Advice For Pregnant Women - Sleeping Positions That Help You Get a Great Night's Sleep

There are many changes that face pregnant women. Sleeping positions may also need to be altered. In order to adapt to the correct sleeping positions it is probably best to start thinking about it early in pregnancy so that, when it becomes really necessary to be comfortable sleeping on the side, it feels more natural to do so.

Doctors do recommend the left lateral position as being best for both mother and baby. Oddly enough, many women find that this particular position feels the most natural position for them to lie in and often gravitate to that side, especially during later pregnancy.

Benefits Obtained

There are various benefits to sleeping on your side during pregnancy, one of which is that it prevents your legs, feet and hands from swelling up. This can occur when pressure is put on the inferior vena cava, interfering with blood returning to the heart from your lower extremities. Specific benefits are to be had for pregnant women when they sleep on their left sides.

There are various reasons for this, one of which is that your liver, which is a large and heavy organ, lies to the right side of your body. Lying on your left keeps the increasing weight of your growing uterus from pressing on this organ. There are also other benefits to lying on the left side during pregnancy: increased blood flow is able to reach the placenta without hindrance, ensuring the baby gets the maximum amount of nutrients available.

Maternity Pillow

It is notoriously difficult getting comfortable during the final trimester of pregnancy and, if you find a comfortable position to sleep it is often because you have managed to prop yourself up with a series of pillows. The most comfortable way for pregnant women to get a good night's sleep is probably with a full-length maternity pillow, specifically designed to be draped into the most appropriate position for optimal comfort.

With the right kind of maternity pillow you will probably find the kind of sleep you get is far more beneficial as you will not need to change positions so often to obtain a comfortable position. For pregnant women, sleeping positions that provide adequate support for your growing abdomen is essential, as are the benefits of sleeping on your left side as recommended by the medical profession. As such, you will find that a good quality and well-designed maternity pillow will reap dividends for you throughout your pregnancy.

Benefits of Maternity Insurance

Anyone, anywhere, at any time can be prone to a life-threatening situation due to a hazard. It is extremely likely that with such a critical situation, will come monetary problems too. This is where insurance plans come into play.

Health insurance is extremely important for every person to shield themselves from hazards that can be extremely costly. Similarly, it is very important for each pregnant woman to get maternity insurance to secure her and her baby's life.

A good number of pregnant women avoid medical checkups due to the lack of finances. However, if they are insured, they can easily visit their gynecologists for regular checkups without losing a single penny from their pockets.

It is important for each pregnant woman to get a maternity card to avail great benefits. Some are mentioned below:

1. Regular Checkups
Pregnant women can visit the doctor regularly for a checkup when required.

2. The Hospital Stay
With the maternity card, you can get to stay at the hospital at extremely reduced prices. This makes your stay at the hospital easy and stress-free.

3. Checkups for your Baby
Once your baby arrives, you can get free checkups for him or her too. In addition, if there are any medical problems, the maternity card can be a blessing.

4. Prescription Medicines
Medicines and drugs cost a heavy amount without a prescription. If you are insured and have a maternity card, you can get prescription drugs at discounted prices and sometimes even free of cost.

5. Round the Clock Counseling
Women with maternity health insurance can get round the clock counseling during and after their pregnancy in case they need help with managing their activities and health with the baby.

6. Prenatal Vitamins
Your doctor can advise you the right prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy. This is great because you cannot be sure which one to take yourself since there may be health hazards attached to it.

7. Ultrasound
Usually, getting an ultra sound without insurance can be extremely painful for finances. However, with maternity health insurance, you get full maternity coverage. You can get a free sonogram during pregnancy to check on the movement of your baby and his or her growth.

Getting insurance during pregnancy has many more benefits for the entire family, especially for the mother-to-be. The mother does not get any nightmares when she needs to go for an ultrasound or get prescription medicines. Thanks to health insurance for pregnant women, the expectancy period becomes less stressful.

How to Get Low Cost Maternity Health Insurance

Fifteen percent of American women do not have maternity health insurance and face overwhelming medical bills, especially if there are medical complications. Here's how to get low cost maternity health insurance that could save you from financial disaster.

What is maternity health insurance?

Maternity health insurance is a health insurance plan that includes maternity coverage. As of this writing there are no stand-alone maternity health insurance plans.

You can purchase one of the following types of plans to get maternity coverage:

* An indemnity plan which lets you choose your own doctor and hospital, but is the most expensive type of plan.

* A managed health care plan (HMO, PPO, POS) that assigns you to a network of doctors and hospitals that you use for your medical care. These are the cheapest types of plans.

What does maternity health insurance cover?

Standard maternity health insurance policies cover your doctors expenses, your hospital fees, and your prescriptions drugs - basically all your maternity medical expenses.

Can I get maternity health insurance if I'm already pregnant?

Private insurance companies will not insure you if you're already pregnant, but some states offer Medicaid health insurance, or plans such as California's Medi-Cal, to low income families. To see if your your state has a low income maternity health insurance program, visit your state's department of insurance website.

If you're pregnant and don't qualify for state sponsored maternity health insurance, the best thing you can do is call the hospitals in your area and see if you can negotiate a cheaper than normal rate. Most hospitals will give you a discount if you pay cash.

Where can I get cheap maternity health insurance?

The best way to get cheap maternity health insurance is to go to an insurance comparison website where you can get rate quotes from multiple insurance companies.

Birth Is Natural, Normal, Healthy and Safe

I recently gave birth to my second baby and thanks to my Hypnobabies, this became my mantra during my pregnancy. At the time, I decided to accept this as true without really analyzing it but recently, it's come to the forefront again. This western culture that we live in professes to be so advanced and yet we lead the industrialized nations in maternal and fetal deaths. We are also at the top of the charts for interventions, medical assisted births and c-sections and I have to ask myself why. We as a nation do not believe that birth is natural, normal, healthy and safe. Birth has become a huge production in which a doctor and his or her team must deliver us from this horrible thing called child birth. We as women can't possibly be able to handle such pain and everything and anything must be done to help the inferior gender carry on the legacy of the human race. Well, I may exaggerate a bit, but there is a note of truth. The medical community and our society as a whole thought "bigger is better" right? If one person can do it right, 10 can do it better and if 10 people can do it, a machine can do it better still and thus began the industrial revolution.

Enough history, what does this have to do with birth? It was the industrial revolution that began the downward spiral of our maternity care in the US. People stopped trusting people and started trusting machines. This was very apparent in the medical industry where doctors stopped looking at moms and instead, focused on what the machines were telling them was going on because it was measurable and chartable. In this day and age when everyone wants to blame someone else, doctors and nurses have to have something in writing and they are constantly asking, "Could I do more?" Things have definitely gotten better in the last 20 years but we still have a long way to go. There was a time that a laboring woman was strapped to a bed and left in a room alone until she was far enough along for the doctors to come in and "deliver" the baby from her. Now, women are respected for the most part and there is at least some attempt to respect the wishes of the family. Dads are usually included and in most hospitals, doulas are a welcome addition. However, most hospital staff relies too heavily on technology and most doctors and nurses don't even see a natural birth during their training. When one nurse was asked if a mom had a natural birth, she replied, "Yep, she only got an epidural."

It seems to me that women have been having babies long before there were fetal monitors and ultrasounds. Don't get me wrong, the advances in medicine are amazing and do save lives when they are needed but obstetrics is one of the few fields where the advances are seldom needed. Childbirth is a natural and normal state of being for a women and a women's body knows exactly how to birth a baby. If you have ever seen a laboring mom that is left alone to follow her body, you will become an instant believer. There are so many little things that work together to create this amazing event like the nesting instinct. Shortly before a mom goes into labor, she will usually get a burst of energy to get things finished and ready for her baby. When in labor, if a mom listens to her body, she will move and change positions to allow the baby the chance to do the same. It is such a perfect an intricate dance. During pregnancy, many moms get cravings for foods they would not normally eat like pickles and ice cream. Stop and think for a moment what is in pickles and ice cream: vinegar and milk/dairy. Dairy contains calcium which is needed to grow healthy bones for a growing baby and vinegar helps minimize heartburn which many pregnant moms complain of. The female body is designed to grow babies, so how could it be anything but healthy and safe. If it weren't, the human race would probably not have survived as long as it has.

The biggest thing that gets in the way of a natural birth for most women is their mind. We are trained that the safest place to have a baby is in the hospital and to attempt anything different is either brave or stupid. We've all heard the horror stories from our well meaning relatives and seen the productions on TV and in the movies. When you are pregnant, you become a magnet for "those stories". When a women does get pregnant, she wants to do what she believes is best for herself and her baby. For 20+ years, she has been told that giving birth in a hospital with a doctor is what is best. It sounds great, except doctors are trained to do something, whatever it is. So, what if we lived in a society that believed in the strength and commitment of women? What if we were surrounded by "I can" instead of "I can't"? What if we were to trust in the perfect design of the human body? What if we all believed that birth is normal, natural, healthy and safe?

The best thing we can do to support parents-to-be is to encourage education and believe in the awesome-ness of the human body. For more information on Hypnobabies or any of our services, please contact us at http://www.gentlejourneysbirthing.com

5 Natural Home Treatments For Post Partum Depression That Work

Are you interested in home treatments for postpartum depression that may be just as effective as expensive treatments but at a much lesser cost? They are convenient, cost-effective and easily available over the counter, or through your natural health practitioner because you can do them in your own home. As you are in charge, this approach may work for you and may even speed up your recovery.

As you already know, depression can take control of your life - unless you do something about it. You're in a devastated state where you're constantly worried how to get through another day. Depression is cheating you, taking away the happiness you could cherish when being together with your child. On top of that, the expenses for treating depression may be too much for your family to handle. It may turn into a vicious cycle with no assurance of getting better any time soon.

What if I told you that there is a fast and permanent method that breaks the cycle of depression, and gives you back your freedom, would you be interested? Reading word for word of this article, you'll soon find about the method that helped may people over last 10 years to brake the chains of depression, and go back to your normal life, to enjoy your baby, your children (if you have more), and your partner again. They want you back!

Home treatments for postpartum depression are convenient and easy to use. These are alternative therapies that may even enhance your current treatments. Having a healthy lifestyle is one way to reduce depression.

• The stress brought about by this condition will make you anxious most of the time. Relaxing your body enables your mind and body to recuperate from these stresses. Incorporate physical activities, like regular exercise or taking a walk with your baby, in your day to day routine. Avoid eating chocolate, and drinking alcohol.


• Home treatments for postpartum depression may also include herbs such as St. John's wort. This herb is known to increase 'happy' hormones. Since depressed people lack these 'happy' hormones, St. John's wort may stimulate production of these hormones to alleviate depression in as little as three weeks. However, this herb may interact with other drugs that you might be taking. It's better to consult your physician first before initiating this treatment.


• 5-htp is another very potent natural antidepressant remedy that occurs naturally as an amino acid in our body. It works similar to antidepressant drugs but without any of the nasty side effects. The same holds true for SAMe that also occur naturally in the body although 5-htp has proven to be more effective.

When you are breastfeeding you have to be especially careful with any kind of medicines, so always double check with your physician, gynecologist, or pediatrician if the supplements that you intend to take are interfering with breastfeeding.

• Other natural remedies for postpartum depression may be in the form of food nutrients. Omega 3 is believed to be an anti-depressant nutrient. Omega 3 sources are usually found in fish and fish oil supplements. Therapeutic dosages lie around 4g/day, or 4000mg daily.


• Folate or vitamin B12 rich foods s are green leafy vegetables, poultry, and dairy products. Some studies showed that folate may alleviate depression in some individuals.

Home treatments for postpartum depression may not be suitable for everyone. If you're currently taking medications to treat other medical conditions, consult your doctor first before trying these treatments. The road to happiness is challenging when you have depression. Always focus on your goals and never lose hope. Imagine how wonderful it is to be the mother you always wanted to be.

Pregnancy Care - An Important Step For a Smooth Pregnancy

Pregnancy care is an all important aspect for a pregnant woman. It is significant in terms of its advantages for to be mothers. While being pregnant makes you feel special, some simple but critical precautions also become mandatory. If followed, these simple steps can make your special moment even more special. Apart from regular medical check-ups, few simple cautionary steps can also make all the difference. They not only make your pregnancy easier but also safer.

Some Crucial Things to Perform

Here are some uncomplicated ways to make your child bearing period a special moment in your life. These things are important to keep in mind while you are pregnant.

Take a Balanced Diet

Having a balanced diet is definitely a significant and positive pregnancy care step. As a pregnant woman, always try and take a highly nutritious diet. It should contain all essential nutrients including vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, and proteins in right proportions. Never binge on uncooked or semi cooked food products especially eggs, meat and fish. Some fish contain high mercury levels and may harm your baby. Same may be said about semi cooked eggs and meat. Always eat fresh vegetables, fruits and other dairy products. Remember consuming un-pasteurized milk or related products may also be equally dangerous. Do not consume too much of caffeine either. Instead, restrict your caffeine consumption to a maximum of 2 cups per day.

Work a Complete no

During pregnant stage, it becomes absolutely essential that complete prenatal care is in place. One way to ensure that is abandon work till the time you deliver baby. If you are a working lady, apply for maternity leaves well in advance. During final stages of pregnancy, any type of work may lead to unnecessary pressure on womb. This may further disturb healthy growth of the fetus. Do not lift heavy objects and remain away from heavily reactive metals such as mercury, copper and lead. Do not ever expose yourself to harmful sunrays like ultraviolet radiations as they may harm the baby.

Supplement to Take

Although as discussed above, a natural diet remains the best eating option during pregnancy period, some food supplements may also prove quite healthy. For example, folic acid, a major food supplement is necessary for a good development of your fetus. It helps prevent conditions including spina bifida. However, intake of folic acid should start before becoming pregnant. Other supplements including pain killers, vitamins and other over-the-counter medicines must be taken under direct supervision of your physician. If not proper heed not paid, they can cause birth defects and other serious medical conditions.

Exercise Regularly

By exercising regularly, several pregnancy-related problems may be dealt with easily. It can come in really handy, since it can make childbirth and labor immensely easily. Some recommended exercises include swimming and walking. However, in the event of any discomfort during exercise, do not hesitate to call in your doctor. Some symptoms of discomfort while exercising are dizziness, abdomen or chest pain and blurred vision. Under all these circumstances consulting a medical practitioner for advice is good enough.

Things Not to Do

Apart from things to do, you should be aware of things not to do. These are general precautionary measures to be followed by an expectant mother. Some of them are given below

No Smoking- it includes both active and passive smoking.

No alcohol- its consumption during pregnancy might lead to adverse effects such as fetal alcohol syndrome or birth defects.

Avoiding General Discomfort

Some discomfort during pregnancy is normal. You feel morning sickness and tiredness. Frequent urination, constipation and varicose veins are other such conditions of discomfort. In order to avoid these discomforts, take in lots of water, eat fiber rich food, consume green leafy vegetables and take small meals after frequent intervals.

Pregnancy care without any doubt is a critical and important step towards a safe and relaxed pregnancy. Be careful and follow a healthy life style. At the same time take your doctor's advice to deal with any untoward incident.

5 Ways to Prevent Miscarriage

According to National Infertility Association and contrary to the common belief, as many as 70% of pregnancies may end in miscarriage! With more than 50% of losses going undetected and mistaken for a period. Formerly it was believed that only 15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Those figures seems small to the alarmingly high numbers reported today.

The two most common reasons a miscarriage occurs are:

1. The product of pregnancy - the embryo was damaged and could not develop into a healthy baby.
2. The environment - the embryo's environment did not support its healthy development.

Either way the culprit can be found on the cellular level.

Chromosomal abnormalities, immune abnormalities and progesterone deficiency are some of the reasons of miscarriages. However they don't exist without a cause.

The delicate internal balance between hormones, nutrients and toxins in both partners determines what you will be passing onto the embryo and how your body will react to it.

Be that as may the bottom line is - Healthy Couples are Fertile Couples!

Here are 5 ways you can minimize the risk of miscarriage and maximize your chances of taking home a healthy baby:

1. Could you be zinc deficient?

Zinc is the most important mineral for the reproductive system. Zinc deficiency among many other things impairs body's ability to properly maintain pregnancy in women and produce healthy sperm in men.

Unfortunately zinc competes for absorption with the most of the nutrients from food and is often called the "lonely mineral". This means it is one of the minerals which is most likely to be deficient. On top of that artificial hormones in the form of oral contraceptives and ovulation drugs significantly reduce its levels further.

Some symptoms of zinc deficiency:

o Frequent colds and infections
o White spots on fingernails
o Mental exhaustion
o Poor appetite
o Dry skin and hair
o Poor sense of taste and smell

How to boost your zinc levels:

o Good sources of zinc are: lean meat, whole grains, egg yolk and oysters.
o Take a zinc supplement last thing at night to ensure its absorption.

2. Boost your progesterone levels

Progesterone aka pregnancy hormone needs to be at the optimal level for pregnancy to be maintained.
Progesterone deficiency is characterized by PMS and short cycles and is often referred to as a luteal phase defect.

What to do?

Ensure adequate intake of magnesium and vitamin B6 for production of progesterone.
Foods like seeds, nuts and egg yolk are rich in B vitamins and dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and nuts are a good source of magnesium. However you may need to supplement to get optimal therapeutic doses of each. If you eat non organically grown food, the likelihood of nutrient depletion of those foods is high.

3. Increase your vitamin C intake

The strength of the lining of your uterus (womb) is crucial when you are trying to conceive and stay pregnant. More commonly than not, when the connective tissue is weak the embryo will not be able to attach or stay attached. The quality of the connective tissue and blood vessels depends on how much vitamin C and bioflavonoids are present in the body. Bioflavonoids help the body absorb more vitamin C and also contribute to the strength of the connective tissue.

Where do you find vitamin C?

Citrus fruits: preferably lemons, limes and grapefruits as well as berries which are loaded with bioflavonoids.

4. Butt it out for good

Miscarriages more commonly occur when the male partner has low sperm counts and visually abnormal sperm. Smoking severely impacts the quality and quantity of sperm. Scientists discovered that quitting smoking has increased sperm count in men who quit smoking for 5-15 months by 50-800% respectively.
Here is how to give it up for good:

1. Set a date to quit
2. Tell all those close to you that you are quitting
3. If both partners smoke, quit together
4. When the date arrives throw out all the smoking paraphernalia (cigarettes, ashtrays...) from your home, car etc..
5. When you get the urge to light up get up, walk, take a few breaths of fresh air and have some water instead
6. Change your routines to reduce the association with smoking (coffee, drinks and parties)...

And remember:

1. Body's addiction to nicotine only lasts for 3 days
2. It takes 21 days to get rid of the old habit and to acquire a new habit
3. Nature abhors vacuum! So if you give up something make sure you replace it with something else that's good for you.

4. Put that drink down and Give up coffee

When trying to conceive it's best to stay clear from all the alcohol. Alcohol is very harmful to woman's eggs and men sperm before conception. As little as ONE glass can reduce fertility by 50%! This can further lead to damage of developing embryo and result in a miscarriage.
Are you aware of the scientific fact that drinking coffee before and during pregnancy doubles the risk of miscarriage? Studies have found that drinking as little as one cup of coffee per day increase the risk of non conceiving by 55%. Every additional cup keeps raising the risk even further.
There are great coffee substitutes available in health food shops and you might want to give them a try.

5. Optimal preconception care

Optimal preconception care started well before you try to conceive has been found to reduce most of the common causes of miscarriages.

And remember if you want a complete guide with step-by-step instructions on how to boost your fertility naturally with exact therapeutic dosages of nutrients and food sources as well as dozens or more natural fertility strategies, see my "Essential Nutrients for Preconception and Pregnancy Chart" that's part of my "Natural Fertility Cures Program" available at http://www.natural-fertility-cures.com.