You must have seen reels going viral on cutting the umbilical cord after the baby is born. The videos show where the nurse or a healthcare professional asks a mother to let them cut the cord, whereas the mother denies. It is in one such video posted by @doctormyro, Myro Figura, who is an Anesthesiologist, based in Los Angeles, on his Instagram channel, where he reacts to it. The mother can be seen saying she does not want to cut the cord right away and wants to wait until it turns white.

The doctor who is reacting to the video says, "You absolutely should wait because after the baby comes out, the cord is still pumping nutrient rich blood into the fetus and into your baby as much as 30 to 40% of its blood volume. Cutting that cord early does save a little bit of time for everybody but it robs the baby of critical nutrients in its first day of life." He further goes on to say that "as a patient, you absolutely must have to speak up, because most medical societies now recommend delayed cord clamping. But it is not routine (and) not always done."

The video brings about an important point which many new mothers do not know: the right time to cut the cord.

So, is there really a right time?

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), at the time of birth, an infant is still attached to the mother with the help of the umbilical cord, which is part of the placenta. After birth, the child is separated by clamping the umbilical cord.

WHO notes that early clamping is generally done within the first 60 seconds after birth, whereas later cord clamping is done more than one minute after birth or when the cord pulsation has ceased. These means the cord is no longer expanding and contracting to transfer blood and nutrients to your baby.

WHO also note that delaying this allows blood flow to continue, which can be beneficial for the baby. It can improve their iron status for up to six months after the birth. This is especially helpful in babies born in low-resource settings with reduced access to iron-rich foods. WHO also recommends delayed umbilical cord clamping, which is not earlier than 1 minute after birth for improved maternal and infant health and nutrition outcomes.

However, as per a 2022 study titled Differential effects of delayed cord clamping on bilirubin levels in normal and diabetic pregnancies, it was found that delayed cord clamping indeed led to neonatal hyperemia, erythrocytosis, and hyperbilirubinemia, which increases the risk of neonatal jaundice. It could also may be a risk factor for increase bilirubin levels in neonates of diabetic mothers.

So, how long is not too long? While a mother does not have to wait for the cord to turn white, as WHO recommends, the cord should only be clamped after a minute and not within the first 60 seconds.

What is the umbilical cord?

This connects your baby to the placenta in the uterus. The placenta helps your baby breathe and grow before birth, while the umbilical cord has blood vessels that carry oxygen and food from placenta to your baby. It also carries wastes from your baby to the placenta.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra have become parents. They are blessed with their first child, a baby girl on July 15. Both the actors shared a joint statement, "Our hearts are full, and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a baby girl. Kiara & Sidharth."

As the couple welcomes their baby and get used to the new life, a lot more is to come for both. While parenthood is a blessing, it is also challenging. Welcoming a baby also means a period of postpartum for the mother. So, how does it all work out? How can mothers smoothly sway through this phase?

What Happens In Postpartum Phase?

Postpartum brings a cascade of physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that deeply affect new mothers. “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,” explains Dr Sushma Pampanavar, gynecologist and obstetrician.

She adds, “Hormonal shifts, especially estrogen and progesterone drop rapidly after delivery, this can affect the mood.” Dr Pampanavar also points out that postpartum symptoms include “postpartum bleeding and discharge, also known as lochia, which goes on for a few weeks.”

Other physical changes involve engorged breasts, nipple sensitivity, and pelvic floor discomfort which can lead to urinary incontinence. “Your body goes through so many changes all at once,” she says, highlighting the layered transition women undergo physically and emotionally.

Dr Himanshu Nirvan, psychiatrist, elaborates on the emotional toll, stating 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.”

He warns that if left unaddressed, postpartum can “potentially strain the mother-child relationship, leading to feelings of detachment, neglect or irritability.” To support healing, he recommends, “Joining new parent groups, seeking online forums, attending support groups, and connecting with other mothers.”

Speaking about postpartum after pregnancy loss, Dr Avir Sarkar, gynecologist and assistant professor, 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.”

He adds, “Women still experience bleeding, hormonal shifts and other postpartum symptoms, along with the profound emotional impact of pregnancy loss,” and suggests, “Allow yourself to grieve, express your emotions and seek support from loved ones and healthcare providers.”

What Can Help You Heal?

In a world that glorifies productivity, “doing nothing” as a new mother sounds almost rebellious. Yet, for many postpartum women, embracing rest over relentless activity might be the most healing thing they can do. After childbirth, while the spotlight shines on the baby, the mother is often left to quietly cope with bleeding, sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and emotional upheaval—all while being told to “bounce back.”

Cultural images of polished, picture-perfect new moms—like public figures stepping out in heels and makeup just hours after delivery—set dangerously unrealistic standards. But the truth is, the body takes time to heal. The uterus alone takes around six weeks to return to its pre-pregnancy size, and emotional recovery can take even longer. That’s why the idea of “doing nothing” in postpartum isn’t about laziness; it’s about reclaiming space to rest, bond, and recover.

Doing nothing may look like holding your baby while binge-watching TV, letting go of expectations around housework, or allowing cereal to be dinner more nights than not. It might involve skipping extra chores, saying no to guests, and prioritizing sleep whenever possible.

For multitasking moms especially, embracing this mindset can be tough. But those who slow down often find clarity and peace. As the article notes, pushing yourself too soon can lead to physical complications and emotional burnout, while accepting a slower pace can help you emerge stronger and more present.

Learning how to drive is a big step of independence for children. It marks a phase where they learn responsibility, how to manage the autonomy they have gained as well as their way around different situations. There are many dangers associated with driving, hence there is a level of trust a parent must have before they let their teens drive. Whether it is others driving recklessly, difficult roads to travel in or themselves being careless. As teens are very well known for their lack of well-thought out actions, many of them find using their phones while driving normal.

A new study reveals a concerning trend: about one-fifth of the time, teenage drivers are looking at their smartphones instead of the road. This means they're not paying attention to what's in front of them or checking their mirrors.

The study, published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, found that teen drivers spend an average of 21% of each trip focused on their phone. What's more, these weren't just quick peeks. Nearly 27% of the time, drivers were looking at their phones for two seconds or longer. This amount of time dramatically increases the chance of a car crash.

Why Teens Use Their Phones Behind the Wheel

So, what are teens doing on their phones while driving? The study showed:

• Entertainment (like social media or videos) was the top reason, accounting for 65% of phone use.
• Texting came in second at 40%.
• About 30% of teens used their phone's GPS for navigation.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious threat to public safety, especially among young drivers. When someone drives while distracted, they're not just putting themselves at risk of injury or death; they're endangering everyone else on the road.

While 35 U.S. states have laws banning all phone use for young drivers, a previous national study found that nearly 92% of teens still regularly use their smartphones for texting, talking, or playing music while driving.

What Teens Understand (and What They Don't)

For this new study, researchers asked over 1,100 teenagers about their habits and beliefs regarding smartphone use while driving.

Many young drivers actually understand that bad things can happen when they're distracted. They also know that their parents and friends wouldn't want them using their phones while driving. Teens also strongly believe they can avoid distracted driving by using features like "Do Not Disturb," hands-free modes, or phone holders. They recognize the benefits of using phone features like GPS but also understand the higher risk of accidents when distracted.

However, teens also said that their friends often drive while distracted by their phones. This suggests that more teens might be giving in to the temptation than they're willing to admit.

How to Encourage Safer Driving

Researchers suggest creating messages that challenge false beliefs about using phones while driving, such as the idea that you can still be productive on your phone while in transit. To help reduce this dangerous behavior, they recommend:

• Encouraging the use of "Do Not Disturb" mode on phones.
• Keeping phones out of reach while driving.
• Making sure teens get enough sleep, as tiredness can also increase distraction.

Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Even if it is at school or at any other trust place. Health crisis may not seem like a big concern for school going children, however, understanding how unpredictable injuries and health concerns can be, it is important that emergency services are always ready. Many times, during these situations, a quick response is crucial, losing even moments could make or break the crisis.

However, what are the most likely health situations that can arise and how much should a school be worried about? New research reveals that U.S. schools should prioritize preparedness for three common health emergencies: brain-related crises, psychiatric/substance abuse issues, and trauma-related injuries. These three categories collectively account for approximately half of all emergency medical services (EMS) responses to schools.

Key Findings from the Study

A report published in the journal Pediatrics analyzed over 506,500 EMS calls to schools between 2018 and 2022, focusing on children aged 5 to 17. The study identified the following breakdown of emergency types:

• Neurologic problems (e.g., seizures): 19% of EMS calls.
• Psychiatric conditions or substance abuse: Nearly 17% of calls.
• Accidental injuries: Another 15% of calls.

The study also noted differences across age groups: elementary school students were more likely to require treatment for physical injuries (17%), while teenagers more frequently needed help for psychiatric conditions or substance abuse (18%).

Enhancing School Preparedness

Researchers emphasized the need for schools to enhance their emergency preparedness. He highlighted that timely treatment is crucial and suggested specific areas for staff training. According to US School Safety guidelines planning for emergencies must involve actions and daily routines that help create a secure school environment. These efforts can stop bad things from happening or lessen their impact if they do. Good planning also helps schools find and fix any weaknesses in their procedures and helps school staff and local emergency teams understand and handle their duties.

Creating a School Emergency Plan

A key part of emergency planning is putting together a complete school emergency operations plan (EOP). This is a document that explains what students, teachers, and school staff should do before, during, and after an emergency.

Developing this plan should be a team effort. It needs a diverse group of people from the school, as well as local community partners. Schools should also plan to check, evaluate, and update their EOP regularly to keep it current and effective.

Doing training, exercises, and drills that are right for different age groups can also help schools get ready for emergencies. These activities help everyone in the school community know their roles before, during, and after an emergency. They also give people a chance to practice the steps outlined in the EOP and improve how prepared they are.

Exercises and drills should be customized to fit the specific school community, including students' ages and physical abilities. It's also important to balance these drills with the school's overall culture and atmosphere.

Planning for Recovery After an Incident

Schools and districts can also plan for how they'll recover from emergencies even before they happen. This can make the recovery process quicker and more effective. As part of this, school emergency management teams should have a general strategy and plan to help the school community recover academically, physically, emotionally, and financially after an emergency.