Pregnancy is a unique journey filled with excitement, care and many questions about what foods are safe.

Matcha, the most trending drink is one of them. It is a type of powdered green tea with a vibrant green colour. It is high in antioxidant and caffeine, and helps to provide a balanced energy. This fine powder is used in different forms like smoothie, latte and desserts.

There are a few pros and cons on consumption of matcha, but if consumed in moderation will benefit you.

Benefits of drinking matcha during pregnancy

  • High in antioxidants
  • Provides a gentle energy boost
  • Supports digestion
  • May lower risk of hypertension

Major side effects of drinking matcha during pregnancy

  • May affect fetal development

Since it has a caffeine content, between 18.9 and 44.4 mg per gram, while expecting mothers, consumption of caffeine should be less than 200 milligrams per day. Too much caffeine may increase risk of miscarriage, low weight baby.

  • May reduce iron absorption

Matcha is a powdered pure version of green tea that contains tannins, caffeine, which inhibit the iron absorption, and can be risky in the pregnancy.

Ms. Shivani Bavalekar – Clinical Dietitian & Lactation Counsellor concludes that “Although matcha tea during pregnancy can be good for you, try choosing high quality matcha and consume in moderation, which means not more than one cup in a day due to its caffeine content, and inhibiting iron absorption”.

Every pregnancy is unique, and safe nutrition matters most. Connect with Currae Hospital’s Clinical Dietitian for trusted guidance on diet and wellness.

Kangaroo Mother Care: The Natural Nest for Newborns

“In the warmth of a mother’s skin, lies the strength to begin.”

What is Kangaroo Mother Care?

Kangaroo Mother Care is a method of caring for newborns, especially premature or low birth weight babies, by holding them skin-to-skin against a parent’s chest. Initially developed in Colombia in the late 1970s as an alternative to incubators, it has now become a gold standard in neonatal care across the world.

In essence, the baby, wearing only a diaper and cap, is placed upright between the mother’s breasts (or on the father’s chest), like a baby kangaroo in its pouch-hence the name.

Benefits of KMC isn’t just about bonding, it’s about survival and thriving:

  • Temperature regulation: Your body becomes a natural incubator
  • Stabilized heart and breathing rates in the baby
  • Better weight gain and feeding habits
  • Improved sleep cycles and reduced stress
  • Enhanced brain development and immunity
  • Stronger parent-baby emotional bonding

Research even shows that KMC reduces neonatal mortality by up to 40% in preterm infants.

When to Start Kangaroo Mother Care?

Ideally, KMC should begin immediately after birth, especially for babies weighing less than 2.5 kg. It’s safe, effective and should continue for as many hours a day as possible, until the baby is strong enough to maintain temperature and feed well independently.

Who Can Give Kangaroo Mother Care?

While mothers are often the primary caregivers, fathers, grandparents, or any close family member can also provide KMC. It’s about skin, love, and connection-not just biology.

KMC in Natural Birth

In normal deliveries, where mother and baby are both stable, KMC can begin within the first hour of life-often referred to as the “Golden Hour.” It enhances natural birthing experiences by supporting early breastfeeding, reducing medical interventions, and creating emotional warmth in those sacred first moments.

“Tiny heart on mother’s chest,
Finds its rhythm, finds its rest.
No machines, just skin and grace,
The safest, sweetest resting place.”

As an experienced obstetrician, Dr. Arohi Tasgaonkar often reminds new parents that sometimes, the most powerful tools in newborn care are not found in machines or monitors; but in a mother’s arms. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is one such beautiful, natural method that wraps science in simplicity.

Let’s bring back nature’s wisdom into our birthing rooms. With Kangaroo Mother Care, we at Currae Hospital are not just holding babies, we’re holding the future.