Does the California Infertility Insurance Mandate Actually Lower Your Costs?

California is one of two states with an infertility insurance law that mandates insurers to offer coverage. This type of mandate is distinctly different from state mandates that require employers to provide coverage. The distinction seems minor at first glance. California couples dealing with infertility should understand the unintended consequences of this language, and weigh their options carefully.

Unintended Consequences

Having an infertility insurance mandate should help lower costs for couples considering infertility treatments - right? Unfortunately this is not always the case. To understand why, you have to follow the money.

Insurance companies compete to offer group health insurance plans based upon several factors including: quality of service, network of doctors and hospitals, and price. The first two factors, while important are often very hard to quantify. On the other hand, price is extremely easy to quantify.

Employers are forever looking for ways to cut costs. Group health insurance costs have been skyrocketing over time. Employers attempt to control these costs in one of two ways:

Employers have been migrating towards Consumer Directed Health Plans in an attempt to better control costs. These plans cover less, and therefore cost less.

Employers pit one insurer against the next on similar plan designs in order to wring the greatest level of cost savings. The insurer with the lowest cost structure often wins.

California Health Insurance plans that offer infertility coverage will cost more than plans that do not. In a given year, only a very small percentage of employees will have a need for infertility insurance coverage. Therefore, most employers looking to cut costs will opt to offer plans without the infertility option.

An Upward Cost Spiral

So which employers will offer infertility coverage? Probably only a handful of uniquely positioned employers will make this choice. Employers with an employee demographic profile heavily weighted with married people age thirty to forty may consider offering the option. And many employers may offer two or more plan designs: one with, and one or more without infertility insurance coverage.

And which employees will elect the more expensive option? Only those considering infertility treatments will opt in. The remainder will opt for the less expensive option that does not include coverage they will never use.

So what does this all boil down to? Infertility insurance may become unaffordable, even for those likely to use the coverage. Insurance plans offering infertility treatment coverage will see a very high level of adverse selection. That means virtually every person in the plan is expecting to use the benefit. Insurers typically are held to a loss ratio of around 80%. This means that infertile couples in aggregate may expect to receive $.80 back on every $1.00 of premium paid for these plans. Where there is little risk sharing, costs for those likely to use the benefit will be very high.

What are the Options?

Your employer may not offer infertility coverage, or if they do you may find that the incremental cost of coverage outweighs your likely benefit. Consider using your flexible spending account to use pre-tax dollars to pay for your treatments. Supplemental insurance can be offered by your employer in a way that keeps the overall cost of health insurance low for all employees. Supplemental insurance can help you recoup you're out of pocket costs when you deliver your baby.

Considerations of Pregnancy After 40

Aside from considering your financial status, it is also necessary to look into your health if you are really capable of dealing with pregnancy after 40. Indeed, when you push through your plans, there are a lot of downsides that may come along the way.

When you are dealing with pregnancy after 40, it may be expected that there may be risky possibilities that needs to be avoided as much as possible. These may be related to your health or to any accident or injury which you cannot predict as they come unexpectedly.

One of the disadvantages is leading to miscarriage. In a study, women who get pregnant at 40 have higher rate of miscarriage than pregnant women at their 20s. Also, babies who are born from such kind of pregnancy may have complications. Some problems related to such pregnancy are Autism and Down's syndrome, or any other problems related to the brain development of the babies.

It might also be that mother will suffer when she gives birth. The worst is, this kind of pregnancy may lead to death, either on the side of the mother or on the side of the baby.

Remember that the mother's body might no longer be as healthy as before, so it may really be risky to continue with the plan of conceiving a baby at 40.

Hence, one should need to look for ways to minimize the risks just so it may not lead to a worst scenario. Medical experts themselves have talked about pregnancy after 40 as relatively risky. This situation demands a lot of care and precaution. Taking care of pregnancy should be in the top of the list for the whole nine months. To minimize the threat, you should be willing to familiarize yourself of the necessary things peculiar to that kind of pregnancy. In all the things that you do, you must remember that someone vulnerable is inside your body, so take extra care. The best way to keep future complications is to visit your doctor regularly. Your doctor will instruct you on the best way to keep you and your baby healthy.

Normally, a healthy lifestyle, together with proper diet and exercise, as doctors suggest ensures healthy pregnancy. To persons of such age, diabetes and hypertension are common sickness. When you suffer those, it is important to disclose this information to your doctor in order to prevent complications. Your doctor will provide the right medication for maintaining blood pressure. She may also suggest that you relieve yourself of stress.

Fish Oil and Pregnancy - Help Safeguard Baby's Health and Avoid Postpartum Depression

Mothers-to-be and infants developing in the womb are often short-changed in the same essential nutrient. The nutrient is DHA, and the best source is fish oil. Here are the facts you need to know about fish oil and pregnancy.

DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, an essential fatty acid, abundant in the bodies of fatty fish. Unfortunately, most modern diets don't include much fatty fish, these wonderful natural sources of DHA.

DHA and EPA, which are the the most important of these oils, are called omega 3's -- for their chemical makeup. Omega 3 oils used to be common in many of the fish and wild game eaten by humans for many centuries. But modern farming methods, and especially modern factory farms that produce almost all of our beef, pork, chicken and all popular meats -- these produce meat that is severely depleted in omega 3's.

The omega 3 oils are called "essential fatty acids" because the body can't manufacture them. Like vitamins, the body can't make them on its own. That's why they are essential, either in our food or in food supplements. The body has the ability -- just barely -- to make omega 3's from the Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) in flaxseed and flaxseed oil. Unfortunately, the process is so inefficient that ALA is all but useless for this purpose. That's not to say that flaxseed isn't good food; it is, but completely inadequate as a source of EPA and DHA.

And DHA especially is vitally needed for mothers and babies, during pregnancy and afterward.

The developing baby's brain and eyes really need DHA. About 60 percent of the brain is fat, and DHA makes up about half of that. DHA is also concentrated in the retina of the eye, and clinical studies have shown much improved development of vision and cognitive function in babies whose mothers took DHA supplements.

DHA continues to be vital after the baby is born, both for the mother and baby. The developing baby's brain and eyes need it. Mothers need it, too: the omega 3's have been found to be beneficial for depression, including "postpartum depression" -- the depression that develops all too commonly in women after having a baby.

These are the most critical facts about omega 3's, especially DHA -- and everything you need to know about fish oil and pregnancy.

Best Ways to Find Cheap Maternity Health Insurance

A lot of families are looking for affordable health insurance that will give maternity or pregnancy advantages. Health carriers proffer such plans, but they differ in the sum of coverage given. Lots of insurers will not give benefits to the insured for a minimum nine months.

As with all things insurance connected, you have to plan ahead. Infrequently, consumers are attracted in maternity policies once they are already pregnant. They are disenchanted to find out insurance cannot be purchased to cover up a pregnant spouse - pregnancy is a preexisting circumstance. Insurers just will not take on this risk. Still, a health plan could be bought for a healthy mother and child later than delivery.

The best method to find cheap maternity health insurance is to visit to an insurance comparison website where you could find rate quotes from numerous insurance companies.

If you're in search of maternity health care coverage, whether you are already requiring or are still in the planning stages, you'll want to perform some evaluation shopping to discover the best cost for the coverage you want. There are a lot of websites online where you could enter a little of information and reply some questions and rapidly retrieve several quotes from many different insurance providers. With all the competition amongst a variety of insurance companies' prices for coverage could be different very much from one company to another. By spending a few minutes online doing several evaluations shopping you could rapidly and simply get the best likely cost for your maternity health insurance.

Maternity health care is not inevitably covered even where a health insurance plan is paid for. A costly add-on might require to be integrated. A number of insurers keep away from providing maternity plans or treat it as a prerequisite pre-existing. Federal law does not allow this, but there are loopholes.

The best recommendation for women is that they ought to make sure that they get maternity health insurance at the earliest chance, for the entire of their child-bearing years.

Mood Lifting Food For Mums

New mothers who experience anxiety, panic, low mood, hopelessness or other depressive symptoms, may be suffering from post-natal depression. This occurs in approximately 10% of new mothers in the post partum period, and can be aided by the use of holistic healing and support from loved ones. Instead of focussing on the negatives, take the salutogenesis approach, by focussing on ways to positively induce a feeling of well-being.

Strategies to prevent or reduce the occurrence of Post Natal Depression

- Eat plenty of foods that are high in fibre, vitamin B and also in minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. Complex carbohydrates, whole grains, brown rice, vegetables and raw oats are a good start. These improve levels of mood boosting substances in the brain, and create a sense of well being.
- If your mind is over-active take herbs such as oats relaxing drops to induce restfulness. Bathing in Lavender Bath Milk is highly recommended for new mothers, to calm the nerves.
- Eat oily fish such as tuna and a little salmon to provide ample amounts of essential fatty acids.
- Have plenty of rest and avoid exertion. The more relaxed you are, the less likely you will be to dwell on aches and pains, facilitating a faster and easier recovery.
- Avoid any foods that trigger mood swings such as high fat and high sugar meals, caffeine, white bread and milk chocolate.
- Avoid smoking
- Create a support system with family so that household chores such as cleaning and cooking are handed over to somebody else as often as possible
- Use homeopathic or herbal medicines where-ever possible to calm and soothe your baby if it is restless or upset

Causes of Post Natal Depression are varied and it thought that a poor dietary intake of complex carbohydrates as well as the B group vitamins B1, B5, B9 and B12 are common in women with this condition. However dietary changes are only one aspect to improving mood. The aroma of essential oils is a very simple and effective way to boost mood, and you can incorporate essential oils into your daily skincare regime. Oils of Lavender, Wild Rose, Sweet Orange and Chamomile are all useful to induce relaxation and boost mood. Wild Rose Body care and deodorant for example, keep the mood-lifting aroma of roses alive on your skin throughout the day. The best way to access the aromatic oils of these plants is to buy them in natural, organic and biodynamic bodycare products such as lotions and bathmilks to get the best possibly quality oils and to avoid toxicity.

Often low mood is a reflection of an exhausted nervous system, which needs to recover and rejuvenate after traumatic events. Herbs such as Oats (Avena Sativa) will benefit both mother and baby. Oats Relaxing Drops can also be taken multiple times daily by mother.

The Benefits of Rose

Another herb to consider is the highly moisturising rose. The smell of fresh roses is nothing short of a soft caress and has many benefits for skin health as well. It can be found in lotions, moisturisers, toners and cleansers. Rose petals strewn loosely in a baby's bath water will soften the skin and have a calming effect on mood.

Organic and biodynamic roses are the most beneficial as they maximize the medicinal qualities of the plant, so always choose products with high quality and purity standards.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis - How to Diagnose and How Long to Treat

Majority of patients in the age group of 12 to 25 years attending the out patient clinic of the Department of Endocrine Surgery, Government General Hospital,Chennai ( a tertiary care Hospital in South India) are suffering from Thyroiditis. Most of these patients seek medical aid when they develop a diffuse goiter. Some of them presented with palpitation and tremors without thyromegaly but the majority of patients presented with diffuse goiter in Hypothyroid state.

Investigations done to confirm the diagnosis: (1) FT3,FT4,TSH (2)Thyroid antibodies: Antimicrosomal antibody (TPO) and Anti thyroglobulin antibody(ATG) and (3) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Thyroiditis is confirmed by positive Antimicrosomal Antibody titre (AMA). All Thyroiditis patients with diffuse goitre had elevated serum TSH with decreased FT3 & FT4 confirming Hypothyroid status.Hence,they were all treated with thryoxine 50 to 100mcg OD. Patients who presented with palpitation and tremors had elevated FT3 & FT4 associated with decreased TSH confirming that they were in the toxic phase of thyroiditis.Hence, those patients were treated with beta blocker propranolol.

AntiThyroglobulin antibody titre was used to differentiate Toxic phase of thyroiditis from Graves' disease. Toxic phase of thyroiditis is due to increased liberation of stored hormone in to the system, due to follicular damage and not due to increased production of thyroid hormone.Patients in toxic phase of thyroiditis developed severe hypothyroidism when treated with antithyroid drug carbimazole for a few weeks.

FNAC is a very useful investigation to confirm Thyroiditis. Cytology revealed Lymphocytic infiltration in all patients with thyroidtis.

AMA(TPO) titre became negative in most of our patients over a period of 12 to 18 months. Hence the treatment was given for the same period. Negative AMA(TPO) titre is an indication to withdraw the medical treatment.

8 Great Tips to Reduce Stress in Pregnant Women

I have a story about a friend of mine. She vividly remembers the day stress got the better of her. She was six months pregnant and trying to wrap up a major project at work. "I came home and found that my husband forgot to replace the milk, so I wouldn't be able to make mashed potatoes for dinner," she says. "I had been looking forward to those potatoes all day, and I just burst into tears. I was so upset over such a little thing!"

What I want you to know is that reducing stress is absolutely necessary for the expectant mom. If you are pregnant, you should not find yourself stressed out over mashed potatoes! So, see below for a detailed list of stress reducers.

1. Don't take on more than you can handle

Pregnancy is a delicate time when you are feeling tired and riding a roller coaster of emotions. So, don't enhance that stress by taking on extra assignments at work or agreeing to host social events. You need not to give up all responsibilities--just set up a realistic work and social calendar that permits you to get some extra sleep.

In a social setting, you can let friends know that you have been feeling tired and run down. If you are the first amongst your friends to have a baby, this situation may be difficult for them to adjust to, but they will. Good friends will want what is best for you and your baby.

2. Don't worry about what other people think

You've got other priorities right now, and being a mom is the most important job you will ever have. Don't let others tell you differently--or make you feel badly for experiencing pregnancy to its fullest.
You are not being selfish or arrogant by putting your needs first; by doing so, you are in fact, putting your baby's needs first. Remember, a baby has better odds of being happy and healthy if its mommy is happy and healthy.

Do not worry about stepping on people's feelings, especially if they are making inappropriate remarks or offering unwanted unsolicited advice in the first place. Sometimes, people who do that need to be put in their place!

3. Do steer clear of the internet

Yes, it can be very fun to look up baby names and exciting to track the weekly changes in your baby's development. But, it can also be scary if you run across the name of a long, but tragic sounding (and probably contagious) disease or rare, but possible, condition that affects some pregnant women. Most pregnancies are normal with relatively few complications--and most babies are healthy. So, don't get yourself whipped into a frenzy worrying about the remote possibilities of what could go wrong.

Certainly, if you have a legitimate concern, bring it up to your OBGYN, but do not look for things that could go wrong. The Internet has many good uses, but it is too easy to stumble onto Web sites that can make a pregnant woman paranoid.

4. Get support from your spouse

Even if you typically do all the cooking and cleaning, your hubby needs to realize you need help now. You will definitely need it after the baby comes, so he might as well get used to lending a helping hand around the house.

Explain that you need him to start helping you with some of the household tasks, such as loading the dishwasher, cleaning up after the pets or doing the laundry.

Make sure, though, that you let your hubby know how much you appreciate him. He is getting used to a lot of new changes himself, and he deserves your patience as much as you deserve his. Pregnancies are a new learning experience for both of you -- just remember that!

5. Take a class on baby care

When you know what to expect, it eases the stress. Community centers or your hospital should have baby birthing and care classes that you can sign up for free of charge.

Now is a good time to find out what to expect--how to deal with colic, jaundice, a fussy baby, etc. Then, if any of these situations present themselves, you will feel ready to handle them.

Taking classes on baby care also gives you a better sense of being a mom, because you feel like you are doing something you should do. Baby care classes are also a great place to meet other expectant moms and professionals who know how to address all your questions.

6. Don't spend time in the company of negative people

Or those who have to one-up you with their own pregnancy horror stories. Negative people have a way of spreading bad vibes. In any case, no one has a right--or the power--to bring you down.

Try to avoid people who must always have the spotlight on themselves or who constantly have to prove that their situation is worse than yours. As a nice person, you probably politely listen, but there comes a time when enough is enough. If you know someone who constantly has to one-up others, avoid the person or have a ready excuse.

In general, you have to keep your spirits up and not let others suck the energy out of you.

7. Do things for you

Sleep a little later on weekends, splurge on a new maternity outfit or a fancy new perfume. It's OK to do things that make you feel good about yourself, and you need to do this, at least from time to time, for your own mental health.

During pregnancy, your body is going through so many changes--physical and emotional--that you will need to adjust your schedule and lifestyle to what suits you best during this time.

You will be much happier and more agreeable to be around if you are well-rested and refreshed. Plus, you will be more productive when you do work.

In time, you will adjust back to your normal routines (or to new ones), but pregnancy is a delicate time when life is topsy-turvy, so enjoy the freedom to change that this ride gives you.

8. Understand your office's policy on maternity leave

One of the biggest stresses for pregnant women is work. How will I tell my boss I'm pregnant? Will I be able to take maternity leave without my work suffering? That's why it is critical that you understand your company's policy on maternity leave. By law, you are entitled to maternity leave, and if you have saved vacation time, you might also be able to apply that to your maternity leave. So, you cannot be denied maternity leave.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can address them to your company's human resources department. Keep in mind, however, that the HR department is employed to look out for the company's best interests. So, if you have any suspicions about what they tell you, contact an outside source, such as an attorney, for additional consulting.

Do Women With Gestational Diabetes Need to Prepare for C-Sections?

About three to twelve percent of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, a condition which means high blood sugars that begins with pregnancy and often resolves itself after the mother gives birth. It is diagnosed between weeks twenty-four and twenty-eight of the pregnancy. Symptoms of gestational diabetes (GDM) are:

• extreme thirst


• hunger, or


• fatigue

but many women do not notice these symptoms. GDM is a common pregnancy-related health problem, and is in the same league as other pregnancy-related conditions that develop during the second or third trimesters, such as high blood pressure.

Gestational diabetes is associated with a number of complications, and women who have this form of diabetes are very likely to be asked to schedule a Caesarian section. In fact, some obstetricians won't even consider letting a mother with GDM deliver on her own schedule. They only offer induced labor or a pre-planned Caesarian delivery. But what are the risks?

Women who have C-sections compared to women who have normal delivery are:

• much more likely to suffer injury to the bladder and uterus, and up to 50 times more likely to suffer postpartum infections and blood clots in the legs or lungs


• twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital


• much more likely to suffer pelvic adhesions, which are scar tissue causing problems with urination, defecation, and sexual intercourse


• at much greater risk in their next pregnancy to suffer placenta accreta, where the placenta forms an abnormally deep attachment to the wall of the uterus... requiring an abortion to save the life of the mother

And women who have C-sections have a one in four chance of still having pain at the surgical site six months after surgery.

About one in four babies is delivered by cesarean section, or C-section, which is a surgical procedure that is essentially "abdominal delivery".

Babies delivered by cesarean are more likely to:

• suffer accidental cuts by the surgeon


• have low Apgar scores and require admission to intensive care, and


• develop either pulmonary hypertension or type 1 diabetes later in life

A normal delivery is the goal for both mother and child. For mothers who have gestational diabetes, the best way to be able to deliver the baby without surgery is to keep blood sugar levels below 90 mg/dL (5 mmol/L) essentially all the time. It's a real challenge, but it confers a lifetime of rewards, the lifetime of the child.

Gestational diabetes usually takes the form of Type 2 diabetes in that it can be managed through diet and close monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy Nausea Remedies - How to Get Rid of Nausea While Pregnant?

Congratulations you are going to be a mother, isn't that wonderful? There is no doubt it is! For a lot of women pregnancy it is a very happy period of life, but with all the happiness it is a very hard 9 months! All the future mothers suffer from head aches, back pains, swollen breasts and pregnancy nausea also known as morning sickness!

Morning sickness causes women the most suffer during the pregnancy, and despite it being called morning sickness it doesn't disappear on the morning but goes with you all day, making your life harder every day!

If you will ask a doctor for a cure, his answer might be "There is no cure for morning sickness". Well maybe he doesn't have a special pills or medicine but there are some very good remedies and techniques that will help you to get rid of the morning sickness!

Here some foods that may help you!

Lemon - this fruit is known by its' ability to decrease the sickness feeling in minutes! Try to eat lemon when it's cold, because it's better and you will feel immediately the relief!

Apples - the same thing, also recommended cold.

Drink only non caffeinated teas. Peppermint and ginger will be excellent for you!

Here are a couple of thing you can do to avoid nausea!

Sleep well - tiredness only increases the nausea feeling in the morning and through the day. Try to sleep at least 8 hours at night and take snaps through the day!

Try to avoid closed places because of the air! Fresh air will decrease the nausea feeling so every place you go open all the windows on turn on all the fans!

And the last tip:

Try a Chinese acupressure points technique - Chinese aucpressure technique is excellent way to get rid of morning sickness. It's based on tapping on specific points through your body called acupressure points. This method is 100% natural, very easy to apply everywhere and it will help you to get rid of pregnancy nausea overnight.

Find The Right Health Insurance To Cover Your Needs

Investing in a health insurance is a wise decision to make. However there are so many different kinds of insurances to choose from that it can be confusing to pick the one that suits you the best. Consulting a professional person may get you some clarification on how to select the right insurance that fulfils your needs.

People seem to live longer these days and maybe that is because we are more health conscious than we use to be. The average person tends to go for a traditional health insurance where you make a payment to the insurance company every month. If you should get sick or have an accident and require health treatment then you pay a certain amount first and the insurance pay the remaining of the bill.

However, because of the big demand health insurances companies are beginning to look for ways to cut the cost of the health insurances. There are plans that will cover the majority of your medical fees but you then have to use a special group of physicians and hospitals. The insurance may pay some of your expenses if you seek treatment outside of this special group but it will be a reduced rate.

It will pay you to do a bit of research to find out where you get the best coverage. You want your general physician visit fees covered as much as possible by your health insurance and it is also important that you have hospital expenses covered. It is really a matter of choice and you should sit down and make a list of what kind of things you need covered the most.

If you are more likely to need glasses and contacts than anything else you should make sure that this is covered rather than other things you do not need. Or if prescription drugs is something you often need then that should be your priority coverage for your health insurance. If you are a young woman who plans to have children in the future then it is a good idea to join a health insurance well ahead and make sure you are well covered for maternity care and what is involved in having a baby.

When you have made your list of preferred things you want covered then you are much more prepared to start looking for the right health insurance plan. Remember that your health is important so make sure it is protected in the best way possible.

Three Stages of Pregnancy and Healthful Preparations

One of the wonderful things a woman experiences is conceiving a child in her womb. Getting pregnant is a blessing to many people. However, despite the wonderful feeling of expecting a baby, pregnant women are faced with realistic discomforts also.
 
Being pregnant is a very critical stage. It concerns both the health of the mother and the baby. Pregnant woman should know the basic pregnancy health tips to be able to properly take care of her body, and the baby as well. And to be able to take care of their bodies well, pregnant women must be aware of the three delicate stages of pregnancy.

It takes nine months before a pregnant woman gives birth. The first three months is called the first trimester. The second three months is called the second trimester. And the last remaining months is called the third trimester.
 
In the first trimester, some mothers will experience morning sickness in the early stages. Some women experience vomiting or nausea. These are normal symptoms that will soon pass in the succeeding months. To lessen vomiting, some women opt to eat less during meals. Although this helps, it is also important to note that she must eat not only to feed herself but also the baby.

Some expecting women also experience frequent urination. Others experience fatigue and gets tired easily. They need longer time to rest and relax. All these discomforts may sometimes cause the mood swings. Thus, pregnant women are easily irritable.
 
It is very important for women in the early stages of pregnancy to have a balanced diet supervised by doctors. 
 
The middle or second trimester of pregnancy is the stage where the baby's growth is more felt. The belly becomes more visible as it begins to bulge. Women at this stage can already feel some movements from the baby.
 
Some mothers are stressed easily in this stage. The growing belly drastically changes a woman's appearance, sometimes resulting with unsightly stretch marks. For some it causes insecurity with their physical looks. Others take it lightly, as a normal occurrence in pregnancy.
 
This is also the stage where pregnant woman experience constipation, indigestion and heartburn. As this is a crucial stage, women should be very diligent in visiting their doctors for regular checkups.
 
The final stage of pregnancy is the last three months. In this stage, a mother may experience a decrease in their appetite. The best solution for this is to have small snacks every 3 to 4 hours.
 
Some complications may arise in this final stage. Some women experience hypertension that can lead to high blood pressure. A large belly can bring utter discomfort in bed, making it quite difficult for women to sleep.

It is also in the third trimester that a woman feels the most discomfort. Her large belly makes it hard for her to move around and do things on her own. It is also very hard to sleep at night.
 
Pregnancy is very risky for women. But the joy of having a baby is priceless. Remember that pregnant women should still exercise also. And throughout the pregnancy, they should take care of themselves very well and visit their doctors regularly to ensure a safe pregnancy all the way.

What Are the Earliest Possible Signs of Pregnancy?

Women who are planning to conceive would be keen to know about the earliest possible signs of pregnancy. Usually you can make out the difference between a normal life and the life when you conceive.

Few important and basic things you should keep in mind are:

You will know about your pregnancy only when the menstrual cycle stops, you conceive within 24 hours of ovulation, the suggested time to go for pregnancy test should be two weeks after ovulation. Apart from these, there are ten signs of pregnancy.

Essentially the earliest possible signs of pregnancy can be discovered with these ten signs of pregnancy, which are the common signs. You will be still in a dilemma about your pregnancy, even after menstrual cycle stops.

As the reason for menstrual cycle getting late can be different which could due to less hemoglobin, weakness and so on. What are the earliest possible signs of pregnancy differs, as the woman body is different and do not match with the other, some women start getting such symptoms from the beginning and few do not observe any symptoms.

All the pregnancies may not have the same symptoms. The symptoms observed in first pregnancy cannot be the same during your second pregnancy. Each symptom during pregnancy is unique. Online sites also provide ample amount of information about the possible indications of pregnancy and how to identify it.

Signs of possible pregnancy may include fatigue, breast changes, frequent urination, cramps, morning sickness, aversions, implantation spotting, high temperature, etc. to name a few.

Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms That Women Should Know

If you think you're pregnant, congratulations! You will not think about it if you have not felt any of the pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy is a memorable experience for a woman in which she has to prepare her body for the big changes. The early signs of pregnancy can bring you sense of excitement but anxiety at the same time knowing that you might encounter some or all of the most unwanted pregnancy symptoms. However, these signs are just the body's way to adjust itself from the changes brought by pregnancy.

Here are some of the unusual pregnancy symptoms that you might encounter:

Constipation might be experienced if you lack fluid on your body. This may due to the growing size of your belly that compresses your rectum giving you the difficulty to pass your stool, or may also due to the process by which they take out all the available nutrients to supply it to your baby which slows down your digestive tract. Pain on your belly button may also happen during pregnancy. This is due to the pressure if the growing uterus on your abdomen. This symptom usually appears on the second trimester and subsides around third trimester.

If you think food craving is very common, you may also experience the loss of appetite. Some women tend to eat less but some just don't have the appetite. It is a good sign if you develop this symptom to unhealthy foods so that you will not worry about losing weight after pregnancy. However, if this sign of pregnancy make you eat less than your daily required nutrients, you have to consult your doctor.

During pregnancy, some pregnant women experience increased salivation. The rationale behind this is the occurring hormonal changes. Increased cervical fluid may also become evident any time of the day and may come whitish and mild smelling discharge. This is considered as a usual pregnancy symptom because your body is just getting rif of the bacteria from your vagina. Don't forget to your feminine hygiene to avoid infection.

During pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms may also manifest through your skin. You may notice extra skin that dangles from any parts of your body such as in your underarms. In addition, you might also feel itchiness all round your body. This is not a common pregnancy symptom but this may happen if you have cholestasis prior to pregnancy. Cholestasis is a liver disorder, which can have pose danger to your unborn baby.

Other women may also experience a metallic taste in their mouth during the first weeks of pregnancy. Spider veins are also one of the most unwanted signs of pregnancy that is due to the increased blood flow during pregnancy. In addition, the increased amounts of the hormone oestrogen and blood flow can also cause nasal congestion.

8 Common Diseases in Pregnancy You Should Know About

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases in a woman's life being accompanied by many common pregnancy diseases or problems. Many women are unaware of these pregnancy diseases. A pregnant women, to start a family with her new baby, must be knowledgeable about some of the diseases in pregnancy.

Sometimes the problems are too minor ones but if they are not cured effectively then it could develop into a very major problem. These problems can affect the foetus as well as the mother to be. Therefore, if a women would love to have a healthy pregnancy, then they must have complete knowledge about the following common pregnancy diseases:

High Blood Pressure: Pregnancy with high blood pressure can develop at the time of pregnancy. During high blood pressure in pregnant women, the pressure of blood in the arteries is very high. Also a pregnant women diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to develop pre-eclampsia, which is a very serious problem as it affects the various body parts such as kidney, liver, blood vessels, etc. Thus, it is very much essential to prevent high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes: A gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy condition that can develop during pregnancy. During gestational diabetes, the mother to be has a large amount of sugar in her blood and it usually resolves after the birth of the baby. Thus one's a pregnant women had gestational diabetes; it's a good idea to have your blood sugar level tested at least once a year.

Itchy Skin: Itchy skin is also a very common problem at the time of pregnancy. A pregnant women can feel Itchiness particularly around her breasts and growing belly. The main causes of dry itchy skin during pregnancy are the hormones and the itchy skin. When a pregnant women's skin stretches out across her belly and becomes drier then she may fell some kind of itchiness. It is very necessary to skin care during pregnancy.

Fever: A fever usually arises during first trimester of pregnancy in the pregnant women's. A mild fever during early pregnancy can occur at any other time. However, a high fever during pregnancy can certainly prove harmful or can even lead to the fetal death.

Weight Gain: Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. It is important for pregnant women to gain a considerable amount of weight as it is generally considered as a sign of healthy pregnancy. This problem occurs because of increase in blood circulation in the body.

Swelling: Swelling is a most common pregnancy problem that a women can experience at the time of pregnancy. Swelling can occur on face, hands, feet, etc. Swelling occurs due to the retention of extra amount of fluid during the period of pregnancy. When a pregnant women drinks less amount of fluids then the body will retain some of the fluids in order to meet its needs. There are every chances of swelling during pregnancy if the pregnant women continues to take less amount of fluid during pregnancy period.

Backache: Backache is a very common problem during pregnancy. When a women becomes pregnant then her body goes through a lot of change largely because of the production of variety of hormones and one of these hormones is known as relaxin. Relaxin causes the pelvis and ligaments to soften and to allow the baby out through the pelvis. Backache leads to soreness, stiffness and pain the back.

Cough and Cold: Cough and cold during pregnancy is one of the most common problems that majority of the pregnant women suffer. One of the general reasons for this problem is the weakening of the immune system during the period of pregnancy. If the problem of cough is really serious then the pregnant must insure that her fetus is protected. This is because, if the pregnant women coughs hardly then there are chances of miscarriage.

Fetal Development - 5 Things You Should Know

As a mother or parent, the healthiest fetal development is probably at the top of the list of your concerns. That may be why you are considering using fish oils to benefit your unborn baby.

But getting simple and direct information on what can and what won't benefit your child during fetal development is difficult. I hope to help with that in this article by giving you five tips.

But here's some little information to get the ball rolling first.

EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) are so "essential" as they help oxygen transport through our bloodstreams, they improve the development of cells and of the brain, and they also increase organ and tissue health.

The most beneficial EFA is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). This omega 3 fatty acids is one of the main foundational materials of the tissue of the brain.

But finally, here are the 5 big tips which can benefit your child:

1. DHA is important for your child's brain function.

The aforementioned DHA is important in many parts of your child's development -- its brain, its eyesight and correct development of the nervous system. It can also improve your child's early hand-eye coordination.

2. All the DHA you consume will be naturally transported to your fetus

This really substantiates the idea of a mother's instinctive protectiveness over her children. Your body naturally diverts helpful nutrients from itself to the fetus. Deficiencies in DHA for mothers can result in post-partum depression.

3. Babies may be more intelligent

A case study took place in England. It included 11,000 pregnant women who consumed more omega 3s whilst pregnant. Their children were more likely to have higher IQs and also managed social interaction a lot better than other children. The children were also observed to be more focused and less likely to develop ADD.

4. The baby will continue to develop whilst breastfeeding

You are the only source of nutrition if you breastfeed. A baby's development is always racing and so it is essential that you can supply him or her with the nutrients it needs to grow and develop properly, without reducing your own use of DHA.

5. There are no omega 3 fatty acids in prenatal vitamins

As prenatal vitamins are unlikely to have DHA in them, it is important that women acknowledge this deficiency and do something about it themselves -- by adding a fish oil supplement to their own diet. This could go a long way in preventing post-natal depression too.

But while fish oils bring a range of benefits, there are also risks. Some women try and eat lots of fish to supply themselves with omega 3 fatty acids, but this can be dangerous.

Some fish contain contaminants like mercury, which can cause mercury poisoning.

It is much safer to consume a fish oil supplement which is of pharmaceutical grade and which has undergone molecular distillation. This process removes impurities and will make for a healthy and safe fish oil supplement.

And the end result of this will be a healthy and safe fetal development, which is what every single parent desires.

Your next step? Consult your physician on the dose you would require and find a fish oil which is properly purified to boost your child's fetal development.

Contract Work, Temporary Work, and Freelancing - Different Kinds of Temporary Employment

If you are searching for work, it is likely that you will, at some point, consider some form of temporary work. It is, therefore, important to know the different kinds of temporary employment.

Contract Jobs

Contract jobs are positions that meet some specific purpose and usually for a specific time. For example, a company may need additional computer people to install and test a new software program. When the new installation is complete, the need is fulfilled and the job ends.

In general, contract workers have some specific skill the company needs so contract jobs generally pay fairly well and may even pay somewhat better than comparable full time positions. On the downside, contract workers are not eligible for company benefits. You have to cover your own costs including health insurance.

Finding contract jobs is not a problem. In fact, many of the positions offered are contract jobs and many companies indicate that they are using contract positions both to meet temporary needs and to "try out" potential employees to determine if they are a good match.

At least some of the contract jobs you locate are offered by staffing companies. Some staffing companies specialize in some area such as accounting or computer services. If you take a position through a staffing company, you actually work for them and they pay your salary. If you work through an agency, you may be eligible for health insurance and a 401K through the agency at group rates.

Some contractors are independent. In general, it takes a good bit of experience and a marketable skill to be an independent contractor. In addition, you are responsible for your own taxes as well as health insurance and retirement.

Temporary Jobs

The difference between contract jobs and temporary jobs is probably rather arbitrary, but, in general, temporary jobs require lower level skills. For example, a bank may hire several contract workers to process mortgage loans during an unusually busy season and hire a large number of temporary workers to scan mortgage documents into the computer system.

Temporary workers are generally screened by an agency and accepted by the company. Contract workers are often, but not always, individually interviewed by the company and several applicants may be considered for a position.

Finally, temporary work can be for as little as a few days or as long as several months. For example, a person with secretarial skills may be hired to replace a secretary who is on vacation for a week two or one who is on maternity leave for a few months.

Finding temporary jobs is fairly easy. You need to apply at two or three staffing agencies. You will be interviewed by the agency and screened for any skills they consider necessary. Remember, this is a job interview so make an appointment, show up on time and properly dressed, and bring your resume and any references you have.

If you are applying for temporary work, your schedule should be very flexible. You may be called for a job on short notice.

Freelance Jobs

Freelance work is only discussed here because it is often lumped in the contract work. The main difference between contract work and freelance is that the freelance worker is always independent and usually an independent business person.

That means that a freelancer provides their own workspace and all the necessary tools. In addition, they probably work for several clients at a time.

For example, a freelance writer may provide web content for one client, a printed newsletter for another, and ad copy for a third.

Freelancers are more commonly, but not always, associated with the arts. They are writers, graphic designers, web designers, etc. People who do things such as interior design may work in much the same way as freelancers but are not usually called freelancers.

Finding freelance jobs can be easy depending on your skills and background. While many freelancers work online and get jobs online, word-of-mouth is equally important. Freelancers, in addition to the basic skill they are selling, also need to learn marketing skills, time management, customer service, basic bookkeeping, and other basic business management skills.

Pregnancy Massage - The Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Massage and the Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

The great physical, mental and emotional changes of pregnancy affect your lifestyle, your job and your relationships with friends and family. Pregnancy massage helps you integrate these changes successfully. Massage during pregnancy offers undeniable physical benefits. Massage is healthy and helpful to expectant mothers and pregnancy massage therapy is used to improve overall health, decrease stress and relieve muscle aches and pains. It addresses the many discomforts associated with the skeletal, muscular and circulation changes brought on by hormone shifts during pregnancy.

Massage alleviates low back, hip and leg pain, oedema, nausea, heartburn and constipation. Regular massage decreases anxiety and lowers stress hormones during pregnancy. Labour is shorter and easier while babies are healthier. There are fewer obstetric and postnatal complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight. Massage is good for you and your baby's health. Mothers massaged during pregnancy bond better with their babies.

Massage relaxes you which eases the discomforts of pregnancy. Massage makes you feel great and this boosts your self-confidence and happiness. Pregnancy massage strengthens your immune system, reduces the negative effects of stress, improves the quality of sleep and gives you more energy.

In addition to calming the nervous system and relaxing tight muscles, circulation is increased by massage so nutrients and oxygen essential for health and energy are transported to the organs and tissues while metabolic waste that make you feel fatigued or nauseous during pregnancy is removed.

Massage during pregnancy makes the lymph system function more efficiently which boosts the immune system and removes excess toxins. Massage also helps stabilize hormone levels and mood swings. Expectant mothers can find relief from the depression and anxiety caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Massage therapy is a wonderful, complimentary choice for prenatal care and a healthy way to promote general well-being and reduce stress. Pregnancy massage is an important addition to prenatal health care and is not a luxury. Massage helps to relieve pregnancy's normal discomforts, such as oedema, joint pain, headaches, backache, leg cramps and stiff neck. It can also give you a better night's sleep as it relaxes and soothes the nervous system. Below are examples of how massage can benefit you throughout your pregnancy:

Massage in the First Trimester

• Relieves muscular tension and headaches


• Helps balance emotional and hormonal changes


• Helps alleviate morning sickness


• Improves circulation and oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles as well as removal of metabolic waste


• Reduces fatigue


• Reduces strain on the joints


• Induces relaxation, reduces stress and creates a supportive, caring environment

Massage in the Second Trimester

• Eases heartburn and constipation since overall relaxation stimulates and balances digestion and elimination


• Alleviates muscle cramping, pain and joint dysfunction in the back, hips and shoulders


• Alleviates sciatica


• Relieves leg cramps


• Assists postural alignment to relieve pain from uterine ligament strain


• Helps to lengthen the spine and create more space for the baby


• Helps maintain blood flow through the pelvic area which reduces blood and fluid congestion in the legs


• Improves skin elasticity, reducing stretch marks

Massage in the Third Trimester

• Reduces swelling/oedema


• Continuous assessment for early detection of preeclampsia and deep vein thrombosis


• Relief from restriction in the groin can increase blood and lymph return from the legs


• Relieves pain from varicosities


• Enhances sleep


• Relaxes and calms your baby


• Prepares pelvic muscles for the birth process by relaxing them


• Relaxation brought by frequent massage reduces the build up of discomfort, impatience and anxiety in the last weeks of pregnancy


• Helps in inducing labour in post-term pregnancies or in inducing early labour in high risk pregnancies such as large babies in diabetic mothers

Denied Health Insurance Coverage

Health care can be very expensive these days, and getting health insurance has become a potential solution to this problem. However, as anyone who has ever applied for health insurance knows, it is not as simple as filling out some forms. In some cases, people can be denied coverage altogether. What follows is an overview of the process of application for health insurance, how you can be denied, and in case you are, the possible courses of action.

Screening

Before receiving health insurance coverage, insurance policy providers will have you undergo a screening to determine how risky a client you are. Part of this screening involves a physical examination during which you may be made to undergo tests for various forms of cancer, sexually transmitted diseases and other disorders. This screening will also look into your family's medical history. You may not have cancer right now, but if your family?s medical history shows that your family is predisposed to it, then you are at risk of acquiring it in the future.

Reasons for rejection

If you present a case to the policy provider which is extremely risky, chances are you will either be asked to pay an extremely high monthly premium, or be denied coverage outright. If your family medical history shows that your father's line is particularly susceptible to testicular cancer, rejection can potentially occur. Even if your family's medical history is clear, you can still be denied if your profession is particularly hazardous. If you are a firefighter who would prefer individual health insurance, you may have some difficulty in getting it.

Possible solutions

Ask your employer about health insurance coverage for your company. Most companies choose to give a group health insurance package for all its employees called group insurance coverage. This can be the remedy to your problems if you think you will not be considered eligible for individual health insurance.

Pregnancy Skin Care - How to Take Care of Your Skin During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you would get to observe and go through a lot of things that you have never experienced before in your whole lifetime. Although you are excited and ready to welcome the new member of your family, you should know that gaining weight is the most important thing you would be curious and cautious about. However, the major concern would surely be weight gain during pregnancy, but there is one more concern which you might go through during pregnancy as well.

Yes, I am talking about skin concerns and disorders which are very common to observe during pregnancy for a woman. However, for pregnancy skin care, there are lots of different products and remedies available but in order to observe best possible outcomes, you must apply products or remedies on your skin considering the concern or disorder you are confronting while being pregnant.

Skin getting dry or skin getting oily are common during pregnancy, and for getting rid of such concerns, you have to apply right kind of products over you skin. In order to get rid of such skin related concerns, you should consider applying facial cleanser, toner and face wash in accordance with the type of skin you have. There products are over the counter products and you can easily purchase them cosmetic stores.

For pregnancy skin care, you should know that washing your face twice every once in a while will safeguard your skin from getting exposed to skin disorders which are caused by external factors such as pollutants, facial bacteria and etc. Along with face wash, you should also apply a branded moisturizer over your skin in order to keep it moist. If you keep you skin moist during pregnancy, you would not observe the consequences of your skin getting dry or itchy.

When we talk about pregnancy skin care, make up is something which must be avoided at all costs as you might get allergic to some reagents or compounds during pregnancy. However, if you still want to apply make up over you skin, then you must apply mineral make up as this type of make up is free from synthetic reagents and compounds which can be fatal for the health of your skin.

Above mentioned was some important information about pregnancy skin care. If you want to make sure that your skin remains healthy and attractive while you are pregnant then you have to make sure that you are taking suitable measures in order to safeguard you skin from getting exposed to several fatal disorders.

Improve Fertility With Yoga - How Yoga Can Help You Get Pregnant

Exercise is very important generally but especially so when we are trying to conceive. Moderate exercises can increase fertility because it reduces stress and restores hormonal balance. Exercise also releases endorphins, which makes you feel good. Exercise is most important if you are obese, because obesity can cause insulin resistance which in turn inhibits ovulation. Exercising half an hour, three times a week can help improve fertility. This said, we should not over-exercise either, because this can hamper fertility instead of aid it.

There are many reasons why yoga is an ideal form of exercise for women who are trying to get pregnant:

1. It is a gentle form of exercise. Unlike rigorous exercises, you feel rejuvenated instead of exhausted after a good session.

2. Focussing on the breath can promote deep relaxation. Yoga reduces stress and anxiety by relaxing tight muscles and reducing the release cortisol, a stress-related hormone.

3. Yoga helps the body to detoxify and promotes general well-being. It triggers your body's own healing capacity.

4. Yoga increases blood supply to the reproductive organs. It strengthens the muscles in the reproductive area.

5. It can be done with your partner to strengthen your relationship.

6. Yoga can correct hormonal imbalance.

7. It promotes mental and emotional health. The quiet time to yourself will help you to control your negative thoughts and find deep inner peace. Yoga can even be a spiritual experience for some.

8. Certain yoga positions practised after sex may improve the chances of conception by keeping the sperm inside the vaginal canal for a longer time. Especially recommended is the "Legs Up On The Wall" pose. Basically, as the name of the poses suggests, lie down near the wall and put your legs up against it. Support your buttocks with some pillows if needed.

Although it is not impossible to learn yoga from books or videos, it is much more effective to join a class. This is because your instructor can correct your poses if necessary and this is especially beneficial for beginners.

Employee Sick Time - Show Concern Towards Your Employees

Working and getting busy in our daily schedules have become a part of our life. Continuous work and a hectic working environment may make your health suffer and make you feel stressed and sick. Employee sick time is basically a leave period granted to employees for rest and for the well being of their health. It's a company policy to grant paid sick leaves which workers can use for a temporary period and benefit.

Sick leave is an employee benefit provided by the company to maintain their health without the fear of losing their existing job. In almost all the places or working areas, it is a company policy. The sick time is codified by law. There are policies that allow workers or employees a paid time-off for their personal treatments and health consultations.

An employee sick time is a time where employee can be relieved from the job and routine work for a short period of time with approval based on the company policy for the benefit of his health. Most organizations use formulas that assign specific period or hours rather than making paid leaves for days together.

Benefits of Employee Sick Time/Leave to Workers

If suddenly a worker in an organization or company gets sick or falls ill, and he has to take leave that is recommended for his health, the company may ask him to stay back home and rest for few days considering the inability of the worker to contribute to the organization.

If the company does not provide the facility of sick leave, the employee is unable to take time out for treatment; this increases the chances of loss of company's human resources. Taking time out for treatments and illness has become a company policy and almost every company grants employee sick time so that the workers get a break from their hectic schedule and get well soon, to get back to work once again with renewed energy and vigor.

Considerations for Employee Sick Time

1. Different companies have different policies and rules regarding the grant of employee sick time and leaves and the company is always bound to follow the rules and regulations according to the policy.

2. There are companies that usually offer employees, as a part of their benefit plan, granting of medical leaves. This gives the employees an opportunity to rest at home during the period of illness without the loss of the employee jobs and wages.

3. If the employee is facing severe health issues or illness and wants to take a long leave, he can be granted sick time which exceeds the normal paid leaves and granted unpaid sick leaves as the company cannot give paid leaves for long periods. He may be eligible for the employment insurance sickness benefits.

4. Sick leaves may also comprise of maternity leave as it is considered a part of sick leave. If a lady works during pregnancy and if she faces severe health conditions, the company is wholly responsible for her severe illness and sickness. So maternity leave too can considered a part of employee sick time.

Assurant Life Health Insurance Products

Assurant Life is a nationwide health insurance provider operating in the individual, family and small group marketplace. They are best known for their consumer health coverage. Assurant offers several health packages to choose from with varying benefits, deductibles, and coinsurance options.

Plan Descriptions

Benefits offered will vary depending on the state where the prospective insured resides. In most states, two health savings account plans and three traditional plans are offered.

High deductible, catastrophic plans are very affordable for consumers on a tight budget. Additionally, monthly rates will be locked in for two years when a high deductible plan is selected. The SaveRight PPO HSA and the RightStart PPO are good choices for those who want basic coverage at a competitive price.

The MaxPlan, CoreMed Plan and One Deductible PPO HSA are better options for those who desire more comprehensive coverage. Naturally, these three plans are more expensive, but will offer comprehensive coverage should the insured have a claim. Doctor's office co-payments and prescription drug coverage are offered with the MaxPlan and CoreMed Plan. Consumers also have several benefit options available including preventive care, dental and vision coverage, first dollar accident benefits, and/or a rx drug discount card.

Maternity Coverage

A competitive niche for Assurant Life is their maternity plans. Consumers can select a maternity specific deductible ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 (with most plans in most states). The deductible will not be subject to the overall health insurance deductible. This way, the insured can tailor the medical coverage to fit their needs.

The waiting period to conceive is only three months in most states. This is very reasonable wait when compared to coverage offered from most other carriers. Like all health insurance companies, this rider cannot be purchased if the proposed insured is already pregnant.

Health Network Options

Assurant is also unique in how the networks are structured. Typically, consumers can select from four or five networks in their state. Some networks are nationwide while others are regional. With several to choose from, it is not difficult to find a network that includes a desired doctor or hospital. Additionally, clients can change networks while the policy is in force. This is advantageous for those who are moving from state to state or need the services of a new doctor or hospital.

In summary, Assurant is a reputable health carrier offering both catastrophic and comprehensive plans to the public. Those who desire maternity coverage and/or robust network options should consider their offerings. Working through an experienced agent, consumers can enroll in a suitable plan for themselves, their family, or their small business.

Natural Ways to Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn is considered as the most common complaint of pregnant women. The severity of the condition may vary from one individual to another, and some may experience symptoms of the condition while others do not. The condition is due to the pressure put on the stomach by the growing child inside the mother's womb, thus causing the lower esophageal sphincter to fail to function properly.

Aside from that, there are other reasons that can also trigger the condition, such as indigestion, relaxed esophageal sphincter or increased progesterone level in the body. However, heartburn during pregnancy can be easily controlled using some natural remedies and OTC medications, as well as prescription medications. Most pregnant opt for natural remedies, as it does not come with any side effects. These remedies may include the following:

* One of the most recommended home remedy that pregnant women can opt for when dealing with heartburn are dietary changes. Pregnant women should avoid the consumption of greasy or spicy foods, as these can aggravate heartburn conditions. Following a heartburn diet is highly recommended and this includes the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grain products. These types of foods can be easily digestion or help improve the process of digestion. Consumption of smaller meals instead of larger ones is also advised to prevent indigestion.

* Consuming lots of water other fluids, such as fruit juices or cold milk, can also help provide relief against the symptoms of the condition. These types of fluids can help neutralize the gastric acids in the stomach, thus relieving heartburn conditions.

* Another effective remedy for the condition in pregnant women is to chew mint leaves, drink chamomile tea or asafetida tablets. These are helpful in improving digestion and in relieving the symptoms of condition during pregnancy.

* Drinking aloe vera juice at least three times a day can also help relieve the condition in pregnant women. Aloe vera juice can provide the stomach a soothing effect and reduce its acidity.

* Yogurt can provide the body with sufficient amount of probiotic cultures, which is effective in neutralizing the amount of acid in the stomach and in relieving heartburn symptoms in women.

* Drinking warm milk or water with honey is also helpful against the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy.

* A few OTC antacids can also be opted for against the condition. However, before opting for any kind of medication, make sure that a health care professional is consulted first to make sure that it is safe for you.

* Aside from the remedies mentioned above, maintaining proper posture while sleeping, doing mild exercises and going for a walk after eating can also help prevent heartburn attacks from recurring.

These are just some of the remedies available for pregnant women against heartburn. In case the symptoms of the condition persists even after trying the remedies mentioned above, it would be best to consult a physician or a gynecologist for the proper diagnosis of the condition and to obtain relief against it. Take note that pregnant women should not experience such conditions during the course of pregnancy, as it may not be good for her. That is why it should be avoided as much as possible.

Some Considerations of Low Cost IVF

How to Find Affordable or Low Cost IVF

The ability to have children is pretty straightforward for most people, but for others, couples who wish for a child have been unsuccessful even after a year of unprotected sex. Each and every year, couples who have unsuccessfully tried to conceive will spend thousands of dollars on in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments. While IVF treatments often have a very high success rate, most people simply don't have $10,000 sitting around to afford the costs of these treatments, which are often not covered by health insurance. Due to lackluster healthcare insurance, more and more couples are looking for low cost IVF, and more and more doctors are willing to accommodate. Therefore, if standard American IVF treatment is out of your budget, you do have a few options available:

1) Apply to a refund program.

A refund program is a very viable for those in need of low cost IVF. These programs will allow you to pay a single discounted fee for a specific number of IVF cycles or embryo transfers. If you do not successfully have a baby in a certain time frame, the program will allow you to take home 90% of your payment. Refund programs are often available for those with limited or no infertility insurance coverage, though many are willing to work with your specific financial situation.

2)Consider opting for treatment abroad.

One cycle of IVF/ICSI can cost as low as $1725 in Europe as opposed to $12,000 in the United States. Even after figuring medicine and travel expenses, you still save as much as 50%. Indian clinics are also extremely reputable for low cost IVF treatment. One doctor commended Indian Med Guru, a widely known company in India, as "simply the best in the world" in terms of low cost IVF and quality healthcare. IMD also arranges financial aid for international patients who plan to have IVF abroad for very low cost. If traveling abroad is not an option, even simply buying IVF medication from European or Indian pharmacies can significantly slash your costs.

3)Some insurance plans will cover the IVF costs in whole or in par

Contact your employer's human resources or current health insurance to find out if fertility treatments are covered. The following states are required by law to cover or offer to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatment: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.

4)Provided your credit is in good standing, you may be able to get a loan or a new line of credit to help pay for IVF treatments.

You may even discuss the matter with your lender (after all, lenders are people too and can often relate) to work something out. If you are approved, use your credit for the sole purpose of paying for IVF. As always, make sure you can make payments on time.

Combining a few or all of the above will help perhaps already low cost IVF even more affordable for you. Thoroughly research insurance companies in your area, and become aware of your local and state laws regarding fertility and its coverage. Finding affordable, low cost IVF may seem like a great challenge, but many have found solutions in the past, and others will find them again.

The Pregnant Cat Health Care Plan

Your cat is pregnant and you need to administer proper nutrition and fluids so that she can have a normal and easy labor. The pregnant cat health plan requires a birthing room. A cat usually picks a place away from people and other animals. This place is where the kittens are born and cleaned. A mother may move the kittens to a new area when they are about one to two weeks old. If you do not want this to happen, you may have to pick a place that confines her during labor and nursing.

Proper exercise is needed for the pregnant cat and monitoring of all activities with other pets must be done to prevent miscarriages. The first sign your cat is pregnant is about three weeks after conception, the nibbles appear pink and will be tender. Now is the time to feed a healthy diet that will nutritious the unborn kittens as they grow to term. If the mother cat is healthy, the kittens should be born healthy.

A pregnant cat health plan does not include rabies shots or distemper shots during pregnancy. This can harm the unborn kittens. The only things a vet will do are check for heartbeats and recommend the proper food and maybe some vitamins. A Blood test is done to check the mother's health. By nine weeks, you need to monitor the mother closely as she will deliver anytime.

The pregnant cat will require some help from you, the owner, if complications happen during the birthing process. Try to read up on some simple birthing mishaps that might require your help and learn the proper way to do them in case the need arises. A veterinarian's telephone number should be in place in case something serious happens either to the mother or to the kittens.

Once the mother delivers, she will clean her new kittens and start to nurse them. Keep her litter box clean and supply her with plenty of water and plenty of food during the next six weeks. Pregnant cat health does not require a lot of work as the mother usually does everything. You want to make sure the birthing area is cleaned up after the mother has done the necessary cleaning.

The pregnant cat health does not stop after birth; you must keep the mother in perfect health to care for her kittens. These means checking the nipples from time to time to see if they look healthy and have no problems or sores. The cat must be kept away from other male cats and left to nurture your kittens. Once the kittens start moving around, the mother will be busy trying to control them and eventually, she will get sick of them bothering her. She needs to wean the kittens by about five weeks. This is when you need to supply the kittens with kitten food. The mother will reach them to use the litter box, but in some cases, the mother does not and you will have to train them yourself.

Maternity Health Insurance Coverage

A woman naturally gets excited when she finds out that she is pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is soon diminished when the financial burden of having a child is realized. Thirteen percent of American women who become pregnant have no maternity insurance coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal care and must find their own resources for funding the cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the burden.

Even those with insurance may find to their dismay that maternity is not covered. A costly add-on premium may be required. Some insurers do not offer maternity coverage or consider it a pre-existing health condition. This is illegal by Federal law, and there are several loopholes.

There are many group insurance plans that do provide maternity coverage as a service to members. There may be a waiting period of three months to one year before the clause becomes effective. What happens if one becomes pregnant during the waiting period? If you are carrying COBRA (extended coverage from a previous employer), check to see if maternity is covered. This may be costly but well worth it.

Some states have plans for pregnant women like Medi-cal in California. Federally sponsored programs like Medicaid also exist, but they are mostly for low-income groups.

Another option is MaternityCard. It is designed to provide help to pregnant women and is well accepted. This covers a wide spectrum of maternity medical needs and less expensive than regular insurance.

Ideally, maternity coverage begins immediately. There are some women that naturally get excited when they finds out that they are pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is soon diminished when the financial burden of having a child is realized. Thirteen percent of American women who become pregnant have no maternity insurance coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal care and must find their own resources for funding the cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the burden. There are some plans

that have a 30-day waiting period. Always study the package that is offered before accepting it.

General Awareness About Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Every woman, of child bearing age, wants to be aware of early pregnancy symptoms, so that she can have a proper journey through her pregnancy period. Pregnancy period is nine-month phase in every woman's life, which makes her a complete woman in herself as she is carrying a new life within her. Unawareness about the symptoms can lead to late knowledge about the pregnancy and till then it is quite possible that one can miss the initial care for the growing baby. It is very important to be careful from the beginning of the pregnancy period and first trimester (whole pregnancy period is divided into three trimesters) is very crucial for the baby. In order to have a smooth ride over this period it is essential to know the right symptoms of the pregnancy so that the expecting mothers can plan a proper care for themselves and their baby inside them. Though it can be said that some symptoms are quite common and happen to every pregnant lady still it can't be generalized.

Common Symptoms Of The Pregnancy

• Missed period (amenorrhea) is usually the first sign among the early symptoms of pregnancy. But if you miss your periods normally then it can't be a significant symptom. It is quite possible that, if you are underweight, or you are having anxiety or you are stressed then also you might miss your period. Besides this it is also possible that you may have slight bleeding around the time of your period and still you are pregnant.
  
  


• Enlargement of breasts can also signify that you are pregnant. The veins over the breasts become quite prominent and there is tenderness around the breasts.
  
  


• If there is a feeling of tiredness and dizziness around whole day then there are chances you are pregnant. This symptom is one of the major early symptoms of pregnancy .That feeling of dizziness is very different and you normally feel like sleeping whole day. If you are working then it is quite possible your friends will catch you taking small naps while working.
  
  


• Nausea and vomiting, quite significant early symptom of pregnancy may occur during any time of the day during pregnancy. It can be due to any bad smell or bad taste or just like that. So be prepared to carry your vomit bag always with you when you are pregnant.
  
  


• Taste change during pregnancy is very significant. Some food can taste good to you, which you loathed the most in past. You can find yourself craving for some specific food at very odd hours of the day.
  
  


• Hormonal changes within yourself can make you emotional during your pregnancy days. You can get sentimental without any reason. There can be occasional mood swings.
  
  


• Frequent urination is one of the early symptoms of pregnancy. You can pass little amount of urine at odd hours of the day.

The symptoms discussed above can't be taken as a thumb rule symptoms for pregnancy. It is quite possible that some woman may experience all the symptoms and some might not. Awareness about these symptoms helps you in having a clue about your pregnancy. If you find yourself going through some symptoms then you should have a pregnancy test and without losing time consult a doctor.

Do IVF Loans Make Infertility Treatments More Affordable?

You desperately want a baby, and are considering In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), but your insurance does not cover the treatments, and you don't have $20,000 in spare cash. There are banks who may loan you the money. Should you consider financing to pay for your IVF treatments? Not without hedging your bets. If your IVF treatments work, repaying that loan may be much harder than you think.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 per treatment cycle. Many couples have major medical insurance, but most plans do not cover IVF at all. Fifteen states mandate some level of infertility treatment coverage, but some state exclude IVF, and each law has plenty of loopholes. Then there are those couples who work for employers headquartered in one of the thirty five states with no mandate at all.

With IVF insurance coverage so hard to find, most couples must pay IVF expenses completely out of their own pocket. The majority of U.S. households are living check to check. They spend all or most of what they make, and have little in savings. This is even more common with couples looking to start a family. They may have recently entered the workforce, have yet to hit their peak earning years, and have had little time to accumulate assets. Then they are faced with a huge bill for IVF.

Should you take out a loan to pay for your In Vitro Fertilization treatments? You are playing with fire if you do, but there are ways to mitigate the risks with supplemental insurance. If your IVF treatments fail, you repay the loan over time. The bank qualified you for a certain amount based upon your credit score and income, and you handle the payments comfortably. No sweat.

Suppose you conceive and deliver a healthy baby! Mom missed twelve weeks of work for her pregnancy and maternity leave, and now you have the extra expenses of feeding, clothing, and raising your child. When the loan payments come due, where does the money come from?

What if you conceive, but experience pregnancy complications, and your baby is born premature? Mom may be hospitalized and/or miss significant time from work before her delivery. Your baby may spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), leaving you with lots of left over medical bills. Then you have the extra expenses of feeding, clothing, and raising your child. Now you are in real trouble when the loan payments come due.

Supplemental IVF Insurance pays cash directly to you when your infertility treatments work, and provides extra benefits in case of complications.

Chiropractic Help For Getting Pregnant

More and more women, of within conceiving age, who wants to have a baby but can't.

May be it's the current lifestyle, may be it's the food we consume or may be it's stress. But whatever the reason may be, to most women having a biological child of their own would a dream come true.

Many of them have tried everything and anything just to experience a child growing inside of them. They have allowed themselves to become a human guinea pig just to find answers and solve the problem on infertility. They have tried getting the opinion of a gynecologist, took fertility pills, and even prayed to the fertility Gods.

Yet all their efforts did not bear fruit.

But with life comes hope. There is a new study being conducted. Could the alternative medicine called chiropractic therapy be the solution to some of the causes of infertility?

There are now a few testimonies from women, who recently became pregnant or just became new mothers, who attested that chiropractic medicine worked for them.

A series of research papers showing that chiropractic had positive results treating infertility regardless of the woman's age, number of years infertile, previous medical intervention or health history including miscarriages,blocked fallopian tubes, amenorrhea, colitis, or trauma.

The spine is a central highway of nerves and just as an electrical cord, it has to be fully plugged in for an appliance to run. This means that the reproductive system of the body would not properly work if the nerves that lead to them are not functioning or are blocked in some way. This is where the chiropractor comes in. He will identify pinched or pressed nerves and fix those spinal distortions,which are called subluxations. The distortions could have been caused by many things such as childhood falls, illnesses, accidents, poor posture, or even stress. Once the subluxations are minimized or eliminated, a woman's menstrual cycle would strengthen, the action that delivers the egg through the fallopian tubes to the uterus can improve, and some cases of endometriosis can begin to reverse.

Health Care Bill Raises Cost of Infertility Treatments in 2013

Buried in the 2,000 page health care reform bill is tax language that will raise the cost of infertility treatments beginning in 2013. Many infertility treatments are self paid: most insurance plans provide no coverage, so couples trying to conceive must pay out of pocket. These expenses are tax deductible, but the bill raises the threshold for itemized deductions beginning in 2013, thereby raising costs.

Most insurance plans provide little or no coverage for infertility treatments. Only fourteen states mandate some level of infertility coverage, and these laws contain many exceptions and loopholes. Couples trying to conceive must often pay expenses for infertility treatment out of pocket.

Couples do get some relief for un-reimbursed medical expenses through the tax code. Most of the non-covered infertility treatment options are considered tax deductible. This list includes diagnostic testing, fertility drugs, IVF and other assisted reproductive techniques, as well as travel costs.

However the IRS limits these deductions to the amount over 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Adjusted gross income is the total income earned by a couple. Take for example a couple undergoing one IVF cycle. The average cost of IVF is about $12,000. If the couple has a $100,000 adjusted gross income (AGI), their threshold is $7,500. This means the couple can deduct $4,500 of their IVF costs, saving about $1,125 in taxes if they are in the 25% tax bracket.

Beginning in 2013 the Health Care Reform Bill stipulates that the threshold for itemized deduction for un-reimbursed medical expenses will be increased from7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10.0%. In the example above this lowers the eligible deduction to $2,000 and the tax savings to $500.

More than ever before, couples trying to conceive need to understand infertility insurance mandates, the tax code, and how to leverage supplemental insurance.

Preparing For Labor - Pregnancy

Giving birth can be scary for any women. As a mom over 35, you may have already dealt with high risk pregnancy care, and you may be aware of statistics indicating that older women and their babies often experience more complications during birth. Empower your self with information and focus on the positive to help clam your nerves, give your self the best birth experience possible.

Having to manage the uncertainties of birth is challenging for all women. Experiencing some degree of nervousness and even fear is normal. However, by facing your fears honestly, communicating with your birth attendant, and being prepared for the birth, you will be able to look ahead to this exciting event with confidence and relative tranquility.

Face Your Fears

As their due dates approach, many women begin to worry in particular about coping with pain and fatigue during labor.

Coping With Pain

Giving birth to a baby does involve pain. For some women, this is one of the scariest aspects of delivery. However, the degree of pain you experience can be controlled in several ways. Ask your care provider about the options available to you. Getting all the facts and understanding the different types of pain relief will help you feel more in control as you plan your birth.

Dealing With Exhaustion

Mature morns may be more likely to become exhausted during labor. Maintaining your energy is important, especially for pushing. If you are exhausted at the end of labor, your care provider may be more likely to recommend forceps or vacuum at delivery, increasing your risks. To help make sure that you begin labor with good physical reserves, rest as much as possible in the weeks before your due date and try snacking throughout the day so that you will not be hungry, no matter when labor sets in.

Be Prepared

Full term, healthy babies can arrive 3 weeks early. Having your nursery ready in plenty of time will reduce stress in case your baby comes before your due date. If time is at a premium, focus on the most essential nursery items first - your baby will need a place to sleep, diapers, wipes, and basic items of clothing. Everything else can be bought later. Pack your birthing bag several weeks ahead of your due date. Your care provider may help you supplement our basic list with specific things he or she recommends. If you already have older children, don't forget to make arrangements in advance for their care when you go into labor. When serious contractions start, you'll feel more in control if you can easily contact members of your birthing team. Have a list of phone numbers ready, including those of your partner, care provider, doula, and if necessary the person driving you to the hospital or caring for your older children.

Your Support Team

Organizing good support for your self can make a big difference, both emotionally and physically. There may be various people with you during your labor, each with his or her own supportive role.

Your partner or support person

The main role of your partner or support person will be to help you remain as comfortable as possible during labor. For example, he or she can hold your hand and rub your back, bring you a drink, or a fresh wash cloth to cool your forehead.

Your doula A doula is an experienced birth attendant. Research suggests that having a doula can help you manage your labour pain and may reduce your chances of a cesarean delivery. While a doula is not a doctor and will not make decisions with respect to your medical care, she is an effective advocate who will be able to recommend various labor positions. Her support can also help to prevent exhaustion and manage your labor pain. If you want a doula for your labor, finding a compatible and qualified person may take some advance planning.

Your labor nurse

Your labor nurse will help manage your labor and keep you informed about your progress through labor. She will closely watch you and your baby to make sure that you are both doing well medically. If you do not have a doula, your labor nurse will help you labor and teach you how to push when the time comes.

Your care provider

Depending on the type of care provider you have chosen, he or she mayor may not stay with you for much of the labor process. Your care provider will monitor the progress of your labor and explain any interventions that may be needed to keep you on track. Your care provider will be there for your delivery and will help guide you as you push.

Packing list For The Hospital

During your stay, the hospital should supply: infant formula, diapers, maxipads, towels, and other linens.

For your partner

Necessary

Insurance documents

Small stash of cash

Toiletries

Credit card for emergencies

Pen

Optional but desirable Camera video equipment

Phone list of people to call

Cell phone or calling card

Tape or cd player

Massage lotion or oils

Snacks

For You

Necessary

Your birth plan

Maternity outfit to go home in

Toiletries and hairbrush

Hair tie for during labor

Sports bra to bind breasts if you won't be breastfeeding

Nursing bra if you are breastfeeding

Optional but desirable

Warm socks to wear while pushing

Popsicles or hard candy

Water bottle or sports drink

Music you have chosen for tape or cd player

Your own pillow

Lip balm

Nightgown pajamas robe for wearing after baby is born

Book on breastfeeding if you plan to breastfeed

For Baby

Before your baby goes home you will need a rear facing car seat, an outfit for him or her to wear home, and a baby blanket if cold.

Taking Care of You and Baby - Are Acai Berries Safe For Pregnant Women?

When you're pregnant, one of the first things that may come to mind is how best to care for yourself and your precious little package.  Of course you want your baby to be healthy, and you want to be healthy to care for your baby.  What should you eat?  What should you avoid?  You may have heard that acai berries are great to take during pregnancy, but if you don't know enough about them, you may be reluctant.  So what do you need to know about these berries and pregnancy?

What are acai berries?

The fruit that comes from the palm, which is found in Central and South America.  It's a fast-growing plant, but produces only two crops of fruit a year.  The fruit is similar in size and appearance to grapes, but the color is usually darker, and there is less pulp.  Usually, you can find the berries in drinks like juice, smoothies, and even sodas.  They're also found in bars, as capsules, or in powdered mixers that you can add to drinks on your own.

What are the health benefits of acai berries?

They have a lot of nutritional benefits.  The fruit has fatty enzymes and oleic acid that help lower the levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in the body.  The berries also have high amounts of calcium and vitamin E, as well as high concentrations of polyphenols.  All these things make acai berries a strong antioxidant for the body.  It's also used as an anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial, and a cardiovascular system supporter.

Are the berries safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is known to increase oxidative stress, which can lead to reduced calcification and placental efficiency.  Antioxidants are often recommended to pregnant women to combat this oxidative stress.  The antioxidants in the fruit can help in this area.

Another benefit is the circulation-supporting factor.  When pregnant, a woman's blood volume increases to make sure the baby gets all the nutrients it needs while it's growing.  With acai berries, circulation is improved even more, which can help make sure your baby is getting all it needs to be healthy.

Of course, before you decide whether or not to take acai  during pregnancy, it's important to consult your care provider.  Different women have different pregnancy experiences, and you may need specific diet restrictions to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

How to Get Pregnant Fast - The Best Herbal Pregnancy Infertility Treatment

Have you been struggling for some time trying to get pregnant? If you want to maximize the chance to conceive a baby quickly and easily, it is very important to be well familiar with your menstrual cycle in order to be able to calculate when you are ovulating. Actually, you are most fertile in the days around your ovulation. Let's see two different situations in which it may be difficult to get pregnant quickly: irregular period and normal or regular period.

1) You Have an Irregular Menstrual Cycle

If you experience irregular menstrual cycles (outside of the normal 25 to 35 day length) you can find it very difficult to track your ovulation date. For example, if your period is coming once every 2 or 3 months or 2 to 3 times in one month, you absolutely need to correct your hormonal cycle. Are there natural ways to harmonize the menstrual cycle in order to treat infertility and help you get pregnant faster? Fortunately, 'Mother Nature' can be very helpful. A Chinese herb called Don Quai is considered as the best herbal pregnancy infertility natural treatment.

>> Don Quai Herbal Cure and Pregnancy Properties

Don Quai (angelica sinensis) is the name of a medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. This herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years in China, in Japan and in Korea to correct and regulate the menstrual cycle. How does it work? Although relatively few human studies have been conducted, it is generally believed that the Don Quai roots possess the properties to balance estrogen levels in women and improve blood flow in the female genital organs thanks to the coumarins it contains.

Don Quai is a supplement available in capsules, tincture and teas. Follow all directions on the product package. Before starting treatment with this herb, take the advice of professional heath care. Don't try to follow a cure by yourself without knowing first all the details about its side effects and drug interactions. For example, if you are taking a coumarins derivative drug you should not start this herbal treatment without the advice of your doctor since Don Quai is a natural blood thinner.

2) You Have a Regular Period

Do you have a regular period? Are you able to pinpoint when you ovulate by doing some simple math? If you had sex right on time and didn't get pregnant within 3 to 6 months what can you do in such situation? Is there a reliable plan or method to treat infertility in order to get pregnant faster?

Michelle consulted a lot of doctors and tried every natural trick in order to get pregnant without any success. She thought she'd never get pregnant. Fortunately, she was able to give birth to a baby boy within only 4 months following a smart plan.

Does Children's Health Insurance Coverage by Medicaid Actually Cover Anything?

Do children deserve special attention when it comes to their health care needs? No, we aren't talking about charitable healthcare at all. How about children who have Medicaid coverage? Does the fact that they have free health insurance change anything about the kind of treatment they are given? Sad as it is, that's exactly what happens all over the country?as if by prearrangement. Anyone who tries to make an appointment for a child has to answer a question on the phone about the kind of coverage the child has. When the receptionist (or whoever) learns that there is no private children's health insurance involved?that it's only Medicaid, they right away schedule the child for an appointment one month away. If they don疆?簞 refuse an appointment altogether. There have been reports of how parents who call for an appointment for a child with a broken bone or a dog bite, are still given an appointment a week away.

So why should hospitals care about what kind of children's health insurance a patient comes in with? They still get paid the same whether it's private or Medicaid, don't they?

You'd think that, but as anyone knows about what it is like dealing with the government, hospitals that accept Medicaid patients find it takes them a whole lot longer to get paid (and Medicaid pays 50% less). They get a lot of grief dealing with red tape too. In general, no one is eager to deal with Medicaid. And things are only set to get worse. States all over the country are bankrupt and are planning on cutting down on their Medicaid budgets. And then, the new healthcare reform from President Obama promises to add several million people more to the Medicaid plan, further straining the program's finances.

All of this isn't mere anecdotal evidence, of course. An in-depth study on children's access to medical care published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June has all kinds of horror stories to report. The study sent researchers posing as parents of sick children to hundreds of clinics in Illinois, asking for treatment for broken bones, deep depression, diabetes, epileptic seizures, dog bites and the like. Two out of three times, these people found that they were denied appointments. People who have regular paid insurance will usually be denied treatment more than 10% of the time. In the study, anyone who sought treatment for a child with Medicaid insurance had to wait three weeks longer than any child with private medical insurance.

Most people would react with horror to how unfeeling human nature can be?denying medical care to a child with an animal bite or a seizure for three weeks. But think about it this way for a second?what would you do if you were doctor? If you spent your time treating a patient who had private children's health insurance, you would get $160 for your trouble. If you treated a child who had Medicaid, you would only get $100. You are worried about your student loans and your personal expenses. What would you do?