Natural Treatments For Goitre

In medical science Goitre is known as a swelling of the thyroid gland. The formation of goitre is due to lack of iodine in the body which is consumed through the intake of food and drinks. People staying in the seaside hardly suffer from goitre as all the sea foods are rich in iodine where as people who are in the habit of consuming denatured food usually develop goiters. It has also been examined that women are more prone to the swelling of the thyroid gland than men. Goitre is characterized by the development of large swollen glands, difficulty in breathing, inability to swallow liquids and solid foods efficiently including painful throats. The following are some therapeutic tips for natural treatments for goitre that may help you to get rid of the disorder effectively.

If the Goitre is left untreated for a long period of time, the patient may suffer from ailments like strep throat, tonsillitis, larynghitis, infected vocal chords and various respiratory diseases.

Ways of Natural Treatments for Goitre

o To treat goitre naturally you are recommended to follow a perfect diet schedule that would help to heal the swelling to great extent. In the breakfast you may start with a glass of milk, a handful of unbaked nuts and fresh fruits. A little later you may have a vegetable fruit juice with a teaspoon of yeast added to it. For lunch you are advised to have steamed vegetable, whole meal bread and buttermilk. After sometime you may take in a glass of fruit juice or milk. During dinner you may have salad of raw vegetables, vegetable soup, sprouts, nuts and home made cheese. Just before going to bed you may take up a glass of fruit juice or a vegetable juice.

Taking in or iodine is one of the effective ways to get rid of the disorder. But you are required to have iodine in its organic form like lettuce, turnips, carrots, garlic, onions and such.
o Usage of watercress for healing Goitre is quite effective. The vegetable is a good source of the element iodine. On application of the paste of the vegetable on the affected area would help the gland to function properly and to reduce the swelling significantly.
o The cabbage leaves are also known for their therapeutic properties. The intake of tea with the juice of the crushed cabbage leaves along with almonds.
o Kachnar can also be used for treating goitre. A decoction of the bark should be taken twice a day in empty stomach.
o The dandelion leaves when crushed and added with clarified butter for topical application gives relieve to the swelling to a great extent.
o Goitre can also be healed if seeds of flex are crushed in water, heated and applied over the affected region.

Regular exercise is also one of the effective means of natural treatment for goitre. General warm ups or aerobic activities would help the muscles of the thyroid glands to stretch out freely.

Going Home from the Hospital After a Caesarean Birth - How a Doula Can Help

After three to five days or more of watchful nurses and occasional doctor's visits, you are probably more than ready to be alone with your new family. Your partner, family or friend will excitedly arrive with the car seat and that special going home outfit that you selected so carefully. You both get dressed with a mixture of glee and a wee bit of fear. This new little person is all your responsibility now. That part is common to all mothers...no matter the type of birth she had.

But as you get in the car or taxi you may discover the first difference: seat belts that buckle low can irritate your caesarean incision. Usually your doctor will have removed your staples just before you leave the hospital, so that area is probably tender anyway. One trick that might work for the next week or so while that area is still very sensitive is to fold one of the baby's extra blankets and cushion it between the area and the seat belt.

If you live upstairs, you will soon discover another small difference: negotiating stairs can be tiring. Don't do it more often than you have to: plan trips up and down carefully. Rest once you are downstairs before attempting your return journey. For the first few days have someone else carry the baby up and down the stairs for you. If you have hand rails, now is a good time to use them.

That first shower after your birth was probably heaven, but at home you may find getting into the tub more challenging. Most hospital rooms are equipped with walk-in shower stalls, while most homes have tub/shower combinations. Stepping up and over into the tub may require some help for the first few attempts. Of course, it may be a couple more weeks before you incision is healed enough for an actual bath.

Of course, common household chores such as laundry, sweeping, mopping, hoovering and even cooking present difficulties as well. The general advice given after a caesarean is not to lift anything heavier than your baby for six to eight weeks, which means carrying laundry baskets is a definite no-no. Sweeping, mopping and hoovering may likewise be impossible for several weeks as the bending required puts pressure on your incision. Cooking although easier may be difficult for the first couple of weeks if you must stand for extended periods of time.

If like me, you have a perfectionist streak, you may wonder how you can possibly survive. One thing to remember is that although your situation may be a bit different, all new mothers require six to eight weeks of recovery. Some cultures even prescribe that period in traditions that sequester women and their babies from public view. After a caesarean birth, your recovery might be a bit slower than some vaginal births but each person and each birth is different. I have gone home from surgery and cooked dinner. Some women with traumatic vaginal births may recover even more slowly than you will.

This is especially important time for the breastfeeding couple (a term that infers the close connection between mother and infant). Breastfeeding after a caesarean may be challenging. Sad to say, but the number of mums breastfeeding six weeks after birth is significantly lower following a caesarean delivery. Delays in first feedings, separations from the baby for special care and difficulty finding a comfortable position for feeding means that caesarean mums may have more problems such as sore nipples, delayed coming in of the milk and lower milk supply. The good news is that with help and persistence in these first few days at home those difficulties can be overcome. One key is taking that time to just sit or lie undisturbed and feed your baby...on demand...without clock watching.

So if you have high standards, how can you relax and just enjoy your baby? In addition to focusing on your baby instead of that dirty dish, one option is to get help. Of course, your partner is one source of that help. In the UK, men have the right to paternity leave. In the US, men too can take time off following a birth through the Family Leave Act. But it is important too that your partner have time to bond with the new baby instead of just cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.

One absolutely fabulous way of managing this transition time is to hire a postpartum doula. Doula may be a term you are unfamiliar with. The term taken from Greek means woman who serves. Today it is a term that refers to trained women, most of whom are mothers or grandmothers themselves, who can help you during this time. Not only are they capable of handling all those tasks such as cleaning, cooking, laundry and errands, but many also have special training in breastfeeding and birth trauma that you may find critical at this time.

Where do you find a doula? What kind of training do doulas have? How do you know if she is right for your family?

A good place to begin your search is the Internet. A keyword search for doula will probably bring up several options, which of course leads to finding the right person for your family. As with any domestic position that will bring a virtual stranger into your home, a thorough interview is essential. It is a good idea to ask for references as well as police checks.

Ask her too about her training. There are no laws in the US or UK that mandate specific training for doulas. Anyone can call themselves a doula. Some doulas are former midwives or nursery nurses. Others are experienced mothers who want to help others by sharing their experience. But doula training is valuable. There are many different training options available: two or three day intensive workshops, self-study courses as well as longer term trainings that may combine self-study and workshops. But training should cover a few basics such as communication, physiology and the role of a doula. The key is that the doula has the knowledge and skills to handle the special needs of caesarean mums and babies.

But equally or perhaps more importantly is your intuition. Unlike a housekeeper who is responsible for things, this person is responsible for the care of you and your baby. Ask about her experience with caesarean births, her training in breastfeeding and her philosophy of bonding. Listen carefully to her answers and choose someone that matches your beliefs as closely as possible. Ask too about her experience with caesareans. How many families has she helped after a caesarean birth? Has she herself ever had a caesarean birth? Although personal experience is not necessary, a doula should understand the special needs of new mums and babies after a caesarean.

Remember while a doula is a paid staff member the role is similar to that once filled by extended family such as grandmothers, aunts and sisters. For this reason, the most important thing is that you feel completely comfortable with this person. She will be someone that you will rely upon extensively for physical and emotional support during the first weeks of your baby's birth when you are still recovering. She should share the same philosophy of parenting that you wish to follow. If breastfeeding and snuggling are important to you then she should be someone that will facilitate that. Likewise if having a strict schedule is what you want to achieve then she should have experience with that.

While having a doula may seem like a luxury expense that your new family can ill afford, for a caesarean mum and baby their help can prove a vital tool for bonding and breastfeeding. If your caesarean is planned, one way of budgeting for this expense may be to ask friends and family to contribute to the cost in lieu of other baby gifts. Also some doulas, mindful of the need for their services by working class families, will offer reduced rates or barter. Another way to look at it is that with the help of a doula to establish breastfeeding you will likely more than cover the costs you by not buying formula.

If you want to find out more about the Special Start that a doula can provide your family after a caesarean birth, visit the link below.

Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience that comes with its share of necessary do's and don'ts that an expectant mother should live by. Pregnant women who live by these guidelines of things that they should and should not do while their babies are still inside them are naturally the ones that reap excellent rewards in the end. These rewards are in the form of their healthy, bouncing babies. It is always because of these babies that expectant moms gladly bear whatever difficulties that may come their way during their pregnancies.

It is but expected for pregnant women to give up all their vices for the sake of their unborn babies. This is because alcoholic drinking, cigarette smoking and using illegal drugs can really bring harmful effects to unborn babies. Studies have shown that these vices can cause premature labor as well low birth weight, brain defects and other health problems to the child as soon as it is born. Because of this, it is really best that pregnant moms or even those who are planning to conceive should stay away or give up these vices completely.

One of the most important things that an expectant mother should gravitate to is healthy living. This means taking in proper amounts of nutritious foods everyday as well as drinking lots and lots of water. Fruits, vegetables, whole wheat breads, meat, fish, eggs and milk are just among the staples that you must have when you are expecting a child. Of course, if you want your unborn baby as well as yourself to be as healthy as possible, then you must also take care in staying away from foods that will only bring harm. It is best that you don't eat junk or fast foods as these are usually fatty and have artificial additives. You must also stay away from eating too much sugary, salty and spicy foods, as they can also cause complications that might put you and your baby at risk.

Part of healthy living, whether you are pregnant or not, is having regular exercise. Although taking in an exercise regimen would have to depend on your type of pregnancy and the advice of your doctor, this is one way to go to ensure that you and your baby stay fit until the day of birthing. Walking, swimming, light aerobics and doing yoga are among the most beneficial exercises that an expectant mom could do.

These are just among the do's and don'ts of pregnancy. There might be others that you will know of along the way, as your pregnancy progresses. However, these are the basic ones that you could live by to ensure that you and your baby are healthy all the way.

Benefits of a Maternity Belt

Maternity Belts are one of the most useful, yet one of the least known pregnancy products on the market. Designed to support your bump and lower back during pregnancy, using a maternity belt or maternity band can reduce or remove pregnancy related pain and can make your entire pregnancy more comfortable - some say it can even reduce the number of stretch marks you get!

Throughout your pregnancy your body produces a hormone called Relaxin which softens the tendons and ligaments around your pelvis enabling it to widen during the labour process. However, as the Relaxin starts to enter your body, your pelvis can start to relax earlier than it should.This relaxation leads to movement in the pelvis which reduces the support your pelvis can provide to your back and, when added with the extra weight put on as your bump grows, can result in severe discomfort and pain.

In extreme cases this can cause pelvic girdle pain where the women can experience pain almost anywhere in her body, from lower back pain and discomfort in the pelvis to shooting pains up the body or down the legs and across the abdomen. In some cases, this increase in movement in the pelvis along with the increased pressure can result in the pelvis locking and the individual being unable to move for varying degrees of time. This can be distressing but, if it happens frequently, can be debilitating and result in the need for crutches for support or even incapacity.

However a maternity belt can support your back and your bump to reduce these pressures and can put a stop to pregnancy related pain altogether.

A good maternity belt sits under your bump and is designed to slightly lift your bump, taking some of the weight off your pelvis and thus reducing the movement that can cause the pain and resulting side effects. The belt also wraps around your lower spine, supporting the back to give you a more correct posture and should ensure a more comfortable position for your bump, which should make your whole maternity experience more comfortable.

But this is only one benefit of a maternity belt.

The maternity belt can provide a bra like support to any bump which is why a growing number of women who have never experienced any sort of pregnancy related pain are starting to agree that they are a vital part of your maternity underwear.

Just as we wear bras to support and define our busts, we can now provide the same support and definition to our pregnancy bumps.

As you grow during your pregnancy the maternity belt can help carry some of your increased weight in your everyday life to ensure that your pregnancy is as comfortable as possible.

When you become pregnant after already having a child you will find that your body changes and grows much quicker than it did the first time around, as if your body remembers what it needs to be doing and so gets on with the job. This means that you will probably have a larger bump for longer than you did - and that can wear on your body. The maternity belt can give you that extra lift, just to make sure you don't start getting weary and experiencing the back pain we are so keen to avoid.

Or if you having a multiple pregnancy, where you have even more to carry, then a maternity belt can sometimes be the difference in whether you can make it through the day or not!

And there is even a school of thought that says that if your bump is supported and not pulling down on your skin, then there is less stress on your skin which can cause stretch marks. This has yet to be proven, but who wants to take the risk!

Little Information On Maternity Clothing

Pregnancy takes your body through several transformations; the most prominent is the increasing belly and excessive weight gain. And transformation in physique is consequently followed by changes in your wardrobe. Here comes the utility of maternal clothes, especially from your 4th month. Maternity clothes vary highly in length and size to accommodate various body types as expecting moms come in different sizes and shapes before pregnancy. Thus, you can get them in a broad range of tall, petite, regular lengths as well as in large, medium, small sizes. There are even extra large maternity clothes for plus size women. It is recommended to opt for your pre-expecting size while shopping for the maternity clothes. The rule suits for everything from dresses to tops to bottoms to hosiery.

Maternity clothes are designed with utmost care to ensure comfort and sufficient room for the expanding belly without compromising on style. The maternity tops are fitted with in built panels to provide the required space for your increasing bulge. The maternity bottoms (pants, skirts, capris, crops or shorts) come with elastic, drawstrings and also a in built panel (made of spandex) for your expanding midsection. However, the cuts of these maternity cloths are quite like the conventional clothes to a stylish fashion statement. The sole difference is the stretchy portion near the waist to assure that the growing belly gets maximum comfort. Maternity undergarments must be opted since they provide a strong back-up for your growing uterus and heavy breasts. As the little one inside starts growing, a lot of strain and pressure are placed over your back that can be remedied with the help of a tummy sleeve or maternity belts. You also have the supportive panties which rise up to the stomach.

Historically speaking, in the ancient days, the attires were basically the flowy ones without focusing on a woman's curves. But the medieval era brought form fitting beautiful dresses equipped with seams. And in case of pregnant women, the seams were unfolded to accommodate the increasing body growth. The highly popular maternal cloth of the middle ages was the famous "Baroque Adrienne". It was a waistless maternal gown with numerous folds. Aprons were also a regular choice for expecting mothers. Pinafores were the most prominent pick in the 20th century. However, in those days, maternity wears were considered highly unprofitable as many women did not want to get a whole new wardrobe for just a few months. But, the scenario started changing since the 1990's with high media coverage on celebrity pregnancies.

Physical Therapy Schools - Choosing The Best

Have you been thinking about a career change? Continuing your education and becoming a physical therapist could be just the change you need. What is involved in becoming a therapist and is it worth your time?

Job Opportunities

Many people do not realize the physical therapists have a broad range of employment opportunities. If your local hospital is the only employer, you imagined for this specialty you are missing out on a number of options.

Schools- assist disabled children
Hospice- improve quality of life
Research- improve information and create new programs
Nursing Facility- assist elderly
Sports- injury recovery
Physical Fitness Centers

Income and Growth

As you can see physical therapy is a field with many different job potentials, but before searching for a physical therapy school, you may want to know a little more about income potential and job growth. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the 2010-2020 is much higher than all other occupations at 39%. This is due in part to the fact that baby boomers are aging and staying active later in life.

What can you expect to earn as a therapist?

Top 10%- more than $107,000 annually
Bottom 10% less than $53,620 annually
Median- $76,310 annually

As to be expected there is quite a range between the bottom earnings and the top, but in comparison with many other job fields the potential is fantastic.

School

Before you can apply for current physical therapists positions, you will have to continue your education. Most accredited programs require applicants to first obtain a bachelor's degree, though there are some programs in which graduating high school seniors can participate.

In order to sit for your licensing exam you must have graduated from an accredited program, of which there are 212 programs approved by CAPTA. Which school you attend will of course depend on your location and specific needs. Every state in the union except Alaska and Hawaii has an accredited program.

Pros and Cons

Working in this field has its pros and cons:

Pros:

No shortage of jobs (now or in the future)
Less stress than other medical field positions
Flexible schedules may be possible
Long hours are uncommon

Cons:

Frequent bending and kneeling
Acute care can mean working around infectious diseases
Hospice care can be emotionally taxing
Private practice can have a high demand for meeting productivity quotas

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a career that involves helping people and has a good long-term outlook, becoming a physical therapists is a good option. Over the next decade or so positions in this field are going to grow faster than most career options. Job security, personal fulfillment and decent wages all add up to a very attractive opportunity.

Can Hypnosis Help With Pregnancy and Childbirth?

Many of you might be familiar with how hypnosis can help with weight loss and smoking cessation. But, did you know that hypnosis can also be used during pregnancy to help relieve anxiety and aid in a calm, natural birth?

Hypnosis has been used for quite some time to help in numerous health-related issues, from relieving IBS symptoms to preparing for surgery to alleviating fear of dental procedures. Many pregnant women are now enjoying the benefits of hypnosis, allowing them to experience natural births with little to no pain.

In order to better understand how hypnosis can help pregnant women, it helps to gain a better understanding of hypnosis itself. To put it in simple terms, hypnosis is intense focus and concentration. Many people have likened the concentration with getting lost in a good book or television program. Utilizing that intense focus, hypnosis can actually slow down your brain waves.

Right now you're probably in your waking state, which is Beta consciousness. But, by altering your conscious state through hypnosis, you are able to enter Alpha consciousness, where your brain waves actually slow down. And, when you slow down your brain waves you lose the "critical chatter" of the conscious mind and are able to slip in positive suggestions to the subconscious mind. These positive suggestions can be about any behavior you'd like to change, or any outcome you'd like to see take effect, such as having a natural, easy birth.

In addition, when you're in a relaxed stated and imagining a desired outcome, the brain can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy, and reacts as if the desired outcome was a reality. This phenomenon can be seen in pain management, when hypnotherapists use hypnosis and imagery on pain sufferers to help them lessen the intensity of their pain.

Hypnosis can aid pregnant women in so many different ways and in so many different stages of their pregnancies.

Hypnosis Can Aid in Fertility

Where inability to become pregnant is not due to a medical condition, many women have found relief with hypnosis. There are many who believe that if you can imagine it you can create it, and hypnosis is often paired with imagery to "visualize" oneself becoming pregnant and imagining a baby coming into one's life. Hypnosis is also used to alleviate stress, which may be inhibiting a woman from becoming pregnant. Of course, women aren't the only ones whose stress and anxiety may be inhibiting pregnancy. Many men feel the pressure to help their partners conceive. This stress can affect men's sperm quality.

Hypnosis Can Aid in Helping a Woman Become More Comfortable

Many women experience discomfort from being pregnant, such as morning sickness, the intensity of which can be lessened through hypnosis. In women with high blood pressure, hypnosis can be helpful in helping them to relax, which in turn can help control the symptoms.

Hypnosis Can Help in the Actual Birth Process

Many women are now using hypnosis to help them have their baby naturally with no drugs. Utilizing hypnosis, women can help themselves relax during the baby's birth. Since pain responses are greatly enhanced with fear and anxiety, creating a sense of calm helps in reducing the sensation of pain. The women will be awake and aware of everything that's happening, including the contractions, but will be able to dictate to a great extent the intensity of the sensations she feels.

There are numerous hypnosis tapes and CDs available which can help reduce the fears and anxieties associated with pregnancy and the birthing process. If at all possible, it's preferable to meet face to face with a hypnotherapist who can tailor the hypnosis to your specific fears, anxieties or needs.

How to Find a Hypnotherapist

The first place to look is your own doctor. (It's always good to have your doctor's input before beginning any treatment programs). Ask him or her for a recommendation to a good hypnotherapist. If your doctor does not have a recommendation you can utilize internet hypnotist referral networks to find one in your area. One good referral website is http://www.registeredhypnotist.com, where you can look up hypnotherapists in your area.

Another good internet resource is http://www.hypnobirthing.com, which lists practitioners across the country who've gone through the HypnoBirthing® The Mongan Method, a program specifically tailored to natural birthing.

Whether you plan on a natural birth or not, hypnosis can still help you relax more about the entire birthing process. Becoming more relaxed can help you gain control over your pregnancy, rather than have your pregnancy gain control over you.

Tokyo Hospitals and Medical Care

Japan is one of the most well developed countries of the world and is considered a foremost leader in technology and closely related fields. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is also the center of educational, industrial, cultural and financial activities in Japan. The city is provided with many outstanding hospitals staffed by eminent doctors, containing ultra modern technologies and medical equipment, and the latest treatments and services. Since the medical costs are a bit high in Japan, tourists are well advised to take out travel health insurance. Most of the residents are part of the national health insurance scheme in the government sector. Others avail themselves of private health insurance.

Now I would like to give a brief description of some of the better hospitals in Tokyo.

St. Luke's International Hospital is regarded as one of the best hospitals in Japan maintaining true international standards. Most of the medical staff are fluent in English. Being a service oriented firm, they are taking maximum care to give the patients the accurate and efficient treatments with warm hospitality in a cost effective manner.Tel: 03 3541 5151

Seibo International Catholic Hospital located at 2-5-1 Nakaochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo is another well known hospital for its excellent maternity unit. They also provide excellent treatment and services in all departments. Tel: 03 3951-1111

Keio University Hospital is one of the famous hospitals in Tokyo and is located at the Shinanomachi campus. Their Tel: 03 3353 1211. This is a leading institute offering world class education, research and treatment in the medical and health field. All major medical specialties operate here.

The Tokyo British Clinic is another world class hospital which follows the British General Practice guidelines. This hospital was established in 1992 and providing medical services of highest standards to foreign residents and visitors. They have established full fledged departments in all branches of medicine and are providing facilities like services of native English-speaking doctors.

Osaki clinic for women is well known for treating patients with gynecological disorders and urinary tract diseases. The hospital is provided with most modern equipments to diagnose and treat various gynecological disorders. They offer medical checkups for women at affordable rates.

ThinkPark Tower International Medical Clinic is located near the south exit of the Osaki Station in Tokyo. Their English speaking doctors provide world-class medical care in family practice, gastroenterology, internal medicine and rheumatology. They also offer general medical services like annual checkups, travel medicine, anti-aging medicine, etc.

Aiiku Hospital is one another trusted hospital in Tokyo located at Minato-ku, Tokyo. They specialize in prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies. They offer health check ups and treatment of international standards. However their website is not available in English. Tel: 03-3473-8321,

How Broccoli and Smoking Cause Goitres

Goitre refers to the swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck caused by an iodine deficiency. This can also be caused by regularly eating foods that can encourage goiter growth. There are reportedly 200 million people around the world who are suffering from this condition.

There are certain foods that contain goitrogens which stop the body from using iodine to make thyroid hormones. These foods actually produce thiocyanate and interfere with the iodine absorption by the thyroid glands. When these goitrogens are regularly consumed, the thyroid glands have to work overtime to function normally and this in turn results in the thyroid glands getting enlarged and thus resulting in a goiter.

The most common foods that are goitrogenic are broccoli, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, kohlrabi, radish, rapeseed oil and peanuts. This does not mean that one should stop eating these things, because these products may otherwise be very healthy. If they are cooked and eaten in small quantities, then the goitrogenic activity gets lowered and no serious harm is done.

It is not only important to take care of the foods that are eaten; it is also to take care of our lifestyle and the habits thereof. Habits like smoking can also cause goiter even in the absence of the above food products. This is because cigarette smoke contains goitrogenic derivatives and also something called thiocyanate which also acts as a deterrent for iodine conversion in the body.

Iodine consumption needs to be monitored closely because not only does the absence of iodine cause problem, if it consumed in excess that can also be equally troublesome.

Pregnant and Beautiful - Some Tips to Help You Stay Beautiful During Pregnancy

Being pregnant may be good news for you and your spouse but of course, along with the excitement of finally having a baby are the many beauty issues that come along with pregnancy. You may be thinking about stretch marks, sagging breasts, pregnancy acne and weight gain. But of course, you can be pregnant and beautiful at the same time.

Here are some tips to help you deal with the many changes of your body during pregnancy and remain beautiful even after giving birth.

Preventing and reducing stretch marks

Stretch marks are a nightmare to pregnant women. However, you can find some ways to help you prevent your skin from developing stretch marks or reduce their occurrence after giving birth. One of the ways to help you prevent or, if not, reduce the occurrence of stretch marks is to keep your skin moisturized from the start of your pregnancy. You can use cocoa butter or other creams and oils that will make your skin supple especially as you begin to gain weight.

It is also helpful to drink plenty of water to help moisturize your skin and make your skin smooth as well. Keeping yourself hydrated also helps your body function well. It is important to take care of your skin as well after giving birth, especially if you begin to lose weight as stretch marks can appear at this time as well.

Getting rid of pregnancy acne

Due to hormonal changes in your body, you can be prone to developing acne also during pregnancy. One thing you can do to be pregnant and beautiful and the same time is to exfoliate and use moisturizers if you are also dealing with dry skin. However, it is also important to keep away from harsh ingredients and products such as salicylic acid, which is common in treating acne. If you are not sure about the products that are safe for your pregnancy, you have to consult your doctor for some advice on which is safe.

Dealing with skin blemishes, dark spots and melasma

Dark spots and blemishes may also occur during pregnancy but one thing that you can do to fight these is to maintain proper nutrition during pregnancy. Always consider having healthy and nutritious diet to help you have clear and healthy skin. Although some dark spots may disappear after pregnancy, you can help reduce its occurrence and prevent it from worsening by protecting and avoiding exposure to the sunlight. You can wear sunscreen but you can also simply avoid sun exposure.

Drinking lots of water will also help eliminate toxins from your body, makes your body function well and helps you avoid skin discoloration during pregnancy.

Varicose veins

Having varicose veins is also another problem that you may encounter during pregnancy. To help you avoid these spider veins, avoid crossing your legs while sitting. Avoid standing for long hours as well. Although varicose veins may disappear after your pregnancy, you can supplement your diet with lots of Vitamin C to help you deal with this.

Of course, one major issue that you may face after giving birth is weight gain, thus you have to find ways to shed off those extra pounds after you have given birth.

Know About Georgia Health Insurance

If your employer is not giving you proper health insurance means that you will have to take health insurance on your own. Health insurance has become a necessity with medical care costs touching the ceiling. For an average family man paying medical bills out of your own pocket is a distant dream. It is imperative to give the cover of health insurance within your budget.

This means a lot of spade work and then clinching a health insurance deal that meets your budget and covers your family the maximum. If you are staying in Georgia, many options are being provided so become aware of the options of Georgia health insurance. Georgia health insurance has options and you will need to differentiate between managed care plan and indemnity plans.

The managed care plans are the typical health care insurance plan with deductibles and co pays, all that is needed is paying premium. While the second option in Georgia health insurance is indemnity plans in which you need to pay the medical costs upfront and only after that you can file a claim for medical insurance. They will pay back a portion of the expense or reimburse a portion. People on a tight budget can find that very difficult to swallow and they will not be able to get proper medical care.

Don't go on the lower payment plans but also look out at the end result - what are you actually getting beneath the glam and the discounts. Look at your requirements and make sure that your Georgia health insurance covers costs of prescription drugs, in patient hospital fees, necessary surgery, and preventive healthcare, dental and maternity care. You need to look carefully at all the extra cost that you might incur like co pay, co insurance costs and deductibles.

You might want to reduce your cost while taking a Georgia health insurance, while getting the maximum out of it. The best way to go about looking for a good plan is through online quotations on Georgia health insurance providers. You can fill in the information on the site and then their insurance agent will contact you. You can take multiple quotations so that you can bargain for the lowest premium with highest advantage from a good insurance provider.

How California State Disability Insurance Impacts Your Maternity Leave

California is one of only five states with a mandated short term disability insurance program. And of the five, it has some of the richest benefits. This is especially good news for working women about to go out on maternity leave. Be sure you qualify for benefits before getting pregnant. Not every California employee is automatically covered.

California State Disability Insurance

California State Disability Insurance is also commonly referred to as California SDI. This is a short term disability insurance program for people who work in the state of California. CA is one of only five states that mandate this type of insurance coverage.

Of the five states with coverage, California is near the top of the list when it comes to the total amount of income replacement, but in the middle on percentage terms. The program will replace up to 55% of your income, which is in the mid range of the five states.

But the hard dollar cap of $987 per week beginning in 2010 comes out on top. This means that higher income wage earners will get a higher level of income replacement. A person earning $93,316 per year or more will be subject to the cap.

What this Means for Maternity Leave

This means that women working in California will get a decent wage during maternity leave.

Of course, this only applies if you have coverage. The mandate applies only to those subject to the California Unemployment Insurance Code. Certain worker groups are not automatically covered. Find out if you are covered before getting pregnant, as pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition.

Pregnancy Miscarriage - How To Avoid It

Pregnancy miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the loss of a pregnancy, on its own, which occurs in nearly 20% of all confirmed pregnancies. This usually occurs before 20-24 weeks of the pregnancy but it is most common during the first 12 weeks. When a pregnancy miscarriage occurs, the fetus, placenta and the amniotic sac are expelled by the body.

Causative Factors Of Pregnancy Miscarriage

The most common factor attributed to causing a pregnancy miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities of the developing child. It could be due to genetic defects of the fetus caused by faulty egg and/or sperm. The lifestyle of the expectant mother during her pre-pregnancy days as well as during pregnancy period may also play a major role. Smoking, drug/alcohol abuse and exposure to hazardous materials can increase the risk of pregnancy miscarriage in women. Hormonal imbalances, health issues such as infections, diabetes, immune disorders, problems of the uterus or ovaries etc. can also cause pregnancy miscarriages. Women who have health problems such as diseases of heart, kidney or liver, thyroid problems etc. are at risk of a spontaneous abortion. It has been rightly said that if an expectant mother is given adequate pre pregnancy care she can greatly reduced the chances of a pregnancy miscarriage.

Symptoms Of A Pregnancy Miscarriage

Vaginal bleeding is by far the most common symptom. If you have no idea that you are pregnant and have vaginal bleeding that lasts for more than 2 weeks it is better to consult your physician as it may indicate a spontaneous abortion or some other problem that needs immediate attention. If you know you are pregnant and are bleeding it is time to call your doctor if you use up more than one sanitary pad in one hour. It may be accompanied with low back pain and contractions, and in some cases bleeding may be accompanied with clots. Women may also experience cessation of pregnancy symptoms such as tenderness in the breasts, morning sickness etc.

Types Of Pregnancy Miscarriages

There are several types of pregnancy miscarriages. An expectant mother who suffers light uterine bleeding and is found to have a closed cervix, the condition is called as a threatened miscarriage. When the expectant mother has uterine bleeding and an open cervix, the condition is referred to as an inevitable miscarriage. When the expectant mother has lost the fetus and the products of conception, it is referred to as a complete miscarriage. When the embryo dies inside the womb and the products of conception are not expelled, it is referred to as a missed miscarriage. Recurrent miscarriage occurs in some women due to any of the causes listed above. If women consult a physician before they consider getting pregnant and plan a pregnancy, exercise caution and take the necessary precautions, they can have a successful healthy pregnancy. These are a few facts about pregnancy miscarriage and a few tips on how to avoid it.

Pregnancy - The Top Twenty Things You Should Know

Pregnancy is an exciting stage in a woman's life. It is the time when a woman undertakes a big responsibility to care for a new life that grows inside her. This whole journey lasts for 40 weeks, thus every woman should know the top twenty things about pregnancy. Whether it is your first time to get pregnant or you have been pregnant, it is a must that you know these things because these will greatly influence your ability to bring about the best for your baby.

Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

If you are pregnant, you will experience some of these pregnancy signs and symptoms: nausea or morning sickness, headaches, dizziness and fainting spells, mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, tender or swollen breasts, and missed period.

Pregnancy Test

Once you have experienced those signs and symptoms, you can undergo a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can do this yourself since various pregnancy test kits are available over-the-counter or you can go to a clinic that offers this test.

Prenatal Visit

After you confirmed that you are pregnant, you can schedule an appointment with your preferred obstetrician. During your first prenatal visit, information like the first day of your last menstrual period and your expected date of delivery will be given to you. Pregnancy vitamins will also be prescribed and you will be scheduled for a monthly prenatal visit to monitor your baby's development.

Other Tests and Procedures

Aside from the pregnancy test, you will also have to undergo other tests and procedures like urine test, complete blood count, blood type, Rh factor, and antibody screening, hepatitis B testing, ultrasound, and fetal monitoring.

Pregnancy Stages

There are actually three stages that you will have to go through during the entire course of your pregnancy: the first trimester, the second trimester, and the third trimester. In each stage, you will notice some changes in your body as your baby develops inside and you will even experience pregnancy discomforts.

Nutritional Needs

As a pregnant woman, you have to know your nutritional needs. Take note that birth complications and abnormalities can arise from pregnancy malnutrition. So, you should eat a well-balanced diet and make sure that you take the vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

Family Medical History

It is also important that you know your family medical history to enhance preparedness. This can help you prepare for the possible illnesses and birth abnormalities that your baby can be at risk of. This can also help you determine if there is a chance for you to conceive twins or triplets.

Present Medical Conditions

You should also discuss your present medical conditions to your doctor like high blood pressure and diabetes. This can help you prevent pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy Hazards

If you are exposed to environmental hazards at work or at home, this can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and deformities in your baby. So, make sure that you are not exposed to any of these like paint vapor during your pregnancy.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is expected during pregnancy because of your baby's development. However, it is not advisable that you exceed the recommended weight gain because being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes and hypertension.

Pregnancy Discomforts

You will experience pregnancy discomforts all throughout your pregnancy. These however, vary from woman to woman, so make sure that you are aware of these and know their corresponding remedies.

Potential Problems and their Symptoms

Although most women have normal pregnancies with minor discomforts and no complications, it is important that you know the symptoms for potential problems like vaginal bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, swelling of the hands and feet, and no fetal movement. These symptoms could lead to miscarriage, ecclampsia, and stillbirth if ignored.

Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts

The do's and don'ts are different for each woman and each pregnancy. It is best that you discuss this with your doctor.

Exercise

Exercise during pregnancy is recommended for most women, but only at a moderate speed. Walking, in particular, is highly recommended because this can help your body withstand the rigors of labor and delivery more easily.

Birthing Class

Birthing class, which is considered a ritual of modern pregnancy, gives you and your spouse a chance to prepare together for the big day of labor.

Birthing Option and Place

Prior to your due date, you should discuss your birthing option, whether vaginal or caesarean delivery, to your obstetrician. You should also check the place where you will deliver your baby and see if it will be comfortable for you.

Labor

As your due date draws near, you would want to know exactly when labor will start. It would be best that you understand the whole process of labor and its different stages.

Baby's Name

Before the arrival of your baby, perhaps you already have a name in mind. If you still don't have, you can check books or online for babies names or ask your relatives and friends for suggestions.

Baby Things

During your pregnancy, you can keep yourself busy by preparing all the baby things that you need. Shopping for these items with your husband would be better because this would be a great bonding time for both of you.

Basic Childcare

While taking care of the unborn child is important during pregnancy, this time also gives you the best opportunity to learn about basic childcare. You should know beforehand the best possible care and nutrition that you can give to your baby.

Pregnancy is indeed a challenging stage characterized by both anxiety and excitement. However, by learning these top twenty things that you should know about pregnancy, you can have the best of this journey and be on your way to a fruitful motherhood.

Look Like Yourself Again - Not Like A Mom - 21 Simple Tips

Ah, it starts slowly, doesn't it? You used to get up, shower, dress for work and then head out the door. A coworker would compliment your shoes, a man at lunch would glance over and then pretend he wasn't just checking you out, and in general you felt like you had it together.

And then one day, you saw those magic lines on the pregnancy test, which is where it all began. And then the baby was born. And then life became a bit more challenging. And then, one day you looked in the mirror and were a bit, um, surprised.

When did this happen?

It happens to the best of us. For me, that first trimester was enough to make me forget caring about makeup or looking nice at all. If I felt this bad, who cared what I looked like? Of course I only became worse when my daughter was born. When you aren't sleeping, and you are covered in spit up, how can you possibly care about looking cute? I just wanted to survive.

Four and a half years after it all began, I find myself recognizing the person in the mirror again. I may have had two kids, but I still feel pretty good about myself when I walk out the door. It's been a long road to get to this point though, and I've learned a lot along the way.

Here are 21 simple ways, from pregnancy on, that you can look and feel like you again - not just "a mom."

1. If you're having a rough first trimester, remember that taking care of yourself will help you feel better. Even if you are sick as a dog in the beginning, try to take a shower and put on some makeup. Yes, if you had the flu you would lay around in sweats and forget about washing your hair. But this is a flu that won't go away in a few days, so do what you can to hang in there. Even if you don't feel like yourself, looking like yourself (instead of the sick, worn out version of you) will help.

2. Don't be too cheap when it comes to maternity clothes. Don't get me wrong - I love a good deal. I also love borrowing clothes from girlfriends, and I'll lend my maternity collection to my friends gladly. What I mean is that you should not be cheap in the sense that you just stop caring. If you need to buy clothes, don't feel guilty about buying something nice instead of the funky stuff on the clearance rack. Yes, you'll wear it for a shorter time than your regular clothes, but it's important over the next few months that you still feel good about yourself. Enough is changing; don't let your style change drastically as well.

3. Pedicures are awesome. You can't reach your feet anyways, so go ahead and waddle on down to the salon. If you prefer to save a buck, I suggest Wal-Mart. The pedicures I've gotten there have been awesome, and they are a fraction of the price you'd pay at your haircutter.

4. Do not chop off your hair. Yes, pixie cuts are in style, but wait until after the baby is born if you really want one. Remember that pregnant women tend to be emotional, so avoid making drastic decisions like cutting your hair short while you are pregnant. Your body is changing every day, so keeping your hair the same may help you feel more in touch with your old self. Now is not the time for a big change - you have one coming on your due date.

5. Highlight the great parts of pregnancy. Along with pregnancy comes thicker hair, nails that grow faster, and the need for a bigger bra. Highlight your best features and focus on the things that are nice little side effects, rather than dwelling on your ever increasing belly or your swollen ankles.

6. Try to keep good posture. I don't mean to sound like your mother here, but it's worth the risk. You'll be tempted to lean over, slouch, etc. With a huge baby belly, it's only natural. Sitting up straight will do you a world of good and will not only make you look better, but it will help you feel more confident and attractive.

7. Stay active while you are pregnant. Don't exercise because you want to somehow slow your weight gain, but do it to feel good. Try prenatal yoga, prenatal Pilates, or walking. Some of you may be exercise buffs who still jog around the block when you're nine months pregnant, but I know that I struggled with staying fit when I was pregnant. I didn't want to do very much physically, but when I did manage to exercise I felt great. Even if I looked the same to the rest of the world, I felt much more like myself after a good brisk walk.

8. Take advantage of the fact that most people find pregnant women adorable. The cards are already stacked in your favor, believe it or not. Even if you feel like a planet, most people think you're cute as a button. Remember this, and feel encouraged.

9. Once the baby is born, invest in attractive nursing bras. Gone are the days when nursing bras were these huge, white, scary looking contraptions that made husbands run away screaming. Plenty of stores carry nursing bras in black or in various patterns (leopard, polka dots, etc.).

10. Just because you are still carrying baby weight doesn't mean you have to give up. Don't say to yourself, "I'll get some new clothes when I lose the weight... these sweats will do for now." I was tempted to do that, but I felt so down about my post-baby body that I wanted to do something to feel stylish again. Hit the clearance racks, or borrow clothes from a friend if nothing else fits. Dressing like "you" again will help encourage you to get back to your normal self, rather than getting stuck in a post-partum rut.

11. Don't feel bad if you still need to wear your maternity clothes. A lot of women I talk to feel embarrassed about wearing maternity clothes after their baby is born. Don't be. It's part of life, and everyone has been there. I was in maternity clothes for what felt like forever after my second daughter was born. If the choice is between maternity jeans and pajama bottoms when you're leaving the house, just put your jeans on. If your shirt is long enough, no one will even notice that they're maternity clothes.

12. Shower every day. Even if it's hard, find the time somewhere. It is way too easy to say, "I'll shower tomorrow," and then tomorrow stretches into an embarrassing amount of time. I know that being up all night with a baby makes the days blur into each other, but getting a shower each day will help you stay sane.

13. Enjoy wearing jewelry before your baby learns to grab it. Wearing earrings or a cute necklace is an easy way to look like you took some time getting ready, even if it only took an extra ten seconds to throw it on.

14. If you can swing it, get highlights in your hair. When my second daughter was about six weeks old, my husband took her for a couple of hours so I could go and get my hair highlighted. I didn't do anything drastic, but some warm brown tones in my hair made me feel like I had lost ten pounds.

15. Go for walks. I felt ridiculously frumpy after my second delivery. I still had a "baby belly" (minus the baby inside), my clothes weren't even close to fitting me, and I felt too exhausted to shower most days. Going for long walks with my neighbor several times a week was the absolute best thing I could have done. I was out of the house, getting fresh air and exercise, and forced to take a shower afterwards.

16. Make sure you have at least one friend who does not have kids. This may seem very random, but it's good for perspective. Going out for dessert or drinks with a girlfriend who is in a different stage of life than you will remind you of the wide world around you, and it helps to keep you balanced.

17. It's just as easy to slip on casual heels or cute flats as it is to wear flip-flops. I wore my favorite wedge heels to a pediatrician appointment the other day, and the nurse noted that I was "dressed up" for a stay-at-home-mom. Her compliment made my day, and it also surprised me a bit. Honestly, I was rushing out the door that morning, and slipping on my wedge heels was faster than having to tie sneakers!

18. Try wearing your hair a different way each day to vary it up a bit. I don't mean anything fancy or time consuming, either. My hairdresser fusses at me when I confess that I've been wearing my hair in a ponytail for a month, so I try to limit my ponytail days (although I have my hair in a ponytail as I'm writing this). The key is to feel like you have some sort of variety in your life. I tend to rotate between wearing my hair down, half back with a clip, or in a ponytail. All three are effortless, but doing something different each day makes me feel like I look more stylish for some reason.

19. Keep a travel-sized perfume in your purse or diaper bag. My favorite is "Amazing Grace" by Philosophy, and I keep a tiny little bottle of the eau de toilette in my purse. It's so easy to just spray it on before I head to a friend's house, dinner with my husband, or even a trip to Target. Why not smell nice if it's easy enough?

20. Dress your age. I see plenty of women out there who are either dressing too young for their age, or too old for their age. Remember that even though you're a mom, you (a) don't have to prove anything to anyone regarding "looking young," and (b) you don't need to throw in the towel and dress like "a mom" should dress. I'm 28, so I dress like I'm 28.

21. Find an exercise routine you enjoy, and stick with it. Even if you've lost the baby weight, it's still important to find something to do for yourself that keeps you feeling good. I'm a big fan of Pilates, and I always feel stronger, lighter, and more confident afterwards. When your days are spent taking care of other people, remember that it's important to find the time to take care of yourself as well.

Being a mom is awesome. I absolutely love it, and wouldn't trade it for the world. It can certainly be rough though, and one of the tough things about it is feeling like you've lost yourself. Just a few of these simple tips could make a world of difference between feeling like yourself again, and feeling like you're "just a mom." Trust me, it feels good to look at your reflection in the mirror and recognize yourself again.

How to Get a Cheap Florida Health Insurance Quote

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

Florida Health Insurance Plans

There are two types of health insurance plans:

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

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

Health Insurance Coverage

Whatever plan you choose it should include the following coverages:

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

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

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

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

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

Compare Rates

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

Postnatal Depression - Facts and Symptoms That You Never Knew!

You are probably here either because you heard about postnatal depression but is unsure what postnatal depression is about or you're probably suspecting that you have this illness. Whatever the reason, here are some facts that you should know. First of all, this illness affects one in ten women and usually begins in the first six months after childbirth. However, postnatal depression can begin in pregnancy for some women. Besides, an important thing to note is that postnatal depression can occur at any time within the first year after the birth of a baby and can last for longer than a year if no help is seek and received. Therefore, do seek help before it worsen as untreated postnatal depression can lead to the breakdown of relationships with your partners or children.

Are you being unsure whether you've contracted this illness? Fret not, here are some of the usual symptoms of postnatal depression.

You are anxious and fearful- You may feel very anxious and may even become obsessed with unjustified fears of your baby, yourself or your partner. Besides, you may feel unsafe when no one is by your side and you need someone to be with you all the time. Another postnatal depression symptom also include you having overwhelming fears for example you or your baby dying.

You worry a lot- You have unjustified worries about the things that you normally take for granted. Everyone have worries from time to time, but something is definitely wrong when worrying become more than it would be usual for you. Therefore, you may have postnatal depression. Consult your doctor before it worsens.

You have uncontrollable feelings of panic- Your heart beats faster, your palms of your hands becomes sweaty and you may feel sick, even that you are going to faint. These attacks can happen at any time but are most common in new or stressful situations.

You feel tense- You feel tightness in your neck and shoulders and may be unable to unwind and relax yourself no matter how hard you try. Instead, you feel more tense up the harder you try to relax.

You have more physical aches and pains- This is another symptom of postnatal depression that includes headaches, blurred vision and stomach pains. These are however, signs of tension and that your body is telling you that you are not feeling well.

You are easily irritated- You may find yourself shouting and snapping at your children, baby, partner or other for no good reason at all. In fact, they can't understand the reason of you shouting at them and why they deserve your anger.

You feel sad-There are a different level of sadness that vary from just feeling low, to utter despair which you feel as if your world is an empty space. Besides, you think about negative things that focus on your failures all day long. In worst case, you might even feel that your baby and partner will be living better without you.

If you have any symptoms or similar symptoms, do consult your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment of postnatal depression will result in a faster recovery. Therefore, don't lose hope too soon!

What Are Some Post Birth Causes of Autism?

About 1:110 births results in a child who has autism. There is no one cause that anyone can agree on. There are many theories. Some of them have been disproven, others warrant further study. There are some theories that autism has solely prenatal cause, some say that it is exclusively postnatal, and yet others are that it is a combination of things.

One of the most prevalent theories in the past, and one that has been disproven many times, is the theory of the refrigerator mother. This theory said that autism was linked to childhood trauma, through bad parenting, specifically bad mothering. The mother was supposed to have withheld her affection from the child, thus being like a refrigerator. This theory was advanced by Bruno Bettleheim, and was disproven after his death.

There are three theories that actually belong in the class. That is that autism is caused by environmental causes like vaccines, thiomersal or the MMR vaccine. Thiomersal was an additive to vaccines that was phased out in the US in the 1990s. The MMR vaccine is a frequently accused culprit, although many proponents of these theories blame vaccines all together. There are a number of reasons that these three things have gotten the blame. One is that autism really starts to become apparent around 18-24 months old. Between 12-24 months old children get several vaccinations. There is a correlation there, but correlation doesn't equal causation. Another reason that this theory exists is because a British scientist said that he had proof that the MMR vaccine and thiomersal caused autism. His theory had followers, but there was no clear consensus. It has recently come out that he lied about his data to "prove" his theory. Most autism researchers say there is no link between these things and autism, but there are some, especially parents, who hang on to this theory.

Since autism is primarily about the connections in the brain being made in different ways, or not at all, another theory gaining popularity is that it is caused by an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease attacks the body itself. In this theory the immune disease attacks the brain. The causes could be viral infection at birth, or shortly thereafter, that causes the immune system to go wild and start attacking the body. The results that have been coming from studies based around this subject don't agree with each other.

Some hypotheses haven't had any study, or no significant study, even though they have followers. One is that autism is caused by vitamin D deficiency. Another is that autism is caused by excessive hygiene. That means that the child's environment is so clean that there in no exposure to anything, and that leads to autism.

There is one theory to autism. The most commonly accepted theories all agree that the cause might push a child who is already disposed to having autism into having full blown autism. There is plenty of continuing research into the suggested causes of autism, as well as cures or better treatments for people who have autism.

Calcium Intake Pregnancy - The Benefits of Sufficient Calcium Intake and Pregnancy

During pregnancy the requirement of calcium increases. Around 200 mg/day of calcium is taken up by the baby to develop properly. When the baby is born, about 20-30 g of calcium is found naturally in its skeleton. Later on during breastfeeding, about 1200 mg of calcium should be consumed by the mother to ensure proper growth of her baby.

Sufficient calcium intake and pregnancy are therefore related to each other. Many kinds of birth defects, abnormalities and miscarriages occur as a result of calcium deficiency in the mother. Women are advised by their doctors to obtain optimal levels of calcium from their everyday diet and to be on the safe side they should add at least one calcium supplement product to their everyday diet.

The importance of calcium intake and pregnancy can also be established by the fact that the rate of calcium loss through urine is the highest during pregnancy. To ensure proper absorption of calcium by the blood stream, vitamin D or multi-vitamin tablets should also be consumed. In addition to these, a calcium-rich diet, regular exercise and good-quality calcium supplements help to ensure healthy pregnancies.

Because of urinary calcium excretion, pregnant women are at high risk of developing kidney stones. Extra care should be taken in the context of diet and other factors during pregnancy. Avoid too much protein-rich foods coming from animal sources, and try to drink milk regularly.

In addition to this, also try to avoid soft drinks, too much sugar and salt, coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol. All these things are not only dangerous for the baby but also increase the rate of calcium loss.

Hypertension and depression are two of the most common symptoms seen in pregnant women. These again are caused due to severe calcium and other minerals' deficiency. Heavy medication and inactivity also contribute to calcium loss and interfere in other processes. Similarly, high levels of phosphorus in the blood and high level of parathyroid hormone are dangerous for health.

To ensure a healthy pregnancy and long-term health after delivery, try to find the highest quality calcium supplements available out there. The best ones are those which have been made by mixing a calcium salt with sources of some other minerals and vitamins. These nutrients include magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and sodium.

The importance of sufficient calcium intake and pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. Try to eat a balanced diet and don't sit idle for long durations of time.

Hints To Help You Get Pregnant Fast

If you want to start a family with your partner, there are a number of hints that you should know in order to speed up conception and to heighten your ability to get pregnant quickly.

When you are planning to conceive, you should visit your doctor to have your health checked out and ensure that there is no infection or issue that could affect your baby. They will also run tests to check that your nutrition levels are good and you are high in essential vitamins and minerals. Taking a pregnancy vitamin with enough folic acid will also prevent birth defects in your child. Your partner can take zinc supplements to increase their sperm count.

If you smoke or use any illicit drugs, you should stop right away do not wait until you actually become pregnant to do so. Cutting out alcohol and limiting your caffeine consumption are also important to maximize the chances of conception and increase fertility as well as protecting the health of an embryo.

Taking the fun out of the process and executing each time you have sex like it is a military exercise will not increase your chances of becoming pregnant, in fact, it will likely reduce them. You should not only have sex when you are ovulating, you should do it at least three times a week especially in the week leading up to ovulation since sperm is able to survive up to five days before dying.

Relying on a calendar to predict when you are ovulating and planning sex around that is likely to limit your chances of conception. Even though women are commonly most fertile on day 14 of their cycle, each woman is different and not all of them have the typical 28 day cycle. You can often tell when you are at your most fertile as your vaginal discharge will differ becoming slicker and more slippery to allow sperm to pass into the uterus more effectively.

People are more fertile and conception is much more likely if both partners enjoy the sex. Making it into a clinical process is unlikely to help the situation, so you should relax and enjoy making love with your partner. It has been shown that when women orgasm during sex conception is more likely because vaginal contractions effectively pull more semen into the uterus and helps it to travel there faster. When men orgasm more powerfully, they release more sperm and it travels further into the vagina.

The position that you use during sex can affect fertility levels. The woman on top position is less likely to result in pregnancy since the sperm have to struggle uphill to the female. Missionary or other positions where the vagina is tilted slightly downwards facilitate more sperm getting into the uterus and increases the chances of conception.

Relaxing and enjoying the entire process is one of the most important things that you can do in order to ensure you get pregnant. Knowing that most couples will naturally fall pregnant within 6 to 8 months of trying should make you feel more in control of the situation. If after that time you have not yet conceived you can visit your doctor to seek out further advice.

Abortion Pills - One Of The Safest Ways To Terminate The Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most wonderful period in the life of a woman. During this phase they require love, affection and more care from the family members. Most of the women prepare themselves to enter this phase but sometimes they might get into unwanted pregnancy situations. This unwanted pregnancy might trouble them and hence the best way to get out of this trouble is to terminate it. However, if you are willing to undergo abortion, there are several things that should be discussed among the family members in order to get it done properly. There are various ways in which you can terminate the pregnancy and one of the most effective ones includes the abortion pills.

Among the various ways, using the abortion pills is a medically approved and safest way of terminating the pregnancy. But you should be aware of the fact that it is effective only in early stages of pregnancy. Though you can get the medicine in the market, it is your duty to seek guidance from a professional doctor in order to get it done safely. An experienced doctor is the right person who can tell you whether this method is safe for you or not or which medicine is best for you. There are numerous benefits of using abortion pills for ending the pregnancy and the best one is that it is less traumatic and painful.

This process is effective and safe only in early stages of pregnancy and can be used by women only above 18 years of age. Those under 18 years of age need to take permission from their parents in order to undergo this treatment. The process of terminating the pregnancy by means of abortion pills is known as mifepristone. It can be used by women whose pregnancy period is maximum 9 weeks.

The first thing that should be considered by you is to consult a physician and discuss about the various options available for you. An experienced doctor would ask you to undergo various laboratory tests in order to make sure which medication is the best for you. The pathology tests might also include an ultrasound. Make sure you take the pill under the guidance of the doctor and this requires reading and signing different papers. When you take this medicine it prevents the release of a hormone, progesterone that is essential for pregnancy. In the absence of this hormone the outer boundary of the uterus breaks down and is discharged out of the body as normal periods.

It is beneficial that you either visit a health care center or a physician in order to collect all the information regarding abortion pills and their use. The experienced doctors will guide you in the process. You can also resolve your queries regarding the complications and side effects of using the pill by discussing it with the doctor. Taking this pill can result in excessive bleeding and pain but the guidance of professionals can help you in coming over the pain and traumatic condition with effective medication and care.

Birth Is Natural, Normal, Healthy and Safe

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

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

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

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

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

Perfect Pregnancy Care by Vitabiotic

Hello women! Pregnancy is the best moments in life ever for every woman. Just take care of child, which was having growth inside you. These all are happiest moments of the life. Children are one of the important parts of our life. Pregnancy is exciting and worrying time for every woman. Exciting due to pregnancy and worrying for the heath of child and easy delivery. All mothers want her baby healthy. Pregnancy care must be taken of mother and fetus during provenance. Early monitoring or taking care previous of delivery is associated with favourable birth outcomes.

In pregnancy it is very important to taking care of health of both, mother and child. During pregnancy period body will go through tremendous changes to help your baby grow inside you. The body's posture changes as the pregnancy progresses. During pregnancy period you suffer some problems like, tiredness, morning sickness, constipation, backache, heartburn, swelling in your ankles, feet and hands etc.

For every pregnant woman it is very important to nutritious diet for a healthy pregnancy. An adequate diet must be needed to avoid above problems during pregnancy. In pregnancy for ensuring good nutrition eating a healthy diet, balancing carbohydrates, fat and proteins, and also you can get nutrition from eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Those all are helping to improving healths of mother and child. Some time the verity of vegetables and fruits from which special vitamins are we got is not available in off seasons, so we go are purchased frozen vegetables in it dangerous bacteria or parasite may contaminate foods and fruits which harm or adversely affect health of both. Several nutrients are very important for the health of developing fetus.

For all of above problems of pregnancy for providing nutritious Vitabiotic providing pregnacare conception tablets which are specially designed to support the nutritional requirements of every pregnant woman. Worldwide studies showing that certain nutrients can play an important role in pregnancy support good reproductive health. Vitabiotic Pregnacare Conception Tablets providing you a perfect and careful balanced comprehensive formulation of micronutrients for the maintenance of heath of woman. This tablet provides folic acid, vitamin E, L-Arginine, N-acetyl, vitamin B12, Inositol. It is very helpful tablets to safe in taking and for better health of mother and child both. My opinion to prefer this Vitabiotic tablets to every pregnant woman for better heath of him also.

You can prefer these tablets from Pharmacy Place. Provide you very large sequence of pregnancy care medicine and other pharmacy products at cheap price. This is one stop online shopping of pharmacy products.

You Need Consider the Catastrophic Health Insurance

If you are seeking a method to save some money on health insurance, you may want to think about gaining a catastrophic health insurance plan. All at once, while a catastrophic health insurance plan could save money, it is not of necessity the best option for everybody. For that reason, you ought to cautiously consider the pros and cons of this kind of health insurance coverage so as to decide if it is appropriate for you.

Catastrophic insurance is a form of policy which is particularly planned to cover up calamities. It typically has a very high deductible and a low payment.

It is intended to assist people pay for main accidents and wide medical care. The expenses of prolonged or emergency treatment could obtain fairly high, and this coverage could make sure that someone does not go bankrupt coping with medical bills.

A main or catastrophic medical insurance plan, even though being rather speculative, is quite cheap but is deductible too. The money that you shell out from your own funds before the insurer meets ups the equilibrium is the deductible.

The catastrophic health insurance plan is intended to cover up merely against main hospital costs rather than day-to-day medical costs. It will not as normal cover up doctor's visits, maternity care, or prescription drugs. The cover typically keeps out mental health conditions, substance abuse and a number of pre-existing medical conditions.

If you make a decision to pursue a catastrophic health insurance plan, you ought to understand that the majority of them do not cover up most of the expenses of pregnancy care as well. Hence if pregnancy is likelihood, ensure to check if pregnancy coverage is obtainable with your plan. A number of catastrophic plans don't cover up maternity care for a filled year after your effectual date.

People who purchase catastrophic health insurance be inclined to fall into two groups: young adults in their 20's and older adults ages 50 to 65. Young adults who pay money for catastrophic coverage are typically self-employed or have no coverage owing to their employers.

Should you find a catastrophic health insurance plan? If you are healthy with no pre-existing conditions and you do not have right of entry to another health plan, you might be a good applicant for a catastrophic coverage plan. In addition, if you are an older adult without health troubles and you just require piece of mind insurance coverage to look after your main catastrophes (such as heart attacks, cancer, etc.), then this kind of coverage can be appropriate for you. If you don't match this criterion, you may think about other alternatives.

Very Early Signs of Pregnancy- Explained

There are certain and varied symptoms that you can look for if you feel that you might be pregnant, or are hoping to become pregnant. The tell-tale signs of early pregnancy are not always there for every woman, and each woman experiences her pregnancy differently than others.

• Missing a Period - This is one of the classic symptoms of being pregnant - missing a monthly period. If your monthly period is not regular, you may not notice it as soon as other women who get their period regularly. Many home pregnancy tests facilitate to women who have a regular period, though, and it can in some cases be a little misleading if you do not.

• Fatigue - Almost all women feel extreme tired during their first trimester, although no one is quite sure as to why this is. It is commonly thought, though, that the increase of hormones in the body is the main cause. B12 vitamins and natural, safe energy supplements would help perk you up, but check with a doctor first to see if you are pregnant, in case the supplement you hope to take would hurt your baby.

• Gagging Because of Odors - Often, pregnant women will feel a high sensitivity to certain smells - for example, the smell of a cup of coffee in the morning might make you feel so sick you can't stand to be in the same room as it. Even foods you used to enjoy may become repulsive and utterly disgusting to you.

• Got to Go Right Now - Having to urinate often is a very common symptom of being pregnant. Even before your uterus expands to accommodate a child, the amount of fluid rises in your body, causing you to feel the need to urinate more often. It is one of those symptoms that does not go away with most women until you have actually given birth, the reason for this is because the uterus expands and it presses against the bladder.

A home pregnancy test will almost always tell you for sure. But refrain from using one until a week after your missed period, though, because no matter what the box might say, it is likely not to give you a definitive answer if you use a pregnancy test too early.

If you do get a positive result, or believe you are pregnant, call your doctor and make an appointment to discuss what your options are, and what is best for you and the baby.

Stages Of Depression

There are no real stages of depression as it affects each individual differently, an adolescent will experience different symptoms than that of an adult. There are just to many variables involved with this mental health disorder for there to be any set stages and each individuals experience will be different.

The causes of the disorder as well can vary between individuals and what may cause depression in one individual may not cause it in another. Things such as genetics, life experiences, life styles, personality traits can all cause the illness. For these reasons as well it becomes difficult in pinpointing various stages of the illness.

Listing the different types of depression and the various symptoms associated with depression is possible. Left untreated depression can manifest and get worse. There is no need for suffering if an individual believes they may have depression because depression is very treatable. Seeking help from a health care professional can save the individual unnecessary suffering and possible physical issues that can occur from prolonged depression as well as causing those close to the individual unnecessary suffering. Depression will eventually burn itself out but this can be weeks, months and even years.

Depression is an illness that affects the body, mind, moods, eating habits, sleeping patterns and the way one feels about themselves. Depression is not just feeling blue and is not a disorder that can be willed away. It is not a sign of weakness and those suffering from depression cannot just pull themselves together. It is an episodic disorder that left untreated will eventually burn out, this may be weeks, months or years. Most of those that seek treatment from a health profession can have success in treating the depression.

There are different types of depression that can manifest in anyone at any given time for various different reasons, but usually the brain has been overloaded and illness sets in.

Major Depression - This is a clinical depression in which individuals lose interest in things and activities that they once enjoyed. They have a feeling of sadness all the time.

Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Disorder - Also known as Manic Depression and is a type of depression that has subtle or extreme highs and extreme lows.

Dysthymic Disorder - This is a disorder that is ongoing but has mild symptoms.

Cyclothymic Disorder - This is a mild form of Bipolar Depression.Individuals can have mood swings that almost seem normal.

Postnatal Depression (PND) or Postpartum Depression - This disorder occurs in women who have just given birth, it's a mix of behavioral, emotional and physical changes that occur in 10 percent of new mothers. It can appear in days after birth and up to a year and symptoms can be mild to severe.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - This disorder occurs seasonally and is caused by a lack of sunlight.

Liposuction After Childbirth - The Best Way to Rid Yourself of the Unwanted Fat

Giving birth is one of the most joyous events in a woman's lifetime. They say that childbirth is a rite of passage into womanhood. Nothing compares to the feeling of holding your newborn in your hands for the first time... that same newborn that you nurtured in your tummy for nine grueling yet well worth it months. With that said, every upside comes with a downside, and that is the unwanted body fat.

This is the number one concern women have after pregnancy. The alteration that was caused to their bodies brings them distress. More so after several pregnancies as it gets worse every single time. To cope with this problem, most mommies resort to liposuction after childbirth. It is a procedure that removes fat through a cannula which is a hollow tube and an aspirator which is a suction device. So basically it sucks the fat out of you! Depending on which part of the body you want to sexify.

Liposuction procedure is often preferred to over tummy tuck by post partum women since there's no removal of skin, just fat. Liposuction has fewer risks involved and less physical discomfort afterwards. Scars are less evident and it is way safer over tummy tuck. Recovery period is also shorter which is ideal for the new mommy since she will have her hands full with her newborn.

Exercise is no longer an option as well since taking care of the baby or maintaining a home or career is already a full time job to the nth power in itself. Let's face it, exercise takes time. Toning that post-pregnancy body takes dedication. Metabolism comes into play as well and some fats are just too stubborn to get rid of.

Liposuction is a tried and tested safe procedure, but be sure to take some precautionary measures before going through with the operation. For sure you have heard about what happened to popular R&B singer Usher's soon to be ex-wife, Tameka. She suffered cardiac arrest shortly after the general anaesthesia. The procedure was never performed and she was put into induced coma after being revived.

Probably this makes you think twice about going through with the procedure. Don't be. Anaesthesia is the culprit, not liposuction. The cardinal mistake that Tameka committed was that it had only been two months since she gave birth. Although there is no written rule about this but I heard from a Philadelphia plastic surgery expert that there should be at least a good three to six months before you go through with any plastic surgery operations.

So ladies make sure that you check with your physician first before you go through liposuction or any procedure for that matter. Just to be on the safe side and avoid any complications that may arise. Philadelphia liposuction is a solution, let's keep it that way.

Find Out If You Have Depression

Sometimes do you feel low for no reason at all and then ask yourself am I really suffering from depression? Just because you feel this way it really is not reason enough to go to your doctors and request some kind of antidepressant.

Finding out about the symptoms that are associated with depression is the best way to find out if you are suffering from this illness and with so many resources around us today, finding out should not be a real problem.

Sometimes we can just find that things are just not going right for us in our life, and you may only feel this way for a day or two, but simply feeling this way for a few day wont mean that your suffering from depression. You should look at your family background because this could be a good indication in finding out if you do suffer from this illness.

Studies have shown that a vast majority of people who suffer from these symptoms had relatives that have suffered from depression and passed on this genetic defect illness to their family members. However you may be suffering from this illness from a breakdown in a relationship which may be the cause for you feeling this way or even losing a job which can knock your confidence and will cause you to feel down and make you feel that you at the end of the road.

Giving birth is another cause which is called postnatal depression and can leave some new mothers in such a state that simply taking care of themselves and their new born child can just become such a hard task. Searching around your local library or using the internet can be a starting guide for how you can tackle this problem, remember your not the alone because help is at hand but you have to take the first step and ask for it.

How to Get Pregnant Fast and Easy - Things That Worked to Help Me Conceive Naturally

I was desperately looking for tips on how to get pregnant fast and easy. After trying for over six months I had almost lost hope and thought I would never conceive. Month after month my frustration only added up and I was convinced that it was never going to happen!

I did a lot of research on the internet and discussed the matter in detail with my grandmother. My grandmother assured me that there were indeed tips and tricks which can increase the chance of getting pregnant quickly. I sincerely followed these tips and advice and was pleasantly surprised when I got pregnant after three months of trying! Here in this article I am going to share some of the tips which I feel helped me conceive naturally:

a) Timing

I never thought timing could play a role the process of getting pregnant. Actually I would now term it as number one factor necessary for getting pregnant. It just does not matter if everything else is in order- not having intercourse at the right time is a guarantee for not getting pregnant. Women can get pregnant during ovulation only which happens once a month for most women. This is basically a 12-24 hour period. It generally occurs 14 days after the monthly period. It is fairly easy to recognize the symptoms of ovulation. There will be a slight rise in body temperature and bloating in the stomach when you ovulate. Ovulation prediction kits can also be used at this time to predict the correct timing.

b) Bad Habits

Smoking, drug use, over drinking or poor eating habits are major causes that lead to infertility or unpredictable periods. Stopping these habits immediately is the best way to get on the path to pregnancy. It is also essential to engage in some moderate form of exercise for half an hour each day to stay fit and healthy. Please do not over-exercise as it can disturb the body's hormonal balance.

c) Patience

Research had indicated that women who are anxious about getting pregnant conceive less often than women who are patient. The ability to get pregnant has a lot to do with hormones and stress levels. Anxiety can impact both of these adversely.

To summarize in case you are serious about figuring out how to get pregnant fast and easy follow these 3 steps

a)Understand when ovulation occurs

b)Have intercourse just before ovulation

c)Stay as healthy as possible and give up any bad habits.

Postpartum Relaxation Tips For New Mothers

Even new mothers need time for themselves and between trying to get in some postpartum exercises and taking care of your new baby you sometimes forget that you need to nurture yourself as well. You need to relax in addition to getting plenty of rest and exercise, but relaxing doesn't have to mean sitting down all of the time. Relaxing simply means taking a break from the chores of being a mother for just a little while to replenish yourself.

Easier said than done? Sometimes, but there is no rule book or child rearing manual that states you have to be on duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, especially the first few months of your babies life when babies are the most demanding. You need a break as well and its all right to ask someone you trust if they would watch the baby for a few hours so you can indulge in a long postpartum relaxation session of your own. Depending on how you gave birth and if you are cleared by your doctor, that relaxation session could be a long soak in the tub, a professional massage, or just a trip to the salon to get your hair and nails done.

Take The Time To Really Think About Your Postpartum Life:

Stop and contemplate on the things you used to love to do before you got pregnant. What made you feel good? What fulfilled your day? What can you work back into your now slightly more hectic schedule of feedings, laundry, and other daily chores that you do? Once you figure that out, find a way to do them again. Start out with one and see how it works out. For example, if you loved to write or journal, spend ten or fifteen minutes of your baby's nap to do that. It may not be as intricate or detailed as what you used to do, but you feel good about yourself when you do it and that is the main focus.

Get The Family Involved In Order To Get Your Postpartum Time In:

Postpartum relaxation could be aided by having someone help out around the house doing some of the things you simply hate, such as the dishes, dusting, cooking and laundry. If you're really lucky, you can get your significant other to do it. Otherwise, look into hiring a maid and or taking up a friend on their offer of 'if there is anything I can do call me'. Go out and have a good time with your significant other and leave the baby with someone you trust. If there is not a significant other call a friend or family member to spend some time with.

The idea behind postpartum relaxation is to have some 'me' time. Don't feel guilty about it. By being able to pamper and indulge yourself, you will become stressed and the smallest thing will make it worse. If you are going to be a working mom, those first few months spending time with your new baby will mean everything to you. Children, even newborns, can pick up on your stress levels. Be stress free for both you and your baby. You'll both be much happier.