"As a health writer, I had often heard and written about postpartum depression, but it wasn’t until I experienced it myself after delivery that I truly understood its intensity. I had never felt so low and hopeless before. I found myself crying at the smallest things, and no amount of support from family and friends could lift my spirits. I spent my days in a deep, unshakable sadness, unable to feel the 'motherly' emotions I had expected towards my baby," shares journalist Kalpana Sharma.

A woman’s body changes every week. With the four phases of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s feelings, her body and her emotions are always changing. However, when a woman becomes a mother, her body experiences tremendous changes. Furthermore, the responsibility of being a new mom too could be overwhelming, leading to postpartum depression.

"You are three different persons when you are a mother"

“I am a very positive person. I know I can handle anything. So, when my friends would tell me their stories of postpartum, I would tell myself that I could handle it. I could talk myself out of it. But to my surprise, it was very difficult. My body and my mind went through so much,” says Akanksha Thapliyal, 34 from Siliguri, a creative consultant, who became a mother at 33.

Thapliyal shares that there were days when she would just cry, without even knowing the reason. At times, everyone felt like her enemy, including her husband.

A mother from East Tennessee, Tiffany Toombs Clevinger, now 39, shares she was 37 when she had her baby and her first feeling was, “Oh no, what did we just do?” She was in disbelief and did not know what to do to take care of her child.

Why were these mothers confronted by such feelings? The answer is postpartum depression. Postpartum is a phase after childbirth, where mothers go through physical changes. These physical changes in their bodies affect them mentally, the added responsibility of being a mother further makes this phase stressful and anxiety-stricken.

Dr Sushma Pampanavar, gyneacologist and obstetrician at the Iswarya Fertility and ICF Centre and a member of DocTube says that there are many physical effects of postpartum on a woman’s body. “There are uterine changes, which means the uterus expands during the pregnancy and begins to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size after childbirth. This may cause cramping.” Other effects include postpartum bleeding and discharge, also known as lochia, which goes on for a few weeks.

“Hormonal shifts, especially estrogen and progesterone drop rapidly after delivery, this can affect the mood,” she points out.

The body too begins to change its shape, breasts get engorged, nipples get sensitive, changes in pelvic floor also occur which may lead to urinary incontinence and discomfort.

All of these, combined with the added responsibility of being a mother is what causes postpartum depression or what is commonly known as ‘baby blues.’

“Your body goes through so many changes all at once. You are a different person when you are pregnant, a different person when you deliver and a different person a year later. You are three different persons when you are a mother,” says Thapliyal.

Impact Of Postpartum Depression

Sarah Fletcher, 49 from Blackpool UK, a hypnobirthing practitioner had her child when she was 25. She had severe anxiety and struggled to enjoy being a new mom. It affected her relationship with her partner and her child's behaviour.

“One day I had tormented him [partner] so badly that he was crying in a corner, begging me to stop. I was fearful, depressed, lonely and felt useless. This is reflected in my baby’s behaviour through him being unsettled, agitated and not sleeping,” she shares.

Dr Himanshu Nirvan, a psychiatrist at the Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences and (NIIMS) Hospital says that persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and irritability in mothers can lead to difficult bonding with the baby and “thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.”

If unaddressed, suggests Dr Nirvan, postpartum can potentially strain the mother-child relationship, leading to feelings of detachment, neglect or irritability.

Mother’s Guilt

The added responsibility of being a mother, and not being able to perform well as a mother too causes stress. Both Thapliyal and Clevinger share that they were not able to breastfeed their child. This made them feel useless and caused them to feel the mother’s guilt. This term refers to the feeling of shame and guilt that a mother feels when she thinks she is unable to live up to the standards of being a ‘good mother.’

“I struggled with breastfeeding, my body wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do. I was frustrated and I felt like a failure. I felt like I was not good enough,” shares Clevinger. She spiralled into anxiety and depression and lost the motivation to drive to work. This lasted for 20 months.

For Thapliyal, the feeling was the same. She went to her mother to seek her advice; however, she did not get any help. “My breasts would hurt, and my nipples were sore from breastfeeding. When I asked my mother, she told me that it was normal. But it is not. It was so painful that I could not breastfeed my child for two days,” she says.

This is when she finally reached out to a lactation expert and a counsellor. “Her name is Divya Kapoor. She helped me a lot through this phase. A lot of lactation experts or birth counsellors come from an empathetic background. Mostly because they did not have a great birthing or post-birthing experience. Divya struggled so she wanted it to be better for other mothers. She is now a doula,” shares Thapliyal.

Thapliyal has also shared her journey of motherhood in an attempt to help other new mothers in her podcast 'Manomanjan.'

The same is the story of Fletcher, who discovered neurolinguistic programming that helped her in her healing journey. She now teaches this to others and helps them with their mental well-being. As a hypnobirthing practitioner, she also supports women during the birthing process and helps them to keep a positive outlook.

Is Postpartum Just Limited To Mothers?

Sejal Malhotra (name changed), 24, an advocate from Delhi shares that she underwent the postpartum phase when she experienced a surgical abortion, last year September. “I went through an unplanned pregnancy and for the first 10 weeks, I did not realise I was pregnant. Complications arose and it was determined that the pregnancy needed to be terminated,” she shares.

The surgical abortion caused her body to react in ways akin to labour. “I endured pain, particularly in my vaginal area. Even doing simple activities like stretching, and sitting down, became a task, causing excruciating pain. The physical discomfort lingered for months. There was a complete loss of sexual desire, and this deeply affected my relationship with my husband,” she shares.

“Postpartum recovery can significantly impact a woman’s relationship with her partner, as both partners adjust to new roles and responsibilities. The physical, emotional, and psychological changes that occur during this period can strain intimacy and communication, but with understanding and effort, couples can navigate these changes effectively,” points out Dr Pampanavar

Malhotra also underwent hormonal shifts and experienced postpartum depression, leaving her feeling emotionally numb, feeling isolated and guilty for not being enough as a partner and a woman. There were days when she could not get out of her bed.

Gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Avir Sarkar, Assistant Professor at NIIMS says, “Experiencing a pregnancy loss, whether through surgical abortion or delivering a stillborn baby due to miscarriage, can indeed lead to a complex and emotional postpartum experience for women.”

Dr Sarkar says that women still experience bleeding, hormonal shifts and other postpartum symptoms, along with the profound emotional impact of pregnancy loss.

“Allow yourself to grieve, express your emotions and seek support from loved ones and healthcare providers,” suggests Dr Sarkar.

For Malhotra, her partner gave her the support she needed. At times, she noticed her partner mirroring the same emotional signs as hers. She is now in therapy and is doing much better.

“Physical intimacy may change during postpartum,” suggests Dr Sarkar. Partners too show the same emotional signs as they also experience the secondhand pain of their partners.

Ways To Deal With Postpartum

“Joining new parent groups, seeking online forums, attending support groups, and connecting with other mothers can combat feelings of isolation,” says Dr Nirvan. Partners too can assist with childcare and share household tasks.

Dr Pampanavar says that self-care, rest, counselling and therapy are some of the ways one can heal through postpartum. Experts also suggest that allowing mothers the time to bond with their child also helps reduce the feeling of sadness.

We have all been there, done that. Reaching out to Google every time we face slight discomfort sneezing, convinced that we have some serious disease. While not every ache or tickle means an emergency, some symptoms really do need urgent attention. According to ER doctors, there are a handful of red flags you should never brush off.

Here are six warning signs you should pay attention to immediately.

1. Chest Pain That Feels Super Heavy

We have all had heartburn after a cheesy pizza, but chest pain is not something to gamble with. Reports say crushing, pressure-like chest pain that radiates to your arm, jaw, or back is a huge red flag for a heart attack. Sometimes it comes with sweating, shortness of breath, or nausea. Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, do not assume it is just gas or stress. When in doubt, get checked out; it is always better to be told it is heartburn than to ignore a heart attack.

2. The Worst Headache of Your Life

Sure, headaches are common, but if you suddenly feel like someone is hammering your skull with no mercy, do not tough it out. According to the reports, a sudden, severe headache, especially if it is different from your usual migraines, could signal a brain aneurysm, bleeding, or other neurological emergency. Pair that with vision changes, weakness, or slurred speech, and you should be calling for help immediately.

3. Unexplained Shortness of Breath

Running up the stairs and wheezing like a deflating balloon is one thing. But struggling to breathe at rest or without any exertion? That is a whole different story. Experts say unexplained shortness of breath could point to conditions like blood clots in the lungs, asthma attacks, pneumonia, or even heart problems. If your chest feels tight, you are gasping for air, or your lips are turning blue, it is not something to “walk off”.

4. Sudden Weakness or Numbness in One Side of the Body

If you are holding something, and suddenly it slips right out of your hand because your arm has no feeling. Or half your face feels like it is melting. These are classic stroke symptoms, and ER doctors stress that time is everything. The quicker you get treatment, the higher the chances of recovery. Remember the acronym FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. Do not wait it out hoping it will pass.

5. Uncontrolled Bleeding

A paper cut? No big deal. A deep cut that refuses to stop bleeding after 10 minutes of firm pressure? That is a medical emergency. According to the reports, that uncontrolled bleeding can mean a damaged artery or an underlying clotting disorder. If you are soaking through bandages or the blood will not stop, it is not something to ignore. Plus, losing too much blood too quickly can lead to shock and nobody wants to faint in their bathroom.

6. Severe Abdominal Pain That Comes Out of Nowhere

Stomach aches are often brushed off as bad food choices. But if you suddenly develop intense abdominal pain that does not go away, reports suggest it could be something much more serious, like appendicitis, gallstones, a perforated ulcer, or even an intestinal blockage. The kind of pain where you cannot stand up straight or move without wincing is not the “sleep it off” kind. Trust your gut, literally, and get checked.

Listen to Your Body’s Alarm Bells

A team of researchers from Kyoto University, Japan, has uncovered hidden immune “hubs” that appear to play a critical role in driving joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The breakthrough, published in Science Immunology, sheds light on why inflammation persists in many patients despite existing treatments and may pave the way for new therapies.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide, causing painful swelling, stiffness, and damage in the joints. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

While medications such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics have improved outcomes, nearly one in three patients continues to respond poorly to current therapies. This new study provides an explanation for that treatment resistance.

Discovery of Immune Hubs

The Japanese team focused on a subset of immune cells known as peripheral helper T cells (Tph cells). Researchers discovered that Tph cells exist in two distinct forms: stem-like Tph cells and effector Tph cells.

The stem-like Tph cells were found residing inside small immune hubs known as tertiary lymphoid structures within inflamed joints. Inside these hubs, the stem-like cells multiply and activate B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies.

Some of these stem-like Tph cells eventually mature into effector Tph cells, which leave the hubs and contribute directly to joint inflammation by interacting with other immune cells such as macrophages and killer T cells. This continuous supply of effector cells could be the reason inflammation continues in patients even after treatment.

A New Therapeutic Target

By pinpointing the root of the problem, the scientists believe treatment strategies could shift toward targeting these stem-like Tph cells.

“Because stem-like Tph cells can both self-renew and differentiate, they may represent a root cause of the disease,” said lead researcher Yuki Masuo of Kyoto University. Neutralizing or limiting the activity of these cells at their source could potentially reduce the cycle of inflammation and slow down joint damage.

Advanced Techniques Revealed the Mechanism

The team reached these findings using a cutting-edge approach called multi-omics, which combines multiple layers of biological data.

By analyzing immune cells from both inflamed joint tissues and blood samples of RA patients, they created a comprehensive picture of how Tph cells behave. The results showed that stem-like Tph cells predominantly live inside immune hubs where they maintain close contact with B cells.

To confirm their theory, researchers recreated the environment in the lab by growing stem-like Tph cells and B cells together. They found that this interaction not only helped Tph cells transform into effector cells but also activated B cells, further fueling the immune response.

Why This Matters

The study marks an important step in understanding why rheumatoid arthritis is so difficult to treat in some patients. By revealing the role of immune hubs, it provides a more detailed map of how chronic inflammation is sustained in joints. For patients who struggle with current medications, these insights could one day translate into therapies that are more precise and effective.

The discourse surrounding vaccinations has been rampant in the past few years. Many people are questioning the validity of vaccines and why they need to have them. This becomes much more complicated when it involves children. Parents have expressed their concerns and whether their immune systems can handle vaccines. This is why we turn to recommendations by health organizations such as AAP and CDC, however, their new guidelines on the same are now clashing.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released new recommendations stating that all children ages 6 to 23 months should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This guidance is part of the AAP's annual childhood immunization schedule and includes recommendations for COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines for those 18 and under. This advice from the AAP stands in contrast to recent guidance from federal health officials.

How Are These Different From Federal Guideline?

The AAP's recommendation comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children. The CDC has since updated its guidance to a "shared clinical decision-making" model, which leaves the choice to vaccinate up to parents and their doctors. This difference in opinion highlights a growing disagreement between federal health officials and medical organizations on vaccine policy.

ABC news reports that AAP's president, Dr. Susan J. Kressly, stated that children between 6 and 23 months old are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19. She emphasized that the vaccine can protect these young children, many of whom were not exposed to the virus during the pandemic and therefore have no natural immunity. The AAP aims to provide clear and confident guidance to families who rely on them for medical advice, especially in a time of widespread misinformation.

How Does This Impact Vaccine Coverage?

While the AAP provides its own recommendations, insurance companies often follow the guidance of the CDC's vaccine panel. If the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) does not recommend a vaccine, it could lead to families having to pay for the shots out-of-pocket. It could also mean the shots aren't covered by the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides free vaccines to eligible children. The AAP is in talks with insurance companies to ensure that vaccines remain accessible as a part of standard preventive care.

Has Vaccine Skepticism Affect People’s Health?

The world is seeing a worrying increase in diseases that were once rare because of vaccines. GAVI, vaccine alliance, explains that this is threatening decades of public health progress and putting millions of lives at risk. In places like the United States and Canada, vaccination rates are dropping, leading to a rise in cases of diseases like measles. This problem is largely driven by the spread of false information about vaccines.

The children in this study were born during or after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused major disruptions to routine medical care. To help fix this problem, doctors should check a child's vaccination history at every visit and strongly recommend the necessary shots. To increase vaccination rates and protect all children from preventable diseases, experts suggest:

• Making it easier to get vaccines by removing financial and access barriers.
• Fighting vaccine hesitancy and the spread of false information.
• Using tools like reminder systems and strong recommendations from doctors to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated.