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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Indian village bans single girls from using mobile phones over forbidden marriage fears

 

Single women have been banned from using mobile phones in an Indian village - to stop them arranging forbidden marriages that are often punishable by death.

Lank village council, in northern India, decided that unmarried men can use mobile phones, but only under parental supervision, while women were forbidden outright.

Local women’s rights group criticized the measure as backward and unfair.

Married women can use mobiles - but not singles in Lank (not shown in picture)

Married women can use mobiles - but not singles in Lank (not shown in picture)

Marriages between members of the same clan are forbidden under Hindu custom in some parts of north India, where unions are traditionally arranged by families.

In conservative rural areas, families sometimes mete out extreme punishments, including so-called honour killings, for those who violate marriage taboos.

In some cases, village councils themselves have ordered the punishments, though police often intervene to stop them.

The Lank village council feared young men and women were secretly calling one another to arrange forbidden elopements.

Last month, 34 couples eloped in Muzaffarnagar district, where Lank is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

Among the couples who eloped, eight honour killings have been reported in the last month, police said.

‘Three girls were beheaded by the male members of their family after they eloped’ with boys from their same clan, said police assistant director general Brij Lal in the state capital of Lucknow.

Rulings by village councils - called panchayats and comprised of village elders selected by the community - are not legally binding in India, but are seen as the will of the local community, and those who flout them risk being ostracized.

In Uttar Pradesh, panchayats are particularly powerful and have declared that boys and girls of the same clan are essentially siblings.

The mobile phone ban for unmarried women is part of a wider, regional effort to curb intraclan marriage among the 3million population of western Uttar Pradesh.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1332656/Indian-village-bans-single-women-using-mobile-phones-forbidden-marriage-fears.html#ixzz16DxKIKOY

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Three decades after playing a sex symbol in 10 Bo Derek can still set pulses racing

 

It's more than three decades since she burst onto the big screen as Dudley Moore's love interest in the comedy classic 10.

But Bo Derek can still set pulses racing with her blonde California good looks, fine features and high cheekbones.

Thirty-one years ago she became an instant sex symbol when the now-iconic image of the lithe actress, clad in a gold high cut swimsuit, her hair in beaded braids, running along the beach became many a teenage boy's pin-up of choice.

Now she's 54 - but she still has an appearance most women would envy.

Bo Derek

Still sexy: Bo Derek cut a fine figure at the second annual Moet and Chandon celebrity auction Tuesday night in Madrid, Spain

The actress was hosting the 2nd annual Moet and Chandon charity auction at the Casino De Madrid in Madrid, Spain Tuesday night, and she was looking beautiful.

Derek wore a stylish ensemble of graduated grey silk skirt with a black chiffon see-through blouse over a black camisole top.

Her honey blonde hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and she finished her elegant look off with some simple jewellery pieces and a stylish pair of peep toe brown suede heels.

Derek helped auction off  bottles of bubbly signed by celebrities including herself, Brad Pitt, Quentin Tarantino and Naomi Watts.

Derek claims that she shuns plastic surgery, because she is happy to age gracefully.

Bo Derek

Natural beauty: Derek says she shuns plastic surgery, because she is happy to grow old gracefully

But she says she sometimes considers anti-ageing procedures if she sees photographs of herself looking 'scary'. 

However, she simply reminds herself that Botox and plastic surgery can often change a person's facial expression for the worse.
She says: 'When you look at women who have had plastic surgery, they have lost something - usually an expression, something unique to their faces.

'They start to look the same. I've always admired the women who didn't do it, so I have to keep reminding myself I'm one of them and not the other.
'When I look at some photographs of myself, I think, "Oh, I look alright. " But, in others, I scare myself; I wish I had my old skin.'

The former model's career in acting started when she auditioned for the legendary director, John Derek.

Derek

Lovely bubbly: Derek helped auction off special bottles of champagne signed by celebrities, including herself, Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino

The director, who was 30 years her senior was so taken with the beautiful blonde that he divorced his wife, Dynasty star, Linda Evans to start an affair with her.

The controversial couple had to move to Germany for two years to avoid John being charged with statutory rape as Bo was only sixteen at the time.

They moved back to the U.S. shortly after her eighteenth birthday and married soon after.

Derek

Iconic image: The famous scene of Derek clad in a gold bikini, with her beaded braids, running along the beach towards Dudley Moore made her an instant pin-up

Despite the huge disparity in years and Bo's young age they remained married right up until John's death from cardiovascular disease in 1998.

John was a dashing romantic whom she 'adored until he drew his last breath,' she told the Mail On Sunday in an interview shortly after his death. 'Most people fall in love, but they don't have love in return, and I had it for 25 years.'

'Bo was a zombie girl,' Sean Derek, John's daughter with Pati Behrs, the first of his three previous wives (Ursula Andress and Linda Evans were 2 and 3) said of her step-mother at the time.

And Evans, who actually formed a strong friendship with Bo despite usurped by the younger actress, said: 'John's death was wrenching for Bo. Yet she had a lot of grace in handling it. She's made of wonderful stuff.'

Bo struggled to get over the loss of her husband and threw herself into work and indulged her love of horses - she owns Andalusian horses and is a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute's campaign to end horse slaughter.

She vowed off dating again and remained single for four years before meeting her current boyfriend, My Greek Fat Wedding and Sex and the City actor, John Corbett.

Proving she definitely doesn't go for a type, Bo went from marrying a man thirty years older to dating a man younger than herself.

Corbett talked about their age difference during an appearance on the Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson and said that he's bemused by people's misconception that he's dating a much older woman, when in reality he is actually only four-and-a-half years her junior.

The 49-year-old actor has never been married and has stated on several occasions in the past that he does not see himself ever marrying or having children.

However, it seems the West Virginian has changed his tune of late.

Derek

Natural: Derek's first Playboy spread in 1980 was actually shot by her then husband, John, and featured her jogging naked on the beach with her dog

During an appearance on Live With Regis and Kelly back in June he confessed that he and Derek were planning to tie the knot in the 'not too distant future.'

While talking about his love life co-host Kelly Ripa asked the actor if he and Bo ever considered 'complicating [their relationship] with marriage.'

'We were actually talking about that last night,' Corbett responded. 'We went to a party and we were talking about maybe doing it one day. First time we've talked about it in eight years!'

He also noted that his girlfriend was 'married to the great John Derek for 30 years. A lot of women, that's high on their list - to be married.

'I've never been married. We're not having kids. I think it's important to do if you're going to have kids.'

However, he continued: 'Why not? Yeah, we'll do that one day. For sure. In the not-too-distant future.'

Derek

Happy again: After swearing off dating following the death of her husband, John in 1998, Bo found happiness once again after meeting John Corbett in 2002

Corbett shared the not so romantic circumstances surrounding him and Bo meeting for the first time.

He spilt all the details to George Lopez on his chat show back in April - and it reads as the ultimate Hollywood story.

'My buddy is this great guy… [agent] Norby Walters…he puts this big Oscar party on [Night of 100 Stars]…this was eight years ago, and he said "Come to the party?" and I said "You know, I’m not really dating anyone right now," and he said, "I’ll fix you up on a date."' Corbett explained.

'So he slips this thing under my door with 20 really famous ladies on it. But one name that jumped out at me. I put a one and a circle around it, and I stuck it back under his door and he called me up and said, "One name, you give me one name?"

'And that name was Bo Derek, and we’ve been together eight years.'

Who says romance is dead?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1332458/10-sex-symbol-Bo-Derek-set-pulses-racing.html#ixzz16Drj4bIL

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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Bollywood or busty! Pamela Anderson wears very sexy sari as she leaves Indian Big Brother after three days

 

Pamela Anderson left the Indian Big Boss house last night after her three day-stint on the reality show.

And she wasted no time getting glammed up and having a dance with host and Bollywood star Salman Khan.

The Baywatch star was dressed in a very sexy turquoise sari as she greeted Khan on stage, and then switched to a pink top and red skirt as she and Salman showed off their moves.

Eastern promise: Pamela Anderson leaves the Big Boss house after three days

Eastern promise: Pamela Anderson left the Big Boss house earlier today after three days

Hello boys! Pamela sexes up her sari as she dances on stage

Hello boys! Pamela sexes up her sari as she dances on stage

As the only Westerner, Pamela did her best to fit in on Indian version of Big Brother.

Dressed in a green sarong wrap dress, Pamela showed off her best Bollywood dance moves.

With the male contestants cheering her on from the sofa, Pamela and the other female contestants performed a choreographed routine.

The 43-year-old is appearing as a guest on the Indian reality show - called Bigg Boss - for three days before leaving on Friday.

Boogie down! Pamela and Salman Khan get down on the stage as they show off their moves

Boogie down! Pamela and Salman Khan get down on the stage as they show off their moves

It was an adventure! Pamela and Salman clasp hands as she says goodbye to Indian Big Brother

It was an adventure! Pamela and Salman clasp hands as she says goodbye to Indian Big Brother

Appearing for her second day on the show, Pamela tried to keep herself busy.

After enjoying parathas for breakfast, she started cleaning the utensils and later swept the floors with a broom.

She also practised her Hindi, asking 'Aap Kaise hain? (How are you?)'.

Throwing herself into things: Pamela Anderson dances to a Bollywood song on the set of the Indian reality television show Big brother in Mumbai, India

Throwing herself into things: Pamela Anderson dances to a Bollywood song on the Indian reality show Bigg Boss

In the afternoon contestants Dolly Bindra and Sameer Soni were evicted from the house.

As they left Pamela bid them farewell by saying 'Alvida', an Urdu word for 'bye'.

The housemates are all stars in India - actors Ashmit Patel and Samir Soni, actresses Dolly Bindra, Veena Malik and Shweta Tiwari, male model Hrishant Goswami, singer Manoj Tiwari, soap star Sarah Khan, politican Seema Parihar and WWE wrestler Great Khali.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson

Got the moves: With the male contestants cheering her on from the sofa, Pamela  performed a choreographed routine

This year's fourth series of Bigg Boss is hosted by Salman Khan. Khan is a Bollywood superstar in India, and Pamela caused surprise by admitting she had never heard of him.

'I have seen a few Bollywood films, but I don't remember any of the actors by their name. Maybe, if I see him I will be able to recognise him.'

Pamela is the second Western celebrity to appear on the show - late reality star Jade Goody also starred on the 2008 series, only to leave soon after entering the house after receiving her cancer diagnosis from doctors.

Pamela Anderson

Fitting in: Pamela has been practising her Hindi and Urdu on the show

Explore more:

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1331444/Pamela-Anderson-wears-sexy-sari-leaves-Indian-Big-Brother-days.html#ixzz15pzfhDeQ

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

She can still attract a crowd: Pamela Anderson gets mobbed by fans as she lands in India

 

She was the ultimate pin-up girl in the early 90's, so it is unsurprising that she still has a ton of fans from all over the world.

Pamela Anderson got a little taste of her international popularity as she touched town at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India this morning.

The 43-year-old Baywatch star got mobbed by fans and the media as she attempted to make her way through the airport terminal flanked by security and airport officials.

 Pamela Anderson

Fan frenzy: Pamela Anderson gets mobbed by fans as she lands at Mumbai airport this morning

The actress even looked a little frightened by all the attention as she clutched on to an escort and pushed her way through the mob, who were all pushing and shoving to get closer to the star.

Pamela is in India to take part in the country's equivalent to Big Brother - Big Boss.

She is set to be next week's celebrity guest on the show and is being paid a reported $350,000 pay check for her appearance.

 Pamela Anderson

Scared: The actress looks visibly shaken by the experience

 Pamela Anderson

Helping hand: Anderson gets escorted through the terminal by some friendly security and airport officials

 Pamela Anderson

Hold on: The crowds were pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of the star

She will stay in the house for three days with some of Indiia's top celebrities, including WWE superstar Khali and the show is presented by Bollywood heart throb Salman Khan.

Pamela shot to stardom in 1992 with her role on the hit U.S. show Baywatch in which she played sexy lifeguard C.J. Parker.

She starred in over 110 episodes over a five year period before going on to star in films like Barb Wire and Scary Movie.

The mother of two has had a fairly quiet acting career in the past few years and become better known for her revealing day to day clothing choices as she spends time with her sons where they live in Malibu, California.

However the actress recently completed filming on Hollywood And Wine, a film about a movie star who falls from the public's graces and is attempting to repair her reputation.

The film, which also stars Jeremy London and Vivica A Fox, is due for release around Christmas time.

Pamela Anderson arrives at Mumbai Airport on November 15, 2010

At ease: Pamela is in India to star on Big Boss, the country's Big Brother equivalent

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1329978/Pamela-Anderson-gets-mobbed-fans-lands-India.html#ixzz15YQocTvf

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Back to reality for Pamela Anderson as she joins Indian Big Brother

 

Two years after she moved into the Australian Big Brother house, Pamela Anderson has joined the cast of the Indian version of the reality TV show.

Dressed in a white sari, the 43-year-old actress surprised the celebrity housemates on Bigg Boss when she arrived unannounced last night.

The former Baywatch star will appear on the show for three days before leaving on Friday.

What am I doing? Pamela Anderson looked bewildered as she entered the Bigg Boss house last night

What am I doing? Pamela Anderson looked bewildered as she entered the Bigg Boss house last night

However, she may struggle to communicate with her housemates - because Bigg Boss rules state they must only speak in Hindi.

Before entering the house, Anderson claimed she wasn't a fan of reality shows - despite starring in her own show Pam: Girl On The Loose two years ago.

She said: 'I am not a fan of reality shows. I love traditional shows like Baywatch.

'I am very excited about the show. I will be just myself and have fun with the contestants in the house.

Making an entrance: Pamela was a vision in white as she suddenly appeared in the Bigg Boss garden

Making an entrance: Pamela was a vision in white as she suddenly appeared in the Bigg Boss garden

'I will miss my two kids when I will be locked in the house. I like doing household work. I do it at my place so I have no issues with it.

'It is my first visit to India so I hope I will be able to get some impressions of the country during my stay. I am very excited to be in India and to meet the Bigg Boss housemates.'

One of her tasks during the three day stay will be to teach her housemates how to purify water.

The current housemates are actors Ashmit Patel and Samir Soni, actresses Dolly Bindra, Veena Malik and Shweta Tiwari, male model Hrishant Goswami, singer Manoj Tiwari, soap star Sarah Khan, politican Seema Parihar and WWE wrestler Great Khali.

Meet and greet: Pamela gets acquainted with her new housemates... but is she speaking Hindi?

Meet and greet: Pamela gets acquainted with her new housemates... but is she speaking Hindi?

This year's fourth series of Bigg Boss is hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who Anderson admitted she had no idea who he was, despite his huge fame in India.

She said: 'I have heard about Salman through media. I have seen a few Bollywood films, but I don't remember any of the actors by their name. Maybe, if I see him I will be able to recognise him.'

A spokesman for India's Colors TV network, which broadcasts Bigg Boss, enthused: 'With Pamela coming as a celebrity guest, the glamour quotient of the show has gone up several notches.'

Anderson is the second Western celebrity to appear on the show - late reality star Jade Goody also starred on the 2008 series, only to leave soon after entering the house after receiving her cancer diagnosis from doctors.

Chores: The actress was scantily clad in a sarong as she chipped in with some sweeping today

Chores: The actress was scantily clad in a sarong as she chipped in with some sweeping today

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1330403/Pamela-Anderson-Indian-Big-Brother.html#ixzz15YPGA8B9

Crackdown on reality TV, Bigg Boss and Rakhi ka Insaaf hit

rakhi-sawant

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Crackdown-on-reality-TV-Bigg-Boss-and-Rakhi-ka-Insaaf-hit/H1-Article1-627494.aspx

Faced with mounting complaints from TV viewers and women outfits about objectionable contents, Government on Wednesday ordered channels airing TV shows Big Boss and Rakhi ka Insaaf to broadcast them only between 11 PM and 5 AM, virtually bracketing them as only for adult

viewing.

Both the shows are not for universal viewing and can be aired only in the scheduled time slot, I and B Ministry officials said.

I and B officials claimed this is the first time that the ministry has compulsorily changed time slots of popular TV shows.

While Big Boss is being aired on Colours, Rakhi ka Insaaf is aired on NDTV imagine.

The shows cannot also be repeated at any other time slot or shown on news programmes, they said.

The Ministry also banned Telegu SS Music channel for a period of seven days for allegedly showing nudity.

The decisions were taken at an inter-ministerial meeting represented at by additional secretaries from the Ministry of Home, Women and Child Development, External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting on Monday.

Numerous complaints have been made by viewers as well as the National Commission for Women and social activists who accused the channels of showing explicit content.

The decision would be effective with immediate effect that is from today, the officials said.

"We have not asked the producers of the show to modify content or have not done any sort of censoring, just shifted the time slots allotted to them," senior ministry officials said.

The meeting had been called after round-the-clock monitoring of the channels.

Rakhi ka Insaaf, compared by actor-dancer Rakhi Sawant, hit the spotlight after Laksham Prasad, a resident of Jhansi, committed suicide, which his family alleged, was following the humiliation meted out to him on the show.

His family said the youth was upset after Rakhi described him as "impotent" and had gone into depression and refused to eat anything for several days.

Complaints have also been received about the "abusive" language and intimate scenes on Big Boss, the officials said.

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Copper load of this! Company digging mine in Afghanistan unearths 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery

 

A Chinese company digging an unexploited copper mine in Afghanistan has unearthed ancient statues of Buddha in a sprawling 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery.

Archaeologists are rushing to salvage what they can from a major 7th century B.C. religious site along the famed Silk Road connecting Asia and the Middle East.

The ruins, including the monastery and domed shrines known as 'stupas,' will likely be largely destroyed once work at the mine begins.

The ruins were discovered as labourers excavated the site on behalf of the Chinese government-backed China Metallurgical Group Corp, which wants to develop the world's second largest copper mine, lying beneath the ruins.

Historic find: Ancient Buddha statues inside a temple in Mes Aynak, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. Chinese labourers digging a copper mine made the astonishing discovery

Historic find: Ancient Buddha statues inside a temple in Mes Aynak, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. Chinese labourers digging a copper mine made the astonishing discovery

Hanging over the situation is the memory of the Buddhas of Bamiyan — statues towering up to 180 feet high in central Afghanistan that were dynamited to the ground in 2001 by the country's then-rulers, the Taliban, who considered them symbols of paganism.

No one wants to be blamed for similarly razing history at Mes Aynak, in the eastern province of Logar. MCC wanted to start building the mine by the end of 2011 but under an informal understanding with the Kabul government, it has given archaeologists three years for a salvage excavation.

Archaeologists working on the site since May say that won't be enough time for full preservation.

Ancient: An Afghan archaeologist stands next to the remains feet of the Buddha statues discovered in Mes Aynak. The ruins, including the monastery and domed shrines known as 'stupas,' will likely be largely destroyed once work at the mine begins

Ancient: An Afghan archaeologist stands next to the remains feet of the Buddha statues discovered in Mes Aynak. The ruins, including the monastery and domed shrines known as 'stupas,' will likely be largely destroyed once work at the mine begins

The monastery complex has been dug out, revealing hallways and rooms decorated with frescoes and filled with clay and stone statues of standing and reclining Buddhas, some as high as 10 feet.

An area that was once a courtyard is dotted with stupas standing four or 5ft high.

More than 150 statues have been found so far, though many remain in place. Large ones are too heavy to be moved, and the team lacks the chemicals needed to keep small ones from disintegrating when extracted.

'That site is so massive that it's easily a 10-year campaign of archaeology,' said Laura Tedesco, an archaeologist brought in by the US Embassy to work on sites in Afghanistan. 'Three years may be enough time just to document what's there.'

Dig: A wooden Buddha statue, estimated to be about 1,400 years old, is discovered during the excavation at the sprawling 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery

Dig: A wooden Buddha statue, estimated to be about 1,400 years old, is discovered during the excavation at the sprawling 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery

Philippe Marquis, a French archaeologist advising the Afghans, said the salvage effort is piecemeal and 'minimal', held back by lack of funds and personnel.

The team hopes to lift some of the larger statues and shrines out before winter sets in this month, but they still haven't procured the crane and other equipment needed.

Around 15 Afghan archaeologists, three French advisers and a few dozen labourers are working within the 0.77-square-mile area - a far smaller team than the two dozen archaeologists and 100 labourers normally needed for a site of such size and richness.

'This is probably one of the most important points along the Silk Road,' said Marquis. 'What we have at this site, already in excavation, should be enough to fill the (Afghan) national museum.'

Deadline: Archaeologists digging at the site of the ancient ruins have three years to finish the excavations

Deadline: Archaeologists digging at the site of the ancient ruins have three years to finish the excavations

Mes Aynak, 20 miles south of Kabul, lies in a province that is still considered a major transit route for insurgents coming from Pakistan.

In July, two US sailors were kidnapped and killed in Logar. Around 1,500 Afghan police guard the mine site and the road.

Mes Aynak's religious sites and copper deposits have been bound together for centuries — 'mes' means 'copper' in the local Dari language.

Throughout the site's history, artisanal miners have dug up copper to adorn statues and shrines.

Afghan archaeologists have known since the 1960s about the importance of Mes Aynak, but almost nothing had been excavated.

When the Chinese won the contract to exploit the mine in 2008, there was no discussion with Kabul about the ruins - only about money, security and building a railroad to transport the copper out of Logar's dusty hills.

But a small band of Afghan and French archaeologists raised a stir and put the antiquities on the agenda.

The mine could be a major boost for the Afghan economy. According to the Afghan Mining Ministry, it holds some 6 million tons of copper, worth tens of billions of dollars at today's prices. Developing the mine and related transport infrastructure will generate much needed jobs and economic activity.

Waheedullah Qaderi, a Mining Ministry official working on the antiquities issue, said MCC shares the government goal of protecting heritage while starting mining as soon as possible.

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Traumatic first births fuel rise in women opting for a Caesarean second time round

 

By Sophie Borland
Last updated at 4:16 PM on 15th November 2010

Some doctors speculate that tokophobia - a fear of childbirth - could be prompted by a more 'confessional culture' in the UK, with mothers sharing stories of difficult births.

Some doctors speculate that tokophobia - a fear of childbirth - could be prompted by a more 'confessional culture' in the UK, with mothers sharing alarming stories of difficult births.

Expectant mothers are increasingly demanding a Caesarean for their second baby because their first birth was so traumatic, midwives warn.

In some maternity units the numbers of women wanting the procedure has doubled in the last year.

Midwives say that many were so traumatised by having their first child that they are putting off future plans to have more babies or even abandoning them altogether.

They also warn that birth is becoming far more stressful experience because maternity units are so overstretched.

Often women are left alone and scarred before and after the labour as midwives simply don't have the time to offer them the advice and reassurance they need.

The number of expectant mothers asking for a Caesarean at Liverpool Women's hospital, one of the largest female-only hospitals in Europe, has increased by 40 per cent in the last 12 months.

Other maternity units including those at Birmingham Women's Hospital, St Mary's in Manchester and Stepping Hill in Stockport report similar trends.

Meanwhile birth trauma clinics which support women after difficult labours say they have seen a doubling in patients in the last year.

Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said that many maternity units were now so overstretched that labour was now a more stressful experience for women.

She added: "If a midwife is very busy then clearly she won't have the time between dealing with women in labour to give others the emotional support and reassurance she needs.It's certainly having an effect.'

She also said that doctors and midwives were now increasingly offering women Caesareans if they were fearful of giving birth.

In the past it was only carried out in an emergency or if the birth was likely to be complicated, such as the foetus being in the breech position.

She added: Professionals are increasingly aware of the option of advising women to have a Caesarean.

'In the past the usual approach would have been to talk through women about what went wrong the first time round and give them support so that they could try and have a normal birth the second time round.

'We'd try and avoid saying to them you're answer is a Caesarean as it can cause several complications such as post-partum haemorrhage.'

Midwives also say that increasing numbers of women are suffering from tokophobia, a fear of childbirth.

In some cases they are being put off by the experiences of friends whose labours lasted 18 hours.

Midwife Debbie Garrod, who runs a birth trauma support unit at Stepping Hill hospital said that she had seen 48 women so far this year, compared to just 21 in 2009.

Simon Mehigan, a consultant midwife Liverpool Women's hospital said: 'Tokophobia is a distressing psychological disorder that is growing at an alarming rate.'

Typically, this fear is a result of experiences during the first pregnancy or delivery and can often be traced back to a lack of information or explanation about what was happening, he added.

Dr Tracey Johnstone, a consultant in foetal maternal medicine at Birmingham Women's hospital, said: 'Women are more frightened of labour and delivery now.

'Among women there almost seems to be a competition about who has suffered the most during childbirth, talking about 18-hour labours and the like, and that scares other women before they have their babies.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1329684/More-mothers-asking-caesareans-big-rise-reported-traumatic-births.html#ixzz15NLAXirS

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

USING smartphones while visiting the loo is causing a surge in PILES.

By KATE WIGHTON and EMMA SHRIMSLEY

Increasing numbers of us are so hooked on hi-tech gadgets such as iPhones and BlackBerries that we even use them to chat and play games while using the toilet.

And doctors say this has led to a sharp rise in cases of haemorrhoids, which are now being dubbed "BlackBerry Bottom".

A recent survey found more than eight in ten smartphone owners use their devices while on the throne. Piles cause swellings around the back passage and spending too long on the loo increases the risk.

Long arm of the sore ... Wii can cause painful lesions on hands

Long arm of the sore ... Wii can cause painful lesions on hands

Kent GP Stephanie DeGiorgio warned: "Sitting on a cold, hard surface for a prolonged period can raise the chance of haemorrhoids, so you really should play Angry Birds somewhere more comfortable."

The poll found men were more likely to play games on the toilet, while women made the most calls there. Both sexes admitted checking Facebook, Twitter and emails. And almost all texted.

But our rears are not the only parts of our bodies threatened by new gizmos. Here, we reveal other areas at risk of hi-tech harm.

Head

US doctors recently identified "ringxiety" - where people imagine they hear their phone ringing. A study revealed that more than 60 per cent of mobile phone users suffer from "phantom ringing".

Ear

Researchers in India found that people who listen to music on insertable earphones have thousands of times more bacteria in their ears than other people.

Using earphones in our lugholes make them warmer and moister, so bugs can thrive.

Thumb

Repeated actions with your thumb and forefinger - such as dragging items on a laptop - can cause repetitive strain injury, experts warn. This causes pain in the fingers, thumb and joints, and experts recommend taking a break from gadgets every 30 minutes.

Skin

Your mobile can even bring you out in a rash. Mobile phone dermatitis is a skin disorder that, according to the British Association of Dermatologists, can be triggered by spending too long on the blower.

Hands

Overuse of gaming consoles, such as the Wii and Xbox, can lead to neutrophilic hidradenitis - painful red lesions on the hands.

It's also known as PlayStation Pimple.

The condition, reported in the British Journal of Dermatology, is said to be caused by excessive sweating from gripping handsets

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3219722/Smartphones-are-harming-your-body.html?CMP=EMCeb16#ixzz14tiPMFXl

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