By now, we all must be aware of how a mother's body changes during and even after pregnancy. What comes next is a challenging phase, called postpartum. However, it is not just the mothers, but dads too go through postpartum depression. As per the UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1 in 10 dads struggle with postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety. According to a 2019 study published in Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, a peer reviewed journal providing evidence-based information, titled Postpartum Depression in Men by Jonathan R Scarff defines postpartum depression as an episode of major depressive disorder occurring soon after the birth of a child. While it is frequently reported in mothers, but can also occur in father. However, there is no established criteria for this in men, although it could present over the course of a year, with symptoms of irritability restrict emotions, and depression.

Why Do Dads Experience PPD?

Fathers can also experience postpartum depression (PPD) due to various factors, including a history of depression, relationship conflicts, financial stress, and maternal depression. Sleep deprivation and disrupted circadian rhythms, known to affect maternal mental health, may also contribute to PPD in men. Additionally, hormonal changes during and after pregnancy play a role. Studies suggest that lower testosterone levels in new fathers reduce aggression and enhance responsiveness to a baby’s cries, while increased estrogen levels promote more engaged parenting. However, these hormonal shifts can also increase vulnerability to depression. Low testosterone is directly linked to depressive symptoms, and imbalances in estrogen, prolactin, vasopressin, and cortisol may hinder father-infant bonding, further exacerbating PPD symptoms.

In fact the study also goes on to note that fathers can experience prenatal depression like mothers too. While it depends on the kind of environment they are in, here are some of the common reasons why dads feel this way:

Hormonal Changes: As per a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Human Biology, titled Prenatal hormones in first-time expectant parents: Longitudinal changes and within-couple correlations, showed that fathers experience hormonal changes during and after their partner's pregnancy. The main reason is the decline in testosterone.

Feeling Disconnected: While dads also want to be part of the newborn experience, the baby usually spends most of the time with the mother. It may make them feel like they are on the "outside".

Other reasons include the pressure that a father feels. Parenting is not easy, it adds on to financial pressure, and this thought could also lead to depression. Especially, if depression runs in father's family, he is more likely to feel depressed with these changes around him. Most new parents underestimate the role lack of sleep plays in their lives. Staying up all night trying to get your baby to eat or sleep can leave you feeling sleep deprived, which could be one of the reasons why the father too may feel tired and depressed.

What Can Be Done?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that postpartum depression screenings not be solely the responsibility of obstetrician, and it must be done by pediatricians too to incorporate maternal health. However, fathers too should go for such screenings. In fact, in 2020, an editorial in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics called on pediatricians to assess the mental health of all new parents regardless of gender.

The ray of hope here is that more and more people are talking about it and are able to recognize the depression dads also go through. The change is not just for moms, but also for dads, thus it is important that they also are taken care of.

When Emily Hughes saw that her 18-month-old daughter, Scarlett, had a swollen knee in late 2023, she initially thought it might be an injury from the toddler’s routine playtime. Scarlett was energetic and adventurous, and the swelling did not appear to cause her pain.

But the swelling did not improve, and further examinations eventually led to a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a chronic inflammatory condition that affects children.

Hughes, who lives in Australia, told Mamamia that several doctors initially found no cause behind her daughter’s symptoms. The situation changed in February 2024, when Scarlett’s knee became hot, painful and more severely swollen. She could no longer bear weight on the affected leg. “She wouldn’t bear weight, and it was even more swollen,” Hughes said.

Scarlett was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where doctors initially thought it was septic arthritis, a serious joint infection. Investigations failed but the family continued consulting specialists.

By May, after other possible explanations got investigated, Scarlett was referred to a rheumatologist and diagnosed with juvenile arthritis affecting three joints.

Now four years old, Scarlett is in remission and has returned to physical activities like climbing and doing cartwheels. Her experience highlights why stubborn joint swelling and changes in a young child’s movement deserve emergency medical attention, even when the child is not in pain.

What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Also read: Women And Arthritis: Why Risk Increases After 40

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of chronic arthritis in children. It refers to a group of several conditions in which the immune system triggers inflammation in the joints by mistake. Although genetic and environmental factors may contribute, the exact cause is unknown.

The condition can affect children younger than 16 and may involve one or several joints. The knees, ankles, wrists and elbows are commonly affected.

Unlike arthritis, JIA can begin during toddlerhood. Its symptoms may also be difficult to recognise as young children cannot always describe pain, stiffness or discomfort accurately.

There is no single test that confirms JIA. Doctors start by assessing the child’s symptoms, medical history and physical examination, and may use blood tests and imaging to investigate inflammation and rule out other conditions.

Signs Of Juvenile Arthritis Parents Should Not Ignore

Also read: Arthritis Day: Stanford Researchers Explore Possibility To Treat Osteoarthritis Without Knee Replacement Surgery

According to the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should watch for the following symptoms:

1. Continued joint swelling

A knee, ankle, wrist or other joint that remains swollen should be assessed on priority. In JIA, painless swelling may occur even when the child seems comfortable.

2. Morning stiffness

Children may struggle to move a joint after waking up or after sitting still for a long time. Stiffness may improve as they become more active during the day.

3. Limping or reluctance to walk

A toddler who starts limping, avoids putting weight on one leg or has difficulty walking may be experiencing joint inflammation.

4. Difficulty bending or straightening a joint

Limited movement is also one of the signs. A child may struggle to straighten an elbow, bend a knee or move a limb as freely as before.

5. Changes in play and everyday activities

A child who suddenly avoids climbing, running or playing, or struggles with activities they previously dud easily, may have pain or stiffness.

Some children with JIA may also experience fatigue, fever, rash or reduced appetite, depending on the type of disease. Untreated inflammation can damage joints and interfere with a child’s movement and development. Early diagnosis and treatment aim to control inflammation, maintain joint function and help children maintain their usual activities.

JIA can also affect the eyes. Some children develop uveitis, inflammation inside the eye that may cause no obvious symptoms initially but can threaten vision if left untreated. Regular eye examinations are therefore an important part of JIA.

For every woman pregnancy is a beautiful and dream journey, but from the perspective of heart-health , it acts as a “natural stress test” for the body. The best part is most women recover completely after childbirth. However, certain complications such as preeclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, or poor fetal growth can sometimes be early warning signs of future cardiovascular risk.

As a cardiologist, I want women to know that preeclampsia does not simply end when pregnancy ends. It can signal a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke later in life. Gestational diabetes also increases future cardiometabolic risk.

This does not mean you will develop heart disease. It means you have an opportunity to be proactive.

Also read: Maternal Immunisation: The Forgotten Half of Protecting a Baby's Health

What should be your postpartum action plan?

1. Check your blood pressure regularly, especially after preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.

2. Check blood sugar after gestational diabetes and continue recommended long-term screening.

3. Know your numbers: monitor cholesterol, weight and other cardiovascular risk factors.

4. Rebuild healthy habits: gradually return to regular exercise, eat a heart-healthy diet, avoid smoking and prioritise sleep.

5. Tell your doctor your pregnancy history—it is an important part of your lifelong heart history.

Your pregnancy may be over, but not your heart health journey, it continues for life time. Early awareness gives you the power to prevent problems before they begin.

By Dr. Sunil Kumar Mandal, MBBS, MD , DM (Cardiology), Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist

Vaccination during pregnancy protects more than just the mother. Vaccines such as Td, Tdap, and influenza (when recommended) help pass protective antibodies to the baby, providing valuable immunity during the first six months of life.

When people think about vaccination, they usually think about babies receiving their first vaccines after birth. However, an important part of a child's protection actually begins during pregnancy.

Maternal immunisation helps protect both the mother and her baby by allowing protective antibodies to pass through the placenta before birth. These antibodies provide the newborn with temporary immunity during the first few months of life, when the baby's immune system is still developing and routine childhood vaccines have not yet become fully effective.

Despite its importance, awareness about maternal immunisation remains low, with many women knowing only about the Td vaccine while being unaware of the benefits of Tdap and influenza vaccination when recommended.

What is maternal immunisation?

Maternal immunisation refers to vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy to protect the mother from certain infections while also passing protective antibodies to the unborn baby.

During the third trimester, these antibodies cross the placenta and help protect the newborn from serious illnesses during the first six months of life. This protection is especially important because young infants are more vulnerable to infections and cannot receive all vaccines immediately after birth.

Also read: Children’s Mental Health In The Digital Age: Can Governments Protect Them Without Restricting Internet Access? | Interview

Important vaccines during pregnancy

Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria): The Td vaccine is routinely recommended during pregnancy. It protects the mother against tetanus and diphtheria while also helping protect the newborn from neonatal tetanus.

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis): In many situations, doctors may recommend the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. It also protects against pertussis (whooping cough), a highly contagious infection that can be life-threatening for young babies. Vaccination during pregnancy allows antibodies to reach the baby before birth, reducing the risk of severe illness in early infancy.

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications from influenza. When recommended by the treating doctor, the influenza vaccine helps protect both the mother and the baby during flu season.

Why it matters for the newborn

A newborn's immune system is still immature, making babies more susceptible to infections. The antibodies received from the mother act as the baby's first shield against disease until the infant starts receiving routine childhood vaccines and develops their own immunity. This early protection can reduce the risk of severe infections during one of the most vulnerable stages of life.

Also read: The Silent Struggle Of Raising A Child With Mental Health Challenges: How Parents Can Cope With Stigma

Tips for expectant mothers

• Discuss maternal vaccination during your first antenatal visit.

• Receive the Td vaccine according to your doctor's advice.

• Ask your obstetrician whether Tdap is recommended during your pregnancy.

• Take the influenza vaccine if advised by your doctor.

• Attend all scheduled antenatal check-ups.

• Maintain a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and good hydration during pregnancy.

• Encourage family members and caregivers to stay up to date with their vaccinations to help protect the newborn.

• Ensure your baby receives all routine childhood vaccines on time after birth.

By discussing vaccination early in pregnancy and following medical advice, expectant mothers can provide their newborn with valuable protection during the first six months of life, giving them a healthier and safer start.