Ms AUGUST 23, 2015
ISSUE NO. 166
Unexpectedly expecting Why some women can’t tell that they are pregnant
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Sort out your wedding woes
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inside En vogue — Bridal galore
Domestic goddess —
Kiwi and mint smoothie
Section In-Charge: Dilaira Dubash Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Designer: Umar Waqas Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk
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The industrious Syma Raza
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The buzz
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
By Ishrat Ansari One day, as she was bustling around in the kitchen, Nusrat Jahangir felt an unfamiliar tug in her belly. “It felt like something was kicking me from within,” recalls the 31-year-old homemaker. “Naturally, I got a little worried but not once did I suspect that I might be pregnant!” As fate would have it, however, a quick checkup with her doctor confirmed that Nusrat was indeed, with child. “Strangely enough, I completely bypassed the obvious symptoms of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, fatigue and vomiting. There was a sporadic flu but that was about it,” shares Nusrat. Coincidentally, Nusrat also had a history of irregular menstruation which made it all the harder for her to figure things out. “I experienced some irregularities in my cycle following the birth of my second child and simply attributed all skipped periods to that. How could I have ever known?” she says, exasperated. Fortunately for Nusrat, her condition is not out of the ordinary — she is amongst the thousands of women across the world who fail to realise they might be pregnant. In fact, according to Dr Rubina Hassan, chairperson of Obstetrics and Gyneacology at Ziauddin University and Hospital Karachi, about 20% of expecting mothers have no inkling that they are expecting until late into the pregnancy. “Each pregnancy varies and so, it is highly likely that a woman skips all key symptoms completely,” explains Dr Rubina. “Regardless of whether it was planned or not, 80% of women can tell as the developing foetus starts moving and kicking. Sometimes though, the baby is less active or rests in a way that the mother cannot feel its presence.” In such cases, it is generally after the first trimester that it begins to sink in. “Most baby movements begin in the fifth month and are common in 90% of pregnancies,” adds Dr Rubina.
Inefficient pregnancy testing For most doctors, the ideal and most reliable method of detecting a pregnancy is via a blood test. “These days, women resort to over-the-counter pregnancy tests which do not always beget accurate results,” claims Dr Rubina. “Not to mention, it is necessary to wait for one week after a missed period to take these home pregnancy tests. False readings will obviously lead to undetected pregnancies.”
The case for irregular menstruation Much like Nusrat, 32-year-old Asma Alam also had a case of intermittent periods and actually visited the doctor to have her condition checked. “Instead, I was told that there was nothing wrong with me — I was simply four months pregnant!” shares Asma, who welcomed her third child — a beautiful baby boy — just two weeks ago. “I am one of four sisters, two of whom were diagnosed with ovarian cysts. So I assumed I might have developed a cyst too,” admits Asma. “This pregnancy was completely out of the blue as I had had a baby girl just six months earlier and that too, via a caesarian section.”
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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
According to Dr Rubina, it is natural for women with conditions similar to Asma’s to overlook the possibility of a pregnancy. “Patients with a history of ovarian complications like cysts simply assume the discomfort and pain they feel is because of their condition, not a baby,” she explains. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) — a condition wherein tiny cysts develop on the ovaries, thereby impeding regular periods — is one of the most common causes of infertility as well as unsuspected pregnancies in women. Dr Rubina also adds that some expecting mothers continue to experience bleeding well into their pregnancy which deceives them into thinking they are without child.
There may not be a definite reason as to why women don’t realise it but over the years, experts have come up with the following reasons to credit surprise pregnancies:
Obesity: Lactation amenorrhea Although few women are aware of this, breastfeeding actually delays the process by which your menstruation cycle resumes after childbirth. In fact, many women resort to natural birth control via the Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM) which inhibits menstruation whilst the mother is lactating. According to Dr Nusrat Shah Kamal, gyneacologist at Civil Hospital in Karachi, “Women who breastfeed their babies round-the-clock and have not started menstruating as per normal are highly unlikely to conceive during that time.” In general, this period lasts up to about six to eight months following delivery, while breast milk remains the main source of feed for the baby. “Once the six months are over, the mother’s milk is accompanied by solids and formulas like Cerelac. It is very much possible for women to conceive from then on.”
The weight issue One would assume that a pregnancy would eventually manifest itself at least in terms of body weight if nothing else. But in some rare cases, even that does not hold true. Asma, for instance, did not gain any weight even four months into her pregnancy. “I have always been skinny and rather weak,” she shares. “But even while pregnant, I hardly put any extra pounds on.” Interestingly enough, one of the side-effects of PCOS includes the accumulation of excess fat around the belly which makes one appear bigger than they might be. “This would make it even harder for one to detect a pregnancy,” says Dr Rubina. “A few extra pounds are inconspicuous on a person who is already overweight. Extra flab around a belly that is already swollen is likely to go unnoticed.” In such circumstances, a woman may go up to her third trimester before her condition becomes evident.
Overweight or obese women are more likely to have irregular menstruation, making them accustomed to missing a period here and there. Moreover, their body shape may cause them to overlook the obvious physical change that arises due to pregnancy.
Placenta: If a woman’s placenta is positioned near the front of her uterus, she may not feel the baby move as much. When and if movement is felt, it is easy to confuse it with gas, even in women who are very far along in their pregnancy.
Morning sickness: Surprisingly, some women do not experience morning sickness at all and if they do, it is very mild. Nonetheless, morning sickness can also be explained as a stomach bug or just a side effect of feeling stressed out.
Denial: Women who do not wish for a child may subconsciously deny the fact that they are indeed having one. It can happen to mature mothers, especially those in their 40s with children already.
Infertility and general carelessness “This is a very painful reality for married couples,” says Dr Rubina. “When one or both the partners are told they are infertile, they give up on the idea of conceiving psychologically. Such couples have a delayed response to the first signs of pregnancy.” Dr Nusrat further elaborates on this by hinting at the lack of attention paid by women to biological changes. “It is not careless but some women just do nothing about irregular menstruation,” she complains. “Others are careless, regardless of whether they want children or not. They assume it is impossible to conceive while breastfeeding but it is not.”
The solution In a country where the greater half of the population shies away from topics like childbirth and family planning, it is imperative that we spread awareness regarding the matter. An undiscovered pregnancy can potentially be fatal to the unassuming mother as she goes about her daily business, conducting tasks that can perpetrate physical harm to her or the baby. Such instances may be rare but there is still a dire need for us to educate the masses and encourage dialogue to curtail unwanted and unexpected pregnancies.
It has been estimated that about one in every 450 pregnant women are unaware of their pregnancy until the 20th week or later. One in 2,500 remains oblivious until she actually goes into labour. The most common reason for this is that they suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, as it is referred to by the medical fraternity. According to The Mayo Clinic, PCOS is a very common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age. Those with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries containing small collections of fluid called follicles, located on each ovary. Although the real cause it yet to be determined, a large number of women are diagnosed with the syndrome across the world. Owing to its symptoms, which include infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne and obesity, many patients confuse pregnancy with PCOS. Consequently, they fail to realise that they are expecting.
Ishrat Ansari works on the Karachi desk at The Express Tribune
Design by Talha Khan
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En vogue
Saira Rizwan’s latest attire will make you feel like a princess Designer: Saira Rizwan Collection: Gulmohar Photography: Adnan Qazi Hair & Makeup: Sadaf Khan Styling: Farina Ghauri Models: Hammasa, Hajra, Kari
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
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Lifestyle
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
By Nisma Chauhan Most woman wait their whole lives for a fairytale wedding. For most of us, our wedding day is expected to be the happiest day of our lives. Perhaps that is why we begin to plan it from childhood. From elegant designer dresses to the beautiful flower arrangement that will adorn the stage — we have thought of everything well before there is even any sign of the groom! On the other end of the spectrum are the anti-wedding women who wish to keep things to a minimum. How they manage to not squeal at the very
mention of their wedding is beyond us but hey — they might be right in wanting to spend their savings elsewhere. Besides, every bride has the right to celebrate her wedding as she pleases. So if you are seeking a simplistic ceremony with none of the hullabaloo that Pakistani weddings generally entail, this guide is ideal for you. We offer you some ultimate, budgetcutting tips for classy yet relaxed wedding planning and the greatest nonwedding wedding ever!
First things first: get the money in order. Remember, it is ideal to make a spreadsheet listing all your finances. Just one day of a wedding can cost up to four years of college. Hence, planning how much needs to be spent on what can help sort arrangements right. Once you have an idea of your finances, get to work: For the love of food: Aside from immediate family members, you and your husband to be, there are very few others who truly care about your wedding. As horrid as it may sound, most of your guests are coming for the food. If you want them to head home happy and wellfed, begin searching for the best caterers in town. Be mindful that the best doesn’t always have to be expensive. If there is someone in your family who cooks pretty well and can make food to feed 100 guests, why not ask them for help instead? Easy on the flowers: Flowers are really tricky as they make for beautiful wedding decor but do die out soon after they have been pulled off. Not to mention, they are exorbitantly pricey so spending so much on something that does not last the night is never a great idea. For simple and chic décor, have some flowers put on the stage and on the centre of the tables. DIY invitations: Another unfortunate wedding reality is that invitation cards almost always end up in the trash the minute the ceremony is over. The smartest thing to do is to make them yourself. If you aren’t savvy with arts’n’crafts, how about you outsource them to local crafters and arts galleries? Besides, the typical white, golden or beige invitation cards have become so mainstream that it might be a good idea to surprise your guests with hand-made ones. The good thing is they cost a lot less too. Mama’s girl: If you wish to stray from the beaten track and yet, look like a princess bride, opt for your mother’s wedding dress. It will definitely need a bit of tweaking here and there but the alterations will cost you less than half the prices designers are charging these days. Ditch what you don’t like: In most big fat Pakistani weddings, the festivities start a month prior to the actual events. From dholkis, mehndis to bridal showers — there seems to be no end to the madness. The good news is that all these are events that can easily be skipped if you do not like them. You can stay minimal with all the festivities by sticking to just the important ones, such as the baraat and valima. Invest your time and effort in planning these without having to think about the rest. Most of all, remember that wedding planning is preparation for a party. Your marriage is what you’re really ought to be celebrating. The day will be perfect because you will be starting a new life and it will pass in a blur of elation that will still make you smile months later. In all the chaos and drama, take out some time to prepare your mind, as well. No matter what goes wrong during planning, remember that what means the most is to enjoy yourself and the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with.
People may advise you to hire a wedding planner but we feel that this is unnecessary. According to Sharyn Bires, a former publisher of San Francisco Brides, a wedding planner is a needless luxury as anyone with common sense and basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel can manage an RSVP list and read a vendor contract. On the other hand, since weddings are a series of photo shoots and styling decisions, it would be smarter to opt for a stylist to make you look good. It will not only be a major stress buster but will also ensure that you have a visually appealing and impressive wedding. Nisma Chauhan is a subeditor at The Express Tribune’s magazine desk. She tweets @ChauhanNisma Design by Eesha Azam
Domestic goddess 7
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, AUGUST 23, 2015
By Amna Javed
Kiwi and mint smoothie
Did you know? A refreshing drink to get you through the rest of summer
Growing up to a maximum of three inches, kiwis look small and insignificant but this could not be further from the truth. Don’t be fooled by their appearance: the whole four ounces of this fleshy green fruit is packed with nutrients and a sweet flavour reminiscent of strawberries, bananas and melons. The light green insides, speckled with minute black seeds, appear like flowers and can add a dramatic, tropical flair to any fruit salad or dish they are placed on. Not to mention, research has found that just one tiny kiwi contains more Vitamin C than an equivalent amount of oranges! The chart below illustrates the nutritional value of kiwis perfectly. Find out the percentage of each nutrient contained in the fruit and add kiwis to your daily summer fruit intake.
Ingredients
PHOTO: AMNA JAVED
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Honey 2 tbsp Kiwis 2 Raw mango juice 2 tbsp Mint leaves 4 sprigs Yogurt 4 tbsp Ice cubes 1 cup
How to enjoy kiwis to the max Method • Mix all the ingredient in a blender. • Pour the juice into glasses. • Add mint leaves to garnish and serve chilled. Yield: 2 Prep Time: 15 mins
Here are a few easy serving ideas to help you reap all the kiwi goodness • Peel and slice them with a paring knife and eat them as they are. The refreshing fruit will not only hydrate you through the summer but also keep your tummy full. • Toss kiwi into a green salad and have it with salad dressing. • Prepare a fruit platter by serving kiwis with yogurt. You can also add other fruit that complement the taste of the kiwi, such as strawberries. • Did you know that kiwis mixed with pineapples and oranges make for a delicious chutney to dip chicken or fish into? Give it a shot at home! • Decorate fruit tarts and trifles with kiwi slices to add a burst of green to your dessert. • Kiwi and cantaloupes blended together in yogurt is an excellent way to prepare chilled soup for the warm summer days. SOURCE: WHFOODS.COM
Woman of the week 8
Out and abou t.
Enjoying the limelight.
Fashion Designer
Quality time wi th my
Over the years, there has been a rise in female employment across the country. According to the World Bank, the percentage of working women in the service sector alone has risen to 13.20% in 2013. Ladies are achieving success in virtually every field, from corporates houses to the political arena, all the while keeping house and never breaking a sweat. But one thing that still stands in the way of their success is the lack of faith they have in their own abilities. All too often, a relatively opinionated woman — working or not — is dubbed as ‘bossy’ which discourages other women from voicing what they have to say. But appearing weak has its own drawbacks and we believe that today’s world is no place to hold yourself back. Follow these simple steps to look more confident and make your peers listen to you. After all, being ‘bossy’ can sometimes be necessary to get some work done!
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Don’t dawdle: It doesn’t matter if you are insecure about your ideas and scared of presenting them before a competitive team. You have to voice them as you never know how others might react. Always remember that what may be dull to you can be of great importance to another. Maintain balance: Being ‘bossy’ has a negative connotation but sometimes that is exactly how you should be to get things done. You do not want to get barraged with someone else’s work because they are too busy browsing Facebook, do you? You should be nice and helpful as well as bossy at times, balancing this attitude. Learn to say the omnipotent word ‘no’ to anyone who tries to take you for a ride. ‘I’ve got this’: If you look confident and believe in yourself, you can pull off anything. Things always seem challenging at first but remember that you have been made in charge of the assignment for a reason. So be poised and do not hesitate to ask for guidance should you need it. Reaching out to a superior or co-worker shows them how much you care about getting your task right. Get your swag on: If men can be so comfortable talking about themselves, why can’t we? Women should be comfortable about talking about themselves too. Whether you’re presenting a new idea, deciding to switch careers or hand in a resignation, you are highly likely to encounter at least one person who disagrees. The key is to stay true to where you came from, the experiences that you have gained and what your goals are. Confidence brings happiness: Every workplace has its own culture and social system. Therefore, fluctuating between a cool and confident persona and cockiness can get tough. One never realises when they blur the line and begin to come off as arrogant to their co-workers. You must know when it is okay to boast a little about yourself and when you should charge into daunting circumstances. As the Hollywood starlet Mila Kunis said, “Confidence is not cockiness. Cockiness is knowing who you are and pushing it down everyone’s throat.” SOURCE: COSMOPOLITAN.COM
Design by Eesha Azam