Parenting, often portrayed as a fulfilling and joyful journey, can also be a source of significant stress and emotional strain. Reflecting on my own experiences, I've felt the pressure of balancing parental responsibilities with personal well-being. This personal narrative is not unique, as recent reports highlight a growing concern over the mental health impacts of parenting. According to recent advisories from health experts, the stress associated with raising children has profound implications for parents' mental health, urging a closer examination and proactive measures.

US Surgeon General Gives's Wake-Up Call

The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's recent warning brings to light the significant mental health challenges faced by parents. The Surgeon General emphasized that the pressures of parenting—ranging from financial concerns to daily caregiving demands—are taking a toll on mental well-being. Dr. Murthy states, “The stress and strain of parenting are real and profound, impacting mental health and well-being in ways that we must address.” This statement underscores the severity of the issue and highlights the urgent need for targeted support and intervention.

Parenting is Hazardous to Your Health

As the warning stated by Surgeon General, the rise in parental stress is closely linked to modern societal pressures. Parents today face unprecedented demands, including managing careers, household responsibilities, and children's needs, all while navigating a landscape shaped by social media and economic uncertainties. These factors contribute to heightened levels of anxiety and depression among parents. The growing crisis discussed across various reports elaborates, “Constant exposure to idealized images and unrealistic expectations can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and stress, leading to significant mental health challenges.”

In addition to societal pressures, digital media has intensified parental stress as well. The pervasive presence of social media creates a platform for comparing parenting styles, which often leads to feelings of inadequacy. The Journal highlights that “parents are bombarded with idealized portrayals of parenting that can contribute to stress and isolation, making it difficult to manage everyday challenges effectively.”

Impact on Mental Health

The impact of this stress on mental health is multifaceted. Chronic stress can lead to various psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. According to the Surgeon General's report, these mental health challenges are not just a personal issue but a public health concern. The US Surgeon General emphasizes that “addressing parental stress requires a comprehensive approach that includes mental health support, community resources, and workplace policies designed to alleviate some of the burdens faced by parents.”

The strain of parenting can also affect relationships and overall family dynamics. Parents experiencing high levels of stress may struggle with maintaining healthy relationships with their partners and children, leading to a cycle of increased tension and emotional strain. This dynamic can have ripple effects throughout the family unit, affecting everyone’s mental health and well-being.

Coping Strategies and Support Systems for Parents

To address these challenges, experts advocate for several strategies aimed at reducing parental stress and supporting mental health. Building a strong support network is crucial. This network can include family members, friends, and professional counselors who provide emotional and practical assistance. The Surgeon General's report underscores the importance of creating supportive environments both at home and in the workplace. “Support systems and policies that reduce stress and promote mental health are essential in helping parents manage their responsibilities more effectively,” the report notes.

In addition to seeking support, self-care is highlighted as a critical component of managing stress. Parents are encouraged to engage in activities that promote personal well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, and relaxation techniques. The New York Times suggests that setting aside time for oneself and addressing the root causes of stress can lead to more effective coping strategies and improved mental health.

Moreover, community and workplace interventions are also vital. Policies that offer flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and access to mental health resources can significantly reduce the burden on parents. The Wall Street Journal points out that “implementing supportive policies and providing resources can help alleviate some of the pressures faced by parents, leading to better mental health outcomes.”

The ongoing dialogue about parental stress and mental health highlights the importance of collective awareness and action. It is crucial for society to recognize the significant impact that parenting stress can have on mental health and to support parents in managing these challenges. By fostering a supportive environment and advocating for resources and policies that address mental health needs, we can improve the well-being of parents and enhance their overall quality of life.

As we move forward, it is essential to give thoughtful consideration to these insights and work together to better understand and address the complexities of parenting stress. Creating a more supportive and understanding environment will benefit not only individual families but also the broader community. Let’s continue to explore these issues with empathy and dedication, striving to support the mental health of all parents and create a healthier, more balanced approach to parenting.

By coming together to address these challenges, we can ensure that the journey of parenting is not only fulfilling but also manageable and supportive.

You can't completely shield your teen from stress, and a little bit can even be good for them. However, too much stress might make them more likely to get sick. For instance, teens feeling overloaded due to midterms, college applications, or other school pressures could become more vulnerable to catching viruses. This is because stress genuinely affects our bodies, making us more prone to illness, especially during winter when colds and flu spread easily in schools.

Stress Weakens the Immune System

According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine ongoing stress directly hits a teen's immune system, which is their body's way of fighting off sickness. When stress hormones are released, they can damage the immune system. Long-term stress can even lower the number of white blood cells that fight infections. If teens are always busy, not sleeping enough, and ignoring their own self-care, it sets them up perfectly to get sick. Stress also causes swelling in the body, which further weakens the immune system. During very stressful times like exams, it's really important to encourage teens to slow down and take care of their body and mind

Tips to Help Teens Stay Healthy and Less Stressed

Here are some simple ways to help your teen stay healthy, both mentally and physically:

Get Enough Sleep

Most teens don't sleep enough; they often get only about 7 hours, but they need much more, especially when stressed. Aim for up to 10 hours of sleep a night during stressful times. Good sleep helps their body and mind recharge, boosts their immune system, helps them manage emotions, and improves their thinking. Help them set a sleep schedule, put away phones at least two hours before bed, keep their room dark and cool, and try relaxing activities before sleep.

Find Ways to Cope

Help your teen discover ways to calm down and lower stress. This could be things like walking outside in nature, making a healthy meal, writing in a journal, trying simple breathing exercises, or using a meditation app. Teens who regularly practice mindful exercises to reduce stress often feel much less stressed overall.

Take Breaks from Tech

Many teens spend hours every day on phones and other devices outside of school. Too much screen time can actually make stress worse, not better. Encourage your teen to "unplug" by taking breaks from their devices. Suggest setting time limits for apps and social media.

Plan Ahead

If your teen has a stressful event coming up, help them prepare. Suggest a study schedule with breaks, and work together to make a plan. Getting organized can really help. Encourage them to use a planner or calendar, or help them make "to-do" lists, which makes managing deadlines easier.

Eat Well and Drink Water

While sugary snacks and caffeine might seem helpful during study sessions, they usually do more harm than good. Keep healthy snacks like protein bars, nuts, and fruit around. Providing healthy, comforting meals can also help lower stress. And don't forget to remind them to drink plenty of water, as not drinking enough can affect their body and even make them feel more anxious.

Is It Sickness or Just Stress?

Stress and anxiety can cause physical symptoms that feel a lot like being sick, such as headaches, stomach aches, and muscle pain. Often, teens might "feel" sick when they are actually just anxious. It's tough to measure stress because what causes it and how much it affects someone is different for everyone. It's important to talk to your teen about how they're feeling. If they have physical symptoms, take them to a doctor to make sure they aren't actually sick with the flu or another virus.

If your teen does get sick during a stressful time, help them deal with it so it doesn't add more stress. Let them know it's okay to take breaks for their health, and help them figure out how to catch up on any schoolwork. Teaching teens to take care of themselves is really important.

A baby is considered fully developed and full-term at 39 weeks of gestation. A baby can be born anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks and can still be considered full-term. This period helps in baby's organ development like brain, lungs, and liver. It also reduces baby's health risks, promotes a better brain development and helps with other cognitive activities.

However, under certain circumstances, premature babies are also born. However, when a baby is born at 24 weeks or later, the baby has chance to survival and this chance increases with each additional week of gestation. However, babies who are born before 24 weeks face a high risk of mortality and potential long-term health issues.

A baby born before 22 weeks has a survival rate of 6%. So if a baby born in 21 weeks survives, it is no less than a miracle.

This is the story of one such miracle that happened where a baby, who had less than 1% chance of survival is now thriving and has broken the world record.

"Defied All Scientific Odds"

This is from the year 2020 when at 21 weeks, in Alabama, the most premature baby in the world, as per the Guinness World Records, was born.

Curtis Means and his twin sister, C'Asya Means, were born on July 5, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. Delivered at just 21 weeks and 1 day of gestation—132 days premature—the twins faced overwhelming odds, with UAB estimating their chance of survival at less than 1%. According to Guinness World Records, they were born nearly 19 weeks early.

"Numbers show that babies born so young have little to no chances of survival," said Dr. Brian Sims, a professor of pediatrics at the UAB who was the on-call physician when the twins' mother, Michelle Butler. The doctor's statement is part of UAB's official statement.

However, C'Asya did not respond to treatment and died the day after birth, but Curtis' heart rate and oxygen levels started to improve.

"We have never been able to bring a baby that young to the neonatal intensive care unit, so [Curtis] was literally the first of his kind," Sims told Guinness World Records. We were in uncharted territory."

Curtis received constant medical care that helped him breathe. His body temperature was also regulated and other care, including enough nutrition intakes were maintained. It was in about three months, when the doctors were finally able to take him off a ventilator.

Dr Colm Travers, an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology said in a statement, "Curtis defied all scientific odds." Indeed he did. Age and birth weight are two of the most important factors in determining a newborn’s chances of survival, he explained. The odds are also higher if the baby is female, not part of a multiple birth, and if the mother received steroids before delivery to aid lung development—none of which applied in Curtis’s case. Yet, Curtis survived.

How The Baby Survived

At birth, Curtis weighed just 14.8 ounces (420 grams)—roughly one-seventh the weight of an average full-term newborn, according to Guinness World Records. Despite the odds, he grew stronger each day and was discharged from the hospital around nine months later, supported by medication, a feeding tube, and bottled oxygen.

After celebrating his first birthday, Curtis—affectionately nicknamed "Poodie" by his family—was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature surviving baby.

Six months after his discharge, Curtis’ medical team gathered outside the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital to surprise his mother with the Guinness World Record certificate. The previous record holder, Richard Hutchinson, had been born just a month earlier, on June 5, 2020, at 21 weeks and 2 days.

In a significant update to maternal health care, Australia is introducing new national guidelines on how pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes.

The changes, released by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia, mark the first major update to gestational diabetes screening in over a decade. These revised guidelines are expected to impact more than 280,000 pregnant women annually, streamlining care, reducing overdiagnosis, and focusing medical resources where they are most needed.

What Is Gestational Diabetes and Why Is Testing Important?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It’s defined by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that are first detected while a woman is pregnant. In Australia, GDM affects nearly one in five pregnancies and has short- and long-term health implications for both mother and baby.

Though GDM usually resolves after delivery, women who develop it are seven times more likely to later develop type 2 diabetes. Identifying and managing GDM is essential because untreated cases increase the risk of:

Macrosomia (a baby born significantly larger than average), which can lead to birth complications and higher rates of caesarean sections

Pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition involving high blood pressure and potential organ damage

Premature birth and other serious outcomes

Moreover, the screening process offers a gateway for introducing long-term health interventions like dietary advice, physical activity plans, and future diabetes prevention programs.

Why Are the Guidelines Changing?

While GDM screening and treatment are beneficial for many women, a one-size-fits-all approach has downsides. The new guidelines aim to balance the benefits of early detection with the potential harms of overdiagnosis. Studies and patient feedback have highlighted several concerns with the current system:

Women report stress, shame, and stigma after diagnosis

Limited access to specialist care and nutrition support

Some women adopt overly restrictive diets without professional guidance

Others are forced to change their maternity care provider or place of delivery due to a high-risk classification

The aim is to reduce unnecessary interventions for women at low risk, while enhancing care for those who truly need it.

What Exactly Is Changing?

The revised recommendations result from a broad review of current research and expert input from medical professionals and consumers. Here are the key updates:

Universal Screening Remains – But With Adjustments

All pregnant women without a prior diabetes diagnosis will still undergo routine screening between 24 and 28 weeks using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). This test involves:

• Fasting overnight
• A baseline blood test
• Drinking a sugary solution
• Two follow-up blood tests over two hours

However, fewer women will undergo multiple OGTTs during pregnancy. Early testing will be more targeted based on risk.

Early Testing for High-Risk Women

Women with risk factors will be screened earlier in pregnancy, ideally between 10 and 14 weeks. The approach includes:

An HbA1c test (a non-fasting blood test that gives an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months) in the first trimester for women with risk factors such as:

• High body mass index (BMI)
• Previous large baby
• History of gestational diabetes

If results show high HbA1c or there’s a history of GDM, women may undergo an OGTT early in pregnancy.

Stricter Diagnostic Thresholds

The cut-off values for diagnosing GDM using the OGTT have been adjusted upward. This means only women with more clearly elevated glucose levels will be diagnosed. The goal is to avoid labeling borderline cases as diabetic when the risks and outcomes are minimal.

What Do These Changes Mean for Women?

The updated guidelines aim to make gestational diabetes care more precise and patient-centered:

• Fewer unnecessary diagnoses for women with mild or borderline glucose levels
• Improved access to services for those at higher risk
• Reduced stress and confusion from unclear diagnosis or overtreatment
• Stronger support systems for managing diet and physical activity safely

Importantly, women are encouraged to maintain open communication with their health care providers, especially if they have risk factors or symptoms like fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination during pregnancy.