Although it has been a running joke among social media users, the day has finally arrived and Tik-Tok is getting banned in the US. While the people who are earning off it like companies and content creators are understandably angry as they are losing their source of income. But this might be a blessing disguise for parents. The highest court in the US, the Supreme Court, has said it's okay to ban TikTok in the United States. They're worried about security because the app is owned by a company in China. It's not totally clear when the ban will happen because the current and next presidents don't agree on it, but this decision makes people think about how social media affects young people. Since lots of teens use TikTok, this ban could be a big deal for them.

Helping Kids When TikTok Is Gone

Losing TikTok is going to be a big deal for a lot of kids. They're probably going to feel a bunch of different things – sad, angry, annoyed, maybe even a little lost. As a parent, it's really important to try and understand what they're going through. Don't just brush it off and tell them to "get over it." That won't help. What experts suggest is to help them find other things they enjoy doing and to keep talking to them about it. This helps them adjust to not having TikTok and find healthy ways to deal with the change. It's really important to let your kids know that it's perfectly fine to be upset about losing something they liked. You don't want them to feel like their feelings are silly or unimportant. Just listen to them, let them talk about it, and let them know that you get it. That's the first and most important step to helping them feel better.

Why the Ban Might Actually Be Good

While a TikTok ban might initially cause disappointment and frustration, it's important to consider the potential positive consequences, particularly concerning the well-being of teenagers. There's growing concern among parents, educators, and health professionals about the impact of social media on young people's mental health. Issues like cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic beauty standards, and the pressure to constantly keep up with trends can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Less Bad Stuff Online

A TikTok ban could mean kids see less harmful stuff online, like dangerous trends, bullying, and unrealistic ideas about how they should look or live. This can help them feel better about themselves.

More Time in the Real World

Without TikTok taking up so much time, kids might spend more time doing things in real life. This could mean hanging out with friends, trying new hobbies, playing sports, or just being outside. These real-life experiences are important for them.

Dealing with Time Wasting and Bad Feelings

Many teens say they feel pressured to keep up with everything on TikTok, which can make them feel bad about themselves, worried about their bodies, or even lead to eating problems. And not keeping up may cause them anxiety, speak to them and loop in a therapist if you can.

Trying a Break from Social Media

Taking a break from all social media, called a "digital detox," can help families see how much it affects them. This is a way to guage how much your limits are and what to do to help it. It's like a fresh start and can help everyone create better habits.

Making a Plan

Being so heavily relied on social media has made it very easy to just lie around and it not being there will cause you anxiety and stress, so look for other things like classes, activities to keep yourself and the kids occupied.

Finding Other Things to Do

There are many other things can do to have fun instead of social media! Think outside the screens and go exploring onto the streets, and nature nearby if you can!

Children are sponges, picking up the behaviors and feelings of those around them, particularly their mothers. For one mother, the moment of realization came when she saw that her daughter was observing and learning everything—how she approached relationships, how she dealt with emotions, and how she established love and self-worth. That moment defined every choice she made, reaffirming a fact backed up by research: a mother's happiness is the number one predictor of a child's success.

Maternal satisfaction, usually quantified as subjective well-being, includes emotional well-being, satisfaction with life, and fulfillment. Maternal satisfaction is a function of numerous factors such as financial stability, social support systems, mental well-being, and work-life balance. Research, for instance, conducted at Ohio State University, verifies that children born to happier mothers are more likely to perform well academically, have better cognitive skills, and have fewer behavioral issues.

Cognitive and Emotional Development

Kids brought up in a home with a contented mother are likely to have better problem-solving abilities, greater emotional intelligence, and a positive learning attitude. When a mother takes care of herself, she creates a situation where her child feels safe, cared for, and motivated to excel.

Moreover, maternal happiness influences emotional stability. Children reflect their parents’ emotional states, meaning a mother who manages stress and prioritizes joy instills emotional resilience in her child. The result? A child who approaches challenges with confidence and composure.

The Behavioral Connection

A mother's joy is also a primary factor in determining the behavior of a child. The more joyful the mother, the more patient, caring, and involved she is, resulting in a warm and not tense home. This stability greatly minimizes the risk of anxiety, hostility, and other behavioral issues among children.

Successful parenting techniques also derive from maternal happiness. Mothers who are happy and emotionally stable tend to be more consistent in their discipline, provide praise, and communicate openly—ingredients for the confident and well-adjusted child.

How to Support Mothers for Brighter Futures and Kids?

Understandably recognizing the pivotal position of happiness in mothers, it becomes a priority to ensure mothers get the support they require. The most important factors that promote a mother's well-being are:

Mental Health Resources: Access to counseling, therapy, and stress management initiatives.

Work-Life Balance: Family-friendly policies that allow flexible work hours and parental leave.

Social Support: Family networks, family support, and peer support groups.

Financial Stability: Financial security that alleviates stress and enables mothers to provide more for their children.

The mother who had worried about bringing up her daughter in a "broken home" discovered that a broken relationship is not a broken life. Rather, by putting herself first and taking care of herself, she gave her daughter the greatest gift: a model of self-worth, resilience, and emotional health.

A happy mother isn't solely about her—it's the key to a child's success. When mothers are successful, their children thrive, showing that a happy mother indeed builds a successful future.

Pregnancy is usually a period of euphoria and expectation, but what if the symptoms of loose stools, stomach pain, and dizziness are warning signs of something far more dangerous? Although morning sickness and fatigue are usual, these symptoms could be the sign of an ectopic pregnancy—a life-threatening condition affecting about 2% of all pregnancies. Interestingly enough, more than 90% of ectopic pregnancies are located in the fallopian tubes, where the implanted fertilized egg is found outside the uterus and can rupture, causing profuse internal bleeding. If this isn't treated, it will result in death. So how do you know when you are in danger, and what should you do if you are?

Although some aches and pains are usual, some symptoms warrant immediate medical intervention. Have you had loose stools and abdominal discomfort in early pregnancy? They may be more than just stomach upsets—they may be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a dangerous condition needing to be treated promptly.

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. These pregnancies cannot be carried to term because only the uterus can provide the necessary environment for fetal growth. Medical professionals estimate that roughly 1-2% of all pregnancies are ectopic, and more than 90% of these occur in the fallopian tubes. Less often, ectopic pregnancies may develop in the ovaries, cervix, or even the abdominal cavity.

As the pregnancy advances, the damaged tube can burst, causing extensive internal bleeding. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery.

Dr. Monica Gupta, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology, clarifies, "An ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition as the pregnancy cannot survive, and there is a high risk of internal bleeding, which can be fatal."

Early Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

The early warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy might be subtle and confusing, simulating early signs of pregnancy, so it can be difficult to detect. Nevertheless, there are some crucial warning signs that must be evaluated immediately:

Vaginal bleeding: It can be light spotting or more significant bleeding other than a normal menstrual period.

Abdominal pain: Sustained or severe pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, usually on one side.

Loose stools and abdominal discomfort: Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea and pressure in the rectum, may be a sign of a more developed ectopic pregnancy.

Dizziness and syncope: Internal bleeding causes hypotension that leads to feelings of lightheadedness or passing out.

Pain in the shoulder: This abnormal symptom might appear if blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy irritates the diaphragm.

Dr. Gupta points out, "Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can be vague and difficult to differentiate from normal pregnancy, especially in early stages before tubal rupture begins." This is the reason women who have any of the aforementioned symptoms need to undergo medical examination without hesitation.

Who Is at Risk for an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Although an ectopic pregnancy can occur in any woman, there are some risk factors that can make this condition more likely:

Previous ectopic pregnancy: A history of ectopic pregnancy greatly increases the risk of recurrence.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, preventing the passage of the fertilized egg.

Previous tubal surgery: Operations including tubal ligation (tying the tubes) or operations for endometriosis may predispose to it.

Use of fertility treatments: Women who have had in vitro fertilization (IVF) are at increased risk of ectopic implantation.

Smoking: Use of tobacco is associated with fallopian tube damage.

Use of IUD at conception: Though uncommon, an intrauterine device (IUD) at the time of conception may raise the risk.

Age more than 35 years: Women older than this age group have a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Notably, as many as 50% of ectopic pregnancies happen in women with no identifiable risk factors, which underscores the importance of caution among all pregnant women.

Why Ectopic Pregnancy Is a Medical Emergency

A growing pregnancy needs room to expand, but fallopian tubes do not have the capacity to stretch like the uterus. If an ectopic pregnancy goes undiagnosed, the tube may rupture, causing heavy internal bleeding, shock, and death if untreated.

Dr. Gupta describes, "In advanced stages, patients have severe abdominal pain, fainting, anemia, a drop in blood pressure, and shock. If rupture happens, immediate surgery is required."

How Is an Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis is critical in treating an ectopic pregnancy. Physicians employ the following methods:

Pregnancy test: A positive pregnancy test with abnormal symptoms is suspicious.

Pelvic examination: Physicians can sense tenderness, a mass, or abnormal fullness in the pelvis.

Ultrasound scan: Transvaginal ultrasound can establish the lack of pregnancy in the uterus and detect its location elsewhere.

Blood tests: Testing for levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can diagnose abnormal pregnancies.

Treatment Options for Ectopic Pregnancy

The treatment depends on the stage at which an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed:

Medication: If caught early, methotrexate, a drug that halts cell development, can be administered to dissolve the ectopic tissue without surgery.

Surgery: In the event the condition has progressed or rupture has already happened, immediate surgery must be done to remove the pregnancy and repair or eliminate the affected fallopian tube. This is usually done laparoscopically (minimal invasive procedure).

Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition, and early diagnosis makes a big difference in outcomes. Any woman with unusual pain, bleeding, or gastrointestinal symptoms during early pregnancy must be evaluated immediately.

Dr. Gupta emphasizes, "A suspicion of ectopic pregnancy should always be made when a patient comes with abnormal bleeding or pain during early pregnancy. Delay in diagnosis can result in serious complications."

Pregnancy should be a time of joy, but unexpected complications can arise. If you are pregnant and experience persistent abdominal pain, loose stools, dizziness, or unusual bleeding, consult a healthcare provider without delay. Ectopic pregnancy is a serious but treatable condition when diagnosed early. Raising awareness and understanding the warning signs can save lives.

Dr Monica Gupta is a Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar In India

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that pregnant individuals facing food insecurity are at a higher risk of complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The analysis, based on data from over 19,300 pregnant Kaiser Permanente Northern California members, found that those receiving food assistance did not face the same increased risks. The findings highlight the importance of food assistance programs in ensuring better maternal and infant health outcomes.

Study Reveals Link Between Food Insecurity and Pregnancy Complications

The study examined pregnant individuals who were screened for food insecurity—defined as running out of food or worrying about running out due to financial constraints. Key findings include:

• 14% (about 2,700 participants) experienced food insecurity during pregnancy.
• 7.6% (1,470 participants) received food assistance while pregnant.
• Higher rates of gestational diabetes (10.9% in food-insecure individuals vs. 7.9% in those without food insecurity).
• Increased risk of preeclampsia (8.1% vs. 6.3%).

Other complications such as preterm birth and neonatal ICU admission were also more common in food-insecure pregnancies.

No significant link was found between food insecurity and gestational hypertension or Caesarean delivery.

How Does Food Insecurity Affect Pregnancy?

Poor Nutrition and Diet Quality

Lack of access to nutritious food may lead to an unbalanced diet, increasing the risk of pregnancy-related conditions like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure disorders.

Inconsistent Eating Patterns

Skipping meals or irregular eating habits can affect blood sugar regulation and overall maternal health.

Psychological and Physical Stress

The stress of worrying about food availability can contribute to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and other health risks during pregnancy.

Food Assistance Can Reduce Health Risks

Unlike food-insecure participants, those who received food aid did not experience the same increase in complications. This suggests that food assistance programs play a crucial role in mitigating the health effects of food insecurity.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was the primary source of food assistance for study participants. In 2022, WIC provided benefits to 6.31 million pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Recommendations: Improving Food Security in Pregnancy

Experts emphasize the need for better screening and policy improvements to address food insecurity among pregnant individuals. The study suggests:

• Routine screening for food insecurity during prenatal visits.
• Increased funding and accessibility for food assistance programs like WIC.
• Public health initiatives to ensure pregnant individuals have consistent access to nutritious food.

Food insecurity during pregnancy is linked to increased risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other complications. However, food assistance programs can help reduce these risks, emphasizing the importance of expanding access to such resources. Ensuring that all pregnant individuals have access to adequate nutrition is essential for improving maternal and infant health outcomes.