Coffee has always been a crowd favorite drink among all age groups. But we all know that caffeine has a different effect on everyone. Doctors often express how young kids and teens should be careful about caffeine but new guidelines regarding this set a firm boundary when it comes to teen health and caffeine. Health experts, working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, have new advice on healthy drinks for kids and teens in the age group of 5-18. The guidelines say that water and milk are the best drinks for them. They want kids to get into good drinking habits early so they can stay healthy. They're also worried about kids drinking too many sugary and caffeinated drinks. This new guide helps parents know what's good for their kids to drink.

How Did Caffeine Become So Popular Among Teens?

The new guidelines are especially relevant because caffeinated drinks have become increasingly popular among teenagers. Coffee shops, like Starbucks, are popular hangouts for teens, and energy drinks, often packed with caffeine and promoted by social media influencers, are widely available. And a very popular theme on social media is coffee, people enjoy having different varieties of it, making to a very affordable and trendy thing to enjoy! There are accounts dedicated to coffee consumption and often kids and teens partake in these trends.

A recent poll by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that nearly a quarter of parents say their teens consume caffeine almost every day. The most common sources are sodas, followed by coffee and tea, and then energy drinks. Even chocolate contributes to caffeine intake. The amount of kids who consume coffee raises concerns about the potential health effects of caffeine on young people, whose bodies and brains are still developing. The easy access to these beverages and the marketing strategies targeting young audiences contribute to the problem.

Could The Lack Of Guidelines Be A Reason?

Right now, there aren't any official rules about how much caffeine kids can have. This makes it hard for parents and doctors to know what to tell kids about caffeine. The new report tries to fix this by giving some advice based on research. Experts are worried about how caffeine affects kids' sleep, mood, and health. Kids are more sensitive to caffeine than adults. Caffeine can keep them awake, make them anxious, and might even affect their hearts. Because there aren't any rules, it's important to have experts telling us what's safe.

How Caffeine Affects Kids

Caffeine is something that makes your body speed up. Adults can usually handle some caffeine, but it's different for kids and teens. Their bodies are smaller, and their brains are still growing, so caffeine can affect them more. It can make it hard for them to sleep, make them nervous, and even give them headaches or stomachaches. It can also raise their blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine can also change their mood, making them cranky or unable to focus. We don't know all the ways caffeine affects kids in the long run, and that's another reason to be careful.

The report says that plain water and plain milk are the healthiest drinks for kids and teens. They say it's okay to have a little bit of 100% juice, plant-based milk, or flavored milk, but not too much. They also say kids should stay away from sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and lemonade. And, very importantly, they shouldn't drink caffeinated drinks or other things that give you a jolt. This advice is based on what we know about how these drinks affect kids' health. Sugary drinks can cause weight gain and other problems, and caffeine can mess with sleep and other things.

For many women, fertility can feel like a ticking clock, whether you’re planning to start a family soon or considering delaying pregnancy. One of the most useful tools for understanding your fertility potential is the AMH test, which measures the Anti-Müllerian Hormone in your blood.

But one question that often comes up is: “How often should I get my AMH levels checked?”

In this blog, we’ll break it down, explore what AMH tells you about your fertility, and provide practical guidance for testing frequency.

What Is AMH and Why Does It Matter?

AMH is a hormone produced by small follicles in the ovaries. Its levels reflect your ovarian reserve, essentially the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. While it doesn’t measure egg quality, AMH is a reliable indicator of egg quantity, making it a critical part of fertility assessments.

Key points about AMH:

• Stable throughout the cycle: Unlike hormones like FSH, AMH can be measured on any day of the menstrual cycle.

• Predictive of ovarian reserve: Higher levels indicate more eggs; lower levels suggest fewer eggs.

• Useful for planning: AMH helps women understand fertility potential, guide IVF treatment, or decide whether to freeze eggs.

However, it’s important to remember that AMH is just one piece of the puzzle. Egg quality, age, lifestyle, and overall reproductive health also play crucial roles in fertility.

Factors That Affect AMH Levels

AMH levels vary from woman to woman and can be influenced by several factors:

Typical AMH Levels by Age

Here’s a general guide to what AMH levels mean at different ages:

How Often Should You Check Your AMH?

There is no universal answer, as testing frequency depends on your age, fertility goals, and medical history. Here’s a practical guide:

Women Planning Pregnancy Soon

Under 35 and healthy: A single AMH test may be sufficient to establish a baseline.

Considering IVF or egg freezing: Your doctor may recommend repeating the test every 6–12 months to track ovarian response.

Women Over 35 or With Fertility Concerns

AMH declines more rapidly after 35, so annual testing is often advised.

Women with known fertility risks (e.g., endometriosis, previous ovarian surgery) may need testing every 6–12 months.

Women With PCOS

AMH is often elevated, which can mask fertility issues.

Testing may be less frequent unless undergoing fertility treatment.

Women Undergoing Fertility Treatments

AMH testing may be repeated every cycle to tailor medication dosage and predict egg retrieval numbers.

AMH and Fertility Planning

AMH levels can guide several important decisions:

Practical Tips for AMH Testing

• Consistency: Always use the same lab for follow-up tests when possible.

• Complementary tests: Combine AMH with antral follicle count (AFC) via ultrasound for a complete picture.

• Lifestyle matters: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol to support fertility.

• Consult a specialist: AMH results should always be interpreted by a fertility expert who can guide next steps.

By discussing your results with a fertility specialist at advanced centers like Birla Fertility & IVF, you can make informed, personalized decisions about family planning, IVF, or egg freezing.

Limitations of AMH Testing

While AMH is valuable, it has its limits:

• Doesn’t measure egg quality: Older women may have a lower chance of conception even with normal AMH.

• Can fluctuate slightly: Lab differences and health conditions can cause variations.

• Not a guarantee of conception: AMH indicates quantity, but pregnancy depends on many factors.

Conclusion

AMH testing is a powerful tool for understanding ovarian reserve and guiding fertility decisions, but it’s not a standalone predictor of fertility. For most women, testing every 6–12 months is sufficient, with more frequent testing only in specific circumstances.

By knowing your AMH levels and consulting with a fertility specialist at centers like Birla Fertility & IVF, you can make proactive, informed choices about your reproductive health. Fertility may not wait for life to line up perfectly, but with the right guidance and planning, you can take steps toward your family goals with confidence.

Remember, AMH testing is a guide, not a verdict. It’s one step in understanding your fertility journey and making empowered decisions about your future.

In a study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, pregnant individuals who stopped taking popular GLP-1 weight loss medications either before or early in their pregnancy were found to gain more weight and face higher risks of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

They were also more likely to deliver preterm compared with people who had never taken GLP-1 drugs. The study, published in JAMA, shows that women who had used these drugs may face increased risks of preterm birth, diabetes, and pregnancy-related high blood pressure conditions such as preeclampsia compared with those who had not taken them.

Is It Safe To Consume GLP-1 Drugs In Pregnancy?

GLP-1 medications include brands like Ozempic, Zepbound, Victoza, Trulicity, and Wegovy. They were originally developed to manage diabetes and control blood sugar but have become widely used for weight management and obesity treatment. These medicines may also help with conditions such as sleep apnea, improve heart and kidney health, and lower the risk of strokes.

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which promote weight loss by mimicking a hormone that reduces appetite.

Many people regain weight after stopping these drugs, but pregnant women are generally advised against taking them. This has raised questions about how to safely help women wean off these medications around conception without increasing other health risks linked to obesity or diabetes.

Weight Loss Drugs Before Pregnancy Linked To Greater Weight Gain

The research team, led by Dr. Jacqueline Maya, looked at health records for nearly 1,800 pregnancies between 2016 and 2025, mostly among women with obesity. They found that women who stopped GLP-1 medications before or early in pregnancy gained an average of 7.2 pounds (3.27 kilograms) more than those who had never taken these drugs.

“The popularity of weight loss drugs has grown dramatically, but guidelines recommend stopping them before pregnancy because there isn’t enough safety data for unborn babies,” said Dr. Maya, a pediatric endocrinologist at Mass General Brigham for Children, as reported by Science Direct.

Women in the GLP-1 group also had a 32% higher risk of exceeding recommended pregnancy weight gain, a 30% higher risk of developing diabetes, a 29% higher risk of hypertensive disorders, and a 34% higher chance of preterm birth. Interestingly, there were no differences in C-section rates or babies’ birth weight and length.

Dr. Camille Powe, an endocrinologist and co-author of the study, noted that more research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of using GLP-1 drugs around pregnancy. “We need further studies to find ways to manage weight gain safely and reduce pregnancy risks when stopping GLP-1 medications,” Powe said, according to Science Direct.

Can You Take Ozempic Or Wegovy During Pregnancy?

Currently, there’s no safe role for GLP-1 use during pregnancy. No GLP-1 drugs are approved for expectant mothers.

Dr. Michael Snyder, MD, medical director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at Rose Medical Center and FuturHealth’s in-house obesity specialist, explains that human data on GLP-1s during pregnancy is very limited. Animal studies indicate potential risks including fetal growth restriction, pregnancy loss, and skeletal abnormalities at higher doses.

When someone takes a GLP-1 drug, their appetite changes, and it’s not yet clear how this could affect a pregnant person’s nutrition.

Parenting test that ensures that individuals are ready to take responsibility of a child sounds good, until its turns into a trauma of lifetime, where not scoring enough or failing that test leads to separation of the child from his parents. So is the case of many parents in Denmark, who have to undergo this parental scrutiny. Keira, being one of them, had just given birth to her daughter last November, but she knew that she only had two hours before her newborn would be taken into care.

She tells BBC, “Right when she came out, I started counting the minutes,” she recalls, adding that she couldn’t stop looking at the clock to see how long they had together. When the moment came, Keira says she sobbed uncontrollably, whispering “sorry” to her baby. “It felt like a part of my soul died”

She is a Greenlandic parent, among many, living in Denmark, who are now fighting to get their children back after they were removed by social services. In many of these cases, authorities have relied on the competency assessments, known as FKUs. This test determines where parents are fit to raise their children.

What Is the Danish Parenting Competency Test?

The FKU, or “parenting competency test,” was a psychometric assessment used by Danish child protection authorities to evaluate whether parents were fit to raise their children. In theory, the test aimed to protect children by identifying families in crisis or parents unable to provide adequate care. In practice, however, it became a tool of controversy—especially when applied to Greenlandic families.

The test assessed parents in a series of areas, such as their responses to imagined scenarios, self-concept, physical and mental well-being, outlook on life, and plans for the future. Most importantly, it was based on Western conception of good parenthood and delivered in Danish, with minimal attention to Greenlandic language, customs, or kinship systems. This incompatibility resulted in regular misinterpretations of the capacity of Greenlandic parents and sometimes led to children being taken from their parents.

Greenlandic children have traditionally been disproportionately represented in Denmark's child welfare system. Approximately 7% of Greenland-born children and 5% of children who have at least one Greenlandic parent are placed out-of-home. That's in sharp contrast to only 1% of the general Danish child population.

"Not Civilized Enough To Act Like A Human Being"

These assessments, which were banned for use on Greenlandic families in May after decades of criticism, remain legal for Danish families. They often take months and involve cognitive exercises, personality testing, interviews, memory challenges, and general knowledge questions.

According to Keira, some of the questions she faced felt irrelevant and culturally disconnected. “Who is Mother Teresa?” and “How long does it take for the sun’s rays to reach the Earth?” were among the things she was asked. She also recalls being made to play with a doll and criticized for not making enough eye contact. Keira alleges a psychologist even told her the test was meant to determine “if you are civilized enough, if you can act like a human being”.

While defenders of FKUs say they offer an objective framework, critics argue the tests cannot reliably predict parenting ability and are designed around Danish cultural norms. They are administered in Danish, not Kalaallisut, Greenland’s primary language, something many say leads to miscommunication and unfair evaluations.

A Disproportionate Impact

Greenlanders are Danish citizens, and thousands live on the mainland for work, education, and healthcare. Yet studies highlight stark disparities. Greenlandic parents in Denmark are 5.6 times more likely to have their children taken into care compared to Danish parents, according to the Danish Centre for Social Research.

The Danish government announced plans to review around 300 cases involving Greenlandic children, including those shaped by FKU results. But as of October, the BBC found only 10 cases involving the tests had been reviewed—and not a single child had been returned.

Keira’s own assessment concluded she lacked “sufficient parental competencies to care for the newborn independently”. Despite the ruling, she keeps cots in her home, along with baby clothes and framed photos of Zammi. She visits her daughter once a week, bringing flowers or traditional Greenlandic dishes—“just so a little part of her culture can be with her,” she says.

No Chance Of Reviewing The Test

Unlike Keira, some parents will never see their cases reconsidered. Johanne and Ulrik, whose son was adopted in 2020, have been told their case will not be reopened. Johanne had undergone an FKU in 2019 that labelled her “narcissistic” and described her as having “mental retardation,” based on criteria then used by the WHO claims she rejects.

Their baby was also meant to be taken immediately after birth, but because he arrived prematurely on Boxing Day while social workers were on holiday, the couple spent 17 days with him. “It was the happiest time of my life as a father,” Ulrik says, describing those days of feeding, changing nappies, and helping Johanne pump milk.

When authorities eventually arrived, two social workers and two police officers, the couple begged them not to take their son. Johanne asked to breastfeed him one last time. Ulrik remembers dressing his child before handing him to foster parents: “I felt the most horrific heartbreak”.

The couple no longer have access to their son but hope to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights. Denmark’s social affairs minister told the BBC the government will not revisit adoption cases because each child is now with a “loving and caring family.”

Experts disagree sharply on the validity of FKUs. Former test administrator Isak Nellemann says the assessments “are very important, about the most important thing,” claiming that when results are poor, “in about 90% [of cases] they will lose their children”. He also argues that some components lack scientific validity.

However, Turi Frederiksen, a senior psychologist, told BBC that while imperfect, the tests remain “valuable, extensive psychological tools” and denies they are biased against Greenlanders.

Rare Union That Is The Only Ray Of Hope Of Childless Parents

Among the few who have successfully regained custody is Pilinguaq, whose daughter was returned more than four years after being placed into care. The mother still struggles to rebuild trust; even briefly leaving the room can cause her daughter to panic. “If I go to the bathroom and close the door, she will have a panic attack,” she told BBC.

Her two older children are expected to return home soon as well, decisions made by local authorities, not the national review.

Keira continues to prepare for Zammi’s first birthday by building a traditional Greenlandic sleigh decorated with a polar bear. Earlier this month she was informed that her daughter will not be coming home yet—but she refuses to give up.

“I will not stop fighting for my children,” she says. “If I don’t finish this fight, it will be my children’s fight in the future”.