Is Omega 3 Fish Oil OK to Use While Breastfeeding?

The answer to that is a resounding YES! More and more mothers to be are asking this question. Studies have now found that mothers to be need to take an omega 3 fish oil on a regular basis to ensure the normal development of the fetus and or the new born baby.

Taking an Omega 3 supplement regularly helps to keep allergies at bay, and also helps to build the baby's immune system. The baby should score well in IQ tests and other memory, and cognitive functions. The mother would not miss out either, as she will not be so susceptible to post natal depression.

So you may well ask, is Omega 3 fish oil OK to use while breastfeeding? We have made our mind up on this issue, however you need to make your own mind up on this issue, using all of the facts.

Omega 3 fatty acids especially DHA are found in vast quantities in mothers breast milk, another way of mother nature saying it is OK to use Omega 3 fish oil. They are starting to put the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA in baby's formulas now. That is how important this issue is.

Now one of the things to remember is that fish oil is a natural blood thinner. This may be a good thing if your heart needs that type of thing. However if you are on aspirin or prescription type drugs to thin your blood, then you need to consult your doctor before starting a course of these Omega 3 supplements. Even then do not take more than 2,000 mg per day of omega 3s

our brain is comprised of some sixty per cent fat and twenty grams of that is DHA fatty acids. We need this DHA to keep our brain in top shape. While the DHA levels remain normal we will not suffer mood swings or bouts of depression. However if the DHA levels get low then we are in foe emotional disorders.

The Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are vitally important to the human body. Out brain is a big user of DHA. So our answer is Omega 3 fish oil OK to use while breastfeeding is yes, it is. All of the evidence points to that fact.

What Happens If You Neglect Postpartum Needs?

There are some great things about the confinement phase of life. You get to bond with your new baby and watch as they start to grow from a tiny creature with little hair to a wiggling, demanding baby who looks around and seems to connect with others. This is an amazing time of life for all women, but not everyone receives the care they need and deserve during this time.

This brings the question of what happens if your confinement needs are not cared for and looked after diligently. Not all women are able to afford confinement nurses and some may not have relatives or friends willing and able to look after them after having a baby. Other women may simply believe they are just fine to return to their normal daily duties and neglect to take care of themselves by chance.

Whether it is by choice or necessity, there are some very serious consequences for neglecting your personal needs during the postpartum periods.

Infections

Your body is at serious risk of infection after having a baby. If you had a vaginal birth, you have rips, tears and stitches which can become infected if they are not properly cared for and rested. If you have a cesarean section, then you have a wound on your stomach which can easily become infected as well.

These infections can interfere with the healing of these pregnancy related wounds and may spread to other parts of the body if not properly treated. Infections in these sensitive areas of the body can be quite painful and uncomfortable.

Usually, these infections occur when the wounds are not kept clean and sanitary. It can also occur if too much physical activity is carried out too soon after having a baby. Your body needs a lot of rest to allow these wounds to heal properly.

Torn Stitches

If you start moving around, climbing stairs, and lifting heavy objects (other children included) too soon after giving birth, you can actually tear the stitches that are holding your pregnancy wounds together. This is painful and will make your postpartum recover take even longer.

You never get ahead by jumping back into normal daily routines after having a baby! It will be much faster in the long run to allow the body to heal and then start gradually adding daily activities into your life again.

Every woman needs at least six weeks of recovery time after having a baby. If you have a c-section, then chances are you need even more time before you completely out of the postpartum period. This is why it is so important to look after your health needs and take care of yourself after having a baby.

If you don't have family and friends around who can help with other children and household duties while you rest and bond with your baby, it is important to bring a postpartum nurse on board. They will make the confinement period more enjoyable and ensure that all of your health needs are looked after. If you aren't sure if you should be doing something or aren't sure if it's too soon to start moving around more, they can help you decide the safest course of action so you don't get infected or rip out your stitches.
If you have a c-section it is even more important to get this help!

Are Maternity Clothes Necessary in Order to Look Good During Pregnancy?

I remember my mother telling me about the times when she was pregnant. She was wearing nothing more than my father's jeans and his working shirts throughout her pregnancy. No maternity clothes for her because she was too poor to buy them at that time. Remember, in her time, which was about 30 years back, maternity clothes used to cost a bomb.

And yet, if you walk along any shopping center these days, you'll notice at least three or four maternity clothes fashion houses catering to the specifically 'large' needs of a pregnant mother. And since the web and the Internet is such a magnanimous thing these days, what about online maternity stores? I'd safely say there are just about half a million legitimate maternity stores right now flailing around the Internet wires for business.

And the amazing thing is that...YES, they make money! And why, I was wondering.

Because of one simple thing....even though my mother (like your mother) and my grandmother (and your grandmother) didn't need maternity clothes when they were pregnant, the modern generation of pregnant women really, truly DO need maternity clothes. We're living in an era that is completely different from their time and we cannot compare our pregnancy needs with their needs. The same rules no longer apply.

If you're pregnant right now and am sitting around here wondering if you should get yourself a whole new wardrobe of maternity clothes, you're in luck. I have some tips about buying maternity clothes for you.

Buy good-looking maternity clothes that can last at least 3 pregnancies

Like I said, maternity clothes are not cheap these days and maternity clothes are only wearable for the nine months that you're pregnant and maybe another month or two after that. And when you get back in shape, you're going to have to shelve those expensive maternity clothes or put the maternity clothes in sad boxes with the edges stuck together with cellophane tape.

So, buy only maternity clothes that are classy and of exceptional quality. You wear maternity clothes only when you plan to go out. For casual outings and at home, stick to your extra large clothes or perhaps, you can buy some large sweaters, t-shirts, overalls, or raglan to wear when you're not required to look all-that-presentable. It works!

You won't need CASUAL maternity clothes. In my books, that's an oxymoron.

Maternity clothes that can double up as breastfeeding clothes later on would be good too

If you intend to breastfeed your baby after the whole pregnancy is over, you would have to think about buying MORE clothes...breastfeeding/nursing clothes. Now, as with maternity clothes, nursing clothes don't come cheap either. And do we NEED nursing clothes as much as we need maternity clothes? Yes, sometimes we do. I have quite a few fashionable looking nursing clothes that I wear whenever I go out shopping or meeting up with friends. Other times, I wear my t-shirts with holes cut out for easy access to the breast! Yeah, it's funny, but at home, who's going to care?

And if you can get your hands on some good maternity clothes that can double up as nursing clothes later on, GO FOR IT! You will get your money's worth that way.

Style of maternity clothes

Many maternity clothes designers are asleep when they're designing maternity clothes - the selection is bad. Most of them are nothing but flower after flower, spiral after spiral, safety pins or perhaps some form of teddy bear or another. Forget about them! If you were to buy maternity clothes, invest one that makes you look good. If the maternity clothes are plain, that's fine, it's better than making you look like Bozo - most of them do, by the way.

The point is that you want to look CLASSY and DIGNIFIED even though you're sort of....BIG. and wearing maternity clothes with large orange and yellow flower prints is NOT going to help you do that!

That's just my opinion, of course, and you're entitled to have your own opinion about maternity clothes that looks good.

Good luck!

Reprint Notice

Copyright 2005 Marsha Maung

Please feel free to reprint this article in your newsletter, website, magazine or other forms of publication freely. The only requirement is that the following biodata is included and the links remains intact. Apart from editorial or grammatical editing, other form of editing that may impair, change, or alter the context of the article is NOT permitted. If so, please contact the writer for written consent.

What to Do When You Are Feeling Low

Everyone feels low at some time in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of reasons such as an unsolved problem, having a bad day, feeling ill or simply tiredness. Having a spot of the blues is a natural part of our emotional make-up - it is only a problem when it develops into a state of depression and when that happens it is best to seek medical care.

For a simple of case of feeling low, there are lots of methods you can use to start to feel better again. For instance, if you know that you are feeling low due to your health, start to take better care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy foods. A constant diet of junk food or soda will quickly deplete your body of the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain balance and health - and that includes emotional and psychological health. It is also important to get some form of regular exercise every day. This doesn't have to be a burn-out session in the gym - it can be something as simple as a walk or yoga or gardening. Choose an activity that you enjoy so that you are more likely to stick to it.

A low mood is often made worse with alcohol consumption, so it's best to avoid drinking altogether when you feel low. Alcohol is, as most people know, a depressant so if you are feeling low to begin with, alcohol will make your mood even worse.

If a problem is causing your low mood, you need to start to work on solving the problem as soon as possible. That sounds obvious, but it is surprising how many people try to ignore their problems or make no effort to solve them and subsequently wind up depressed. If you have a problem it is important to try to take control. Talk to someone who can offer you advice or assistance. If stress is the cause of your low mood, look into stress management strategies. It is important to take positive action to lift your mood because the longer you remain feeling low the greater the chance that depression can sink in.

It is also very important to stay away from any additional negativity that may be present in your life, whether that is people or situations. Negativity itself can trigger low moods, so it goes without saying that it can make an existing low mood worse. There are certain people who relish others' problems and love to wallow in self-pity. For the sake of your well-being, these people are best avoided. Instead, seek out people who can actively help you and have a positive outlook on life. Don't allow yourself to be dragged by others (or yourself) into a spiral of negative thinking. Negative thought patterns are another fast track to feeling low. Whenever you begin to feel any negativity, start to focus on the good things in your life and be grateful for the many blessings you have. And remember that feeling low is, most of the time, a passing phase that happens to us all.

Getting Free Health Insurance Quotes - What Coverage to Expect From a Standard Plan

You simply cannot go without a reliable health insurance plan. You need to know that you and your family are getting the healthcare you require. However, most people do not know much about this type of coverage. They often get policies that cannot adequately meet their medical care needs. Thus, it is best for you to learn more about the features and benefits you can expect from a standard plan before requesting free health insurance quotes. In this way you can compare the different offers adequately based on your personal needs, requirements and budget.

The standard health insurance plan covers all the basic care and treatments you may require regularly or at one point in your life. All your visits to the doctor's office are covered and you do not need to pay for them. You will not have to make on the spot payments for all standard medical tests including lab and X-ray ones. The maternity care is also normally included in every standard policy. This is includes all the monitoring of the future mother as well as the actual delivery. You will get adequate coverage for hospitalization and any surgeries you might need.

When requesting free health insurance quotes it is essential for you to keep in mind that the pediatric care should also be covered in a standard plan. All families have to pay special attention to the benefits they can expect to get for their youngsters. More importantly, you have to check whether the number of children in your family will affect the amount of money you have to pay for the coverage. Normally you can expect to pay more if you have more kids so it is best to research all the aspects related to pediatric care in advance.

One of the main types of medical care that is often not covered in the plans is the preventative one. This means that any immunizations and specific tests such as mammograms are excluded from the insurance. You are highly recommended to perform a more thorough research and find a plan that offers preventative care even at a slightly larger cost. Generally, the health maintenance organization plans have a greater emphasis on this type of services, but they also have specific restrictions that you have to take into consideration.

The standard policies do not provide dental care coverage. If you have serious problems with your oral and teeth health you should request separate health insurance quotes that contain only dental plans. It is worth having such coverage since this type of care is quite expensive as well.

Any insured individuals that need eyeglasses or hearing aids have to pay for these separately as they are normally not covered for. The same is applicable to any cosmetic surgery that is not necessary due to an accident or another medical intervention. Experimental and alternative treatments are often excluded as well even though more and more insurers are starting to offer them.

You have to consider all the benefits that you will get and the ones that you will not when requesting and evaluating free health insurance quotes.

Group Health Insurance Vs Individual Health Insurance In Florida

If you are a small business Florida with four to fifty full-time employees, your employees might have been pressuring you on getting a term health care insurance that you would have to pay.

While it is always advisable to keep your employees happy, getting term healthcare insurance for your employees as a member of your organization may not always suit their needs and may not be cost effective for your business too.

In order to be accepted in their Florida health insurance programs, most healthcare providers require for a small business to be operating for at least a year in Florida. Eligible business must also have been paying for their quarterly taxes. Small business in this case is a company with four to 50 full-time enrolled employees.

Some health providers allow employers to get a combination of PPO plans and HMO plans - and some employees can be on PPO while others on HMO. Although they offer similar services, PPO plans and HMO plans have some distinct differences. The aim is ultimately to allow people to save on their healthcare costs through their network of physicians and hospitals. However, with a PPO, you may see your favorite doctor or visit your favorite hospital - the insurance company will pay between 70% to 80% of the total cost. HMO plans are known, and in fact, limit you to their list of providers and hospitals. PPO plans are offered in all of Florida's counties.

If You Can't Afford It

If you have less than 25 employees, you are not required to offer healthcare or HMO options to your employees if you go back to the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973.

If you are such a small organization, then you might want to encourage your employees to get an individual health insurance plan. This type of plan is not issued to individuals as employees, business owners or as self-employed people. They are issued to people individually as breathing and living people with healthcare concerns.

Individual health insurance plans have advantages over group health insurance and vice versa.

Insurance companies usually have guidelines for accepting companies into their program. Your company might not qualify to be accepted into a group health program. However, if it does qualify, the insurance company must accept all individuals regardless of their pre-existing health conditions - they even include maternity benefits. Therefore, premiums under group healthcare can be more expensive than individual plans.

Insurance companies usually offer better, cheaper rates with individual plans since they can accept, rate or decline an application for an individual plan. Maternity benefits can only be had as an option in this case.

Insurance Brokers

If you are looking forward to enrolling in a health insurance program, you should know that even if you go straight direct to the healthcare company or if you choose to find your company, the premiums are still going to be the same. Insurance providers are not allowed to sell their health plans cheaper than what their agents are selling it for.

Things You Don't Want to Hear in Depression

I've read an interest post recently talking about hurtful phrases you would hear from people who are totally ignorant of what your depression disorder is.

Ignorance maybe bliss, but not when you are constantly hurt by heartless and thoughtless remarks.

So what are the top five of the most hurtful comments you might get about your depression?

1. Just snap out of it! How many people think that your depression is a mere whim and not a serious illness? That you are being pessimistic and simply need to talk yourself out of it? This phrase is on par with pull yourself together! Just makes me want to kick something every time I hear it. You do not snap out of it, people. It's like saying to snap out of your cancer or brain tumour... You find causes of your depression and treat it like any other illness.

2. Get a life or(my favourite) get a job! Excuse me. Depression has nothing to do with boredom or idleness. More often it's caused by constant stress, anxieties and exhaustion, which means your life is so full of it, you can't cope anymore.

3. Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Another misconception which is difficult to fight with. We don't just sit and feel sorry for ourselves, chaps. We simply struggle to find energy to be happy. We feel repulsed and ashamed by this condition, we lose self-respect, and we don't want to be a burden to our friends, family and loved ones. There are many complicated reasons to be depressed: chemical or hormonal imbalance, emotional or physical trauma, it might be hereditary, etc. Whatever the reason, the treatment for depression is a delicate process built of several components. Stop feeling sorry for yourself just doesn't cover it.

4. Stop being depressed, cheer up! It doesn't really help you, when people treat your depression lightly. I've heard variation of this phrase so many times, I lost count. Although the essence of advice is true, depending on severity of your depression, there are ways for you to make yourself feel happier, the way the message is delivered just tells you that the person saying it doesn't understand or doesn't want to understand what's happening to you.

5. You have no excuse to be depressed! This is my old-time favourite. People think that if you've got it all (by all I mean something that they don't have) you automatically should be happy. Besides there are some kinds of depression and anxiety that always puzzle people like SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or postnatal depression.

They way I look at it, if you explain that your depression have chemical or hormonal basis, make it look as scientific as possible, people's attitude changes and they start treating your condition as illness.

I would like to hear the remarks you had to listen to and how you've dealt with them, so please share!

Stress During Pregnancy? Ten Tips to Help You to Be More Relaxed During Pregnancy

Although the nine months of pregnancy is a period that most women hope to experience, there are a myriad of reasons why when the time actually comes, it can be very stressful. Here are some tips to help you refocus away from the aches and the worries, and to transfer some of your pregnancy energy into something positive and beneficial.

o Exercise - While exercise is good for our bodies, the most amazing by- product of it is all those wonderful endorphins that are released in the brain as a result of just a minor workout. These endorphins stimulate happiness and positive feelings and give us further strength and motivation.

o Join a class - any class! Now's the time for you to follow your pursuits - heaven knows you won't have time to follow them later. So if its basket weaving, mosaic frame making or learning a foreign language take the time now to invest in yourself and enjoy every minute!

o Make time for meditation - you don't need to be a Buddha to meditate! Often we get so caught up in our daily routine that one day seems to follow the next without reason or meaning. Try starting your day by closing your eyes and focusing on the blessings that you have in your life. While you are at it, go ahead and ask God, your Higher Power, or Who Ever to continue to bless you with health, wealth, all things good, an easy labor, and a beautiful healthy baby.

o Think about the spiritual aspect of bringing a new person into the world - when you're most caught up in your physical complaints, when you're starting to dread the actual birth, give yourself time to think about the fact that you and your partner have created a new soul, and you are the channel through which it will be coming to this would. If this moves you, or if there is another similar thought that uplifts you then try focus on whenever your mind wanders. Visualize it, and think about using the imagery to help you keep calm while you are in labor.

o Share with a friend - if you have worries about the health of your baby, your parenting abilities, or if you are plagued by horrible dreams (common during pregnancy) know that you are not alone. Don't keep your dark thoughts to yourself - sharing them will help to ease the burden and often just verbalizing your fears helps to melt them down.

o Avoid people who like to tell bad news - if you have friends or family members who like to talk about bad pregnancies and disastrous labors - you do NOT need to listen to them. You can protect yourself from these bearers of bad news. Either avoid them or tell them in a diplomatic but firm way that you are focusing on nice, happy stories during this pregnancy!

o Be kind to yourself - Know your limitations, and give yourself a break when you need it. If it means taking 20 minutes of downtime during your work hours, or telling your husband that you are not up to entertaining this Friday night, or phoning your mother and asking her to look after the kids this afternoon because you need a break - JUST DO IT! There is no need to push yourself beyond your limitations, and you will only reach breakpoint if you do!

o Cranial Sacral Therapy - this is a remarkable treatment which is great for the body, as well as the soul. Find a good Cranial Sacral Therapist who has a healing touch, a listening ear and a caring heart. For more information on the benefits of cranial sacral therapy in pregnancy see http://www.cranio-sacral.co.il/pregnancy.html

o Keep a journal - pregnancy is a trip that you won't experience too many times in life. During this period your interaction both with the world and with the growing life inside you is enhanced. Commit your thoughts, feelings and emotions to writing; one day it will be interesting to come re-visit this special time.

o Enjoy your body - think about the baby that is growing inside your body, look at yourself in the mirror and enjoy watching your bump grow and develop. Don't be shy to place your hands on your tummy when he/she squirms - even in public - as it is most people are admiring your feminine shape!

How Massage Can Help Reduce Stress and Prevent Injury

Massage is so essential for overall wellness in the body. Prevention is the key here! So rather than wait until you are experiencing the pain and discomfort of injury or you feel the overwhelming stress build up in your body, use massage to reduce stress and prevent injury.

Why consider regular massage:

- Reduces muscle tension
- Improves circulation
- Stimulation of lymphatic system and helps to eliminate toxins
- Boosts immune system
- Reduction of stress hormones
- Deeply relaxes the body and mind
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Improves skin tone
- Improves concentration and alertness

Types of Massage:

Harmony Massage - Deep relaxation, using form pressure if required. Fall into a beautiful healing space of gentleness and nurturing.

Oriental Bodywork - Use of Chinese medicine techniques such as needling, cupping, spooning and acupuncture massage.

Remedial Massage - More clinical if experiencing a particular locomotor system problem. Using deep tissue and remedial techniques.

Pregnancy massage - As a woman moves through her pregnancy, she can experience changes in the body and stress on some areas that can cause discomfort. Ensures the utmost comfort for pregnant women, so that they can experience a treatment that nurtures and relaxes, whilst also tending to any problem areas. Regular massage throughout pregnancy can provide so many benefits, including:

• Relaxation and stress reduction


• Relief from muscle cramps and spasms and any other discomfort.


• Increases blood and lymph circulation, which can reduce swelling.


• Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.


• Improves outcome of labor and can ease labor pain.


• improves skin tone throughout pregnancy


• Provides physical and emotional support

Post-natal Massage - Post natal massage is so valuable. Not only is it a chance for the new mother to have some time out to relax, nurture and gather herself but it is also great for helping to reduce any stresses, provide support and release tension from any areas that may be causing discomfort from breastfeeding.

'Mother Roasting' - This is an ancient treatment practiced by many different cultures in slightly varied ways. Usually performed 2 weeks after the birth, 'Mother Roasting' is a process of warming the womb and the body to aid recovery.

'In Malaysia, the mother is given a massage a week or so after giving birth, with a special stone that is heated on the fire, wrapped in a cloth and placed on the abdomen. In South East Asia, new mothers are encouraged to sit next to the open fire. in Thailand, newly delivered women are sometimes placed in a special bed above a fire.'

Use of a Chinese Medicine technique called "Moxbustion", along with specific healing massage, warm oils and towels and warm wheat packs is a popular practise to aid recovery, restore energy and support the liver, kidney and digestive systems. This treatment is beautifully nourishing for the qi and blood in a new mothers body, which is so beneficial and needed.It is believed that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. It militates against cold and dampness in the body and can serve to turn breech babies.

This treatment is really the perfect gift if you want to give something nurturing and rejuvenating for a new mother.

Where to go for Massage service:

Consider your local massage centers. Pick a convenient time, may be after work. Do not forget to make appointment through online or on phone. check the massage therapist's profile if he/she is a qualified professional. Check the accreditation authority's directory for registered practitioner's list for your locality. You should also consider personal reference from your friends and family since they can share you with personal experience.

Reasons Why You Can't Get Pregnant

The miracle of life truly is something special, but there are sometimes when getting pregnant naturally is a lot harder than one might expect. There are several reasons for a someone not getting pregnant. It could be some of your daily activities (or lack thereof), what you're eating, you're physical and mental state. Here are some reasons why you might not be getting pregnant.

It is suggested that if you aren't getting pregnant, you should make an appointment with the doctor so you can go through the proper tests to see if there's a bigger issue than the ones listed below.

Not Enough Sex

Sometimes in life there are things that just take precedent over another. That could be career or just focusing on daily life. If you find yourself having sex once a week, it's probably not enough to get pregnant. Take some time to making sex an enjoyable time. This shouldn't feel like a chore or a responsibility. A baby should be brought into this world with love and not as a duty or responsibility.

Not Having Sex At The Right Time

The best time to have sex is when ovulation happens. This is when the egg (ovum) is ready to meet the sperm of your spouse and get fertilized. It's best to have plenty of sex a week before and after you ovulate.

Smoking And 2nd Hand Smoke

Cigarettes are filled with tons of dangerous substances that cause cancer so it's no wonder that it doesn't help you to get pregnant. This may seem like an obvious answer, but there are some people out there who just can't kick the habit. Maybe knowing that smoking can be a deterrent to getting pregnant might help you quit.

Be aware of your surroundings and watch for the 2nd hand smoke as well. You might not be a smoker, but it doesn't help to be inhaling the smoke. Also for men, smoking lowers your sperm count.

Alcohol Consumption

Whenever you drink more than 4 drinks within a week this could reduce your chances of getting pregnant by 30%. Drinking causes you to lose your appetite and also lose your energy.

Unhealthy Eating

So much is tied into what we eat. You know how the saying goes. "You are what you eat". This doesn't mean that you should just eat nuts and berries and lose ton of weight. This just means to have a more balanced diet. Taking vitamins, minerals and some food supplements will you help with a healthy pregnancy as well.

Obesity / Too Skinny

If you happen to be overweight or obese, controlling your weight and taking it down to normal levels will significantly help increase your chances to get pregnant. The menstrual cycle is affected by obesity. Obesity can make the menstrual cycle unpredictable or irregular.

The same goes for being too skinny. A lack of a good appetite will cause a huge loss in energy which you will need for a healthy pregnancy. You're body will need lots of energy and will be going through a lot of changes physically. You need to be prepared to go through the changes. It will make the whole journey that much better if you are prepared.

Watch The Caffeine

Be careful to control how much coffee or tea you're drinking. 1 cup a day might be okay, but you should be careful not to have more than that. Studies have shown that caffeine causes infertility in women and lowers the sperm count for men. It has also been known to be the prime suspect in babies with low birth weight and also increases the chances of a miscarriage. Just be careful with the caffeine. The maximum daily recommended intake of caffeine is 200 mg while pregnant.

Exercise More

It's hard to stay in a routine of exercise even when you're not trying to get pregnant, but it's hard to deny the benefits of working out and staying in shape. You don't have to exercise, but an hour a day of simple exercising will do wonders for your energy level and will also improve on the quality of sex.

Don't Focus Too Much On Conceiving

It's human nature to be addicted to things. Everyone has their vice. For some it's gambling, cooking, working out, career and yes... getting pregnant. Focusing too much on getting pregnant is never good. You shouldn't be stressed thinking about and hoping to get pregnant. The more you think about it, the more pressure there is and the enjoyment of being pregnant is taken away.

The more you worry about not getting pregnant, the bigger addiction or obsession of wanting to get pregnant. Stress is never good for the mind or body. Obsessing over getting pregnant easily adds stress that you don't need. The unwanted stress will cause irregularities in your menstrual cycle and could also affect your ovulation process. And it could also affect the sex life you're having with your partner.

Wondering why you can't get pregnant or how to get pregnant easily sometimes can't be answered all in one shot. It could be a number of factors that will cause infertility in women and in men. While getting pregnant sometimes can be a lot harder than it seems these points should be taken note. It's also highly suggested that you go to your doctor and talk with them about your issues of not getting pregnant. After a meeting with the doctor you might be more educated on why you can't get pregnant or you might get some new ideas on ways to increase fertility so you can get eventually get pregnant.

40 Weeks Of Pregnancy Information - An Overview In The Form Of A Week By Week Guide

Week by week pregnancy information is necessary and such information helps the would-be mothers and her partner to cope with this exciting period of their life. There are many anxieties and issues a would-be mother confronts during the pregnancy cycle and a few weeks beyond that. If the women have week by week information related to all aspects of pregnancy, the pregnant woman and her family is aware about the various physical and emotional changes that are expected during the stipulated time frame.

Pregnancy Calculator Week By Week

The pregnancy calculation, for the above-mentioned purposes, is done such that the pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of LMP i.e. the Last Menstrual Period. Therefore, as per this calculation procedure, in the first two weeks of pregnancy, there actually is no pregnancy. The eggs do not fertilize till about two weeks and the baby is therefore actually expected within 38 weeks of fertilization.

Stages Of Pregnancy

The 40 weeks of pregnancy are divided into three stages viz., first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimester pregnancy. The first trimester includes weeks 1 to 12, the second section includes weeks 13 to 26 and the last trimester stretches form week 27 to the day of delivery, which is approximately around week 40. The maximum a pregnancy period could stretch is week 42.

All 3 sections of the pregnancy wheel are divided keeping in view the specific characteristics shared by the weeks. The first few weeks, for example are considered as extremely sensitive and therefore are marked as high-risk weeks. The second trimester charts out the baby's development in a spectacular way. The third trimester, besides continuing to provide information about the baby's development, also prominently includes the drastic changes the mother's body undergoes in an attempt to prepare for final pregnancy delivery.

Expected Pregnancy Due Date

There is no precise pregnancy calculator that can perhaps chart out the exact pregnancy due date. All that pregnancy due date calculators can do is possibly generate an expected date of delivery and in only very few instances is this pregnancy due date correct. There are various circumstantial factors affecting pregnancy birth and even the most learned of health care practitioners would not predict any specific date.

The Overall Structure Of Weekly Pregnancy Information

The ideal week-by-week pregnancy information or guide should cover the entire 40 weeks and each week should enumerate the minutest development the baby undergoes. The information further should include the changes mothers experience and the way their body transforms to give birth to a newborn. The 40 weeks of pregnancy further touch upon various pregnancy and childbirth related issues like, what kind of maternity clothes to buy, pregnancy exercise, baby shower favors, early pregnancy symptoms, how to get rid of stretch marks, etc. Concisely a good week-by-week pregnancy guide should encapsulate all that your pregnancy puts you through.

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

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

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

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

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

Causes of Postpartum Depression - When and How It Happens

Postpartum depression (or postnatal depression) is a very common experience for new mothers, usually caused by varying hormone levels. After the first joy and excitement over the birth, almost all mothers have feelings of depression, resulting in weepiness, feeling inadequate and unable to cope. This mild form is known as baby blues and soon wears off.

One in ten women suffers from PND more severely, beginning from three weeks to six months after the birth. They become moody, easily distressed, reject their partner and child, cannot sleep, have a poor appetite and feel anxious and guilty. This condition needs medical counselling. Drugs may be prescribed but simpler treatment, such as kindness and understanding from friends and relations, going out, taking up hobbies and discussing the problem, will often be valuable.

One in 500 new mothers suffers a much more severe depression known as puerperal psychosis, which needs emergency remedies involving psychiatric care. The Infanticide Act (1938) states that a woman cannot be found guilty of the murder of her child within twelve months of its birth if she is suffering from severe postnatal depression.

Organisations that can help include the Association for Postnatal Illness, Parents Anonymous, the Samaritans, and the Meet A Mum Association.

Postnatal check-up

This should take place about six weeks after the birth. This six-week period is known as the puerperium, and by the end of the six weeks the reproductive organs should have returned to their proper size. The check-up can be carried out by the woman's own GP, or at the hospital where the baby was delivered.

At the check-up the doctor will:

• check the mother's weight, blood pressure and urine.


• if an episiotomy was needed, check that this is healing.


• give a routine smear test.


• offer contraceptive advice.


• check on the mother's emotional condition and any signs of post partum depression.

It is an opportunity for the mother to discuss any problems she may have, physical or mental. It is an important check-up and mothers should insist that it is thorough.

Worrying Too Much About the Future - 3 Real Solutions To Experience Personal Peace From Anxiety

"Worry is practical if using and affront to a loving God!" - R. H. Mounce

Struggling With the Pain of Worry

Billions of people are worrying too much about the future! Worrying will give the most healthy person a tendency towards all servers and other illnesses. A study has discovered that most Americans whose lifestyles include material possessions, packed refrigerators and food pantries, with extra money lying on the dresser, have a level of anxiety that is five times (5X) higher than that of Nigeria, which is overpopulated, deceased, and most of the population do not know WHERE, WHEN, and HOW they are going to find the next meal!

True Worry (anxiousness) is something outside and beyond our own control. For example, being anxious about your love one's surgery or getting that long awaited promotion is considered True Worry. However, being anxious that you will fail your next school exam or overdraw your bank account is merely poor stewardship...NOT true worry.

When I worry too much about the future, it's usually because I feel "torn apart inside," from him and him experiencing a WAR within, causing an Inferno of Internal Emotion. Thus, I will often make things that do not genuinely matter...to suddenly MATTER!

The fact remains that so many people in this world are struggling with the pain of unnecessary worry and are clueless as to HOW to find a solution towards peace...a Serenity...a peaceful calm within their being. If you are one who is seeking that kind of solution, then here are three (3) truthful solutions, taken from Matthew 6:25-34, that will help you to overcome worrying too much for the future and begin to experience and enjoy personal peace in your life!

1. Choose To Trust God

A first step and real life solution to comfort your pain about worrying too much about the future is to be aware and realize that each of us have a choice to either trust in God's provision and strength or to worry (vrs. 25). Having the ability to make this choice is a luxury we often take for granted because it's a freedom that allows us the personal privilege and opportunity to make the difference in the world.

Worry takes our focus away from God and places it on the challenge or trial you may be facing. Therefore, the challenge appears bigger than our God! Jesus warns us that worrying too much about the future and for the things in this life is a distraction, which disturbs our joy in God and becomes a barrier to the true unhindered relationship that he desires to have with us. You cannot genuinely help people if you are worrying too much about the future.

Therefore, choose to place your trust in the ONE who can help ( Proverbs 3:5-6) instead of worrying.

2. Consider God's Provisions

A second step and real life solution to comfort your pain about worrying too much about the future is to ask God, through faith and believing, to help you rely on his provision for all your needs (vrs. 26, 28-30). God wants to provide for your need and promises to provide you a future of goodness and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Birds of the Air (vrs. 26)

God provides for the birds of the air by providing food to eat, materials for nesting, and navigation to fly thousands of miles from one continent to another (vrs. 26). God also provides a hurting bird with a Community of Birds that help to carry the burden as the hurting bird heals. You must become aware and realize that being involved in a Community of Support is imperative for your success if you want to conquer worrying too much about the future.

The Flowers of the Field (vrs. 28-30)

God also provides for the flowers of the field, every petal in every leaf. He provides for the right amount of sunlight and the correct season in order for flowers, trees, plants, grass and other vegetation to prosper and provide Oxygen and nutrients for our lives. So, are you not more precious, treasured, and valuable than the birds and flowers? Of course you are!

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Unfortunately, when you are unnecessarily worrying too much about the future, you create more stress and anxiety for your life. Here are just three (3) reasons worrying too much about the future is unhealthy.

• worrying claims that God cannot be trusted and doesn't care


• worrying just doesn't work (vrs. 27)


• worrying blinds you to see the God already knows your need (vrs. 31-32)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV)

3. Commit To Seek God and Believe

A third step and real life solution to comfort your pain about worrying too much about the future is to seek God for the provisional results (vrs. 33-34)! If you want peace from worrying too much about the future, then you must seek first His Kingdom (ways, plan for your life) and his righteousness (vrs. 33).

In order to seek first the kingdom, we must begin by seeking first the King. - Andrew Murray
Believe that you don't have to worry about the future because God has a tremendous plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11 & Matthew 6:34). Have a confident assurance that you will experience true peace from anxiety because you have committed to seek God's plan and believe in His promises. When you need wisdom, ask for it! When you need answers, ask God to provide them.

Your kingdom is a kingdom that will last forever.

Your rule will continue for all time to come.

The Lord is faithful and will keep all of his promises.

He is loving toward everything he has made. - Psalm 145:13 (NIRV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. - James 1:5-7 (NIV)

Solving Your Pain

Because we tend to be worriers by nature, it's vital to your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health to make the CHOICE to trust God for his provisions, being keenly aware to CONSIDER His care for your needs, and to COMMIT to seeking Him and believing in Him. When you do this on a daily basis, you will discover that worrying too much about the future is not very beneficial for your immediate or future success.

These three (3) solutions can comfort your pain and provide you with personal peace because, like sheep, we were not created to carry heavy and unnecessary burdens. We were created for Character, Community, and Compassion.

In Conclusion

Worrying too much about the future doesn't have to be your lifestyle. Although were often guilty of worrying doesn't mean it has to remain that way. Go ahead and choose to trust in God, consider His provisions, and commit to seek His plan and believe He cares for you. Be abundantly aware that there is a Community of Support for your business and for your life.

So, don't worry, my friend! Be happy!

Maternity Nurse Jobs on Call

A maternity nurse job is one of the most highly-paid nurse jobs around. The reason for this is the twenty-four hour workday. Maternity nurses are nurses dedicated to provide primary care and assistance, in every possible aspect, to mothers who have recently given birth and to their newborn babies as well. Apparently, such a responsibility requires them to stay with the mother and the baby at all times and all throughout the term of their service. Mostly, the service is up until the mother has fully recovered and is already able to take care of her baby completely. The duration can change based on the mother's specific condition. Some mothers may recover faster from childbirth, and some may be exhausted for longer periods. Mothers who have undergone caesarean operation also need more time to recover, and in such cases, maternity nurses play a very important role.

Maternity nurse jobs comprise a totally different area of discipline. It is not about caring for the sick. The needs of new mothers and newborn babies are different. Most of the time, maternity nurses are usually experienced nannies or registered nurses. Although it is not always considered as an area of specialization, maternity nurses require different knowledge and skills than that of practice nurses or clinical nurses. Maternity nurses are also required to invest more dedication and commitment to their charges. This is because they will be required to stay with their patients twenty-four hours a day. This is not typically required from other forms of nurse jobs.

But of course, the higher level of commitment that is required from maternity nurses is balanced with the right amount of compensation. Maternity nurses are highly paid. The compensation for being a maternity nurse depends on her level. Maternity nurses usually go through a training period, before moving on to an experienced stage. As can be expected, the experience maternity nurses get paid more than the maternity nurses under training. However, the compensation of maternity nurses, training or experienced, are quite competitive as compared to other nurse jobs. Of course, the financial benefits can also change based on the case that a maternity nurse is handling. Some maternity nurses may be assigned to a mother who just had twins. In such cases, the maternity nurse will be paid more.

The primary responsibilities of a maternity nurse if to provide care and assistance to the new mother or the mother undergoing recovery, and to take care of the baby while the mother is unable to do so. Maternity nurse jobs involve assistance while the mother learns how to breastfeed, and knowledge when it comes to bottle-feeding, bathing, handling of the baby, and other like tasks. Maternity nurses usually stay long after the birth of the baby, especially when their charges are first-time mothers. This is because mothers are usually exhausted both mentally and physically after childbirth, and are expectedly worried about the new responsibilities of child-caring that they are now faced. Having an expert at hand will surely help a lot to ease those tired nerves and to make the mothers feel assured and at ease.

Aside from providing care, the maternity nurse is also responsible for the maintenance of the primary environment of both the mother and the baby. This entails washing and sterilizing the bottles, organizing the things that belong to the baby, and preparing meals.

Maternity nurses should also be emphatic enough to understand what the mother is going through. They should be sensitive enough to handle the mother's needs, especially during the sensitive time that follows childbirth. Maternity nurse is, in every way that you look at it, a job that calls for total dedication.

The Opportunity of Health Insurance for Single Moms

In the early days, those single mothers are required to pay the same premium for private health insurance as couples with their kids. But since 2007, there has been a change to be fair for every individual who wants to avail the health funds, the arrangement to allow one less adult per single parent policy. This will only mean that the single mother can now save enough to give way to the insurance she chooses to enroll.

This is a good time to invest on your health insurance for single moms so you can have peace of mind once you encounter an unexpected incident in the family. This will save you from all the worries you might feel if you are not prepared to secure the bills that will transpire. Here are some of the benefits:

1. With it, you can pick the hospital and doctor you prefer for treatment.
2. If you are covered with a good plan, then you are allowed to choose private hospitals and get your private room in the hospital.
3. Having a health insurance will permit you to wait shorter and have the freedom to choose the time of the surgery, in case you want to.

It is only natural that single mothers want to secure a medical care for her and her family. This is necessary for health issues can happen anytime in the family. To have health insurance for single moms can keep the family from experiencing to financial health bankruptcy.

The federal government with the cooperation of the States operates the insurance for health coverage of kids. Through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, to focuses on the families who are unable to afford or those who don't fit the requirements of the private health insurance coverage. The CHIP is all about giving low cost to free health insurance for single moms and others who earning much to match the requirements of the Medicaid while not enough to afford any private insurance for health. The benefits of CHIP are up to 19 years old and below.

The coverage of CHIP may depend on the states in terms of benefit packages, eligibility guidelines; payment levels needed for the coverage and the way the administrative procedures. These are the benefit packages you can avail on CHIP, immunizations, routine check- ups, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and x-ray services and no-cost preventive care.

Another health insurance for single moms is the Medicaid. This is the program that gives supply to single mothers which are available in every state. It covers the infants and children under the age of six. Those citizens and qualified immigrants are free to do an application. The free Medicaid benefits come with immunizations, preventive care, screening and treatment for any health condition. Vision and dental care and hospital and doctor visits.

The department of health and human services of the United States is a program funded by the federal government that can be found all over the country. These are just a few of their benefit, complete care for pregnant women, immunizations and checkups for kids, checkups for mothers and metal health and substance abuse care if needed.

Fertility Herbs Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally

Many women assume that getting pregnant will be fairly easy once they start to try. Unfortunately, infertility is a growing problem. We read about women in their 30's and 40's who are unable to get pregnant, but infertility also affects women in their 20's as well. Doctor's immediately start to focus on drugs and expensive procedures to help these women conceive. Women who are unwilling to use drugs as a first step or who have been using drugs and technology and have been unsuccessful, should not give up. Fertility herbs are a time tested way to increase a woman's fertility and regulate ovulation and female hormones in order to conceive.

Fertility Herbs are not as concentrated as the chemical drugs proscribed by doctors. You should expect regular daily use to increase fertility gradually over a period of two to three months. In women older than thirty the time period may extend to six months or more.

FIRST STEPS

1) Healthy Habits: Before starting fertility herbs, women should make sure their habits are conducive to having a baby. Alcohol, cigarettes, and fatty foods are the first things that must go. Mild exercise helps get the blood flowing and can help reduce weight which may be stopping you from conceiving.

2) Physical Signs: Get to know your body. In order to use the correct herbs for infertility, it is helpful to have some idea of the problem you are trying to correct. Chart your temperatures to find out whether you ovulate, whether your luteal phase is too short, and which hormones could be a problem for you. There are many books that can help you start this easy process that I can recommend.

FERTILITY HERBS

The great thing about fertility herbs is that they help improve the overall health of your body at the same time as they naturally increase your ability to conceive. Some of the most common and helpful herbs and how to prepare them are listed below but there are many more that have been researched and combined to improve their effect on the reproductive system.

1) Red Clover Blossom:

This herb has a high vitamin content which is valuable to the uterus. It's high protein content benefits the whole body. It's also quite high in calcium & magnesium which relax the nervous system and help promote fertility. This herb contains nearly every trace mineral needed by the glands. Daily use can help balance hormonal functioning which is necessary for a successful pregnancy.

Preparation: Drink 1 or more cups of infusion in a tea daily for several months. If you can't gather your own clover flowers, you can buy the dried blossoms by the pound from a reputable source and add to your daily infusions.

2) Rasberry Leaf:

This is probably the most popular of all fertility herbs. It is a well known uterine tonic and is very high in calcium. It's fertility promoting effects are most useful when combined with Red Clover in a daily tea infusion.

3) Chasteberry or Vitex

Chasteberry is an amazing, and powerful, fertility herb that works with your body to regulate hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances are believed to account for the majority of infertility cases world wide. This is a popular fertility herb in the East that has been taken for centuries. Vitex can help regulate your body's hormones which in turn will stabilize and regulate the reproductive system.

4) Dong Quai

Dong Quai is made up of Chinese blood building herbs. The way that Dong Quai works is by supporting the blood and promoting blood flow to the pelvis which can help with a wide array of fertility issues such irregular periods. Studies involving this herb have shown that the herb helps build a healthy uterine lining.

For best results, herbalists suggest using this herb in tincture form during the days between ovulation and menstruation only.

There are many more fertility herbs that can be used to increase fertility and your likelihood of getting pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you are also taking fertility drugs as the interaction of drugs and herbs can be dangerous. For more information about different herbs, combinations of herbs and fertility blends, please visit the website before for more information.

What You Need to Know About Nausea in Your Third Trimester

During the expectant mothers third trimester, which lasts from the 28th week until birth at approximately 40 weeks, her unborn child will grow and develop at a very rapid pace. As a result of this increased weight and development, the fetus' requirements for nutritional needs will have also grown. This will include the baby's needs for more calcium, more protein and more iron.

Due to the baby's greater size, the mother will often begin to experience an array of symptoms that can result in great discomfort for her. While most of the signs of late pregnancy are normal and not a threat to her health or her unborn child's health, it is important that a woman have an understanding of what to expect during the last few months. Just as there was great differentiation in experienced symptoms during the early stages of pregnancy, the same also holds true for the third trimester.

Many women will find that the nausea that they experienced in early pregnancy will return as they approach the end of their pregnancy. Pregnancy nausea in the third trimester is actually a common occurrence and is thought to be due at least in part to the fact that the baby is now placing a great deal of pressure on the mother's stomach. This added pressure often causes not only nausea but also heartburn. There is also the opinion that the nausea in the third trimester results due to the fluctuating hormone levels of the mother.

Just like the first trimester, it is common for women to feel very fatigued during the third trimester. There are several factors that most likely contribute to this fatigue. The greater size and nutritional needs of the baby place a great demand on the mother's body. Additionally, despite being tired, many women find it difficult to sleep as they near the end of their pregnancy. The pressure the baby is now placing on the mother's bladder can mean frequent interruptions to her sleep due to the need to urinate more frequently. Many women also face the problem of not being able to find a comfortable sleeping position because of their increased size.

Another symptom that can occur because of the baby's larger size is shortness of breath. As the fetus grows, there will be added pressure placed on the woman's diaphragm; this can then cause the mother to have some difficulty with breathing. Additionally the baby's larger size can also begin to affect the woman's posture, which can contribute to the back pain often experienced in the last months of pregnancy.

A condition known as edema frequently affects women in the last months of their pregnancy. Edema is caused by fluid retention and it results in a mild swelling of the feet and hands. While edema is not a concern for alarm, it should be monitored carefully to make sure that the swelling does not become marked; pronounced swelling could be indicative of the serious condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is defined as pregnancy-induced hypertension and it can place a serious risk on both mother and child. It requires the immediate attention of the woman's health care provider.

During the last trimester of pregnancy it is common for the woman to start feeling occasional, mild contractions. Some women will actually experience these contractions as early as 20 weeks. These contractions are referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are not a problem; however, if the contractions should become more regular and increase in strength, it is advisable for the mother to contact her doctor.

Some of the other side effects caused by the rapid growth of the fetus in the third trimester include spider and varicose veins, constipation, diarrhea and leg cramps. These symptoms are also a normal part of the last months of pregnancy for many women; while they can result in discomfort for the expectant mother, they are not a cause for alarm. Nevertheless, if at any time the expectant mother has either concerns or uncertainty about any symptom that she is experiencing, it is always best to consult with her health care provider.

Depression - Who is Most at Risk of Depression and Anxiety?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is a common mental disorder that is the leading cause of disability and the leading contributor to the global burden of disease. By 2020 WHO predicts that depression will rise to the number two contributor to global burden of disease. Who would have known?

WHO Depression Facts (from WHO):

• Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide.


• Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide.


• Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care.


• Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.

So what is Depression?

Depression is a common mental disorder that manifests itself in the form of depressed mood, a loss of enjoyment of living, low self esteem, inability to sleep properly, loss of appetite, low levels of energy, and poor concentration. It affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Some experience severe symptoms and are unable to function day to day and fatalities account for about eight hundred and fifty thousand lives yearly.

So who is most at risk?

The statistics suggest that women are more susceptible to depression than men. Approximately one in six women will experience depression at some stage in their lives while men have a one in four chance. Whilst there are factors that affect women more so than men, the numbers mask a real issue for men...

There are factors that impact on women that contribute to depression such as child birth (post natal depression), hormone changes and the multiple roles women have in day to day life (like raising children, running a home and holding down a job, all at the same time).

One of the known issues with the statistics is that men are known to be less likely to seek support for their depression. The social stigma placed on men prevents them from seeking help and consequently the numbers may be skewed. Many men consider depression as a weakness, or at least they perceive others to do so and therefore they are reluctant to step forward and admit their illness. Although this is improving today, there are still an unknown number of men who do not present for support.

Children who experience depression are more likely to have a family history of the disorder. Often one of the parents will have experienced depression at some stage in their lives. Adolescence is a period when depression seems to affect a greater number of people, particularly girls. They too have a higher than normal likelihood to have a family history of depression although not to the same extent as children.

What are the Risk Factors?

A number of factors have been recognized as increasing the risk of contracting depression. These include such things as stress, marriage breakup, relationship break down, a loss of a loved one, onset of chronic illness such as diabetes, abuse or neglect or some other traumatic event.

Summary

Depression is a major mental disorder that is prevalent everywhere, in all ages, races and genders. There seems to be a higher incidence in women but the numbers could be somewhat misleading. There are several known contributing factors, including family history of the disease.

According to WHO, depression will be a growing problem for many years to come.

How to Lose the Baby Weight Without Starving Yourself

Are you currently pregnant and discouraged about getting back into shape after having your baby? Or maybe you're a new Mom who is exhausted and getting to the gym is the last thing on your mind! Either way, I hope the following tips help you lose that baby weight.

I don't have any fancy initials behind my name, I'm just a Mom of 4 kids. I've been able to get into my favorite Gap jeans fairly quickly after my babies, and I've observed that women who do the same have a few things in common. Here are my tips for losing the weight postpartum:

1) Don't use pregnancy as an excuse to binge.
Pregnancy is the time to get strict about nutrition. Eating junk food will produce a small baby and a big Momma. Make your pregnancy a time to turn over a new leaf if you are a junk food junkie. You'll be developing habits that will serve you well as you teach your children about nutrition.

At the same time, don't obsess about weight gain. I gained between 35-50 pounds for each of my pregnancies, and still didn't have trouble getting back into my old clothes within a few months postpartum. Focus on good nutrition, stay as active as you can, and you won't go wrong.

2) Breastfeed your baby.
Breastfeeding burns around 500-700 calories a day. Wow- that's not bad for sitting around relaxing on the couch! Your body puts on 9 pounds during your pregnancy specifically for the purpose of lactation. The extra weight is laid down on your thighs to make sure you will have enough fat to burn to make milk for baby. Call it "famine insurance" if you will. If you don't breastfeed, guess what? That 9 pounds stays.

Several studies show that nursing Moms return to their prepregnancy weight more quickly. Nursing also helps your uterus contract back to its prepregnancy size faster. Plus you'll have a nicer decolletage to boot!

3) Talk a walk every day
Walking is probably the perfect exercise for new Moms. It's not stressful on your joints (which are still loosey-goosey from the pregnancy hormones for a while after you give birth). It's free and doesn't require a babysitter or any special equipment. It gets you out in the sun, which helps regulates your sleep/wake cycle, causing you and baby to sleep better at night and possibly helping prevent postpartum depression. And you can do it with a friend. If you're sleep deprived and can't bear the thoughts of exercise, call up a buddy and make a date with her to walk several mornings a week. Then you can treat yourselves to Starbucks and gossip afterwards.

4) "Wear" your baby
In addition to the many other benefits, using a baby sling or other soft cloth carrier and wearing your baby will burn lots of calories during the day as you do your household chores or care for other children. It also makes it easier for you to be active. You'll be less tempted to sit around. Throwing on a sling and sitting baby inside it is much easier than lugging out and setting up a heavy stroller.

5) Curb those cravings
Postpartum Moms have cravings for several reasons. One is because serotonin levels are dropping, leading to cravings for sugar. Substitute snacking with another, health producing activity, like getting together with your buddy and going for a walk.

Another cause of cravings may be low blood sugar due to inadequate nutrition (eating too infrequently or eating too much refined sugar). Keep your blood sugar in control by eating frequent small meals that are balanced in nutrients. Keep snacks handy that you can grab quickly before you feed the baby. You need fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Things like dried fruit and nuts, granola, full fat yogurt (buy the plain kind and mix in all-fruit jelly. Most yogurt has way too much sugar otherwise), kefir, vegetables sliced ahead of time and served with dips, hummus, whole grain pita bread, fruit smoothies, etc will keep your blood sugar constant and provide good nutrition. And keep taking your prenatal multivitamin to help prevent deficiencies that may cause cravings.

6) Avoid excessive caffeine
Drinking too much caffeine leads to insulin surges which cause your blood sugar to drop. When this happens most people head straight for the refined carbs to quickly bring their blood sugar back up. That's no good.

7) Get enough rest
Easier said than done for a new Mom, to be sure! But if at all possible, nap with your baby. When you are terribly sleep deprived, you tend to gain weight. Consider bringing baby to bed with you if you are nursing. You will sleep better, baby will sleep better, and Daddy will sleep better (making it more likely that he will take baby for a walk and let you nap some afternoons!). Women all over the world have been doing it for thousands of years. As long as you are not morbidly obese, using sleeping pills or inebriated, cosleeping is safe.

8) Focus on good nutrition
This is also a challenge for a new, stressed out Mom. Check out books like "The One Armed Cook" for ideas on how to prepare healthy meals with a baby in arms. Visit a La Leche League meeting and ask other Moms how they manage to eat well with kids in the kitchen. Some Moms who were former junk food junkies have done well with the following technique. Before feeding themselves a particular food, they ask: "Would I feed this to my baby?" If the answer is no, they don't eat it.

9) And lastly, give it time
Be realistic- don't expect yourself to be back into your favorite jeans within a few weeks of delivery. In the meantime, appreciate your new, womanly curves (especially the cleavage that breastfeeding gives you!). I noticed that my clothing style changes somewhat after I have a baby. My normal tailored, classic look gives way to a soft, feminine style that flatters my postpartum body more.

Rejoice in your body that can do such awesome things as give birth and nourish a new life! Likely, your partner is much more forgiving of your changing body than you are. Just the other day as I was feeling embarrassed about my still stretched-out postpartum belly, my husband commented on how sexy my belly was, "because that's where my babies grew".

Enjoy your new baby!

Constipation During Pregnancy - Finally There's Help

Pregnancy is a time for great joy, hope, and dreams. However, if you are pregnant, unfortunately chances are you have been or will be constipated. Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy. Therefore, if you suffer from constipation during pregnancy, you are not alone. More than half of all pregnant women admit to having trouble with bowel movements on and off throughout their pregnancy. 

Why do so many pregnant women risk to be constipated? What causes constipation during pregnancy? In general, there are many causes of constipation: worry, anxiety, minimal physical exercise, and a low-fiber diet may cause constipation. Whatever causes they are, the fact that pregnant women are easy to have constipation is not good news. If you are constipated during pregnancy, looking for remedies are really good for you and good for baby. Here are a few things that you can do to help preventconstipation from occurring or treat it if you are already experiencing it: 

First and foremost, eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.

Secondly, drink plenty of water, as much water as you like, at least six to eight glasses a day. Because if there is not enough liquid in the diet, the process of digestion will slow down, the intestine can't do its job. A good supplement can be tea, a little coffee or a glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.

Thirdly, do exercise regularly. Exercise can gently stimulate the bowel, which leads to improved digestion. During pregnancy, walking or swimming for about 20 to 30 minutes, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga three times a week will help digestion. It will also enhance general well being and fitness in preparation for the actual delivery.

Stress in Middle Aged Women

Medical professional have made the use of statistics to establish a trend in the occurrence of various disease symptoms among the distributed sections of the population. This helps them to pin point the degree of occurrence of a disease, prevailing in the different categories according to age, gender, and so on. This analysis is also helpful in providing the foresight to the applicability of a treatment for the larger section of a population. It has been discovered that females in the age group between 25 and 40 are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, which we may have a look at.

Stress, which is building up in the society has also taken its toll on the women under this age group. This is by far the most influencing factor when it comes to the mental and physical well-being of a woman. There are many different ways in which a woman might encounter stress in her everyday life. This is mainly related to the pressures associated with lifestyle in general. Pressures associated with family responsibilities, social burdens and taking care of children can affect the individuals I a deep way, so as to influence the mind and body.

The choice between family and career, managing one or both of these can be demanding at times. The expectations levied on them by the society and culture causes them to get into more things than they are able to handle comfortably. This stress manifests itself in the form of depression and mood swings. Although, this is not believed to be confined to females, as would be in the case of postpartum depression.

The corporate females witness a great diversion in the course of their careers from the general behavior acceptable of women. Tears and emotions are seen as a sign of weakness in the male-dominated industries. So, as the women who try to make their mark in the power-driven society, they could give up some of these very natural and personal reactions. It has been upheld since the beginning of history that women need to express their emotions in order to let out their stress. Holding them inside can only complicate their problems.

There are many other concerns which influence the woman of this age group to a great level. Skin care can be one very important issue. It is known that the skin at this age begins to lose its previous healthiness, and hence becomes prone to the external factors. Teenage skin is comparatively less prone to changes in the external environment. The time to be spent on skin care also poses challenge for the women, which is why they do not have enough time to take care of their skin related issues. However, by applying few of the time saving techniques for nourishing your skin can give you good results, without having to go through too much trouble.

Note: You're free to republish this article in any way you want, as long as kept in its entirety. No changes and all links intact.

Pilates Home Equipment - How Pregnancy Pilates Will Help You Stay Fit For the Delivery and After It

Pilates is a special method which involves mental and physical exercise for strengthening the abdominal section and the back. It focuses on stretching and breathing with certain principles to follow. Pilates during pregnancy is really beneficial as it tones your abdomen and pelvic floor.

The principles of pregnancy Pilates are Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow (CCCPBF). The blend of all these principles will improve the balance with such as ease that one would never actually realize it happening. Many pregnancy Pilates DVDs and books are available in the market now. You can learn the techniques by following the live demo by the experts on the DVDs.

Pilates during pregnancy will ensure that pregnancy and labour are comfortable. It will also help you tone your body into shape after pregnancy as well. Pilates are functionally Pre natal and Post natal. Not only will it ensure a comfortable delivery, it will also help you to get back into shape after the pregnancy.

Prenatal pilates will help a woman to relax and stay fit and calm during pregnancy. It also prepares the women towards motherhood. It is always advisable to start the prenatal Pilates once you become 14 weeks pregnant.

Before you start Pregnancy Pilates, there are few things which you might need to closely follow.

You can consider these as the Do's and Don'ts of Pilates:

· Consult a doctor and get an approval for practising Pilates.
· Pilates should be practiced under an instructor/expert and not alone or in seclusion.
· Do not strain yourself by overdoing it.
· Do not stretch too much, move within a limited range as ligaments tend too loosen during pregnancy.
· Avoid lying on your back during second and third semester.

You may join Pilates classes or get yourself a copy of pregnancy Pilates DVD for your Pilates home equipment collection. One thing which you'll always need to keep in mind is to follow the principles of Pilates and practice it within you range and not to stretch too much.

There are several sites which offer pregnancy Pilates DVD where you can see the live demo performed by various Pilates experts. These DVD's come with workouts for each phases of your pregnancy. The exercise performed in these pregnancy Pilates DVDs are performed by the experts themselves and some of the experts where pregnant while they filmed the exercise videos.

Pilates, as already mentioned earlier, focuses on breathing which helps in relaxation and also prove healthier to your baby as there is more intake of oxygen. It is believed to be a good form of exercise which helps in fitness even during the pregnancy. The nature of this exercise is very gentle and also there is no much need to stretch beyond your reach.

There are several types of stretch and toning exercise under Pilates. Some of them which prove to be beneficial during pregnancy are The Saw, Leg front pull, Spine twist, Side kick, Back strength etc. These exercises involve simple and slow stretching movements.

If you were practicing Pilates before pregnancy, you can modify your movements according to your existing needs and condition. Remember, do not rush or advance your level once you are pregnant. Do not overdo the movements which strain your abdomen as this might not be favorable to your unborn baby.

Finding Affordable Health Insurance While Pregnant

In the United States, there are currently approximately 41 million people who are uninsured. Throughout the health care debate, you have likely heard the statistics. Of this group, roughly 13 percent are women who are pregnant and due to either not having insurance or being under-insured, even, many will not get adequate prenatal care. Many insurance plans consider being pregnant a Prue-existing condition, and Medicaid only excepts pregnant women who meet certain income criteria, and this causes a great number to fall through the cracks. These women may make over the income guidelines and this causes a problem because pregnancy care is expensive- the average birth free of complications usually will cost around six to eight thousand dollars, alone. That's to say nothing of the extremely high cost of a high risk situation. A cesarean birth usually runs around $10,638. Though under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, it is not technically a pre-existing condition, there may be some exceptions that cause a pregnant woman to be declined coverage. This is also only if the plan already includes maternity care, so, make sure that you're clear on exactly where you stand with your insurer or with a prospective insurer.

If you are a pregnant woman who is uninsured, there may be options available to you. Firstly, make sure that you are ineligible for Medicaid- some people believe that they may not be eligible, when they actually are. Also, on a state by state basis you may find that there are other options available to you by checking with your state's health department. There are also many health care discount programs out there that can help- doing some research on line and with your health care provider may help you to find those programs which can help you.

Another thing to consider as an option is a birthing center rather than a hospital. Many birthing centers will accept a non-complicated pregnancy on a sliding scale at a much lower cost than a hospital. Check around in your area to find out where the birthing centers closest to you are, and find out if perhaps you are able to utilize that option. Some hospitals actually also have a sliding scale program and if you speak to someone in the account office, and are willing to work out a payment plan for self pay patients.

These are just a few of the options you may be able to find if you are pregnant and uninsured. However, you may want to check with a few insurance providers before you decide that you cannot get coverage- not all insurance providers will consider you completely insurable, and some may offer insurance at perhaps a higher premium with some stipulations. You may also wish to ask about stand alone plans for pregnancy- some offer this and not too many people are aware that such options exist, so, when in doubt, make sure that you are asking about the coverage you need before you decide that you won't get it.

Preparing for Baby's Arrival - Tips to Ensure a Well-Planned Pregnancy and Delivery

You are going to have a baby, how exciting! Whether or not this is your first pregnancy, it can be a bit nerve-racking. How can you best prepare for baby's arrival? Are there things that can be done to minimize fears and frustrations of being ready? As a parent you want the best for your child, the following list, though not comprehensive, is a good start when trying to figure out how to get ready for your unique baby girl or boy.

1. DON'T PANIC: First and foremost, DON'T PANIC! Having a baby can be stressful, but does not need to be such. Whether your pregnancy was planned or not, the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to NOT PANIC. After the discovering your pregnancy, you can make the rest of the pregnancy and the beginning stages of parenthood a low-stress and exciting experience. As you learn to control your life, in areas you can control, you will be better able to stay calm and relaxed. The less stressed you are, the better it will be for your baby and your family.


2. PACK A BAG: Generally this is a well-known to-do item, but it is still worth mentioning. Usually you do not have to stay in a hospital gown after delivering your child. You may find it much more comfortable to be in your own pajamas or other 'comfy' clothes. Make sure you have all the toiletries you would need for an overnight stay (or two) at a hotel. Though the hospital may have what you need, the costs are usually much more than you bringing them on your own.


3. TRANSPORTATION: Do you want to have your baby borne in a taxi or on a city bus? Probably not. Transporting yourself to the birthing location is one thing to think about. Will your spouse be able to take you? What about a backup plan for transportation in the event your spouse is unavailable? Preparing for the homeward bound trip with your precious newborn is something you need to prepare for.
   
   Make sure the car seat is not expired (yes car seats have an expiration date). Make sure it is secured properly and that if it has an arm to carry the car seat that the arm is secured properly in the position specified by the manufacturer (most, if not all, car seat carriers should be fully down and below/behind the head of the car seat). If the vehicle roles, a carrier arm could collapse on your child and cause severe damage.
   
   Many hospitals, birthing centers, and even fire stations offer car-seat inspections and hold training to help teach expectant parents how to properly secure a car seat.


4. ANIMALS: Do you have animals at home that typically live indoors? The most common are dogs and cats. You may want to consider investigating the breed of animal and how it typically responds to newborn children. Dogs may be aggressive, until they have been taught that even the baby is master of the domain/household. A cat may turn and spray your child if not properly introduced. Our dogs were introduced one at a time to our newborn children. Both dogs wanted to sniff and then lick the heads of the baby. After that, our babies were old news. Your animals are not the same as ours. Plan according to the temperament and breed of your pets.


5. PEDIATRICIAN: Having a pediatrician already selected will make things much easier for you and your child. After the delivery, your child's pediatrician will visit your newborn a couple times to make sure he/she is in optimum health. Follow-up visits can also be scheduled with your pediatrician's office. Though you do not necessarily need to select a pediatrician (the hospital will usually provide one that is one call for the hospital stay), it will make future visits with a familiar face and practice easier for you and your child. Also, by choosing a pediatrician before your child's birth will ensure a less stressful experience afterwards when your child needs to go to regularly scheduled checkups and for less-common emergency checkups.


6. CHILDCARE: If you will be going back to work after a maternity break, having pre-selected day-care is another way to reduce the stress of raising a child. Selecting day care earlier will allow you to better screen and interview candidate individuals and/or centers. It will better allow you to do first-hand observations in how the center takes care of newborn infants. You can interact with other parents who leave their children at the same location.


7. FEEDING OPTIONS: Decide, before-hand, on whether you will be nursing or bottle-feeding your child. Both have their individual benefits. As for nutritional needs, both are similarly comparative, though there are skeptics and many homeopaths that purport nursing is better, it really is more of a personal decision as the nutritional benefits are virtually the same and perhaps even better with formula. There is some belief that the skin-to-skin contact associated with nursing is good stimulation for your child, but skin-on-skin does not needs to be only through nursing. Generally there is cost savings with nursing, and it is easier to carry around as you generally have ample supply wherever you are.
   
   We used formula for both our children; both are very intelligent and have a wonderful relationship with both daddy and mommy. A benefit to formula is that feeding is not just a motherly task. The father can take the opportunity to bond with the child as he feeds baby. Some of the fondest memories of our children's daddy is of him singing and rocking them to sleep while they feed on formula.
   
   Again, whether you nurse or bottle feed your child is a completely personal decision and you should not feel bad choosing one over the other. On a similar note, if you choose to nurse, it may not come as easy as you would like. Understand that it will take practice by both mother and baby to master the art of nursing.


8. BORROW OR BUY: The first year of your baby's life will be expensive. Generally, going from a household of two to a household of three does not just require a lifestyle change, but also a financial lifestyle change and obligation. Speak with friends, relatives, church associates, or community forums to determine what items you should really purchase for the first year of baby's life as opposed to things that could simply be borrowed. For example, a baby stroller, or cradle may be something that could be borrowed. A crib that can convert to a toddler bed or adult bed may be something worth purchasing. Some baby clothes also may be able to be borrowed rather than purchased. Baby will be a shock on the pocketbook, minimizing wherever possible can help.


9. CLASSES: Many birthing centers and hospitals offer free or low-cost classes to help new-expectant parents learn how to best prepare for your newborn child. Make use of these services. At minimum they can help put your mind at ease in what you can expect and what you can do to do to prepare. They often provide information about birthing options and your right to have a plan followed by nurses, doctors, and/or other medical staff.


10. MAKE A DECISION LIST: To help you stay calm throughout the pregnancy and afterwards, make a list of the things that can be decided prior to baby's arrival and taking him or her home. Some things to consider when making this list include (not an exhaustive list, just a sample):
    
    - Will you find out the gender?
    
    - Name ideas for both genders. Ultra sound gender determination is not 100% accurate. If you would like help finding unique names for girls and boys do a search on Google or other reputable search engine. There are ample websites dedicated to baby names.
    
    - Birthing location: Birthing center, hospital, home, etc.
    
    - If a boy, will you want him circumcised?
    
    - Cloth diapers or disposable diapers (not much cost savings in cloth as a result of how much cloth diapers cost and the associated maintenance of the diapers)

Though the list is not comprehensive, it should give expectant parents ideas how to prepare for the arrival of their newborn baby. Remember the most important thing, DON'T PANIC! Using lists, and being prepared in the things you can prepare will help you overcome many fears and frustrations sometimes associated with first-time pregnancies.

Post Partum Depression - Fact, Fiction Or Theory?

Postpartum depression is a much more common problem than once thought with as many as 15% of new mothers suffering from symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder (also known as "Manic" Depression) to schizophrenia. Most cases of Postpartum depression are from new mothers, but it can affect a woman after any pregnancy, usually within three months after child birth.

Doctors don't really know what causes this type of disorder. There have have been many studies done and there are a few theories as to possible causes, but no hard facts, as of yet. Below are some of the theories resulting from many different studies done on this condition.

Some studies show that it could be caused by a sudden, dramatic change in the level of a woman's hormones. This is a distinct possibility considering that the body is taken from having such a large amount of hormones to literally being "brought back to reality" with her hormones returning to a normal level. This occurs very suddenly over the twenty four hour period following childbirth. This is similar to the mood changes a woman experiences when suffering from Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Other studies disagree. They tend to believe that it has something to do with the dramatic changes in the person's life by the stress of suddenly entering into motherhood. This is another possibility to consider as each person will react differently to different situations and different forms of stress.

Another study done shows that there are changes in thyroid hormones that bring about changes in women such as mood swings, anger, sadness and insomnia. This can be detected with blood tests and resolved by giving the patient medication to help get their hormone level back to normal.

Others say that the condition is brought on by the sudden shock of having all of the enormous responsibility that goes with having a child. Suddenly being responsible for the life of another human being is difficult for some women to grasp.

Another part of the difficulty is lack of sleep brought on by late night feedings and irregular sleep patterns, long periods of the baby crying and trying everything that they can think of to get the child to stop, without any results. This can bring on terrible feelings of guilt and thoughts of themselves as being a bad mother. This can lead to the mother feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Another potential "trigger" to postpartum depression could be the amount of weight gain. This is a very sensitive topic for many women. Their self esteem could suffer from this, especially if they have a spouse or significant other that is not very supportive. They may have had high hopes of their body immediately returning to normal after giving birth, but may be faced with the reality that, for some, they're overweight for the first time in their life.

These are all just theories of course and will be until medical science can establish the truth, based on facts.

If you or anyone that you know is suffering from what you think may be postpartum depression, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. There may be treatments that your doctor can offer that will be helpful to get you or your loved one through this rough time in your life.

Maternity or Pregnancy Insurance Options in North Carolina

If you are currently pregnant, your options, in order of desirability, are Medicaid, group insurance, and prepayment plans. After you are pregnant, it is not possible to issue an individual policy. Application will automatically be declined. If you are in the process of planning your pregnancy, the best options for minimizing your maternity costs are Medicaid, group insurance, individual insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield, prepayment plans, in order of descending desirability.

The average total maternity charges submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in 2007 was $20,015 per pregnancy 1. A patient may be required to pay this full amount, however many families negotiate with hospitals and providers to pay a discounted rate when the only option is to pay out of pocket.

When planning to cover the costs of maternity the four primary options in North Carolina are as follows:

1. Group maternity insurance coverage. This is often the most advantageous way to pay for maternity costs because many group policies cover maternity for all females on the policy without an additional rider. Also, if you are already pregnant, and don't meet the income requirements for Medicaid, this is your best shot at getting your pregnancy covered by an insurance company. Additionally, some group policies do not consider pregnancy a preexisting condition, so this is a good option to consider if you are already pregnant.

After the charges have been submitted to the insurance company, it is worthwhile to ask the hospital if you can get a discount by paying the deductible in full as opposed to making payments over time. I am aware of instances where the deductible has been discounted for a prompt payment in full.

2. Individual maternity insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield. At the date of this writing, I am only aware of one individual health insurance company in North Carolina that offers coverage for maternity. The company is Blue Cross Blue Shield and the policies are Blue Advantage簧 and Blue Options HSA sm. I am not aware of any individual health insurance policy that will cover you after you are already pregnant. HumanaOne previously offered an individual maternity policy, but has since discontinued it. I am generally skeptical of small health insurance companies, if you are even able to find one that offers maternity, because they are often on tight budgets and as a result their policies often contain ungainly loopholes.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield individual policy is somewhat similar to a prepayment plan through a hospital, as the premiums for adding the maternity rider are fairly substantial. However, the benefit of the policy is that, in the event of a pregnancy that involves complications, your costs are much more predictable. Pregnancies with complications are often significantly more expensive than a normal delivery, so this option is more desirable than a straight prepayment plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield's maternity plan uses the deductible and coinsurance of the plan it is attached to, so it is important to evaluate the varying cost of maternity riders within the context of the deductible and coinsurance of each plan. For example, suppose the maternity rider for a plan was $350 per month. Suppose this plan has a $2,500 deductible with 100% coinsurance. Now the total cost for the pregnancy over the course of a year is $350 times 12 months = $4,200 + the $2,500 deductible = $6,700 for the pregnancy. Now, suppose a second plan had a maternity rider for $450 per month. Suppose this plan has a $1,500 deductible with 100% coinsurance. Now the pregnancy would cost $450 times 12 months = $5,400 + the $1,500 deductible = $6,900. With this hypothetical scenario, the first option is better even though the deductible is higher. The purpose of this example is the illustrate the importance of paying attention to how much it costs to lower your deductible.

With Blue Cross Blue Shield's maternity plan, it is also important to plan the timing of the pregnancy. The individual deductible reset every January 1st, so it is best to start a maternity policy at the beginning of the year and start trying to get pregnant at that point. Otherwise, the pregnancy will overlap calender years and you may have to meet your deductible more than once.

3. Medicaid maternity coverage. Visit the NC state Medicaid website for current income eligibility requirements.

4. Prepayment plans. I you are already pregnant, a prepayment plan is a last resort. In this case, you should contact the prenatal and delivery caregivers to negotiate a prepay rate. Many hospitals offer discounts for paying out of pocket in advance. When conducting prepayment negotiations it is important to be very specific about what is covered by the arrangement and if the price includes complications of pregnancy, or only normal delivery.

Summary
Overall, from a financial perspective, Medicaid is typically the least expensive option, followed by group insurance. Individual maternity with Blue Cross Blue Shield is the third most desirable as a measure to minimize the cost of unexpected complications of pregnancy. The fourth option is the prepayment plan negotiated directly with the provider.

1. Average charges submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield NC for maternity services, professional and hospital etc. in 2007. Your charges may vary.