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Starbucks Has a New Halloween Drink, & the Flavor Is Truly Scary

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Fall is a fantastic time of year. From the cool weather to the warm crocks of food, this season has it all. But the best part about fall may be Halloween. I mean, who doesn't love costumes and candy? And Starbucks just made the holiday a little bit better. The coffee chain is offering a new beverage, the Witch's Brew Frappuccino.

More: Starbucks Has a New Fall Drink: the Maple Pecan Latte Is Back, but With a Twist

According to Starbucks, the spooky drink blends purple “toad’s breath" (orange crème) with green "bat warts" (chia seeds). The Frappuccino is then topped with vanilla whipped cream and sprinkled with a mysterious "lizard scale" powder. 

Seriously, we have no idea what's in the powder.

While the drink may sound scary, Starbucks representatives assured consumers it is anything but. In fact, the Witch's Brew Frappuccino has a juicy orange flavor.

This isn't the first time Starbucks has offered a Halloween-themed beverage. In 2016, the company released the Zombie Frappuccino — which was also available in 2017. In 2015, the coffee chain created the Frappula (aka Dracula) Frappuccino, and in 2014, Starbucks unveiled their first fall-themed beverage, the Franken Frappuccino.

More: Starbucks Has Another New Drink, & This One Sounds Sweet & Satisfying

As in years past, the drink will only be available for a limited time. Participating Starbucks stores will begin offering the newest Halloween Frappuccino on Oct. 25, and the drink will only be available through Oct. 31 and/or while supplies last, so if you want to try this wicked-good treat, be sure to head to Starbucks soon — before ~boo~ miss out.


6 Maternity Leave Myths People Need to Stop Spreading

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As an expectant mom, you have many things to consider and a lot of advice thrown your way. Some of that advice may include what to expect during your maternity leave and how to plan for it best. But as we all know, not all advice is created equal.

Let’s take a look at six of the most common maternity leave myths and get to the truth of what every mom needs to know.

1. Myth: My maternity leave can be rejected

Many working moms can feel a bit nervous when approaching their supervisor or HR specialist about maternity leave. But don’t worry; it’s your right to take a maternity leave, and you have legal protections that mean it can't be rejected.

Under the Family Medical Leave Act , eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected medical leave. However, some of this will most likely be unpaid leave (make sure you know your company’s paid maternity leave policy), so unfortunately, many working moms simply can’t afford to take all 12 weeks. However, you can ask your employer if they would be open to shared parental leave that allows you to work from home.

2. Myth: My employer already has a plan

While the number of employers providing maternity leaves increased from 1 in 6 to 1 in 3 in 2018, your employer might not have a written policy. Sometimes, businesses don’t even develop maternity leave or breastfeeding policies until they have their first expectant mother on the team. Plus, it takes time to develop and prepare these policies. Be sure to speak with your supervisor about your desire to take a maternity leave and breast pump at work a few months ahead of time to allow them to prepare.

More:  The Pregnancy Checklist Every Mama-to-Be Needs

3. Myth: I’ll have to work during my maternity leave

This myth is completely false. Under the FMLA, you are not required to work during your maternity leave to allow for time to bond with your baby and physically recover from giving birth.

However, unpaid or short maternity leaves put working moms in an unfair position, forcing them to return to work before they’re physically and emotionally ready. It takes on average about six weeks to physically recover from giving birth. If you’re faced with an unpaid maternity leave, plan ahead by accumulating paid time off and saving money to cover that additional time.

More:  How to Create a Maternity Leave Plan

4. Myth: I won’t want to return to work

Every mother is different, and whether you stay home or go back to work is a personal decision.  If you are a mom who looks forward to returning to her career, do not feel guilty or compare yourself to other moms.

5. Myth: I’ll be less productive when I return to work

It’s perfectly normal to be nervous about returning to work after your baby has completely changed your life. You may feel some pressure to prove yourself, but you may also surprise yourself with newly discovered mom talents.

Even though you may be sleep-deprived and slightly emotional, as you adjust to work life, you’ll find that you have new time-management skills, productivity, focus, and more to effectively meet deadlines and take your career to the next level. Just don’t overdo it, and take your time to avoid any extra stress in the beginning.

More: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act: 9 Facts You Should Know

6. Myth: Talking to my employer about breastfeeding can wait

It’s your right to breastfeed when you return to work, and you are covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The act states that employers must provide reasonable break time for mothers to express milk for their child up to one year after their birth as well as provide a space, separate from a bathroom, that’s free from the intrusion of coworkers and the public for the purpose of expressing breast milk. All employers are subject to the FLSA unless those with 50 or fewer employees can prove that adhering to these provisions would cause undue hardship.

Make sure to have the conversation about breastfeeding before you go on maternity leave. Waiting until you are back is too late. Do they have a plan for you to take breaks to breast pump? Is there a lactation room on site? Have you been transparent about your needs? Some employers will proactively have this conversation. But if not, talk to your employer before you are out so there are no surprises when you get back.

A version of this post previously appeared on Fairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards and career advice.

Modern Family Reveals Which 'Significant Character' Dies, & Fans Have Mixed Reactions

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When Modern Family executive producer Christopher Lloyd teased a "significant character death" in season 10, fans — and cast members — worried about who might be leaving the show. During the Halloween episode, which aired on Wednesday, that character's identity was revealed, and reactions have been mixed.

More: Modern Family Is Going to Kill Off a "Significant Character" in Season 10

Spoilers ahead for Modern Family season 10, episode five "Good Grief."

Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Claire (Julie Bowen) had to say a particularly difficult goodbye on Wednesday's episode — to their mom, DeDe Pritchett (recurring guest star Shelley Long). DeDe has made a handful of appearances throughout Modern Family's run, and each member of the family had their own way of coping with the news. 

As for how she died, we learned at the very end of the episode that DeDe apparently befriended a pack of wolves, one of whom saved her when she fell through some ice, before she offended a tribe of Inuits and then was briefly swallowed by a whale. To add to the absurdity, we learned that DeDe died peacefully in her sleep, smiling and holding a list of suggestions for hotel staff.

"That is so mom," Claire said as the episode ended. 

Given how Lloyd talked about this death, calling it the death of a "significant character" and promising "a moving event — and an event that has repercussions across several episodes," many viewers were underwhelmed by the reveal, if only because, as some viewers argued, DeDe has only appeared on a handful of episodes over the last several seasons. 

Insider correspondent Kirsten Acuna tweeted, "#ModernFamily: We're gonna kill off a MAJOR character this season. Me: Goes to look up who died after all the hype. Modern Family: We killed off a character that's been on 7 episodes of a 10 season show. Me: Let me define major character for you." She included a GIF of Carl Grimes from The Walking Dead to illustrate her point.

Another user tweeted, "Bruh, I was stressing about who was gonna get killed off on Modern Family and it was someone who isnt [sic] even a regular."

"#ModernFamily has never disappointed...until tonight," said another. "The death reveal was underwhelming. It also took away from the usual shenanigans that would make the Halloween episode entertaining."

Some fans opted to look on the bright side of things. One person said, "So sad to about Claire’s mom. But I’m also a little happy that it’s not a main person." 

Another added, "Not Shelley Long!!! #ModernFamily Now there’s room on her schedule for a #TroopBeverlyHills reboot tv show. Running her granddaughter’s troop." Over 900 people seemed to agree via their likes on the tweet.

A few people also expressed relief that Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill), DeDe's ex-husband and series regular, wasn't on the chopping block. Fan theories that Jay's beloved dog, Stella, would be the one to die were shot down by Ferguson just days before the episode aired.

More: How Sofía Vergara Feels About a Modern Family Character Getting Killed Off

Now that this major death has been revealed, fans can presumably rest easy for a bit. As to how DeDe's death will resonate across future episodes, we'll have to wait and see.

Basil Seeds Are the New Chia Seeds — Here's How to Use Them

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Chia seeds have been our go-to for a few years now, whether we're making a healthy pudding for breakfast or dessert, adding them to our kombucha for a nutritional boost or using them as an egg substitute in our vegan baking. But there's another seed out there that could be chia's long-lost twin: the basil seed.

More: Here Are the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

What are basil seeds?

Popular in Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, basil seeds (also known as sabja seeds) are literally the seeds of the sweet basil plant. Like chia seeds, the exterior of basil seeds becomes gelatinous when soaked in liquids. They swell faster than chia seeds and get a little larger too, retaining a tiny bit of crunch in their center even after they swell.

Are basil seeds good for you?

Basil seeds have a lot of the same benefits as chia seeds. Their layer of mucilage (the technical term for that gooey outer layer) soothes the digestive tract, the seeds are high in iron, and their high fiber content can help alleviate constipation.

How to use basil seeds

Use basil seeds in the same way you'd use chia seeds. You can add them to beverages (they're commonly used in India and the Middle East to make falooda, a sweet dessert beverage flavored with rose water), use them to make a pudding with your favorite milk or milk alternative, add them to your smoothies or mix them into your fave overnight oats recipe. You can also grind the seeds up and mix them with water to make a vegan egg substitute for baking.

More: Piña Colada Chia Seed Pudding

Simply soak one teaspoon of basil seeds in 8 ounces of the liquid of your choice, and you'll have three tablespoons of swollen basil seeds in five minutes or so.

We recently tried this recipe from Elephants and the Coconut Trees, and it's so refreshing and delicious. Here's the recipe if you want to try it. 

Basil seeds limeade recipe

Basil seed limeade  

Recipe courtesy of Elephants and the Coconut Trees

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • Basil seeds
  • Water (for soaking the seeds)
  • Lime or Indian lemon 
  • Simple syrup
  • Ice cubes 
  • Cold water (to fill the glass)
  • Club soda (optional)

Directions:

  1. Wash the basil seeds and soak them in water in a glass for 10 to 15 minutes. 
  2. Drain the water. 
  3. In a cocktail shaker or glass, zest 1/2 the peel of the lime or lemon and squeeze all the juice. Add the simple syrup, basil seeds, ice cubes and water and shake vigorously. 
  4. Top off the basil seeds limeade with club soda if you'd like a little carbonation. 

Pierce Brosnan Reunited With Most of the Mrs. Doubtfire Cast for the 25th Anniversary

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Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the film Mrs. Doubtfire on Nov. 22, some members of the cast reunited on Wednesday for a special that will air during Today next month. Attendees included Mara Wilson, Matthew Lawrence and Lisa Jakub, who played the children of Sally Field's and Robin Williams' characters in the film, as well as Pierce Brosnan, who played their mom's new boyfriend, Stu.

More: Pierce Brosnan Thanks Wife for a Life of Love on 25th Anniversary

Brosnan shared a sweet photo of the four of them on Instagram, writing, "Guess who? Today, after 25 years, I gathered around a table in the company of three beautiful young people, to talk story about a film that has touched the hearts of so many."

Brosnan also noted Field's absence, remarking, "Sally is on tour with her new book." Per HuffPost, the star is currently promoting her new memoir, In Pieces, and was unable to make the reunion.

As for the late Williams, who died by suicide in 2014, Brosnan wrote, "Robin is in heaven making the angels laugh and was spoken of with the fondest of love and sweet memories."

According to People, Jakub teased the reunion on Tuesday. On Instagram, she shared a video of herself at an airport. In it, she said, “I am on my way to Los Angeles, and I am doing that because of a certain significant anniversary that is coming up next month and, uh, a couple of fake siblings that I used to have.”

On Wednesday, she also shared a video featuring Brosnan showing off a photo of Jakub, Wilson and Lawrence at the 1993 Mrs. Doubtfire premiere. He slowly pulls back to show the three as they are now before jumping in to take photos with them.

“Stepdad!” Wilson said in the video.

“Stepdad Stu!” Brosnan replied.

Since Mrs. Doubtfire premiered 25 years ago, Brosnan has been especially busy with his film career, and Field has gone on to star in Brothers & Sisters as well as long-running medical drama ER. Wilson has done some voice-acting work for series like BoJack Horseman and Big Hero 6 the Series, in addition to writing a book. Jakub is now a writer and yoga teacher and Lawrence announced his engagement to Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke in the spring.

More: Sally Field Is Trying So Hard to Get Her Son a Boyfriend

It's clear Williams and Field were missed from Brosnan's Instagram comments alone. There's no official airdate for the Mrs. Doubtfire reunion special yet, but we can only imagine it will be an emotional and hilarious time — just like the film itself.

I Avoided Horror Movies for Most of My Life — Here's What Happened When I Changed That

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October is a month I dread. While I love the changing leaves, chill in the air and warm drinks, I despise the flood of horror movies that hit theaters along with the resulting TV ads and posters all over town. Until this week (when I finally decided to test my limits), I’d watched exactly zero horror films in my life but had seen enough glimpses to know they weren’t for me. That being said, I'm not here to judge what anybody does with their personal time and money. I just think there is a segment of us out here for whom this time of year is kind of traumatic, and that is worth talking about. 

I first encountered horror when I was 10 and finagled my way into staying at my friend Rosemary's house after dark. She wanted to watch Friday the 13th, and had the freedom to do so because her parents were divorced and her mom worked late. But as soon as the kid got an arrow through the neck coming up through the bed, I was out. I squirmed in my bed for days and several times resorted to sleeping on the floor to avoid the fear of something wrapping around me from under my bed and stabbing me in the night. 

I only made one more attempt at watching a horror film after that. A college friend wanted to see Pet Sematary, and I, being a chump, agreed. But from the moment a guy showed up with half his brain hanging out, I was out of there. I pushed past the knees of the people sitting next to me while they giggled at my cowardice. There was no amount of shame that was going to make me sit back down.

I know what part of my problem is — I have a vivid memory. Every gruesome moment that plays out in a horror movie is basically permanently imprinted in my brain. I’ll be honest. Because those scenes stay with me for so long, I never quite understood why someone would want that kind of imagery in their mind to begin with. I get that half the appeal of horror is the adrenaline rush that comes from being startled, but it hardly seems worth the price of admission.

As I’ve grown older and become more adept at separating fantasy from reality, a second reason to avoid horror has become even more prevalent. There are elements of it that are all too real. I’ll never watch movies about demons and witches because I believe strongly in the spiritual world. I also believe there is too much evil in our everyday lives, which the news basically confirms with each horrific new story. 

All that brings me to this week, when I agreed to watch one horror film to see how it impacted my feelings about them. I pulled up the on-demand service and started scrolling through the Halloween options. I went to the slasher category. I finally settled on Leatherface, a 2017 prequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series. 

The first half was surprisingly interesting. It's somehow always easier to stomach the beginnings of movies, though, regardless of the genre. It was the slow escalation, the dread, the increased amount of gore that made me start to feel less interested in the story and just want to look away. (The fact that they stopped developing the story at all undoubtedly impacted my feelings.) My gut started to tighten with discomfort, and I felt myself squirming. Not only because of the blood and pain but because these were the cruelest kinds of stereotypes about poorer folks, the cops and so on. Not to mention the brutal violence was just a step too far. 

After it ended, I stood up and shook from head to toe, like I’d come out of a pool and could shake off the feeling. It didn’t work. I felt polluted, a sense of visceral disgust, and moreover, I wondered what the redeeming point was? I know this was an origin story, so there really wasn’t one. But I was left feeling so unsatisfied as a human and a film watcher. I still wondered what the appeal was besides just adrenaline. Because when I was awaiting brutal moments, I felt adrenaline, but by the end of the movie, I felt sick with it. And angry. I was irritable at my husband and just wanted to go to bed with my soft and eminently innocent cats.

So my questions remain.

I understand horror to be one of the most profitable genres for Hollywood. Often made with a shoestring budget, the films can see returns many, many times the investment. In 2017, horror viewers pumped more than $733 million dollars into Hollywood’s pocket for stories including Get Out, Happy Death Day and Jigsaw. Lots and lots of viewers want to be impacted this way. I’m just not one of them.

Until I am, if ever, every October, you’ll be able to find me waiting and watching for my favorite Halloween viewing… It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

If You Want to Avoid Crowds at the Airport, Skip These Holiday Travel Days

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We all know there's a big trade-off for holiday travel. Yes, you get to spend the most joyous time of the year with friends and family, but it comes at the cost of having to slog through crowded airports and deal with canceled and delayed flights. Sure, we're thankful for modern air travel, but those are the sorts of things we'd much rather do without.

Well, luckily, there's some new data out about which holiday travel days are the worst for traveling. At the busiest airports in the U.S., these are the days you should stay home and skip traveling according to new data from AirHelp:

  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL): Dec. 29
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD): Dec. 22
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Jan. 2
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): Jan. 2
  • Denver International Airport (DEN): Dec. 22
  • Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): Dec. 27
  • Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Dec. 29
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Dec. 22
  • New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Dec. 21
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Dec. 22

More: Tales From a Flight Attendant: Surviving Holiday Travel

As far as the best time to travel goes, you should look to book flights that leave between 6 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. That's great news if you hate red-eyes, less great news if the thought of getting to the airport in time for a 6 a.m. flight makes you want to cry.

There is more good news, though. If you do get to the airport and your flight is overbooked or if your flight is delayed, you may actually be able to get some money out of it. According to AirHelp, "If you are denied boarding because too many passengers checked in for the flight, and you don’t volunteer to deplane or take another flight, you can be eligible for compensation of up to $1,350." You can also be compensated up to $675 if your flight is delayed 1 to 2 hours or up to $1,350 if it's more than two hours. That would definitely help us take a few travel hiccups in stride!

More: The Astrologists Guide to Planning Your Next Holiday

Still feeling nervous about your holiday travel plans? Use this checklist to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Let's Take a Look at the Trailer for Catherine Zeta-Jones' New Series, Queen America

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Facebook Watch's new series lineup has snagged some serious stars. In the first trailer for Queen America, which premieres Nov. 21 on the streaming service, Catherine Zeta-Jones gets her claws out as an Oklahoma pageant coach whose ruthless tactics for turning young hopefuls into pageant queens has made her infamous among the pageantry community in the show.

More: Catherine Zeta-Jones Reflects on 17 Years of Marriage to Michael Douglas

In the trailer, Zeta-Jones' character, Vicki Ellis, makes it clear that she's not messing around. The 30-second preview gives us several looks into how intense she is when it comes to criticism. At one point, she says, “No one likes a pretty girl who expects big things to happen to her.” Ouch.

Later, she pushes Samantha (played by Belle Shouse) to the point of tears while trying to whip her into shape for competing. Despite her intense nature, Samantha — and others we briefly see Zeta-Jones' character interact with — seem to keep coming back because of how badly they want to win.

Per Entertainment Tonight, Vicki's take-no-prisoners attitude is about more than just pageantry: It's about dealing with her own internal struggles as she pulls herself out of poverty to become a member of the Tulsa elite. This plotline is similar to one explored in Alyssa Milano's storyline on Netflix's Insatiable. Apparently, pageantry is still a topic of major interest for scriptwriters, though Zeta-Jones told ET that Queen America goes beyond the glitz and glam.

"Queen America is set in the beauty pageant world, but it's about what goes on deeper inside peoples [sic] lives," she teased, likely referencing her own character's storyline and possibly others.

Deadline reports that in addition to Zeta-Jones and Shouse, the infamous Judith Light will also costar. Additional cast includes Jennifer Westfeldt, Victoria Justice, Teagle Bougere, Rana Roy, Isabella Amara, Molly Price and Megan West. Queen America was created, written and executive produced by Fear the Walking Dead's Meaghan Oppenheimer.

More: Jessica Biel Is Bringing the Popular Podcast Limetown to Television

With Zeta-Jones and Light in the cast, Queen America is sure to be an incredible ride.


Guess How Much Money Cardi B Refused for Pictures of Baby Kulture

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Cardi B is known for oversharing. She often divulges the most personal, jaw-dropping and, at times, downright uncomfortable personal information on her social media platforms — from boasting about her upcoming "titty renovation" on Instagram to lamenting about her "broken" vagina on Jimmy Kimmel Live! But one thing she won't allow to become headline fodder is her daughter, Kulture. 

More: Cardi B Has Some Postpartum Questions for You

"Me and my husband... We just don't wanna show our baby right now," Cardi told Apple Music's Ebro Darden on Wednesday. "I got offered seven figures [for baby pictures] — over a million. I'm just not ready yet." 

It's easy to understand why. Since Cardi announced her pregnancy on Saturday Night Live, she said she has received hateful, horrific comments regarding the safety and health of her child. These messages have gotten worse in recent months, as some paparazzi and bloggers have tried to capture her every move. 

"These photographers, these bloggers — y'all not the ones that get threats to y'all kids," she continued. "I'm not lying. I could show you screenshots of comments. My phone number got leaked. I got so many disgusting text messages that I literally had to hire a private investigator." 

More: This Is Why Cardi B Doesn't Have a Nanny for Baby Kulture

She doesn't seem to be exaggerating either. The new mom said at least one person commented that a pregnant Cardi should have been with her husband, Offset, in a gruesome car crash that left him hospitalized in May. Trolls have also attacked the rapper for being Offset's "fourth baby mom," as if his past relationships somehow disqualify her from having her own family. (News flash: It doesn't!)

We applaud Cardi for doing what she thinks is best for her family unit, haters be damned. 

Read This Before You Give Your Child a Nasal Decongestant

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When your child is sick, you naturally want to help them. You offer extra snacks and extra snuggles, and when you can, you give them medicine to alleviate their symptoms, to make them more comfortable. But a new study suggest parents may want to avoid giving their children nasal decongestants, as the products may cause more harm than good.

More: 7 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Cold & Flu Season

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and published in The BMJ, found that decongestants should not be given to children under 6 and should only be given to children under 12 "with caution," as their safety is unclear.

"There is no evidence that these treatments alleviate nasal symptoms," the study authors said in a statement. What's more, the products can actually "cause adverse effects such as drowsiness or gastrointestinal (stomach) upset."

In children under 2, nasal decongestants can cause convulsions, a rapid heartbeat and/or death.

Of course, most over-the-counter decongestants are not recommended for children under 6 — though some have dosing instructions for 4 and 5-year-olds. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend using these products in such young children. Instead, they also advise parents only administer nasal decongestants to those who are 6 or older.

More: How to Tell if You Have a Common Cold or a Full-Blown Case of the Flu

So, what can a parent of a sick kiddo do, especially a young sick child? According to the study's authors, "[I]f parents are concerned about their child's comfort, saline nasal irrigations or drops can be used," though they "may not give the desired relief." However, something is better than nothing, so break out the saline, the snuggles and Netflix. Because nothing cures the common cold like binge-watching Spongebob, Star Wars, My Little Pony or Paw Patrol.

The Male Big Bang Theory Stars Are Officially the Highest-Paid TV Actors in 2018

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In its 12th and final season on the air, The Big Bang Theory is still doling out hefty paychecks to its core cast members. When Forbes magazine released its annual breakdown of highest-paid male TV actors in 2018 on Wednesday, four of the top five slots belonged to regulars from the sitcom, with Jim Parsons topping the list at No. 1.

More: The Big Bang Theory's Final Season May Include Big Changes for Penny & Leonard

According to Forbes, Parsons has claimed the top spot for the fourth year in a row, earning $26.5 million (pretax) in the 12 months preceding June 1, 2018. In second place is his costar Johnny Galecki, who earned $25 million pretax in the same period. Tied at No. 3 are their cotars Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg, who each earned $23.5 million. Forbes attributes the drop to Nayyar and Helberg's lack of side projects in comparison to Galecki and Parsons.

In 2017, all four Big Bang Theory actors and costar Kaley Cuoco took $100,000 pay cuts each in an effort to help their costars, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, get higher pay, per a report from Business Insider. However, according to Forbes, their salaries still increased through the show's back-end, which adds an estimated seven figures for each actor per year.

Last year, Business Insider reported that while the original five actors each received an estimated $1 million per episode, Bialik and Rauch were only receiving $100,000 for the same work. The outlet noted that the $500,000 cut from the original five's salaries were distributed to the latter actors accordingly.

More: Kaley Cuoco Talks About the Emotional Moment She Learned TBBT Was Ending

Although, as noted by Entertainment Tonight, the female actors on The Big Bang Theory are not present on the new Forbes report, it's because the magazine publishes its earnings reports based on binary genders each year. Between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017, Cuoco earned $26 million before tax, placing her right between Parsons and Galecki — so it's likely she'll be on the list of female stars, hopefully along with Bialik and Rauch.

Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Just Announced a 'Legendary' Christmas Special

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Chrissy Teigen and John Legend just made a big announcement: The pair will be starring in an hour-long Christmas special on NBC.

More: The Way Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Celebrated His EGOT Is #CoupleGoals

According to a statement, the special — aptly named "A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy" — will air on Nov. 28, and while the program will largely focus on Legend's upcoming album, A Legendary Christmas, it will also include the couple’s family, friends and other yet-to-be-announced performers.

Doug Vaughan, executive vice president of special programs for NBC Entertainment, told TV Insider, "[W]hat John has accomplished over his career is simply remarkable and we're thrilled to have both he and Chrissy host our holiday special. It will be a truly memorable telecast filled with wonderful performances that will have something for everyone."

Of course, the move makes sense. This is Legend’s third collaboration with the network. He starred in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert in April and is slated to join The Voice next spring. Plus, Teigen and Legend are one of America's most beloved celebrity couples. Who doesn't want to watch them in primetime?

Legend announced his upcoming album and 10-city tour on Oct. 1 with the help of his family and friends.

His album A Legendary Christmas is slated to hit stores on Oct. 26.

More: John Legend Announces His First Christmas Album, but His Kids Stole the Show

As for the special, while the details remain vague, we are sure Legend and Teigen will make the evening memorable and bring us cute couple moments to spare.

No, Using Birth Control Doesn't Hurt Your Fertility

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Many people rely on birth control in order to plan, delay or avoid pregnancy. And while birth control methods like the intrauterine device or the pill (oral contraceptives) are safe for most people, questions as to whether or not birth control hurts your fertility in the long term are common. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, most people resume ovulating within two weeks of stopping the pill, and as soon as you start ovulating again, you can get pregnant. For people coming off the IUD, most can get pregnant within four to six months after removal according to an article in Parents

“Birth control has not been proven to have any harmful long-term effects on a woman’s ability to conceive,” Dr. Nataki Douglas of Modern Fertility tells SheKnows. “However, once you stop your birth control method and are ready to get pregnant, you want to pay close attention to the regularity of your menstrual cycles.” 

For instance, if your menstrual cycle hasn’t gotten back to normal within three to four months after coming off birth control, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor to see if any underlying health issues might be affecting your cycle, Douglas notes. She also recommends that if you’re over 35 years old, it’s a good idea to discuss stopping birth control with your gynecologist before making plans to get pregnant. 

It's also important to note that using emergency contraception and/or getting an abortion won't affect your fertility in any way according to Douglas. Emergency contraception is a huge dose of hormones used in many birth control pills that prevents fertilization of an egg or prevents the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, she explains. In fact, once you get your period after taking emergency contraception, your cycle has returned to normal and the extra dose of hormones is out of your system.

Birth control doesn't just leave your fertility intact. It can actually also help people get pregnant once they stop using it.

“The birth control pill actually plays a beneficial role in many women’s ability to conceive," Dr. Julie Lamb of Pacific Northwest Fertility tells SheKnows. "By the time I see a woman in my office in her mid-30s trying to conceive, half will have endometriosis contributing to their difficulty. Endometriosis is when the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, and it often causes problems/adhesions, making it more difficult for the egg to find its way into the uterus.” Lamb further explains, “The birth control pill significantly diminishes the progression of endometriosis and can protect fertility in that way.” 

More: 6 Things That Happen When You Ditch Hormonal Birth Control

The birth control pill also helps fertility in other ways by decreasing the growth of uterine polyps that hinder fertility and by decreasing uterine cancer in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome or irregular ovulation, she notes.

According to Lamb, by age 35, you should discuss your fertility plan with your doctor if you want to get pregnant. “Everyone should learn about how fertility decreases with age, have the option to check their ovarian reserve and learn about options to preserve their fertility,” she says.

And while using birth control can help some people conceive once they stop taking it, Lamb stresses that it doesn't actually preserve your fertility. In other words, aging will happen no matter what. 

“Fertility declines with age and significantly after 35 with or without the birth control pill,” she says. 

More: The Best Birth Control Options if You've Already Been Pregnant & Have Given Birth

So, if you’ve been on birth control for a while and you want to get pregnant, chances are your cycle will return to normal fairly quickly. If you find that your period isn’t returning to normal within a few months or so after stopping your birth control or you’re not getting pregnant within about a year, it’s a good idea to check in with your gynecologist to see if any other underlying health issues are affecting your fertility. And if you’re age 35 or older and want to get pregnant, make sure to draw up a fertility plan with your doctor to help things get moving.

Michelle Williams Admits She Questioned Life During Recent Depressive Episode

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Michelle Williams may be best known for her role in Destiny's Child, but she is also a staunch mental health advocate. In fact, in 2013, Williams opened up about her struggles with depression for the first time. During that interview, she revealed that her darkest days were behind her — she was choosing to "be happy" — but earlier this year, Williams admitted she was struggling (again) and she checked herself into a mental health treatment facility. Now, she is opening up about just how dark things got.

In an interview with People, Williams said she had believed she was over her depression. She said, "I thought, ‘I’m good!’ I’ve got love, I’m working out.'" But she was angry. Very angry.

More: These Are the Signs of Depression

"The rage built up in me," Williams said. "I did not attempt suicide, but I was questioning [life].”

Williams first began struggling with depression she was a teen, and her illness worsened during her time with Destiny’s Child. However, in a 2017 interview on The Talk, she explained she wasn't diagnosed with depression until her 30s.

“I didn’t know until I was in my 30s what was going on... [I thought it was] growing pains. [I was] turning into a woman."

And those "pains" returned this spring while Williams was preparing for her upcoming reunion performance at Coachella with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland.

“The entire year we were rehearsing every day for hours,” Williams told People. “I was burying it, and before you knew it, I was looking up out of the pit." 

Williams hit her breaking point.  

“I’d been there before in that darkness,” Williams said. “I was like ‘No, you better go [to the hospital].’ By the time I got there, I was stable.”

More: I Attempted Suicide, but I Didn't Want to Die

Of course, we hope Williams remains stable: happy, healthy and stable. However, Williams is keenly aware that for some, mental illness is a lifelong battle. The good news is that she has a renewed commitment to herself.

“People fall off the fitness wagon, people fall of the wellness wagon, but I can’t fall off the [therapy] wagon,” Williams said. “I have to get healed to live this happy life.”

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org or text “START” to 741-741 to immediately speak to a trained counselor at Crisis Text Line.

Here's Why Kim Raver Says Teddy's Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Storyline Is 'Tumultuous'

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Now that Kim Raver is a series regular again on Grey's Anatomy after five years away, she's diving right back into the drama of it all. After it was revealed in the season 15 premiere that her character, Dr. Teddy Altman, is pregnant (with Owen's baby), it's clear that keeping her pregnancy a secret soon won't be an option. Dealing with that is going to have ramifications for several characters, per comments from Raver in a new interview.

More: Sarah Drew May Not Be Done With Grey's Anatomy for Good

This season for Teddy is "tumultuous," Raver told Entertainment Tonight in an interview published on Thursday. During this interview, she commented that Teddy is "awestruck [with] becoming a mother. Searching. And I think [she's] definitely filled with love for her baby and Owen and for many reasons."

"You’re going to see Teddy deal with a lot of things, dealing with what’s it going to be like thinking about motherhood," Raver explained, noting that Teddy has several options for how to proceed. "Is she going to be a single mother? Is she going to stay in Seattle and raise the kid? It’s definitely seeing how to manage becoming a mom and use her resources of using the Grey’s Anatomy family to figure it out."

She admitted that she doesn't know if Teddy will end up a single mom or not, but the fact that it's an option is "a really modern concept," going on to say, "[W]e’re also fine on our own and I think we’re actually better partners when we do become stronger alone. Maybe that is the journey."

Regarding Teddy keeping her pregnancy a secret — or trying to despite Meredith and Maggie already knowing — Raver noted, "I think it’s like stepping into a minefield and seeing where is the safest path to tread and how do we do that and keep everyone protected." 

Although there is certainly a love triangle continuing to brew between Owen, Amelia (his ex-wife, with whom he's recently rekindled a romance) and Teddy, Raver pitched a new way for that age-old TV trope of a love triangle where two women end up battling it out for one man's affections to showrunner Krista Vernoff and the other Grey's Anatomy writers.

"[M]aybe we could do the love triangle a little differently so that it’s not woman pitted against woman," Raver said. "I feel like that it’s headed in that direction. I feel like both Amelia and Teddy are really watching out for the other person and how can we navigate through this and where is Owen at? We’ll see how that goes, but that’s definitely the direction that I’d like to head into."

More: Ellen Pompeo Reflects on the Impact of Grey's Anatomy in a Heartfelt Interview

Raver noted that Grey's Anatomy fans likely respond so intensely to the show and the way it explores romances because show creator Shonda Rhimes tends to set up stories that are "very raw, real, messy, ugly but yet hot and sexy." Teddy's storyline this season is certainly shaping up to be messy, but from Raver's comments, it seems like there's a significant amount of hope for her too.


It Turns Out Those Fancy iPad Cash Registers Are Making Us Pay Way More

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Picture this: You're at a sandwich shop or coffee joint, and when you go to pay, the iPad screen in front of you prompts you to tip. The cashier is right there, watching you, and the screen is giving you the option to quickly add on a 10, 15 or 20 percent tip... What do you do?

It turns out that most of us end up tipping, and much more than we would if we're paying with cash or card.

More: The Future Is Now, & It Has Cake-Decorating Robots

In fact, according to Skift, quick-service restaurants that switched to one digital payment platform (Toast) saw customers tip on 60 percent of credit card purchases, up from 28 percent when they were doing things the old-fashioned way (not paying on an iPad with a tip prompt).

This is a good thing, both for employees and business owners. Those working at the counter get a boost in their take-home wages, and employers can relax a little knowing that their employees are enjoying a wage hike, meaning they're less likely to leave for better-paying jobs elsewhere.

For customers, this means better, more consistent service, and more reason to keep tipping.

More: Follow This Travel Tipping Guide or Expect Bad Service on Your Next Trip

Because these systems are mostly used at places without traditional waiter service, they're not the sorts of places where people usually feel compelled to leave a full 20 percent. But when you can easily click a button and add a dollar or two to your transaction, it seems like more and more people are going for it.

Maybe instead of replacing employees with machines like some restaurants are trying to do, businesses can just switch to a digital payment system instead.

Becoming a Mom Changed My Relationship With the Mom I Lost

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I still remember how the idea got into my head that becoming a mom would bring me closer to my own. I was 14. It had only been about two years since she died.

I was babysitting for some family friends. The kids were in bed, and I was enjoying the spoils of the house, eating a Popsicle from their freezer and watching VH1. A special was on about Madonna. They were interviewing Rosie O’Donnell, who explained that Madonna had lost her mother at a young age and so had she, and they had become friends from that strange bond. I instantly decided I liked them both — that’s how that strange bond works, of course. Then, O’Donnell said she thought that Madonna’s mother dying was why Madonna — who had recently given birth to her daughter Lourdes — had so badly wanted a child. So she could become the thing she lost. Click.

This concept burrowed into my grieving head. I carried it with me for years. It made so much sense. Have a baby, and you restart the motherhood cycle. Have a baby, and you get to feel what your mother felt while raising you, bringing a part of her back. Have a baby, and you have someone new to share your mother’s story with and carry her legacy forward.

My mom’s death was a tender spot for me throughout my adolescence. I struggled to find language to talk about my loss — and thus keep my mom’s memory alive — as did the rest of my immediate family. I wanted to be better at it, but I couldn’t figure out how. Even if I’d have to wait, at least having a baby of my own really seemed like it might work.

When I got pregnant some 16 years later, it looked like it was starting to. My dad and I set up a recurring call on Sundays during which he would share stories about my mom’s pregnancy with me, and we’d compare notes on morning sickness, symptoms and cravings. It felt so good. I was learning new things about her. I couldn’t wait to learn more through my parenthood journey.

But when my daughter was born, the new information was quickly outpaced by many more questions. “Did your mom sing to you when you were a baby?” my stepmom asked one afternoon while watching me sing to my newborn.

“I don’t know,” I told her. I didn’t. I had never had to reckon with how much I didn’t know like this before. I didn’t know if my mom sang to me or if we had a special bedtime ritual or how she weaned me. I’ve often wondered how my mom would react to things that happened after she died: 9/11. Kate Spade’s death. Hamilton. Now I was wondering about how she reacted to things when she was alive too. It made my head spin. I was thinking about her more, which I liked, but I was thinking about how much I didn’t know, which made me feel so lonely. In many ways, she seemed further away than ever. The plan wasn’t working anymore.

Unfortunately, I found it difficult to ask my dad for answers because of my stepmom (whom I love). I know she wants to carve out her own place in my daughter’s life, and I can imagine hearing about my mom is understandably hard for her. She’ll be the only female maternal grandparent my daughter ever knows, but she’s also not her grandmother. It’s a delicate balance. So sometimes, I don’t ask the questions I want to ask. And that can make her feel further away too.

But becoming a mom has done one thing I’m grateful for — something I know it does for plenty of women with living mothers too: make me profoundly appreciate everything my mom did for me. And not just carrying me and giving birth to me and feeding me and changing my diapers and generally, you know, being a parent. I’m in awe on a completely new level of all she managed to do as a mom that was living with cancer — from how she physically had the energy to take care of two kids to how she emotionally protected us with her strength and resilience. It’s incredible. I’m so thankful for the parent she was able to be. When I have those thoughts, I try and soak up every bit of it to take into my own parenting.

I’ll always wish I knew her better. I only got 12 years with her. My daughter won’t get any. But as my parenthood recontextualizes our relationship — something I know it will do, continuously and constantly — I’ll try to be grateful for those changes, both good and bad. I’m sure that in the future, there will be more moments when my loss feels deeper, when her memory feels more faded, when I’m stuck under grief that she didn’t meet her grandchild, when I’ll have more questions than can possibly be answered. But those hard moments are still times I get to think of her and, eventually, share with my daughter. Because of those moments, she’ll get to know her grandmother, even when I have to tell her that I don’t know if her grandmother knew that song or ever made some dessert for me. That’s when I’ll tell her what I do know. She loved Rent. Her favorite dessert was apple pie. We’ll get to know those memories together — mother to daughter to daughter in our own new cycle.

NBC Reportedly Cancels Megyn Kelly Today After Blackface Backlash

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Less than 48 hours after Megyn Kelly's controversial blackface remarks wherein she appeared to feign ignorance about why it was such a big deal for folks to wear blackface as part of their Halloween costumes, NBC has reportedly decided to pull the plug on her show according to People, something multiple sources have told the publication since this controversy began. Additionally, Page Six reported late on Thursday afternoon that NBC has ousted Kelly from the network too. 

More: Megyn Kelly Is Reaching Out to Matt Lauer's Alleged Victims

“They’re contacting the staff and reassigning everyone today. Everyone’s being told that they still have a home here [on NBC], but it won’t be on Megyn’s show,” one source said. “They haven’t made an official announcement about the show, but everyone knows what it means when they’re being moved somewhere else. The show is clearly over.”

That said, Kelly's future with the network remains unclear. Two additional sources told People the former Fox News anchor has not been fired. However, they also noted that her 9 a.m. show “is most likely over.”

The controversy began on Tuesday when Kelly, Jenna Bush Hager, Jacob Soboroff and Melissa Rivers were discussing “inappropriate and offensive [Halloween] costumes." During the roundtable conversation, Kelly questioned whether wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume is actually racist.

"What [about blackface] is racist?" Kelly asked. "Because truly, you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface at Halloween or a Black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. Back when I was a kid, that was OK as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character.”

Kelly's comments immediately drew criticism. Lester Holt ran a segment about Kelly on the Nightly News. NBC News chief Andy Lack condemned Kelly's remarks at an NBC town hall, saying, "[T]here is no place on our air or in this workplace for... [those remarks]." And on Wednesday, Al Roker said that she “owe[d] a bigger apology to folks of color around the country."

Kelly did offer that apology a few hours later. “I want to begin with two words, I’m sorry,” Kelly said on Megyn Kelly Today. “[I] defended the idea [of blackface,] saying as long as it was respectful and part of a Halloween costume, it seemed OK. Well, I was wrong, and I am sorry. One of the great parts of sitting in this chair each day is getting to discuss different points of view. Sometimes, I talk, and sometimes, I listen, and yesterday I learnt. I learned that given the history of blackface being used in awful ways by racists in this country, it is not OK for that to be part of any costume, Halloween or otherwise.”

However, the damage was already done. 

It appears it was too little, too late.

But it appears Kelly isn't going to go down without a fight. According to Variety, Kelly has hired Bryan Freedman, a top Hollywood litigator from the Los Angeles-based law firm Freedman & Taitelman, to defend her interests and assets.

More: Jane Fonda Has No Time for Megyn Kelly's Plastic Surgery Questions

And while we do not know what will come next for Kelly or NBC, we do know Kelly's remarks have sparked an uncomfortable but important conversation about cultural appropriation and racial insensitivity. 

Jimmy Kimmel & Wife Molly McNearney Have the Best Explanation for Son Billy's Scar

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Jimmy Kimmel and his wife, Molly McNearney, refuse to let their son grow up ashamed of his "awesome" surgery scars — and they've come up with the perfect way to boost his confidence. 

"We're going to tell him he was attacked by a monster," the late-night host told Us Weekly while at a benefit event for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. 

More: Jimmy Kimmel's Infant Son "Hosts" Show With Dad After 2nd Heart Surgery

Their 18-month-old son, Billy, was born with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of fallot that affects only 1 in every 2,000 babies according to Scientific American. The condition, which restricts the amount of oxygen pumping through the heart, can be deadly if not treated early. Thankfully, the Mayo Clinic reports that, if diagnosed and treated at a young age, those born with the condition can still go on to live healthy, full lives. 

Thanks to multiple surgeries and excellent care from the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, McNearney says little Billy has the opportunity to be a totally normal kid. "You'd have no idea [anything was wrong] besides his awesome scar on his body," she told Us. 

More: Woke Dad Jimmy Kimmel Trashes GOP's Health Care Bill

Kimmel made headlines last year after giving a heart-wrenching monologue about his son's condition on his show. He tearfully pleaded with politicians to make health care a universal, accessible right for all Americans, many of whom can't currently afford the kinds of expensive procedures and medications Billy needed to survive. 

His political statements don't end with health care, though. This summer, Kimmel vocalized his disdain for the Trump administration's decision to separate migrant and asylum-seeking families at the border and joined dozens of other celebrities in donating to organizations that provide legal counsel to those affected.

Billy couldn't have asked for two cooler, more compassionate parents. 

I Was Born Intersex — Here's What I Want You to Know

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At the age of 17, I still hadn’t gotten my period or experienced the other physical changes associated with puberty like the other girls my age. My mom and I went to the doctor to try to figure out what was happening, and after some testing, we were told I have a Y chromosome — which is typically associated with being male. In other words, we learned I was intersex.

For some intersex people, it’s evident from the time of their birth based on their anatomy. For others like me, it’s more complex, as the evidence is internal and genetic. I had streak gonads — tiny streaks of tissue that would have normally developed into ovaries or testes — that for me didn’t develop into anything.

At first, this was a lot to digest, but within a few years, I had found a place for myself — as well as support — in the intersex community. In 2016, I gave a TEDx Talk on being intersex, and since then, I have become more involved with intersex nonprofits, including joining a support group and taking a leadership role. To mark Intersex Awareness Day on Oct. 26, here are some of the basics:

But I’ve never heard of intersex…

If you have never heard of intersex, know that you’re not alone. The transgender community has received a lot of media attention in the past few years, but intersex remains relatively unknown. In a nutshell, people with intersex traits have some combination of male and female elements, which can show up in external anatomy, internal reproductive organs, hormone levels or DNA. 

How do people "become" intersex?

The short answer is, we don’t! We just continue that way. All humans start off with two sets of ducts, one male and one female. Every person has the potential to become both, at least to some degree. For male anatomy to develop, hormones come through that wipe out the female set of ducts. If those hormones don’t get produced, then the female anatomy remains, and the male ducts wither away.

These are the most common paths, but you can see how there could be variations. In some cases, the hormones are produced, but the body isn’t sensitive to them. In others, the hormones are produced in the beginning, but then stop partway through gestation. And for some, hormone levels change over a person’s lifetime. 

Even before this process of sex differentiation, there is another path to intersex. Sometimes, at the very early stages of a pregnancy, two fertilized eggs will fuse together. These cells have two different sets of DNA, and it is possible for one set to be female (XX) and the other set to be male (XY).

How do I talk to people about having intersex traits?

It’s great that you want to learn more; keep in mind that for some of our community members, educating others can be exhausting. As an aspiring ally, you can make space for people to share if they want to, but don’t be upset if someone takes a pass. An open-ended question gives people the opportunity to share to their level of comfort; “What is that like for you?” is a good neutral question that avoids being intrusive.

If somebody does share, avoid exclaiming or overemoting. Along those lines, I don’t like it when people tell me I’m brave. I think it’s making too big a deal out of what I’ve been through. I prefer something more along the lines of, “Thanks for telling me about that; I’m glad I got to hear your story.”

If you are a new parent of a baby who might be intersex

First, know that it is going to be OK. Most newborns with intersex traits are perfectly healthy just as they are. Your child is going to grow up and be an amazing person who loves other people and with people who love them. Every person has difficulties in their life, and having intersex traits can be difficult at times. But know that I wouldn’t change my life or try to change myself — and your child wants to hear that you love them just the way they are. Also, know that there is support available; you may want to meet other parents who are going through similar experiences.

You will likely choose a gender for your child. If you are uncertain what gender to choose, it’s OK! If your child chooses a different gender expression later, that’s OK too.

Depending on your child’s intersex traits, you will receive a variety of suggestions from doctors and/or surgeons. It may feel strange to think of your baby as an adult — but one day, they will be, and they will have a sexuality of their own. Surgery can cause scarring and loss of sensation and is often unnecessary. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not giving medical advice, but in my experience, it’s all right to ask hard questions of doctors and to learn whether a procedure is necessary. Remember, you hired them, not the other way around.

More: How a Transgender Woman Is Able to Breastfeed

If you are a physician

People with intersex traits deserve to be treated like other patients — they deserve someone who first, does no harm, is familiar with the standard of care for their condition, thinks critically about whether the standard of care is appropriate for their situation, listens well, is willing to learn, is willing to refer them to physicians or counselors who might be more helpful and does not subject them to any more examinations, tests or surgeries than is strictly necessary.

For physicians who see adult patients, I recommend learning about your patient’s condition before your patient comes to your office if possible. For physicians who see infants with intersex traits, I would say these babies are going to be just fine. Maybe you will guess the wrong gender for the infant, but that can be changed, and families can adapt to what the child tells them as they get older.

Surgery, however, cannot be reversed, and patients can suffer the consequences of surgeries for years to come. Newborns do not need their gonads removed or their anatomy reduced, altered or “corrected,” and surgery is only necessary if there is no opening for urine or fecal matter. Anything else is cosmetic surgery. 

For more on care for intersex patients, see “Providing Ethical and Compassionate Health Care to Intersex Patients,” a guide published by InterACT and Lambda Legal. 

If you are intersex or think you might be intersex:

Welcome to the family! There are so many wonderful people in our community; we get together and have karaoke parties. We sit together on nonprofit boards and we call each other up about hormone replacement therapy and kids and spouses and work and vacations. Come find us! 

More: Why Weight Is an Unspoken Problem in the Transgender Community

There is the AIS-DSD support group, which welcomes all intersex variations, even if it started out being named for only one (androgen insensitivity syndrome). The annual conference is like a big extended intersex family reunion. There is also InterACT, which focuses on youth advocacy, as well as the Hypospadias and Epispadias Association, which focuses on those two conditions. There may be others, and LGBTQ centers can also be good resources, even if the percentage of intersex people there is relatively small.

I hope you can experience how healing it is to just be in each other’s lives. Many of us have been told we would never meet someone with our same diagnosis — well, the people who said that were wrong. There are probably only around 3,000 people in the United States who have Swyer syndrome, and yet 15 of us were in the same room together just a few months ago. Reach out, get connected, advocate for yourself, and know that it will be OK. Many people have said finding other people like them saved their lives. We can’t wait to meet you!

If you disagree

Please remember that I’m only one person. I’m doing my best to give accurate information and share some of the things I believe the intersex community would want you to know. While I have met many people with intersex traits as well as their families, I don’t speak for them, and all views shared here are my own. The great thing about being part of the intersex community is that we are family — we sometimes disagree. We might get riled up, but everybody belongs. That’s what makes it a family.

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