Ishu

These are small additions that make everyday work and learning easier. If you’d like to contribute to strengthening this space for the women and girls who use it, here’s the link: powerofsura.org/donate-2 Do your magic? Donate. Retweet

At Sura in rural Cuddalore, 300+ girls and women come together — to work & learn- a space where we discover our confidence and skills.This International Women’s Day, we’re raising funds for: • 2 laptops • A printer • A Sura welcome board • A sanitary napkin incinerator

People being shitty to babies and parents because babies are being babies is the saddest thing I've observed in the last few years

“Can I bring my baby to the interview?” The message came in at 11 PM: “Hi, I have an interview with you tomorrow at 2 PM. My childcare fell through. Can I bring my 8-month-old? I understand if you need to reschedule.” Old me would have rescheduled. Unprofessional. Distraction. Red flag. New me replied: “Absolutely. See you tomorrow.” She showed up with her baby on her hip. She apologized three times before even sitting down. Ten minutes in, the baby started crying. She tried to soothe him while answering questions. She apologized again. I stopped the interview and said: “Hey. You’re managing a fussy baby, answering complex questions, and staying calm under pressure. That’s literally the job. Handling chaos while staying professional. You’re already proving you can do it.” Her eyes filled with tears. We hired her. She’s been with us for a year now. The most reliable team member we have. Why? Because when you’re used to handling a screaming infant at 3 AM and still showing up to work the next day, workplace stress feels like nothing. Working parents, especially mothers, are some of the most organized, efficient, and resilient people you’ll ever hire. Yet we lose them because our hiring processes are built for people with zero caregiving responsibilities. If your interview process can’t accommodate a parent facing a childcare issue, you’re not filtering for professionalism. You’re filtering for privilege.

Hello! Any recommendations for places to visit, restaurants/cafes to indulge in, and experiences to absolutely not miss out on in Pondy? Bonus points if they are toddler-friendly. Thank you!

If you thought period diarrhoea was the end of the plot, surprise. The replies made it clear this isn’t a single symptom problem. It’s a whole anthology of side effects that people have been quietly enduring because women’s pain has a long history of being waved away. The sheer number of “omg this happens to me” responses tells you everything you need to know about how under-discussed this is. Medical misogyny is real, and it has been ignoring women’s health for decades. That silence is cracking now. Here’s what women actually reported, in their own bodies, over and over again. Severe lower back pain that many called the worst part of their period, not cramps. Not discomfort. One person described it as “someone actively using an axe to break my waist,” and an unsettling number of people immediately agreed. Debilitating migraines or severe headaches, often referred to as “period migraines,” bad enough to stop work, cancel plans, and flatten entire days. Repeated or uncontrollable nausea and vomiting, sometimes paired with cold sweats or sharp, stabbing pain, and in many cases serious enough to require ER visits or hospitalisation. Low-grade or noticeable fevers during periods, something many were told was unrelated despite it happening every single cycle. Cramps that refuse to stay confined to the uterus. Abdominal pain spreading into the legs and thighs, and the infamous “butthole” or rectal cramps that create constant urgency. These are especially common and especially brutal for people with endometriosis. Bladder symptoms that show up on cue. Frequent or urgent urination, sometimes difficulty holding it, sometimes feeling like a UTI that conveniently disappears once the period ends. Gut issues playing both sides. While some get diarrhoea, others experience constipation instead, often before their period. Add bloating and excessive gas for the full digestive chaos package. Recurring yeast infections or itchiness just before periods, perhaps thanks to hormonal shifts that love to destabilise vaginal flora at the worst possible moment. And then the general flare-up mode. Heavier bleeding, hormonal acne, extreme fatigue, and mood symptoms intensifying, with everything worsening if you already live with conditions like endometriosis, IBS, or hypermobility. A common thread in the replies wasn’t just pain. It was relief. “I thought I was cursed” “I thought it was just me”. Closely followed by anger at years of being dismissed, minimised, or told this was normal without anyone explaining why or offering help. These symptoms line up with what we already know about prostaglandins, hormonal shifts, inflammation, and the gut–brain–uterus connection. What they don’t line up with is how little space they get in medical conversations. Like I said before, it is common. It’s real. And it’s been under-researched for far too long. If your symptoms are severe, worsening, or spilling beyond your period, seeing a doctor matters. And may you find one who listens, believes you, and treats your pain like it’s worth understanding, because it is.

People think period is just blood and mess, you’re in for a treat. Period diarrhoea is one of those rude biological side quests no one warns you about. During your period, your body releases prostaglandins to help the uterus contract and shed its lining. These chemicals are not great at staying in their lane. They also stimulate the smooth muscles of the intestines, speeding up gut movement. Faster gut movement means less water is absorbed from stool, which results in loose stools or full blown diarrhoea. A few things that make it worse : Higher prostaglandin levels means stronger cramps and more bowel stimulation Hormonal shifts, especially the drop in progesterone just before your period, remove progesterone’s usual “constipating” effect. Increased gut sensitivity during menstruation can amplify symptoms, especially if you already have IBS. Inflammation and pain responses can activate the gut brain connection and push things along even faster. This is normal, common, and unfortunately under discussed. If it is severe, persistent beyond your period, associated with blood in stool, fever, or weight loss, that is not “just periods” and should be checked. Otherwise, welcome to the monthly reminder that the uterus and intestines share a wall and zero respect for personal boundaries.

At this stage of motherhood, I am convinced that society created baby furniture for absolutely no reason.

lolwut

Urgent call to @CARAWCD officials for an update on the child referral process! Suspended since Sep 9, set to resume on Oct 1. Yet, the only announcement is to "stay tuned" with no definite timeline. We need clarity. @BhavnaSaxena113 @PMOIndia @narendramodi @PIBWCD @Annapurna4BJP

Any recommendations for a good leak-proof, lightweight lunchbox for toddlers? Preferably, stainless steel.

@sinamocha_ Not at all! 😅 Asking for travel purposes.

@DimpledJalebi No way babyJalebi is ready for school???????

@IamArvindLaxman @iShO_o That's a solid recommendation. Thank you!

@iShO_o @DimpledJalebi Porter is highly recommended. I had a fantastic experience with them last October. Used their service from Saligramam to Kelambakkam. Prompt, safe and reliable.

#Chennai I need to send a baby high chair from Palavakkam to Tambaram. Which app would allow me to do this, given the distance? TIA!

@iShO_o Oh, I am just noticing this! Thank you!

@DimpledJalebi Porter has different size vehicles including loading support. Check it out

@sinamocha_ Ok, will check again. Thank youuu!

@DimpledJalebi Yeah works so far.

@sinamocha_ Porter works in Chennai? When I checked once, it said service unavailable. 🥲

@DimpledJalebi Porter

Anyone had any prior experience with Emeritus courses? Advisable to take one? (Looking for some professional skill upgrade more than any networking or placement opportunities)