Saturday, October 19, 2013

World Class Hospitals in Dakar, Senegal


Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal and homes National Assembly of Senegal. Dakar, located on the western edge of Africa is a major regional port and also a well-known commercial and administrative center. Dakar is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Dakar was the finishing point of the famous Dakar Rally ('Paris to Dakar Rally') up to year 2009.

Dakar has a number of hospitals in both public and private sectors. Nevertheless, health care centers of global standard with modern facilities are not so common in the city. Still some of the leading hospitals in Dakar are well equipped and offer good quality health service.

This is a note on some of the popular hospitals in Dakar.

The Principal hospital?is the oldest and most popular public hospital in Dakar and is located?at 1, Avenue Nelson Mandela, Dakar. This huge hospital established by the French Empire in 1890 belongs to the Great Colonial Hospitals, the world famous?network of hospitals in former French colonies. The hospital which was operated by the?Colonial Health Service with the help of French government has a small beginning as a military hospital and then, after more than a century of existence, developed in to an internationally renowned modern hospital that offers best and cost effective?health care service to a very large number of native and foreign people. They have also established a second general hospital in Dakar named Le Dantec?Hospital with more than thousand beds in 1912.The hospital offers modern medical service in all major disciplines and employs eminent doctors including some famous French doctors. The hospital has all sophisticated?medical equipment and is keen to keep international standard in all their operations. The dense vegetation and tropical gardens around the hospital as well as the comfortable rooms provide a very pleasant stay for the patients. This famous research and training center has a separate school for nurses and midwives in the same campus. Tel. (+221) 33 839-5050. Emergency Services Tel.: 839 5050 Ext. 5294

Clinique du Cap?is one of the major private hospitals in Senegal and the hospital is situated?at Avenue Pasteur, near old Palais de Justice. B.P. 583. Dakar. This excellent hospital offers high quality clinical, diagnostic and surgical service in all major areas of medicine like departments of general medicine, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, orthopedics, trauma, respiratory allergy, anesthesia, urology, rheumatology, proctology, radiology, plastic and reconstructive surgery and oto-rhino-laryngology. The hospital is well equipped with four operating rooms, maternity unit with modern facilities, pediatric and neonatology?unit with various incubators, Intensive Care Units and special adult ICU. Their general biology laboratory and reproductive biology laboratory?provide service in hematology, immunology, bacteriology, biochemistry, parasitology, hormonology, cytology?and Vitro Fertilization (IVF).The hospital has all sophisticated medical equipment needed to deliver effective health care which includes medical imaging unit, dental X-ray device, two mammography, three mobile X-ray, a bone densitometry?unit, an apparatus color doppler ultrasound, a helical CT.,two image intensifiers?for surgery and MRI magnetic imaging unit. Clinique du Cap offers excellent accommodation in spacious and air-conditioned rooms as well as various delicious dishes. Special Deluxe (VIP) rooms are also there. Their urgent medical assistance?service (S.A.M.U) is also remarkable with fully equipped ambulance and modern devices like cardio scope, respirator and pulse oximetry.. Tel. (+221) 33 889-0202

Clinique de la Madeleine?is another renowned hospital in the city that offers quality health care service of global standard. This seven-floor multidisciplinary hospital is situated at 18, Ave. Des Jambaars, Dakar. This modern private hospital has 70 beds provided in 50 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms. In these 35 rooms are single, five are suites and 12 are two bedded rooms. Clinique de la Madeleine offers effective diagnostic, clinical and preventive medical service in all major departments of medicine and their well equipped Department of Surgery with two operating theaters and one post-operation observation room provides service in areas like emergency surgery, elective surgery and plastic surgery. Eminent psychologists, dieticians, speech therapists and osteopaths are also practicing in the hospital. The operation theaters and allied rooms are equipped?in accordance with?the recommendations of the SFAR?and perform?720-800 regular and emergency operations annually, of which 30-40 % are laparoscopic. The hospital has modern ICUs?and 3 delivery rooms where about 1,000 deliveries are conducted?each year. Their pediatric unit is also noteworthy with various types of incubators and intensive phototherapy lamp, all manufactured by the MEDIPREMA. The Laboratory of Clinique de la Madeleine is remarkable with excellent service in hematology, biochemistry, serology, and bacteriology. The hospital has discovery room, radiology unit and hemodialysis unit. Clinique de la Madeleine is well known?for using the?latest medical technology and possesses all modern medical equipment ike cardiac and vascular ultrasound Doppler, Holter?ECG and Holter blood pressure, a helical CT, an MRI, stress test echo Doppler, ultrasound endoscopy, scanner etc. Tel (+221).33 821 9470/ (+221) 33 821 9476

A Fit and Well Proportioned Body is Considered a Symbol of Health and Vitality


BODY CONTOURING -
RESHAPING YOUR BODY

A fit and well proportioned body is considered a symbol of health and vitality. Body contouring is cosmetic surgery that reshapes or changes the physical appearance of the body. It is designed to bring better proportion to the body. Body contouring encompasses:

1. Liposuction to remove excess fat
2. Tummy tuck/Abdominoplasty to improve the abdominal shape
3. Treatment of excess male breast tissue(gynecomastia)
4. Body lifts to reduce excess skin, tissues, and fat of the body
5. Augmentation which uses implants or fat to increase the curves and contours.

1. LIPOSUCTION
Disproportionate contour is due to localized stubborn fat deposits which don't go of even with work outs. Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing localized or regional excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportions and ultimately enhancing your self-image. Liposuction is used to reduce localized fat deposits of chin, neck, upper arms, breast, chest, abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs and calves. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Liposuction is a safe and immensely satisfying procedure.

2. ABDOMINOPLASTY/ TUMMY TUCK
Some individuals especially females have an abdomen that protrudes in the lower part or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include heredity, multiple pregnancies, prior surgery and significant fluctuations in weight.
A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin and in some cases restores weakened or separated abdominal muscles. This creates an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

3. GYNECOMASTIA
Gynecomastia refers to "woman like breasts" in a male. Correction involves mainly liposuction, but in some cases reduction of the gland is required surgically. It reduces the curve and volume of the male breast and brings masculine form to the male breast contours. The excellent results have prompted plastic surgeons to offer liposuction for big breasted females to reduce the size with minimal scars on the breasts.

4. BODY LIFTS
With advancing age or after massive weight loss, there is a tendency for the skin to become very loose and hang down esp. over the breast, medial thighs, upper arms and face. These can be taken care of by excising excess skin and elevating the remaining skin.

5. AUGMENTATION/IMPLANTS
Areas which are deficient in projection can be augmented by putting in implants or by injecting fat. Most common areas treated with implants are: breast, buttocks, calf, male chest and chin.

The latest craze: SIX PACK ABS. It's for guys who want to look great at the gym or the beach. Also called "the abdominal etching technique", it tries to simulate the washboard or six-pack abdomen. It is a kind of precision liposuction.

CONCLUSION: Don't be "santusht" with your disproportionate body. "Zidd karo" and get your body contoured.

Maternity Support Belts - Reduce Pregnancy Discomfort


While you may not be familiar with maternity support belts, you are probably familiar with the aches and pains associated with pregnancy- especially if you have been pregnant before! It is true that women of all ages experience various aches and pains, but pregnant women experience them on a whole new level! Due to the fact that pregnant women have a growing fetus inside them, their backs are under constant pressure for nine months. It's no wonder that back pain is the one complaint expressed most by pregnant women. There are multiple side effects when one is experiencing back pain. These include sleepless nights, impatience, increased irritability and restlessness.

Relief for Pregnancy Back Pain

There are many ways to relieve pregnancy discomfort, but one of the newest ways available to women is by using a maternity support belt. Maternity support belts are cheaper than traditional ways women use to relieve their pain. Traditionally, women may visit the chiropractor, take prenatal exercise classes or even schedule regular prenatal massages. With maternity support belts those aren't necessary.

How Do These Belts Work?

When women are pregnant and their growing belly begins to put painful pressure on their backs they usually will take their hands and lift their belly up to reduce that pressure. Maternity support belts have been designed to help with this. For the belt to work, pregnant women will put the support belt on when they wake up in the morning and wear it all day. The belt will fit firmly against the belly to keep it slightly lifted throughout the day. Maternity support belts are not expensive and actually are adjustable so they will last for the entire pregnancy! Some are even quite fashionable and can be worn on top of clothing.

In What Ways Will Maternity Support Belts Benefit Me?

Obviously, the most noticeable benefit you will have is less back pain! However, there are several other benefits that you should be aware of too. Your posture should naturally improve when you wear the support belt due to the fact that you have removed your back pain. And, good posture also promotes healthy blood circulation. Another benefit you may start to notice is less bathroom trips. Since you won't have all the extra pressure on your bladder, it will be able to fill up more! It has also been suggested that maternity support belts help reduce pre-term contractions and reduce common pregnancy swelling!

Blue Shield of California Agrees To Cover Autism


Millions of people are affected by neural developmental disorders that all fall within the umbrella-label of autism. The effects can be devastating or mild. Many people with autism can still function independently, but some require early treatment and rigid intensive therapies. Due to the regular and expensive treatment that autism may require, many CA health insurance companies have declined to cover it.

For the past two decades, California health insurance has tried to avoid covering the treatment for autism-related problems. According to some insurance companies, the treatment for autism should be considered educational rather than medical. However, after a hearing conducted at the Senate Capitol last July 13, Blue Shield of California has conceded to cover behavioral therapy for autism-related problems.

California Health Insurance Faces Legislative Intervention Over Covering Autism Treatment

Darrell Steinberg, California Senate President Pro Tem, authored two of the senate bills addressing autism, autism treatment and health insurance in California. One of the bills, namely Senate Bill 166, required that CA health insurance providers cover early-intervention therapies for children with autism. According to Steinberg, the bill would make such therapy consistent in the insurance industry.

Senator Steinberg argued that prompt identification of autism and early treatment from the beginning has been found to be more effective. That alone could have a huge impact on the long-term medical treatment and supervision requirements for several decades.

When Will Blue Shield Of California Start Covering Autism Treatment For Children?

On July 11, 2011, Blue Shield of California signed an agreement that took effect immediately to cover a type of autism therapy that it previously refused to cover. Only Blue Shield members whose insurance policies are overseen by the Department of Managed Health Care will benefit from this, though.

Under the terms of the agreement, CA Blue Shield said it will not deny coverage for autism therapies, although it will consider the medical necessity of such treatments. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) or behavioral intervention therapy is the standard health care therapy from a professional therapist for children with autism.

ABA focuses on teaching children how to relate to others on a personal basis from an early age. It is a very expensive form of therapy that routinely costs around $100,000 annually. California health insurance companies know about the cost of this treatment and that is why they strongly oppose the mandate to cover autism treatment.

Will California Health Insurance Premiums Rise When Autism Treatment Is Covered?

Industry representatives say that mandating ABA will only lead to higher premiums for everyone. Steinberg contested that although the mandate will cost policy holders some additional out-of-pocket costs, it stands to eliminate a lot of future costs that would be faced without early intervention.

Twenty five states have passed laws mandating autism treatment coverage for children. Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to cover such treatments and California Blue Shield has agreed to avoid interruptions in care, and to expand access to health care providers. CA Blue Shield has only agreed to reimburse some policy holders for ABA treatments, though.

Learn How to Treat Hernias With the Belt


Hernias are a few of the several medical troubles that can come about when we least expect it. They do not always pose a risk and in certain cases they are nothing but an infliction to people. They are induced when items in the stomach are being pressed out through a weakened region in the abdominal wall.

It can create an uncomfortable feeling and through out time a bulge will might come out when the individual is sitting or standing in a certain position for long periods of time. But it ordinarily causes almost no pain - which makes it simple for the person to treat. There are operations that have the ability to be utilized - which will serve to remove them or you will be able to use something that is easier and more low-priced.

The hernia belt is a unique garment that was made to put on force to the abdominal hernia. For various people it can aid to reduce pain and to force the bulge back where it belongs. When put on every day it can assist to trim the risk that it might become complicated. Remember that only surgery is able to care for it. This is only fashioned to control it.

The belt has been constructed to push the tissue that is falling out and push it back iin the belly. Physicians can urge the patient to put it on in order to control it till they have the surgery repair or even to avoid a surgery. It will allow the individual to feel more comfy and to do regular things.

You will have the ability to purchase a few of these hernia belts at a drug store or you may acquire one through your doctor's office. They will assist to recommend a brand and the type that you should be utilizing. There are a few that come available with removable padding that will increase or decrease the pressure utilized to force it back inside.

Alcohol Consumption and Radiation Exposure


Several studies suggest that drinking alcoholic beverages, even in moderate amounts, may increase breast cancer risk. Regardless of the type of drink - beer, wine and hard liquor, all of these drinks contribute to breast cancer risk and as consumption rises, so does the risk. Women under 55 years of age with no other risk factors who have more than 9 drinks a week have a more dramatic increase than those over 55: they have a 2.5 increase - two and a half times the susceptibility to breast cancer of non-drinkers with no risk factors. Studies in France and Italy, where wine is consumed on a regular basis by almost everyone, have supported this connection. Women in these countries do have a higher incidence of breast cancer than do women in the U.S., though it is a fairly slight increase - only 1.2 to 1.9 times.

As with fat consumption, the main effect of alcohol in increasing breast cancer risk may be during the vulnerable stage of youth. More accurate information as to when and how the effect manifests itself is needed before any concrete recommendations can be made. Whether to stop drinking or not is unfortunately one of the many decisions we all must make based on inadequate information. The risk increase isn't that high, but it definitely exists. Although it may be wise for a number of reasons to discourage children from drinking, it is an area, like many in parenting, where you may not have a lot of control.

Another known risk factor for breast cancer is radiation. At least three major studies have confirmed that there is indeed a link between radiation and increased risk of breast cancer. The first study came out of one of the major tragedies of the 20th century - the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. The residents in the immediate area of the bombings died instantly. But it has become evident that those within a 10-kilometer radius of the bomb site developed far more cancer than others in comparable populations and researches began studying these survivors to learn more about the dangers of radiation. Another study composed of Canadian patients looked at women who had been treated for lung tuberculosis with fluoroscopy. This is a common method for treating the disease during the 1930s and 1940s. When the women were studied in the 1970s, they were found to have an increased incidence of breast cancer. A study in New York examined a group of 606 women who had suffered postpartum mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands within the breast) - and had been having radiation therapy averaging 50 and 450 radiation doses to alleviate their pain. They too had a rate pf breast cancer higher than that of the general population and the risk is radiation dose-related.

Radiation to treat cancer places us at the other end of the spectrum: very high levels of radiation are used, on the order of 8,000 rads. In these cases, however, the risk of radiation is far outweighed by the risk of cancer. For example, radiation is used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the lymph nodes. By itself and in conjunction with chemotherapy it has been responsible for many cures. However, some women who had this treatment many years ago are now showing up with breast cancer. It seems that radiation to the chests, which saved their lives, is now responsible for their second cancers.

It won't be surprising if some if the children treated today for cancer with radiation in the chest region will also eventually have an increase in breast cancers. It is unfortunate, but since radiation is probably responsible for their being around long enough to get a second cancer, a few of these patients are likely to have regrets.

Friday, October 18, 2013

How to Find a Health Insurance Maternity Plan That Fits the Modern Mom


The century has turned, and thank goodness for that-our last one was a tumultuous one for birthing moms. The 1900s saw countless practices that spanned prenatal care, labor, delivery, and post-partum care that are now widely considered to be barbaric. We developed birth-defect producing drugs to alleviate morning sickness, strapped down and sedated women who were giving birth, banned fathers from delivery rooms. The 20th century approach to labor and delivery focused largely on the role of the doctor. Yet, in recent times, the focus is returning to the expecting woman.

As the focus shifts away from doctor-aided births and hospitalized labor, the need for a health insurance maternity plans that address new ways of thinking has arisen. Just as women throughout the world have been giving birth without the help of doctors since the beginning of humanity, so also are modern women returning to choosing different support professional for giving birth (most commonly, midwives and doulas) and even different establishments for giving birth (such as birthing centers or the choice to give birth at home).

So, are there health insurance maternity plans that address these emerging conditions? Will a woman who wants a midwife to deliver her baby stand a chance at finding an insurance company who will pay the costs? In this day and age, is it always cheaper to choose traditional hospital care, or are there some progressive companies that have listened to changes in women's tastes?

Fortunately, many insurance companies are beginning to come around and offer health insurance maternity options that stray from the 20th century mold. The best way to find such plans is to take advantage of modern online rate quote search tools, which can collect data robust enough to determine whether flexibility in maternity care options is a priority for you.

Early Paternity Results With Prenatal Genetic Tests


In years gone by, obtaining prenatal paternity test results was a long and drawn out procedure requiring weeks of waiting for test results. Not so anymore. Completing a father DNA test to discover the origins of an unborn baby is quick and easy, and will yield results at lightning speeds compared to DNA ancestry testing of yesteryears.

Growing Popularity of Paternity Testing via Genetic Tests in Pregnancy

More than in any other point in history, women are seeking out prenatal genetic tests to determine the identity of their fetus' father. This should come as no surprise given that for women under the age of 30, 50% of all births are to those who are not married to the father.

The reasons for wanting prenatal genetic tests have remained largely unchanged throughout the years. Pregnant women have always been concerned about discovering the identity of their baby's father in order to ensure they are emotionally and financially supported throughout the pregnancy and after giving birth. After all, a man who is shown definitive DNA results of their upcoming parenthood is more likely to be involved in the pregnancy and in the child's life after the birth. Early results that don't require a lot of time are therefore highly prized among those interested in obtaining early paternity test results.

However, historically it has been a challenge for potential parents to get accurate genetic results regarding paternity during pregnancy within a reasonable amount of time. That's because old techniques for determining the father's DNA involved either waiting until after the baby was born, or by undergoing one of two prenatal potentially dangerous tests: either an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. These tests are invasive for mother and child, and increase the risk of inducing a miscarriage. As such, most have opted to wait, despite the impatience they feel.

Today's paternity tests, by contrast, involve simple, safe blood tests. They're so straightforward, in fact, that they usually require no involvement of a doctor. Some paternity tests can even be accurately conducted using home genetic tests. Together these factors mean more affordable and more widely available paternity testing - and an explosion in their popularity.

Yet there's a slight hitch. In addition to using a blood sample from the pregnant woman to analyze fragments of the fetus' DNA present in the mother's blood, a DNA test for paternity during pregnancy also requires a blood sample from at least one potential father. This can create feelings of awkwardness for some or all of the concerned parties. Nevertheless, more and more would-be parents are heading down the road of prenatal genetic testing to find out sooner rather than later who is going to be responsible for the unborn child.

How Early Can Paternity Tests Be Conducted?

Many soon-to-be mothers and fathers expend a lot of emotional and mental energy worrying about the paternity of their unborn children, making early paternity testing increasingly important. Thankfully, today's genetic tests in pregnancy can be done earlier in the pregnancy than ever before. In fact, prenatal blood tests that are used to determine the identity of a baby's father can begin as soon as two weeks after conception - even the genetic test kits used at home.

The even better news is that these DNA ancestry tests can be done safely and non-invasively. That means the risks of a paternity test contributing to a higher chance of miscarriage are nil. That's reassuring for those who want to ensure that satisfying their curiosity doesn't come at the cost of their child's wellbeing.

How Long Does it Take to Get Results of Genetic Tests in Pregnancy for a Father's DNA?

Those who are anxious to receive the results of father DNA testing will be pleased to know that the news can come in as few as three working days with some home genetic test kits. That's likely the reason why these quick, painless prenatal genetic tests are growing in popularity. In fact, in the US close to 500,000 such tests are ordered every year, which is a significant increase over years gone by.

The lower costs, earlier availability, and quick results of today's home pregnancy genetic tests will no doubt serve to boost interest in this type of paternity test in the coming years. If you're one of the curious would-be parents seeking answers, help has indeed arrived. You can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Health Insurance


Nothing is more precious to us than having good health. Everyday people are getting more aware of the importance of having good health in order to be able to l8ive life to the fullest. But as the saying goes nothing is certain in this world, we will always have uncertainties and surprises good or bad in our life. We do get sick once in a while flu or even some major illness, or get ourselves involve in accidents. What ever the case may be these events when they happen to us could deplete our savings or even push us to bankruptcy. With the rising cost of hospital fees, laboratories and doctors' fees it is now expensive and complicated. This is where health insurance could benefit us all. Yes, health insurance may cost a lot but having no health insurance at all cost more. Medical bills incurred from an accident could burn a hole in your savings. And in cases of cancer treatments, with all the doctors' check ups, laboratory tests, and chemotherapy that one has to go through it could ruin you financially.

Health insurance could help you pay for the cost of a regular medical check ups, surgeries, contact lenses and glasses and even emergency treatments. There are two basic kinds of health insurance plan, the indemnity plan and the managed care plan. Indemnity plan is also called the fee for service plan. It has wider freedom and flexibility in the choices of the insured. He gets to pick the doctor, hospital and laboratory and other medical service provider of his choice. As long as the medical service is included in the health contract. But, the catch is the plan doesn't pay for the entire charges, instead the insured shoulders the 20 % of the payment. This kind of plan covers only illnesses and accidents but preventive care like flu shots and birth control are not included. And coverage of the cost of prescription drugs and psychotherapy will depend on the policy and the company.

Managed Care Health insurance differs from the indemnity plan in a lot of ways. First, choice of doctors, hospitals, laboratories and other medical service provider is

limited to only those who have contracts with the HMO -Health Maintenance Organization--.Medical services is received only if authorized by the plan. If you insist on engaging on non authorized medical service provider then the cost of service or care provided will not be paid by the company. Preventive care and mental health treatment are covered by the plan.

Due to the rising demands for better and wider health insurance coverage, the health insurance is offering hybrid plans. Wherein, they combine the benefits of HMOs and indemnity coverage. The method is you can use the network of medical service providers that have contracts with the HMO but you are allow to choose someone outside of the network and pay for a higher percentage in the fee.. Managed Care plan also allows open access theory, where one can see a network medical specialist without any referrals from HMO.

You need to decide carefully in choosing the right health insurance plan for you and your family needs. You need to have a careful evaluation on what your family needs and extensive research for the right health insurance company that will provide for those needs. Keep in mind that the lowest premiums don't really mean it's the cheapest plan. Remember the cheapest plan is the policy that will give you the best benefits that your family really needs in case of emergencies and illnesses.

Fertility Supplements That Help You Get Pregnant


When trying to get pregnant, many times we can fail to conceive because our diets are lacking in the nutrients necessary for a successful conception and pregnancy to take place. Even when we are very careful about our diet and "eat well", our diet can still be insufficient.

When trying to get pregnant your main objective should be is to try and create the healthiest eggs and sperm possible, and in the woman, the most fertile environment possible so conception can occur.

Often, with many couples, an ordinary diet lacks the necessary nutrients a healthy pregnancy requires. The body knows this, and until the nutrient levels are there, doesn't conceive.

So in order for the body to receive the nutrients it needs to conceive nutritional supplements are often required to supplement even the best most carefully planned diets.

There are a wealth of supplements available. A short stroll through you local supermarket or health food store reveals an array of choices; Fertility Supplement, Prenatal Vitamins, Fertility Blend, Natural Fertility Supplement, and so on.

The key is not so much what brand you buy, although quality is important, but more important is that the supplement you buy contains all the nutrients needed for high fertility. To achieve this you may have to buy more than one supplement to make sure you cover every nutrient.

Whether you buy a single supplement product or you need to buy quite a few different ones, it or they should contain the following:

- Vitamins A,E,D

- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12

- Biotin, Cholene, Inositol, PABA

- Folic Acid

- Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids

- Calcium

- Magnesium

- Potassium, Iron, Manganese

- Zinc

- Chromium, Selenium, Iodine

- Evening Primrose Oil

- MaxEPA

After taking supplements containing all of these, apart from giving your body everything it needs to conceive, you should feel greater well-being and notice higher levels of energy. How these supplements benefit you in terms of you conceiving are as follows:

Vitamin A - For men, vitamin A is necessary for sperm production and production of testosterone. In women it keeps the cilia in the fallopian tubes healthy, and deficiencies in either men or women could lead to infertility and miscarriage. Vitamin A is a known antioxidant so it plays an important role in detoxifying your body.

Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, PABA, Folic Acid, Inositol, Choline - These vitamins usually occur together and are necessary for balancing estrogen and progesterone, as well as the production of sex hormones. For male fertility the B group is especially important. Vitamin B5 is needed for the testes to be healthy, high sperm count and motility require Vitamin B12, and Inositol is needed for a healthy prostate gland. A deficiency in Vitamin B can result in a miscarriage or risk of the baby being stillborn.

Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids - Because Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant it works to eliminate toxins in your system, like lead for example. Vitamin C encourages ovulation in women who haven't been producing eggs and who may be anovular. In men it prevents the sperm from clumping. However a deficiency of Vitamin C during the period of conception and early pregnancy can result in a miscarriage.

Calcium - You need calcium for producing fertile mucus in the vagina. You know it's fertile when it is stretchy. Calcium deficiency can result in toxemia while pregnant.

Magnesium - Estrogen and Progesterone require Magnesium if they are to be produced. If a woman has a Magnesium deficiency the muscle contractions of the Fallopian Tubes can be affected, interfering with the movement of eggs and sperm within the uterus. You know you have a Magnesium deficiency if you crave sugary foods, chocolate in particular.

Potassium - Potassium is necessary for sperm motility and the general wellbeing of glands. Iron - Iron is essential for hemoglobin production and the correct formation of fetal blood. Without enough iron infertility can result.

Manganese - Manganese is involved with building and breaking down genetic material, like nucleic acids. It also plays a part in the secretions from glands that affect a womans' maternal instinct, her desire to love and nurture her child. Deficiencies in Manganese reduce sperm count and can result in infertility.

Zinc - Zinc is required for a healthy sperm count and for the sperm to be well formed. Zinc deficiency can result in chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm and low levels of testosterone. For women, low zinc can lead to a miscarriage. Whether male or female zinc is very important to your reproductive health.

Chromium - Chromium helps with glucose metabolism, which stabilizes blood sugar levels.

Selenium - Healthy levels of Selenium help males with sperm production and motility. It is a known antioxidant and can help remove toxins from the body. Low levels of Selenium reduce sperm production and sperm motility.

Iodine - The thyroid gland the balance of hormones in the body and for it to function properly it needs Iodine. When a woman has a thyroid gland that is not sufficiently active she may not ovulate during her cycle.

Evening Primrose Oil and MaxEPA - These two contain Omega 3 essential fatty acids which are important for providing what body needs for building cell membranes and body structures. They are also necessary for correct hormone balance and prostaglandin production. In females they help with bloodflow in the uterus. Deficiencies of essential fatty acids can lead to chromosomal defects and miscarriage.

Search your local health food store or supermarket for a supplement product or a combination of products that contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids mentioned above. Taking the recommended daily doses of these will provide your body with all the nutrients it needs for it to become a highly fertile environment where conception can occur.

Copyright 2006 Helene Kvist

Financial Help Programs That Pregnant Women Can Take Advantage Of


Most people often said that a woman becomes complete only after giving birth to her child. Pregnancy, on a certain aspect can bring upon the great feeling of being a mother. Usually, a mother will have some great future dreams for her children. On the other hand, the problem of raising a child brings out the financial aspect of pregnancy into focus.

A pregnant woman may worry about where to get the money she will need in paying medical expenses, health insurance, and other costs associated with pregnancy. She has to experience a very difficult time emotionally, physically and mentally during the stage of pregnancy. She might need financial security to lessen the prenatal burden and must prepare for the baby and also care for the baby. There are several financial and medical institutions that are established to provide some financial help for women. Unfortunately, if a woman is worried about this, there are numerous institutions that provide financial help for pregnant women.

The Importance of Financial Assistance for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is associated with various factors such as prenatal care, preparation for the arrival of the new baby, and the care of the baby. There are some people who are not aware of the numerous organizations that provide financial assistance for pregnancy. From prenatal care to the important things that are necessary for baby's care and food for your child, all can be received.

However, there are numerous financial aid programs offered to help women who need financial assistance. Organizations such as local health departments, community clinics, and child welfare offices are providing medical and financial assistance to pregnant women.

There are numerous charitable organizations in the United States that help the needy pregnant women. They are managed by local support groups to women centers. These people will assist you with food, clothing, different baby items and, even money in some emergency situation. There are many crisis pregnancy centers that provide all the items necessary in the time of your pregnancy. They also guide pregnant women who choose to place their baby for adoption.

Financial institutions help women in getting health insurance benefits, especially for those children under the age of 18 who do not have insurance. One of the most common programs which provide assistance to pregnant women is known as Women, Infants and Children or WIC. It is considered as one of the best resources for financial aid. This organization does not give cash but does much more that that because it provides coupons for free food. These coupons give cheese, eggs, milk, juice, and cereal. In addition to that, WIC will continue providing and that updating you on single parent grants and financial aids with food, if you do breast feeding, or formula if your bottle feeding.

In addition, there are government benefit programs and local family court system can also grant you child support. If your pregnancy is unplanned, you need to contact your local social service agencies to further discuss your eligibility for the desired grants for single mothers that the government offers.

Most pregnant women may think whether there is any kind of financial help for pregnancy. Fortunately, there is financial help for pregnant women. The best place to start if you are seeking for financial help is the local health department in your area. Pregnant women should keep in mind that there financial programs are always available, it is best to contact the local places or visit their websites to ask for help. Therefore, make sure to give correct and detailed information while applying for these financial grants.

Pregnancy After Miscarriage - Top 5 Tips For Preparing to Get Pregnant After a Miscarriage


Most women are eager to get pregnant again after experiencing a miscarriage. While this is not a bad thing to do, you want to ensure that you are healthy and emotionally ready for another pregnancy before you try to conceive another baby again. This article will discuss 5 tips that will help prepare you for pregnancy after miscarriage.

Tip #1 - Vitamins & Diet...
After your miscarriage it is important that you continue to take your prenatal vitamins especially if you are trying to conceive another baby. You should also ensure that your diet is healthy and contains a lot of fruits and fibre, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, vegetables, milk, and so on. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages including, but not limited to, the following; coffee, sodas, energy drinks and so on. Eliminate stuff like nicotine and tobacco completely is you are attempting to conceive again.

Tip #2 - Exercise Routine...
Once your health care provider gives you the go ahead, you should start to perform your exercise routine again. You will need to put your body into a toned shape in preparation for pregnancy after miscarriage. You want to aim for strength-training exercises that you will perform at least two times per week. You also need to perform 30 minutes of cardio at least 5 days in a week. You could consider relaxation exercise routines like yoga or meditation if you are completely stressed out. Discontinue exercise routines that cause you too much pains and remember to take it easy.

Tip #3 - Switch Doctors...
This is not mandatory and may, in fact, be unnecessary, but if you feel a need to change doctors for your next pregnancy, then you need to begin to look for one right about now. You could search on the Internet for review about doctors in your area, or you could inquire about an OB/GYN recommendation from your co-workers, friends or even your neighbors. Set up an appointment to meet with prospective candidates once you have a few recommendations; this should allow you to decide on which one of them makes you feel the most comfortable.

Tip #4 - Sort Out Any Outstanding Health Issues...
You want to endeavor to take care of health issues that may be outstanding; these may include tests, immunizations and treatments which your health care provider may recommend. If you need to, you should also get your teeth cleaned and take care of all other dental problems. Research indicates that some of the causes of pregnancy complications are related to periodontal diseases.

Tip #5 - Prep Up Emotionally...
This tip is probably the most important one of all; you need to be sure that you are emotionally prepared for another pregnancy after miscarriage. This is due to the fact that there are emotional ups and downs related to a miscarriage, and you really need to allow yourself time to grieve before embarking on another pregnancy term. You should ensure that you have friends and family around you who are supportive and who you can talk to. You can also join a support group online or offline - you should avoid bottling up those feelings; you need to let it out.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Prodigy of Rebirth in Sylvia Plath's Ariel


I am in limbo between the old world and the very uncertain and rather grim new( Wagner Martin120)

In quest of an ideal ego, the poetess in spite of living in a world of haphazard and menacing events has courageously undergone a kind of renaissance both in her life and works to exhort the gratification of her own self. Longing for real fulfillment, Sylvia Plath finds it inescapably unavoidable to initiate a metabolism which has been turned out to be the Rebirth motif in most of her Ariel poems later on. She as "the Goddess of the cauldron of poetic inspiration" (Wagner Martin 114), pioneers the process of Rebirth by summoning the resurrection into her new collection poetry, Ariel. The poems with open-ended suspense that have been derived from their creator's inner being are appropriate spectacle to be deconstructed. The moral investigation of this new challenging world of poetry offers the essential scope for the persona to extinguish her repressed shrieks and agonies of her past. The arduous persistence over details furnishes the poems with such vitality that the readers are trapped in the participation of both objective and subjective atmosphere presented in these frameworks. In Ariel, Plath correlates the notion of Rebirth with maternity and motherhood. Old self could be exemplary of maternal dominance and contamination by others while the new emerged self is free and liberated in contrast to the early dependent one.

Clashes of Maternity and Motherhood

Love set you going like a fat gold watch.

The midwife slapped your foot-soles, and your bald cry

Took its place among the elements. (CP 156)

When one recalls the notion of Mother, the first projection to be impressed by is the devoted act of love and mercy. Knowing the fact that Plath's bipolar disorder and post-partum depression intensified after her pregnancy, thus this matter could be looked upon as her agonized attitude towards coition and conception. It demands contemplation that pregnancy equals losing identity in some sense. Reproducing a creature that sucks one's own blood and inherits some genetic characteristic is accurately the same so-called otherness that was discussed fully in the second chapter of this thesis. In "Metaphors", Plath applies kind of metaphoric language to portray the pregnancy of persona. She indicates an elephant as a weighty pregnant woman and water-melon as fetus. The cumbersome act of pregnancy has been grotesquely described in a riddle-like poem of "Metaphors" in nine syllables.

This uncontrolled outpouring of affection as discussed in the previous chapter could occasionally hinder the progress in child as the mother is severely fostering the otherness within the child by nurturing her own unfulfilled expectations and repressed desires. To establish the independent personhood, the child has to kill the parenthood inside.

Mother's breast is desiccated and stiff in Ariel poems. Her milk is the evident source of otherness injected to child's body by means of sucking it. On the other hand Plath associates the idea of abortion to maternity and motherhood, when the embryo's life as otherness is taken and ended deliberately or unintentionally.

Hence the parasite and host relationship of Mother and Child play the dual role in a way that one time the mother is host when the child is embryo as the otherness simultaneously getting the nutrition from mother's blood means allowing the otherness to enter within its body and the other time is when the child is host and the parasite-like mother feeds the baby with her milk as otherness.

The old self is like a mother who suffers from fatal disease and giving birth to a new baby as the new self and true one would lead to her death. This idea of mothering and being reborn covers most of Sylvia Plath's poems when at the same time the mothering concept and its fertilization, patriarchal power and creation would be summoned to challenge. Since this birth is free from any intercourse and meditation and moreover giving birth and pregnancy is the mere right of production, acceptable for female entities in factual norms, seemingly this is what Plath might pose the question and sarcasm of Almighty's productive power and his culpability and determination in creation of lord of creatures, human. In 'Lady Lazarus' she cries out:

"Out of the ash/ I rise with red hair/ And eat men like air" (Collected Poems 246).

This rising from the ash is the parody of the Resurrection day, but she has not done it under her creator's will and permission but just spontaneously derived from her own yen and urge. Again somewhere else in 'Lady Lazarus', the narrator assembles her body parts as God has sworn and guaranteed in the Holy book to do the same on the Resurrection Day:" These are my hands/ My knees. / I may be skin and bone,/ Nevertheless, I am the same, identical woman" (Collected Poems 245).

If to ridicule such magnanimous act of Rebirth and resurrection in a kangaroo court of a poem like 'Lady Lazarus' is not an act of challenging and supremacy, what it could be called then?

To call Plath atheist or consider her poetic style and theme profane would be beyond the area of this discussion and turn towards theological and religious doctrines and principles.

On counteractions of two competitive competitor Selves, in the previous section it was argued that the old self is an adult and a mother but here on the contrary one could consider the childish aspect of the old False Self and mature portrait of the new True one. What actually matters in this metamorphosis are the process and phase the persona has gone through and the freshness of soul and entity with a white-board within, removing all black spots of the past.

The early Self and the new reborn Self

Ariel apparently embodies Plath's response to oppressive modern society. The selfof the artisthas the capacity to be promoted and therefore it should necessarily be fed to be reborn.The counteraction between the selves, the early and the new one, would be of special interest to so many critics:

While in the early poems the selfwas often imaged in terms of its own possibilities for transformation, in the post-colossus poems the self is more often seen as trapped within a closed cycle. One moves--but only in a circle and continuously back to the same starting point. Rather than the self and the world, the Ariel poems record the self in the world.The self can change and develop, transform and be reborn, only if the world in which it exists does; the possibilities of the self are intimately and inextricably bound up with those of the world [Italic mine] (Pamela J.Annas171)

The self encounters kind of buffering effect of the world to define itself and come to recognition. Evidently the self finds its validity and meaning in the external world and its elements. Contemplatively speaking, the world and environment shape the form of self as the pottery does the clay.

The idea of Rebirthhas come in the last lines of 'Love Letter' in The Collected Poems edited by Ted Hughes to testify such metamorphosis within the persona:

Tree and stone glittered, without shadows.

My finger-length grew lucent as glass.

I started to bud like a March twig:

An arm and a leg, an arm, a leg.

From stone to cloud, so I ascended.

Now I resemble a sort of God

Floating through the air in y soul-shift

Pure as a pane of ice. It's a gift. (CP147)

'An arm and a leg' here would connote the biblical allusion to Resurrection Day that all limbs would be associated as before. The repetition of '...an arm, a leg' simply signifies the persona's assurance and simultaneously astonishment of such recreation and Rebirth. Above and beyond, more to the point is that 'An arm and a leg' could refer to something costly and expensive. This Rebirth has cost Plath 'An arm a leg' for certain. She ought to pay exorbitant sums to obtain such precious Rebirth.

'From stone to cloud, so I ascended' specifies the moral elevation and loftiness of such Rebirth. It could be construed that the persona's soul has joined the divine entity that childishly and customarily believed to be located in the sky and behind the clouds.

'Cloud' also habitually sparkle the notion of fertilization and fertility as pluvial clouds are pregnant of rain and bring freshness and Rebirth to the whole nature.

'Now I resemble a sort of God', in Greek mythology there are various symbols of God which exist for every element, better to mention God of wind, Goddess of fire and so on. But here due to the act of creation, the persona gallantly parallels himself to Almighty by applying bold statements and therefore calls the whole creation in requisition and takes it for fatigue work.

The persona's comparing and describing himself 'to bud like a March twig' could be as if he claims to challenge the nature with his own Rebirth and metamorphosis potential and aptitude that under the following section would be argued fully.

What Obstetric Services Do You Need?


Finding an obstetric provider is not hard to do. Yet, before you hire just anyone to help you with your specific needs, it pays to put some extra time into finding a professional that you can feel comfortable working with for your health. As a woman, it is critical to find someone you feel good about working with because it will impact your confidence in that provider. The good news is that there are full-service providers who will work with your needs and help you to get through any situation you are dealing with, good or bad.

Examinations and Regular Care

One type of obstetric service not to pass up on is regular screenings and examinations. Even female teens need to come in for an annual exam with these doctors. This is not to scare you or worry you about what could be wrong, but rather to provide you with the confidence to know you are in good health. If you have any type of health concern or you have questions about your health, this is the perfect time to discuss those concerns. Having a provider you can trust can make all of the difference.

STD Testing

For many, the reason to reach out to these providers has to do with getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases. However, it is often a better option to simply turn to these providers for a level of prevention. They can help you with birth control as well as STD prevention. Don't put off getting confidential screenings. Your health depends on it.

Cancer Screenings

Many people need to visit these doctors to ensure they remain healthy. Since cancer is a big risk factor for many individuals, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your concerns with this type of condition. You'll also want to ensure that you have proper screenings that can pinpoint any type of onset of cancer at its earliest stage. This way, you do not have to worry catching it too late.

Prenatal Care

For those who are pregnant, having a doctor by your side is critical. From prior to getting pregnant through the pregnancy and even maternity care, you need a doctor you can turn to with any concerns you may have. There are many changes happening and your doctor can help you to get through them successfully.

Obstetric services are those that every woman needs. These are not doctors to turn to when you have a problem, but from the start as a tool for prevention and early detection. You can find health and maintain it with the right doctors and guidance. For women, having a go-to provider like this can make all of the difference in long term health.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Changing Careers


You think you want a career change, but how do you know? There are so many factors that go into the big decision of a career change, especially in an economy where no matter how experienced you are there is no guarantee of another job on the horizon.

Changing careers not only affects your day to day working environment, but can also affect your social life, how often you see the people you live with, your mental health and your family finances. If you are trying to onramp or returning to work after maternity, a career change might be even more difficult. Knowing yourself and making sure you know everything there is to know about a career change will give you the confidence you need to make the right decision.

Here are some questions to ask before you make the decision for a career change:

1. Have I done my research?
a. When you are looking into changing careers there are specific topics you should research, especially if you already have a benefits package from previous employers that will be ending. Some topics of interest include:
i. Salary
ii. Type of work environment
iii. Relocation
iv. Insurance
v. 401K plan

2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of a career change?
a. Benefits: higher salary, more diverse work environment, closer to home, showcase new talents
b. Drawbacks: lower salary, longer drive, new training courses, unfamiliar faces, starting over
3. Am I qualified for a career move?
a. When looking into a career change to a specific new job, make sure you have the correct credentials needed for the position. A college degree, certificates and work experience are all usual forms of qualifications needed in careers.
4. Can I transfer my current skills?
a. Make sure you are aware of the skills you have and are fully capable of transferring them to a new career, and more importantly, that they are in fact useful skills in another career field.
5. Am I prepared for changing careers?
a. After answering the above four questions, your mind is still set with changing careers. After you have hurtled that decision, now you need to know how to prepare for another job. Make sure you have/know the following:
i. Resume
ii. Cover letter
iii. Prepared answers for questions in an interview
iv. Know the appropriate dress code for an interview
v. Health insurance questions
vi. How changing careers will affect your spouse/people living with you

How to Treat a Sore Throat Naturally Using Homeopathy


Learning how to treat a sore throat means learning that there are as many ways as there are people with sore throats. The most common solution is to use antibiotics and/or lozenges.

Antibiotic treatment tends to knock your immune system for six, in the process. And allows bacteria to mutate, into the bargain. Apart from the fact that many sore throats don't respond to such treatment.

You might be asking what alternatives there are, in your search of how to treat a sore throat. Effective alternatives, that is.

Would you be looking for a treatment which won't harm your health, doesn't have side effects, is not expensive, is easily obtainable and comes with instructions?

If that sounds good to you, then your first step is to purchase a good homeopathic home prescribing kit from a reputable homeopathic pharmacy. The best ones only sell homeopathic medicines. Some homeopaths also sell them.

Then you need to work out how homeopathy works. You need to be able to make a list of your local symptoms and then see a match within the symptoms of the most appropriate homeopathic medicine.

There are many homeopathic medicines which will resolve a sore throat, depending on your unique and personal symptoms.

Silica is a common homeopathic medicine, found in most home prescribing kits. It is also a common medicine for recurring colds, flus and sore throats.

You will need to see some of your symptoms within those of the medicine, to get a favourable result. The common keynote symptoms of Silica, which relate to your throat, include:


  • colds tend to settle in your throat

  • swollen glands

  • pricking sensation (as of a pin) or a splinter-like pain in your throat

  • stinging pain on swallowing

  • food can be ejected through your nose, when swallowing it

Other symptoms that may occur with your sore throat, or you may have a past history of, include:

  • recurring infections of ear, nose and/or throat

  • frequent colds, flu

  • lack of ability to heal injuries

  • chronic nasal obstruction

  • allergy to milk

  • unhealthy skin, acne leaves scars

  • worse in cold weather or for ingesting cold food or drink or inspiring cold air

  • weakness and fatigue, even collpase

Silica may be a good acute medicine for your sore throat pr it may be a great chronic medicine for you, in which case it will resolve many other conditions, too. Be open to what happens.

Postnatal Depression or Just the Baby Blues?


You're exhausted. The baby's been up all night and you're struggling to get through the day, biting the head off anyone who asks you if you're ok. No one told you it would be like this. Having a baby is meant to be a wonderful experience. So why do you feel so unhappy?

Everyone feels down at some point after the birth of their baby. It's hardly surprising - the cocktail of hormones that has been surging round your body for the last nine months has now radically changed. If you had a long or particularly difficult labour, your body may still be in shock. If you're breastfeeding, it can be painful and exhausting before you get comfortable with it - if indeed you do. In addition, you may be experiencing:

  • Chronic sleep deprivation

  • A change in status within your relationship

  • Isolation from friends and family

  • A colicky or reflux baby who constantly cries

Add to this the possibility of financial problems, a baby with specific health issues or disabilities or another life change at the same time such as a divorce, bereavement or house move, and it's a wonder any new mother gets through the early months with her sanity intact.

There are, however, some warning signs that your feelings are going beyond what might be considered "normal" baby blues. These can include:

  • Being constantly tearful

  • Feeling that you might harm your child

  • Feeling that you might harm yourself

  • Not experiencing any happy feelings at all

  • An overwhelming sense of fear or anxiety

  • Lack of positive feelings for your baby

  • A general feeling that you're going "mad".

If you experience any of these, please make an appointment to see your doctor. You may be resistant to this - as if admitting to ambivalent or negative feelings will make you a "bad mother" or, worse, prompt social services to remove your children. Please don't let this stop you from going to see someone. They will have heard it all before - symptoms of postnatal depression are very common and the right treatment can make a huge difference to your relationship with your baby.

You won't be forced to take medication or attend counselling just by making the appointment. But you will at least be given some options, something which life can feel devoid of when you're in the throes of postnatal depression.

I remember struggling with own feelings before going to see my GP. I wasn't sure if what I was normal and would pass with time, or if it deserved the PND label. She helped me to realise that it didn't actually matter what the label was, as there is no physical test for postnatal depression. You have a collection of symptoms and feelings, and if you need help, you need help. Admitting you're having a hard time doesn't make you a bad person - and it is often the first step on the road to a much happier, more positive future for you and your family.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Teenage Pregnancy - Some Potential Health Risks To Be Aware Of


Health Risks for the Newborn

Infants born to teenage mothers are prone to accidental injury, poisoning, complications due to prematurity, learning disabilities, brain injuries, minor severe infections, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The child usually has a weight less than the ideal and premature birth rates are prevalent among adolescent mothers.

Health Risks for the Mother

Given that an adolescent may not have fully developed her physical structure, problems in delivering the child may arise as caused by an underdeveloped pelvis. Early detection of a cephalopelvic disproportion is an indication for a scheduled cesarean birth. However this is a surgical procedure that may also put the life of the mother in danger for too much blood loss. Other complications that might be encountered by an adolescent mother upon childbirth is eclampsia, obstetric fistula or maternal death.

The absence of prenatal care and knowledge deficit with regards to psychological and physiologic changes of pregnancy results to varied complications and increases the health risks to a higher level. The teenage mothers do not know what to expect and therefore they do not know what proper behavior and precautions to make. Usually, these adolescents have poor eating habits and have no vitamin intake. They may even smoke, drink and take illegal drugs.

Statistical data of adolescent mothers who had a baby whose weight is lower than the ideal have been reported in the year 2002. 9.6% belongs in the age bracket of 15-19 years old, and 11.3% belongs in the age bracket of 15 years old alone. On the other hand, mothers who gave birth to babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds were 7.8% of the total population of women who gave birth in the same year.

In the year 2002 with regards to prenatal care, it is reported that 6.6% of mothers with ages 15-19 years old had no prenatal care and 3.6% of the total population of mothers have no record of any prenatal visits.

Other complications that a teenage mother might encounter are blood disorder such as leukemia and blood pressure that rises to an abnormally high level which could result to maternal death. And the incidence rate is higher on adolescents who are 15 years of age than on mothers with complications who belong to the age bracket of 20-24.

Within the annual report of 12 million people who are affected of sexually transmitted disease, 25% are young adolescents. When a mother with sexually transmitted disease (STD) gives birth to a child, several complications could arise such as blindness. But specifically death to the newborn and the mother may be brought about by syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Pregnancy Support Belt to Ease Lower Back Pain


Wearing a pregnancy support belt can make a massive difference to your comfort and health during the time you are carrying your baby.

If you've been pregnant before, you'll understand how uncomfortable and downright painful it can be on your back, especially the lower back, while in the later stages of pregnancy. I've lost count at the number of pregnant women I see reaching round to their lower back with both hands and literally pulling themselves upright to relieve the pressure caused by the baby's weight.

This intense pressure placed on the lower spinal area is not just uncomfortable it can cause real pain and possibly injury to the mother. The pain can radiate to areas further up the back and down into the upper legs and hamstrings.

The natural body response to this condition is to sit or lie down and relax. While this is an ideal solution, in this day and age it may not be very practical. Let's face it, there's always something that needs doing, and although putting your feet up and relaxing is preferable, there will be times when you just have to get on and do stuff.

There's nothing that can be done about the weight of a baby, but there is a solution to help ease the pressure exerted on the lower back and almost eliminate the back pain.

A pregnancy support belt is the perfect solution to this problem. It is simply a large belt or band that fits under the bump and slightly above the hips and pelvis area. The belt is designed to take the full weight of the baby, which is supported from the hips rather from than the lower back.

Like most brilliant designs, simplicity is usually the key and in this case it is absolutely spot on. As soon as you put the belt on, the back pressure is instantly relieved allowing you to walk more naturally and in total comfort.

No more stretching upward to relieve the pain or walking with one hand placed on your lower back like an old woman! Now you can enjoy the later stages of your pregnancy in comfort and injury free.

There are several designs of pregnancy or maternity support belts on the market. Most of them are neutral in color and designed to fit under your normal clothes and look invisible. But you can also buy modern, trendy support belts that fit outside your clothes and come in cool looking styles and colors to match your outfit.

Now you know how essential a pregnancy support belt is, there's no excuse for you not to have one. If you can't borrow one from someone you know, they come in a range of prices and are cheap enough for anyone's budget.

Post Pregnancy Girdle - 3 Advantages to Wearing a Post Pregnancy Girdle


Many women look forward to pregnancy but the real fun begins once the baby has arrived and chaos has ensued. All of a sudden you have a new life to take care of and things get a bit more hectic and then you look at yourself in the mirror and wonder what has happened to your body.

While pregnancy does create a number of changes in a woman's body there is no unwritten rule that says we need to keep the weight on that we've gained and not get back into shape.

A post pregnancy girdle can give you the head start you need to get your body back to its old self, or maybe even an improved version.

  1. Comfort. A good post pregnancy girdle will be comfortable so you can wear it as often as you'd like. For best results they should be worn as soon as possible after pregnancy and they should be worn for most of the day as well. The velcro versions are both comfortable and easily adjustable to fit any shape. They will come in different sizes depending upon your waist so be sure you purchase a size that is comfortable for you. You don't want it to be too tight or too loose or it won't give the desired effects.

  2. Provides back support. A post pregnancy girdle can help alleviate back pain that so many women experience after carrying and delivering a child. You will soon learn that carrying around a small infant will work muscles you probably didn't even know you had. A girdle can provide you with good back support to minimize any discomfort that you may experience.

  3. Help restore your pre-pregnancy figure. Having children does a number of things to our bodies with the most noticeable being the drastic changes we see on our midsection after delivering a child. The stomach muscles and skin will have been stretched to the limit and it'll show. It's completely normal for the belly to sag but wearing a post pregnancy girdle can speed up the time it takes for your internal organs and muscles to align themselves normally again, making your stomach flatter like it once was.

One Newborn's Psychological Experience - A Clairvoyant's View - Baby Psychology


A parent cannot understand a newborn or infant unless that parent is willing to see what his or her baby is going through emotionally and interact with them realistically and accordingly.

Jimmy is one of the newborn babies I clairvoyantly studied. I hope that this account may give some insights to mothers and fathers of newborns and infants.

Jimmy's mother was caring about her baby's physical health and well-being during the pregnancy. She wanted to do everything right, which greatly helped in her son's birth experience. He was relaxed during his birth and seemed to have little discomfort.

He felt good to be here, and was warm and cozy in the hospital nursery. That translated into a sense of well-being. Because of his mother's caring and his healthy body, he was passive and enjoying a sense of pleasure in his body.

I observed good thoughts and feelings coming toward him from both his parents and grandparents. Caring and loving feelings were keeping this baby stabilized and feeling safe. Jimmy, compared to most newborns I have clairvoyantly observed, was a peaceful baby and having an unusually good experience early on.

Ten days old

When Jimmy was brought home, he felt afraid of unfamiliar psychological energies. His mother was leaving Jimmy with his grandmother for long periods. Unlike being in the hospital, this newborn began having a difficult time adjusting to his home environment. He was uncomfortable, uneasy, and, at times, afraid.

I sensed a feeling a sense of being "disgraced" in him. Jimmy's grandmother gave him affection for her own pleasure, not in a perverse way, nevertheless, he was feeling "used."

Newborns and infants are extremely sensitive to psychological energies; truly positive or negative psychological energies. They do know the difference. Jimmy felt his grandmother's selfish intentions toward him. He experienced those as her using him. That was the feeling of it.

She believed that she had pride and joy in being Jimmy's grandmother. She had many ideas and illusions about him and was dumping an excessive amount of "pseudo positive" feeling energies onto him. Her thoughts and feelings were not matching his experience, and they actually were not appropriate. Jimmy felt her overwhelming lack of realness. This was confusing him and making him afraid.

Jimmy was not getting direct contact and this is where the feeling of disgrace came in. When a person does not feel respected as a human being, most often that person will react with anger and indignation. My sense is that we use anger and indignation as a cover for a deeper feeling of disgrace.

When I clairvoyantly observe infants, I see that an infant essentially feels and responds in all of the basic ways that adults do. A baby from his or her first awakenings in the womb has an experience of being an "I" and, essentially, will respond from that place.

Babies in the womb and infants send and receive telepathic messages long before they can talk. They have an ability to psychically and energetically (clairvoyantly) see the whole picture or the actual truth of a person or situation and will respond to that psychological reality.

Jimmy's parents and grandparents had many ideas about what it meant to have a child and grandchild. They were not seeing Jimmy; they were seeing their ideas about him.

Jimmy was clairvoyantly perceiving and feeling their ideas and attitudes and was confused because of the lack of real communication. This is why he was afraid, insecure, and disoriented. His parents and grandparents were stuck in their ideas about him, so their energies were going into their ideas instead of connecting with this baby.

The good feelings toward Jimmy when he was in the hospital were no longer present. Jimmy's mother was depressed. She had hoped this baby would change her life and make her happy. There were many times during her pregnancy that she did feel happy and this gave her a sense of emotionally stability. She was missing that experience now and was expecting Jimmy to give those feelings to her, but that was not happening.

One month old

At four weeks, Jimmy had become a burden to his mother. She believed that he was demanding and required much attention that she did not want to give.

Jimmy's mother did not want to exercise her "giving muscle." She did not consciously know exactly why, but she was withdrawing from her son and seeing him as an "obligation." This left Jimmy confused and feeling alone in his present situation.

This was a point in time and there will probably be many "ups and downs" in Jimmy's experiences with his parents and grandparents.

RV Insurance Coverage Made Easy


Congratulations... you are the proud owner of a new Motorhome or Travel Trailer! But where do you start when it comes to purchasing insurance? What types of coverage will you need?

The first thing to keep in mind is that RV insurance differs from a traditional auto insurance policy. The key to ensuring that you are adequately covered is knowing what is available and how it will benefit yourself and your family.

Aside from the standard Comprehensive, Collision, and Third-Party Liability coverage that you will always carry with any type of motorized vehicle, our RV policies will offer you the following coverage:


  • Vacation Liability -Vacation Liability pays up to the specified limits for Bodily Injury and Property Damage for which you are legally responsible as a result of an incident that occurs while your RV is being used as a temporary vacation residence. We typically quote with a $10,000 limit, but you have the choice to purchase higher limits if desired.

  • Full Timers Liability - Similar to the liability coverage you would carry on your homeowners policy, this coverage would be for Full Time RV users who use their units as a Primary Residence, 6 months or more out of the year. These limits would be higher, and typically will match your Bodily Injury/Property Damage limits. You would carry either Vacation Liability or Full Timer's Liability, never both.

  • Emergency Expense - This is a great coverage to have in the event that you are unable to stay in your RV due to damage or loss. This coverage provides reimbursement for items such as lodging, transportation, etc.

  • Personal Contents- Never make the mistake of forgetting about all of your valuable personal items inside your RV! Make sure you add on Personal Contents coverage to protect everything from your TVs and laptop computer to your cookware and bed linens!

  • Medical Payments - This coverage protects you and the occupants of your RV. It is limited to the expenses of medical care only, and pays out regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - This coverage is an extension of Medical Payments, and applies to medical bills, lost wages, and loss of services incurred due to injuries sustained involving a motor vehicle. This would cover you whether you are a driver, passenger, or pedestrian.

Now that you have a better understanding of what is available, you also will want to learn about how your policy will pay out in the event of a loss. The options available to you will depend on the age of your unit.


  • Total Loss Replacement Cost- This will replace your RV with a new unit if you suffer a loss within the first 5 model years. This is a great coverage to have, as the company replaces old with new. This is only available if you have a newer model, and the age requirements will vary according to the company that we are quoting with.

  • Purchase Price Guarantee - If you have a total loss, the purchase price shown on the policy would be paid toward the purchase of another RV.

  • Agreed or Stated Value - This will pay the dollar amount that you select, regardless of current market value.

  • Actual Cash Value - This will pay the actual market value at the time of loss... this would be calculated as Replacement Cost minus the depreciation.

19 Facts About Depression At Midlife - Tips, Strategies, And Info-Bites


When we age, we produce less of two important mood stabilizing hormones, serotonin and dopamine. So, depression is a risk factor for both men and women as we get older. Yet twice as many women compared to men suffer from depression, which leads some to believe there is a link between the female sex hormones and depression.

1. Memory loss at midlife may not be related to aging, but depression. Depression affects our ability to concentrate and remember things. Our mind instead is caught in a cycle of self blame, guilt, or hopelessness,

2. Of the studies that differentiate between major depression and minor depression, an increase in minor depression (ie. non-clinical) is reported, rather than an increase in major depressive episodes,

3. Major depression is characterized by feeling sad or tearful all, or most of the time. Other symptoms include losing interest in regular activities and engaging in day to day life.

4. Those that seem to be at risk of suffering from major depression during menopause are those that have suffered major depression at some other time in their lives. This can include postnatal depression, severe depression associated with PMS, or any other type of clinical depression.

5. Some of the symptoms of perimenopause are also the symptoms of depression, so it's important to consider the whole picture. These common symptoms include tiredness, weight gain, insomnia, difficulties in concentration, memory loss, and a loss of interest in sex.

6. Depression is usually treated with psychological treatments and medication. The psychological treatments include cognitive behaviour therapy which looks at the negative ways we think; and Interpersonal therapy, to improve relationships.

7. Antidepressant medication covers a range including SSRI's, SNRI's, MAOI's, and others. Each class has a lot of individual medications within it, and people may tolerate one well, but have side effects on others. Finding an antidepressant medication appropriate to the individual can be a trial and error endeavor.

8. Some anti-depressants - prozac and others in the category of Selective Serotonin Re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) - may cause cardiovascular problems in some people after long term use.

9. If you're taking hormone replacement therapy, too high a dose of estrogen or androgen hormones can lead to side effects like headaches and anxiety. Synthetic progesterone treatments are also often associated with depression.

10. Caffeine and sugar, in excess, may have a negative impact on recurring depression.

11. Estrogen boosts the levels of serotonin and acetylcholine, which are neurohormones that make people feel good, and are part of a normal memory.

12. Deficiencies of the B vitamins biotin, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, have been linked with depression, as have vitamin C deficiencies.

13. Vitamin B6 is important because of it's role in making the monoamine neurotransmitters, which help stabilize moods.

14. Minerals linked to depression include deficiencies of calcium, copper, and magnesium.

15. St Johns Wort has been found to be as effective as prozac in treating mild to moderate depression.

16. Anecdotally, 5HTP has been found to help some people with depression who also suffer from weight problems and insomnia.

17. Our brain needs a small supply of good qualify fats every day. This is because nerve fibers are coated with a fatty sheath called myelin. Good sources of healthy fats include non-hydrogenated olive oil, sesame oil, and fish oil. Deficiencies of the omega 6 fatty acids may play a role in depression.

18. Depression is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

19. Depression can increase the risk of more heart problems in people with coronary heart disease.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Plan Ahead For Vasectomy Reversal Surgery


Plan ahead to control costs for your vasectomy reversal, and your pregnancy that may soon follow. Most health insurance plans will not cover your surgery, and you will have to pay out-of-pocket up-font. Take advantage of the tax code, and use supplemental insurance to offset costs and create a safer pregnancy.

Most health insurance plans will happily pay for your initial vasectomy. But when your plans change and you look to reserve the surgery their outlook changes. Follow the dollars to understand why: your initial vasectomy saves money, while the reversal does the reverse. Your vasectomy prevents a much costlier insurance exposure - pregnancy. Normal labor and delivery costs far more than a vasectomy, and costs skyrocket for pregnancies with complications.

Your vasectomy reversal introduces two costs: the surgery, and the subsequent pregnancy. While both procedures are elective, insurance policies typically do not cover the reversal surgery - because it doesn't make business sense, and nobody has passed a law forcing them to do so. The cost is yours to pay 100% out of pocket.

Plan ahead and you can find several ways to keep costs for your surgery and subsequent pregnancy more affordable: leverage the federal tax code, and buy supplemental insurance.

The Federal tax code provides two alternatives: your vasectomy reversal surgery costs are tax deductible. Most tax payers will see bigger tax savings by using their flexible spending account. Pre-tax dollars save both on income taxes and FICA taxes, and you avoid the 7.5% threshold for medical expense deductions.

Supplemental insurance pays benefits directly to the insured for mom's normal labor and delivery. Time your program start date right, and your benefit may greatly exceed the premium you pay helping you to recoup much of your surgical costs. Plus, you gain extra protection in case of complications.

How To Prepare For Pregnancy: 5 Tips To Get Pregnant Faster


Becoming pregnant and having a baby can cause a whirlwind of upheaval in any woman's life, and a lack of preparedness is the root of many young mother's problems. At the worst end of the scale, being totally unprepared for the birth of your child and the changes it will bring can actually result in postnatal depression - although, of course, there are many factors involved in this. The best idea is to be as prepared as you can be, so here are some helpful tips to get you started on how to prepare for pregnancy.

1. Start saving now. The costs of having a baby can be astronomical, and many of these costs come right before you give birth and in the first year of his or her life. It is estimated that the annual cost of having a baby is currently around 瞿9000 and unfortunately this is only set to rise! You don't want to find yourself completely swamped with things to buy just as your baby approaches, so it's best to begin saving as soon as possible.

2. Detoxify your body. Once you become pregnant, you are going to have to stop drinking alcohol and smoking anyway, so you may as well do it now. Some women believe that it's also necessary to give up caffeine, and if you are a regular coffee drinker you may find this more difficult than you think! It's best to get the biggest hurdles out of the way before you even become pregnant. This gives you a better chance of conceiving quickly, and it also means that you don't have to suffer the painful withdrawal symptoms when you are also struggling with the fluctuating hormones of pregnancy.

3. Find ways to deal with stress. For many women, falling pregnant is a little like having constant PMT. Your hormones are, for a time, in a bit of a maelstrom, and it is likely that you will feel more than a little stressed. Bearing this in mind, you should try to eliminate the stress you have in your life now. This will make you more likely to conceive, and will also minimise the effect of the extra stress of pregnancy. It is also helpful to develop tried and tested ways of dealing with stress so you won't need to blow a fuse when you're pregnant. If a long bath works for you, remember that, and use it every time you feel stressed. Soon you'll develop a cognitive stress off button that you can use whenever you want.

4. Read up on the science of pregnancy. It helps with how to prepare for pregnancy by having all the information about fertility at hand and to know it off by heart. There are many small facts that you may like to know - such as, for example, why expectant mothers should avoid cheese - and reading about the process of human reproduction can be very exciting and fascinating. It also helps you to feel calm throughout as you will understand all those technical terms your doctor will use, and you will know exactly what is happening to your body.

5. Take fertility supplements. Herbal supplements are scientifically proven to work, and supplements such as Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus Castus), Wild Yam, False Unicorn Root and Evening Primrose Oil can be invaluable in balancing your hormone levels and in making sure you get pregnant quickly and easily. They also help with the negative effects of PMT, so are very useful for women at all stages of life. Remember, having a hormonal imbalance can actually cause certain types of female cancer, so ensuring the health of your hormones is not just for pregnancy, but for life.

Why You Should Take DHA During Pregnancy and How Not to Do It


Expectant mothers are being bombarded with new prenatal fish oil supplements. Are they effective? Are they safe? Should you take DHA during pregnancy at all? The answers are maybe, maybe and yes - if you know what you are doing.

First, there seems to be some confusion about the relationship between DHA and omega 3 fish oil. DHA is an omega 3. What this means is that if you are trying to take DHA during pregnancy, you do not need a "prenatal" formula. A quality omega 3 fish oil supplement will not only suffice but in most cases be preferable.

There are really two omega 3s that mother and child need. The second one is EPA. In, other words if you plan on taking DHA during pregnancy you need EPA also, but not as much.

Why should I take omega 3s in the first place?

The two found in fish oil are part of every cell in our body. DHA is particularly prevalent in the brain and eyes, EPA in cell membranes. The research on this has not gone unnoticed, even in Washington.

Omega 3s have been shown to benefit four of the top five ailments or conditions for which troops receive hospital treatment. Those includes pregnancy and depression. The U.S. Department of defense is looking into adding these essential fats to soldiers diets.

It is not just combat performance that could be improved by omega-3s. Some military dietitians believe they could help to cut medical bills running into millions of dollars. The DOD is looking at doing this for their pregnant female soldiers because the research is pretty overwhelming.

What scientists have found is this.

Ninety-nine% of people in the West are estimated to have an omega 3 deficiency. Unless an expectant mother takes EPA and DHA during pregnancy that figure is going to include her and her child. What this means is that after the child is born she or he will be more likely to have:

1] Increased risk of depression, ADD, mood swings and emotional volatility.

2] Lower IQ scores - 8-10 points or more.

3] Visual problems.

4] Coordination development issues.

Mom is also more likely to have early labor and postpartum depression of her own.

The growing fetus is almost literally an omega 3 sponge. Since our bodies can not make these essential fats, the fetus is going to grab them from mom. If mom is not taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy then they both will likely have shortages.

What about supplements?

The only way to get these fats is by supplement or eating a lot of fish. The FDA is okay with purified supplements but not with too much fish. Heavy metals from the ocean are bad for everyone but downright deadly to young children.

As I mentioned earlier there are no special omega 3s for prenatal, postnatal or senior citizens. In fact, many of the prenatal supplements I have seen are inefficient at the least and contaminated at the worst. Do your research. Stick with quality. For more information in this area, please visit my website.

Remember, your unborn child is getting nutrients from you. Talk to your doctor about taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy. You need enough for at least two of you.

Infertile in Illinois? Know the State Mandate Before Starting Treatments


If you work for a company headquartered in Illinois, you may be an infertility insurance winner. Illinois is one of a handful of states with laws mandating some level of coverage for infertility treatments. Take time to understand how the laws work, where the holes are, and how it may impact your out-of-pocket costs. Your investment will pay dividends down the road.

Holes in the Illinois Law

Did you notice the first sentence asks if you work for a company headquartered in Illinois, and not do you live or work in Illinois? The Illinois insurance mandate applies when the state has jurisdiction. Only companies headquartered in Illinois are likely to be subject to the mandate, which creates sets of winners and losers in the infertility insurance game.

The Winners

One set of winners are employees of one of the many large companies headquartered in the state, but with employees in branch locations out of state. Take Sears for example. Sears is headquartered in Illinois and may be subject to the state mandate. Employees working in a store located in a state with no infertility insurance mandate may have coverage.

The Losers

One set of losers are Illinois citizens who work for an employer with a branch location in Illinois, but happens to be headquartered in another state. Most states have no laws mandating infertility insurance coverage. This employer is not subject to the Illinois mandate, and its Illinois employees may not have infertility coverage even though there is a state law mandating such.

Did you notice that Sears may be subject to the mandate because it is headquartered in Illinois? The law regulates insurers and not employers. If Sears chooses to self insure, it may not be subject to the mandate, and can offer health insurance coverage that omits infertility treatments.

Know your Illinois laws before starting any treatments, and verify coverage before beginning treatments to avoid a nasty surprise.

Bach Flower Therapy For IVF Support


If you are like most women going through in vitro fertilization (IVF) you will be feeling very anxious and concerned about the outcome of your treatment. You need support at the mental and emotional. During this time it is important to have someone close that can listen to you and help you find courage and strength to go through all the ups and down that may come your way.

Bach Flower Therapy supports you while going through IVF treatments emotionally and mentally by creating balance and a positive outlook.

Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Bach observed that many of people physical conditions were connected to their mental and emotional state. Negative mental thoughts trigger negative emotions like sadness, depression, worry, melancholy, anger, irritability, jealousy, and hopelessness. These emotions can affect the body's ability to reach optimum health because experiencing prolonged negative emotions can affect the body at the physiological level. The result can be as detrimental as the manifestation of sickness and disease. When the mind shifts to a negative state for long periods of time, the body's inner ability to heal itself is impaired leading to a degenerative state.

Infertility and Mental Stress

Infertility can be affected by a constant state f stress and mental and emotional strain. Studies have shown how male sperm decreases as a result of prolonged stress and female hormones become imbalanced as a result of mental worry and concern. The pituitary gland, a small, peanut shaped gland located at the base of the skull, is responsible for the secretion of hormones that regulate the reproductive organs. When you are mentally stressed and worried, your pituitary function can decrease leading to menstrual irregularity, impaired ovulation, etc. Also, stress is related to the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. When women and men feel stress, the adrenal glands become burned out leading to stress-related disorders and lowered fertility because the adrenal gland secrete hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Bach Flower Therapy for Infertility

Bach Flower Therapy is a branch of Homeopathic medicine that uses highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body to health itself. It is not intended to treat or cure any condition, but to offer a way to assist the body to gain balance and achieve optimal state of health at the mental and emotional level. Bach Flower Essences are made from edible flowers and thus are non toxic and suitable for babies, pregnant and lactating women.

Bach Flower Remedies for IVF
Bach Flower Remedies are amazing in helping and supporting women through the emotional ups and downs of trying to conceive. Bach essences are equally useful to men and women in order to help gain back inner balance. They can be taken while trying to get pregnant because they are non-toxic, act gently and without side effects. The following is a list of the most useful Bach Flower Essences for infertility to help couples who are struggling with infertility. Bach flower Remedies for women who are going through in vitro cycles (IVF) are especially useful to help support emotional well-being. They are highly recommended by many holistic fertility specialists.

Aspen
This Bach flower helps those who experience a sense of fear an uneasy feeling as if something is about to happen. This is the Bach flower for fear of unknown causes and it helps in cases of apprehension and anxiety. If you are going through medical tests to determine the cause of your infertility, this flower will help you overcome your sense of uncertainty. You should take Aspen if your are schedule to consult with a fertility doctor or are going to a fertility clinic.

Impatiens
This Bach remedy is very useful while trying to get pregnant especially when you cannot wait. You want pregnancy to happen right now! If you suspect you might be pregnant and need to wait to know the results, this Bach flower can give you a sense of calmness. If you feel impatient and irritable about not getting pregnant fast enough, Impatiens helps eliminate that feeling in nervous anticipation, promoting patience and help you relax a little more while you wait.

Gentian
I find this Bach flower great for setbacks and disappointments. When you feel discouraged and cannot think positive anymore, this remedy encourages you to look on the positive side, gives you the drive to move forward with renewed hope for your life. If you suffered a miscarriage or the fertility treatment did not work or your period arrived and you where hoping for a pregnancy, Gentian will help you! If you feel sorry for yourself because you have difficulty getting pregnant, this Bach flower will lift your spirit of optimism.

White Chestnut
All Bach remedies are great for your mental well being, but this flower is for you if you are constantly worried and have persistent worrying thoughts that go round and round in your mind. You find yourself constantly thinking, planning, worrying, debating with yourself about what to do or should do. You cannot rest, especially at night when you wake up from sleep thinking and worrying about possible outcomes. White Chestnut helps you deal with these unwanted thoughts, helping you clear your mind and relax.

Mimulus
This beautiful blue flower is for those who are very shy and fearful. This remedy will help if you have a fear of needles and have to give blood for a test or if you have a fear of doctors and hospitals and you know you have to go there.

Agrimony
When you hide your feeling by putting on a brave face and do not show others your true worrying feelings about getting pregnant, this flower is for you. Agrimony helps you if you are experiencing inner anguish. Many men and women seem to need this remedy when they are concerned but do not want to show their partner their true feelings and try to be brave and strong.

How to Get the Most Out of Intercourse to Get Pregnant


If you have recently decided to try for a baby you may be wondering if there are any tips and tricks that can speed up the process, without resorting to supplements or fertility treatments. The good news is that there are some helpful hints to bear in mind when having intercourse to get pregnant.

Positions matter! The key is to give gravity a helping hand and make sure your partner's sperm is as close to your cervix as possible. Good ways to help the sperm swim up your fallopian tubes is to lift your legs in the air immediately after intercourse; lean them against the wall for a few minutes if you find it difficult to hold them in that position yourself. You could also try lying on your side with your knees drawn up tightly against your chest. Placing a pillow underneath your hips while lying in the missionary position on your back is another good way to get the sperm where you want it to go!

When it comes to intercourse itself, the missionary position is a good one to go for, as your partner is able to penetrate deeply into your cervix. Another good baby-making position is thought to be the man penetrating the woman from behind, when she is on all fours. The female orgasm is thought to be important when it comes to making a baby, because the muscles contract during an orgasm and draw more sperm deep into the cervix. Another common tip for increasing your chances of getting pregnant naturally is performing pelvic floor exercises after intercourse; again, this is down to muscle contraction and keeping that sperm where it needs to be!

As well as things you should do when having intercourse to get pregnant, there are some things you should avoid doing. Be careful to maintain a good diet when you are trying to conceive. Avoid eating certain foods that are considered potentially harmful to the baby. Foods that you should avoid at this time are raw or undercooked meat, poultry and eggs (including homemade food made with raw eggs); liver and liver products containing high levels of vitamin A; soft, ripe cheese such as Brie; blue vein cheese such as Stilton; and soft cheese made from unpasteurized sheep or goat's milk.

In addition, caffeine and alcohol should be kept to a minimum, and you should quit smoking straight away. A study in the United States found that drinking three cups of coffee per day could reduce the chance of getting pregnant by 27%, compared to a woman who drinks no coffee. It is believed that as little as five units of alcohol per week can also have a huge impact on your likelihood of conception. It is best to avoid alcohol completely when you are trying to conceive, and then follow the advice of your doctor in relation to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Good news for the women is that men should pay attention to their drinking habits too; it has been established that alcohol can affect sperm production and motility, and drinking three to four units of alcohol per day can lower testosterone in the short term and shrivel the testicles in the long term. There are direct links between smoking and infertility. Again, male fertility is just as much of an issue as female fertility. Male smokers are thought to produce fewer sperm when they ejaculate, and smokers of both sexes are more likely to produce children with genetic defects.

You may have read that you can use intercourse to determine whether you will have a boy or a girl. While this sounds like fun, there is no scientific proof that it works. However, you may want to give it a go anyway! The most common myth is that if you have intercourse standing up, you will produce a boy. However, some studies have shown that the foods you eat when you are trying to conceive can affect whether you have a boy or a girl. It is possible that a diet rich in potassium and sodium-such as bananas, spicy foods and red meat-will be more likely to result in the conception of a baby boy. A diet high in calcium and magnesium, on the other hand, may be more likely to produce a girl. The consensus from health professionals, however, is that there is not enough evidence to back these claims up and your focus when trying to get pregnant should be on a well-balanced, nutritious diet.