Postpartum Depression - 5 Easy and Natural Cures - They Aren't True Cures, But They Help A Lot

Postpartum depression sucks. You think you should be happy because of this new wonderful baby you have, yet you're not. It's ok, it's not your fault. Here are some quick and highly effective ways to get rid of depression.

1. You need exposure to sun everyday. Don't overdo it and act like you're trying to get a tan, but you do need sunlight for about 20 minutes each day. Take a walk with the baby. Perfect. That leads me to the next way to get rid of depression.
   
   
   


2. Exercise... yes, you need to exercise. Yeah, you're depressed and don't want to do it. Yes, you're busy with your beautiful baby. But hey, exercise helps normalize your hormone levels and gets you on to losing the baby weight that you gained during pregnancy. So you get a 2 for 1 deal by exercising. And, it doesn't have to be anything major. Just go for a walk.
   
   
   


3. Take St. John's Wort. Let me be honest, this stuff is crazy. You get some very lucid and vivid dreams from taking this stuff. But that's proof it's working. It's stimulating the neurotransmitters in your brain. It starts to work really good after taking it for 3 weeks. It's a brain supplement that promotes a "feel good" mood.
   
   
   


4. Omega 3 Healthy Fats. Think fish oil pills. I can't say enough good things about fish oil pills. Get some. Yesterday! They're that important. Ok, I'll forgive you for not getting them yesterday. But don't waste time, go get them as soon as possible. You'll be thankful you did... and not just for the depression.
   
   
   


5. Folate. You can get this from green leafy vegetables.

So there you have it. 5 cheap and easy ways to help alleviate your postpartum depression. All of these tips above also help with different kinds of depression. So if you have any kind of depression, including from weight loss... follow those 5 tips or just pick out 1 and use it.

Considering Lap Band Surgery - Get The Facts First

Lap band surgery is an adjustable gastric band type of weight-loss procedure. A prosthetic band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, which creates a small pouch that limits the amount of food the patient eats. If a lap band surgeon approves you for lap band surgery after an extensive consultation, you'll be required to undergo pre-op exams and lab tests before you're medically cleared for surgery. There are approximately seven to eight types of adjustable gastric bands on the market today.

If a person has a dependency on alcohol or drugs, then they won't be eligible for adjustable band surgery. And in general, gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and weight loss system is indicated for people for whom the Body Mass Index is above 40 or are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more over their estimated ideal weight (according to the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables) or between 30 and 40 with co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis), which may improve with weight loss. In order to be considered one must have total comprehension of the risks and the benefits of the gastric band procedure and a willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions that are required for long term success.

Those people who are eligible are between ages 18 and 55 years, although there are doctors who will work outside these ages, some may be as young as 12. The lap band surgery is usually not performed if one has an untreated glandular disease like hypothyroidism, where other measures may bring about a resolution.

How it works: the adjustable gastric band or Lap Band is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device which is placed around the top portion of the stomach using keyhole laparoscopic surgery. The gastric band is inflated and adjusted by way of a small access port placed just beneath the skin subcutaneously. Then radiopaque isotonic solution or saline is introduced into the band via a port. The bariatric surgeon uses a specialized needle to avoid damage to the port membrane. If the adjustable gastric band post-surgical patient is thinking about having a baby, the deflation of the band may be required prior to the planned conception.

The gastric dumping syndrome problems cannot happen in lap band surgeries because none of the intestines are removed or re-routed. Calcium supplements and Vitamin B12 injections are not usually required following gastric banding as they are with Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery and other weight loss surgeries. After surgery the patient should consider eating less, eating more slowly and chewing food more thoroughly. And during pregnancy, deflation should be considered if one is experiencing morning sickness. The lap band may remain deflated during pregnancy and once breast feeding or bottle-feeding is completed the band may gradually be re-inflated to help with postpartum weight loss if it's found to be necessary.

Some patients may find that before their first 'fill' they are still able to eat fairly large portions of food. The World Health Organization recommendation for monthly weight loss is approximately 1.1 to 2.2 pounds per week and the average gastric banded patient may possibly lose this amount, it varies from patient to patient.

One post-surgical complication that is a common occurrence for lap band patients is regurgitation of non-acidic swallowed food from the upper pouch, which is commonly known as productive burping. This is not normal. Some mechanical malfunctions that can occur are leakage from the port, cracking of the kink-resistant tubing or disruption of the tubing connection from the port to the band, port site pain and displacement of the port.

Occasionally, the narrow passage into the lower part of the stomach may become blocked by a large portion of food that hasn't been chewed. Some of the adjustable gastric band post-surgery digestive complications include nausea, vomiting, gastro-esophageal reflux, stoma obstruction, constipation, diarrhea, and abnormal stools.

Many factors can affect your total cost of the surgery, including which gastric or bariatric surgeon you decide on, where you choose to have the surgery performed, and what fees are included or not included. And please remember that lap band surgery or adjustable band surgery can have serious adverse effects and complications. Make sure if you're traveling out of the country for your surgery that you consider the travel time and related travel expenses for both the surgery and any necessary follow-up appointments.

Problems Getting Pregnant? 3 Tips Guaranteed to Have You Naturally Pregnant in 60 Days Or Less

Have you been struggling through the pain and anguish associated with failing to get pregnant? Are you searching for a solution that will allow you to give birth naturally to a healthy baby?

I can totally relate to you as I suffered miserably for years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive.

My doctor had even been so bold as to tell me that I had "no chance" of getting pregnant on my own and that if I was serious about becoming a mother, I would need to undergo fertility treatments.

The idea of having painful surgeries and taking a bunch of drugs was not appealing to me. Plus the fact that our insurance wouldn't cover it didn't help either...

But there was no way that I was going to give up my dream of having a baby as I had heard stories of other women overcoming infertility with 100% homeopathic treatments.

I literally spent hours pouring over information on natural infertility cures and in my desperation, I tried just about everything...

And guess what? I discovered a secret I am just dying to share with you.

I was able to overcome infertility and I'm 100% confident you can too!

Here are the three most powerful natural infertility remedies on the planet:

1) Check your beauty products: Many cosmetics contain the chemical Paraben,
which is known to completely disturb the proper hormonal balance that is critical to conception.

You will also be able to locate Paraben in many deodorants and shaving creams. This chemical is so dangerous that the FDA considers it a potential carcinogen and some studies have already linked it to an increased risk of obtaining breast cancer.

If you are experiencing problems getting pregnant, having this chemical present in your system will literally keep you from ever having a baby.

2) Take folic acid: This vitamin is absolutely essential to pregnancy success. It has also been long known to prevent many health issues in your baby such as spina bifida.

A recent study of over 18,000 women showed that those who took folic acid had a 40% lower chance of difficulty generating eggs. Lack of egg production is the #2 cause of female infertility.

Doctors recommend that women seeking to become pregnant take 0.4 mg of folic acid daily upon stopping birth control.

3) Supplement with herbs: Herbs have been proven to help the regulation of ovulation and increase the hormones needed for conception.

Just be cautious about the amount and types of herbs you use as they can be very potent and have nasty side effects when overused or taken in combination with medications.

Depression - Myths and Facts

It is not a major medical condition. MYTH

Depression is a common, serious medical condition that can disrupt daily functioning.
At the extreme, people with depression may harm themselves. Brain imaging research shows that the brains of people with depression function differently than those of non depressed people. In depressed people, brain areas that regulate mood, behavior, thinking, appetite and sleep function abnormally.

Most depressed people do not seek medical help. FACT

Only 39 per cent of people with severe depression see a mental health professional. Many depressed patients remain undiagnosed or under treated. Some cases of depression are tough to treat. But the vast majority of cases are highly treatable with antidepressants and talk therapy. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is.

If ancestry had depression, you will get it eventually. MYTH

You are three times more likely to develop depression if your parents suffered depression, but it is not inevitable. Scientists believe the risk of developing depression results from a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Depression causes physical pain. FACT

Depression causes emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and hopelessness. But it can also cause physical symptoms such as chest pain, queasy or nauseated sensations, dizziness or light headedness, chest pain, sleep problems, exhaustion, and changes in weight and appetite.

Only emotionally troubled become depressed. MYTH

Depression affects people from all walks of life, not just people with previous emotional troubles. Depression can strike after the loss of a loved one, trauma, or other stressful situations like the loss of a job.

Depression is most common in elderly people. MYTH

People assume elderly to suffer from depression the most. In fact, middle-aged men and women (years 40-59) have the highest rates of depression. Depression is not a normal part of aging. However, ill health, medication side effects, social isolation, and financial troubles can trigger depression in elderly people.

Maternity Leave - What You Need to Know

It is important for moms and dads to know the facts about maternity leave and to know your rights in the USA.

I know two women here in the United States where I live, who recently found out they were pregnant. Both have claimed for years, they did not want children. After the initial baby blues, these mommies to be are tickled pink! One of the ladies will be 39 by the time her child is born. Luckily, she has been with the same employer for over a decade. This dedication has earned twelve weeks paid maternity leave. The younger expectant Mom only qualifies for the standard six weeks off work. This is not a lot of time- to give birth, recuperate, and bond with your newborn.

What if the pregnancy becomes difficult in the final trimester? Sometimes your gynecologist will prescribe bed rest for women who are experiencing complications. You may need to stay off your feet for weeks before delivery. Someone told me of a new mother who was harassed by her boss to return to work early when her son was only five weeks old. Mothers do not deserve the additional pressure of worrying over job security, while trying to take care of their growing family. A woman should not have to put their health at risk, working right up to the due date.

We cannot leave fathers out of the excitement. After they receive the news of becoming a Dad, there are other important events to share. They are needed at doctor visits and naturally at the hospital when the baby is born. Employers in the United States frown enough on mothers expecting maternity leave. It is practically unheard of for the father to expect time off work. Parents to be require an adjustment period to this new life that will change their lives forever. Dads are expected to take the bare minimum off their normal schedule. This does not take into account, the outcome of a premature or ill baby.

In America, only one in seven workers receives paid leave for childbirth. The wealthiest nation in the world puts maternity leave at the bottom of the family values list. The business outlook in the USA is not looking out for the parents of this country. Instead, we are made to feel guilty of leaving our workplace in an awkward position. Added insecurity of our jobs being in jeopardy, does not lead to a healthy environment. Keeping our families and employment in check requires juggling financial demands and bouncing babies.

You may find uncaring management at fault, although most maternity leave policies are not dictated at the office level but by the US government. It pays you to know your legal rights. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, states that you are allowed at least 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, if your company employs more than 50 people. You must have been employed full-time for at least a consecutive year to be eligible.

Maternity leave rights guarantee a job will be waiting your arrival back to work. Your employer is not legally bound to hold the exact position you left. Your pay is guaranteed to stay the same or better when you return. It is a violation of the Law, if you are told your job no longer exists after taking maternity leave. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. Finding balance between home and income is a labor of love.

Emotions During Pregnancy - Keys To Avoiding Post-Partum Depression

The emotions play an important part during pregnancy. The changing balance of the hormones upsets the emotional balance, and the expectant mother may find that she swings from feeling excited and happy to being miserable and depressed. Even if she is pleased at the news of her pregnancy she will feel anxious and worried about the prospect of becoming a mother. These fears will soon pass, especially if she receives the support, advice and comfort she requires from her partner, family and doctor. Persistent depression and anxiety may affect her sleep and appetite, which will in turn affect her baby. She must therefore discuss any problems with her doctor or health visitor and try to change her attitude of mind. The old saying that a happy mother will produce a happy baby has got an element of truth in it. Doctors will only supply tranquillisers for extreme cases of depression, because of the need to avoid unnecessary drug-taking during pregnancy.

This is a list of alternatives to drugs, which can help to change the emotional state. Can you add to the list?

• A few days away on holiday or visiting relations.

• Going out for the evening to the cinema or a pub, or for a meal.

• Buying a new outfit, or, if the prospective mother enjoys making things, getting some fabric to make a garment.

• Joining an evening or day class and learning a new skill.

• Going along to a local Mother and Baby Group, Young Wives Group, or a branch of the group MAMA (Meet A Mum Association). It is easy to talk over problems with other prospective or new mothers, and encouraging to find that they suffer depression also.

Many new expectant mothers feel guilty because they are depressed; they feel inadequate at the thought of so much responsibility, and they feel insecure at the thought that their husbands may not love them so much as they advance into pregnancy. This is when it is important that the prospective mother realises that these mixed and complicated emotions are all part of her condition and the problems exist only in her own mind.

How to Perform an Annual Medical Insurance Review

Taking the time each year to do a medical insurance review is a great way to make sure you are only paying for the coverage you need. In a time when being frugal with your money is a smart move, there is no reason to pay for coverage you no longer need or apply to you. For example, some couples have supplemental maternity insurance. If you are finished having children, then discontinuing this insurance will save you money every month. On that same vein, a yearly review of your medical plan can also help you plan for the future.

If you are approaching middle age, you can increase coverage to handle the onset of common chronic diseases.When doing a medical insurance review, you want to take a look at how you have used your plan so far. This can provide clues about areas where you may need to make a change. For example, a person who is relatively healthy and only uses their insurance for routine checkups may look into saving money by getting a policy with a higher deductible. This way, you still have coverage in case there is an emergency but you are saving money on a health plan that you don't really use that much. You should also evaluate the quality of your care. If you don't like the way your HMO plan works, this is a good time to start looking into PPO plans.

After considering how you used your plan in the past, consider any changes that may be coming in the future. Those who are planning on starting a family may want to consider adding a supplemental maternity plan to their insurance if it doesn't already have one. It costs around $2000-$3000 to deliver a baby and that's only if there are not complications. If there is a problem in the delivery room or the baby is born with health challenges that cost can easily skyrocket to $15,000-$20,000. Other considerations for your medical insurance review would be marriage, divorce, and adult kids growing out of the plan.

If you determine that you need to change your coverage after doing a medical insurance review, the best place to start would be to get insurance rate quotes online. A medical insurance quote site can save you time by bringing you multiple quotes from several providers in one place. You will be able to see at a glance what each company will charge you for your new plan which will help you pick the best plan for your updated situation.

If you need assistance in healthcare, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and leave your contact information so we may respond to your request.

Weight Loss After Pregnancy - How Your Emotions Can Help You Lose the Baby Fat

Have your emotions ever gotten you into trouble? Have you ever done or said something you should not have and regretted later? In my life I have had my share of mistakes that were driven by my response to simply how I was feeling.

This is especially true when it came to weight loss. Like you may be, I was an emotional eater. I was also an emotional exerciser. Does this sound familiar to you?

Let me ask you, do you exercise when you feel like it, or perhaps you eat unhealthy foods when you feel depressed. If this describes you, I have very good news for you. Despite what your experience has lead you to believe, you can develop your emotional muscles to channel them so that they drive you to do the right thing rather the wrong thing, eat the right food versus the unhealthy alternative.

In this 3 part article series, you will discover 3 ways to make the shift from being led by your emotions to using them to reach your goals.

Where Is Your Focus?

If you want to control your emotions, you will have to take immediate responsibility for what you choose to focus. At any given moment your mind can take you places you would have never selected on your own. Perhaps you are remembering a failed relationship or a missed opportunity.

The Simply Truth to Emotional Management

Here is the simple you must understand, "whatever you focus on, you will feel." Did you catch that? If you want to make a radical difference in how you feel at any moment in time, simply change what you focus on. Most people don't make it to the gym for their morning workout not because they have no desire to exercise but because they focus on all of the challenges associated with working out. Instead, starting today, you will decide to put your full attention on the benefits of making it to the gym.

The Secret Way to Lifelong Emotional Intelligence

If you do this with sincere intensity you can change how you feel in a moment however if you make positive radical changes to what you focus on a daily basis, you will change your life long-term. So let me ask you, in what area of your weight loss journey have you been the most unhappy?

Whatever it is, write it down and ask yourself, when you think about that area, what do you focus on? What emotions are stirred inside of you as you focus on what you focus on during this time? Here is the magic question. What could you focus on instead that will empower you to begin that exercise program or eat the right food?

Five Kinds Of Exercise That Help Bring On Labor

Exercise is frequently recommended as a natural method to induce labor. Exercise is especially helpful in getting your baby to descend, and in encouraging him or her to engage better. There are at least five types of exercise you could do when your pregnancy is full term, to encourage your baby to get born.

Walking as a method for natural labor induction

Walking keeps you upright and helps your baby to descend. This exerts downward pressure on the cervix, taking you closer to cervical effacement and dilation. The pressure your baby's head places on your cervix also increases local release of oxytocin, which in turn brings on labor.

In addition to helping your baby to get into the right position, walking is also good for you. Walking is excellent cardio-vascular training, and can be done by most people; besides it doesn't require a gym or any special equipment. Walking improves blood circulation, respiration, as well as muscle tone. It keeps you fit to cope with the onset of labor, and be ready to welcome the newborn.

If you can, walk in the mornings when the air is fresher and less polluted. Wear comfortable shoes and also carry a big umbrella. It's good to have one, in case you want to lean on something to relieve any strain on your back. And of course, it's useful if it gets too sunny, or starts to rain.

Does climbing stairs really help to start labor?

It's often said that in hospitals midwives ask you to walk upstairs and down, in order to get the early stage of labor to go faster.

Climbing stairs has the same effect that walking does. It helps your baby to engage better, your cervix to dilate, and also increases the oxytocin level in the cervical area. Additionally, lifting your legs, one after the other, in order to move on to the next step opens up your pelvis. This makes more room for your baby and helps in bringing on labor. The slight swinging motion and small accelerated movements while going up, and the little bumps while stepping down, all help your baby to position himself or herself better for the labor.

Remember, it is important that you don't exhaust yourself climbing stairs, trying to get faster into labor. You should know your own limits, and must listen to your body signals.

How about swimming in order to bring on labor?

Swimming is another excellent exercise that helps bring on labor. The breaststroke especially is said to have this effect.

Remember to wear goggles and follow proper swimming techniques. If you keep your head above the water all the time while swimming, your spine will curve unnaturally. This is likely to strain your back, which is already coping with the extra weight of your belly.

If you don't know the right techniques, don't let that stop you! If you can swim a little bit, it becomes surprisingly easy to learn the proper technique for swimming breaststroke. Contact a swimming teacher for a lesson.

Immersing your body in water, when you are heavily pregnant, is truly a joyous experience. The water supports your body and takes off weight from your feet and joints. If you are suffering from swollen feet at the end of your pregnancy, the slight pressure of water will relieve this common problem comfortably.

It is indeed worth going to the pool or to the beach to enjoy the benefits of water and of swimming, to help bring on your labor and to get relief from swollen feet!

Does squatting help in starting labor faster?

Squatting opens your pelvis and makes labor easier, because it helps your baby to move down the birth canal and also creates more room for him or her to be born. Squatting can help you to get to labor faster, in case it doesn't start because the baby is too high.

The squatting position helps your baby to descend and engage into your pelvis. After your baby has engaged well, it's less probable that she or he will be able to turn anymore. This means that you should squat only when your baby is in the right position for birth. This position is called the anterior position in which the baby is head down and facing your back. If your baby is in a posterior position -- back against your back -- or in the breech position head up, it's important not to encourage him or her to descend. Your baby has to turn into the optimal, anterior birth position before you do any squatting.

Swinging -- could exercise for natural labor induction be more convenient?

Using a swing results in a small G-force that encourages your baby to descend. To try this type of physical exercise in starting your labor, find a safe swing in which you can be stably seated.

All these exercises can be the last bit of natural encouragement your full term baby needs to be born. It's always good to exercise. It's never too late, and even a little of physical exercise goes a long way, and is an improvement on doing nothing at all. Exercise helps your labor to start and also keeps you fit. When you are physically in good condition, you will feel great and are able to resist stress and illnesses much better. So, go for a walk around your block, or to the nearest park to use a swing!

What First Time Mothers Should Know About Pregnancy and Childbirth

For anyone who is pregnant for the first time, the idea of childbirth can be frightening and a bit overwhelming. Typically, a pregnancy takes anywhere from 38 to 42 weeks. Though many first-time mothers indicated that their babies were delivered past their due date, it is always best to be ready and prepared for what is to come during childbirth.

With the advent of modern science and technology in childbirth and childcare, many modern women are afforded more advantages with regards to having a baby than their older counterparts had, and many of these women take advantage of these opportunities. Instead of spending 38 to 42 weeks getting all worked up before the birth of the baby, learn and educate yourself on the process as well as how to care for your newborn.

Nowadays, hospitals and communities offer prenatal classes to prepare you for childbirth during the third trimester. Not only that, libraries as well as the Internet, offer a wealth of information on matters concerning childbirth and child care. Remember though, even with all the preparation every woman's childbirth is different and unique.

However preparation can equip you with knowledge and this will make you well informed. The thought of childbirth having been gone through by millions of women since the dawn of man offers little consolation to most women. This is because the fear of what is to come is terrifying.

Knowledge however can assist in that it provides a small sense of control over the whole situation. Now women are actively involved in their birthing plans and inform their doctor or midwife how they would like the childbirth to be carried out if all is well with the baby. Although complications can limit your childbirth choices, there are various options that you can choose from for your birth plan.

To prepare for childbirth you can opt to take up childbirth classes, Lamaze classes, hire a doula or labour coach, and read up on the subject. Even though the idea of childbirth and labour can be scary for a first-time mother, in the end it will all be worth it. Once the baby is placed in the mother's arm, all the pain and discomfort will become nothing but a vague memory.

By learning and understanding the labour and delivery process, you can help prepare yourself for the childbirth. There are many women who claimed that attending Lamaze classes eased their mind as they know what to expect. Having a labour coach, be it your spouse, a partner, your best friend or even a doula can greatly help you throughout the whole process.

As most women opt for natural childbirth, there are others out there who choose a water birth or a home birth. The thing that ties them all together is the fact that each labour and delivery experience will be different for all women.

While you may have had a rough idea as to the type of experiences you would likely have during the birth of your children, take note that there are many other issues and factors that could have an effect on that idea. Remember that the most important thing about all of this is the end result, having a beautiful healthy baby which will make it all worthwhile.

Tips For Pregnancy: Considering Fertility Treatments To Get Pregnant

If you have been trying to conceive without any success, it may be time that considered the various fertility treatments for pregnancy. There are various fertility treatments available for women who are trying to have a baby, with some having a greater success rate than others. Some are also riskier than others. Here is how to go about it when trying to get pregnant.

The first step that you should take when trying to conceive through fertility treatments is to talk to your partner. This is important for various reasons. The first reason is that most of these treatments can be very expensive. As a result, it is important that you and your partner be on the same page as far as the financial repercussions are concerned. You will also be in need of the moral and mental support through the period when you are trying to conceive since some of the treatments may cause a lot of stress. There is also the added strain of demanding treatments that call for commitment. Having your partner on your side will make the process of becoming pregnant manageable.

Speaking with a medical professional whom you trust is advisable before visiting the fertility clinic. When trying to conceive, most women usually make the mistake of going to the fertility clinic without consulting with a medical professional. This is a mistake since fertility clinics have a vested interest in the various fertility treatments that they offer. They are usually motivated to promote the fertility treatments and thus may end up not giving you a clear picture of the risks involved and the success rates of the treatments for pregnancy. A medical professional whom you trust will give you a clear picture of the treatments and he or she may even suggest better alternatives. When trying to conceive, a physician can also give you recommendations of good specialists or clinics in the field.

Before visiting a fertility clinic or specialist, develop a list of questions that you may wish to ask. This will help you to make sure that you have all your worries, concerns and expectations addressed during the real visit. On visiting the clinic, you should also tell them your history so far as trying to conceive is concerned. Talk to the specialist about everything concerning your heath and efforts of getting pregnant. You should also ask about the various treatments for fertility that the clinic or specialist offers. Do not forget to ask about the prices, insurance requirements, side effects of the treatments and the visits required. This will be important to remember. You should however not be obligated to commit to any particular treatment before you are ready. Trying to conceive may be a challenge, but fertility treatment and clinics may be the solution to your problems.

Pregnancy Tips

Being pregnant is one of those points in your life when you need to follow your practitioner's advice, take extra special care of yourself, keep healthy and put you and your baby first. Check out these pregnancy tips to help you enjoy this special period of your life.

· Good prenatal care is important for the health of your unborn child. Make an appointment as soon as you know you are pregnant and don't skip any of your prenatal appointments. If there are to be any problems with your pregnancy the sooner they are detected the better!

· One of the best pregnancy tips I can give you is - stop smoking, preferably before you get pregnant but certainly once you are pregnant. Smoking is bad for the baby's health, even secondary smoke so avoid smoky environments and ask people not to smoke around you.

· Stop drinking. No level of alcohol during pregnancy has been proven safe so stay off the alcohol throughout your pregnancy and while nursing.

· Exercise. Always check with your health care practitioner to make sure you get the amount of exercise that is right for you (in some circumstances exercise is not advisable) but as a general rule exercise is beneficial. It has been shown that exercising while you are pregnant can help reduce the time you spend in labour, aid your recovery following the birth, reduce the need for cesarean, help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight quicker and improve your overall health.

· Swimming is an excellent source of exercise which can help ease your aches and pains.

· Another top pregnancy tip is to change your eating habits as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Eat foods that are high in fibre, eat plenty of vegetables and include foods rich in iron, calcium, protein and folate in your diet.

· Talk to your health care provider about what you should eat and how much weight you should gain. If your diet is unlikely to contain sufficient folate, iron and calcium your practitioner is likely to recommend that you take supplements.

· Eat foods that are high in fibre, eat plenty of vegetables and include foods rich in iron, calcium, protein and folate in your diet.

· Eat a balanced diet and eat regularly. Don't skip meals and don't try and diet during pregnancy. Remember you are eating for two so you need to add 300 - 500 (healthy) calories a day to your diet.

· Limit your caffeine intake (tea, coffee, chocolate and soft drinks).

· Drink plenty of water, six - eight glasses a day.

· Join a prenatal class.

· First hand experience with babies is invaluable experience. If you have any friends or family with a baby offer to baby sit, get some experience and learn the ropes.

· When the nursery is being prepared remember, you as the expectant mum, must avoid all harmful fumes such paint stripper, paint and wall paper glue and delegate the heavy work.

· Don't forget to baby proof your home.

· If you don't have life insurance then now is the time to take out a policy.

· Make sure you have a Family Health Insurance Plan.

· Get your bags packed well in advance, you might have a due date but that doesn't mean that your baby intends to stick to it!

· Pregnancy tip number 1. If you ever have any concerns over the way your pregnancy is developing, or what you can or cannot do, always seek the help and advice of your health care provider.

Should You Buy Pregnancy Pillow?

Many pregnant women who find it difficult to sleep at night are looking for products that can provide them comfort. At times, women use multiple pillows to reduce discomfort. To avoid the inconvenience of using multiple pillows, many manufacturers have come out with special pillows for pregnant women. These special products are called pregnancy pillows which are a preferred choice of pregnant women as they help them sleep without any discomfort. However, not many men are happy with these special products as they leave little room for them in the bed.

Pregnant women find it difficult to sleep at night because their tummy gets heavier as the pregnancy progresses. The problem becomes more acute when you enter into second trimester as the lump in your tummy puts strain on your back. It is a good idea to sleep on your side as it improves the flow of oxygen to the baby.

Pregnancy pillows can help you sleep comfortably on your side without causing any strain on your back.Even though many would-be-moms prefer using these pillows, there are many who question its usefulness. Here are some of the reasons why pregnant women should buy these pillows.

They are preferred over ordinary pillows because they provide comfort and support for your growing body. Ordinary pillows are too soft and don't provide you with the required support.

Another benefit of using these pillows is that you don't have to deal with multiple pillows. When you use ordinary pillows you have to arrange all the pillows to sleep comfortably, which requires both time and effort. When you use pregnancy pillow you get extra sleeping time as you don't have to arrange multiple ordinary pillows.

They can also be used after the birth of the baby. Many mothers use them to support the baby when they breastfeed them.

DHA Prenatal - The Best Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement That is Safe For Mum and Baby

Studies have shown that it is very important for women to take DHA prenatal supplements during pregnancy. This is because dha has been proven to be beneficial to both the mum and fetus and deficiency in this vital nutrient can be disastrous to both.

To start with, the human brain is 30% dha; hence regular consumption of DHA prenatal supplements have been proven to help the brain of the fetus to from properly. It also helps in the overall development of the baby: it helps the eyes of the baby to develop well and also helps to prevent the baby from developing allergies in the future.

Regular consumption of prenatal DHA supplements during pregnancy also help to prevent miscarriage, preterm and stillborn. Research shows that when a woman is pregnant, the fetus draws from and depletes the mother's dha; so, if the woman does not restore the depleted amount by regular intake of DHA prenatal supplements, she will most likely suffer from post natal depression.

There are lots of benefits of DHA prenatal supplements; however, care should be taken when choosing a brand. Fish oil is the best source of dha but fish contain impurities such as mercury, pesticides and other heavy metals. These contaminants are toxic to both mother and child especially at that critical stages of their lives.

Hence, the best prenatal DHA fish oil supplements are those that are molecularly distilled; molecular distillation is the only purification method that ensures that the toxins are removed form the oil, thereby making it pure and safe for even an unborn baby.

It is also important to note that most of the supplements on the market contain synthetic vitamin E as a preservative; synthetic vitamin E is not as effective as the natural version. Therefore make sure that the fish oil supplement you are taking contains natural vitamin E.

The brand I personally take contains natural vitamin E and Rosemary extracts as preservatives. The combination of these these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent help to increase the potency of the supplement.

You need to regularly take prenatal DHA fish oil supplement for your health and that of your baby; however make sure that it is purified by molecular distillation.

Discover the best DHA prenatal supplement.

Benefits of Malay Massage

If you have ever had Malay massage, you already know how good it feels to have someone systematically relax your muscles one by one. The effects may last for hours, or even days. What you might not know is that having a massage can actually help you in many other ways.

A number of cultures have practiced massage therapies throughout history. One reason people get massages is to simply relax. Another reason is to help relieve stress. The actually benefits of getting a massage, however, go much farther. Massage therapy can help people with physical and even emotional problems. When it relaxes tense muscles, people are often relieved of physical discomfort in many different areas. Sometimes they feel relief in areas they did not even realize hurt in the first place. Those who work hard at their jobs often enjoy stress-relieving massages. Expectant mothers have also found that a relaxing massage can help them cope with the anxiety they feel over the new life they are creating. It can also help mothers who have recently had babies deal with the depression that is often part of the after affect of a new birth.

Overall, massage can help the lymphatic system get a jump start. That will aid the immune system and even improve the metabolism with a large number of other benefits. Those who are trained to give massages know exactly how to relieve stress throughout every inch of the body. These professionals know how the muscles within the body interact and they know how to smooth the stress that forms between those muscles. People that do not regularly get massages often do not realize how much the tension they feel in their muscles can really affect their daily life. The hidden discomforts can cause poor sleep, anxiety, weight gain, depression and a number of other problems. If you are able to remove the tension, your mind can often relax as well and you might even see your mood improve along with your physical benefits.

There are many different types of Malay massage and you will need to find the one that is right for your situation and lifestyle. You can visit a clinic, but if you are not comfortable in that type of setting, you can even have a massage in your own home. You may have to try a couple of different professionals before you find one that suits what you need, but it will be worth the effort.

Getting Pregnant After 40 - Tips to Increase Your Chance Of Conceiving Naturally At 40

Many studies have established the fact that one can have a shot at getting pregnant after 40. Statistically speaking, women 40 and above have a ten-percent chance of being able to conceive during each cycle. However, all efforts need to be channeled toward the act because upon reaching 45, the chances can be very slim to none.

Successfully conceiving takes both the individuals/partners efforts. Here are some of the tips couples can employ to increase chances of getting pregnant after 40:

1) Talk with your partner and encourage him to have a healthy lifestyle. While you channel your efforts at being healthy to successfully ovulate, he should remain healthy as well to increase his sperm count.

2) Plan your sexual intercourse as to coincide with your ovulation. You need to diligently chart such date; meanwhile, your partner needs to wait to have sex until it is at least two days before, not after, ovulation.

3) Both of you need to stay away from things that can jeopardize your chances of getting pregnant after 40. Quit the use of detrimental substances such as alcohol and cigarette, as well as the intake of too much caffeine. You also have to keep the stressors from getting at you. Avoid intake of drugs unless prescribed by your physician.

4) Plan on how to hype both you and your partner's mood during "the day" when you are to try conception. You can go on a romantic trip as it is said that the psychological aspect of sexual endeavors can make or break your chances of getting pregnant.

Acupuncture for Fertility - How Does It Work?

Acupuncture for fertility is a natural medicine treatment where ultra-thin, sterilized needles are inserted into specific points in the body which lie on energy channels or meridians. Energy channels or meridians are pathways found in the interior and exterior of the human body. When the acupuncture points are needled, certain body functions may be regulated. Acupuncture may help treat a wide range of conditions including infertility.

Acupuncture has been used to treat fertility disorders. The combination of acupuncture and herbal remedies may treat abnormal levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), repeated miscarriage, idiopathic infertility, hyperprolactinemia that is not prolactinoma related, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), male factor infertility such as DNA-fragmentation in the sperm and also luteal phase defect.

Acupuncture for fertility may improve follicular and ovarian function. It may also improve blood circulation to the endometrium facilitating the formation of thick, rich uterine lining.

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), channels in the body where "chi" (energy) flows are called "meridians". These channels can be blocked. Obstructed channels may result in chi flowing heavily in some areas and chi not flowing at all in other areas. Acupuncturists say the pain you feel in specific areas is actually a warning that chi channels in the said areas are blocked

The acupuncture points needled to treat infertility are found in the conception vessel or as acupuncturists call it, the "ren mai" meridian. There are 24 points in the "ren mai" channel. They are called points RN1 through RN24. Some practitioners also call these points CN1 through CN24. The points in the "ren mai" meridian form a line from the anus (RN1 or CN1) up to the torso then to the chin (RN24 or CN24). Sometimes, acupuncturists may target points in other portions of the body, such as in the hand or feet, due to complex interconnections in the body.

As soon as you discover you are pregnant or after an insemination or embryo transfer, you should stop having acupuncture. The uterus, when stimulated during pregnancy, may bring on contractions, premature labor and even miscarriage. The acupuncturist should especially avoid placing needles in the abdomino-pelvic area. The 6 acupuncture points to be avoided include Bladder 60, Bladder 67, Gallbladder 21, Large Intestine 4, Stomach 12, Spleen 6 and all other points found on the lower abdomen.

Research by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Center, Scandinavia and the University of Gothenburg showed it is good for women to have acupuncture therapy before and after an embryo transfer although post embryo transfer acupuncture therapy should avoid certain points in the woman's body. Clinical studies by the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness show combining acupuncture, herbal remedies and traditional medical methods is the best way to improve your fertility. Studies have shown women can sometimes conceive while using only acupuncture therapy and herbal medicines, without medical intervention (American Pregnancy Association, 2011).

In 2002, a German study suggested that acupuncture may help treat infertility. Of the 160 women who had In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), 50% also had acupuncture therapy while the other 50% only had IVF. Pregnancy rates were higher among women who had both IVF and acupuncture therapy (Shetty, 2011).

Acupuncture for fertility may cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the fertility center and duration of the treatment. You may have to pay for this on your own because acupuncture is not usually covered by insurance. There are insurance companies which offer complimentary medicine cover. So it is best to check with your insurance company if they do and if not it may pay to shop around for another company which does.

What are your thoughts on Acupuncture? Are you squeamish about the needles? I would love to hear about your experience with acupuncture.

Sources:

* American Pregnancy Association.2011.03 March 2011
* Shetty, Raksha. "Can Acupuncture Help You Conceive?". CBS News 03 March 2011

Nurse Practitioners - What Are Your Options?

Give an edge to you career by joining the fleet of nurse practitioners. Enjoy a highly rewarding career in healthcare where the responsibilities are similar to a doctor. Becoming a nurse practitioner does not require extensive training and education like physicians, but they are equally liable as a physician for patient care.

The main difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner is that latter has completed master's degree and thus can write out scripts for medications whereas registered nurse cannot. Places where there is no availability of a physician or where patients require skilled and experienced care, nurse practitioners are in high demand.

Many hospitals hire their own fleet of practitioners as they are less expensive than physicians. Because of this reason, there is great opportunity for nurses in many hospitals and different healthcare settings. Furthermore, patients can get immediate care through a nurse practitioner as they do not have to wait for their primary care physician's appointment to get evaluated.

A nurse practitioner is able to evaluate and provide treatment for multiple branches of medicine. They can prescribe treatment for psychiatric patients as well as for general medicine. A practitioner can be consulted for physical exam, well-child visits, vaccination shots, etc. They assist physicians in minor surgeries and emergency procedures.

They provide can provide pre- and postnatal care. Like an internist, they can be consulted for any health problem whether chronic or acute. A practitioner conducts thorough physical exams and writes script for medications and/or for physical or occupational therapies.

These kind of nurses are in high demand in all patient care settings, e.g., hospitals, urgent clinics, emergency rooms, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice care, etc. Their contribution to patient's recovery is crucial because of their vast experience as a registered nurse and extensive personal skills of counseling patients.

Since they are readily available and have concern for patient's recovery, patient receives focused, patient-oriented care by a nurse practitioner. If you want to become a practitioner, you have to become a registered nurse first. Therefore, you will need to do bachelor's program followed by a Master's of Science degree in Nursing.

This is a two-year program which includes treatment and patient care management. Study courses which are offered through this program are anatomy, medicolegal issues, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, and pharmacology. After completion of this program, a registered nurse becomes a nurse practitioner who is now capable of counseling patient, doing their physical examination, and writing prescriptions.

Like physicians, practitioners also have specialization. For this, you have to select your choice of specialization during your master's program. There are different specialization fields available to choose from like gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, pulmonary, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics, podiatry, etc. Selection of specialty allows your master's program to be oriented to the specialty of your choice.

Even newly graduates residents have to work and assist physicians and experienced nurse practitioners in various medical settings in order to gain practical experience. After completion of your master's degree, you can take up license nurse practitioner exam. In addition, there are many great opportunities after becoming a nurse practitioner, which you can grab and further advance your career.

You can also apply and take up national certifications and accreditation tests to outshine your presence in the healthcare field. Since physicians have shown their reluctance to provide primary care to patients, nurse practitioners have been extremely beneficial not only in providing primary care to the patients, but also in providing focused, patient-oriented care.

Things That a Midwife Does

A midwife is a health care professional whose main role is to offer care throughout the childbearing process, with an emphasis on the health and well-being of mother, child, and family. This includes the stages from early pregnancy all the way through assisting with the first several weeks of postpartum care and initial breastfeeding. Some practitioners may also offer general reproductive care to women, such as annual gynecological exams and assistance with family planning, although this is not the primary aspect of a midwife. Midwives may consult with other health care providers such as an OB, or have a practice agreement to provide referrals in case of complications beyond their scope. They keep medical records throughout the pregnancy and delivery, and follow state laws for providing medical care.

Throughout the pregnancy, a midwife assists in determining a woman's individual health needs, both mental and physical. This can include suggestions related to diet, supplements, and exercise, as well as lifestyle changes and emotional support. A Certified Nurse-Midwife Practitioner can write prescriptions as well, if necessary.

Midwives also encourage women to follow their own instincts and educate themselves on options for their pregnancy and delivery. Midwifery supports a greater focus on the psychological aspects of the pregnancy and birthing process, considering mental wellness a significant factor in a successful pregnancy as well as physical wellness.

A midwife's training emphasizes the natural, biological process of birth as a normal event, and not as one of crisis management. Most midwives consider their place to be one of support rather than that of ringleader, letting the natural birthing process progress while using procedures that are minimally invasive. These methods can include encouraging the laboring mother to walk, adjust sitting positions, practice certain breathing exercises, and even eat and drink through her labor as needed.

Depending on state and licensing requirements, midwives can assist in a hospital setting, birthing center, or even a home birth. A certified nurse-midwife may be trained to use electronic fetal monitoring or pain medications if they feel it is necessary. However, other classifications of midwife may require a supervising doctor to use these techniques.

Midwives are trained to recognize any signs that labor or pregnancy are not going as they should, and also have training in newborn life support procedures, although they cannot perform a c-section. Most midwives will have a contingency plan that should be discussed well before term if this is a concern. If the labor does result in a hospital visit, a midwife will continue to assist and support throughout the process.

Wearing Compression Stockings During Pregnancy

Women who are pregnant experience an increased amount of circulation in the body. This is due to the extra nutrients that are needed. One of the ways that nutrients are stored and delivered to the baby is through the collection of fluids in the tissue throughout the body. The natural accumulation of these fluids can cause swelling, especially in the legs and feet. This results in a number of different issues that make certain periods of pregnancy very uncomfortable. A common way to treat these issues is with compression stockings. These support hose gently compress the legs and ankles to improve blood flow. Several issues can be treated during pregnancy with compression stockings.

Swelling

The fluid that collects in the legs and ankles causes swelling that has the potential to become very uncomfortable. The swelling becomes more intense as the pregnancy progresses. Compression stockings cover the feet, ankles and legs. The pressure is graduated so that the garment is tighter near the feet and slightly looser at the top. This works to relieve the swelling by drawing the excess fluid out of the tissue and driving it into the bloodstream, where it will be removed from the body naturally. This will reduce the swelling when the support hose are fitted correctly.

Varicose Veins

The weight of the growing baby during pregnancy causes some women to develop varicose veins in the legs. This occurs because the pressure of the baby and the accumulated fluids in the body constrict the pathways. The veins are already pushing blood towards the heart against gravity. The extra pressure forces the blood downwards where it pools, causing the veins to swell. Compression stockings apply pressure to the veins in the reverse direction. This allows the blood to be captured by the valves in the veins so that it can work upwards and reach the heart. Support hose will also help to reduce any pain that is felt because of the varicose veins.

Aches And Pains

Many changes take place in the body during pregnancy. Even without obvious swelling or varicose veins, it is still possible to feel aches and pains in the feet, ankles and legs. This discomfort is sometimes amplified when movement is restricted during the day. Wearing compression stockings will help to provide support to the legs while sitting or walking. This added pressure relieves stress on the muscles and makes it easier to walk or stand. The support hose will also work to keep blood moving while sitting for long periods of time so that fluids do not have a chance to collect in the legs.

Omega 3 Oils - The Composition Of Omega 3 Oils And Why They Are Important for Long Term Health

Fish oil is a natural and rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oils, commonly known as omega 3 oils, provide essential fatty acids in the form of DHA and EPA. Both these nutrients are not found in adequate amounts in our body, mainly due to genetic deficiencies and improper or inadequate diet. In order to address this deficiency, doctors recommend either directly drinking fish oil in its pure form or using omega 3 oils in the form of capsules available on the market as supplements.

DHA and EPA are important for the prevention of so many diseases that it's difficult to mention them all here. These diseases are very common among men and women alike. The most notable of these diseases are cancer, mental illnesses (mainly psychological including postpartum depression), arthritis, coronary heart disease, respiratory problems (especially asthma), complicated pregnancies, abnormal infant growth, premature birth, improper functioning of the nervous system, and problems related to the stomach and the digestive system.

Omega 3 oils are becoming increasingly popular among people because they are easy to intake and provide long-term nutritional benefits. As a rule of thumb, keep in mind that omega 3 fatty acids reduce swelling throughout the body. Oily fish like herring, salmon, trout and tuna are high in omega 3 oils. In addition to essential fatty acids, pure fish oil also contains some levels of toxic substances like mercury, and high levels of vitamin A and D.

Because of this reason, it's very important to consider how the fish oil you are about to consume was processed and whether it conforms to the rules of the Food Standards Agency in the UK or not. For this purpose, always find a supplement product that has been molecularly distilled and made from pharmaceutical grade fish oil.

The human body is incapable of producing DHA and EPA itself. However, alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in fish oil and some plant oils as well such as canola and flax seed, can be used by the body to manufacture other fatty acids important for long-term health. In order to ensure adequate amounts of all these nutrients in the body, omega 3 oils supplement products should be consumed.

However, these supplements should be used with care since overdose may have many harmful side effects associated with it. Especially, people with diabetes and high blood pressure need to be extra cautious with too much intake of DHA and EPA to ensure proper health and well-being.

Information About Online Pole Dancing Lessons

Pole dancing can effectively facilitate weight loss and shape muscles due to its mixture of strength training and cardiovascular exercise, the result is a sexy body. The sport tones up the whole body giving beautiful definition to the arms, thigh, abdominals and shoulders. Many participants claim that it improves confidence, self - esteem, body awareness and body shape. Many people have recovered from post natal depression and eating disorders due to the profound effect this sport has on a women's self-esteem and mental health.

For the past few years, pole fitness lessons have been offered by gyms, dance schools, bars and dedicated pole fitness studios. Some people have learned to dance on their pole at home. Pole fitness studios offer just pole dancing lessons whereas others offer a wide range of exercise classes including yoga, flexibility, strength and cardio classes. Some classes are just about learning pole tricks and spins and others teach you how to link the moves together to make short dance routines so that you get a cardiovascular workout as well.

Pole fitness today is extremely popular and very big business. Despite its wide availability some countries still do not have access to pole fitness instructors so lessons are not available and not everyone can make the sessions due to the day and times that they are available.

If you are unable to have lessons in the traditional way then why not learn at home with online pole dancing lessons? Online lessons are generally taught in 3 levels; beginner, intermediate and advanced. Many online lessons also provide strengthening and flexibility exercises and some teach you short routines so you learn the art of pole dancing and not just the tricks. Some ladies chose to enrol in online pole dancing lessons because they have small children at home and can't make lessons, there are no lessons available in their area or they prefer to learn on their own, from the comfort of their own home.

The benefits of online pole dancing lessons are that you can learn at your own pace, at a time convenient to you whilst getting all the benefits of attending lessons. Taking part in online lessons will lead to weight loss and it will shape your muscles resulting to a sexy body. The lessons will tone up your whole body giving beautiful definition to the arms, thigh, abdominals and shoulders. You may experience an improvement in your confidence and self - esteem as well.

The only disadvantage of online lessons is that you miss out on the social interaction with new people however some providers of online pole dancing lessons also provide online chat rooms and forums that you can meet people, share your experiences or ask for advice and tips.

Online pole dancing lessons are the way to learn if you don't live near any pole dancing studios or gyms which offer lessons in this discipline. You can also take these online lessons if you want a few extra lessons outside of your weekly lessons or your pole fitness course. Taking online lessons in addition to your weekly lessons may speed up your progression through the levels.

Talk it Out - Support Groups For Parents of Colicky Infants

Parents of colicky babies can often feel isolated, stressed, and helpless. Support groups for parents, while helpful, don't address the unique problems that parents of colicky infants face. However, not all support groups for parents of colicky babies are equal.

If you are trying to decide on a support group or colic clinic, here are some things to look for when making that decision:

1. Counseling and Feedback.

Different colic clinics and support groups will handle this in different ways. You will most likely be asked to keep a "colic diary" of your baby's crying patterns and any actions you've taken to soothe your baby during the week.

A specialist will analyze the crying patterns and help you to plan out a course of action for the next week. Some colic clinics also offer counseling for parents and couples who need help dealing with the stress of colic. Others also offer counseling for family members who may be acting as a secondary caregiver to your baby - thus giving comprehensive attention to the problem of colic.

2. Medical Evaluations and Suggestions.

A pediatrician with extensive experience in colic may also look at the colic diary and suggest possible causes for your baby's crying. Additionally, if your baby has an episode of colic while you are there at the clinic or during the support session, the pediatrician may do a thorough evaluation of the symptoms as they present themselves in real time.

3. Group Support Sessions.

Some colic support groups and colic clinics will organize special events designed to bring parents of colicky infants together for discussion. This will allow you to share your experiences with someone who truly understands how colic can affect the entire family. It also gives you the opportunity to learn from one another, and potentially find new solutions to that will help to end your baby's colic.

Another great resource to help you understand and communicate better with your baby is Brazelton's Institute.

(brazelton-institute.com)

If you are looking for a colic support group, one of the best places to start would be with a local parents group, La Leche League, or other association designed for parents of infants and toddlers.

If you don't find a colic clinic or support group in your area, you may wish to consider starting one yourself. Parents of colicky babies should never have to go it alone - with support, intervention, and planning, colic can be overcome.

Maternity Hospital Bills - Plan Ahead For Help Paying Them Off

Most people find it impossible to predict when and if they will land in the hospital for an illness or injury. And if it does happen, you may find lots of left over medical bills that weren't in your yearly budget. One segment of the population can predict a hospital stay, giving them a great advantage over everybody else: women planning a pregnancy. Most women choose to deliver their baby in a hospital. This translates into two important points: there may be left over medical expenses, but there is also an opportunity to purchase supplemental insurance to offset these expenses and more.

Left Over Hospital Bills

A stay in the hospital can end up costing you more than you ever expected. Many insurance plans now contain deductibles, and/or daily co-payments. The insurance industry likes to call these plans "consumer directed" to put a positive spin on plans that simply keep annual premium increases slightly lower, only to leave those unfortunate enough to get sick or injured with a big unpaid balance at the end of a hospital stay.

And many times these deductibles and co pays are only the tip of the iceberg. Consider the out of network provider dilemma. Many hospitals utilize contractors for anesthesiology. You pick a hospital that is in network for your insurance carrier only to find out after discharge that the anesthesiology group was out of network. A few weeks after discharge you get a bill for the portion above "usual customary and reasonable". These fees are now your responsibility.

And what about those specialists who visit you while in the hospital? Are they in or out of network? The answer can have a huge impact on what you owe. Your health insurance plan negotiates hefty discounts for plan members who stay in network. The difference between what a provider charges, and what your insurance pays can be shocking. Don't be caught by surprise!

Then there are little annoyances like the daily fee for using the TV, parking your car, family travel expenses, and lost income while in the hospital and then recuperating at home.

Women Planning a Hospital Stay

Many women who are planning a pregnancy are planning a hospital stay. Unless you are planning to deliver in a taxi cab or through a midwife, you most likely are planning a hospital stay. With that comes all of the left over bills described above. What if the anesthesiologist administering the epidural is out of network? Can you to make the extra payment when the bill arrives during your maternity leave?

At the same time, you also have the opportunity to purchase supplemental health insurance plans that pay cash benefits directly to you for your hospital admission, and during the time you are unable to work during your maternity leave. While the rest of the world must wonder about purchasing extra coverage just in case they get sick or hurt, women planning a pregnancy are planning a hospital stay, along with missed time from work.

Wouldn't it make sense to purchase coverage before getting pregnant? Once you are already pregnant, it will be too late to apply for coverage.

Ten Tips for Surviving an Overdue Pregnancy

Your belly is huge, your due date has passed, and yet little Susie or Johnny has shown no interest in moving out of his or her cozy home. Your due date is calculated by counting forward 280 days from the start of your last menstrual period. Your due date is only an estimate of when your baby should come and is often off by a number of days. It is very common to deliver past your due date particularly if you are a first time mom. Knowing that it is common provides little comfort when you are the one overdue. Below are our best tips for surviving an overdue pregnancy.

1. Talk to your doctor.

Women have varying opinions on labor and childbirth. Some prefer a natural, wait and see approach, while others are very anxious and eagerly interested in induction. In our mother's generation it was not uncommon to deliver at 42 or even 43 weeks. Presently many doctors will induce at 40 or 41 weeks if your cervix is favorable. If you would prefer the wait and see approach, or your cervix is unfavorable for induction, your doctor or midwife will monitor you and baby closely. You will likely have a non stress test or biophysical profile done once or even twice a week if you are overdue. By 42 weeks your doctor will most likely choose to induce regardless of whether you cervix is favorable or not.

2. Get lots of rest.

The last month of pregnancy is exhausting. You may not be sleeping well due to discomfort and anxiety about your approaching labor. Remember to keep taking your prenatal vitamins and rest as much as you can. Lack of sleep and fatigue can war on your mood. Use a body pillow at night to help you sleep. Take an afternoon nap if you are not sleeping well or just rest with you feet up if sleep is not possible.

3. Finish up preparations for baby.

Now is a good time to finish up those last minute things you need for baby. You may have packed your hospital bag weeks earlier and finished the nursery what seems like ages ago, so here are a few ideas you might not have thought of to keep yourself busy. Install your car seat and have it checked for safety. Many hospitals and insurance companies will do car seat safety checks. Purchase a lullaby CD and set up a rocking chair nearby to rock your baby to sleep. Lastly, if you haven't already now is a good time to buy your husband or partner to bring to work after baby's birth. It's a little old fashioned, but hey some men still do it.

4. Try relaxation and meditation.

If you've never done relaxation exercises or meditation this probably sounds a bit corny, but it can't hurt to try it. Purchase a CD if you don't have one already with relaxing music or sounds from the rainforest or beach. Try slow deep breaths relaxing your muscles one at a time. Alternatively, you can purchase a CD or video that gives specific instructions on relaxation exercises. Now would also be a good time to practice relaxation and breathing exercises form your child birth class.

5. Try natural labor inducers.

There are a few things you can try to induce labor naturally. Foods such as pineapple and eggplant have been suggested as labor inducers. Cooked in a yummy recipe, it's certainly worth a shot. Cinnamon tea made from cinnamon sticks steeped in hot water is another thing you can try. Walking is something else you can try. The verdict is still out as to whether walking actually helps, but a little exercise is good for the body and soul regardless of effectiveness in inducing labor. There are many other tips, tricks, and old wives tales you can try naturally induce labor. Check with your doctor or midwife before trying anything to naturally induce labor.

6. Check fetal movements.

It is very important when you are overdue to keep a close eye on fetal movements. There are variations on how to keep track of fetal kick counts, so talk to your doctor about how to track and monitor your baby's movements. If you notice a decrease or change in your baby's activity call your doctor.

7. Observe for signs of labor.

For some women keeping track of signs of labor will bring comfort and others it is plain out discouraging. As you pregnancy comes to an end your body will show sings or readiness for labor. Increasing Braxton Hicks contractions, pelvic achiness, backache, and increasing vaginal secretions are all early signs or labor. Early labor symptoms can begin weeks before labor, but all these signs are reassuring that your body is indeed getting ready for birth.

8. Keep busy.

Keeping busy will help keep your mind off of things. Here are a few suggestions to keep yourself busy. Take this time to freeze up a few meals for after baby's birth. This will allow you a little extra time and rest when baby is home. Make a belly cast of your pregnant tummy to commemorate your pregnancy. Start a scrapbook album for your baby. You can include mementos from your pregnancy and prepare pages for after baby's birth. Knitting, crocheting, or other hobbies can also be distracting.

9. Ask for help.

If you are having a hard time physically or emotionally ask for support from your family, friends, or health care provider. You may be shouting from the inside, but unless you tell someone they may not know how you feel. If you are having feelings of anxiety or depression talk to your doctor.

10. Do something nice for yourself.

A massage, manicure, or trip to the hair salon are all good ideas to treat yourself at the end of pregnancy. If you can't convince baby to come out and play, at least mommy should have a good time.

Redundancy Procedures - Why You Need to Get it Right

As official figures continue to indicate rising levels of unemployment, many business owners are facing the prospect of having to make staff redundant; something which they might not have experienced before. Research that we conducted earlier this year also indicates that many are actually too afraid of going down the route of redundancy for fear of being sued.

Correctly managing redundancies is essential to avoid ex-employees returning with dispute claims. Yet a large number of businesses admitted that should they find themselves in the position of having to make redundancies, they were unsure of the correct procedures to follow.

With limits on awards for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments increasing earlier this year, the potential financial consequences could easily cripple many small businesses. Yet redundancy remains an unfortunate necessity for many companies in the current economic climate.

With this is mind, here's some guidance on how to plan and manage a fair redundancy dismissal procedure.

Explore all of your options. Once business picks up, it may be difficult to replace the employees you have lost, so it is important to explore all avenues to ensure the best decision is made for the future of the business. Some of the options to consider are reduced working hours known as 'short-time' working, where employees keep their job but earn less money; offering early retirement, which can be less stressful and disruptive; or voluntary redundancy, which means staff can choose to be made redundant.

Selecting employees for redundancy. Before you make any decisions, you need to choose which skills and roles your business requires in the future and also the criteria you will use to identify redundancies. The criteria need to be applicable across all employees, objective and fair, with the most important consideration being the individuals' aptitude for the skills needed by the business. In addition to this, you may make decisions based on employees' punctuality, qualifications, disciplinary records and attendance levels. However, be aware that maternity/paternity, sickness leave and disability cannot be considered. It is imperative to keep a paper trail of all observations during the consultation process in order to demonstrate your methods and decisions in the case of a dispute.

Plan and take advice. When employees have been selected for redundancy it is important to familiarise yourself with the rights of both parties. There are specialist organisations that can guide you through the process and advise you of formal redundancy procedure, including employment law and statutory redundancy payments. In addition, some business insurance providers offer legal advice as part of your insurance policy, which can give you extra support and guidance to avoid any disputes.

Helping redundant employees. The law supports those who suffer discrimination, so it is crucial to demonstrate you are handling all redundancies fairly and with sensitivity. To avoid unfair dismissal disputes, there are steps you need to take to ensure redundant employees are treated equally. Be aware that if in the near future any vacancies become available they must be offered to staff being earmarked for redundancy, as any employment tribunal will carefully consider when such vacancies became available. You can also demonstrate a proactive approach offering them advice for future employment, preparing references, putting them in touch with local recruitment agencies or advising on interview technique.

Security measures. When redundant staff leave the company, it is crucial to ensure all ID badges, passes, swipe cards and keys are collected for security purposes, as well as business owned mobile telephones and laptops. It is also essential to have formal procedures in place to change all electronic and manual codes in order to prevent un-authorised access. This may include codes for the safe and alarm system, computer passwords and remote access log in details.

The future of your business. During this difficult process, it is easy to simply focus on the formal procedures and forget about the employees that are staying. Employees are more likely to stay loyal to the company if you demonstrate that redundant staff have been treated fairly and given advice for the future. To sustain staff morale, ensure you help them to focus on the future of the business and support them throughout the difficult period, making sure productivity remains at its full potential.

Mental Retardation - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Mental Retardation (MR) is a neuro-developmental disability which originates during the developmental period, that is, from conception up to the age of 18 years; and results in significantly sub-average general intellectual function, with concurrent deficits in functional life skills. The diagnosis of MR requires an intelligence quotient (IQ) score of less than 70 and equivalent deficits in at least two areas of functional life skills. MR can be categorized as syndromic or non-syndromic, with at least 800 recognized syndromes being associated with MR. For the vast majority of individuals with MR, there is no identifiable cause. Prenatal exposure to toxins, prenatal thyroid dysfunction, and postnatal exposure to lead and other toxins are some of the causes of MR. Children with MR are more likely to be born into families of low socio-economic status, low IQ and little education. Symptoms of MR include: behavioral disturbances; language delay; fine movement and adaptive movement delay; gross movement delay; and neurological and physical abnormalities.

The Ayurvedic treatment of MR is aimed at attempting to reduce or reverse identifiable causative factors or apparent brain damage, and improving cognitive function. Medicines from the 'Medhya' category are very useful in this condition. These include Brahmi (Bacopa monneiri), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Vacha (Acorus calamas), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Jyotishmati (Celastrus panniculatus), Kushmand (Benincasa hispida), Ustukhudoos (Lavandula stoechas), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Medicines which act on the 'Majja" dhatu (tissue) are also very useful in this condition, and include Guduchi, Amalaki and Musta (Cyperus rotundus).

Medicines which act on the nerves, muscles and neuromuscular junctions are also useful in this condition. These medicines include Yograj-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Trayo-Dashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Tapyadi-Loh, Agnitundi-Vati, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Abhrak-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma and Suvarna-Bhasma.

Regular massage of the entire body is also believed to help in neuro-muscular development and coordination. Medicated oils are used for this purpose, which include Mahanarayan oil, Mahamash oil, and Mahasaindhav oil. Known causes of MR, if present, can be treated concurrently.

It is important to note that treatment needs to be given for prolonged periods ranging from several months to several years in order to get noticeable improvement.

Help For Yeast During Pregnancy

A woman's body experiences numerous changes throughout her pregnancy. In fact, the changes are so frequent and happen so quickly that many women find it hard to keep up. A common sentiment among pregnant women is that they barely recognize themselves anymore. So, how are you to know what is normal for your pregnant body and what is a complication that can be treated? While yeast during pregnancy is a common occurrence, pregnant women need not suffer. Yeast infections are fairly simple to detect and treatments are available.

Yeast spores are normally present in the body and aren't necessarily a problem if the proper balance is maintained. However, if an overgrowth is allowed, problems can occur. Yeast infections in pregnant women can present symptoms in several ways. The most common is vaginal pain and itching. Often an odorous discharge is also present that some people describe as fishy. If you aren't sure whether what you are experiencing is yeast during pregnancy, it's simple to have your care giver test you. Yeast or candidiasis can also show other symptoms, however, including nail fungus and even eczema.

Treating yeast overgrowth in a pregnant woman can be a bit tricky. It is always best to err on the side of caution whenever you are dealing with the crucial period of pregnancy. Treating yeast during pregnancy is no exception and care is required. Any internal treatment should be avoided or carefully monitored by your care provider. However, there are foods that can help your maintain balance, including live culture yogurt and garlic. It can also be a huge help to try an elimination diet, cutting out sugar and processed foods which yeast feeds on. External treatments for yeast, such as creams and suppositories, are generally considered safe for pregnant women as they don't come into the mother's bloodstream and are, therefore, unlikely to affect the fetus.It is also a good idea to keep the infected area as dry as possible. Yeast flourishes in warm, moist areas, so do all that you can to discourage further growth.

As with any treatment plan that is initiated when a woman is pregnant, it is always a good idea to double check anything you wish to try with your doctor. Your care provider is an expert on pregnancy related matters and can help you know which treatments are the safest and most effective for yeast during pregnancy. Once you agree on the course of treatment, it is easy and affordable to treat your condition at home.

Your Journey With Your Puggle

Puggles as a hybrid dog has already earned much fame because of its loving nature. Taking a puggle home will surely be nice idea. But how do you catch the most charming and healthy puppy? Puggles belong to the class of Designer Dogs and are often very expensive when bought from a pet shop. But buying puppy from a pet shop might involve problems since there are many mixed breed dogs available in such stores.

A very common problem noticed in puggle breeding is the inadequate level of knowledge among the breeders. Such breeders try to mate a pug and a beagle to produce a puggle without having much know-how about the breeding techniques and information. The result of this ignorance often produces puggles with genetic disorders. Another major problem seen in unskilled pug breeding is, the overlook of temperament testing and finding the correct mix. Thus one should be pretty meticulous while buying a puppy from a pet shop. The buyer of a puggle is advised to check the papers, specific breeder and must also be well aware of the genetic history.

Now once a puppy enters your home it will surely bring with it loads of warmth and joy. And the puggle owners are often confronted with the problem of putting such an adorable puppy into control. Patience is the only key to this problem. There are various factors that affect the training program of a puppy. These factors are namely the age of the puppy, the learning ability of the puppy and the sort of treatment being provided to it by its master. All these factors are responsible in creating a well-disciplined puggle.

Understanding the commands vary along with the age of the puggle. A puppy will take a few weeks to take the toilet training whereas the same dog might take a longer amount of time to understand if it is a little older. Along with the age the learning ability of the puppies varies significantly. This is the reason why a puggle owner must be consistent is imparting the training. Next is the type of tone a master uses while training his/her puggle. It is always advisable to use firm tones while giving a command. Such tones are more legible for your puppy.

This new breed of adorable dogs is not only famous as a family pet but also much famed among the breeders. Incase of breeding puggles a breeder must make himself/herself aware of the breeding obligations involved. An upcoming breeder must be ready to take the responsibilities of prenatal and postnatal care of the puggles. At the same time a breeder must have sufficient education regarding the research of the pedigrees of the dogs as well. However while selling the puppies a dedicated breeder should be aware of the prospective buyer through the interview process. This will lead to a puggle to find the best home to stay in.

What Causes ADD Or ADHD?

While many people consider ADD or ADHD to be caused by many 'social factors', i.e. bad parenting, video games, poor schools, etc., research is clear that the social causes have no merit with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The first place to start with the cause of ADD or ADHD is genetics. It is a very genetic disorder.

There is term called 'heritability', which refers to how genetic a disorder is. As an example - breast cancer is 30% heritable - meaning that about 30% of the possible causes of breast cancer can be attributed to genetics. Asthma is 40% heritable. Height is 80 to 85 percent heritable. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is about 80 percent heritable.

That means that ADHD is highly genetic. This research comes from twin studies and other family studies, and shows that ADHD is almost as genetic as height.

Now if genes cause 80 percent that means there is about 20 percent that is not caused by genetics. What are the other causes? When it comes to the non-genetic causes of ADHD, we can call these 'acquired' cases. When we look at acquired cases, we can separate these into: Prenatal (i.e. causes that affect the person before birth), and Postnatal (i.e. causes that affect the person after birth).

The Prenatal Causes of ADHD:

These are the acquired causes of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disroder that occur during the pregnancy.

* Mother smoking during pregnancy: if the mother smokes cigarettes during pregnancy this increases the risk by 2.5 times (so the child is 2.5 times more likely to develop ADHD than if the mother didn't smoke during pregnancy)
* Mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy: With alcohol during pregnancy, there is the same increased risk - 2.5 times.
* Prematurity: If there is prematurity at birth, there is a general increased risk for ADHD, however if there is bleeding in the baby's brain there is a 45 percent chance that that individual will have ADHD.
* Increase in pregnancy complications: If there is an overall increase in pregnancy complications there is a non specific increased risk for ADHD.

Interestingly cocaine or crack exposure is not a risk factor for ADHD once you account for smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Generally speaking a pregnant mother who is using cocaine will also tend to use cigarettes and alcohol.

The Postnatal Causes of ADHD:

These are acquired causes of ADHD that occur after the pregnancy (i.e. after the child is born).

* Head injuries/head Trauma: ADHD can develop after a significant head injury - by significant I mean one that results in loss of consciousness, or a serious concussion
* Brain Hypoxia which means not enough oxygen getting to the brain for a period of time. An example of this could be a near drowning or some other situation like that.
* Brain tumours
* Brain infection.
* Lead poisoning in the preschool years (i.e. before 3 years old)
* Survival from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) - because the chemotherapy itself can lead to brain changes.

The importance of the cause of ADHD is that for many people, when they realize that it is a real medical condition that is caused by medical issues, then they can let go of guilt - which can get in the way of useful treatment progress.

Picking Out the Best Insurance For Your Needs

The health insurance that you should get will depend on the type of coverage that you need. Insurance is very expensive. Some people think that it is too expensive and never actually even get a quote because of that feeling. There are some expensive plans, but you can also find many that are very reasonable.

Families with children should look into managed care insurance plans. There are several different types to choose from and they are a pretty good price. These are best for people with children because they allow you as much time in front of a doctor as needed. Anyone with kids will tell you that they need the doctor a lot. You want that to be easy, seeing the doctor when needed.

The opposite of that would be someone single without children to worry about. There are many healthy young people that rarely see a doctor and only need low premium high deductible insurance for emergencies basically. This works if there is no regular need of a doctor or of medication.

You might want to think about adding maternity care to your policy at some point. You may not be planning on having a baby any time soon, but sometimes life surprises you. You have to have the coverage in place well before conception or they will not cover any of it. It can be really expensive to go through childbirth. More than you could possibly imagine.

Insurance is the best way to protect your future finances. If something happens to you and you need some hospital time, you will be in a world of debt. You could also become very ill with something that is simple to catch in the early stages, if only you were checked for it. Whatever insurance that you decide on it is a good decision.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

Are you a new mom looking for help in adjusting to your new, stressful situation? Feeling unsure of your skills at caring for a newborn? Sad? Weepy? This article will provide some tips and guidance to help you cope and there are links at the bottom of this article to direct you to a website that can provide more detailed postpartum depression treatment options.

Postpartum Depression (aka -- post natal depression or 'baby blues') affects new moms usually within the first few days or weeks after giving birth. It is a form of clinical depression and can last for a week, months or even a year in some cases.

Child birth can be a challenging time for expectant mothers, both physically and emotionally. Mood swings are very common immediately after giving birth -- feeling joyful at one moment and depressed the next. When this depression lasts for an extended time, it is referred to as postpartum depression and requires a detailed treatment.

Some of the common symptoms associated with this condition are feeling sad, being constantly fatigued, or having eating problems, sleep issues, anxiety and irritability. A number of women recover from baby blues immediately in within a week's time with or without the help of some counseling. Others need professional treatment.

Postpartum depression usually goes undetected and undiagnosed. Effective treatment requires early identification and adequate diagnosis. The first step in alleviating this condition is acknowledging the symptoms. Mothers with this condition may feel that they are bad mothers and are hesitant to seek help.

Mild forms of postpartum depression are treated with the help of just counseling and support from family. Women with moderate and severe form of depression may need both counseling and medications.

Prescription medication known as antidepressants may also help relieve postpartum depression symptoms especially in conjunction with counseling or therapy depending on the severity of the condition. Both partners can be included in the treatment process because it is important for the male partner to understand what's happening and be tolerant of his partner's feelings. The treatments and recovery associated with any kind of depression depends on the extent of the depression.

Medicines like antidepressants relieve the symptoms of depression. Certain types of antidepressants are proven safe to take at the time of breastfeeding. Your doctor is the best person to decide which treatment will work best for you.

A possible cause for these feelings is hormonal imbalance. Women who have experienced depression before pregnancy are more at risk and should discuss this issue with their doctors well before their due dates. Hormone treatments may be an option for a swift recovery though their effectiveness may be limited.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT helps in understanding things. Emotional support helps in solving problems and in setting and achieving goals.

Focusing on the short-term goals which can be achieved rather than thinking on long-term goals may also help relieve feelings of inadequacy as well as self-critical talk. Sharing feelings with your partner, families, and friends will also help in achieving a more positive outlook.

Look for inexpensive activities like reading, walking, visiting a place of worship, etc. The less isolated you are the better you'll feel. Avoiding stressful situations during pregnancy and love and care from family and loved ones will help in the long run.

With proper treatment baby blues can be conquered. Postpartum depression treatment works. One needs to acknowledge the condition and follow the treatment map set by your doctor for a speedy recovery.

Very Early Signs of Pregnancy Can Be Misleading!

Spotting the very early signs of pregnancy can become an obsession if you are trying for a baby. But this is where you have to control you excitement. These signs can easily be confused with other normal ailments.

Care must be taken when identifying the very early signs of pregnancy so you do not get ahead of yourself. By looking at what other meanings these symptoms could be perhaps we can reduce any false diagnosis and heartache in the process.

So what are the very early signs of pregnancy and what else could the signs mean? Well here is a list of many of the symptoms and their alternative diagnosis.

Missing your Period

This can start immediate alarm bells ringing, and is usually a clear sign of pregnancy. But have you missed your period or is it just late or different?

-Explanations for this could be due to fatigue, tension or stress, hormonal changes or due to excessive weight loss or weight gain. Other explanation can be due to stopping the birth control pill.

Implantation bleeding

This can occur between 6 to 12 days after conception and is due to the embryo implanting itself in the uterine wall. Spotting can occur as well as cramping.

-However this could again be due to a change in use of the birth control pill, it could be menstruation or changes in menstruation, intercourse or an infection.

Sensitive or swollen breast

This symptom can occur one to two weeks after conception with sensitivity in the breast area, feelings of swollen or sore breast are not uncommon.

-Other reasons for this may be due to imminent menstruation, a hormonal changes or birth control pills.

Morning Sickness

Contrary to popular belief, morning sickness can occur all through the day, not just in the morning! This is a symptom that is instantly recognizable and can occur between 2 and 8 weeks after conception. It is a symptom that is not common to all women, some women are lucky enough not feel any nausea.

-As the symptom of morning sickness is nausea, you can imagine how many illnesses can cause this. 24hr bugs, flu, upset stomach, food poisoning etc can all mirror morning sickness symptoms.

Fatigue or tiredness

This can be a very early sign of pregnancy and start in the week after conception! This symptom can be hard for pregnant women to disguise with their busy day to day lives.

-Again this can easily be explained as other ailments such as the common cold or flu symptoms. Similarly depression or stress can promote these symptoms to name but a few.

Headaches

The very early signs of pregnancy can be due to hormonal changes in the body leading to headaches.

-But again, there are simple explanations for this such as dehydration, caffeine, eye strain or even imminent menstruation.

Food cravings

These are a common symptom of the very early signs of pregnancy, but also a common symptom of being hungry! However many women experience food cravings, a method for the body to increase its intake of certain vitamins and minerals. Food cravings can occur all the way through the pregnancy.

-Other reason for food cravings can be hunger, inadequate diet, poor nutrition, depression or again imminent menstruation.

Frequent urination

Although not specifically one of the very early signs of pregnancy, frequent urination is due to the changes occurring inside your body. This may start around 6 to 8 weeks after conception.
-However this may also be due to diabetes or a urinary tract infection or even excessive liquid intake.

Backache

Very early signs of pregnancy can include backache and can continue throughout the whole pregnancy.

-Other reasons for backache can be related to existing back problems, stress or again even imminent menstruation.

With so many symptoms that can be explained in many other ways it can be hard to spot the very early signs of pregnancy. Take care when self-diagnosing, in this case it is always better to be sure before announcing to the world your pregnancy.

Take care and good luck with your diagnosis.