Pregnancy Tips: Decongestant in pregnancy reduces risk of premature birth

The results of a new study indicate that the use of over-the-counter decongestants during pregnancy cuts the risk of premature births.

 

"The more we can learn about what could potentially cause preterm birth would help our understanding in how to stop it," Hernandez said.
The study found that women who took decongestants in their second or third trimesters had a roughly 58 percent less risk of preterm delivery compared to women who didn't use decongestants during their pregnancy.

(The finding was observed only for women without preeclampsia.)
"Medication use is a major concern for pregnant women and generally, when medications are found to have effects on the fetus, they're usually found to have adverse effects," Hernandez said.
"This was surprising in that a potentially beneficial effect was found," she added.

Yet Hernandez said more research is needed to see if there is an actual cause and effect relationship between decongestant use and preterm birth and if so, what element in the decongestant is producing this outcome.
The study is published online ahead of print in the journal Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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NDM Superbug: A conspiracy against Indian health tourism

SUPERBUG CONTROVERSY has been hitting the media headlines for past one month. The debate is going on whether it was a conspiracy against Indian health tourism or excessive use of antibiotics. The report published in latest issue of British medical journal, Lancet Infectious Diseases stated that antibiotics have proved so far ineffective in case of a bacterial gene, named New Delhi Metallo-1 or NDM, which was found in patients travelling to south Asia for medical treatment. It has ignited a controversy in Indian medical circles.

The report has stated that NDM is becoming more common in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan and is also being imported to Britain and other countries in patients returning after treatment from these countries. The issue has caught the attention of ruling as well as Opposition parties,  who have joined hands in describing it as a big conspiracy against Indian health tourism which is growing at a fast pace. D Raja of Communist Party of India has described it a conspiracy of developed countries.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad quickly described the report as motivated and conspiracy against Indian health tourism. Its naming after New Delhi has raised suspicion about the motives of the authors of the report. Union Health Minister for state Dinesh Diwedi speaking on the issue has stated that it is a global phenomenon and we are concerned about it adding that it is certainly not area or country specific. The director general of Indian Council of Medical Research, V M Katoch has also clarified that there is no basis to all the rumours spread due to the report.

Undoubtedly Indian health tourism is growing. A large number of foreigners from Britain and other countries are visiting India for availing health facilities which are cheaper. According to confederation of Indian Industries, Indian health tourism was pegged at Rs 1500 crore six years back and it is increasing every year. Foreigners visit India for surgery, heart by pass and bone replacement. The treatment in India is cheaper as compared to Western countries.

But at the same time instead of crying wolf at the warning,  we should treat it as a blessing in disguise and take corrective and preventive measures. We are in the habit of underplaying our weaknesses under the cover of patriotism. Recent outbreak of dengue cases in the national capital is the example of this trend as the figures of dengue victims are being underplayed instead of finding out the reasons for its outbreak. The issue of excessive and irrational use of antibiotics should not be downplayed under the cover of describing it as conspiracy against Indian health tourism.

Pharma companies have vested interest in promotion of their products. They approach the doctors with gifts and other, offers who in turn prescribe antibiotics to the patients.

Even the World Health Organisation virtually endorsing the report has advised that countries should be prepared to implement hospital infection control measures to minimise the spread of multi-drug-resistant strains and to reinforce national policy on use of antibiotics.

Karthikeyan Kumarasamy, researcher of University of Madras and co-author of the controversial report while agreeing with the objections raised by the report advising patients not to visit India for treatment has advocated the need of a uniform antibiotic policy.

There should be a registry of hospital-acquired infections and hospitals should be asked to declare the morbidity or mortality due to such infections. Presence of hospital induced infections can’t be denied. Even, V M Katoch has admitted that there is irrational use of antibiotics and no hospital-infection control registry. National antibiotics policy should be formed so that strong antibiotics should be prescribed to the patients having severe infections.

Antibiotics should be sold only on prescription of a qualified doctor. Hospitals should be asked to ensure proper cleanliness and isolation of infectious patients. Dr Anoop Mishra, director and head of department of diabetes of Fortis Hospitals says that physicians should restrict irrational use of drugs. Dr Camilla Rodrigues, consultant microbiologist who has discovered superbug in Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital also feels that high-end antibiotics should be used with discretion.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad has alleged that Lancet’s report tracing origin of superbug to India was manipulated by foreign pharma firms. Foreign pharma firms are active in taking and destroying Indian generic medicines industry and health tourism. Multinational pharma companies are buying Indian generic medicines and drug manufacturing companies even at exorbitant prices. Not only this they are also trying that patent over several medicines which is going to be expired in next two or three years should be extended for some time.

Although Minister of state, Department of Commerce and Industry, Jyotiraditya Scindia while replying to a question in Lok Sabha denied that no proposal has been received from the European Union Agency for extension of patent protection by another five years.

Basudeb Acharya had asked if there is any such proposal and what is the reaction of the government and the generic medicine manufactures and the corrective steps taken by the government in this regard to thwart such attempts. Minister has stated that since no proposal has been received from the European Union Agency in this regard hence question of corrective measurers does not arise.

They may not have formally put any proposal to the government. But it is being learnt that they are lobbying hard for achieving their purpose. It is interesting to mention here that as many as 61 drugs worth over eighty billion dollars are going off patent between 2011 and 2013. Pharma companies have made representation to the Prime Minister Dr manmohan Singh.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad while confirming this has told that his ministry will no way support the increase in patent period of life saving drugs and medicines for over twenty years. Prime Minister’s Office according to the sources has sought the views of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Commerce on the issue.

Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, president, N R Munjal had also opposed any such move adding that they will not allow it as it will be tremendously detrimental to the health of our generic drug industry. Standing committee of the Parliament headed by Amar Singh in its report tabled in the house recently has expressed deep concern over the way the multinational pharma companies are acquiring Indian generic drugs and medicines companies and asked the government to take such steps so that these companies remain in Indian hands.

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Pregnancy Tips :Cup of coffee a day okay during pregnancy

Pregnant women who worry that drinking a little coffee could put them at risk of a miscarriage can rest easy: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a new guideline saying some caffeine is okay.

In a statement released Wednesday, the College said moderate caffeine consumption doesn't appear to cause miscarriage or preterm birth. However, it added that it remains unclear whether high levels of caffeine consumption are linked to miscarriage.

For years, women have been getting mixed messages about whether they can have any caffeine during pregnancy. In fact, many pregnant women cut out caffeine the minute they find out they are expecting, because of worries about miscarriage.

But Dr. William H. Barth, Jr, chair of the Committee on Obstetric Practice said in a statement Wednesday that after reviewing the scientific evidence to date, daily moderate caffeine consumption doesn't appear "to have any major impact in causing miscarriage or preterm birth."

Moderate caffeine consumption is considered less than 200 mg of caffeine per day. That equates to about 12 ounces of coffee. Eight ounces of caffeinated tea and most 351-ml soft drinks have less than 50 milligrams of caffeine; 1.55-ounce chocolate bars have less than 35 milligrams, according to information cited in the new report.

The ACOG Committee on Obstetric Practice also investigated how caffeine affects risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during pregnancy. After reviewing the evidence, they say they found no clear proof showing caffeine might restrict fetal growth.

But they added that while there is no definitive evidence that caffeine increases the risk of IUGR, more study is needed to better understand this relationship.

The Committee Opinion "Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy" appears in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Source: www.ctv.ca/CTVNews

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Pregnancy Tips :Pregnancy safe for cancer survivors

BARCELONA - WOMEN who survive breast cancer and have children afterwards don't appear to be at any higher risk of dying from cancer, a new study says.

Doctors have long worried pregnancy might spark hormonal changes in breast cancer survivors that could spur the disease's return, and many breast cancer patients are counselled against getting pregnant after they recover.

In research presented on Friday at a European breast cancer conference in Barcelona, experts said pregnancy in women who have been treated for breast cancer is safe and does not seem to be linked with the disease's recurrence.

Among women in the general population, those who have early and multiple pregnancies have a lower risk of getting breast cancer than women who don't.

Dr. Hatem Azim of the Institute Jules Bordet in Belgium and colleagues analysed results from 14 previous trials that followed more than 1,400 pregnant women with a history of breast cancer. Those women became pregnant several months to several years after finishing treatment. Dr. Azim and colleagues compared those women to more than 18,000 women who had had breast cancer and were not pregnant.

'I hope this changes what doctors tell their patients,' Dr. Azim said. 'There's no reason to tell women who survive breast cancer not to get pregnant.' – AP

Source: straitstimes.com

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US FDA approves controversial contraceptive pill Ella

THE US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved the controversial “morning-after” pill 'Ella'. The contraceptive medicine extends the post-sex pregnancy prevention for upto five days. The medicine developed by French company Laboratoire HRA Pharma is already available in Europe since May 2009.

The drug which is issued only on subscription is a progesterone agonist/antagonist that is thought to work by inhibiting or delaying ovulation, according to a statement from the FDA. The approval for this drug came after an agency advisory committee unanimously supported ella's approval in June. Other agencies that backed FDA's decision included 'Planned Parenthood'.

The side affects associated with Ella are similar to that of other emergency contraceptives, pointed out the FDA. Some of the symptoms are headache, abdominal pain, nausea, pain/discomfort during menstruation (dysmenorrhea), fatigue and dizziness. Although it prevents pregnancy, the drug is not recommended for women, who are pregnant or for women who are breast-feeding.

After reviewing the medicine, the FDA in a statement said, the safety and efficacy of Ella were demonstrated in two phase clinical trials. One study was a prospective, multi-center, open-label, single-arm trial conducted in the United States; the other was a randomized, multi-center, single-blind comparator-controlled trial conducted in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.

But like many other medicines available, Ella too has its own detractors. Experts believe that the drug works by delaying the ability of ovaries to produce an egg. However, opponents note that progesterone is also required to help the womb prepare for an already fertilized egg -- raising the possibility that the drug works similarly to RU-486, which prevents a fertilized egg from implantation in the womb.

The group's President Cecile Richards said in a statement that every woman deserves every option available to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, and there are many reasons why a woman may face the risk of unintended pregnancy, from failure or improper use of birth control to sexual assault. The FDA's approval of this new form of emergency contraception gives women one more option.

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Serena Williams to withdraw from US Open due to injury

THREE TIMES champion at the US Open and top seeded women's player, Serena Williams, was forced to pull out of the upcoming US Open because of a foot injury.

Calling the move as one of the devastating moments of her career,  Serena said that it is with much frustration and deep sadness that she is forced to pull out from the US Open as her doctors have advised her against playing so that her foot can heal.

Serena had reportedly cut her right foot at a Munich restaurant. Although, she had undergone a surgery, she was hopeful of being fit ahead of the final major of the season starting a week from the coming Monday.

The last time, Williams was seen playing at the US Open was last year when she lost the semi finals to Kim Clijsters in New York. It was during this match where the infamous episode of threatening the lineswoman took place and she was slapped a record fine.

Other seeded players like Andy Roddick, the 2003 men's champion expressed their surprise that Williams, winner of 13 Grand Slam titles pulled out more than a week before the tournament. Roddick commented by saying that the US Open is probably her (Williams) favourite event (and) so if she's this far out and is not going to play, it’s got to be something pretty serious.

Now, the chances of winning have increased for other players including Serena's older sister Venus Williams. Venus has so far has not won a Grand Slam event apart from Wimbledon since 2001 US Open. But an ailing Venus, who is down with a knee snag had to pull out of tournaments in Mason and Montreal.

 

Related Tags >> US Open 2010 , US Open Tennis

Pregnancy: Are you ever too old to conceive?

WHEN IT comes to late pregnancy, the option is never off the table. However, women above the age of 40 will need both luck as well as health to conceive. Furthermore, women above 45 will need not only health and luck, but also wealth.

Women can't always rely on luck or wealth to conceive, hence, it is advisable to do so before the age of 45. In today's cut throat career marathon, more and more women are delaying pregnancy. Women have started conceiving their first child in their early 40's.

With regards to pregnancy in older women, there is some good as well as bad news. The great news is that when women between the age group of 30-35 do conceive and stay pregnant past the first trimester, the outcome is most likely to be a good one. But unfortunately, increasing age is often accompanied by an increased risk in miscarriages.

Even though, there have been tremendous advancements in medicine, the consensus on the best period to conceive has never changed. Medical experts have remained adamant and have constantly stated that the safest time to conceive is during the earlier part of a woman's reproductive life.

Women, who read celebrity magazines are often inspired by several stories of movie stars, who have had children in their late 40's. This fake inspiration has in fact urged the American Society for Reproductive Medicine that most women can't expect to remain fertile for that long.

Women just simply need to come to terms with the fact that regular periods do not necessarily indicate fertility.

But what does bind women, who conceive during their early or late 20's and women in their late 30's? The answer is simple, yet absolutely necessary. Prenatal vitamins is a must for any expecting mother. A prenatal vitamin is as necessary for our babies as the air that we breathe.

Pregnancy is a critical time. Every required precaution and prenatal vitamin must be taken so that your baby has a healthy start in life.

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Female infanticide must be brought to an end

GENERALLY AN abortion is the finishing stage of pregnancy before a new birth can take place. The consequence of an abortion is the end of life of a foetus .This death /killing could be either spontaneous or artificial/induced.

The natural abortion is known as a miscarriage. In the artificial abortion, the foetus is removed by artificial methods, usually medical tools. For years, abortion has been an extremely controversial subject. One significant factor of the controversy is whether expecting mother should be allowed by law to have an abortion and if so, under what circumstances. Generally, legal law and moral values speak in favour of it only at the cost of saving the mother’s life or in case of deformation of foetus, otherwise there is strong disagreement on the issue of abortion.
Many advanced countries approve abortion as a legal right of women to have or not to have a child. Some countries like Japan and Russia don’t disapprove the abortion as it can be used as a method of birth control. In Russia, where abortion has been legal since 1920, it is allowed up to the 29th week of pregnancy.

Japan doesn’t restrict abortion to the first 24 weeks. Both Russian and Japanese women are allowed to use abortion as a form of birth control. In other places, such as the Scandinavian countries or the United Kingdom (where abortion has been allowed since 1967) there must be medical reasons. In the United Kingdom, to get an abortion done, it must be shown that continuing the pregnancy would endanger the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.
Recently in 20th century due to medical and technological development sex choice abortions have been rapidly increasing. Preference for sons has lead to female infanticide being commonly practiced in places where sons get more priority over female population. In male dominated society it is a common trend to have son rather than a daughter.

With the help of ultrasound scanning systems, one can easily know the sex of the unborn child. Any type of artificial abortion is simply defined as human killing by sophisticated methods. 

This is actually a sin, which is deliberately done by parents of unborn girl child. According to modern trend only on the knowledge of having female foetus, the chosen method is used to terminate the pregnancy. Such practice of female infanticide is more common not only in India but also in China, Taiwan, Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc.
Social scientists are worried about disproportionate ratio of males and females in population. Due to this many social problems and evils are taking place in society. In India there are many states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab etc, where females are only 700 something against every1000 males. Due to this, eligible bachelors are not getting brides. There are many villages in many states, where mothers do not enjoy the pleasure of motherhood of a girl child.
In 2005, more than 90 millions women were calculated to be missing from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, Korea and India due to female infanticide. The comparatively economically backward socities like Latin America, Saharan Africa and Caribbean countries do not not indulge in this practice.

Actually female infanticide was not commonly practiced before late 20th century, because of difficulty of determining the sex of unborn child, but now medical tools have made this determination easier. However, prior to this, many parents indulged in female infanticide by feeding poisonous plants, throwing away infants, or strangulating newborn girls at their first breath. This practice of girl child killing was more common in families, where first one or two children were female. Parents of such families did plan, how to finish the next girl child. This brutal practice has made people insensitive.

Somewhat controversially, the same sex-selection practices are also believed to occur among South Asian immigrants in the United States. A study of the 2000 United States Census observed definite male bias in families of Chinese, Korean and Indian immigrants, which was getting increasingly stronger in families where first one or two children were female.
In present materialistic world, where money is playing important role, sons have discarded their parents, while girls being sensitive are much more caring about their parents. Girls are equally participating in economic activities of a family and have achieved higher positions. This brutal practice should be stopped at any cost. Medicos should take moral responsibility and resolve not to indulge in such sinful activities.

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Indian research on fibroids gets awards

TODAY, INDIANS are aware that fibroids are on the rise and are affecting around 25 million women in India. The Indian research, which Dr Prakash Trivedi has done, has revealed the cause for fibroids, which no one in the world knew before. This is a breakthrough research done for the first time in the world for which Trivedi recently was acknowledged by the national award. Trivedi’s research has been acknowledged in United States and Australia. Along with Dr Kumud Tamaskar, National Award winner for original research in infertility, he has released a book on ‘Infertility Dilemma’s Expert’s Final Verdict’ given to the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of India (FOGSI) as a publication for all gynaecologists.

The surgical techniques used for laparoscopic removal of fibroids is usually as follows: Trivedi’s laparoscopic technique of small five mm ports makes separation of fibroids of big size and multiple in number can be separated easily. With less bleeding, a dilute vasopressin is infiltrated as 20 units in 100 ml of saline to achieve a vascular plane. Most important is the fact that Trivedi’s endosuturing technique from same side, like in open surgery, is now being followed at more than 157 centres in the world making suturing safe and meticulous for next pregnancy.  

The new promising research study suggests that incidence of fibroids can be increased in first degree female relative having fibroids, type of diet, excess weight, excess blood pressure etc. New unknown facts surfaced for the first time in world, found by an Indian gynaec endoscopist and In-vitro Fertility (IVF) consultant and showing a strong relation of fibroids contributing to infertility, especially by production of prolactin and aromatase locally leading to local hyper estrogenaemia. A strong relation was found between infertility in patients having fibroids more than five centimetres in size and more than three years of no conception. Apart from direct obstruction of tubal ostia, distortion of the tubo-ovarian anatomy and artificial of lengthening distance sperm has to travel to fertilise the oocytes.

Laparoscopic removal of fibroids increased the pregnancy rate to 42 per cent and decreased the abortion rate to five per cent without increasing the rate of uterine scar rupture on pregnancy, but increasing the need of doing elective caesarean section, especially due to removal of large and multiple myomas. In the IVF-ICSI group laparoscopic myomectomy of more than five centimetres in size prior increased the pregnancy rate to 38 per cent and specially, in the donor oocyte IVF to 50 per cent.

Also, the unnecessary feared uterine scar rupture after the laparoscopic myomectomy is disproved in the hands of experts. The future probably holds a promise in drugs, which are good aromatase inhibitors, which may further be extremely useful to reduce the size of the fibroid, arrest the growth and may even reduce a incidence of surgical removal of fibroids.

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Teenage pregnancy, western world & the social reforms

THIS WEEK Sarah Palin’s (The Republican VP nominee for the 2008 USA Election) teenage daughter gave birth to a baby boy. The new born has bought cheers to the family, and to the Republicans.

Teenage pregnancy is harmful for the health of mother and to the health of to-be-born baby (I assume that I need not specify figures & facts in support of this claim as this is an undisputed issue, if any reader disputes it, I can provide figure and facts). We have seen campaigns by “social activists” & “human rights organizations” to root out such evils from our world. But irony is that, though such evils are getting condemned in underdeveloped world (thanks to the effort of social reformers), such evils are getting celebrated in developed world.

The conservative groups in the USA have praised Palin’s daughter for upholding traditional values by deciding to have the baby instead of having an abortion. The Republican leadership, who faced a crashing defeat in 2008 Presidential elections, is also happier as it hopes to strengthen its base amongst the conservatives. The USA government has continued to distance itself from controversial topic, as always.

I am just wondering, if the western world would have reacted in the same way, if this event would have happened in some other part of the world. What if this “teenage pregnancy” would have been witnessed by the daughter of an Asian, African or Middle-Eastern national leader? What if the celebrated teenage mother was either Hindu or Muslim instead of being a Christian. Would the reaction of western society have been the same? I think that this same section which has termed the incidence as “act of upholding the traditional values” would have pounced upon “with allegations of violating the basic human rights and not protecting the women health”.

If there was an American economic interest in that region, the USA government would have even contemplated a strong military action to protect the human rights freedom in that country.

I hope that Indians have not forgotten the “social reforms” which were implemented in India during the “British Rule”. The “child marriage” was declared illegal. This was a great leap forward for the social progress of our country. But one should really suspect the motives of “British Rule”. Why were the “social reforms” forced upon to the Indian Society in form of “Legal Bindings” rather than “social awareness campaigns”. Was it just to humiliate the feeling of Hindu Masses? If not, why the Western world has not implemented any controversial “social reforms” (those reforms which contradict with their religious beliefs) in their own society?

If Hindus, or Muslims (or any other religion, tribe of sect) do something unscientific (some thing which can be disputed by science - in this case medical science), the western world takes upon them the responsibility of educating the “Backward Regions of the World”. But when Christians (which is the major religion in West) do some thing unscientific (like promoting and celebrating the ideas of teenage pregnancy), it is celebrated by the same western world as “an act of upholding the traditional values”. This is the irony of human kind, we always follow double standards - one set for our own culture, religion & country, another set for all others.

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Teenage pregnancies: A matter of concern

THE 70S SAW an era of an alarming rate of teenage pregnancies across the world. Even though the birth control pills were introduced in 1961, it faced resistance all over the globe. Family planning was implemented on a wide scale in 1980s when people started to respond. By the 90s, teenage pregnancies declined. But the new millennium points in the direction of rising concern on the matter.

Teenage pregnancies are a matter of concern for both the child as well as the mother who are prone to various social, emotional, economic and health problems. We need to impart sex education in schools in an organised manner so as to stem the issue from its roots.

Lila Kapur, social worker says, “India has a social structure which has been struggling to get over its past since decades. Child marriages are still prevalent in India the outcome of which is an increase in teenage pregnancies. Also, various cases of rape on minors and other factors like lack of adequate sex education in teenagers have resulted in teen pregnancies.”

Zeba Smith, counselor says, “Teen pregnancies can also be attributed to the irresponsible behaviour of the media. Certain scenes and themes depicted in movies, music videos and even serials have led to an increase in teenagers being strayed. Teens have impressionable minds and tend to imitate on-screen actors and actresses. Also, the boon in technology and access to pornography is misleading children.”

Teen pregnancy is one that occurs from puberty to 19years of age and is also known as Adolescent Pregnancy. Puberty is the stage of adolescence when a young girl can reproduce. However reproduction can also take place before the first menstrual cycle.

Vishal Nagpal, a computer engineer from Chandigarh feels, “Teenagers have access to all sorts of stuff these days. They can easily get carried away by dating trends in the west and end up goofing up. Dating trends in India are changing with time. Teenagers start dating at an early age and are often carried away or due to inadequate knowledge find themselves in crucial circumstances.”

Indira Bakshi, educationist feels that our society is changing rapidly and it is our moral duty to educate teenagers of the implications of pregnancy and other diseases associated with unprotected sex. Use of contraceptives should be encouraged all over the country. Parents must overcome their whims and understand that they need to sit down and have a friendly discussion with their child on issues related to sex.

Mohan Sharma, businessman says, “Prevention is better than cure and creating general awareness among teenagers is the need of the hour. I have two daughters, the elder one is 14 and the younger one is 12. My wife makes it a point to sit with them and discuss about their daily school activities and keeps a constant check on whom they are talking with over the phone. She also gives them the required space. Maya, my 14 year old had a crush on a schoolmate. My wife handled it well. She told Maya that at this tender age she needed to be more careful as well as feel responsible for her actions.”

Parents need to spend more time with their children and try to understand their problems. They must never compare the new generation with their time as this will only create a communication barrier. What parents need to do is inculcate values of responsibility and reasoning in their children. They must teach them to judge between right and wrong.

Rachita Suri, student says, “Many a times girls surrender to their boyfriends in teenage only because of peer pressure or because the guy threatens to ditch the girl. For most girls it is their first love /crush and they don’t want to part that easily.”

Sunny Juneja, student feels, “It is considered to be cool to have sex during the teens. You are not considered to be a man unless you lose your virginity. Friends often tend to tease a guy who is incapable of befriending a girl and then taking her to bed. Another thing is that it is even better to date an older woman these days as she is considered to have more knowledge and experience.”

Sahil Mehta, Student says, “More and more teenagers are indulging in unprotected sex these days as they know that it is not all that difficult to get away with it. There are a number of options for abortion of which pills are the most common and you don’t need to have a doctor’s prescription to get them. Moreover, most teenage boys have a number of whims about using condoms or feel shy about getting them from a store.

India might have changed in a number of ways, but according to a research most teenage girls feel that they have fallen in love in their very first relationship. They think about marriage and it is not difficult for their boyfriends to induce them into the act by reciting a few sugar coated words.

Another research shows that girls exposed to child abuse, assault, violence, broken homes and few friends or support groups are at a higher risk of teenage pregnancies. The worst part is that in certain cases due to lack of adequate knowledge girls don’t even realise that they are pregnant until the fifth month.

Parents and education institutes need to gear up and impart proper and adequate sex education. We need to raise a generation of responsible adults who are capable of taking care of themselves. We mustn’t give a blind eye in the direction and take everything for granted because out there some kid is ruining his/her life right now.

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