It is sometimes natural to feel impatient to mee your baby, especially when you are approaching your due date. While the exact date is only an estimate, most people deliver within two weeks before or after this timeframe. Experts recommend waiting until at least 39 weeks for delivery to ensure the best outcomes for both you and your baby.

Still, if you’re 40 weeks pregnant and ready to explore ways to nudge labor along, some natural methods may help. It’s important to note that these techniques are largely experiential, and their effectiveness varies. Always consult your healthcare provider before trying any method to ensure safety.

Exercise

You can try walking or light aerobic activities. It is often suggested to help bring on labor. While there’s limited scientific evidence, staying active has benefits regardless. According to a 2022 study, walking three times a week for 30 minutes starting at 38 weeks may encourage labor and reduce the need for interventions during delivery.

Even if this doesn’t jumpstart labor, regular exercise can relieve stress and keep your body strong for the demands of childbirth.

Sex

Engaging in sexual activity might help induce labor, although the evidence is not conclusive. Theoretically, it can stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that triggers uterine contractions. For individuals with male partners, semen contains prostaglandins that may soften and ripen the cervix.

That said, avoid sex if your water has broken, as it increases the risk of infection.

Nipple Stimulation

Gently stimulating the nipples can promote oxytocin release, which may cause uterine contractions and help labor progress. This can be done manually, with a partner, or using a breast pump.

Acupuncture

This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow and potentially influence hormonal changes. While research is ongoing, acupuncture is believed to aid cervical ripening, a critical step in preparing for labor.

Ensure acupuncture is performed by a licensed practitioner to avoid complications.

Acupressure

Similar to acupuncture, acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. Though evidence of its effectiveness in inducing labor is limited, it may provide comfort and pain relief during labor. Before trying this method, seek guidance from a trained professional.

Eating Dates

Eating dates in the final weeks of pregnancy has shown promise in aiding cervical ripening and dilation. Research indicates that date consumption may also reduce the need for labor-inducing medications like Pitocin.

Adding dates to your diet is a simple and nutritious way to prepare your body for labor.

The Benefits of Waiting for Natural Labor

Although the temptation to induce labor can be strong, waiting for your body to begin the process naturally has significant advantages. Babies born at full term (39–40 weeks) typically benefit from:

Improved muscle development and strength

Reduced risk of complications like low blood sugar, jaundice, or infections

Better lung function and reduced respiratory issues

Enhanced feeding abilities

Increased brain growth, as the brain grows by about one-third in the final five weeks of pregnancy

Additionally, people who go into labor naturally often experience faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays.

What’s the fastest way to induce labor?

The quickest way to induce labor is through medical intervention, such as medications like Pitocin or breaking the amniotic sac, which must be done in a hospital. Natural methods may help, but they’re not guaranteed.

What triggers natural labor?

Labor is believed to begin due to complex internal mechanisms involving hormonal changes and signals from the baby. While external factors like exercise or sex might contribute, the body ultimately decides when it’s time.

Not so long ago, childhood was seen as a joyful chapter of life rich with play, discovery, and endless imagination but now, a dangerous shift is underway. More and more number of children and teens are fighting severe emotional struggles that were once considered rare in youth. From depression and anxiety to more serious, more intricate mood disorders, the emotional well-being of the next generation is in shambles.

A study appearing recently in JAMA Pediatrics put a spotlight on a frightening trend: a sharp and consistent rise in mood disorders in children and teenagers over the last six years. Over 1 in 10 kids—10.6%—suffered from anxiety in 2022, compared to 7.1% in 2016. Depression also increased, hitting 4.6% of children in 2022, up from 3.2% in 2016. These statistics are not abstract; they reflect an escalating emotional crisis among our children, one that requires immediate and thoughtful action from parents, medical professionals, educators, and policymakers.

These aren't one-time occurrences. They're indicators of a broader crisis that is occurring in schools, homes, and communities—one which was fueled by the pandemic but was well under way before that. As the stressors of childhood change and escalate, so does the psychological load on our children.

But whereas scraped knees or the flu are tangible and obvious, mood disorders can be intangible, misunderstood, or dismissed altogether. And if left unidentified or unaddressed, the impact can trail a child into adolescence and adulthood, impacting everything from grades to relationships, self-worth, and health outcomes.

Not Just a Post-Pandemic Phenomenon

Although the COVID-19 pandemic shed international light on mental health conditions, scientists explain that the increased prevalence of mood disorders among adolescents is not exclusively a pandemic phenomenon. "Our results highlight the urgent need to address youth mental health, which continued to decline even as we exited the pandemic," says Marie Heffernan, assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The research, conducted on the National Survey of Children's Health, shows a bittersweet pattern: although a few physical medical issues such as asthma and migraine are reducing in numbers, mental and emotional ailments are increasing. This contrast serves to emphasize that children's emotional health must command just as much clinical attention as does their bodily well-being.

What Are Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders, or affective disorders, are mental illnesses that encompass major depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia. They are marked by disturbances in an individual's emotional state that exceed the normal ups and downs of childhood or adolescence. The emotional changes are persistent, intense, and hard to control, and they tend to interfere with a child's functioning at home, school, and in social relationships.

Some of the most frequently diagnosed mood disorders in children and adolescents are:

Major Depressive Disorder: Ongoing sadness or irritability for two weeks or more.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Ongoing low-grade depression for one year or more.

Bipolar Disorder: Intermittent periods of elevated and depressed mood.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): Intense irritability and persistent outbursts of temper.

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder: Mood disturbances due to medication, drugs, or toxins.

Mood Disorders Caused by Medical Illnesses: Mood shifts brought on by chronic disease or injury.

How to Identify the Warning Signs

In contrast to adults, children and adolescents tend to convey emotional distress through physical complaints or behavioral problems instead of talking about sadness or anxiety. This can make it more difficult to identify mood disorders. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia states that symptoms can be:

• Severe or persistent sadness, irritability, or anger
• Substantial changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
• Withdrawal from friends or family, or withdrawal from social events
• No interest or pleasure in activities that they used to enjoy
• Difficulty with schoolwork without an identifiable cause
• Excessive physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches

More often than not, these symptoms are confused with "phases" or attributed to stress or personality traits. That diagnostic delay can result in escalating symptoms or the emergence of comorbid conditions such as substance abuse or conduct disorders.

Why Are Today's Kids More Vulnerable Emotionally?

Experts cite several overlapping reasons for the explosion of mood disorders in young people:

Heightened Academic and Social Stress: Children today are under enormous pressure to succeed—academically, athletically, and socially—with little time left for emotional regulation.

Social Media and Online Exposure: Ongoing exposure to filtered realities, cyberbullying, and online validation cycles can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

Family Life and Stress: Domestic instability, economic struggles, or family conflict can have a significant effect on a child's emotional resilience.

Deficiencies in Mental Health Infrastructure in Schools: Most schools do not have adequate psychological support staff or school programs emphasizing emotional well-being.

Stigma and Lack of Awareness: Mental health, in most communities, is still stigmatized, and its underreporting and underdiagnosis follow accordingly.

Managing Mood Disorders with Early Intervention

Mood disorders in children can be treated—if caught early. Treatments include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist in coping with detrimental thought patterns in children
• Medication, as needed and very closely monitored
• Family Therapy to treat systemic stressors
• School-Based Support Services, including counseling and emotional wellness programs

Experts have said that continued concern and resources are justified at a national level to explain and treat the array of possible reasons for increasing anxiety and depression.

What Can Parents and Schools Do?

The awareness is the beginning, parents need to notice not only the changes in behaviour, but also emotional and physical signals that indicate distress. Schools, in return, require improved mental health education for teachers and more accessible support systems for pupils.

Promoting open dialogue about mental health, safe emotional release, and decreasing stigma can help children get through their feelings. As has been proven through research, numerous children benefit immensely from early, long-term intervention—and go on to live strong, healthy lives.

The emotional well-being of our children is not a specialty concern—it's a global public health imperative. With anxiety and depression levels steadily increasing, the time to take action is now. Being able to provide children with the proper resources, attention, and support systems can influence not only their emotional well-being in the short term but their capacity to thrive in the future.

The Talk. If you are an adult, a parent, or in your early adulthood, you must have heard about "The Talk". This conversation, as important as it is to have, could also be anxiety inducing.

What Exactly Is "The Talk"?

The question that may loom over parents is when is it the right age to have "The Talk"? But, before we get to that, let us discuss what "The Talk" is?

By "The Talk", people mean to drop the bomb, or address the elephant in the room. This conversation involves talking to your kids about puberty that will bring about many changes in their bodies, their minds, how they fell, and much more.

"The Talk" is not just one conversation that can happen only once in your life. It is an on-going discourse. However, having "the Talk" at least once, sets the foundation for kids and tells them that they can reach out to their parents whenever they wish to.

As per the CS Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, about 41% of parents reported that they approached talking with their child about puberty only when prompted by child. Only 36% of parents think it is best to have this conversation before the age of 10. So, what is the right age?

If experts are to be believed, it is best to bring this conversation up before your child brings it to you.

However, it is an anxiety-inducing process. But why is this important to talk?

“It’s easy to assume a child is too young for conversations about puberty, but many parents are surprised to find their tween already showing signs,” said Sarah Clark, Mott Poll Co-Director.

Early discussions, she explains, allow parents to present the information in an age-appropriate way, easing confusion and anxiety. If parents don’t begin the conversation, kids may seek answers from classmates, social media, or television.

Different Approaches, Different Comfort Levels

The poll revealed a wide range of parental approaches:

Proactive Parents: About half said they start conversations before questions arise.

Reactive Approach: Two in five wait until their child brings it up.

Avoidance: Around 5% avoid the topic altogether.

Many parents feel uneasy: one in five worry about embarrassment, and one in six fear saying the wrong thing. Some children resist as well—25% of parents with 10- to 12-year-olds say their child doesn’t want to talk about puberty, and a third of parents with 7- to 9-year-olds feel their child is too young to understand.

Parental History Shapes Comfort

Parents' past experiences with “The Talk” also play a role. Fewer than one in three received adequate information from their own parents. More than a third never had the conversation at all.

“Whether they realize it or not, parents may bring their own childhood experiences into how they handle this now,” Clark noted.

Navigating Topics of Sex and Reproduction

Another common challenge: knowing whether to include discussions about sex and reproduction, and if so, how much to share. Clark advises starting with the basics—physical and emotional changes—then layering in more detail over time.

Confidence in spotting puberty varies. About half of parents say they can recognize signs of puberty, and 60% of parents with 10- to 12-year-olds say they’ve already seen them. Among parents of younger children (ages 7–9), 17% have noticed early signs, while nearly a third remain unsure what to look for.

When a child takes a tumble and hits their head, it is quite natural for a parent to panic. While many of these falls are harmless, in fact, a part of growing up, a blow to the head could sometimes result in a concussion. A concussion could be a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that needs attention and care.

Here is what you can do if your child experiences concussions. However, before we get into what to do, let us first understand what exactly is a concussion.

What Is A Concussion?

It is a type of mild TBI that usually occurs after a sudden impact to the head, face, neck, or just any part of the body that causes brain to move rapidly inside the skull. It can happen with or without the loss of consciousness. There are symptoms that could appear immediately or take a few hours to surface. However, these concussions typically resolves within a few days or weeks.

How To Know If Your Child Has a Concussion?

If your child ever receives a blow to the head, be on the lookout for these following symptoms:

• Persistent headaches
• Confusion or disorientation
• Difficulty remembering things
• A blank stare or dazed look
• Trouble following instructions
• Slurred or slow speech
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Vomiting
• Emotional changes (crying, laughing inappropriately, irritability, sadness)

However, these symptoms may vary from child to child. While some may have subtle symptoms, others may show immediate symptoms. It is advisable for parents to be on the lookout.

How Do Kids Get Concussions?

While any hit to the head or face can cause a concussion, most concussions in children are linked to high-impact sports. Common activities associated with concussions include:

• Football
• Soccer
• Ice hockey
• Lacrosse
• Basketball
• Rugby
• Wrestling

Even playground accidents, cycling, or slipping on stairs can lead to a concussion.

How Are Concussions Diagnosed?

Concussions are diagnosed clinically through observation, physical exams, and standardized tests conducted by trained healthcare providers such as doctors or athletic trainers. There are no blood tests or imaging scans (like MRIs or CT scans) that can definitively diagnose a concussion.

What Are The Treatment Options?

The key is to rest, both mentally and physically.

Usually, after a concussion, acetaminophen or ibuprofen is given for headaches. However, the dosage may change if it is being prescribed for a child. It is best to always seek advice from a doctor rather than self-medicating. Encourage your child to follow a healthy diet, with plenty of water. Ensure that your child gets extra rest and sleep. However, light and gradual activity is okay. It is best to avoid bright lights, loud sounds, and screen time while your child is still in the early stage of recovery. The best thing is to stick to a routine that will help your child feel stable and secure.

Some doctors also recommend intake of B-complex vitamins and magnesium supplements, which could also help with headache relief. However, it is also best to consult a doctor before you introduce any supplements to your child.