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I am a 35-year-old working woman who just had a kid. I left my job because I wanted to give all my attention to my child. Being a stay-at-home mom is a sudden change for me.  I feel guilty for wanting my old life as a professional. I can’t help but think that I am a bad mother. My husband is always working and it is solely on me to look after the baby. I am afraid that if I share my feelings with my husband, he might see me as a bad mother. —A worried mother 

Answered by Alisha Humagain, Psychosocial Counselor at Happy Minds 

The transition from working life to parenthood is a significant change. Hormonal changes in women after childbirth are believed to be the reason for mood swings. The hormones, estrogen and progesterone required during pregnancy decline quickly after birth, creating mood swings.

As for changes that you were anticipating after becoming a mother, the transition to a new identity as a parent can be surprising. This does not imply that you don’t care about your child, or that you aren’t a good mother. Simply put, you may require some time to rediscover yourself.

There are many positive things you can do to help you remember who you are and embrace the changes in your life. Having a child impacts your life, but try not to consider this as a bad thing. You may not be as spontaneous, social, or carefree as you used to be, but you’re likely to become more patient and selfless. You might even find an inner strength and confidence you didn't know you had. Instead of worrying about how things will be different now that you're a parent, try to concentrate on spending time and bonding with your child.

It’s best not to assume that your husband will judge you. Communicating with each other can be really beneficial in terms of gaining insight and finding answers to your problems. You may both feel as if your duty as parents has robbed you of your identity. In addition to spending time with your child, try to be with your partner as well. It may be as easy as watching a movie or eating dinner together on a Saturday night. It's also a good idea to seek moral support from your family and friends.

It is quite normal to need a break. Though it may seem obvious, taking a break can indeed be difficult for some new parents, especially if you don't have a support network. It doesn't always have to be about doing something other than caring for your baby. It's wonderful to just sit and do nothing every now and then.

After having a baby, many people battle with their emotions for a while. These should pass, but if your sentiments do not improve or you are unable to manage, it may be an indication that you require additional assistance. It is best to get professional advice, even if you are unable to attend physical sessions and must instead rely on virtual ones.

The Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police apprehended seven foreign foreigners in possession of 51 kg heroin.

Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, the bureau said that seven South African women were nabbed from the airport and Thamel areas.

It has been revealed that they came to Kathmandu from Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways on different dates.

Police said they recovered 49 kg white heroin and two kg brown heroin from their possession.

SP Jeevan Kumar Shrestha, Chief of the Narcotics Control Bureau, said that the market value of the confiscated drugs is Rs 1.22 billion.

Police said that they are further investigating the case.

Nepal reported 16 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 038 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 12 returned positive. Likewise, 1, 230 people underwent antigen tests, of which four were tested positive.

The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that 14 infected people recovered from the disease.

As of today, there are 95 active cases in the country.

Nepal has documented the first suspected case of monkeypox.

A 24-year-old man, who had come to Nepal via Dubai, has been admitted to the Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical Infectious Disease Hospital after he was found suffering from the symptoms of monekypox.

During a test at the health desk of the Tribhuvan International Airport, he was found suffering the symptoms like that of monekypox and sent to the Teku Hospital.

According to an official at the hospital, he has been suffering from a fever for the past few days.

UK interest rates have risen further as the Bank of England attempts to stem the pace of rising prices, BBC reported.

Rates have increased from 1% to 1.25%, the fifth consecutive rise, pushing them to the highest level in 13 years.

It comes as finances are being squeezed by the rising cost of living, driven by record fuel and energy prices.

Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - is currently at a 40-year high of 9%, and Bank warned it could surpass 11% later this year.

The Bank said rising energy prices are expected to drive living costs even higher in October, but it said it would "act forcefully" if necessary should inflation pressures persist.

Six of the nine members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise rates to 1.25%, but three backed a bigger increase to 1.5%, according to BBC.

Minutes from the Bank's meeting also reveal that it expects the UK economy will shrink by 0.3% in the April-to-June period.

The Bank did not update its outlook for the third quarter but has previously said it expects GDP to grow between July and September. This would mean that the UK would avoid a recession this year - with a recession defined as the economy shrinking for two consecutive quarters. 

However, the Bank has previously said it expects the economy to shrink in the final three months of this year, during which the price cap on household energy bills is set to be increased. 

The rise in domestic gas and electricity bills will lift the increase in the cost of living to "slightly above" 11% in October, the Bank said. 

It means the rate of inflation will be more than five times the Bank's inflation target of 2%, BBC reported.

In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the Bank's governor, Andrew Bailey, said inflation was largely due to global issues such as rising prices for energy and agricultural goods, which have worsened as a result of Russia's war with Ukraine.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 12. 57 points to close at 1, 978. 94 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2. 93 points to close at 381. 83 points.

Meanwhile, a total of 3, 594, 594 unit shares of 221 companies were traded for Rs 1. 18 billion.

In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green except for Investment.

At the end of the day, total market capitalisation stood at Rs 2. 82 trillion.

The main opposition CPN-UML boycotted the Parliament demanding resignation of Finance Minister Janardan Sharma.

UML Chief Whip Bishal Bhattarai said that the party demanded his resignation as the questions have been raised on the budget formulation process.

He said they would boycott the Parliament until Sharma resigned from this post.

Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand said that the government has no plans to join the State Partnership Program (SPP).

Responding to queries on budget in the Parliament on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, Minister Khand said that the government has not made any decision to join the SPP.

He expressed his commitment not to allow Nepali land to be used against the neighbouring countries.