Saturday, February 23, 2013

Cost of Baby Delivery Without Insurance


Having a baby can be an exciting time, but what happens if you're looking forward to the hospital / doctor bills, and you realize that you don't have insurance that is going to cover this. What many people find out is that just because you have insurance, it doesn't mean that you're going to be covered. Most insurance companies are going to put waiting periods on their plans. This will prevent you from getting pregnant, adding yourself and then taking yourself off.

What to do if you don't have insurance:

Check with the state - If you're below a certain income level, you will find that you may qualify for some sort of state aid. You will want to take with your state's health department to see what they can do for you. Again, you will have to meet certain requirements, in order to get approved for programs such as these.

Do cash discounts - If you don't have insurance, that's okay, but it's highly recommend you get it in the future, as it will save you $1,000s. What you will find out is that once your bills are all said and done, you can usually get a discount if you pay by cash, or a credit card over the phone.

Looking at the cost of a baby delivery:

What you're going to find out is that there are a few factors that you're going to have to consider, and I will talk about them below. Each one will heavily influence your final price.

How are you going to deliver? Is this going to be a vaginal birth, or will it be a cesarean section? If you choose to have the c-section, you're going to pay 2-3 times more, but of course, you can't help it if the doctor needs to do it at the hospital itself.

NICU - If your child has complications at birth, and you find your baby in the NICU, this can be awfully expensive without insurance. You will pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 a day, just to have your child there.

In the end, a natural delivery is going to cost around $8,000 - $15,000 if you have no complications. A c-section will cost around $11,000 to $25,000. Again, if your baby has complications, the bill can reach six figures in no time flat. Every bill will be different, but you will find that if you talk with a hospital, they will be able to help you with whatever pricing questions you may have.

Parenting Child Care - Deficiency in Mother's Milk


Indications of lacking Breast Milk:

The mother's milk is the only nutrition that a child gets for the first few months after birth. Generally mother's milk secretion starts in 2 or 3 days after delivery. In some cases the milk will be produced in very less quantities for a fortnight or more. This condition is called deficient secretion of breast milk.

Usually, it is quite natural that the secretion is less the first two or three weeks. Here we suggest some methods to improve the milk secretion by the mother. These methods should not be practiced for a long period of time as they can cause pother types of complications. If the milk secretion does not improve by second or third week then doctor's consultation is required. It is a very crucial situation as the child will keep weaning away if it is not provided with the required quantity of mother's milk.

A Wonderful Method to Enrich Breast Milk:

Malted liquor has been proved to increase the quality and quantity of the breast milk yield. The quantity of intake should be very less. But prolonged usage of the malt liquor can cause very severe damage to both the other and the child.

This method of enhancing the breast milk secretion comes at the price of small damage to the health of the mother. Though the damage to her health will not be evident immediately, it will become evident later on the long run. But considering the urgency of the situation to save the child's life this method can be used very carefully.

The Common Practice to Enhance Secretion:

Doctor generally advices nutritious, natural and healthy food, for a feeding mother. It is the standard practice to augment the yield of the milk. Rarely doctors advice the consumption of low quantities of malted alcohol. If the mother is not used to malt liquor, she may have a good preparation of ale. It should be noted that sometimes consumption of these can cause stomach upset. Regular exercise in an open area can also enhance the secretion of milk.

The Role of Exercise on the Secretion:

The mother who is feeding can perform many regular exercises that can keep her and the baby healthy. Many traditional exercise followed by custom in the family are also useful. They can be performed after the child is asleep. Daily walking in fresh air as a schedule has proved to be very useful. Horse riding can also be practices on a regular basis. But it is subject to availability. After the regular exercises the mother should have a good bath in cold water, though the temperature of the water should be selected based on the climate. If it is possible she can clean her body with salt water using a soft sponge.

Following the above mentioned in a proper manner will prove to be very useful for the present and the future. It will help in enhanced secretion of the milk both in terms of quantity and quality.

The Study on Deficient Breast Milk:

This case history is about a lady who was very healthy. After her first delivery the child and the mother were healthy in the beginning. The mother had enlargement of her breast in the first week of delivery, making it assume that milk secretion will be good in quantity and quality. But to the dismay by the completion of first week milk was just oozing out. By the completion of second week only 60ml of milk was produced.

This caused severe nutritional deficiency to the child. The child started to become weak. So the child was given artificial milk as a supplement. The mother also tried pumping her milk onto a spoon and feeding the child with it. But the child did not feel satisfied.

Then after a month both the mother and the child became healthy. The chills started to suck the milk. The mild secretion also increased well in quantity and quality. This case typically shows that there could be slight problems in milk secretion in the beginning. But as time goes it becomes all right. Similarly the child in such a scenario has to be given artificial milk preparations through a feeding bottle with nipples and not by spoon.

Get Pregnant With the Help of Prenatal Care


Most women over 40 can expect to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby with advances in preconception and prenatal care. Prenatal care for women over 40 is important. Women who is planning a pregnancy, their future children, their partners and families need important implications in prenatal medical and obstetrical services.

First pregnancy for women over 40 is different from subsequent pregnancies. Women who have first baby need different information and have different concerns. In the context of prenatal care, age is merely one factor to consider, so age 40 is not an absolute number at which there are health risks for women in pregnancy. Other factors are health status of the mother, medical, nutrition and family histories. There are also health and psychosocial advantages that associated with advanced maternal age. They would be able to choose among a variety of care providers and birth options.

Folic acid supplements are recommended for women for 40 to decrease the risk of neural tube defects. Start to consume Folic acid from 3 months before conception and continue throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or have a planning to get pregnant, take a daily Folic acid supplement is important. Planning carefully is needed for women who have waited to become pregnant and also they should improve their health in the preconception period. To prepare them for parenthood, visit to a health care before pregnancy to make health changes at least 3 months.

In the early 30s, fertility begins to decrease significantly and continues to drop with increasing age. There are certain prenatal complications occur more frequently in the pregnancy of women over 40. Whether the mother is giving birth to a first baby or has given birth previously, the level of risk depends on some pregnancy complications. However, age is an important risk factor for chromosome anomalies in pregnancy.

Prenatal care should be meet in psychological needs of women over 40 who have planning to be pregnant. It is common that they have difficulties of emotional concerns. They need some respect and support. They need to be heard with sensitivity. Moreover, prenatal care is the same for women of all ages, even though there are a few differences, especially in the area of screening tests and diagnostic tests.

Women over 40 are recommended to access prenatal care early in pregnancy to ensure that they have the option of the first trimester. To support women in having the healthiest pregnancy possible, regardless of age; prenatal care is designed to reduce the risks that have a positive impact on women and their growing families.

Sugar Free Homemade Granola


Did you grow up with the nutty and wholesome smell of granola in the oven? I didn't, but thanks to this recipe, my mom now makes her own as well!

4 cups rolled oats

翻 cup olive oil

翻 cup maple syrup

翻 cup EACH sesame OR sunflower seeds AND pumpkin seeds

1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds

1/8 tsp EACH nutmeg AND cinnamon

Dried fruit: craisins, raisins or chopped, dried apricots

Pour oats, seeds and nuts into a square baking pan. Then drizzle the wet ingredients over the top, slowly rolling all together with wooden spoons. Bake at 275 degrees until golden brown. I check and stir every 20-30 minutes.

While cooling, I toss in the dried fruit. We store this on our counter top with a 翹 measuring spoon for a quick snack when needed. I typically double this batch and it lasts us about two weeks.

The thing to remember with homemade granola is that you can change up the measurements and ingredients as you like. For example, switch up the spices, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to something different and the taste completely changes. What you want to maintain is the ratio of wet to dry, specifically of and for the olive oil, syrup and rolled oats. You can also switch out honey for maple syrup and get a nice crunch with a little sweet. Sometimes that makes all the difference in the world.

Easy to give as a gift, just store in a Mason Jar, tie with a bow and you have yourself a last minute hostess gift, thank you or holiday gift.

My Fibroids Make Me Look Pregnant - Help!


"My fibroids make me look pregnant!" you exclaim. Sadly, fibroids can indeed cause your abdomen to swell so much that you can appear be be carrying an unborn baby. The extent to the swelling varies from woman to woman depending on the size of their fibroids but the uncomfortable truth is that if fibroids are left untreated, they are more likely to increase in size and rarely decrease unless you happen to be approaching the menopause.

This leaves women with some difficult decisions.

Conventional treatment for fibroids often leaves many women feeling very disappointed, particularly when they learn to their despair that drug treatment and even surgery only offer temporary solutions. Indeed, this is why many doctors recommend a "watchful waiting" approach.

If there can be a "good" thing about fibroids it is that they are rarely dangerous. This means that although they can be extremely uncomfortable and often cause terrible symptoms, you are unlikely to be doing yourself any harm by carefully considering your treatment options. Of course, if your fibroids are so large that they make you look pregnant, then you are probably wanting to do something sooner rather than later!

There are a number of natural treatments which can help you to deal with the symptoms of abdominal swelling. For example, lying with your legs elevated and stretching out your lower back can relieve discomfort. Also, fibroids which are large enough to cause abdominal swelling are also likely to cause other problematic symptoms such as urinary incontinence, constipation and sexual difficulties.

If you are indeed one of the many women who feel "My fibroids make me look pregnant" it may be worth considering trying a natural treatment. Many women have discovered that by eliminating the root causes of their fibroids, effectively neutralising the body so that fibroids cannot thrive there, they have managed to shrink their fibroids completely, thus completely flattening their stomachs.

The approach used encompasses significant dietary and lifestyle changes, cleansing regimes, toxin elimination, stress management and gentle exercise.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Self Employed Benefits For Maternity Leave


Self employed benefits for maternity leave sounds like an oxymoron. How can a self employed person pay themselves for not working during maternity leave? Short term disability insurance can be used to create maternity leave income for self employed women planning a pregnancy. But you have to know when to start coverage, where to find the right policy, and a no longer secret tip in order to qualify.

Short Term Disability Insurance pays a benefit for your normal labor and delivery. The benefit you receive may greatly exceed the premium you pay, helping you to create maternity leave income. In addition, your policy may pay additional benefits in case of pregnancy complications, postpartum disorders, accidents, and illnesses. Buying short term disability insurance is one of the smartest moves any woman can make before getting pregnant.

When to Start

Your policy needs to begin before getting pregnant in order to qualify for the maternity leave benefit. Most policies contain nine month exclusion for normal delivery. Since many pregnancies do not go full term, start your policy several months before conception. That way if you deliver early, your normal delivery will fall comfortably outside the exclusion period. Your benefit will still greatly exceed your premium paid. Why jeopardize a sure thing?

You have to buy the right type of short term disability insurance, and this is the quandary faced by most self employed women. Short term disability programs sold direct to individuals do not provide the normal maternity leave benefit described above. Insurers realize that women planning a pregnancy will be eager to buy such policies, and that they will lose a significant sum on almost every policy sold to women in this life stage. So insurers only sell short term disability insurance with pregnancy benefits through groups. And that sums up the self-employed woman's dilemma: she does not qualify because she is not part of a group. She is a one person act.

Where to Find the Right Policy

A self-employed woman can obtain disability insurance sold only to groups by leveraging her affiliation with a larger entity. A significant portion of self-employed women are therapists: physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, etc. Many therapists work as independent contractors, or 1099 employees. They are paid by an agency, or other entity based upon the number of patients they treat, and the hour billed the patient.

The No Longer Secret Tip

Certain insurers will sell short term disability policies with pregnancy and maternity leave benefits to 1099 workers. If the agency agrees to take withhold money from contractor checks, and make the benefit available to all W2 and 1099 employees, then the insurer will be happy to issue policies to all qualified self employed workers.

Now self employed women who are planning a pregnancy can purchase short term disability insurance before getting pregnant, get coverage for pregnancy and maternity leave, and enjoy her time bonding with her baby, without worrying about how to pay her bills. Plus, she gets extra protection in case of complications, accidents and illnesses. All she has to do is ask her agency to take the money from her check, and send it to the insurer.

Humana Insurance - Affordable Insurance With Humana One


Humana is generally known for the group plans and broad coverage offered by employers. However, those who would like an individual or family plan can still get Humana insurance through Humana One. There are a variety of plans available, each of which are designed to meet the needs of individuals who do not receive health insurance through their employers. Options may be limited depending on the state, however. All plans are guaranteed to keep the same rate for the first twelve months and can be customized to meet individual needs.

Those who purchase Humana insurance through Humana One will be able to participate in their Choice Care Network of medical providers, hospitals, and pharmacies. Humana One is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), meaning that participating doctors and medical services have contracted with Humana to provide their services at a set rate. Preferred Provider Networks differ from Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in that they are much less restrictive and do not require referrals.

If you wish to purchase Humana insurance through Humana One, there are several options from which to choose. Humana offers four types of plans, depending on your location. These include Copay plans, Health Savings Account plans, 100% after deductible plans, and short term medical plans. Copay plans will require a copay for in-network doctor's visits, and cover preventive exams and treatment. This type of plan is most similar to employer coverage. 100% after deductible plans will require you to pay the full deductible amount before receiving coverage; however, once you have paid the deductible all eligible treatments are completely covered.

This plan will allow you to choose from a variety of deductible amounts. Those who choose a Health Savings Account plan have the option of putting money into a Health Savings Account (HSA). Finally, if you are temporarily without insurance coverage, you might want to look at Humana One's Short Term Medical plans.

Any health insurer will have both advantages and disadvantages; Humana insurance is no exception. Although Humana has one of the largest medical networks, not all services are covered. One glaring exception is maternity coverage, which may not be available in every state. However, Humana's newest plans offer those without current insurance coverage the ability to customize their coverage. Most customers seem to be happy with the variety of plans available as well as the coverage they receive. If you do not have health insurance through your employer, check out Humana One.

Humana is on of the best carriers in the healthcare marketplace, if you need assistance in locating coverage from Human, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and leave your contact info so we can help you review some options.

Benefits of Babywearing


"Babywearing" simply means holding or carrying a baby or young child using a baby carrier. Everyone enjoys holding a baby, it is a natural. But many people are nervous or scared, baby carriers make it easier and more comfortable, allowing parents and caregivers to hold or carry their children while attending to the daily tasks of living. When done properly, carrying a baby in a soft baby carrier can be safer than carrying a baby in your arms. Babywearing using a baby carrier means your muscles won't get tired and the baby is safer in case of a fall or loss of balance.

There are many benefits to babywearing for the caregiver and especially for the baby. Here are a few of my favourite benefits:

• Babywearing allows the caregiver to be more aware of their baby cues and develop a heightened awareness of the baby's needs.
• Babywearing has been proven to calm fussy babies by up to 51%. This leads to a lower risk of postnatal depression and also allows the caregivers to feel more competent in their abilities to nuture. Also helps to ease digestion (Colic) and further reduce fussiness.
• Babies who are carried learn more due to the brain stimulation of the constant changing environment.
• Babywearing promotes an intimate connection between parent and baby. It's proven to be the most important factor in health, physical development, intellectual development and social development.
• Mothers' progesterone (mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with the infant, leading to a more intimate maternal bond, easier breastfeeding and better care, thus lowering the incidence of postpartum depression and psychosomatic illness
• Babywearing increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion. Skin to skin contact, or Kangaroo Care, has been shown to enhance growth and development of the term and preterm infants.
• Frequently carried babies fall asleep quickly and will learn to sleep for longer periods of time in the comfort of their sling.
• Babywearing enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby's vestibular system (balance organs) by exposing the baby to a variety of sights, sounds and motion.
• Babywearing provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing their nervous system and creating a quiet, calm alertness in the infant. Babywearing decreases the levels of stress hormones circulating in a baby's blood stream, resulting in a more relaxed, happy baby.

Babywearing is a skill so good safety practices are of paramount importance. You are responsible for your child's safety as well as your own.

Whatever carrier you choose, learn to use it properly, and always keep safety in mind.

How to Stay Fit While Pregnant and Keep Your Sexy Figure


If you are pregnant, and want to stay in shape during the pregnancy, this article will explain how to stay fit and in great shape so you can be better prepared for when your baby is delivered.

You will want to keep working out during the entire pregnancy, if you stop, starting again can be hard on your body. Work out a few times per week...you need to work out at least two times per week for it to do any good.

Note: When I say "working out" this can be as simple as regular walking, light swimming, yoga, stability ball exercises and any other such things, largely dependent on how active you were before your pregnancy. Doing strenuous sweaty workouts is gonna be a no-no for most pregnant women, particularly those in the later stages. Check with your doctor about what exercises are right for you to stay fit while pregnant, and use their help to come up with a routine based on your own situation.

They will tell you if you have any special limitations due to certain risks...so do not do anything without asking them first. Don't forget that they are there to help you through the pregnancy.

You can try lower impact activities such as water aerobics. As mentioned above, Yoga is another great idea, just make sure you know what is safe for pregnancy. You can talk to an instructor or purchase videos made specifically for pregnant women. Also do not forget to drink water while working out. This is important for your body. Do not overwork yourself. It it doesn't feel comfortable, stop what you are doing and try a different workout.

During pregnancy you want to stay in shape, but you do not necessarily want to lose weight - unless you are overweight and your doctor has said it is in your's and the baby's best interests to do so.

Pregnancy is one of the few times in your life that it is good to gain weight. You should be putting on weight every week particularly during the second and third trimesters, and so do not feel discouraged by this gain. The baby will be growing and you will lose a lot of weight easily after the baby is born. Knowing how to stay fit while pregnant also means knowing it is okay to put on weight during this time of your life.

It is important to learn how to stay fit while pregnant. Do not overwork your body and take care of yourself. Do not forget to eat healthy, but eat plenty of food at the same time. If you continue to take care of your body, you will only gain the weight needed for pregnancy and nothing extra. This will have you looking sexy again right after your baby is born. Take care of your body and it will take care of you and your baby.

The Best Hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya


Nairobi apart from being the capital of Kenya is also the major center for economic and cultural activity for the country, as well as East Africa. As expected the Nairobi attracts a lot of tourists as the starting point for safaris and other travel throughout East Africa. Fortunately, the city has a large number of healthcare centers that provide medical services to the Kenyan population and the tourists visiting it. This article lists some of the best hospitals that can be trusted to serve you if you fall ill or have an accident in Nairobi.

The Nairobi Hospital is an up to date diagnostic and treatment center known throughout East Africa for its world class service to the public. The hospital was founded in 1954. It has an emergency center that delivers care on par with international standards. Other amenities at the hospital include highly a sophisticated diagnostic laboratory, a physical medicine center, ambulatory surgery and medical advisory services. The hospital runs a host of clinics throughout the week that cater to different medical needs. These include Family Health Clinic, Child Welfare Clinic, Clinic for the Elderly, Chemotherapy Center, Diabetes Clinic, Travel and Immunization Clinic, Breast Health Clinic and Chest Clinic. The Hospital is located on Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi.

The Kenyatta National Hospital at Nairobi was established in 1901 and called the Native Civil Hospital. It was renamed in honor of Jomo Kenyatta after the country gained independence from the British. Now it is the oldest and the largest hospital in the country. The hospital also serves as a National Referral and Teaching hospital.The hospital provides facilities for cancer treatment, physiotherapy, nutrition, public health, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, obstetrics, orthopedics and surgery. The emergency department at the hospital offers services 24 hours a day.

The Aga Khan Health Services operates hospitals in various locations throughout Asia and Africa. This non-profit group dedicates itself to providing sophisticated and modern health services in developing countries. The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Nairobi is part of this group and established in 1958. The Accident and Emergency Center at the hospital is functional 24 hours and is equipped to handle heart problems and trauma, as well as cases of malaria and infectious diseases. Other facilities at the hospital include an intensive care unit, maternity services, ambulance services, diagnostic laboratory, Lamaze classes, ear, nose and throat surgery, general surgery, oncology, orthopedics, urology, ophthalmology and gynecology. AKUH provides consistent and advanced care to its patients.

Karen Hospital at Langata Road, Nairobi was founded by Dr. Dan and Betty Gikonyo in alliance with their two close friends. Karen Hospital aims to revolutionize the level of healthcare services available in Kenya and Africa. It is a fully equipped hospital that furnishes comprehensive quality services which include gastroenterology, neurology, pediatrics, internal medicine and a chest clinic. It also delivers an HIV/AIDS treatment program, along with dental services, diabetes care, physiotherapy and nutritional advice. The emergency department at the hospital is operational round the clock.

The Mater Hospital was initiated by the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland and is dedicated to providing outstanding healthcare to the less privileged in Kenya. Established in 1962, Mater Hospital has an emergency unit that is recognized to be amongst the best throughout East and Central Africa. It has units specializing in treatment of industrial accidents, gunshot wounds, disaster care, tropical diseases, poisons, and more. The hospital has a host of other facilities featuring ambulance services, a 24 hour laboratory, an intensive care unit and sophisticated operating rooms.

The Coptic Hospital at Nairobi belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church and aims to provide high quality medical care at affordable prices. The treatment facilities found at the hospital include maternity services, pediatric care, a diagnostic laboratory, 24 hour casualty and ambulance services. It also has special TB and HIV programs, dental clinic and facilities for minor and major laparoscopic procedure.

Reliable Prenatal Care Tips- What The March Of Dimes Suggests For A Healthier Baby


The five basic tips I am about to mention are the specific suggestions of the "March of Dimes" for you to adhere to, in order to have a healthier, happier baby. Of course, there are many details included in these basic instructions that must be paid closer attention to. Nonetheless, when seeking information on how to care for your infant, and of course your unborn child, "March of Dimes" is a great source to trust in for the safety of your infant and and the overall health of your child as he or she grows. You want to do the right thing in order to avoid any possible birth defects, low birth weight, malnutrition, disabilities and, most importantly, to reduce the risk of having a miscarriage.

The March of Dimes has a positive reputation for saving babies, and they (quite rightly, in my opinion) pride themselves on the provisions and care they make available to expecting mothers, women with infants, and special needs babies. I believe that it is very important to promote this (the March of Dimes) and many other programs like it. In this article I will briefly describe the latest, general recommendations that the March of Dimes has made available to their many donors as well as to the general public.

These five recommendations, essential for your baby's health, are not mentioned in this article, nor are they presented by the March of Dimes in order of importance. Each and every piece of advice that I am about to pass on to you is just as significant as the next. Each should be, by any mother who is breastfeeding, any expecting mother, or any woman trying to become pregnant should carefully digest. I will add some of my own insight to these basic guidelines as well.

Firstly, the March of Dimes instructs expecting mothers to get early and continuous pre-natal care. In my opinion, as much as prenatal care is important, having the right physician is very important. I recommend that if experience any uneasiness, or feel in any way hesitant with your current doctor - seek a second opinion at least, but most often, find another one. Follow your pre-natal care doctor's instructions. Be sure to make this top priority. Mostly, the March of Dimes suggests, that prenatal care is essential to preventing the risk of low birth weight.

Although these are basic and absolutely logical measures for any pregnant woman to take, this top five list of guidelines sent to me by the March of Dimes can not be over-emphasized. Believe it or not, some people really do not realize the full extent of the dangers of breaking these general rules of pregnancy, if you will. The second on the list is to eat nutritious foods! Yes, you do need to gain weight while you are pregnant - but if all you do, for instance, is eat extra amounts of fast foods. When you are not eating right while pregnant, you are getting the extra calories, but not the extra vitamins and minerals required from the calories consumed. Everything you eat goes straight to the baby too, therefore, if you are not getting enough vitamin C, the baby is also not getting enough vitamin C, and so on.

Next, it is very important that a pregnant woman does not smoke. In addition to increasing the risk of low birth weight, a woman who smokes while she is pregnant increases the risks of having a miscarriage. Many women who are smokers and are trying to become pregnant can miscarry right away. And, believe me, if a miscarriage happens (no matter when it happens) it is always very saddening, unfortunate and sometimes even tragic for the expecting parents.

Fourthly, the March of Dimes foundation wants you to know not to use drugs while pregnant. Taking drugs can cause birth defects, and even the death of your baby, often however, this piece of advice is misinterpreted. When professionals such as pre -natal doctors, OBGYN and other specialists say not to use drugs (while pregnant) they do not simply mean illegal, mind and / or mood altering chemicals. Prescription drugs, as well as drugs that are sold over the counter are often potentially dangerous for your baby - especially with frequent use.

As a matter of fact, (I will add) there have been many drugs previously approved by pre-natal physicians that have proven to cause severe birth defects. For example: the prescription drug called Paxil. If I were an expecting mother, I would avoid any and all medications possible, because sometimes science figures out the dangers after assessing the benefits of certain drugs. This is especially detrimental when considering the use of such drugs by women who are trying to become pregnant, expecting a baby, or caring for her infant. I feel very strongly about this subject. It must be extremely frightening to realize that your child has suffered any kind of birth defects, to have a miscarriage, or worse. Therefore, it is essential to do everything in your power to avoid any of the above problems.

Lastly, the March of Dimes emphasizes the rule of thumb for pregnant women that you should not drink while pregnant. The devastating effects of fetal alcohol syndrome or, FAS, have been widely recognized for a long time now. Fetal alcohol syndrome can develop in your baby even if you only drink a tiny bit while pregnant. As a matter of fact, I would recommend that if you are simply trying to become pregnant and are taking pregnancy tests on a regular basis you should still avoid alcohol as much as possible. In correlation with the fourth of these pregnancy guidelines, many over the counter drugs contain alcohol. These include medications for colds, for allergies, for sleep aids, and more which may contain some alcohol, as well as other active ingredients that can be harmful to your baby.

Find out what will be best for you and your baby - even if you are just trying to become pregnant. Often, a woman will not know that she is pregnant right away. It is virtually always at least a few weeks into her first trimester before a woman discovers her, quite happy condition. To have the happiest, healthiest baby you possibly can, seek information from foundations and sources such as the March of Dimes for the very best advice you can get. I would encourage you to expose anyone you know to whom this information is relevant as much of this kind of advice (as well as various resources they can check out on their own) as you can.

Many medical professionals and researchers are dedicated to bringing as many healthy babies into this world as possible, and continuing to reduce the number of birth defects that occur. In other words, your goals for your baby are also their goals for your baby. Thank you for seeking information to take care of your baby as soon as possible for the very best health benefits possible.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Financial Planning For Couples With A Newborn: Simple Strategies


Bringing a child into your life is a very important decision and only the couple can decide when the time is right for them to have the baby. Having a baby changes your life - as they say, your newborn becomes the centre of your universe. Like every responsible and caring parent, you'd want to give your baby the best and look after his or her needs. Clearly, it's a huge responsibility on your shoulders and many couples struggle with the pressures they have to cope when they have a new baby at home.

At times like these, you need to think about your future and start planning your finances way in advance so that you have some respite on that front. There are many who believe that financial planning for the newborn should start during the pregnancy itself and many couples have used this mantra to good effect.

Remember, financial planning for couples with a newborn is not as daunting as it might seem. There are a few simple tips that you can follow to ensure that you won't have to struggle with financial resources when bringing up your child. These will also help you get on with your own life without any major compromises.

Tips for Financial Planning For Couples with a Newborn


  • The importance of saving early on cannot be stressed more! In fact, one would be better off by starting to save during planning for the baby's arrival. You can open a back account or start a fund that will look after all the emergency needs that you might have to deal with in the near future.

  • You will need to start thinking about the medical expenses you are likely to incur too. Medical bills will have to be met not only during the pregnancy but for the first few years of your child's life as well. You will need to start including these expenses into the budget as well, so that you are not caught in a tight spot all of a sudden.

  • This is the time you will need to look at your health insurance policy carefully as well. Some insurance policies will have certain clauses and terms that could be troublesome for you in the coming months. Hence sort out all the issues you might have with your policy in advance.

  • Taking maternity leave during your pregnancy and for a few months afterwards is your right. But if you want to stay at home for the first few years of your child's life, you can consider options where you can work from home and ensure that you can maintain the lifestyle you are used to so far.

  • In a bid to give their baby everything they can, many parents tend to go overboard when shopping for things. However, as they say, you always need less than you might think, for your baby. Making the most of baby stuff you get from your friends and family members will also help you save costs.

  • Talk to relatives and friends who have had a child to understand what to expect in terms of medical expenses and other financial aspects during the first few years after your child's arrival.

Armed with information, research, planning and savings, you will be able to enjoy your little bundle of joy, without the hassle of having to worry about your finances!

Massage Therapy - Continuing Education Will Take You to the Next Level


Are you currently in an entry level massage therapy job and want to take your career to the next level? Or are you an experienced licensed massage therapist wanting to break into the burgeoning health care industry and practice in a medical setting such as a hospital, nursing home or sports medicine facility? Or do you have a love of animals and want to practice in the growing field of canine massage? Or do you need to fulfill an education requirement? If so, then Continuing Education is what you need.

There are several Continuing Education options from which to choose and these courses are specifically designed for massage therapists to keep you current with trends, satisfy your curiosity, and engage you in new areas of exploration such as prenatal, canine, sports, Eastern massage or medical massage therapy. In fact, 80 different types of massage types, or modalities, exist according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Taking Continuing Education classes will not only benefit you as a person, but also it will benefit your practice. By learning new modalities you can specialize in specific populations and increase your clientele. This provides the opportunity to increase your hourly rate depending on the type of massage you are performing. Also, the more knowledge, comprehension and application of massage techniques you have, the more you will be able to define your clients' needs and support them with massage therapy. This allows you to make a more specific pre-massage assessment which directly benefits the client and increases the possibility of him/her becoming a repeat client.

There are three main reasons for taking Continuing Education courses: 1) to obtain an advanced massage therapy degree such as an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree; 2) to obtain an Advanced Certification in massage therapy; and 3) to obtain Continuing Education (CE) credits in order to renew your state license or professional membership.

Let's look in more detail at each one of these reasons for taking Continuing Education classes:

1) To obtain an advanced massage therapy degree, such as an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree

An advanced degree, such as an AOS degree, is geared toward students who want to explore advanced concepts in human anatomy and physiology, including neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, medical massage, and other topics not covered in a basic training Massage Therapy Certificate Program. An advanced degree is the way to go if you want to practice massage therapy in a medical setting such as a hospital or rehabilitative massage clinic. Here are some examples of courses required in order to obtain an AOS degree:

Medical Massage - In this course, the study of advanced pathophysiology and critical thinking skills is combined with specific practical hands-on techniques. Students learn treatment methods specifically geared toward clients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and post-surgical conditions.

Trauma and the Body - This course introduces the major concepts of post traumatic stress, and outlines the benefits of massage therapy to survivors of trauma. Students learn techniques that can help restore a sense of balance in the nervous system as well as foster reconnection for survivors who often experience intense physical reactions, memories, and a sense of disconnectedness from their body.

Craniosacral Therapy - Students will learn the fundamental skills that serve as the foundation of craniosacral therapy, including an introduction to the core anatomical and physiological relationships of the Craniosacral system: the fluctuation of cerebrospinal fluid, body articulations, reciprocal tension membranes, dural tube and spinal cord dynamics, and the motillity of the central nervous system.

2) To obtain an Advanced Certification in massage therapy

Advanced Certificate Programs are designed for students who have completed basic training as a massage therapist. Students take advanced coursework in deep tissue massage, energy work such as Reiki and Chi Kung, Eastern styles such as shiatsu and Thai massage, and spa body treatments. This postgraduate training allows students to choose a focused track of specialization, mastering techniques which are immediately applicable and beneficial to their clients such as spa elements, prenatal, labor and postpartum, canine massage, orthopedic and sports massage, and energy healing. Continuing education hours are earned for each module taken.

3) CE credits required to renew your state license or professional membership such as the American Massage Therapy Association (amtamassage.org)

The majority of states require that you have a license to practice massage therapy and renewal of the license requires that you obtain massage continuing education. Even if you practice massage therapy in a state that does not require Continuing Education, it is important to continually be challenging yourself, learning more about your profession and, ultimately, becoming more successful in healing others through the power of touch.

How to Find Continuing Education Courses in Your Area

· Determine the Continuing Education requirements in your state by contacting the state licensing authority. If you don't know the website URL to go to, a search for the name of your state and "massage therapy continuing education" should point you to the right place. The state licensing board may list approved providers on their website. If not, you can search online for approved providers.

· Determine the Continuing Education requirements by your professional association. The association should list approved providers on their website. If not, you can search online for approved providers.

· After completing the course, be sure to keep your completion certificate on file, even if your state licensing board or professional association doesn't require that you submit proof of taking the course. If the state licensing board or association is audited, you may be asked to provide proof of completion.

Whether you choose to take Continuing Education classes to move to the next stage in your career or just for the credits, the purpose of Continuing Education remains the same. Continuing Education ensures that massage therapists keep current on new developments in the field and continue improving their skills in order to help others.

Twin Pregnancy FAQ


Discovering that you're pregnant with twins is exciting but also quite overwhelming. Because twin pregnancies carry additional risks and precautions, you likely have many questions.

What's different about a twin pregnancy?

The experience of a twin pregnancy can be very different for some women. In some cases, women who are pregnant with twins experience enhanced pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, or edema (swelling). A a woman who is pregnant with twins is at greater risk for some medical complications, such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational diabetes.
What are the signs of twin pregnancy?

While some women report drastic differences in a twin pregnancy, others report no differences from a singleton pregnancy. Some of the most common indicators of multiple births are weight gain, measuring large for gestational age, severe morning sickness, early detection of fetal movement, abnormally High Results on an AFP or Triple Screen Test, extreme fatigue and elevated HcG Levels.

How can I find out if I am having twins?

Ultrasound remains the most reliable way to detect and monitor a multiple pregnancy. The routine use of ultrasound in prenatal care has reduced the number of surprise appearances by twins in the delivery room; most multiples are discovered during the first half of pregnancy. If you have a hunch or suspect that you are carrying twins or more, discuss your feelings with your doctor.

Will I have to go on bed rest?

Bed rest is prescribed in multiple pregnancy as a preventative and precautionary tool. It can provide benefits for both mom and babies, prolonging a pregnancy in danger of preterm labor to a woman whose body is under stress. In 1992, a survey by the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs showed that 70 percent of women expecting multiple births experienced bed rest at some point in their pregnancy. However, times have changed and doctors have become less rigid about sentencing women to bed.

Can there be a hidden twin?

Nearly every pregnant woman considers the possibility that she may be carrying more than one baby. The only way to confirm a twin or multiple pregnancy is by visually identifying the multiple fetuses with ultrasound. If your doctor or caregiver can only see one baby, you're not having twins or multiples. There are some very rare exceptions. Ultrasound provides a picture of the womb, but sometimes the picture can be misleading or misinterpreted, particularly if performed very early in the pregnancy or by an incompetent technician. At twenty weeks, a second fetus would be clearly visible on ultrasound, and the likelihood that there is another baby hidden in the womb is extremely small.

What is vanishing twin syndrome?

Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs when one of a set of twin fetuses apparently disappears from the womb during pregnancy, usually resulting in a normal singleton pregnancy. One of the fetuses in a twin pregnancy spontaneously aborts, usually during the first trimester; the fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, the placenta, or the mother, thus giving the appearance that the twin "vanished." In recent years, enhanced use of ultrasound early in pregnancy has increased the frequency of diagnosis of twin pregnancy. As a result, there has been a heightened awareness of vanishing twin syndrome.

How much weight will I gain?

Women are always worried about how much weight they will gain with any pregnancy, singleton or multiple. Now that you're having twins, the thought of extra weight gain seems scary. Generally, a healthy pregnancy requires that a woman gain 25 to 30 pounds during the nine month gestation period, depending on her body type. But that's for just one baby. Like everything about having multiples, more is required. Doctor recommendations vary, but most women tend to gain about 35 to 45 pounds during a twin pregnancy, with about 10 additional pounds for every additional baby in a higher order multiple pregnancy. However, this is just a guideline so be sure to speak to your doctor about what is appropriate for your body type.

What is the typical gestation for a twin pregnancy?

Generally, twins and other multiples are born earlier than singletons. Research from the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (NOMOTC) indicates that about half of multiples are born before 36 weeks gestation. There's no way to know exactly when your babies will be born. In some cases, a premature birth can not be avoided. Some doctors feel that thirty-seven or thirty-eight weeks should be considered full-term for twins and will seek to prompt the delivery of the babies at that time.

Are my twins identical or fraternal?

This is one of the first things people want to know about a twin pregnancy. Here are some ways to discover is you're twins are identical or fraternal:

* If you're twins are the same gender, they are identical.
* If you're twins have been diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTS), they are identical. TTS does not affect fraternal twins.
* If there is a single, shared placenta, it is more likely you're twins are identical.
* If you're twins have been identified as monoamnionic, they are identical. Only identical twins develop with a single, shared amnion.

How Do Compression Socks Work?


Compression hose and stockings are technological innovations that improve circulation for pregnant women, diabetics, the elderly, and anyone in need of some support to keep the blood properly flowing.

The heart pumps approximately 100,000 heartbeats per day in order to send 6 quarts of blood through 100,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries. However gravity, age, a slowed heart, or other health problems can cause blood to pool in the legs and lower feet. This leads to swelling and fatigue, or event to potentially more serious problems like blood clots.

Compression socks, such as Jobst support socks or varicose veins stockings, are made from a super-strong elastic material that fits very tightly at the feet and less tightly up by the knee. This change in pressure keeps the calf muscles constantly squeezed and stimulated, sending blood back to the heart and reducing swelling and the potential for forming clots. The socks in fact act as very strong synthetic calf muscles. Graduated pressure in the sock is the primary mechanism for increasing what's known as the body's "arterial pressure" and push blood back toward the heart.

The socks are made from a high-friction material that grips securely around the leg. Long compression stockings can sometimes bunch and buckle, but this can be addressed with a maternity belt or garter.

Compression stockings must be custom made so that the pressure from the sock is appropriately adjusted to individual needs. A physician or pharmacist first takes measurements at the top of the ankle, around the largest part of the calf, and just above the knee. Custom tailoring for compression socks does up the cost, although insurance will often cover compression socks and stockings.

If prescribed, compression socks are worn from waking through bedtime. The socks should be removed at night when the legs are elevated.

In fact, the benefits of compression socks can also be gained by keeping the lower limbs properly elevated. However, a tightly wound Ace bandage or other wrapping is no substitute for good compression hose. The pressure from the bandage is uneven and may actually aggravate pain and swelling.

There are many benefits to compression socks besides improved circulation. They also ease pain, provide comfort, and prevent swelling in legs and feet. The most firm socks are prescribed to patients with severe lymph edema, which causes major swelling and fluid retention in the legs and feet.

Compression socks were originally only prescribed to those with poor circulation but now many others find them helpful, such as passengers on long airplane rides or people with jobs that require them to stand in one place for many hours may also wear these socks. Compression socks are also used to speed post-surgical recovery for edema, venous ulcers, phlebitis, varicose veins, spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis. Others who might benefit from compression socks include obese individuals, those who have had a previous blood clot, those who have had a stroke, and those who are bed ridden. Compression socks are also used by athletes to increase their endurance, reduce lactic acid build-up, reduce cramping, and boost overall performance.

Early Stages In Pregnancy


If you think you are pregnant, it is a good idea to purchase and use a home pregnancy test. They are easy to use, easy to read, and very accurate. If you receive a positive result, make an appointment with your gynecologist. If he or she is not also an obstetrician, seek a recommendation for one.

Do your best to attend every scheduled visit with the obstetrician. If you miss an appointment, it is best to reschedule. Make sure you tell the doctor everything about your medical history, especially any issues that could affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby. You will undergo tests from time to time, but these are routine.

If something goes beyond routine, the doctor will explain why it is necessary. You are always free to seek a second opinion, but you should trust your doctor. If you are uncomfortable with your obstetrician, find another one, since this is a very intimate relationship, in which you need to feel secure. Your doctor will prescribe prenatal vitamins, which are specially formulated to insure that a pregnant woman and her baby receive the proper nutrients. Take your vitamins as directed. You might want to have a bite to eat before taking them, as they make some women feel nauseous when taken on an empty stomach.

Prenatal care is a very important part of your pregnancy. It allows your doctor to measure progress and make sure that your baby is developing properly and is healthy. You will see the obstetrician once per month at first, and once each week as you get closer to your due date. It is important to keep these appointments so your doctor knows what's going on. This way, if something isn't just right, your doctor can take action to help make sure you carry your baby to term and deliver a healthy baby. If you experience morning sickness, which many women do in the first three months of pregnancy, try eating a healthy snack before going to bed or nibbling on crackers when you wake up in the morning. Pregnancy is a very exciting time in life, but it also requires you to take very good care of yourself and ultimately your baby.

Use Effective Herbs to Reduce Depression Naturally


Depression is a common psychological disorder of the emotional balance of the person. It is thought that depression may begin because of biochemical cerebration disorder, which is inherited. People who are sick with serious somatic diseases, have a long as well very stressful time or ones who are after psychological trauma is at the risk to get ill easier.

Depression occurs more for women than for men. For example, postnatal or menopause depression may occur sometimes.

This disease has clear symptoms. The first signs are a sad, melancholic mood which lasts for long and lack of energy, also pessimism. Nothing brings happiness and joy to that person. All the things which were important and delightful before, do not seem to have a meaning anymore. The other symptom is sleep disorders; patient either may over sleep or have difficulties to fall asleep at all. Eating disorders also are a serious sign of depression. Patient cannot concentrate, feels worried most of the time, thinks about death and suicide. Have in mind, if these symptoms or a few of them lasts for more than two weeks; you should visit your doctor.

Useful herbs: First of all, if you feel the signs of depression, visit your doctor. It is a serious disease and needs to be treated in a right way, so do not wait. Usually, depression is cured with various therapies and medicines (antidepressants). Sometimes it may get into a habit, so probably you will not be able to take them for long. If you want to try something more natural, herbal remedies are the right solution, which may brighten your mood or resume the treatment.

1. Black Hellebore: It is also known as Christmas rose. Juice and rhizome are poisonous in very big quantities, so you need to use it wisely, in very little amounts. It will improve the mood and also control the mania which sometimes occurs as a symptom of one of the types of depression.

2. Ginger: If you want to feel better, try ginger as it works like an antidepressant. It has been used for long and helped many people. Just be careful, cause big amounts of ginger may cause a heartburn.

3. Siberian Ginseng: It improves the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, which are very important. Siberian ginseng is believed to improve immune system. Also it is beneficial because it improves concentration. Other things, people who are sick with diabetes can balance their sugar levels in the blood.

4. Ginkgo Biloba: Try to use this herb, it is very useful. Ginkgo biloba improves concentration, and memory. It relieves negative mood and feelings like anger, sadness, guilt, anxiety, irritation, etc. Other good things is that this herb improves blood flow in the whole body and makes a person active.

Other valuable herbs are borage, purslane, rosemary, clove, basil and others. Also try to use them for the best results.

In order not to get sick with depression; do not abuse alcohol, eat healthy food, be sure your diet is well-balanced, get enough sleep, avoid stress, be active and communicative, do the things you like, spend enough time in the open air.

Comfort Measures For Infant Reflux, Part I


Infant reflux seems to be affecting one out of every three babies these days. Most parents who have a baby with reflux are completely exhausted and at their wits end. There is very little information available online about how to comfort a baby who is suffering with the pain of reflux. I would like to share with you some concrete strategies that can make life easier and lessen the pain your baby is feeling.

繚 Modifying babies bed so that they are sleeping at a 35 to 40 degree angle. The simple way we do this is by placing a firm relatively plump pillow under the mattress of your baby bed. This is usually not quite enough of an angle so I also recommend purchasing the Tempurpedic side sleeping pillow and placing it under the crib sheet. The queen size pillow fits most cribs. This angle will sometimes cause baby to slide downwards so you will need to place a boppy pillow in a reverse u shape around their bottom to keep them from sliding. Putting baby to sleep at an incline like this will help keep them from refluxing so severely by using gravity to keep stomach contents down. Think about how uncomfortable it is for you to lay down flat with a full stomach. It is the same for your baby.

繚 Swaddling baby tightly for sleep. This is a wonderful calming tool for babies under five months of age. Babies have a startle reflex which causes them to flail their hands and wake themselves up frequently. If you do not know how to swaddle your baby, or it is difficult for you, try using the Miracle Blanket swaddle or the kidopotamous swaddleme blankets. To understand why this is such an effective tool for calming your baby watch the Happiest Baby On The Block DVD by Dr. Harvey Karp.

繚 A sound machine or baby white noise CD from iTunes. Your baby has an underdeveloped nervous system which is easily over stimulated. Baby was used to a very loud white noise while in the womb. This white noise helps baby to block out stimulation and calm down.

繚 The swing can be a reflux babies best friend. Be sure to purchase a cradle type swing such as the Fisher Price Little Lamb. The cradle type swing will prevent very young babies from having their heads thrown too far forward. It can be adjust to the more upright position when they are older. The motion of the swing on its highest speed will remind baby of being in the womb where there was constant movement. The combination of the movement and the white noise is incredibly powerful in calming a baby who is in pain. Save the swing for times when your baby is really suffering and unable to sleep in the bed. They can easily decide the swing is the only place they want to sleep. Try to use it as a tool when they are extremely fussy, not their everyday sleeping place.

Part I of this series covers your babies environment and the ways that you can create a womb cocoon for your crying baby. Part II of this series will address feeding your reflux baby. Strategies and tips for making feeding easier and managing the amount of refluxing your baby does after feeding.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

How to Get Health Insurance Maternity Coverage


Are you looking for individual medical insurance coverage? If you are, you need to know that typically health insurance maternity coverage is not included automatically. If you are in the age range where you may need maternity coverage at some point in the future, you need to make sure that if you are getting an individual health insurance plan that you have a maternity rider attached to the plan. Many people assume that maternity benefits are automatic and they find out after it is too late to get it.

On an individual plan, if you are already pregnant at the time, you will more than likely have to wait until you have had your baby before you can get health insurance coverage. Most of the individual plans have a waiting period before they will cover a pregnancy also. You have to have the maternity rider in place, and then you may not have a pregnancy covered for the first 6 to 12 months.

The cost of most normal pregnancies is around $2500.00 including everything. If is when you get into cesarean section births and other complications with the mother and/or baby that the costs of maternity medical treatments can get into the thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you plan to have children in the future it is worth getting the extra health insurance maternity coverage just in case you happen to be one of the people who runs into a problem.

The rider necessary to add the coverage to an individual policy will add more to the premium you have to pay, but it will be worth it. No one knows how their pregnancy will go. The added premium is not going to be that much more. When you do not need the maternity coverage anymore, you can drop this coverage and lower your monthly premium.

What Do Autoimmune Disease and Maternity Pay Share in Common?


Autoimmune disease and maternity leave pay share much in common. Autoimmunity is the leading cause of more than 100 chronic illnesses. These illnesses strike women 75% of the time. And of course pregnancy strikes women 100% of the time. For women who work and rely on their incomes, both conditions can cause a major disruption in family finances when worked is missed.

Autoimmune disease is the fourth leading cause of disability among women. There are approximately 30 million women living in the U.S. who may suffer from degenerate diseases such as arthritis, graves disease, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

Pregnancy a Disability

Somewhat surprising for many people, pregnancy is the leading cause of disability among women. Even during a perfectly healthy pregnancy, the average recovery period after vaginal delivery is six-week, and eight weeks for a c-section delivery. Twenty five percent of pregnancies will experience one or more complications, requiring mom to miss time from work prior to delivery. After childbirth postpartum disorders such as bleeding and depression are quite common.

So what does this all have to do with maternity leave pay? Short term disability insurance is the common thread. When bought before conception, short term disability insurance will cover mom's maternity leave for a perfectly healthy pregnancy. It replaces up to two-thirds of income. It pays a six-week benefit for vaginal birth, and an eight week benefit for c-section delivery, less the elimination period. Plus, complications of pregnancy will be handled the same as any other covered sickness.

Autoimmunity Flairs Periodically

Autoimmune disease is unplanned. Nobody wants to spend a lifetime dealing with a chronic debilitating disease. But the impact to quality of life can't be avoided. And lost income may occur anytime the disease flairs. Many of these chronic conditions result in short periods of pain and discomfort, followed by periods of remission - allowing work and income to resume.

Pregnancy is often planned. Couples try to get pregnant. Many couples spend thousands of dollars trying to conceive. Short term disability insurance pays a benefit for normal pregnancy that may greatly exceed the premium paid in advance of childbirth. It allows women to purchase coverage that creates maternity leave pay. Disabilities resulting from an autoimmune disorder will also be covered at no additional cost.

Short Term Disability Fits Best

Because of the intermittent nature of flareups from chronic disorders, short term disability is a far better fit than long term disability or social security disability. If your condition flares and you miss three weeks of work, your short term disability policy will replace your income for two weeks if you have a one week elimination period. Long term disability and social security disability pay nothing. The elimination period for these programs is far too long.

Neither creates maternity leave income. Again the elimination period is far too long to cover most pregnancies. In a normal pregnancy, mom is able to return to work within six to eight weeks. Most long term plans have a three month elimination period. Social security begins paying after six months. Short term disability creates maternity income, and protects women in case of autoimmune disease.

8 Common Pregnancy Problems You Should Be Aware Of


There are common pregnancy problems you must know:

Enhanced Blood Pressure: Usually at the time of pregnancy one develops high blood pressure. During this stage high blood pressure indicates that the pressure in blood vessels, especially arteries is considerably higher. Any women suffering from high blood pressure during pregnancy is conducive to pre-eclampsia, and it may seriously affect the body organs like liver, kidney and blood vessels. Under such circumstance it becomes important to control blood pressure during pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes: Another frequent pregnancy related problem is gestational diabetes. In such circumstances the pregnant women develops a high blood sugar content that dissipates only with the birth of the baby. In this connection it is advisable for pregnant women with gestational diabetes to have the blood sugar content checked annually.

Itchy skin: Prickly skin is one of the problems in early pregnancy. A woman who has conceived feels itchy especially around the breasts and expanding abdomen. The primary reason of scratchy skin is attributed to hormones. Usually when the pregnant women's skin expands across the stomach it stretches, resulting in drier and itchy skin. It is essential to take care of skin at the time of pregnancy.

Fever: Within the first quarter of pregnancy, a woman frequently experiences fever. Slight temperature is normal during the early stages of pregnancy and can happen at any period. However, higher temperature during pregnancy is definitely injurious as it can result in fetal death.

Weight Gain: Gaining body weight is one of the common pregnancy related problems. It happens because of enhanced blood circulation within the body.

Swelling: Other problems after pregnancy is swelling. This may occur in different parts of the body like hands, feet and face, etc. Swelling is attributed to increased intake of fluid during the pregnancy phase. If a pregnant woman consumes less water it helps.

Backache: Backache is also among pregnancy related problems. At the time of pregnancy, due to the production of numerous hormones and one of these hormones is called Relaxin. This hormone is a prime factor in softening the ligaments and pelvis so as to ensure that that the baby moves out through the pelvis smoothly. Backache results in numbness, hardening and soreness of the back.

Cough and Cold: One of the most usual problems during pregnancy is cough and cold. This is because of the reduced resistance level of the immunity system during pregnancy phase. In the event of cough and cold being of serious nature, the pregnant woman should ensure the fetus remains secure. This is important as pregnant women's persistent cough could result in miscarriage.

Other problems during pregnancy which are common are sleeping problem. Sleeping problems during pregnancy result due to lack of proper diet and exercise. To overcome such difficulties, the pregnant woman should exercise regularly backed by an appropriate level of protein intake. They should also ensure that stress and anxiety are avoided and maintain regular sleeping hours and rest frequently.

With these tips common pregnancy problems can be overcome to a great extent.

Getting Pregnant Fast - Could The Law Of Attraction Help You Have A Baby If You Are Having Problems?


If you are a woman who has tried to get pregnant and is having problems, you know how frustrating and heartbreaking it can be. Especially when you hear about how other women "accidentally" got pregnant, or when you see beautiful babies at the mall, at stores, and everywhere else.

But don't give up! Getting pregnant with a beautiful child could be just around the corner!

If you believe in the Law Of Attraction (as stated in THE SECRET), then you know that if you focus on something, you tend to bring it to you. You tend to create circumstances in your life that mirror what you are focusing on.

If you focus on how little you have and money problems, guess what? Money problems tend to keep haunting you.

If you are having problems getting pregnant, are you focusing on getting pregnant, and on how wonderful it will be to have a baby, and on preparing your body to carry a new life?

Or are you focusing on "It's not happening for me!" Do you think "I can't get pregnant!" most of the time? Are you continually stressed out about how difficult it is to get pregnant?

I am not suggesting that women having problems getting pregnant can all suddenly "attract" their way to pregnancy. Every woman having difficulties should seek out a doctor to make sure there are not physical or chemical reasons.

But if there is no hard and fast reason you're not getting pregnant, which is the case for millions of women whom doctors tell "We don't know why" - could it be that you are focusing on how difficult it is, and attracting more difficulty? Could you be creating a negative mindset that tells your body, "It is hard to get pregnant," and therefore end up attracting that reality?

This is a question you must answer for yourself. But if you find that you are stressed out and overwhelmingly negative about your past attempts to get pregnant, maybe a shift in attitude and focus could help in the future.

Pregnancy and Flying - Is There a Restriction?


"Pregnancy and Flying" is one of the major concerns of moms-to-be who love traveling. Is it really safe to fly while you're pregnant? In general, flying is almost always completely safe during pregnancy so there's no need for you to change your travel plans unless your health care provider tells you so. If you have a healthy pregnancy, you shouldn't have to worry about being in a flight. However, the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recommends women not to fly anymore after their 36th week. The airline company usually sets its own flight restrictions and sometimes different rules apply for domestic and international flights.

Different airlines have varying policies regarding pregnancy and flying. Singapore Airlines and Virgin Blue can accept pregnant women up to their 35th week. If pregnancy is up to limiting dates, you should have a certificate of fitness for travel from your doctor. If one month has elapsed between booking and departure date, you need a new doctor's certificate. It must be issued no more than three days outside your departure date. Other airlines will not allow you to travel if you are just 30 days before your delivery date. Others are not too strict that they still let pregnant women to fly as long as your due date is not less than 7 days away. This is normally for domestic flights.

Make sure you talk to your ticket agent regarding pregnancy and flying and what certain rules apply to the airlines you choose. Don't forget to consider your due date when you choose the date that you will come back.

If you are having any sort of complications with your pregnancy, it is not advisable for you to travel. Women who have poorly controlled diabetes, sickle cell disease, placental abnormalities, hypertension are at risk for premature labor. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether it's perfectly safe for you to travel or not.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Is it Important to Obtain Maternity Health Insurance Coverage?


Do all of us agree that pregnancy is the most important stage in life for every woman? During recent years, the demand for a better lifestyle is getting higher. It has indirectly caused the cost of delivering a baby to be increased too. In general, childbirth involves certain health risks. It would be a wise step for women who are at the planning stage for pregnancy to obtain maternity health insurance coverage.

Is having this insurance coverage a MUST? Let's analyze all the costs incurred during pregnancy. Do you know how much a family needs to allocate to ensure a healthy birth of a baby? It costs at least USD 10,000. Isn't it costly? The expenses include:

o Fees for regular monthly checkups, ultrasound, prenatal care, obstetrician's consultation, etc.
o Delivery cost, surgery cost, hospital admission fee, etc
o Purchase of maternity clothes, healthcare products, baby products and so on.
o Additional costs when there are some complications during delivery, i.e. caesarean operation or premature delivery.

Especially during recession, it would definitely be a heavy burden to most of the families who don't have much savings. In order for all the mothers to maintain quality lifestyle, pregnancy health insurance is one of the best ways to take care of an unborn baby.

For "future" mothers who have plan on conceiving but haven't acquired any maternity health insurance at the moment, it is advisable for you to get a pregnancy health insurance plan. This coverage would definitely assist you to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy before and after giving birth. You don't need to be stressful and worried about the high medical costs.

Last but not the least, you are reminded to check your health insurance policy carefully. Bear in mind that not all insurance providers cover maternity care in their health plans for women automatically. If the maternity care is not covered, you need to request the insurance provider to include this additional coverage.

The Use of Reflexology in Pregnancy


When you hear the word reflexology, what comes into your mind? Most people merely think of it as a form of massage that only brings relaxation. To understand the exact nature of reflexology therapy in more depth, you would probably need to read a whole book. However, just to give you a general insight, reflexology is far more than just a massage. It is a technique known worldwide, which uses a compression-rubbing technique to massage areas called reflex points. These reflex points are linked to, and can influence energy to specific corresponding places in the body. Very often this energy flow becomes blocked or slows down and when this happens reflexology can clear, strengthen and remedy this problem.

Reflexology will bring about not only relaxation but also relief from stress, pain and various ailments. In addition, it helps by stimulating the different systems in the body particularly the digestive and nervous system. It is a holistic approach that induces balance both in mind and body. Some of the ailments that reflexology can heal are migraines, chronic headaches, sleep disorders, PMS, digestive disorders, back pains, and ailments that involve the respiratory system.

A little known benefit of reflexology therapy is during pregnancy, and in particular as a part of pre-natal care. Safe reflexology treatment may be given from pre-conception, during pregnancy and even after childbirth. This shows you how gentle and non-evasive reflexology can be. Some midwives around the world use reflexology and they report that it is highly effective.

Reflexology can also help couples who would like to conceive. Treating both parents-to-be will help them relax and reduce stress, which unfortunately is a common problem for couples when trying to conceive. It will also help them sort out any health issues at the same time, and will eventually help them to their best state of health for conception. Due to its balancing effect, couples can maintain manageable stress levels and aid proper sleep.

For mothers-to-be reflexology can bring about a huge relief especially during moments of back pain due to extra weight and posture. Reflexology can help aid discomforts such as high blood pressure, mood swings, fatigue, sleeplessness, morning sickness, back pains, constipation, pubic pain, heartburn, and leg cramps.

After the delivery, a reflexologist can help the body's shape return back to normal. Adjusting to normal life again after giving birth can cause much stress, and this therapy can also help here too. In the post-natal period, mother, father and baby can all gain benefit from this treatment. A weekly reflexology session is recommended, and you can even hold your baby and breastfeed while having the treatment. Mothers should know that reflexology can help with lactation difficulties, and it can cure mastitis or tenderness of the breasts.

Reflexology is safe and excellent for new born babies. The baby's body has reflex points too, although you have to be extra gentle when touching them. Ask your therapist for their advice; maybe they will show you the proper way to do it, especially if it is something easy. For babies ailments such as constipation, distress, and a colicky tummy can be improved.

If you plan to carry out any reflexology on your baby yourself, do make sure that your baby is always relaxed, warm and comfortable before carrying out any form of touch or massage, and be careful never to overdo it. Remember this is also good bonding time, so look into your babies eyes and talk to them. This is quality time. Do not underestimate the power of reflexology for you both. Be happy and relaxed and your baby will be too. There is much evidence that any regular massage of your baby will improve their immune system and ensure normal growth levels.

How to Get Pregnant - Fertility Help For Women Regardless of Age


It is baffling to many people even to experts why a good number of women find it hard to conceive. After all, conceiving and giving birth is probably one of the most natural thing here on earth. It is suspected that modern lifestyle has something to do with this problem. The physical, emotional and mental stress that seem to be an innate part of living in the 21st century is most likely affecting the ability of women to conceive a child in her womb. The number of women who are having problems in becoming pregnant increases every year. This is the reason why many fertility clinics have sprouted in the last few decades.

If you are a woman finding hard to get pregnant you must know that It may not be necessary to go to a fertility clinic immediately. You can first try some do it yourself fertility help methods that can help you get pregnant fast.

The first thing that you need to work on when you want to get pregnant is your diet and nutrition. Be sure that you are getting the nutrients that are known to provide great support to conception and giving birth. These nutrients include Vitamins such as Vitamin C and minerals such as Zinc which helps in better utilization of estrogen and progesterone. Folic acid is known to support a healthy pregnancy but it can also be taken by women wanting to conceive because it helps increase fertility. Iron supplements are advised for women who have anemia but still want to get pregnant.

There are several herbs that can help increase the fertility of women. Clover, stinging nettles and red raspberry leaf are just some of the effective herbs that can help increase fertility among women.

Group Medical Insurance Keeps Employees Happy and Improves Business


Businesses struggling in the current economic climate are seeking new ways to improve the bottom line, and group medical insurance is proving to be a beneficial tool for creating better business. From tax incentives to employee retention, offering group health insurance to employees can provide a win-win situation for both employer and employee.

Also known as an employer-sponsored health plan, group medical insurance is on the chopping block for many businesses that are trying to cut costs and keep their companies afloat. Because most Americans receives family health insurance coverage through an employer-sponsored group plan, the elimination of these health plans could result in major financial struggles for working Americans.

However, business owners who chose to keep a group medical insurance plan as part of their employee benefits package are discovering that it improves not only employee moral but also the bottom line. They are more likely to attract the best workers and are able to decrease employee turnover rates. As for improving business finances, group medical insurance plans pave the way for tax incentives.

Business owners who contribute to employee premiums or share costs with employees, can typically deduct 100% of premiums paid. In addition, it is possible to reduce payroll taxes when the medical insurance coverage is part of a total compensation package.

Having quality employees is vital to a good business, and providing group medical insurance is vital to obtaining and maintaining quality employees. Even if the business budget is tight, it is still possible to find an affordable medical insurance package that keeps employees happy, protected and performing well to benefit your business.

As an employer, you select a group health insurance plan and invite your employees to enroll. Typically, employers cover at least 50% of each employee's monthly premium, and can also contribute to dependent premiums. The remainder is paid for by the employee. If you want to provide health insurance benefits and you're able to contribute toward employee premiums, group health insurance is the way to go.

Compare all of the plans that are available to you before making your decision on which plan to go with. All of the top insurance companies in your area should offer you a good selection of plans. To compare plans from different insurance companies visit a website that can offer side-by-side comparisons and plan price quotes. Be sure to check that sites rating with a service such as the Better Business Bureau.

Five Things to Do After A Positive Pregnancy Test


There are a number of things you should do after you take a pregnancy test and it turns out to be positive. You can start stocking up on diapers and wipes, you can set up a crib and paint the nursery, etc. However, here are the top five things you should do after a positive pregnancy test:

1. Tell your spouse, friends, and family. It helps to get some people on your side. Many doctors will tell you not to let the news out of the bag until you are at least twelve to fourteen weeks along and you are past the point of the highest miscarriage rate. However, sometimes those first twelve to fourteen weeks are also the weeks where you feel the sickest and need the most support as your body transitions to pregnancy and often leaves you feeling ill and exhausted. So, get your support team in place. Make sure your husband or significant other is in place ready to pick up the slack on the days you just need to stay in bed.

2. Get anti-nausea foods, and foods to help you eat right. If you have taken a positive pregnancy test, it is time to throw out the junk foods, and stock your fridge with anti-nausea and high health foods. You will want plenty of fresh foods, lean protein, whole grain, etc. This will help your day to day health improve, and give your baby all of the vitamins, minerals, etc. that it needs to be healthy and born on time, etc. It is also going to mean you bounce back from pregnancy faster, have more energy and feel better throughout it.

3. Set an appointment to see your doctor. You will want to call your OBGYN as soon as the stick tells you that you are pregnant. You will want to make sure that you start getting treatment and care from the beginning of your pregnancy. This will help you avoid problems, will ensure better care for your baby, and of course get you all the perks like knowing for sure you are pregnant, hearing the heart beat, seeing the fetus on the ultrasound monitor, etc.

4. Rest up. The next thing you want to consider is the fact that during the later stages of pregnancy you will be uncomfortable and won't sleep well. After your baby is born, you will find that sleep is not something that comes readily, especially since you are going to be up all night with crying, feedings, and diaper changes. So, don't go into with sleep deprivation. Get your sleep bank as full as possible, it will make life a little easier for you in the long run.

5. Start taking prenatal vitamins. They may taste gross, and could make you feel sick, but they can also make sure your baby is healthy, and prevent some serious problems. So, ask for a prescription from your doctor's office, and take them daily.

Health Issues With Fast Food


Do health issues with fast food even matter?

There are plenty of people consuming junk food right now well aware of what's in it and what it will do to their health and body. I think a lot of people forget this. Some people completely bypass the health issues with fast food and just eat it.

So why do they do it? They like the fast food. Sometimes they like the junk food more than they care about their health.

Two major reasons for health issues not stopping people from buying fast food are chemicals and the environment.

There are Chemicals put in the food to make sure you come back to eat more, chemicals that are highly addictive. One example of this is high fructose corn syrup, which isn't only put in sugary foods, but actually many foods you wouldn't even think of!

The Second issue is environment.

By environment, I mean the environment some of these businesses create within their business. For example, not to pick on only them, but McDonalds has play places for children, televisions (in some) for adults, and large seating areas.

The McDonalds in my area actually compares to a restaurant. It has fancy lighting and very comfortable seats and so on.

Additionally, for some, taking the kids out to eat is the only family time they can actually get. It's the only environment where there is a lack of stress (sans dietary/chemical). I can really sympathize with this although it's on the sad side. I believe anyone can recreate their life to the point where they are able to provide a positive and nourishing environment for not only themselves, but also those they care about.

The point I am trying to make is that junk food isn't only about the taste of the food. There are many underlying reasons for why you or someone else eats it.

The solution is simple.

These companies are just satisfying the demand. As long as the American people and the people of this world demand fast food, it will be served. But if you take a stand, and demand healthy food, and demand that they improve their business, their service, they must.

The number one goal of a corporation is to make a profit. If the demand is for healthy food, it will be satisfied.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Mom and Baby at 36 Weeks Pregnant


BABY DEVELOPMENT

Your baby is packing on the pounds. With only one week to go until he/she is full-term, your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. At week 36 of pregnancy, your baby might be 5.9 pounds from head to heel, and he/she may be 18.6 inches long (or longer).


  • Your baby is shedding lanugo and vernix this week. (Lanugo is the downy covering of hair that has covered his/her body since the second trimester, and vernix is the waxy substance that has protected your little one's skin from the amniotic fluid surrounding him/her.)

  • Space is limited in your womb, so your baby is spending most of his/her time curled up with the legs and arms folded against his/her body.

  • Your baby's lungs are structurally complete at 36 weeks pregnant, and they are producing surfactant (a substance that keeps the air sacs open when your baby takes his/her first breath). If your baby were born this week, he/she would probably help breathing because he/she may not have enough surfactant in his/her lungs yet.

  • At pregnancy week 36, most babies are in the head-down position - the best position for a vaginal birth. If your baby is in a breech position, your caregiver may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," a procedure in which your doctor tries to coax your baby into the head down position.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that some researchers believe that your baby actually releases a signal to triggers labor? Some scientists theorize that when a baby's brain is fully mature, it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands, which start to excrete the hormone cortisol, which then alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone and results in labor. Other researchers argue that the baby's lungs secrete signals indicating that they are mature, as well as enzymes, which release prostaglandins - hormones that help ripen the cervix and help the uterus contract.

MOM'S CHANGES

At 36 weeks pregnant, you may think that you can't get any bigger. But hang in there - you only have four more weeks of growing left. Maybe even less than that! Your baby is full term next week, so he/she can arrive anytime after 37 weeks and be considered fully developed and ready for life outside the womb.

You may have gained up to 32 pounds by now (though some women will gain more and others less). Remember to try to aim for the recommended weight gain for your body size. If you are an average sized woman, aim to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy. Overweight women should only gain between 15 and 20 pounds, and underweight women can gain anywhere between 28 and 40 pounds.

Isn't it remarkable how fast your uterus and abdomen have stretched in less than nine months? When your pregnancy started, your uterus was only the size of a small pear and now it can hold a seven-pound baby!

Since your baby's due date is only four weeks away, you may notice that you are experiencing more Braxton Hicks contractions than ever. In the next few weeks, these false contractions may occur intermittently and become rhythmic and they may even get closer together. It might become more difficult to tell Braxton Hicks contractions apart from true labor pains.

Be sure to review the signs of labor with your doctor this week. You will want to know when he/she wants to hear from you. As a rule of thumb, your caregiver will probably want you to come to the hospital when you've been having contractions that come every five minutes (and last for a minute) for more than one hour. Of course, you should call your doctor right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity level, or if you are leaking amniotic fluid.

At pregnancy week 36, your baby may start to "drop" into your pelvis. This process is called lightning, and it typically occurs a few weeks before labor starts (for first-time moms). You may feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which makes waddling a necessity. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort. You will notice that you have to go to the bathroom even more frequent once your baby drops.

If you have been feeling very uncomfortable these days, you may want to go for a light swim. Not only does swimming render you practically weightless, but it may also relieve a lot of the pain and stiffness that are common in the third trimester. You may also enjoy a warm bath. (But remember to avoid the hot tub - hot tubs are not recommended during pregnancy because they can raise your body temperature to 102 F and higher.)

Helpful Tip:

Stay away from air travel after pregnancy week 36 if possible. You never know when you will go into labor, and you won't want to give birth on a flight, since complications can occur when you least expect them.

PREGNANCY 411

Self Induction Methods

At 36 weeks pregnant, it is still early for you to attempt any methods of self-induction. Your baby is still not mature and ready for life on the outside until next week, though you will want to wait until pregnancy week 40 before you try anything, due to the risk that your due date was miscalculated.

Remember that you should talk to your doctor before attempting any natural induction methods. You will not want to do any of these methods if you are having a high-risk pregnancy.

Natural methods of inducing labor include:


  • Nipple stimulation - The gentle rubbing or rolling of your nipples to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin (the hormone that causes contractions) is released when your breasts are stimulated.

  • Castor Oil - This is a strong laxative that may stimulate your bowels and cause contractions. Because this method probably doesn't work in many cases and the fact that castor oil can also cause nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration, we do not recommend this method of labor induction.

  • Sexual Intercourse - Making love may be the last thing on your mind these days, but sex can trigger oxytocin, which helps start contractions. In addition, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins (substances that help soften your cervix to get it ready to dilate). Sex is safe as long as your water was not broken. (You will want to avoid having sex if you have placenta previa, or if you are experiencing vaginal bleeding.

  • Walking - This is the easiest method of natural labor induction. Sometimes walking around and being upright gets the forces of gravity working with you and encourages your baby to move down into the cervix. There are no downsides of walking around. It's good exercise - just make sure you don't overdo it and exhaust yourself.

There is very little scientific evidence that will tell you how effective, or how safe, any of these methods are. If you are nearing 40 weeks of pregnancy, just try to be patient. Your baby will come when he/she is ready to.

Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy


Chiropractic during pregnancy is a vital component of prenatal care. This safe and effective form of natural healthcare not only helps lessen the aches and pains of pregnancy but also promotes a safer and easier birth. Gentle chiropractic adjustments done throughout pregnancy are beneficial to both mother and baby.

To understand how chiropractic helps pregnant women, it's necessary to understand the anatomy of the pelvis and uterus. The pelvis is essentially a bony ring, with two sacro-iliac joints ('SI joints') in the back, and the pubic symphysis in the front. The pubic symphysis is the juncture where the pubic bones are connected. The uterus sits inside this bony ring, and is tethered to the pelvis by three main sets of ligaments. The Broad Ligament surrounds the uterus and attaches to the sides of the pelvis on the inside. The Round Ligaments attach the uterus to the front of the pelvis at the pubic symphysis. These are the ligaments that often produce sharp pains during early pregnancy when a pregnant woman sneezes or turns over too quickly. The Uterosacral Ligaments attach the uterus to the back of the pelvis at the sacrum.

As the baby and uterus grow, stress is placed on these ligaments, distorting the structure of the pelvis, lower-back and mid-back. In addition, the shift in the pregnant woman's center of gravity, coupled with significant weight gain, causes even more stress on these areas, and on the surrounding musculature.

To top it all off, pregnancy induces the release of a hormone called relaxin. As you may have guessed, the function of this important and powerful hormone is to allow the ligaments which connect the pubic bones to relax and separate, thus allowing for delivery of the baby. However, the effect of relaxin is experienced throughout all the ligaments of the body, and is lifelong.

This explains why moms-to-be experience so much pain and discomfort, especially in the lower back. In addition, a misaligned pelvis can result in torque being put on the uterus through it's ligamentous attachments, which often results in malpositioning of the baby, into a breech or transverse position.

The goal of a chiropractor throughout a woman's pregnancy is to help keep the pelvis and spine balanced and properly aligned. This allows for the most comfortable pregnancy, and it ensures proper function of the nerves which exit the spine. This is crucial, because these nerves are responsible for the body's communication and coordination of all body functions, including the proper growth of the baby. Chiropractors restore proper spinal alignment by employing gentle, specific corrections called 'adjustments', which restore vital nerve flow and reduce aches and pains. Some chiropractors work with the round ligaments of the uterus as well as adjusting the pelvis to help balance the pelvis and uterus. There are various techniques specifically designed for adjusting pregnant women, as well as pillow systems which are designed to provide your tummy maximum comfort while lying face-down.

Chiropractic can lessen discomfort and make pregnancy more enjoyable. It can also help to promote a safer and easier birth, by helping to balance the uterus, which encourages the baby to be in a proper head-down position. Seek out a chiropractor who is experienced with adjusting pregnant women when considering chiropractic treatment during pregnancy.