07/03/2025

FRIDAY | MAR 7, 2025

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Bold, brave and business savvy

Understanding cryptic pregnancy KUALA LUMPUR: Mariah (not her real name) woke up one morning with severe stomach pain, forcing her to rush to a clinic. She was stunned when the doctor informed her that she was pregnant and in labour. She had no idea she was expecting, as she had not noticed any changes in her body and she never experienced nausea, headaches or cravings - symptoms commonly associated with pregnancy. Her menses had also continued, although it was sometimes irregular. Mariah’s condition is known as cryptic or stealth pregnancy, in which a woman is unaware of her pregnancy until the late stages. UKM Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital consultant in obstetrics, gynaecology and urogynaecology Assoc Prof Dr Ixora Kamisan Atan said women experiencing such pregnancies are not aware of their condition due to the absence of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness or abdominal discomfort, adding that in some cases they may mistake them for other health issues. Studies have shown that one in 475 women worldwide only realise they are pregnant when their pregnancy reaches 20 weeks. At this point, they may start noticing a “baby bump” or feeling fetal movements, reported Bernama. Dr Ixora said one in 2,500 women remain unaware of their pregnancy until full term and some women, especially those who are obese, may not feel fetal movements, which only become noticeable between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. “For women with irregular periods, some may not menstruate for three to four months, which they consider normal. As a result, they do not take a pregnancy test. “Early pregnancy bleeding can sometimes be mistaken for menstruation. In reality, it could be implantation bleeding, the light bleeding that occurs when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall, or it could be a sign of threatened miscarriage.” Sunway Damansara Medical Centre consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology Dr Sharina Mohd Razali said cryptic pregnancy could lead to low birth weight in babies due to inadequate nutrition and vitamins during the prenatal stage and the absence of routine pregnancy care.

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Women’s resilience, strength and accomplishments over the past few decades have been nothing short of extraordinary as they continue to make an indelible impact in fields once dominated by men. From CEOs and judges to top surgeons, bus drivers and p-hailing riders, and at home, devoted wives and formidable mothers, women are breaking barriers and redefining expectations. Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, theSun spoke with inspiring young women entrepreneurs who have defied social norms to create inclusive beauty products. Twins Suvikhavathy and Sundravathy Anand Kumar, 25, from Petaling Jaya, founded Desi Rose Cosmetics during the Covid-19 lockdown after struggling to find makeup products that suited their skin tones. “Growing up, we often faced difficulties finding the right makeup that suited our skin tones. The frustration led us to create Desi Rose, a brand that celebrates diversity and ensures every shade is represented.” She said starting a business at 21 years old while studying law in the United Kingdom was no small feat. “We deferred our studies in our third year and committed to building Desi Rose from the ground up. We never imagined it would gain traction,” she said, addding that time management is their biggest challenge now as they juggle their Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) studies and run a home-based business. Suvikhavathy said finding time to grow Desi Rose is tough as they study for 10 to 11 hours a day. “What keeps us going is our commitment to inclusivity. We test our products diligently to ensure they work for everyone,” she said adding that they now have a customer base of over 2,000. For women looking to break into entrepreneurship, Suvikhavathy’s advice is simple: “Have a solid plan, know your niche and trust the process. There will always be doubters, but the key is to focus on your vision and work hard. Success takes time, but persistence pays off.” Meanwhile, entrepreneur Kavitha Thuraisingam, 38, from Kulim in Kedah, has proven that challenges can only make her stronger. “I started selling teas in 2019, just before the pandemic, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise for my business. My

o Women are changing the game in fields once dominated by men

Left: Suvikhavathy and Sundravathy founded Desi Rose Cosmetics during the Covid-19 lockdown. Right: Kavitha’s tea shop sources premium teas from Darjeeling and Assam. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

homemade masala chai struck a chord with customers seeking comfort and authenticity in trying times,” she said. Her business, Naira 9 Ventures, which started as a home-based venture selling condiments, masala chai and badam (almond) milk, quickly evolved into a thriving enterprise. By July 2021, she had opened a shop lot, sourcing premium teas from Darjeeling and Assam. She later introduced Naira’s Royal Tea, which supports small-scale tea farmers. “I wanted to deliver quality while promoting sustainability. It’s important to me that my business uplifts others along the supply chain, from farmers to consumers.” As a single parent, Kavitha said she is motivated to succeed to provide for her only child. “I lost my husband in 2019 during the early stage of my business and was left to navigate life as a single parent to my

five-month-old son. “Managing a business while raising him was overwhelming, but my son became my greatest motivation. “Pursuing something I love has taught me that growth begins when you step out of your comfort zone. I used to fear speaking in public or handling customers, but today, I embrace every challenge as an opportunity to learn,” she said, adding that her sales ranged between RM10,000 and RM20,000 per month. Kavitha said she is passionate about inspiring other women to pursue their dreams. “Since 2019, we’ve had the privilege of serving between 5,000 and 10,000 customers online. As we expand into offline sales, our focus now is on scaling the business and creating more growth opportunities. “Women are capable of achieving incredible things when they believe in themselves. The key is to take that first step.”