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.

Delhi's air quality has slipped into the 'poor' category for the first time in more than 85 days, even as the monsoon season sets in. While rainfall is often expected to clear the air, doctors warn that a combination of lingering pollution, high humidity, mold, allergens, and seasonal viral infections can significantly increase the risk of respiratory illnesses in children. Experts say children are especially vulnerable because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, making it easier for polluted air and environmental triggers to affect their breathing and long-term lung health.

After weeks of relatively clean air, Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on July 12, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'poor' category at 261—the highest level recorded in more than 85 days.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, this was the city's highest AQI since April 17, when it stood at 263.

Repeated exposure to polluted air during childhood can impair lung development and increase the risk of long-term respiratory diseases.

"Air pollution affects children more because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, inhaling more polluted air relative to their body weight," Dr. Narendra Kumar Jha, Director and Head of Pediatrics at Yashoda Medicity, told HealthandMe.

He added that inhaled pollutants irritate and inflame the airways, weakening the body's natural defense mechanisms. This can lead to chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, and worsening of conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Why Children Are More Vulnerable

Children are not simply "small adults," said Dr. Nikhil Rajvanshi, Consultant, Pediatric Pulmonology, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

Because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, children breathe faster and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight than adults, making them more susceptible to pollution, infections, and environmental triggers.

How Air Pollution Affects Children's Lungs

According to Dr. Rajvanshi, pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation.

Even short-term exposure can cause:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Increased emergency visits in susceptible children

Over time, repeated exposure can impair lung growth, reduce lung function, worsen asthma control, and increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases later in life.

Why Respiratory Illnesses Increase During the Monsoon

Despite occasional rainfall clearing pollutants, the monsoon creates conditions that favor respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Rajvanshi explained that high humidity promotes indoor mold growth, damp conditions increase exposure to fungal spores, viral infections spread more easily, and sudden weather changes can trigger asthma. Periods of stagnant air between rainfall spells may also allow pollutants to accumulate.

As a result, pediatric clinics are reporting more cases of:

• Viral upper respiratory tract infections
• Persistent cough after viral illness
• Wheezing, especially in preschool-aged children
• Acute asthma attacks
• Allergic rhinitis with nasal blockage and sneezing
• Breathing difficulties linked to humidity, mold exposure, and fluctuating air quality

Children with asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable, as viral infections combined with poor air quality can significantly worsen their symptoms.

How Parents Can Protect Their Children

Dr. Jha advised parents not to ignore persistent cough, breathing difficulty, or sleep disturbances caused by respiratory symptoms.

On days when pollution levels are high, children should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. Parents should also keep indoor air as clean as possible, ensure children stay hydrated, and continue prescribed asthma medications if needed.

Other preventive measures include:

• Monitor the daily AQI before outdoor activities.
• Keep children away from tobacco smoke, incense, mosquito coils, and indoor biomass smoke.
• Prevent dampness and mold inside the home.
• Clean regularly to reduce dust accumulation.
• Encourage frequent hand hygiene.
• Ensure adequate sleep, hydration, and a balanced diet.
• Continue prescribed controller medication and maintain an updated asthma action plan for children with asthma.
• Ensure eligible children, particularly those with chronic respiratory diseases, receive an annual influenza vaccination.

When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?

Parents should consult a pediatrician if a child develops:

• Fast or difficult breathing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• A cough lasting longer than two to three weeks
• Recurrent nighttime coughing
• Fever accompanied by breathing difficulty
• Poor feeding or lethargy in infants
• Bluish lips or fingertips
• Asthma symptoms that do not improve with prescribed reliever medication

Dr. Rajvanshi stressed that early medical evaluation can help distinguish between viral infections, asthma, allergies, pneumonia, and other lung conditions.

"Not every cough requires antibiotics, and not every episode of wheezing means a child has asthma. However, recurrent cough, persistent wheezing, exercise limitation, or breathing difficulty should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve long-term lung health," he told HealthandMe.

The adolescent stage is a crucial milestone in one’s life due to various developments experienced by teenagers at this stage. Adolescents must get access to comprehensive reproductive health education because it is instrumental in educating them on various health concerns, enabling them to develop healthy lifestyles.

Nonetheless, due to social taboos, myths, and insufficient information, adolescents find themselves in a situation where they are not conversant with health concerns.

Creating Awareness About PCOS and Menstrual Health

Among some of the things that need to be discussed in relation to adolescent reproductive health is the issue of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and menstruation. Today, there is a higher prevalence of PCOS among girls and young women than before, which is related to various complications, including irregular menstruation, acne, excess body hair, and obesity problems in the future. It is important to know the first signs of PCOS to make a quick diagnosis of the disease and bring about lifestyle changes.

Another aspect that should be taken into account is the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls. Girls need to understand that menstruation is a natural phenomenon that, therefore, nothing should prevent them from practicing good menstrual hygiene practices, including the use of sanitary products and appropriate methods of changing their pads.

The Importance Of HPV Vaccination

Reproductive health education must include HPV vaccination information, which would be the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is something that many parents and young people don't know much about, including its benefits and recommended vaccination age. Therefore, educating people about how important it is to be vaccinated against HPV will help reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer in the future.

Encouraging Responsible Reproductive Health

The responsibilities regarding reproductive health also refer to the understanding of the process of puberty, but additionally include educating young people with regard to responsible behavior, respecting limits, practicing consent, and the importance of making informed decisions.

Building a Healthier Generation

Educating teenagers is very important in order to have a healthy generation in the future. Everybody should work together to create a supportive environment that encourages discussions regarding reproductive health problems. The promotion of awareness regarding PCOS, HPV vaccinations, and other reproductive health problems would also enable our children to become proactive in taking care of their health.

(Dr. Priya Gupta, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur)

Pregnancy is often considered to be a journey that begins with a positive pregnancy test. But medical experts agree that the foundation of a healthy pregnancy is laid much earlier, through preconception care, and strengthened throughout pregnancy with consistent antenatal care. The two stages together are important for the health and well-being of both mother and baby.

Preparing for Parenthood Before Conception (Preconception Care): Why it's important.

Preconception care is the care that happens before a woman becomes pregnant. It involves identifying and managing medical, nutritional and lifestyle factors that may affect pregnancy outcomes. If you’re planning a pregnancy or thinking about getting pregnant in the near future, it’s a good idea to prepare your body in advance to help lower the risk of complications. This is especially important considering that 40–50% of pregnancies worldwide are estimated to be unintended, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A preconception health check-up will usually include a review of your medical history, screening for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders and anemia, assessment of your vaccination status and discussion of any medications that may not be safe during pregnancy. Doctors also advise women to start taking folic acid supplements at least a month before they conceive to help prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby.

And the healthy lifestyle choices are equally important. Maintaining an ideal weight, following a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing stress can improve fertility and contribute to a healthier pregnancy.

Every Check-Up Counts (Antenatal care)

Antenatal care should be routine once pregnancy is confirmed. These regular medical visits allow healthcare providers to monitor the growth and development of the baby and watch the mother’s physical and emotional health. WHO recommends at least 8 antenatal contacts. The guideline was increased from four visits to eight contacts during pregnancy to improve maternal and newborn outcomes and reduce preventable stillbirths.

Blood pressure, weight, blood and urine tests, ultrasound scans and fetal growth are regularly checked during routine antenatal appointments. These tests help to identify potential problems such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, anemia, or restrictions in fetal growth early on so that treatments can be given in a timely manner.

Antenatal care also gives valuable advice on nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental well-being, breastfeeding preparation and identifying warning signs that require immediate medical attention. Most importantly, it reassures expectant parents and helps to address concerns throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy care is not just the expectant mother's responsibility. Partners and families can play an important role in providing a supportive environment, encouraging healthy habits, attending medical appointments when able, and providing emotional support. Having a supportive system can help to lower stress levels and improve maternal mental health, which can contribute to better pregnancy outcomes.

As awareness grows, health care providers are encouraging couples to think beyond the baby bump and prioritize health even before pregnancy begins. With advance planning, regular medical care, fact-based lifestyle choices and prompt treatment, when necessary, you can make a real difference and help ensure that pregnancy is a safer and healthier experience for mother and child.

(Dr. Roli Banthia, Consultant- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension)