to the fallopian tube and stays alive for 12 to 24 hours, and it may…
Ovary pain during pregnancy can be due to several underlying conditions and often manifest as pelvic or abdominal pain. It is common during the early stages of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester (1). Irrespective of the symptoms and the trimester, consult your healthcare provider if you experience severe abdominal pain, specifically in the pelvic…
The first 12 weeks of gestation, starting from conception, is called the first trimester. During this period, the body begins to expand and grow, along with other physiological and physical changes in the mother and the baby, leading to weight gain in the first trimester. However, weight gain may not be common for all women.…
You will get busier after having a baby as you tend to your baby and their needs. At this time, you may also be thinking about “getting back in shape” and getting rid of your postpartum belly. While pregnancy exercises help improve your body posture and achieve a smooth pregnancy journey, postnatal exercises are equally…
A balanced diet is essential during pregnancy to meet your and your developing baby’s nutritional requirements. You may have been cautioned against eating raw vegetables during pregnancy, but should they be completely avoided? A pregnancy diet usually requires plenty of protein sources such as dairy and animal products. However, some raw vegetables may be rich…
Spotting when pregnant or uterine bleeding during pregnancy is common, especially during the first and late third trimesters (1). This event could occur due to different factors and usually does not imply a serious issue, especially in the first trimester. However, bleeding later in pregnancy may have a more severe underlying cause (2). This post…
Dry fruits offer energy, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and several bioactive compounds. Therefore, moderate consumption of dry fruits in pregnancy is important for a baby\'s overall health and well-being. Dry fruits are a combination of nuts and dried fruits. Nuts are naturally found dried inside a hard shell and protective husk (1). Dried fruits are…
The sinuses produce mucus that systematically drains into the nose to keep it clean and free of infections. Sinus infection while pregnant may occur when the inner lining of the sinuses or the nasal cavities become inflamed. This blocks the sinus drainage passages (sinus blockage), thus filling the sinus cavity with mucus. The most common…
Does abortion hurt? In short, the experience of abortion is different for every woman. While most of them have intense period cramps, a few may have slight discomfort. It may hurt for a short time, and most women can get back to normal activities the next day. Some say abortion pain is more painful than…
A headache during pregnancy may occur at any time, more commonly during the first and third trimesters. Most headaches are not bothersome and are often caused by hormonal changes and an increase in blood volume during pregnancy (1). These headaches are called primary headaches. However, pregnant women may also experience severe headaches due to underlying…
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a severe form of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) seen in babies born to mothers who drink during pregnancy. This condition is caused by consumption of any type and amount of alcohol. It may have teratogenic effects causing permanent brain damage and growth problems in babies. According to the US…
Gaining a little weight during pregnancy is normal and, in fact, healthy. But excessive weight gain can be alarming. To avoid or manage such a situation, you could try following some diet plans for overweight pregnant women to help maintain a healthy pregnancy weight. While preparing a food chart for pregnancy, you should include foods…
Masturbation and lovemaking may be observed as taboos in pregnancy. If you are also not sure whether masturbation during pregnancy is safe or not, you should be reading this post. Most women go through changes in libidoiXThe erotic urge or sex drive of an individual due to hormonal pregnancy changes. Moreover, your huge belly in…
Many individuals deal with food allergies caused by milk, eggs, nuts, etc. Their bodies cannot tolerate these foods well and produce several symptoms. Similarly, some women experience fish allergy during pregnancy, causing them to develop symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and eczemaiXA skin condition that causes itchy, red, and scaly patches on the skin due…
Loperamide is available under the brand name Imodium and is used for treating acute diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (1). However, you should check with a doctor before taking Loperamide during pregnancy. Although diarrhea may cause discomfort and nutritional deficiencies in pregnant women, taking Loperamide unsupervised is not advisable. The medication may also be used…
"Is it safe to eat sodium citrate during pregnancy?" is commonly asked by many expecting mothers when they want to use it for acidity issues. Although some people use sodium citrate for various reasons, pregnant women may have concerns regarding their baby's health. Therefore, it is recommended to seek medical advice before taking sodium citrate…