It was a fine day for many, as it was for Anup Semwal, a 23-year-old communication associate. Like many of us, on Wednesday, he too went out on that sunny day on a date and had a beautiful time. However, things changed completely when it started to rain.

Ignoring it, Semwal tried to book his bike. “It is the monsoon season, so a little rain does no harm,” he says. But soon things went haywire. “Before the bike could come, it started raining heavily and thus started three hours of anxiety,” he says.

Like many on Wednesday evening, Semwal too was stuck in traffic amid the waterlogged Delhi roads for three hours. To make things worse, he was dropped midway as the biker denied driving him through the Khanpur region.

“I waited outside a pan shop for someone to accept my ride, but no luck. An hour and a half went away—I was already drenched from the previous ride. My phone was losing battery, I started to panic,” he says. Luckily, an auto driver, who was homebound agreed to offer him a ride, but with a precondition that he will have to walk more than a kilometre through a stretch of road that “turns into a river everytime it rains.”

“I have a habit of overthinking, getting stuck in loop of thoughts. That stretch was indeed submerged, and all I could think about was getting electrocuted. Every step I took in that pool, I was praying to not get a shock. It was overwhelming,” he says.

Monsoon and Anxiety

Not just Semwal, but many others too faced anxiety when they had to reach home through the flooded roads. Fearing getting submerged, electrocuted or with the thought of being stuck in the traffic for an entire night. Many experience anxiety during the monsoons, fearing that they will be stuck in situations without a solution.

Mental health expert Dr Dharmesh Shah, who has been practising for the last 24 years, says that monsoon brings fear, anxiety and changes in how one feels. Being stuck in a situation like Semwal’s or many others who reach home after four hours for a ride that usually takes them one hour can be anxiety-inducing. However, there are ways one can try to combat it.

“If you find yourself stuck in traffic due to waterlogged roads, it's important to first accept the situation and focus on safety. Make sure your vehicle is secure and won't take on water. To manage anxiety, practice deep breathing and stay aware of your body's responses. Listening to calming music or watching something on your phone can be great distractions. It's also helpful to think positively and find small ways to enjoy the situation, like appreciating the break from your usual routine,” Shah says.

Furthermore, one can also use what is best available to them to calm themselves down. This can be their phone, music apps or a radio. “By listening to calming music, you can stay focused and calm, helping your body to relax and reduce the impact of stressful situations,” he says.

“When stuck in a stressful situation, healthy distractions can be very helpful. Listening to your favourite music, chatting with friends or family, playing games on your phone, or even taking selfies to document the moment can all serve as good distractions. These activities can help you pass the time and keep your mind off the stress until things improve,” remarks Dr Shah.

With Monsoon, Comes Depression

It is true that while many enjoy monsoon, it can also have a negative impact on your mental health. Apart from the anxiety-inducing experiences while manoeuvering through water-logged roads, monsoons can also lead to depression.

“Seasonal depression tends to worsen during the monsoon due to several factors, including reduced sunlight, higher humidity, and lower temperatures. The lack of sunlight can disrupt your body's internal clock and reduce serotonin levels, which can lead to feelings of depression. Additionally, the rainy weather often forces people to stay indoors, which can increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. The natural changes during the monsoon season can also lead to physical discomfort, such as body pains and mood swings, making symptoms of seasonal depression more pronounced,” says Dr Shah.

But there are ways one can manage the depression that comes with monsoon. Dr Shah recommends that one must try to get as much sunlight as possible, even if it means sitting near a window. Engaging in physical activities and hobbies can boost your mood, as can maintaining a healthy diet. “Practicing grounding activities like good sleep hygiene and breathing exercises (pranayama) can also help. Additionally, social interactions, mindfulness meditation, and community support play a crucial role in coping with seasonal depression,” he says.

If modern life had a “pause” button, many women would happily press it on their biological clocks. That is essentially what egg freezing offers: a chance to preserve fertility for the future. But the two questions that inevitably surface are how many eggs should you freeze and how many cycles will it take to get there? The short answer is, it depends.

How Many Eggs Are Enough?

When it comes to egg freezing, more is not always better, but a certain number is definitely necessary. Dr Navina Singh, fertility specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF, Mumbai, says women in their late twenties or early thirties generally need to freeze around 15 mature eggs to have a fair chance at one live birth. For those beyond the mid-thirties, the number usually goes up to 20 or more. Because as time ticks on, both the number and quality of eggs decline, reducing the likelihood of a healthy embryo developing from each egg.

Dr Swati Mishra, another fertility specialist, says, "On average, women in their early thirties are advised to freeze 10–15 mature eggs to maintain good chances of embryo formation later. For women in their late thirties, the target is higher, often 20 or more.”

The Cycle Question: One and Done, or More Than One?

Many women walk into clinics hoping a single cycle of ovarian stimulation will do the trick. Sometimes it does. But sometimes, biology has other plans.

“Some women respond strongly to stimulation and can collect the required number in one attempt,” explains Dr Singh. “Others, especially those with lower ovarian reserve, may need two or even three cycles. This is not a failure; it is simply how ovaries differ in their response.”

Dr Mishra adds that this variation is one of the biggest surprises for women: “It is natural biology. We prepare women from the outset that while some will achieve the target in one cycle, others may need more. It all comes down to ovarian reserve and individual response.”

In other words, if your ovaries are playing hard to get, patience and persistence are part of the process.

Behind the Numbers: How Doctors Decide

How do doctors know how many eggs or cycles a woman might need? Tests like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) and antral follicle counts help gauge ovarian reserve. These markers, combined with age and reproductive goals, give doctors a clearer picture.

A woman aiming for one child might freeze fewer eggs than someone who hopes for two. And lifestyle factors matter too. As Dr Mishra points out, “Weight, nutrition, and stress all influence ovarian response, which is why we encourage holistic preparation before starting treatment.”

Why Counselling Matters

Both experts stress the importance of counselling because egg freezing is about managing expectations as much as it is about collecting eggs.

Dr Singh says, “Counselling ensures women understand not just the approximate egg numbers but also the possibility of multiple cycles, costs, and time commitment. Egg freezing does not offer guarantees. What it really offers is choice.”

Dr Mishra agrees: “We want women to approach the process with realistic expectations and a clear plan. With the right guidance, egg freezing becomes a tool for control, not confusion.”

Egg freezing is not a magic wand that guarantees future babies, but it does offer women greater say over their timelines. The number of eggs you need depends on your age, ovarian reserve, and reproductive goals. The number of cycles it may take depends on how your body responds.

What doctors want women to know is, do not see extra cycles or higher egg targets as setbacks. They are just reflections of biology. With the right preparation, information, and mindset, egg freezing is less about uncertainty and more about empowerment.

If you’ve ever seen a baby’s tiny foot curled awkwardly inwards and downwards, you might dismiss it as “just the way they’re born.” But that little twist, called clubfoot, is no small matter. Left untreated, it can turn into a lifelong disability. And in India, where over 70% of cases in rural areas go untreated, clubfoot remains one of the most common yet most overlooked childhood deformities.

The Twist at Birth

Clubfoot is a congenital condition where one or both feet are turned inwards and downwards, making it difficult for the child to walk normally. “Clubfoot may look like a simple deformity at birth, but when not addressed in time, it becomes a rigid, disabling condition,” explained Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Aakash Healthcare.

India sees roughly 1 in every 300 children born with a bone deformity, according to the Indian Orthopaedic Association, and clubfoot leads the list. Yet, awareness remains staggeringly low. Families often think the foot will straighten on its own or that treatment is too costly, so the condition is neglected. Children who should be running and playing instead limp through life, sometimes in pain and often with a heavy emotional burden.

Why India Lags Behind

Unlike countries such as China, Uganda, and Malawi that have national clubfoot programmes, India still does not have a dedicated public health plan. This gap leaves thousands of children untreated every year. “Children with neglected clubfoot often face pain, difficulty walking, and emotional distress. They may get bullied in school and develop poor self-esteem, which impacts their overall development,” said Dr Chaudhry, who himself grew up with the condition before becoming an orthopaedic surgeon.

The neglect is not just physical; it’s social. In communities where disability already carries stigma, children with clubfoot often become isolated, missing out on school and normal childhood experiences.

Early Treatment Is Possible

The irony is that treating clubfoot early is neither complicated nor expensive. The most widely used method is the Ponseti technique, which involves gentle manipulation of the foot, followed by a series of plaster casts and then bracing. “This method has a high success rate when started early, usually within the first few weeks after birth,” explained Dr Chaudhry.

Parents often believe treatment means surgery, but that’s not the case when intervention happens early. “Timely diagnosis and intervention can prevent the need for complex surgeries later and greatly improve outcomes,” he added.

When Treatment Is Delayed

But what about children whose clubfoot is neglected? Is it too late for them? Dr Chaudhry said, “Even in neglected cases, it is absolutely possible to correct the deformity with modern surgical techniques. Surgery, followed by proper physiotherapy and braces, can help the child walk normally again. The earlier the intervention, the easier the recovery but it's never too late to act.”

This is a crucial message for parents who assume that once their child starts walking with difficulty, nothing can be done. The truth is, whether it’s casting or surgery, medical science today offers hope.

Spotting It Early

Doctors recommend that all newborns undergo simple foot checks as part of routine postnatal screening. Parents should also be vigilant: if a baby’s feet appear turned inwards or if the child struggles when learning to stand or walk, medical advice should be sought immediately. Delay only makes matters worse.

“Many parents wait, thinking the child will outgrow the twisted foot. But delay in treatment often makes it worse,” said Dr Chaudhry.

Changing the Story

Ultimately, the solution lies not only in treatment but also in awareness and policy. With a dedicated national programme, better newborn screening, and parent education, India can turn the tide. As Dr Chaudhry put it: “Clubfoot is a treatable condition. With awareness, early action, and the right care, we can ensure that no child has to grow up with a disability that could have been prevented.”

If you thought the only souvenirs from childbirth were baby pictures and tiny socks, times have changed. Turns out, the real treasure might be something most parents never even glance at before it is thrown away: the placenta and umbilical cord. Doctors are now calling placenta banking “biological insurance”, and the idea is picking up pace.

Your Baby’s Placenta Is More Than Just Leftovers

For centuries, the placenta has been treated as medical waste. But according to Dr. D.B. Usha Rajinikanthan, Senior Consultant in Gynaecology and IVF at SIMS Hospital, Chennai, this organ is brimming with stem cells that could be life-saving later on.

“Placenta and cord blood contain stem cells that can repair or replace damaged tissue. Collecting them at birth is safe and painless, but once discarded, that opportunity is lost forever,” she says.

These tiny cells are essentially the body’s master builders, with the potential to transform into different blood and immune cells. Which means what is usually thrown in a bin could actually hold a family’s medical safety net.

Why Stem Cells Are a Big Deal

Stem cells from the placenta are not just versatile; they are generous. Dr. Rajinikanthan explains that they have already been used to treat more than 80 diseases worldwide, including leukaemia, certain immune deficiencies and metabolic disorders. “Research is expanding into conditions like heart repair, brain injury and even diabetes,” she adds.

Placental stem cells are “younger” and more flexible, making them easier to match with siblings and relatives. In simple terms, the baby, siblings, parents and even grandparents may stand to benefit. It is not just your child’s resource; it is potentially a family heirloom.

Placenta Preservation: A Health Insurance

If we insure our cars and houses against accidents, why not our health? Placenta banking works on that philosophy. “It is a one-time investment in future health security. Families may never need it, but having stored stem cells gives enormous peace of mind,” says Dr. Rajinikanthan. She emphasises, though, that choosing an accredited stem cell bank that follows quality standards is essential.

How Does Amniotic Membrane Help?

Beyond the cord blood, there is another underrated star, the amniotic membrane. Dr. A. Jaishree Gajaraj, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MGM Healthcare, Chennai, explains that the amnion has been saving lives for over a century. “The first use dates back to 1910 when it was applied as a skin graft to promote healing. Today, it is used in ophthalmology for dry eyes, as well as for burns and diabetic ulcers,” she says.

In other words, this part of the placenta is not just a wrapper for your baby; it is a medical toolkit waiting to be tapped.

The Science Behind the Promise

Stem cell science has moved leaps and bounds in recent decades. According to Dr. Gajaraj, the umbilical cord blood and tissue have already been used successfully in bone marrow transplants for children with leukaemia and other bone marrow disorders. But the real buzz is around their future potential.

“These pluripotent cells are being researched for regenerating organs like the pancreas, liver, lungs and even the spinal cord. While still experimental, the promise is extraordinary,” she explains.

She adds that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly those derived from cord tissue, are showing the greatest promise in regenerative therapies. “Foetal MSCs from cord tissue expand better, are less likely to trigger immune rejection, and have higher therapeutic potential than their maternal counterparts,” says Dr. Gajaraj. Simply put, storing placenta and cord tissue maximises the number and types of cells available for future therapies.

But What About Delayed Cord Clamping?

Some parents worry that opting for placenta banking might compromise delayed cord clamping, the practice of waiting a few minutes before cutting the cord to allow extra blood flow to the baby. Dr. Gajaraj reassures that this is not the case. “Delayed clamping does not reduce the yield of mesenchymal stem cells. Parents can safely choose both practices,” she says.

A Gift From Your Newborn to the Whole Family

Placenta banking is not a crystal ball or a cure-all. It does not guarantee immunity against every illness. But as both doctors point out, it offers a shot at future treatments that could transform outcomes in life-threatening conditions