Saturday, October 5, 2013

Tips on How to Get Pregnant Fast - Best Foods to Eat When Trying to Get Pregnant


'I don't know why I can't get pregnant?' If you have been actively trying to conceive a baby for over a year without success, it is a good question to ask. There are so many reasons why a woman can't get pregnant fast. One of them has to do with diet. If you are looking for ways to increase chance of getting pregnant, don't dismiss the idea that an appropriate diet can help very much.

Actually, there are many foods able to help you in your efforts to conceive quickly. When your diet is lacking in some vitamins, minerals and nutrients, it could have a knock-on effect of decreasing your odds of getting pregnant fast! What are the best foods to eat when trying to get pregnant? Here are 4 helpful tips about foods you need to eat more.

1) Foods rich in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Some women notice that their luteal phase (time from ovulation to the beginning of the next menstrual flow) is fewer than 10 days. This defect can greatly reduce your fertility by preventing implantation. Vitamin B6 (rich in folic acid) possesses the property to help lengthening the luteal phase. By consuming foods particularly rich in vitamin B6, you will increase your chances of getting pregnant. Foods high in vitamin B6 include tuna, liver, kidneys, sardines, banana, egg yolk, soya, sweet potato, broccoli and asparagus.

2) Foods rich in zinc

Zinc is a mineral that plays an important role in fertility and conception. Scientists have noticed that zinc deficiency can cause chromosomal damage. Furthermore, zinc helps the reproductive system to use the hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, more efficiently. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, wheat bran, pecan nuts and liver.

3) Foods rich in vitamin E (tocopherol)

Vitamin E increases fertility by promoting cervical mucus production and by increasing egg quality. Some studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation may boost fertilization from 19 to 29 %. Excellent sources of vitamin E include sunflower oil, almond, wheat germ, tomatoes and kiwi fruit.

4) Green tea

A few studies have demonstrated that drinking green tea regularly may facilitate getting pregnant faster. It is thought that antioxidants found in tea called polyphenols may help a woman conceive a baby by protecting reproductive cells from damage. In the other hand, some research has showed that high caffeine intake may delay conception. That is why it is recommended not to drink too much tea.

Put all chances to your side!

Putting in practice the 4 simple tips described in this article can help to some extent, but it is not enough! What do you need to do in order to help increase your chances to get pregnant fast?

How To Deal With Bad Circulation During Pregnancy


The circulatory system undergoes several changes during pregnancy. One of the most frequently-encountered problems which women face during the second and third trimesters is bad circulation in pregnancy, particularly leg cramps. This sudden stiffening of the leg muscles can sometimes be very painful. The reasons for developing such cramps during pregnancy are not clear; however changes in blood circulation during pregnancy, the stress on the leg muscles caused by carrying the extra weight of the baby are cited as probable factors contributing to the cramps.

While bad circulation in pregnancy does not pose a threat, if it is accompanied by redness, swelling or a warm feeling, you should consult your doctor. There are very simple exercises which could help you prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. Stretching your legs before you go to sleep could help in the reduction of stress on your leg muscles. When you straighten your legs, you must stretch your heels first and do some circular motions with your toes, clock and anti clock-wise. While doing the exercises, avoid pointing your toes.

The other thing you need to avoid is to remaining one position, standing or sitting, for a long period of time. Being in one position would restrict the blood flow and can cause circulatory problems. During pregnancy, some simple but effective exercises like walking promotes blood circulation. Leg cramps can also be treated with gentle massage or application of a warm towel round the legs

It is not uncommon to feel a bit light-headed during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that during this period, the cardiovascular system can undergo some very quick changes, with heart rate going up and the heart pumping more blood per minute. Even the quantum of blood in your body increases by 40 to 45%. During normal pregnancy, you would experience a reduction in blood pressure during the early stages. This reaches its lowest point some time in the middle of pregnancy and then starts to rise till it reaches normal level at the end of pregnancy. While the cardiovascular and the nervous system can handle these changes, at times it fails to do so and it can result in a feeling of dizzy and light-headed. So long as you do not faint as a result of this light-headedness there is no cause for worry. You just have to lie down so that you do not fall down and hurt yourself. If you are in a place where lying down is not possible, you could sit down for some time and try to put your head between your knees.

One of the ways you could prevent this feeling of light-headedness during pregnancy is to always try to lie down on your left, as then it is easy for the blood to flow to your heart and the brain. Here is some more information on the causes of light-headedness during pregnancy and how you can prevent them:

Never change your body position too fast. For instance, if you are lying down, do not get up too fast and if you are sitting, do not stand up with a jerk.

When you are stationary in one position, keep on twirling your legs from one position to the other. This will promote circulation.

Avoid lying down on your back during the second and third semesters. This affects the blood circulation negatively. Your heart rate will increase, blood pressure may drop and you may feel light-headed, dizzy or nausea. Instead it is safer to lie on your side than flat on the back.

Drink enough fluids and eat properly. When you do not eat well, your blood sugar level drops and result in your feeling dizzy and uneasy. If you do not feel like eating at the right time, keep on having small quantities of food at regular intervals.

Iron deficiency anemia is responsible for having fewer amounts of blood cells to carry the oxygen to your brain. Make your diet iron-rich so that you have enough blood to feed your heart and brain.

California Pregnancy and Maternity Leave - How to Survive 7 Months


California laws provide the greatest level of job protection and partially paid leave for pregnancy and maternity leave of any state in the U.S. Four laws combine to provide a working woman in California nearly 7 months of protection: Pregnancy Disability Leave, Family Medical Leave, Short Term Disability (SDI), and Paid Family Leave. But the partially paid leave means taking at least a 45% pay cut during this time. Buy supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant to help you survive financially if you miss seven months of work.

California Pregnancy and Maternity Laws

The California Pregnancy Disability Leave law protects your job for up to four months for bed rest, child birth, and recovery from child birth. The Family Rights Act allows for 12 weeks of job protected leave to bond with your baby. Should you exhaust your four months of leave prior to delivery, the second law gives you a fresh set of twelve weeks totaling your seven month total of job protected leave.

California Short Term Disability Insurance (SDI) replaces up to 55% of your income. It includes four weeks of leave prior to your delivery automatically. And if you experience complications and need to miss work before your eight month, SDI may replace your income during this time as well - but at a 45% pay cut. You will also receive benefits during your maternity leave for six weeks and longer if you experience complications in delivery.

California Paid Family Leave picks up where SDI leaves off and provides an additional six weeks at 55% income replacement to enable you to bond with your baby.

How to Survive 7 Months with a 45% Pay Cut

A 55% income replacement means a 45% pay cut. You can survive seven months away from work by buying supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant. This policy will help fill the hole in the California state coverage by increasing your level of income replacement. Both policies will cover your normal labor and delivery, as well as any time missed before delivery for medical complications.

How to Get a Cheap Florida Health Insurance Quote


Health insurance rates in Florida are some of the highest in the nation. Here's how to find the cheapest Florida health insurance quotes from top-rated companies.

Florida Health Insurance Plans

There are two types of health insurance plans:

* Indemnity plan - This plan lets you choose your physicians and pays for for all or part of your medical expenses. This is the most expensive health insurance plan.

* Managed care plans (HMOs, PPOs, POSs) - These plans set you up with a network of health care providers and hospitals, and pay for medical expenses within that network. Depending on the plan, you pay all or part of your out-of-network expenses. These plans are the least expensive health insurance plans, with HMOs being the cheapest.

Health Insurance Coverage

Whatever plan you choose it should include the following coverages:

* Hospital coverage - Pays for your room, board, and medical services when you're hospitalized.

* Surgical coverage - Pays for surgeons fees and other surgical expenses.

* Physicians coverage - Pays for your physician's office visits and your physician's hospital visits.

* Major Medical coverage - Pays for medical expenses from a catastrophic injury or illness like cancer.

In addition to the above coverages you may want your plan to include prescription drug coverage, dental care, vision care, mental health care, and maternity care.

Compare Rates

The best way to get the least expensive health insurance quote is to comparison shop. There are a number of online sites that let you compare quotes from different companies so you can choose the best quote and the best plan for your particular situation. If you have questions about health insurance plans, some of these sites even have a chat feature that lets you talk with an insurance expert online. (See link below.)

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Newborn Baby Diseases


Holding your new born baby in your hands is an experience truly unexplainable with words. The next step to taking care of your fragile little baby is to know the diseases related to a new born baby and the necessary steps to be taken to avoid further problems.

Jaundice

Most common disease seen in a new born is jaundice. Almost all the babies are born with mild levels of jaundice. But there is nothing to worry. If the disease seems to extend to more than 2 or 3 weeks, call your doctor. Jaundice in new born is common because, the baby's body as accumulated waste products. Normally, mother's body would have removed it, but now the baby's own body has to do this. So it takes time. That period is reflected as jaundice.

Erythroblastosis fetalis (Hemolytic disease of the new born)

If the mother has Rh negative blood and the baby has Rh positive blood, the mother's body assumes the Rh positive blood of the baby as a foreign particle. The immediate result would be to produce antibodies to fight this Rh positive blood. This doesn't however affect the first conceived child. The second conceived child which is Rh positive will be born blue due to lack of oxygen.

For this new born baby disease there are injections which will neutralize these antibodies and save the child from being born blue.

Viral infections

Chicken pox, polio, HIV and the list goes on. To prevent such viral infections, hygiene is the key. Nowadays vaccines have come up to save the diseases from affecting the new born. These vaccinations should be provided as soon as possible and the booster doses should be provided as well.

In case the mother is suffering from Herpes or any other STD, the baby has a chance of being infected by the virus while travelling out of the birth canal. Eyes are prone to infection this way.

Flu

Flu is one of the common diseases that attack neonates. Coughing, sneezing and breathing troubles are some of the common symptoms. This is sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Many safe and tested drugs are there to control flu.

Polio

A deadly and severely extremities deforming disease, polio attacks babies through contaminated water and food. Polio vaccine is an absolute essential and probably the only way to prevent the disease form affecting your baby. Not once, but the vaccine has to be administered twice an year within a gap of 3 or 6 months, depending on the age, till the age of 5.

Diseases of premature babies

Heart diseases are the most common premature baby diseases. Blood vessels closure (requires drugs and sometime surgery), brain damage, infections due to compromised immune system, eye problems, respiratory problems, etc.

All these are curable to give the baby a healthy and normal life.

Lower the Cost of Infertility Treatments With Subsidies From the IRS


Fertility treatment costs can seem daunting, especially if your employer's health insurance does not provide coverage for these procedures - as many do not. There are a handful of states that mandate insurers to cover infertility treatments, for companies with more than 50 employees.

The majority of couples live in a state without a such a mandate, or work for employers with less than 50 employees. If you fall into this category, Uncle Sam is willing to make your cost of infertility procedures more affordable.

Let the IRS Cut Infertility Rates

Un-reimbursed medical expenses such as infertility treatment costs are tax deductible. You can discount infertility procedure prices by offsetting tax savings. You have two options, but one is clearly superior:

Take an itemized medical deduction on your IRS Schedule A. Beware - the first 7.5% of your adjusted gross income will be subtracted from the total of your total un-reimbursed medical expenses to determine your amount of tax savings.

For example, if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 this means no tax savings on the first $7,500 of un-reimbursed medical expenses.

Use a Flexible Spending Account for Bigger Savings

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to realize tax savings on your very first dollar of infertility treatment costs, plus you may also reduce the amount of State, and FICA taxes you pay.

For example, you are in the 25% federal tax bracket, 5% state income tax bracket, and you pay 7.65% in FICA taxes. You contribute $5,200 to the FSA, and use the funds to settle your infertility treatment costs. You will lower your tax bill by $1,957.

That is a nearly 38% reduction in your cost of IVF, IUI or other treatment. Thank you IRS!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Can Chiropractic Reduce Risks During Pregnancy and Delivery?


Pregnancy is a scary time whether it is your first of fifth and anything that can reduce the risks of complications and ensure a smoother pregnancy and a healthier child should be explored. So can chiropractic really help reduce risks for both mother and baby during pregnancy and delivery?

Is Chiropractic During Pregnancy Even Safe?

Absolutely. Many, many pregnant women visit chiropractors during pregnancy each year. Ask around at your Lamaze classes or even check out videos online and you'll see it in action.

Beyond just being safe chiropractic has been proven to lower many risks associated with pregnancy and child delivery and comes with many side benefits for the mother to be too. Fathers might even want to give it a crack or should at least do everything they can to keep mommy happy and relaxed from beginning to birth too.

How Can Chiropractic Adjustments During Pregnancy Help?

Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy can obviously help mothers to deal with their changing bodies which are rapidly being manipulated out of place and to lessen the trauma the chemical changes produce as well.

Some mothers have sworn by visiting their chiropractor for adjustments 3 times a week during pregnancy to help relieve back pain and headaches. For others it has even been one of the most effective solutions for combating nausea, while for some it is almost essential for ensuring the baby is able to grow correctly and move into the correct position for delivery.

Why is Chiropractic so Important for Reducing Labor and Delivery Risks?

While babies are born every day, if mothers and fathers were really aware of all of the odds of something going wrong the would probably be frozen with fear throughout the entire process and certainly would be in no hurry to go through it again. Fortunately chiropractic can do a lot to reduce these risks, especially at the most critical time - during labor.

Multiple surveys from around the world from the U.K. to Orlando, FL have shown that chiropractic treatment during the 3rd trimester can make a big difference in the length of time in labor. If that isn't enough motivation for all expecting mothers to call a chiropractor right now, there is more. Reports show first time mothers experienced 24% less time in labor on average and 39% less for those who have given birth before. This means it is far less likely to be subjected to a C-section or dangerous forceps or even vacuum extraction.

Even better a study by a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Medical Association showed 3rd trimester chiropractic care enabled women to deliver in much more comfort. This has been documented at about 50% less need to painkillers for mothers during delivery.

Clearly a more mobile, less stressed and pained mother and a smooth deliver means a safer, healthier baby who gets the best chance at his/ her new life. Who wouldn't want that for their partner or child?

Mom and Baby at 29 Weeks Pregnant


BABY DEVELOPMENT

It won't be long now until you meet your little boy or girl. Only eight weeks to go until your baby is considered "full term" and less than eleven weeks until his/her estimated due date. At pregnancy week 29, your baby weighs 2.5 pounds and he/she is probably over 15 inches long from head to heel.


  • Your baby's head is growing larger this week to make room for his/her developing brain - which is busy forming billions of neurons every day.

  • From week 29 and onward, your baby continues to pack on the body fat. The more fat your baby has on his/her body, lanugo (fine, downy hair that insulates and regulates your little one's body temperature in the womb) starts to shed.

  • The bones in your baby's body are full developed now, but they continue to be soft and pliable. Your baby's skull will be flexible until the very end so that your baby can easily go through the birth canal during delivery.

  • You may have noticed that your baby has a regular sleep-wake cycle now. Did you know that he/she has started to develop REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep - aka, the dreaming stage of sleep?

Fun Fact:

If your baby were born premature this week, he/she would have a 90 percent chance of survival, thanks to the advances in neonatal intensive care.

MOM'S CHANGES

At 29 weeks pregnant, you definitely look and feel pregnant. Your uterus may be 3 or 4 inches above your belly button, and your pregnancy weight gain may be anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds, possibly more. You should expect to gain at least a pound or two with each week that passes until you deliver.

Now that you are in the third trimester, it's more important than ever that you continue to eat a healthy and nutritious diet. To meet your baby's increasing nutritional demands, you need to eat plenty of quality proteins (such as lean meats, fish, cheese, legumes, grains, and eggs), vitamin C, folic acid, and iron. You also should be drinking plenty of milk or enriched orange juice, because your baby's bones need a good supply of calcium to make them strong. (With every day that passes, about 250 milligrams of calcium is being deposited into your baby's skeleton. This process is called "ossification.")

If you're battling constipation, you may want to boost your intake of fiber-containing foods. This includes fruits, berries, legumes, and beans. You should also drink plenty of water and keep well hydrated. This may lessen your constipation and possibly prevent hemorrhoids (which are also quite common during pregnancy).

By pregnancy week 29, you may have noticed that your baby is rather active now. You may want to start paying attention to your baby's movements every day. Your doctor may even recommend that you spend some time counting kicks. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any abnormal movement patterns or a substantial reduction in your little one's movements.

Get some much needed rest this week and in your third trimester. Whenever you sit down or lay in bed, be sure to keep your legs and feet elevated. This may help reduce your edema (or swelling during pregnancy). Walking or light exercise may also help with swelling. If your partner is willing, ask him to join you on a short walk around the neighborhood. This will also give the two of you some time alone.

Helpful Tip:

If you have other children, you may consider hiring a babysitter for a few hours and going out on a romantic date with your significant other. It's important for you to spend as much time with your partner as you can before baby comes.

PREGNANCY 411

Benefits of Breastfeeding

At week 29 of pregnancy, you still have some time to decide whether or not you are going to breastfeed your baby, but this is a great week to start thinking about it. The decision is up to you, though most doctors do recommend that you breastfeed instead of bottle feed. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that moms exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life (though any amount of breast milk is beneficial for baby).

Breast milk is nature's perfect baby food, since it contains all of the vitamins and nutrients that your baby needs. Breast milk is also packed with antibodies (disease-fighting substances) that protect your baby from illness. Many studies from all over the world have proven that breast milk reduces your baby's risk of getting stomach viruses, lower respiratory diseases, ear infections, and meningitis. And when your baby does get sick, their illness is less severe than in babies who are bottle fed.

It's also interesting to note that a large study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services showed that breastfed babies have a 20 percent lower risk of dying between 28 days of life and one year old, compared to babies who are bottle fed.

Interestingly, research has also shown that breastfeeding's benefits don't stop. They last for the rest of your child's life. Breastfeeding can reduce your child's risk of developing certain childhood cancers, as well as lowering his/her risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

How does breastfeeding protect your child from so much? Well, breast milk contains a substance called "secretory immunoglobulin A," which guards against disease by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes of your baby's nose, throat, and intestines.

Breast milk is also individual to each baby, which formula just can't compete with. It's not only more easily digested by your baby, which may reduce colic and spitting up, but breast milk constantly changes and adapts to your baby's needs.

Researchers have also found a link between breastfeeding and intelligence. Babies who were exclusively breastfeed tend to have higher IQs and perform better on tests than babies who were bottle fed.

Fun Fact:

Breastfeeding helps contract your uterus after you deliver, reducing your risk of postpartum hemorrhage and it helps you lose that pregnancy weight faster!

Postnatal Depression


I can't seem to love my child, the problem I have isn't so mild.

'Baby blues' is the expression, the proper words are post natal depression.

The child I have I just want dead, I wont take her it'll be me instead.

The sweetness in her I can't see, Just a devil child that came from me.

The problem I have I cannot discuss, for I look at my child and feel disgust.

Family can't understand what I'm going through, why I feel how I do.

I think why oh why give birth to this thing, and have all the problems a child will bring.

I feel I should kill her and just get rid, why have the problems, why have the kid.

I feel I'm alone in the position I'm in, Does that make me bad and full of sin.

I can't find the love that I feel I should, I dont love this child and don't know if I could.

People stare and think I'm mad, They don't know how I feel, in ways I'm glad.

All I feel is guilt and shame, but I've been told I'm not to blame.

All I want is to love this baby, I might find it one day and get lucky maybe.

Please don't look at me and think I'm wrong, I've wanted to love her all along.

Don't look at me and think how heartless and cold, all I want is my baby near me to hold.

I can't help this feeling of being so low, please don't think of me as a stupid psycho.

Can You Use Green Tea During Pregnancy?


A lot of controversy surrounds women that are consuming green tea while pregnant. Drinking the tea in large amounts during the time of conception or during pregnancy could result in the body not being able to use folates in the correct way.

However, there has also been studies that say it is okay during pregnancy if it is consumed in moderate amounts. Taking green tea during pregnancy isn't a bad thing if you don't overdo it.

The biggest drawback of drinking green leaf tea while pregnant is due to the caffeine content. Doctors always advise their pregnant patients to limit their intake of caffeine.

While you don't need to cut it out completely, it is for the better if you do. How does this affect those women who enjoy the health benefits and taste of green leaf tea?

Talking to your doctor about the supplements that you should take while pregnant is important. Ask your doctor if there is a certain limit to what kind of multivitamin you should take and ask if it is okay to take a supplement with herbal extracts included in the ingredients. This would include an herbal green tea extract as well.

Many people drink coffee every day. Many of those people are just finding out they are pregnant and have to choose a decaffeinated brand of coffee. This is the same with green tea or any other kind of tea. The best way to get this herbal ingredient without the caffeine, however, is in an herbal extract.

A green leaf tea extract has a lot less caffeine than its counterpart of tea. The antioxidants in green tea may also help in the proper absorption of calcium and iron which is a positive addition during pregnancy.

Take care too watch your intake of any kind of caffeine while pregnant and consult your doctor about the multivitamin you would like to take. Specifically ask how much green tea during pregnancy is okay.

Get Started Losing the Baby Belly With Success - Tips From a Real Mom


I am a real mom with a 3 year old daughter and a 20 month old son. Losing the baby belly was a struggle until I finally took control to make it happen. I stopped trying to find the "perfect" formula and started doing what was right for me. I learned a lot along the way and I would like to share it with you.

1st Tip: Understand what must happen to lose baby belly fat. All body fat, including baby belly fat, is lost by burning more calories than you intake. The whole weight loss industry is built around this basic fact with an enormous number of ways to reduce caloric intake (diet) or increase caloric burn (exercise) or both.

Doing a ton of stomach crunches a day but eating more calories than you burn will still not get rid of the baby belly. Instead, you will have some fantastic abdominal muscles and you may even lose an inch or two around your waist due to your tightened muscles but they will still be buried under baby belly fat. Whatever path you choose to lose the baby weight must amount to taking in less calories than you burn whether it be through diet, exercise, or a combination of the two.

2nd Tip: Choose a realistic path for YOUR success. Every mother has a different personality and is in a different position in her life. Some of us find exercising easier than dieting and others feel the opposite. Some moms are incredibly busy with child care while others are starting to feel some flexibility as their children get older. Our lives as well as our children are always changing so thus can our diet/exercise routines.

You will have a much better chance of success if you are realistic about what you can fit in your life right now. Can you fit a simple diet into your day? Can you squeeze in some exercise while your kids are napping if you stay home or during your lunch break if you work?

For example: For me, I was not able to concentrate on any serious dieting or exercise until sometime after my son turned 1 year old. Before that I was just too overwhelmed with caring for my babies to focus on myself. When I was ready to lose the baby belly my choice was to introduce an easy diet then slowly start adding exercise back into my schedule. This worked for me. Your success will come much sooner if you consider what is realistic for your personality and situation.

3rd Tip: Dieting Tips. For a diet to be successful it must be what you like. Think about whether or not you like to cook/eat fancier gourmet type meals? If so, then choose a diet that is built on fancy recipes/meals, otherwise stick with a diet that consists of super simple foods if time-saving is your priority. Consider if you want the flexibility to plan your meals or do you like a meal plan that is already created for you?

Most of the dieting industry will try to sell us diets by claiming that theirs is the best. The truth is that as long as it is a healthy diet, they will all work to some degree and true success is going to come from you picking the diet that is best for you rather than the diet picking you.

4th Tip: Exercise Tips. The same goes for exercise as for diets. There are tons of different exercises that are beneficial to losing the baby belly, some more than others. The truth is that you will benefit from any exercise you can get so start moving as soon as you can. Here are some ideas for busy moms. If you work, look at your lunch hour. Is there somewhere you can walk? Is there a YMCA close by? If not, you can consider some early morning exercise before the kids get up or maybe an "exercise session" in the evenings that involves your kids in some way. Stay-at-home moms have the same options except that instead of lunch hours, maybe you have some time during your kid(s) nap.

You will be most successful at sticking to it if you enjoy it. Think about the different options. You can do various sports in the backyard with the kids, bike riding, gyms (my local YMCA has childcare), DVD workouts, free weights at home. I even used a free exercise video I played from the internet for a while. The perfect exercise is doing what you enjoy and what you can manage. That will give you the best chance of success.

Good Luck! Take control and make diet and exercise work for you rather than you work for it.

Health Benefits of Eating Fish


Fish is the most widely consumed meat all over the globe. All health experts agree that "seafood is good for you." Fish can be one of the best diet foods in the market. Fish is a low fat food with a high protein level that provides tons of health benefits. It has the lowest fat contents than any other animal proteins. Red meat usually contains the "bad" fats commonly known as the Omega 6 where as fish contain s omega 3which is known as the "good" fats.

Vitamins

Fish is a good source of B vitamins. Vitamin B converts the food intake of the body into energy in the cells, preventing fats to be stored in the body. The fish that are rich in oil produces vitamin A that gives us healthy eyesight and good for the skin, hair and nails. It also provides vitamin D that good for bone health, keeps bones and teeth strong.

Minerals

Fish also produces important minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium and phosphorus. It is also a good source of calcium for the bone health and strong bones. It contains Iodine and fluorine that boost the growth and development of one's body and enhances metabolism.

Protein

Fish is an excellent source of protein. It easily repairs and maintain lean tissue and used for body building. It can suffice the absence of protein from red meat. Our body cannot store much protein having daily or regular intake of fish can meet the protein needs of our body. Good source of protein can also contribute in losing body weight because it enhances the metabolism.

Low In fat

Fish is much known as the meat that is low in fat. Fish is the best dish for people who are under low-fat diet. It has a very low level of saturated fats which is not at all beneficial to the body. Unsaturated fat the fish reduces the cholesterol level of our body, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Omega-3

Fish is a good source of Omega-3, it is a nutrient that the body does not produce and must be taken in the body through fish. It is a polyunsaturated fats that is plays an essential role in the body such as:

繚 Protect the body from any cardiovascular diseases by helping the proper regulation of the blood vessel that prevents blood clotting;

繚 It is essential for prenatal and postnatal neurological development;

繚 Reduces the inflammation of tissues and avoids the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis;

繚 reduces depression;

繚 Avoids mental decline in older people such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

繚 prevents Asthma-children who eats fish has lower risk of having asthma and;

繚 It reduces the risk of cancer.

The fish's main health benefit is it suppresses the progress of disease. It is claimed that fish prevents such illness not cure them. Maintain a balanced meal of taking fish at least two times a week. Let yourself be protected against diseases by regular intake of fish.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Things to Do to Get Pregnant With a Boy Baby


I often write articles meant to help couples that are trying to get pregnant with or conceive a boy baby. Recently, I had someone email and ask me if I could just spoon feed her a list of things she needed to do to achieve this. She didn't want to do anything wrong or misinterpret some of my more general directions. So, in the following article, I'll offer a list of things that you'll want to do if you're trying to get pregnant with a boy baby.

Give Yourself Enough Time To Make The Changes And Efforts Necessary To Get Pregnant With A Boy: Many people who read my articles or who write to me want to get pregnant immediately. And, it sometimes works out that this is quite possible so that it actually happens this way. But, if testing shows you that you haven't yet reached the levels or time frame that is necessary, you are better off waiting until you get better results rather than going ahead and trying to get pregnant anyway. It's better to wait until you're sure instead of running the risk of getting a girl if you are dead set on a boy. That's why it's advisable to go into the process committed to giving yourself the time to seeing the optimal results. You truly only get one chance at this. Once you successfully become pregnant, your baby's sex or gender is set and there's no going back.

Don't Skimp On The Tools That Will Do The Job Correctly: Knowing when you ovulate is so very important when you are trying to conceive a boy. Guessing often just isn't good enough. And I consider many of the old fashioned methods to predict ovulation no better than guessing. If you just want to get pregnant and don't care whether you have a boy or a girl, then I suppose basal temperatures and cervical mucus might get you into the ball part of your ovulation. But, the ball park isn't precise enough when hours can matter.

I'm always baffled at couples who don't arm themselves with the best tools available. To me, these tools are reliable ovulation predictors (which I consider saliva testers) and good PH test strips to determine if you're alkaline enough to try to get pregnant with a boy. Without these tools (which aren't expensive,) you're sort of blindly hoping for the best without knowing if you are truly at your optimal conception date or PH.

Start With A Good PH Food List To Help You Become More Alkaline But Test Yourself To Be Sure Your Body Is Reacting As It Should: There's no question that I consider timing and PH to be hugely important in conceiving a boy. And a good alkaline food list is a wonderful place to start. It saves you a lot of time and aggravation. Some of the free lists floating around are just plain wrong, which is why it's important go get a good list and then to test for yourself. Every body responds differently and some foods are initially alkaline but then turn acidic as they are being digested. I can't stress enough how much testing is important so you aren't just guessing and making assumptions that might not be true or accurate.

Come Up With The Optimal Sexual Position Before You Actually Try To Conceive Or Become Pregnant: During most of the month, you can use whatever sexual positions you want when you are having recreational sex. But when you are having sex to try to conceive, you usually need to be deliberate and methodical. And, you shouldn't wait until the day to conceive has arrived and then just let nature take it's course. To increase your chances of getting pregnant with a boy, you want to use deep penetration. But, the position that best accomplishes this varies for each couple depending on many factors. So, experiment before your conception day actually comes so that when the day arrives, you already have this covered.

Understand That There Are Really Only A Couple Of Days Per Month That Give You The Best Chance To Get Pregnant With A Boy: I often tell people who are trying to conceive sons that you are generally better off if you are very picky about the days that you actually try to get pregnant. Having sex for many days around your ovulation day or when you see your optimal PH is not the best strategy.

Instead, you want to wait until you know that ovulation has happened AND you have a PH reading that is decidedly alkaline enough to encourage the Y sperm. It's important that both of these variables are present. If there aren't, then you are better off waiting until they are present. If you go ahead anyway, then you risk conceiving a girl, which, if you're reading this article, probably isn't your goal.

18 Good Things to Do When Someone You Care About is Depressed


Helping a loved one who is depressed can be very difficult. Sometimes caregivers feel helpless and unsure of what to say or do. Fear can cause helpers to be overbearing, hovering and treat the depressed person like a child. This is not particularly helpful for either the depressed person or the helper.

Here are some principles to keep in mind when someone you love is depressed.


  1.  Listen, listen, and listen.

  2.  Be non-judgmental but give honest responses

  3.  Avoid platitudes or cliches.

  4.  Do not treat the person as an invalid.

  5.  Try to be yourself. This is very important, as persons who are depressed can be very sensitive to changes.

  6.  If you can't be yourself because you are worried tell them so. Ask questions as needed.

  7.  Do not be afraid to bring up feelings, events or questions about suicide if this is a concern.

  8.  Engage in physical activities with the person, even simple walks can be very helpful. Be outside as much as possible. 

  9. Call the person at different times of the day.

  10.  Find out what the worst time for the person is and try to be available then.

  11.  Talk about other things beside feelings.

  12.  Keep conversations & activities short if the person appears tired.

  13.  Ask about feelings.

  14.  Do not be a martyr, take care of yourself.

  15.  Talk about your own feelings with honesty but do not say things like "I know how you feel, I went through the same thing."

  16.  Statements of suicide intent should be taken seriously. Encourage the person to call a suicide hot line or their therapist. Ask them what their therapist suggested they do if these thoughts come up. If unsure of what to do, do not hesitate to call the police to have the person taken to an emergency room for suicide assessment.

  17.  If suicide threats are a common occurrence, talk to the person's therapist (with permission) about how to deal with this situation.

  18.  Encourage treatment. Offer transportation and company to appointments; combine with a social event such as a movie or lunch.

How to Cure the Baby Blues


There are few things as joyful as the birth of a baby. Nine months of preparation, anticipation and planning for the future. During this time, the mothers body has gone through several changes, both physically and hormonally. Although these changes are perfectly normal, over half of all women experience mood-related symptoms following childbirth which usually disappears in a few weeks. In approximately one our of eight, the symptoms can last for several weeks or months.

Having a baby is a great responsibility that requires a commitment of 24/7. From the moment a child is born, your life completely changes. No longer can your needs come first. The needs of the child will always take precedent. This drastic lifestyle change, coupled with great responsibility and further enhanced by hormones, can be devastating. The strain may occasionally become overwhelming.

In 10% to 20% of births, the mother may experience what is termed as postpartum depression. In these cases, the birth is not considered a joyful event. The mother suffers feelings ranging from extreme melancholy to anger and fear. Postpartum depression stems from a condition known as perinatal mood disorder, which can manifest during the pregnancy or after the birth. This form of depression has several possible symptoms.

1. You may stop eating altogether or have an insatiable appetite.
2. Sleeping constantly or suffering from insomnia.
3. Anxiety or inability to function.
4. Feelings of shame or guilt.
5. Little or no concern for the baby.
6. Negative feelings toward the baby.
7. Inability to feel happiness with anything you do.
8. Thoughts of hurting your baby.
9. Thoughts of hurting yourself.
10. Thoughts of death or suicide.

Postpartum depression makes it difficult to function well, which includes bonding with your baby. It can cause the baby to have slower in behavior, language, and mental development, which makes it important to get treatment early. The earlier you are treated, the quicker your recovery, the lower your chances of repeat depression, and the less your baby's development will be affected by your condition.

In rare cases dangerous postpartum psychosis symptoms may occur. This includes hallucinations, feeling detached and having urges to hurt oneself or others. These symptoms tend to affect women who have bipolar disorder or have had postpartum psychosis in the past.

Postpartum depression may also cause a strain on the parents relationship. Having a baby can be isolating and self absorbing for the mother. Many couples do not survive the effects of postpartum depression, and the divorce statistics are high within the first years following birth.

Getting a Health Insurance Quote


How to know which plan is right for you and how to get your own health insurance quote online. With all the health insurance plans and options it can be overwhelming choosing a right plan. On of the companies that makes a process of getting a quote online is Anthem Blue Cross. Health insurance companies have been listening to its members and have come out with new health plans. Some of the more popular health plans are available through Anthem. They are ClearProtection, CoreGuard, Premier, Individual Lumenos, PPO Share Plans, SmartSense, Right Plan 40 and Tonik health plans. Every plan is designed to fit your life style needs and your budget. To battle increasing cost of health care Anthem health insurance has been releasing new plan designs that allow you to customize your own coverage. New plan designs allow you to pick your deductible, option to have or not to have a co pay, pick your prescription drug deductible, allow you to exclude brand name drug coverage, allow you to exclude maternity coverage and many more options. For example excluding maternity coverage for single male or 60 year old would be a good idea. Why pay for the coverage that you never going to use. Anthem health insurance quote allows you to stay in control of your heal care.

Health plans that have been release this year ClearProtection, Core Guard and Premier are becoming more and more popular. ClearProtection offer the best value in California for individual medical insurance. With ClearProtection you have affordable plan without sacrificing anything. If are covered no matter if you have to go to the doctor, get a physical exam, refill you prescription and most important is that you are always covered for any accident or illness. When getting your Anthem health insurance quote make sure to look for ClerProtection.

If you are looking for catastrophic and easiest plan to understand then CoreGuard is for you. CoreGuard offers some of the highest deductibles and some of the lowest monthly cost. It is also a very simple plan to understand. For example with CoreGuard $10,000 deductible option, once you meet the deductible you are covered 100 percent. You do not have to confuse yourself with maximum out of pockets, coinsurance and prescription drug deductibles. Knowing that the absolute worst case, you can be $10,000 out of pocket then Anthem health insurance quote pays the rest. It is infinitely better then not having anything at all and getting $300,000 hospital bill. Get your Anthem health insurance quote online and find out if CoreGuard is for you.

Anthem Premier plans are designed with family in mind. If you have young kids you are going to appreciate option of unlimited doctor office visits with a $30 co pay. You or your kids can go as often as you like and all you are going to pay is $30 and Anthem will pick up the rest. Premier plans also offer a choice of six deductibles to choose from. All Anthem Premier plans cover you for preventative care, doctor office visits, generic prescription drugs and once a year physicals before you meet the deductible. Even if you choose a highest deductible, which is $6000, you are still going to pay $30 when you go to a doctor or pay as little as $25 when you go to get your physical. Get your Premier Anthem health insurance quote online, compare plans and save.

Can Liposuction Help Me Lose My Pregnancy Weight?


As society continues to indoctrinate its members in the "thinner is better" philosophy, more and more women-especially those who have borne children and may still be carrying some of their pregnancy weight-are looking to surgical solutions like liposuction to help them get the body they want. In some cases, they want to reclaim their pre-baby figure; in others, they want to surpass it. If you are one of these women, before you get your heart set on liposuction you should know that not all abdominal fat can be removed through surgical means.

If you are considering liposuction and/or a tummy tuck to remove some leftover baby weight, you should know that there is more than one kind of abdominal fat. Some fat acts much like fat other places, such, as the hips and thighs, in that it is fairly close the surface, often right beneath the skin. This kind of fat can safely be removed through liposuction. However, some fat can be deposited in an areas known as the "omentum". This area is very close to the vital organs of the abdominal cavity. Because of this proximity and the risk of damaging the organs, most surgeons will not operate on that area unless it is a matter of life or death. In addition, the fat stored in the omentum is frequently used to fuel organs such as the liver. Without some fat in the omentum, the liver and other organs may not function correctly, and you levels of some hormones that fight stress and inflammation can drop drastically.

If you are absolutely determined to remove fat from your omentum and you shop around long enough, you may be able to find an unscrupulous surgeon to perform the procedure for you, but this is almost always a bad idea. The health risks are too great, the chances of successfully completing the procedure are low. Women who store the majority of their abdominal fat in the omentum are much better served to look at non-surgical solutions such as diet and exercise to combat their weight gain.

If you are considering abdominal liposuction but are unsure where the majority of your fat is stored, you can call around to various cosmetic surgeons in your area and ask them if they offer free consultations to prospective patients. Such consultations are very common in the plastic surgery industry, and they will give you a chance to explain your concerns to the surgeon. Together, the two of can work to determine where you fat deposits are and whether or not they can be safely operated on.

Low Deductible Or High Deductible - What is Best?


As a consumer, I am always trying to make ends meet. So I am concerned that I don't over-insure myself and my family. Some insurance is required by law, for example, car insurance. But do I need term life? Young families buy term life so that if something happens to one of the parents the children will be properly cared for and assured of a good college education. Do I need health insurance? Health insurance is only necessary if you get sick or injured, but we can never foretell that. So we do need health insurance.

One way to avoid becoming "insurance poor" is to take out health insurance with a high deductible. My advice is that we ask ourselves a question: "If I had a major medical catastrophe, how much money could I find to pay for it?"

If you have no problem finding $5,000 to pay the deductible in the case of a major catastrophe, then a $5,000 deductible is a good option. If you think you could only find $1,000 in a crisis, then $1,000 would be a reasonable deductible. People generally choose a deductible based on their ability to meet it.

Let's look at a hypothetical example of the variation in annual insurance premiums for a couple between the ages of 30-34 with two children under nine years (no maternity coverage):

$250 deductible - $1976 annual insurance premium

$500 - $1793

$1,000 - $1389

$2,500 - $1214

$5,000 - $ 965

$10,000 - $ 834

You will note that the savings between the $5,000 and the $10,000 deductibles are minimal. You only save $131 in annual premium but pay twice as much deductible. So it would be best not to go higher than the $5,000 deductible.

With the $5,000 deductible this family's monthly premium is $80. The difference in premium between the $250 deductible and the $5,000 deductible is $1,000. If you have no major medical problems in five years, you will have saved $5,000, which you would need to meet the deductible. And this is a very good plan.

Many folks think that going with a high deductible saves a lot of money. You do save, but sometimes not so much. Note the changes in annual premium for a 30-34 year old male based on various deductibles:

$250 deductible = $1,275 annual insurance premium

$500 = $1,120

$1,000 = $871

$2,500 = $772

$5,000 =$632

$10,000 = $498

The largest saving of $249 comes between the $500 and $1,000 deductible. Going from $1,000 to $2,500 saves only $99, and from $2,500 to $5,000 only saves $140. In fact, going from $1,000 to $5,000 saves only $239 per year even though you have added $4,000 to the deductible. So increasing the deductible does not produce great savings.

Up to the present time, with all companies, the $1,000 deductible seems to be the most cost-efficient.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The Individual Health Insurance


Health insurance is one of the must get insurances nowadays. This is because health insurance is becoming more expensive as the cost for medical health is also increasingly becoming expensive. It is a common experience for once in our lifetime to be hospitalized or for one of our loved ones to be sick and to undergo hospitalization. This would not be too hard financially if there is just enough money to pay for the medical expenses, the problem is if you still need to source out the funds since you barely live each day with your salary. If you are the head of the family and you get sick, more trouble is to come your way. You can free yourself from this unlikely situation if you avail of an individual health insurance.

Health insurance may be provided by the state, club or the company you work for. Individual health insurance is an insurance that is meant for individuals and not groups. You have to get this type by yourself. Health insurance cover hospital expenses meaning the cost of your room and services while being hospitalized. Surgical expenses, physician's fees during office visits are also covered. Other things that are covered are prescription drugs, mental health benefits and maternity care.

Health insurance usually come in indemnity plans or managed care plans. With indemnity plans, the insurance company will reimburse the insured, what he was able to spend on. There is more flexibility with this type of plan because you can choose your own doctors and pay the expenses. You won't have to worry about going over the limit for a specified amount per day. While managed care plans in individual policy provide a broader coverage. The insurance company already chooses the hospitals and doctors ahead of time. The policy holder will just have to select from a list before availing of their health insurance.

You need to rely on your own judgment when it comes to getting an individual health insurance because your school, group affiliation or company won't do it for you. Try to find an insurance company that has a good reputation and can give you the most benefit with a low cost. You can find quotes from the internet to give you an idea of your premium. If you are in doubt, ask the insurance company questions and look for second opinions because it is your money that's going to be on the line.

Mind the Gap - Constructing a Professional Resume After a Career Break


Thinking of returning to work after a career break? Before you start looking for a job, you will need to update or create a new resume.This can seem a daunting task if it has been a while since you were in paid employment and life has been more about diapers than database management. However, don't despair, follow these straightforward tips to constructing a professional resume.


  • Your resume is designed to give a recruiter a snapshot of your life and work experience to date. As such, it should be a living document that you are always updating and/or tailoring to the role to which you are applying.

  • The length of a resume may vary from anywhere between 1 and 10 pages (consultants may need length to detail their projects) but for most people, 2 or 3 pages is plenty.

  • Make sure your resume is concise and easy to read, recruiters view hundreds weekly, your most relevant information has got to POP!

  • Most importantly remember to put your name and contact details. Sounds obvious but you would be surprised how many people painstakingly put together the perfect resume but forget to include their telephone number.

  • You don't need to put your age and don't include a photo unless the application requires it or you really think it is to your advantage. It might make you stand out but might influence the recruiter's decision-making. If you do include a photo, make sure it's good quality and reflects your corporate persona. No glamour shots here!

  • Include all relevant qualifications with most recent or most relevant first. As your work experience grows, high school qualifications become less relevant so don't feel you have to continue to list every grade unless a school leaver or recent graduate.

  • List your work experience with most recent experience first and include the company name and dates of employment.

  • Include a quick overview of the company - e.g. "mid-sized financial services firm", "family run bakery".

  • Bullet point your duties. Concise bullet points are much more effective than lengthy paragraphs.

  • List your most relevant duties first. This might need to be adapted if you are applying for roles in different fields or you may need to have a number of differently focused resumes.

  • Where possible, list your reason for leaving a company (e.g. maternity leave, redundancy, looking for new challenge etc).

  • You might also like to list your most outstanding achievements. You can do this under a separate heading or under each work experience entry. E.g. "Voted employee of the month five times in a year", "I was instrumental in gaining a preferred supplier agreement with a large insurance company" etc.

  • Include references if possible as they strengthen your application.

  • Think carefully about whom you ask to be referee. You need to ensure they will give you a positive or at least a fair review. At the same time, if they are actually your best friend, a recruiter will soon suss that out too.

  • Make sure you prepare a referee by asking for their permission before putting their name and contact details down. If possible tell them the kind of job you are looking for and the kind of details you think are relevant.

  • It is not always necessary to include interests and hobbies. If you don't have much work experience, it can help to fill out the CV and maybe can add a bit more context.

  • Be aware that interests may be judged either positively or negatively by a recruiter based on their own likes and dislikes (consciously or unconsciously). If you want to include this section, make sure it adds value.

  • Spell check and ask some-one to read your resume over before sending it out. No point saying you have "excellent attention to detail" if your resume is littered with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors!

  • A good resume can mean the difference between getting the interview or not...if you are not confident in your writing skills, get professional help...it is worth the investment.

Gaps and Maternity Leave

This can be a tricky one if you have not worked for a few years. However, you need to ensure you resume explains your life up to the present and try to explain any gaps in employment because if you don't, the recruiter might see this as a red flag.

It is OK to indicate that you were engaged in home duties, on maternity leave or made redundant. Don't lie about this either because this becomes very obvious at interview. If you have held any unpaid positions of responsibility during this time (e.g. PTA chairperson) you might like to include these. Likewise if you have run any small businesses from home, carried out volunteer work or managed investments. Think about the relevance for the role you are applying for - helping out at the tuck shop might not be relevant for a role as financial adviser but might help a retail or customer service application. Writing a blog might not help your chances as a call center manager but could aid you to secure a copy-writing position.

Generally, keep this section brief, the intention is to explain the valid reasons for your apparent "gap" in employment without pigeon-holing yourself as a "cuddly Mommy"!

Breastfeeding and the Law


Earlier this month, which happens to be Breastfeeding Month, the well-known model Gisele Bundchen ignited a firestorm of controversy regarding her opinion that breastfeeding should become a worldwide requirement by law.

Gisele, clearly passionate about being a new mother, may have over-reached a bit, but her heart was in the right place. She retracted her statement a few days later on her own blog, stating that she did not mean to say it should be a law but that she was just being enthusiastic and that the statement was taken out of context by the press and media outlets. I mention this because I think Gisele has advanced an important conversation regarding the workplace and expression of breast milk.

Gisele Bundchen wrote on her blog. "My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law. It comes from my passion and beliefs about children. Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It's unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge. I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best."

Last week I wrote about how to safely store your breast milk while working, or away from your baby, for any reason. This week, my article is about the many challenges women around the world face, both cultural and governmental, when trying to breastfeed their babies.

The month of August is Breast Awareness Month. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring a campaign to encourage women to breastfeed. Despite all of the articles and books promoting the importance of optimizing infant health by breastfeeding, 70% of women will start breastfeeding immediately after delivery, and fewer than 20% will still be breastfeeding 6 months later. There still exist numerous cultural and legal barriers that make it very difficult for mothers to exclusively breastfeed. Women often feel nervous and embarrassed when breastfeeding in public and this will often result in abandoning breastfeeding.

A well known legal case in 1981 (Dike v. The School Board) is a perfect example of a discriminating situation that breastfeeding mothers may face.

Case Study

Janice Dike was a grade school teacher in Orange County, florida, who was banned from breastfeeding her child during her free lunch period. She claimed that her breastfeeding did not interfere with her teaching or her other school and work activities. The local court ruled against her, saying that it was illegal to breastfeed at the school. On appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, this decision was reversed. The decision stated that breastfeeding is a Constitutional right that cannot be restricted by the states. However, this ruling was again reversed in the case of Shahar v Bowers (1997) in which the Court stated that the Constitution does not address private conduct but rather that State laws should control a woman's basic right to breast feed her child.

What are the current laws?

There are Federal laws and State laws that protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers and provide a socially supportive environment. Mothers must be aware of the legislation that exists in their particular state to avoid feelings of discrimination and to alleviate any anxiety they may have in public places. States vary in their protection of women.

  • Forty-four states (and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands) have laws specifically allowing women to breastfeed in public and private places.

  • Twenty eight states (including the district of Columbia and the Virgin Islands) have specific laws exempting breastfeeding from public indecency laws.

  • Twenty four states (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) have laws that protect women when breastfeeding in the workplace.

  • Twelve states (including Puerto Rico) exempt breastfeeding women from jury duty.

  • Five states and Puerto Rico have breastfeeding education campaigns.

  • Individual states also have unique laws. Places like New Jersey and Hawaii allow a woman to seek legal recourse if she is unfairly discriminated against for public breastfeeding and states like Missouri allow breastfeeding only in certain locations and times and with appropriate discretion.

  • Women are permitted to feed in any federal owned building or property, regardless of state (passed in 1999).

  • Only Virginia allows women to breastfeed on any land or property owned by the State.

In my own state, Connecticut, there is a law that protects a woman's right to breastfeed her child in any public place and employers must allow you to breastfeed or express milk at work, even if it is a very small firm. This means that your employer must allow you to breastfeed or express milk during your meal or break period and your employer must make a reasonable effort to provide a room or comfortable location to do this (not a toilet stall).

Federal Laws

In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which now requires an employer to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express milk for the purposes of nursing or expressing milk for her child for one year. The employer has no obligation to compensate the employee for this time. The employer must also provide a reasonable space to do this (not a bathroom). An employer of fewer than 50 employees is are not required to do this if it imposes undue hardship. Also, this law is not meant to preempt any state law that provides even greater protection for a nursing employee.

In the past, other bills have been proposed in Congress to try to protect breastfeeding rights that provide for tax incentives for businesses to create lactation lounges for employees, minimum standards for quality control for breast pumps, and tax deductions for breastfeeding equipment and services. However, these proposals have not been passed.

US Policy on Breastfeeding

In the larger arena, in world policy, the United States has not been considered one of the world leaders in policy to promote breastfeeding.

Important international policies in the past included:

  • The UN convention in 1989 on the Rights of the Child which was ratified by every country in the world except the United States and Somalia. This convention provided a basis for governments, international agencies and other organizations to formulate programs to provide for supporting, promoting, and protecting breastfeeding.

  • In 1989, WHO and UNICEF issued a joint statement entitled Protection, Promotion, and Support of breastfeeding: Ten Steps to successful Breastfeeding that calls on hospitals and health care facilities to adopt practices to encourage and promote breastfeeding.

  • 1990, The Innocenti Declaration was created by participants of WHO/UNICEF policy makers meeting on breastfeeding held in Florence Italy that set targets for governments to implement by 1995 for establishing national breastfeeding coordinators and committees and ensuring appropriate maternity services protecting the breastfeeding rights of working women.

  • The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by WHO and UNICEF to call for action for all maternity services, freestanding or hospital-based, to become centers for excellence in breastfeeding support. Accreditation is granted when a center doesn't accept free or low cost breast milk substitutes, does not provide feeding bottles or artificial nipples and has implemented the ten step program to support breastfeeding. As of 2007 there were only 56 hospitals and birthing centers in the US holding the BabyFriendly certificate.

  • The United States breastfeeding Committee was established in 1998 (USBC) which works on advocacy issues at the Federal level. This is a group of 40 organizations which promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in the United States by focusing on national policy issues. The Committee attempts to promote implementation of the Innocenti goals of 1990 for establishing a national breastfeeding committee.

  • In 2001 the United States Surgeon General issued the HHS Blueprint for Action on breastfeeding to encourage, market and support breastfeeding in the community and allow for the health care system of the US to support the training of health care professionals on the basics of lactation counseling and management within hospitals and maternity centers, and to support facilitation of breastfeeding for women who return to the workplace.

For woman facing discrimination, complaints can be filed with the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/).

The LaLeche League International (LLLI) is also a valuable source for breastfeeding legislation. In addition, www.ncsl.org is a good resource for reviewing your particular states legislation on breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding a newborn infant is considered a mother's basic human right, to provide for a child's right to proper nutrition, health and care. The various countries have their own cultural, social, economic, and political norms, but basic protection guaranteed by government is essential to support women's rights in this area. With recent legislation under President Obama, the United States is finally trying to catch up by providing legal and social support to improve national objectives for increasing the percentage of breastfeeding to 75% at birth, 50% at 6 months and 25% at one year of life.

Even in the US, we have such a long way to go in terms of acceptance of this very natural and beautiful practice. Please take the time to learn the facts so you can participate in conversations about breastfeeding law, whether you be at work, in a social situation, or even while helping others learn how to successfully breastfeed. If you are a physician or lactation consultant, please know that this is the most recent research available.

The Best Hospitals in Dongguan, China


Dongguan is located in the Pearl River Delta and is a major city in China. With four districts, this metropolis has become an international industrial and major economic center, attracting enormous foreign-direct investment. This city has a pleasant climate and is known for its long coastline and seafood varieties.

Taking a look at the city's health care facilities, it is obvious that its enterprising spirit is not limited to industrial and economic development. Although the city has many well-equipped hospitals, only some major medical centers can provide services with English-speaking staff. The following is a description of two leading hospitals.

Dongguan City People's Hospital (Red Hospital) located at 88 Tong sand in Wan Cheng Bei Yu, came into existence in 1888 as the Chinese Rhenish Church Lifeline Hospital and has witnessed several name changes before receiving its present name in 1988. Investors poured a large amount of capital for the hospital's modernization. As a result, this medical center has become the largest integrated health care facility in the region. This-patient centered hospital is situated in a lovely area, embellished with beautiful gardens and immaculate lawns. It employs a large, competent staff; includes 1500 beds for inpatients and provides contemporary and holistic quality-health care in all medical specialties. Dongguan City People's Hospital has achieved the prestigious three, A-level rating by the Health Ministry, as well as the provincial honors of Civilized Hospital Award and the Advanced Unit of Health Award.

Their outpatient department, established in 1930, is well organized and has special acupuncture, massage, and ECG treatment rooms. The surgery division has well-equipped units assisting many specialties. There are 15 advanced operating rooms featuring laminar flow and imported instruments, all manufactured by global companies. The center is particularly well known for various transplantations, advanced cardiac surgery, laparoscopy, arthroscopy and hysteroscopy. Its advanced emergency department features emergency surgery, observation room, pediatric unit, infusion area, various emergency tests, first aid services and state-of-the-art equipment. Managed by 50 experienced professionals, this department is available 24-hours a day. Other acclaimed departments utilizing advanced medical equipment, include ICU, radiology and ultrasound. Telephone: 22223412.

Global Doctor Dongguan Clinic is another preferred hospital for foreign dignitaries and visitors. This clinic resides at No. 30 IEO International Block in Dynatown. Established in 2005, and owned by Global Doctor, the acclaimed global health care and emergency assistance provider, this medical facility offers comprehensive medical service in all major specialties including family medicine, dentistry and acupuncture. It employs experienced, foreign doctors and English-speaking staff. Medical consultations are available in various languages like English, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

The center also offers round-the-clock medical advice, house call services, antenatal and postnatal care and also conducts many occupational health and annual medical programs. The Dongguan Clinic offers good surgical services in all major areas and provides pharmaceutical, laboratory and x-ray assistance. It offers excellent emergency services through the Global Doctor Beijing Response Center and offers referrals, medical evacuations and repatriation. This hospital also has associations with international insurance companies and is a member of the renowned International Assistance Group (IAG). Telelphone: 22030011.

Trouble Getting Pregnant - 4 Effective Goals to Help End Your Trouble in Getting Pregnant Naturally


Are you having trouble getting pregnant? There are many important steps that you can take, to increase your chance of becoming pregnant. But it's difficult to get from Point A to Point B, without knowing what Point B is! Here are some of the objectives that you should have, in order to become pregnant quickly, naturally, and safely:

1. Increase your partner's sperm count and improve sperm motility.

This is of the utmost importance if you want to boost your chance of becoming pregnant. If your partner's sperm count is low or the sperm is moving like a snail, then you'll have difficulty becoming pregnant. By taking some basic yet effective steps, you can significantly improve the quantity and quality of the sperm-and thus your chance of having a baby boy or girl!

2. Reduce the likelihood of miscarriages.

Things that could affect your trouble getting pregnant could also increase your chance of having miscarriages if you become pregnant. In other words, not only should you focus on getting pregnant, but also on having a safe pregnancy. By taking certain steps, you can achieve that goal.

3. Work with (not against) the phases of the female body.

This is particularly important for women who have past what is considered the "prime" years for becoming pregnant. It's important first to understand the different phases of the female body. The next step is to take actions that will complement the changes that occur as the woman proceeds from one phase to the next phase.

4. Increase your ability to relax.

If you've had trouble getting pregnant for years, then relaxation could be one of the last things on your mind. However, it's absolutely necessary if you want to boost your chance of getting pregnant. There are several methods for relaxing, such as acupressure and acupuncture. Learning how to use them effectively will help to calm your mind and nerves. And ultimately, that will improve your chance to get pregnant.

3D4D Ultrasound - A Look at the Advantages and Disadvantages


When it comes to 3d4d ultrasound, there are a lot of things that should be taken into consideration. There are several different advantages of this type of ultrasound. While there are a few of these advantages that can be beneficial from a medical standpoint, the majority of the benefits that come from this type of ultrasound are not medically related. Many women desire to have this type of procedure done during their pregnancy because they are able to have a better bond with their unborn baby. Taking the time to look at the different advantages and disadvantages of a three or four dimensional ultrasound can help you to determine if it is right for you.

One of the most common advantages to having this procedure done is the fact that it helps to increase the bond that the mother and father build with their unborn baby. You can actually see the features that your baby will have before he or she is born. When you have this ultrasound done, you are able to see movements of the baby just as you would in real life. You can see things such as thumb sucking, blinking of the eyes, waving arms, kicking and other movements as well. This can really make the feeling of carrying a child more real. Just like feeling the first kick can help to make a pregnancy seem more real, as does a three or four dimensional ultrasound.

Another great advantage to this procedure has to do with the fact that you can actually get photos of your child in the womb. These are actually pretty clear photos that allow you to see facial features and other expressions. This can help fathers bond with their unborn child as well. A lot of times fathers may feel out of the loop when it comes to pregnancy. Taking the time to have this procedure will help fathers to be able to feel like they are more in on the whole experience, which can be a great feeling for expectant fathers. These great photos that you will get from the ultrasound will make an excellent addition to your baby album. Capturing the moments before your baby is born is a great way to remember the moments that you were pregnant and be able to cherish them forever.

Not only will you be able to capture these three or four dimensional photos of your baby, but you can even sometimes get them on video. This will give you something that you can share with your child when they are older. They are sure to find it fascinating.

While you can see that there are many advantages to having a 3d4d ultrasound, you should also know that there is one downfall. Most insurance companies do not cover this procedure; therefore it is usually an out of pocket expense for most people. Take the time to look into this option if you are pregnant, it is sure to be well worth the money that you spend.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

New Baby? Crying in the First Weeks


There is no such thing as a baby crying to "exercise its lungs" or because of it temper or naughtiness. These are the convenient issues raised for dodging the reason as to why your baby is crying, but they don't do anything to comfort your child to stop him or her from crying.

There are very few mothers out there who can calmly sit back and listen to their baby "exercising its lungs". You may even end up in tears yourself having tried everything you can think of to comfort your baby yet she still remains distressed. You end up wondering desperately if your baby is ill, or hungry, or even dying... You may feel so inadequate that you cannot sooth your own baby that you unavoidably become angry and resentful. This is a natural reaction and there is no need to feel like you are a failure or a bad mother because of it.

Keep in mind that some babies are more naturally distressed than others, and they would more than likely carry on crying even if your baby was in other hands. If you become tense you can and more than likely will transmit the feeling to your baby, making matters worse. You may have heard that over time you get used to your babies cries and will be able to recognize exactly what it is looking for, but in actual fact, spectrogram studies have shown that while there is a difference in pattern in cries made by babies with down syndrome or serious illnesses or brain damage, the sound pattern of normal babies however does not vary at all. Therefore, although your bay may cry loudly when in pain and niggle when hungry, they sound wave pattern remains the same.

The fact is, parents have to decipher what their baby is trying to tell them from obscure information. What happens over time with experience is that the possible reasons for the baby crying are gone through quickly by the mother and she is more likely to make a correct, educated guess as to what is wrong and were to comfort the baby as needed. While all babies are different, it helps to know the immediate background, as well as the experience before the crying started. Therefore, the more intimately involved you are with your child, the better you are able to read his or her distress signals.

Why Are Prenatal Vitamins So Important?


So, you have recently found out you are pregnant? Congratulations. Now you really have to start taking care of yourself and your new baby to be. In doing so, it all starts with taking prenatal vitamins. We have all heard that taking prenatal vitamins is important, but the question is, what type of vitamins are the most important? What should we be looking for?

There are many people who will say that taking prenatal vitamins and supplements before conceiving will help in the prevention of many birth defects. Others will say you can get beneficial effects by continuing to take them after you have had your baby and during the time you are breastfeeding. You should ask your doctor for more information and what is best for your particular case. They will even give you different samples to find the one that is best for you.

One strong word of caution on prenatal vitamins. They are meant to be a supplement and not a substitute for a proper diet. Never rely on prenatal vitamins for all your nutritional needs. Talk to your doctor about what foods you should be eating. Prenatal vitamins work better when taken along with a healthy diet.

Be sure to keep an eye on your calcium. An expectant mother generally requires 1,200mg - 1,500mg of calcium on a daily basis. Most prenatal vitamins do not contain this amount, so you may need a calcium supplement in addition. Many will only contain 250-500mg. Calcium is certainly important in the development of your new baby.

No two prenatal vitamins are the same; and many may not provide any benefits at all. Recent studies show that a pregnant woman's body does not necessarily absorb all of the nutrients provided by the vitamins, especially folate. Folate is extremely important in the baby's prenatal development. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina-bifida. Only three out of nine vitamins on average actually provide the amount of folate labeled on the bottle. This is not to suggest that the supplements do not have the vitamin, it just is not absorbed by the woman's body.

Some argue that it is better to take a prenatal vitamin prescribed by a doctor. However, this is not necessarily the case. While prescribed vitamins are ideal, many of the very same vitamins are available in stores and without a prescription. Ask your doctor about this if these aren't covered by your insurance. You may be able to save substantial money with a store bought brand. The most important things to consider are the ingredients in the vitamins, and whether they absorb quickly or not.

There is an easy test you can use to determine if the vitamins will be absorbed into your system. Put one of the prenatal vitamins into a cup of water. Wait ten minutes. If the vitamin is dissolved, or is very soft, it will be absorbed into your system. If the vitamin remains hard, it will probably pass through your system without depositing many of the nutrients it carries. This is important, so be sure to do this with any new vitamin.

When first starting out taking prenatal vitamins, you may experience nausea. If so, let your doctor know about it and take a different brand. I told my doctor about the trouble I was having and she recommended a supplement that I could buy over the counter. This vitamin was not a potent as the one she originally prescribed, but I was getting more nutrients because I was able to tolerate them much better.

Finding the right prenatal vitamin may take a little trial and error, but the benefits are great. Just continue to keep in mind that you still need to maintain a healthy diet. The benefits of prenatal vitamins are enormous and highly recommended, but good nutrition is still better than any supplement.

Undergoing Artificial Insemination? Steps to Take Before Getting Pregnant


If you are considering artificial insemination (AI), there are some important steps to take before getting pregnant that will lower your costs, and help you have a financially secure pregnancy. Before getting started you should understand how your health insurance program covers infertility and pregnancy, take advantage of the tax code, and utilize supplemental maternity insurance to create maternity income, and protect your pregnancy in case of complications, and premature birth.

Artificial insemination is one of the more commonly used and less expensive infertility treatment options. The average cost ranges up to $500 per attempt. With a success rate ranging for 5% to 20% you might expect to need up to need ten or twenty attempts before getting pregnant.

Know your Insurance Plan

Therefore, artificial insemination costs may range as high as $10,000 before factoring in additional costs for fertility drugs, sperm washing, and other diagnostic tests. Before undertaking your procedure it's best to understand how your employer's group health insurance will handle these expenses. Many insurance plans do not cover infertility treatments. Fifteen states mandate some form of coverage, but even in these states there are many loopholes and exclusions. Know how your policy works, and avoid nasty surprises down the road.

Favorable Tax Treatment

Most infertility treatment costs not covered by your major medical plan qualify as deductible expenses. You can deduct these expenses on your IRS form 1040 at the end of the year, or use your flexible spending account. Each has pros and cons that you should know.

The IRS limits your un-reimbursed medical expense deductions to the amounts above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. A couple with each person earning $50,000 per year would have an adjusted gross income of $100,000. In this case, the first $7,500 of artificial insemination costs yield no tax savings, leaving $2,500 in deductible expenses.

Your employer's flexible spending account offers first dollar tax savings, and helps you avoid the 7.5% hurdle noted above. But a flex plan has a use it or lose it feature. If you conceive after only a handful of AI procedures, you may lose your contribution if your pregnancy related expenses are not as high. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Supplemental Maternity Insurance

If you are otherwise healthy, and your infertility specialist seems confident that you will conceive, then consider purchasing supplemental maternity insurance before starting your procedures. You are confident that you will conceive and deliver a healthy baby. Why not purchase insurance that pays cash benefits directly to you when deliver a healthy baby? It is the one time in your life you can purchase insurance for a planned event. Take full advantage.

Supplemental maternity insurance can help you create maternity leave income. Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceed the premium you pay, plus you will gain extra security in case of pregnancy complications, delivery complications, premature birth, and more.

Be sure to apply for coverage before getting pregnant to lock in your maternity leave benefit, protect your pregnancy from the unexpected, and offset your artificial insemination costs.

All You Need To Know About The 6th Month (From 23 to 27 Weeks)


I have spent nights of reading and searching to give you this complete pregnancy guide. In this article we will go through fetus development, physical symptoms and infrequent symptoms. I did my best to simplify the presentation of this article to help you easily find your answer.

Fetus Development

Your baby's eyes can open and close and react to light, vocal cords are functioning, eye brows are forming now.
Your baby is still active, since he is still relatively small about 30 cm long and is comfortable moving, punching and changing positions.

He weighs around 2 pounds. The facial features looks like a minuscule newborn baby.

The lungs are not fully developed so a baby born can still survive but with intensive care. Remember though, every day spent in the womb gives your baby a higher chance of survival and better odds at gaining the functionality it needs to survive.

Common physical symptoms:

1- The baby's movements becomes more definite enjoy the punches from those little arms and legs.

2- Baby's hiccups become more visible from the outside:Fetal hiccups usually shows up around the second or third trimester. Fetal hiccups are reflexive and do not seem to cause discomfort. In addition, hiccups prepare the fetus's lungs for healthy respiratory function after birth and they help regulate the baby's heart rate during the third trimester.

3- Whitish vaginal discharge (Leukorrhea)

4- Abdominal pain: It is often when pregnant women experience abdominal pain, and most of the time doctors hear complaints describing pain in the back and especially abdomen. There are many possible causes of such pain.

The most common cause for such pain is that round ligament stretching will cause minor or even moderate pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy. A pregnant woman has to differentiate what is and what is not a cramp. A cramp could easily be confused with a minor contraction, which happens from time to time and is no cause for alarm. It is just a signal that the uterus is preparing itself for the upcoming birth. Severe or persistent abdominal pain during pregnancy is never normal and it requires an immediate doctor's exam.

5- Constipation: Constipation in pregnant women occurs due to hormones that relax the intestinal muscle and to the pressure of the expanding uterus on the intestines. Relaxation of the intestinal muscle causes food and waste to move slower through your system. To avoid constipation you must eat fibers, lots of greens and fruits. and drink plenty of water up to 3 Liters per day.

6- Heartburn: Hormonal changes is the main cause for heartburn during pregnancy. Hormones, particularly progesterone, can relax the valve that normally prevents stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus what will cause an irritation.

To avoid acid reflux, eat six small meals instead of three large ones. Abstain from eating tomato sauce, thyme, orange juice, spices and full-fat dairy products.

7- Headaches

8- Bleeding gums: hormonal changes are the reason of all our pregnancy problems. Pregnancy hormones causes a swollen gum that bleeds easily. Take a good care of your teeth and gum during those 9, long, months. Brush your teeth 3 times a day, floss and rinse with salt and water to ease any gum pain or bleeding.

9- Nasal congestion or rhinitis: Nearly every woman suffers from nasal stuffiness. that's because the high level of estrogen and progesterone circulating in the body bring increased blood flow to the mucous membranes of the nose causing the to swell. The congestion won't get better until after delivery but I beg you not to use any nasal sprays unless they are prescribed by your doctor. Always check with your Ob-Gyn even if the medication were prescribed by another doctor.

10- Increased appetite

11- Leg cramps: Most leg cramps are caused from the fatigue of carrying around that extra weight. Cramps can also be aggravated by the expanding uterus putting pressure on blood vessels. While some experts believe they are due to an excess of phosphorus or a shortage of calcium, magnesium or other body minerals. Your doctor might suggest you take magnesium supplement could decrease legs cramps.

Try following these instructions to prevent those annoying nighttime leg cramps:

1- Stretch your legs a few times a day, especially before bedtime

2- Rotate your ankles and shake your toes to increase circulation

3- Avoid sitting with your legs crossed

4- Avoid standing for a long period of time

5- Eat Calcium rich foods

6- Reduce your intake of phosphorus rich foods such as soft drink, processed meat and snacks

12- Mild feet and ankles swelling (edema): Most women suffer from Edema. This symptom is the result of excessive fluid accumulation around feet and ankles. Here are few tips to help you deal with normal swelling during pregnancy:

* Try to rest and lift your feet whenever it's possible.
* Drink plenty of water, up to 2 liters a day. The extra fluids will help flush out your system of waste products which may have increased swelling.
* Wear comfortable shoes.
* Excessive swelling that doesn't seem to ease down after many hours of rest should be reported to your doctor.

13- Lower back and leg pain: this is another symptom of expectant motherhood. The pressure of the enlarging uterus, which has been responsible for so many other discomforts, can also affect the sciatic nerve, causing lower back, buttock and leg pain. To relieve this pain you can try to exercise more often, practice pregnancy yoga or Pilates, pelvic tilt, swimming or walking. Take care to sit in a good posture and lift your feet from time to time this may help reduce the pain.

14- Itchy Belly: This occurs when your uterus grows and expands to accommodate your new baby and your skin stretches. Pregnancy hormones can also result in some itching during pregnancy as well as changes in your liver enzymes.

15- Enlarged breasts: For small breasted women, this could be the best pregnancy symptom ever. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause increased blood flow and changes in the breast tissue which makes your breasts feel unusually swollen, sore and tingly.

16- Fewer mood swings

17- Absentmindedness

Uncommon Symptoms

Numbness and tingling fingers and toes is normal in pregnancy and is thought to be due to swelling tissues pressing on nerves

Clumsiness: The loosening of joints and the retention of water, can both make your grasp on objects less firm which will cause temporary clumsiness.

Gestational Diabetes: It first may be noticed in the sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. It occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or the body is unable to process the insulin properly, resulting in high levels of glucose. Gestational diabetes occurs in women who have not previously had diabetes, and the condition likely disappears after giving birth. The symptoms you should watch out for are:

* Excessive weight gain
* Excessive thirst
* Vaginal infection
* Excessive fatigue
* Excessive hunger
* Blurry vision

In case you notice these symptoms please contact your doctor.

What to Expect for Labor and Delivery - Choosing an OB-GYN or a Midwife


Congratulations on your new pregnancy! You have an exciting journey ahead of you. There are many childbirth decisions to be made in the future, and the first step is deciding on a healthcare provider.

Do you choose a midwife or obstetrician? It's hard to know what to expect with either healthcare provider if you've never gone through childbirth before. A midwife often encourages a natural labor and birth while an ob-gyn is a specialist in the pathology of pregnancy - the study of disease - and provides a full service of maternity care, including emergency surgery if you need a Cesarean section during a difficult birth.

If you are interested in a natural labor and birth, but are unsure of what to expect with either forms of maternity care, it is important to begin searching for those answers as early as possible within your pregnancy.

The Differences Between a Midwife and Ob-Gyn

Medical training. An ob-gyn is a medical doctor who not only finished medical school, but also is required to participate for four years in an obstetrics residency program. They are board-certified. Some also specialize in other areas of reproductive care. They learn how to manage pregnancy, labor, and birth and may be more inclined to turn to interventions and/or surgery to solve a possible complication.

Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses and have finished a two-year master's degree in midwifery. They often have to perform clinical training as part of the midwifery program and have to be certified. They hold state licenses to practice in their state. They are trained to see labor and birth as a normal and a natural physiological process of the body. If you develop complications, they will transfer your care to a physician.

A certified professional midwife (CPM) or licensed midwife is trained to care for the pregnant woman in cases of healthy, normal pregnancies. They go through an accredited program and extensive hours of prenatal care and attending births under the supervision of another CPM. Licensed midwives usually attend births in a home, a birthing center, and sometimes in a hospital, depending on the state of licensure. Medical services. A midwife doesn't perform surgical services, but has many of the same duties as an ob-gyn. If you develop complications, they will transfer your care to a physician.

Here is what to expect from a midwife:

繚 Gynecologic exams, even if you are not pregnant

繚 Prenatal care

繚 Childbirth classes and education

繚 Childbirth, including the delivery of your baby

繚 Postpartum care

繚 Neonatal resuscitation and care of newborn

While most hospital midwives can offer pain medication during labor if you request it, they often favor a natural labor approach. Midwives use several techniques during a natural labor to help a birthing mother relax and work through the pain without medication. Some of those techniques can include taking deep cleansing breaths, massages, taking a warm bath, changing a laboring mother's position and using visualization and vocalization. Many women are surprised to know that some midwives can give epidurals in a hospital or birth center setting. Do your research to know what to expect.

There are other things to consider before looking into a midwifery practice. When you make an appointment to find out more about her services, ask how she handles labor and delivery complications. Often midwives partner with an obstetrician who can offer a higher level of medical care if necessary, such as performing a Cesarean delivery. Most midwives only take low-risk pregnancies. If complications arise, they will refer you to a physician, surgeon, or perinatal specialist.

Midwives can be a wonderful and safe alternative to traditional pregnancy, labor and delivery care, especially if you want a natural labor and birth experience. As with most aspects of pregnancy, it is up to you. The decision is yours.