Pregnancy Fitness Classes - What Are My Options?

Women who are highly active and go to the gym are aware of the fitness classes that are on offer to the public. However, many women are not as savvy as to the possibilities that at out there for pregnant women.

Pregnancy fitness classes are extremely popular for women who are looking to find a supportive environment and having fun while they exercise. The social interactions allow you to share experiences and questions with other soon-to-be mothers. Not only are these type of classes fun but they are also a safe way to exercise as women are guided through all movements and the classes are specifically designed for pregnant women.

Pregnant women can join classes such as pilates, yoga, aqua aerobics and low impact aerobic exercise classes. Low impact classes incorporate activities that utilize medicine balls and weights, to give women cardio workouts. The classes will often involve stretching, pelvic floor and abdominal stability exercises and often will finish with some relaxation. All pregnancy fitness classes should have physiotherapist approval so that all of the exercises taught to the participants are suitable for pregnancy. What is even better is if the classes are run by a physiotherapist.

Before joining any fitness class, a pregnant woman should always visit her medical practitioner for them to approve the fitness choices that is chosen. There may be some activities that are unsuitable for her to do, and health care providers are able to inform pregnant women of what they should and should not be doing as it relates to their personal needs.

Foods to Help You Get Pregnant Fast

If you are hoping to have a baby in the next year or so, you may be considering what could help you achieve this quickly and whether there are any foods to help you get pregnant fast.

Our diet plays a huge part in determining our overall health and as far as pregnancy is concerned, what we eat can make a big difference. The consumption of a poor diet is a contributory factor in a lower rate of conception, whereas eating a healthy balanced diet can improve your chances significantly.

Fruits and vegetables are great to eat for overall good health and this is particularly relevant when you are hoping to conceive. It is always best to eat organic produce and if not, ensure they are well-washed or peeled to remove traces of pesticides. Our bodies ideally require a high level of vitamins and minerals to help both with conception and with the developing pregnancy.

Iron rich foods are required too and this group includes lean red meats and chicken, green leafy vegetables such as cabbages, broccoli and kale. If you feel you are short of iron, this is a good time to seek your doctors advice, who may advise you to take a supplement. Protein should be eaten in the form of soya, nuts, seeds and cereals along with lean meats, eggs and dairy products which are all good foods to help you get pregnant fast.

Folic acid is considered essential for women trying to become pregnant and very often breakfast cereals and bread are fortified with this nutrient. Orange juice is also a good source as are dark green leafy vegetables.
Other foods to help you get pregnant fast include milk, yogurt and cheese, all of which are good sources of calcium.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Women's Health Issues

Women's health encompasses a broad spectrum of issues that can be treated by physiotherapy. From pregnancy back pain to incontinence problems faced by older women, physiotherapy can help.

Bladder incontinence is a problem for 13 million Americans on any given day. Although some men have this problem, it is present in much greater numbers in the area of women's health.

There are several different kinds of incontinence. Stress incontinence happens mainly when the person coughs or sneezes. Urge incontinence causes the person to have sudden urges to use the restroom. This may be due to organ prolapse, such as a tilted uterus, which can also lead to sexual dysfunction.

Women's health physiotherapy may well be able to help correct these conditions.
Physiotherapists who work in the field of women's health can correct nearly 70% of incontinence problems. The major exercise used is called the Kegel. It is a very specialized exercise, and most often needs specialized instructions, and it takes biofeedback for many to get it right.

Many of the problems of women's health can be traced to the pelvic floor. The Kegel exercise specifically addresses this part of the anatomy. There are other therapies that are effective as well. Electrical stimulation is only one of the methods used. Soft tissue manipulation is another treatment that has had good results.

Pelvic pain affects the health and well-being of many women. It may be caused by a variety of sources. It can be due to vulvodynia or abdominal surgeries, for instance. Pelvic pain can also be the result of a fall, especially if the tailbone has been damaged. These conditions can cause long term curtailment of many physical activities lead to an overall deterioration in the women's psychological health. Physiotherapy offers a variety of treatments to help these problems.

Another very important area where physiotherapy plays an important role in women's health is during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant are aware of their bodies going through various changes that can be painful. Lower back pain is only one of them.

Physiotherapists can help with this. Gentle exercises can be taught to relieve tension in the back. One simple but very effective exercise is lying on the floor with the knees up and pressing the small of the back down to the floor. This gives a great feeling of relief. There are other exercises to strengthen the woman's back. However, it is important to be under a physiotherapist's specific instructions and watchful eye to ensure the exercises are the right one for the different stages and discomforts of pregnancy. Women's health is of utmost importance at this time, and so is the baby's.

Physiotherapists can give instructions on the exact amount, type and quality of exercises that are best for pregnant women. After delivery, physiotherapy is also a boon to women's health. It can help get women back into shape and instruct them in taking care of their new child while preventing back problems. Furthermore, another area of postpartum women's health where physiotherapy can be very effective is the treatment of women who have had cesarean sections.

Physiotherapy is important to women's health as women suffer from a host of physical disorders. Many of these conditions will respond to physiotherapy. It is only natural that women would turn to a tried and true method for relief.

I'm Pregnant! Now What? (And I Don't Have Insurance)

Many women in America are in this situation today of not having maternity insurance. The reasons for not having maternity coverage are all too common: "I cannot afford it", "I thought my coverage included maternity", or "I just didn't choose to have it in my plan because, we weren't planning on having a baby yet". Even though the reasons are different the end result is the same. It is such a shame that during one of the happiest times in a woman's life has to be mingled in with worry and fear. It is my hope that the information in this article will provide clear answers and will help remove some of the anxiety you may be feeling. I remember when my wife was pregnant; we had enough to worry about let alone the financial aspects of having a baby.

So what are your options if you do not have maternity coverage? Unfortunately, as you probably have already experienced the insurance avenue is out! Once you are pregnant, insurance companies will not accept you. It is kind of like trying to get auto insurance after a car wreck. Fortunately, there are a few choices you can make:

**Discount Medical Plans--- Discount medical plans like Ameriplan are similar to traditional major medical plans yet are different. Major medical insurance plans are designed to help cover the costs of medical claims. Discount plans, however, just provide a better rate for health services. The nice thing about discount plans are they are significantly less expensive than traditional health plans and you can begin using the benefits from day one.

**Advocacy Groups--- Similar to discount medical plans are maternity advocacy groups like Maternity Advantage. They help to negotiate the best pricing for lab work, help find the best doctor fees in your area, and help find errors in billing to help cut costs. Click the link above to have a maternity specialist help you better understand the different programs they have available for you.

**Cash Pay Option--- Most OBGYN's have two billing methods 1) Global billing-which is used for insurance and 2) Cash payment. With a cash payment option they give you a cash pay discount for their medical services. Typically, the doctor's office will charge you around $2000-$3000 dollars from conception to delivery. Next, you will need to contact the billing department for your hospital. Every hospital has a prepayment package for delivery services. Usually these packages range from $3000-$5000 dollars. As you can see this is a much more expensive option to experience on the front end, but you do save at the end. On average a normal pregnancy if you do not have insurance, use an advocacy group, or discount plan will cost you from $7500-$10,000 dollars-just for delivery!!!

As you can see there are options available for pregnant women. I wish they were as comprehensive as traditional health insurance with maternity care, but these programs do help save women a lot of money in their maternity expenses. I hope after reading this article you have a better understanding of what your choices are and are able to develop a road map of what to do next. But most of all, I hope that now you can rest a little easier at night because in a few short months you will have a lot of late nights with your new baby.

Natural Childbirth Options For Today's Educated Woman - Two Great Choices

Women today have choices about what type of health care provider they want for maternity care. Due to the fact only 20-40% of women may experience a high-risk pregnancy, many are choosing to utilize a more natural approach rather than their obstetrician. This includes what type of caregiver they are using and the type of birthing center they want for their family.

One of the most common choices that women are making is the use of a midwife. A CNM or certified nurse midwife, has a nursing degree from a college as well as a certification in being a midwife. A CNM typically has more training then just a midwife who is not certified or licensed. A major reason for you to choose the CNM is that certification does allow for proper study and thorough testing.

Why would I choose a midwife?

A midwife is someone that will take the time to get to know you and learn about what your birthing plans are. A midwife will focus on individualizing your birthing plan and provide you with the best chance to deliver your baby naturally. Medical doctors may sometimes do this, but often times their choices are highly swayed by unnecessary medical procedure.

Another reason for choosing a midwife is that your pregnancy should be a joyous and wonderful time. The entire nine months as well as the hours, days, months and years to follow, are critical to forming a bond between mother and child. Your midwife will most likely help you with the precious minutes and hours that follow the immediate birth and allow for you to slowly develop the bond that connects you and your baby

The hour following birth is undoubtedly one of the most critical phases in the life of human beings. Remember that this is the first time your baby will have to use its lungs. Even just waiting an extra two minutes to cut the umbilical cord has been shown in studies to increase your young baby's health.

Other Choices Women Make

When it comes to choosing other health providers, more than 80 percent of pregnant women have reported that seeing a chiropractor for spinal alignment during pregnancy, significantly eased back pain. Extensive studies also show that pregnant women who utilize chiropractic during pregnancy have almost a 30 percent shorter labor time. If you are a mother giving birth, the shortened time can make a huge difference; not only reducing the pain and trauma of birth for both the mother and baby, but also significantly reducing the recovery time after giving birth.

Many people who are new to chiropractic often wonder if it is safe for pregnant woman. The answer to this question is yes. It is much safer than pain medications, and it is one hundred percent natural. The idea that chiropractic treatments are dangerous to the woman or the fetus during pregnancy is a misconception. Adjustment from a doctor of chiropractic are gentle, safe, and noninvasive. It is a relatively common practice to be seen by a chiropractor during pregnancy and thus many insurance companies cover at least part of the cost.

How about other benefits to Chiropractic?

Another great reason to visit a chiropractor during pregnancy is for what is known as a breech baby. A special technique known as the "The Webster Technique" is one of the most popular pediatric treatments and is well known for turning breech babies. It has been featured on The Learning Channel written about in Mothering magazine and Midwife Today. The technique is non-invasive, extremely gentle and used for many years. The technique is extremely successful and should be your first option if ever faced with the unfortunate complications of a breech baby.

Good Samaritan Hospitals

The phrase, a good Samaritan is from the famous Bible story, and it has come to mean a generous person who is ready to provide aid to people in distress. A Good Samaritan hospital is thus a non-profit, value=driven regional hospital that provides quality care to the patients. Health care in these Good Samaritan hospitals is provided by the physicians who are members of medical staff assisted by allied health professionals.

Good Samaritan hospitals now operate in many cities with the sole aim of providing high quality health care especially to the needy and disadvantaged. These hospitals welcome patients from all religion, races, creed, gender or age. In these hospitals, patients are taken care of with compassion consistent with the values of the organization.

Good Samaritan hospitals take special care of women's health care. The health services for women include maternity care, breast care and fitness centers. Special programs and classes are conducted to educate women about their well being. Other health care services include alcohol and drug treatments, senior health care programs and trauma services. These hospitals are committed to provide excellent cancer care to the patients. The cancer care services include diagnostic imaging, surgical options and chemotherapy. The heart institutes in various Good Samaritan hospitals have won international acclaim for their services, research and quality patient care.

Some of the nation's finest cardiologists offer innovative treatment to heart patients in these hospitals. The other departments in a Good Samaritan hospital consist of radiology, ENT, ophthalmology, urology and orthopedics. Not only the physical health, but the mental and emotional well being of the patients is also taken care of in these hospitals. These hospitals also offer the expertise of psychiatrists, psychology technicians, marriage and family therapists, social workers and chemical dependency counselors. Good Samaritan hospitals provide a variety of services that are tailored to the specific need of the prevailing social conditions.

5 Common Problems of Pregnant Women

Expecting a baby can be both an exciting time as well as a very scary experience. This is because the body of a woman experiences a lot of changes all throughout the pregnancy period. This can be very stressful for them especially if they do not know what to expect during the said life-changing point. This is the main reason why it is very important that you do everything possible in order to prepare yourself for such phase. If you know what to expect, you are in a better position to anticipate potential problems and provide solutions for it. For example, if you have trouble sleeping, you can go check out pregnancy pillow reviews and get recommendations on excellent pregnancy pillows to buy like the Comfort-U Body pillow, and so on.

If you want to know what to expect during pregnancy, here are the five most common problems experienced by pregnant women.

Morning Sickness

Nausea or morning sickness is one of the most common problems that a lot of expecting women face. In fact, whenever movies depict that a character is pregnant; they will often make her puke her guts out. Morning sickness is automatically associated with expecting a baby. This is why people who see a woman regularly puking will automatically assume that the woman is pregnant.

Swelling on the Ankles and the Entire Foot

Many women become very conscious of their looks when they're expecting a baby. This is because their bodies undergo a lot of changes. Expectant moms gain a lot of weight over the 9 month period. This weight gain takes a toll on your legs and joints. This added weight is what makes your feet and ankles swell because they end up having to support more weight.

Being Uncomfortably Hot

Moms-to-be often complain that they feel hot even if the air conditioner is at full blast. This is because the hormonal changes that occur on a woman's body often make them overly sensitive to temperature changes. These hormonal changes also make pregnant women very moody.

Incontinence

The growing baby on your belly can put pressure on your bladder. As such, many women suffer from incontinence. They have a hard time keeping their urine in because every change in position will make them feel like the urine is being squeezed out of their bladder.

Trouble Sleeping

Many pregnant women have a hard time finding a good sleeping position because of their baby bump. This is the main reason why it is a very good idea to invest in a good pregnancy pillow that can give you the support you need in order to have a good night's sleep.

Safe Treatments For Back Pain During Pregnancy

Most moms-to-be experience back pain during their pregnancies. From conception to delivery, having a baby creates changes in the body that leave the back muscles sore and the spine unstable. Given the dangers of medications to unborn babies, pregnant women are always looking for safe and effective pain management tools.

Causes of Back Pain in Pregnancy

There are two main causes of pregnancy back pain, and both involve postural changes. In early pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is released in the body to relax ligaments and joints in the pelvis. This will make room for the growing baby; it will also create pelvic instability. The pelvis is the seat of the spine, and therefore the spine will become unstable. This means it will be more difficult to keep your spine aligned. Unstable joints in the lower back may become hypermobile and cause irritation.

The second cause of back pain is the shifting of your center of gravity. As the baby grows, your center of gravity moves up from your hips to your stomach. It is difficult for back muscles to support the upper body's weight, especially since the abdominal muscles in the stomach, which usually work with the lower back muscles, are overstretched and weak. The abdominal muscles begin to stretch even in early pregnancy as the body anticipates the growing baby, especially in women with weak stomach muscles to begin with.

Safe Treatments for Pregnancy Back Pain

Now that you know the causes of back pain during pregnancy - unstable joints, spinal instability and strained back muscles - you can begin to consider what treatments are right for your pain. Most medications are off the table, since they could harm your baby. Tylenol is the one over-the-counter pain medication considered safe by the FDA for consumption during pregnancy. That said, no medication can be considered completely safe during pregnancy.

Some people think that natural, herbal supplements are safe to use at any time. The fact is that herbs are powerful and come with their own contraindications. Some herbs are known to be dangerous during pregnancy, while most others have not been studied in this context. It is generally best to avoid these until research is conducted to assess their safety.

If your back pain is associated with muscle strain, consider investing in a maternity support belt. These come in a number of designs and are relatively inexpensive. One of the highest-rated belts on Amazon.com sells for under $30.00. These belts wrap around the lower back and under the stomach, supporting your baby bump. They may also help with pelvic and spinal stability, since proper posture is easier to attain when the back and stomach are supported. They are adjustable for maximum comfort and to accommodate the various stages of your pregnancy. It is always a good idea to compare prices and read product reviews on sites like Amazon to make sure you are buying a quality product.

Many women experience sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction during pregnancy. These joints are located where the large hip bones meet the sacrum at the base of the spine. Due to the effects of relaxin discussed above, the joints become unstable and cause pain. A trochanter belt can be used to stabilize the joints. These belts are simpler and cheaper than maternity support belts, and may be of more benefit to women whose pain is attributed to the SI joints.

For some women, belts are not enough. Chiropractors often help pregnant women in a couple of different ways. First, they can help to keep the spine properly aligned throughout pregnancy. Second, chiropractors can help to restore normal joint range of motion through mobilization techniques.

There are a few simple things you can do yourself to limit back pain during your pregnancy. Make sure you take frequent breaks from standing. Avoid sleeping on your back. For tense, sore muscles, apply a heating pad to your lower back. Do this with caution; if your SI joints are inflamed, heat could exacerbate your pain.

It is the societal tendency to pop a pill whenever something hurts. While not recommended as a long-term treatment strategy for anyone, it is out of the question for pregnant women. There are a number of safe, effective treatments for back pain during pregnancy.

Are Maternity Support Socks Healthy For Pregnant Women?

You may have heard a lot of talk about maternity support tights. There is quite the buzz surrounding these particular stockings because of the fact that they are known to help pregnant women avoid varicose veins, unsightly, bulging veins that come to surface of the skin causing what looks like a purple, spiderweb-like pattern. This is something, of course that many women would like to avoid. Aside from keeping their legs looking smooth and youthful are there any real health benefits to wearing these support stockings?

The answer to that question is definitely yes. There are quite a few benefits to wearing these particular types of stockings but one that stands out above the rest as a all around total body health benefit. Maternity support stockings are well known for increasing blood circulation. Something that is very important to pregnant women, especially when the enter into their third trimester. It is important that oxygenated blood reaches all of the mother's vital organs as well as the baby.

Poor blood circulation can lead of over all bad health and that will directly effect the baby, of course. By compressing the legs, these tights will help stop gravity from pulling unnecessary amounts of blood to the lower extremities. This helps the heart pump more fresh blood to where it can be put to better use and where it is most needed. This is how something as simple as maternity support tights can greatly improve circulation and a pregnant woman's overall health. So you see, compression stocking do not only help with a woman's physical appearance but they can also be very helpful to her and her baby.

Know When You Should Call the Doctor During Pregnancy Nausea

A common malady of pregnancy is the nausea and vomiting that frequently occur during the first few months after conception. Fortunately, in the majority of cases this problem is not critical for either the mother or her fetus. There are rare cases when the symptoms of morning sickness are a very serious threat to the well being of both the mother and child if she does not seek treatment. It is vital when pregnant to realize the signs of pregnancy nausea when it is imperative to call the doctor.

Normally, a woman will begin to experience the signs of morning sickness sometime between the fourth and sixth week of her pregnancy; generally, the nausea and vomiting will have abated by the end of her first trimester. Even during this time period it is important for the mother to notify her doctor if her symptoms become severe enough that she has difficulty in eating. During pregnancy, a woman should always contact her health care provider if she is not able to either eat or drink for a 24-hour period of time.

Although it is very unusual, there are instances when an expectant mother is not able to maintain a healthy diet with proper fluid intake. This condition when a woman suffers from extreme nausea and vomiting is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyper means "over" and emesis means vomiting; gravidarum is the term that refers to the "pregnant state". Hyperemesis gravidarum affects approximately one out of 300 women who are expecting a child.

As a result of the excessive vomiting that a women experiences with HG, she is at risk of becoming both malnourished and dehydrated if she does not seek medical attention quickly. The mother's lack of nutrients and fluids will soon begin to affect the health of the unborn baby. Pregnancy nausea when severe necessitates contacting the woman's health care provider immediately. Whenever vomiting is occurring more than 2-3 times in a day, it is crucial to inform the woman's doctor.

Due to the fact that dehydration can result in serious consequences for both mother and child, it is imperative that the mother recognize what the warning signs of dehydration are. Dehydration, which is the result of the body eliminating more fluids than are being replaced, can cause lightheadedness and dizziness. The dizziness is the result of low blood pressure due to dehydration. Frequently, headaches will be experienced when dehydration occurs.

Additionally, this severe lack of fluids will result in infrequent urination, a darkening in the color of urine being eliminated, dry skin, dry mouth and eyes, a feeling of extreme tiredness and/or weakness. If the period of dehydration is prolonged, the mother may become confused and lose her mental acuity.

More than likely, if the expectant mother is suffering from any of these symptoms due to vomiting, then she has already begun to become dehydrated. Drinking sufficient fluids throughout the day is vital for the health of both the mother and her baby. It is recommended that 10 glasses of water be drunk each day. When dehydration goes untreated, it develops into a serious medical problem. One of the complications of untreated dehydration is preterm labor. Whenever a woman is unable to keep fluids down due to extreme morning sickness, it is crucial to notify her health care provider immediately.

How To Get Pregnant Fast Even Over 40

The decision to start having children is a wonderful one. The question most people want to know is what is the quickest way to become pregnant. Although countless numbers of women are lucky enough to get pregnant on their first or second attempt, many women are not as fortunate as conception is a very difficult process.

As women age and reach into their 40's, getting pregnant is a much more difficult task as there are many issues related to infertility. Although there have been major advances in the science of conception, fertility doctors and clinics can be very costly and out of reach for many couples who are wanting to have a family.

Finding out that having a child of your own is possibly out of the question can be a devastating and heartbreaking situation for women. Do not despair because it is possible to have a baby even at an older age. There are some methods that can help you achieve a quick and healthy pregnancy.

It is no secret that the older a woman gets the more difficult conception becomes. Even though a woman is in her 40's and closer to menopause, they shouldn't give up hope and quit trying because the possibility is always there that they might become pregnant. Many women in their 40's have successfully become pregnant and had children. Not just the celebrities that you read about and that have used expensive treatment clinics, but everyday average women like you and me.

Here Is The Formula To Success:

1) To get pregnant you need to be ready emotionally, mentally and physically. You need to make sure that both your mind and body are as healthy as possible. Eat a well balanced diet that includes all of the vitamin and mineral nutritional requirements that are necessary for optimum health. Stay in the best shape possible by following a regiment of exercise daily.

2) Check with your doctor. He or she may be able to recommend some supplements that can help with preparing your body to be more liable to get pregnant. In addition, if you are currently on any medications or supplements those might be interfering with your chances of getting pregnant and you need to discuss these possibilities with your doctor.

3) Don't over do it and try too hard. This will only create more stress which may interfere with your trying to conceive. I know this is a difficult task but keeping stress to a minimum is necessary to maintain good health. If you have a hard time managing your stress, perhaps take some time off from your regular schedule, go to a spa or take a needed vacation or rest to help you manage it.

4) When it comes to ovulation, timing is everything. Track your ovulation cycle to see when your timing is at it's best. Check with your OBGYN to confirm the best times for you to get pregnant.

5) Make sure that your husband or partner is in his best shape too. Have him take a physical. Try to keep his stress level to a minimum as well. The less stress and better health that he is in the more likely he is to produce a large number of sperm which are half the battle in order to conceive. Make your time together more romantic and loving. This can be a great help in your attempt to get pregnant.

Getting pregnant when you are 40 years and older is sometimes very difficult for women. You have to do whatever it takes in order to multiply your chances of getting pregnant. If you truly desire to have children of your own, then these simple lifestyle modifications should not be a difficult issue for you to implement.

The truth is the majority of women can actually get pregnant naturally just about regardless of their age, and no matter how long they have been trying. There are some safe and very Highly Effective methods through which you can get pregnant quickly.

Nothing is 100% guaranteed to work as there are many obstacles that can get in the way. But, if you really want to try and reverse any kind of infertility that you may be experiencing, have healthy babies and improve your overall life without drugs, procedures, or IVF, then I urge you not to give up or be discouraged.
To find out more about how women even over 40 are getting pregnant fast, I urge you to go to

Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations and Reclaim Your Happiness

Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, will not, match the expectation.
Charlotte Bronte

Becoming a mother, for me, was not a simple transition. I went from being a successful corporate professional who juggled 10-15 multi-million dollar projects at any one time to being at home with a baby who became hysterical when breastfeeding, failed to thrive and who had severe sleep regression for 16 weeks straight.

The pregnancy that produced my daughter Ava was in every way unplanned. She was very wanted and is much loved but it turned my life upside down. Suddenly nothing was really in my control anymore.

I found myself at home, one week after Ava was born, alone (for the most part) and my life from that point onwards was the exact opposite of how I had designed it to be -uncontrolled and unplanned. I read every baby sleep book under the sun convinced that there was something I was doing wrong. I drove myself crazy trying to work out what that one thing was.

When my daughter was 18 months I went to see a sleep psychologist still convinced that 'something could be done' about the fact she wouldn't self-settle, that every meal time was a battle ground and that we were up for hours with her in the middle of the night. Interestingly at my first appointment the psychologist quickly realised that in fact it was not Ava who needed help it was me, her stressed, anxious, sleep deprived mother who had lost her own identity.

Over a number of weeks I worked with this psychologist to realise that my expectations of a 'normal baby' were completely unrealistic, for example that at 12 months only 38% of babies sleep through the night and 49% of babies between 1-2 years wake at least once a night. I had similar unrealistic expectations of how well my daughter should be eating based on what I saw from a handful of friend's children.

So learning this I made some choices:

• I chose to let go of unrealistic expectations of my daughter and stop comparing her, and myself, to others;


• I chose to let her eat 6 month old puree if that is what she wanted;


• I chose to accept that she wasn't self-settling and sit with her reading a book till she fell asleep;


• I chose to be a lot calmer and let go of needing everything to be planned and organised; and

Interestingly since making these choices my relationship with my husband is the best it's ever been, my daughter is self-settling and sleeping well and eating a range of foods and I have achieved my dream and established a life and career coaching practice for working mums. I have never been happier and am no longer plagued by stress and anxiety.

So how do you let go of unhelpful expectations?

• Accept that everyone in your life has different strengths and qualities to bring to the relationship and allow them to express this in different ways. Some people may be exceptionally supportive in a crisis, others amazing fun to hang out with and others provide great advice;



• Understand that yours is only one version of reality shaped by your experiences and core values. Communicate your needs and expectations but also seek to understand theirs and find a middle ground;



• With regards to your children remind yourself that the "normal" range for developmental milestones are wide and that they are little people with little personalities. Allow them to express themselves and celebrate their uniqueness rather than comparing them to other children;



• Be kind to yourself, set goals and work towards them but equally be flexible and allow yourself to relax and have fun. The worst expectations are the ones we inflict on ourselves.



• Choose to let go of those unhelpful & unrealistic expectations. Ask yourself what if I didn't expect this of myself/my partner/my friend - how would my life be different?

Supplements Can Help You Get Pregnant With a Boy

Supplements, which are vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other nutrients you take, can help you get pregnant with a boy. The number of recommendations and options out there is truly overwhelming. I've written up this brief overview of some of the best supplements for you to consider. Remember to take care and do your own research whenever you decide to use a dietary supplement.

Supplements can influence your mineral levels and body pH. They can also provide a lot of nutrition.

The first supplement to consider is a multivitamin. Everyone trying for a boy should take a multivitamin/multimineral combo. A prenatal vitamin is ideal.

Take folate, which is the precursor for folic acid. That's what folic acid is supposed to turn into. Some people have trouble making that transition inside their bodies. Take folate rather than folic acid because folic acid might not turn into the folate in your body. Every woman trying to conceive should take folate (take folic acid if you absolutely cannot get folate).

Another vitamin that all women trying to conceive should probably want to take is B6. B6 can help increase the absorption of folate (which is actually another B vitamin). Folate and B6 can work together. B6 can also help with morning sickness.

As an aside, morning sickness really doesn't give you any indication on if you're having a boy or a girl. People pregnant with girls have morning sickness. People pregnant with boys have morning sickness. And people have boys have no morning sickness. People pregnant with girls have no morning sickness. It seems to depend on you more than the gender of your baby. This means it's just proactive to take folate and B6. The B6 helps the folate, both of those things help the baby, and it can also help the morning sickness in the 1st trimester.

It was traditionally thought that B vitamins would increase your chances of getting a girl, so moms wanting boys avoided B-vitamins with the exception of folate and B6. Research now indicates that higher levels of any nutrients seem to increase the chances of getting a boy. Some moms still don't feel comfortable with more B-vitamins than in the prenatal and B6/folate, and that's okay. If you've struggled with prenatal or postpartum depression in the past, though, you may want to take a B-complex.

Fish oil, such as a high quality salmon oil, gives you lots of Omega-3 fatty acids. This boosts your overall nutrition greatly because it helps you absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Cod liver oil is also a good choice. A lot of women are scared of cod liver oil because it's been villainized, but scientific studies actually show that cod liver oil and vitamin A (which is what was villainized in cod liver oil), is actually very healthy for your baby preconception, during pregnancy, while you're breastfeeding. It's really healthy and the vitamin A is very important for sex hormone production.

Fish oil, cod liver oil -- those are things to help you get the essential fatty acids that you need and absorb your nutrients more.

Blessed thistle is an herb to consider. It's really high in potassium and sodium. Those two minerals are strongly associated with boy conceptions, so blessed thistle is a good one to consider in your tea. Red raspberry leaf tea is a fertility and pregnancy tonic. Consider a tea with both of these herbs.

Royal jelly or bee pollen is thought to be an overall fertility enhancer and boost chances of a boy. You should not take it if you have bee allergies.

Maca is another promising supplement. It's actually a food. It's a food, but you take it in a supplement powdered form. It boosts fertility, and can increase chances of a boy.

Finally, consider adding gelatin into your diet. You can add it to soups, sauces, stews, etc. Gelatin boosts testosterone production and has a lot of protein, both things that favor a boy.

Predicting Diabetes - Pregnancy As a Crystal Ball

At this point in my life, I have had the honor of helping many women have happy, healthy pregnancies. Good maternity care is essential, but sometimes pregnancy itself acts like a crystal ball.

Okay. This may sound a bit like voodoo, but please hear me out.

Scientists have known for some time that high blood pressure in some pregnancies can be a predictor of future heart issues in certain women. Now it seems that gestational diabetes can also be an indicator of who will get the full blown diabetes disease later in life.

Best of all, if it can be predicted... we may be able to avert the onset of this terrible disease.

Is it possible that those unique nine months of unprecedented nausea, hormonal changes, and emotional roller coaster rides, will hold even more clues to help save women's lives? Think about this as you kiss and hug your newborn as a new mother... or as you watch your own mother play with her grandchildren, hopefully as a still-vibrant and healthy senior. It goes without saying that the health of mothers is incredibly vital to the health and well being of their offspring.

What is Gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is defined as any type of glucose impairment that is initially detected during pregnancy. The incidence of Gestational Diabetes in the United States is about 4% and rates are increasing over the last few years. High risk factors for the development of the condition include:

What are the risk factors for Gestational diabetes?

• Age over 25 years


• Obesity


• Family history of diabetes


• Previous history of gestational diabetes


• Certain ethnic groups (Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, African-American)

What are the screening recommendations for Gestational diabetes?

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes. The most common diagnostic test is the 50 gram 1-hour glucose challenge test that is given between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. An abnormal result is defined as blood glucose of 130 mg/dl or greater or 140 mg/dl or greater, depending upon the criteria used. If abnormal, the patient then undergoes a 100 g 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test in which 2 or more abnormal values confirm the diagnoses.

What are the treatment options for Gestational diabetes?

Various treatments during pregnancy including dietary modifications directed by a certified nutritionist who specializes in diabetes, physical activity and possibly medications, depending upon the level of severity. The medications may include oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, depending upon the glucose values obtained as the pregnancy progresses. Increased resistance to insulin occurs as pregnancy progresses, stressing the pancreas and making more demands on the pancreas to manufacture insulin.

Why is it advisable to treat gestational diabetics?

Controlling glucose levels in pregnancy reduces the risk of congenital anomalies, miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, macrosomia (large babies), polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid), stillbirth, Cesarean sections, difficult or traumatic delivery, and infections postpartum.

Immediately after delivery, miraculously the diabetes disappears!!! Resistance to insulin resolves within hours and patients often return to their pre-pregnancy normal state.

Does the end of pregnancy close the chapter on Gestational diabetes?

Some women, whose diabetes was not diagnosed prior to the pregnancy, have been found to have long standing diabetes that was uncovered with the routine screening that is performed during pregnancy. Even if it is a new onset of disease, detected during pregnancy, it is a known fact that women who have had gestational diabetes are at major risk for developing Type II diabetes later on in life. Some articles (Callaghan, 4/10) report that approximately one-third of women with gestational diabetes continue to have evidence of diabetes immediately postpartum. Other estimates range at about 50% chance of developing diabetes in the ten years following the pregnancy.

How should these women be followed after their pregnancy ends?

1. All women who have had gestational diabetes should have a repeat oral glucose tolerance test (75 gm 2 hour test) at their 6 to 12 week postpartum visit or after breast feeding has been discontinued.


2. Even if the values are normal, annual screening with a fasting glucose and/or HbA1C blood test has been suggested. However, at minimum, screening at least every 3 years is advisable.


3. Encourage diabetes prevention education by encouraging exercise, weight loss, and proper diet.


4. Women with pre-diabetes should consider medication regimens and lifestyle changes that prevent the chances of progression of their disease.

In Summary

Women have a distinct advantage of having a unique "window in time" in their life during pregnancy when potentially later in life disease complications might appear which the stress of pregnancy can unmask. If taken seriously, this can serve as an early marker of future disease and with proper monitoring and intervention can allow for possible opportunities for reversal.

What to Take to the Hospital on Delivery Day

Your hospital stay for the delivery of your baby will require a well planned out packing list. There are essential items you will need for labor and delivery and the few days following birth while you are at the hospital. There are things that your partner will need as well as your baby. Most of your baby's needs should be taken care of by the hospital, but it never hurts to call and ask.

For labor and delivery, there are some essential items to pack and some items that are optional depending on your birthing plan. If you are planning on giving birth vaginally and without pain medicine, you will need some items to help your labor pains.

A couple things that you may want to consider are: a Pilates ball, a rolling-pin, hard candy, music and movies, and pillows. These things could help with your labor pains, but you must keep in mind that everyone is different. Something that worked for your friend may or may not work for you.

Now if you are planning on accepting some pain management drugs, you will need much less of that gear. You may still want to bring your own pillows, or body pillow or nursing pillow. Whatever helps you get into a more comfortable position at home, you should make sure you have at the hospital during your labor.

After giving birth you will need some specialty items to make your postpartum stay more comfortable for you while you heal. You will need some oversized full underwear. The pads that the hospital will give you are quite large and you will want them to be able to go into a pair of panties easily. In addition to the pad you may also have an oversized ice pack to place in your panties.

Pants will be quite uncomfortable for these first few days. You will need a good nursing gown for this time. Nursing Gowns can be used during delivery and after. This will be loose and open for fitting your ice pack and pad into your panties, and it will also be very useful for nursing your newborn.

Your toiletries and basics such as toothbrush, hairbrush, and face wash are a must and should be packed ahead of time. These are things that are inexpensive and it will be worth it when the time comes to not have to start thinking about whether or not you are forgetting something. Just have a whole second set of this stuff packed and ready to go a couple weeks ahead of time.

As far as your clothing goes, you should pack any nursing clothing, socks and slippers, and a very loose- fitting, comfortable outfit to go home in. You may just want to buy a nicer pair of nursing pajamas that double as loungewear for that day. These are all things that you can pack ahead of time as well. It will save you stress and time to do as much ahead of time as possible, if not all. You will be much more at ease that you are ready when the time comes to go to the hospital to deliver your baby.

Understanding Pregnancy Related Back Pain and Chiropractic Care

Back pain is common during pregnancy with research showing between 50-80% of pregnant patients reporting low back pain. It is good for expectant women to be informed about some of the options available to alleviate pain as well as what they can do for themselves to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Some women may feel anxious or unsure about seeking chiropractic care during pregnancy especially if they have never experienced chiropractic before - but they need not be. Let's explore some of the frequently asked questions regarding chiropractic care and pain during pregnancy...

Why is there back pain during pregnancy?
There are many mechanical, postural and hormonal changes that take place in a woman's body during pregnancy. Below are just a few examples of typical changes.

Mechanical and postural changes:
- centre of gravity moves back therefore changing the mechanical stresses on joints, muscles and ligaments
- weight gain results in increased overall stress to joints and muscles
- muscles of low back must work more to counterbalance growing belly
- low back curve often becomes accentuated which pinches the joints of the low back and sacroiliac joints closer together resulting in joint irritation
- along with accentuation of the lumbar curve, the sacrum itself tilts forward at its base
- increased breast size can result in mid-back pain as the muscles and joints of the mid-back must compensate
- often there is a change in neck position with loss of the normal curvature of the neck
- women tend to adopt a wider based stance and gait which affects joint position of ankles, knees and hips resulting in joint/muscle/ligament irritation
- pressure may be exerted on nerves due to muscle tension and water retention resulting in tingling or numbing sensations

Hormonal changes:
- hormonal changes in pregnancy also affect biomechanics of the spine and peripheral joints
- a hormone called relaxin is released which softens and elongates ligaments and other connective tissues which leads to greater joint motion and possible joint irritation

As one can see, there are indeed myriad changes that occur. On top of this, minor pre-existing mechanical issues may be exacerbated during pregnancy due to the weight gain and hormonal effects.

How can chiropractic help?
Through a history and physical examination, chiropractic can identify specific problem areas in the spine and surrounding joints. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper motion and alignment of joints. In addition, specific corrective exercises are prescribed to help improve posture such that tight muscles are stretched and relatively weaker muscles are strengthened. Beyond this, chiropractic helps by balancing the nervous system which allows the body to heal optimally. Most pregnant women who experience chiropractic care report relief of symptoms and associated improved mood and sleep. Best of all, chiropractic is completely natural and non-invasive. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications which can be of concern especially during pregnancy.

Is chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is natural, non-invasive and very safe for both mom and the developing baby. Chiropractors are also trained to identify red flags associated with high risk pregnancy and to refer accordingly.

What else can I do for relief and to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
Maintaining physical fitness through exercise is a great way to promote better health and fewer complications. Regular cardiovascular exercise leads to improved sleep, less pain, less stress, fewer delivery complications and has better birth outcomes for both mother and child. It also reduces the risk for gestational diabetes and pregnancy related hypertension and the associated consequences for both mom and developing baby. A balanced and nutritious diet is also important, ensuring that the fetus has the necessary building blocks for healthy development and mom is healthy too. Other ideas for pain relief include massage and acupuncture.

Following delivery, back pain usually resolves however daily activities such as lifting one's child, bending down to their level, breast feeding and awkward postures associated with raising a child may result in mechanical issues. Thus, some women may choose to continue with chiropractic care during this phase as well to ensure optimal joint mechanics and overall wellness.

Stuber and Smith (2008). Chiropractic for back pain in pregnancy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics; 31(6):447-454.
Jones, Housman & McAleese (2010). Exercise, nutrition and weight management during pregnancy. American Journal of Health Studies; 25(3):120-126.

How Can Bedrest During Pregnancy Help?

If you are one of the many women whose doctor has prescribed bedrest during pregnancy, you might be wondering why you need to do this, and if it will actually help you deliver a healthy baby. While there is some disagreement on exactly how much good bedrest can do, many practitioners believe that the benefits of bedrest outweigh some of the potential drawbacks.

If you have been prescribed bedrest during pregnancy, it's probably because you have a medical condition that places you at a higher risk, your family history or past pregnancies indicate a higher risk factor, or you might be carrying multiples. In most of these situations, the benefits of bedrest hinge on the body's ability to normalize after being under stress, and creating a more manageable environment in which you and your baby can stay safe and healthy.

If you are going to spend most of your time in bed, it's very important that you discuss with your doctor which position is best for you. For most pregnant women, lying on their side, with a pillow between their knees is recommended. You may also wish to look into a body bolster specifically designed for pregnant women.

Unfortunately, there are drawbacks as well as the benefits of bedrest. Long periods of bedrest will cause your muscles to lose tone, cause aching joints and increase the risk of blood clots due to poor circulation. The best way to combat these problems is through exercise, but be sure to check with your doctor before starting any program, no matter how light. If you are on bedrest during pregnancy, some exercises you might consider are: tightening your arm and shoulder muscles, squeezing stress balls, turning your arms and feet in circles, and pressing your hands and feet against the bed. Just be sure to avoid using your abdominal muscles. It may not seem like much, but you will be surprised at what a difference it makes if you are otherwise almost completely inactive.

If your doctor intends to put you on prolonged bedrest during pregnancy, you may wish to ask about getting some additional support. An occupational or physical therapist can work with you to come up with an exercise plan, and can also advise you on how to make your bed more comfortable. You may also want to consider seeing a therapist if you worry about the strain that prolonged bedrest may put on your spouse and children.

The benefits of bedrest can be considerable if you are in a high-risk pregnancy. It's especially important that you relax and take good care of yourself if you have high blood pressure. Additionally, if you have any physical problems, like a weakened cervix, bedrest can help prevent putting any additional strain on the affected area. If it looks like you will be on bedrest for an extended period, be sure to find out exactly what you can and can't do. If you have any concerns about bedrest and how to make it more comfortable and less frustrating, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.

Juicing Safely: 18 Avoidable Hazards of Fruit and Vegetable Juicing

There is so much juice recipe information and nutritional advice on the internet, and it can be hard to sort out what is legitimate from what is not. Everyone knows that fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be powerful "medicine" for a range of diseases, but not everyone knows that those people who have health conditions or diseases need to take care when juicing.

Finding reputable information sources and checking with a healthcare professional before juicing is recommended. Juicing is generally safe and healthy but it's important to consider some of the potential hazards so that you can avoid them.

1. Certain raw fruits and vegetables may be contaminated with food-borne pathogens such as E. coli or salmonella. However, this is much more rare than such contaminations in animal products. To be safe, fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly scrubbed before cutting or juicing, and people with compromised immune systems or who are pregnant should stay away from especially susceptible foods such as sprouts.

2. Blood thinners such as Warfarin can have their effectiveness reduced if the patient consumes too much Vitamin K. Because of this, people on blood thinner should avoid consuming the juices of broccoli, carrot, wheatgrass, cranberries, kale, and other fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin K.

3. Garlic is considered a blood-thinner. Very high doses should not be consumed by pregnant or recently postpartum women, nor by any patient before or after surgery.

4. Onion and pomegranate can also amplify the effects of anticoagulant medications, so individuals taking these medications should consult a healthcare professional.

5. Garlic can also interact with medications including but not limited to quinolone antibiotics, hypoglycemic medications, antihypertensive agents, and calcium channel blockers.

6. Cauliflower is not recommended for individuals with gout or high levels of uric acid due to "purine" content, a natural substance that leads to excess uric acid. Large amounts of cauliflower as well as raw cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli or Brussels sprouts should not be consumed by people with hypothyroidism. They are goitrogenic foods that may cause an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone and potentially a goiter in people with thyroid disease.

7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those who take birth control pills should consult a doctor before consuming larger than normal quantities of alfalfa sprouts. Avoid alfalfa sprout and bean sprout juice if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as certain cancers, fibroids, endometriosis, etc.

8. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid bitter gourd and wheatgrass completely. Pineapple juice is not recommended in high doses for pregnant women as it may cause uterine contractions

9. Diabetics should carefully monitor their blood glucose when consuming large amounts of alfalfa as it may lower blood glucose.

10. Bitter gourd and blueberries may cause hypoglycemia in diabetics so they also require monitoring. You may find juice recipe information indicating other concerns about juicing for diabetics, and your doctor or nutritionist may have important advice regarding how to juice safely.

11. People with kidney problems should avoid asparagus and eggplant juice.

12. If you are on a low-potassium diet, consult your doctors before consuming large amounts of pear juice.

13. Those with kidney stones should avoid large quantities of beets, eggplant, concord grapes, kiwi, plum, other vegetables and fruits high in oxalic acid.

14. Cranberries can cause excess uric acid and calcium in the urine, increasing the chance of calcium-oxalate stone formation.

15. Spinach should be avoided by people with hepatitis, rheumatism, intestinal inflammations, gallstones and kidney stones. Strawberries and excessive amounts of sweet potato should be avoided by people with gallstone and kidney stones, as well.

16. If you suffer from gallstones, have a bleeding disorder, or take a blood-thinning medication (including aspirin) do not consume ginger before consulting a doctor. It can contribute to the thinning of the blood.

17. Grapefruit is notorious for interacting with a number of medications. Rather than making the medications less effective, in many cases grapefruit increases their efficacy which can lead to overdoses. Grapefruit interacts with statins, some chemotherapy agents, Buspar, certain beta blockers, fexofenadine, carbamazepine, certain anti-retrovirals, some immunosuppressants, sertraline and cyclosporine.

18. You can easily avoid whichever juices might cause bad reactions for you. Search for juice recipe information for fruits and vegetables you know you can safely consume, and then combine those fruits and vegetables creatively. Delicious, nutritious fruit and vegetable juices are just moments away.

California Pregnancy Leave - What If Complications Arise?

California has the most comprehensive set of laws protecting women during pregnancy and maternity leave. One law gives CA women a needed extra benefit over its federal counterpart. The California Family Rights Act provides significantly longer job protection in the event of pregnancy complications, followed by an extended maternity leave. Should this situation arise, the extended job protection will be welcome. But can you afford all the time away from work? You can if you plan ahead, then act promptly.

California Family Rights Act

The California Family Rights Act is similar to the Federal Family Medical Leave Act in that it allows for twelve weeks of unpaid, job protected leave. Both laws apply only to employers with more than fifty employees.

The California law differs in how an absence from work for you own disability is treated. Suppose you experience pregnancy complications and need to leave work twelve week before your delivery. Under the Federal law you would have used up your job protected time. The California law does not count time away from work for your own disability. This is covered under the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Act.

7 Months of Partially Paid Job Protected Leave

Combine the two situations and California laws together, and you get seven months of partially paid, job protected leave: four months before delivery if complications arise, plus six weeks to recover from delivery, plus six weeks to bond with baby.

California SDI and Paid Family Leave provide the partial pay of 55% for up to seven months if needed.

Keep Job But Lose House?

The good news is the California laws protect your job for a long time at partial pay. Should this happen to you and you qualify under the rules, your job will still be open for you. But will you be able to make your mortgage payments after seven months with a 45% pay cut?

Purchase supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant, and your answer will be YES!

Help Pregnant Moms With Pregnancy Month Calculator

Many pregnant moms are curious about the condition of the baby in their womb. The popular guide by most moms that is being used nowadays is called the pregnancy month calculator. This calculator, upon entering the first day of a menstrual period, calculates a week by week or month by month timeline of pregnancy. If you want to know the gestational age of the fetus, the date of conception is just being entered or the estimated date and that is 14 days before the due date at your period.

When it will be due?

Typically, 14 days before the first day of your last menstrual period, your ovary releases, an egg and the sperm has 1 to 2 days to fertilize the egg. Without fertilized egg, there is no conception. If there is, then you are expecting. When consulting your doctor, the doctor will compute your EDD of Estimated Date of Delivery. The calculation, just like some online due date calculators, is counting 280 days ahead from the 1st day of the last menstrual period.

What is a fetal development?

Fetal development is the growth of your baby from embryonic stage to the fetus. It can be followed through awareness of the week by week guide of pregnancy and fetal development. If you, as a mom, see the changes happening in your body, then, you have to monitor also the exciting changes of the baby in nine months inside your womb.

Since you are pregnant, you are definitely excited waiting for the due date. You first found out the date and development through a pregnancy month calculator and feel that each trimester is a long wait. But, it will come faster than you think. Keep a relax mind and body and savor the moment of being pregnant because when baby comes out, it will be a different story of your life.

Arming Yourself For the Belly of the Beast - Tips For Shopping For Medical Insurance Plans

Shopping for medical insurance plans is about as much fun as a root canal. You can make it easier, however, by following this simple guide to narrowing down your choices in a logical way.

Not all medical treatments are covered by every health insurance policy. Before you start searching for medical insurance plans, sit down and make a list of your priorities. Which types of coverage, procedures and treatments are "must haves" for you and your family?

For example, do you want and/or need:
· Hospital care
· Office visits to your primary care physician
· Maternity care
· Surgery
· Tests and x-rays
· Mental health care
· Well-baby care
· Dental
· Vision
· Prescription drugs
· Nursing home care

One important area to explore when looking for medical insurance plans is the amount of personal choice you have with regard to which doctors you can see. Some plans won't cover your expenses if you see a physician outside of their network.

Find out the answers to these questions for all of the medical insurance plans you are considering:
· Can I keep my current health care provider?
· Do I have to choose my physician from a network of preferred providers?
· Are referrals required to see a specialist? Or can I elect to see a specialist on my own and still receive some coverage?
· If there is a network, how much, if any, of my medical bills will be covered if I see a physician outside of the network?

Now for the biggie: cost. Cost is undoubtedly the number one factor that the vast majority of consumers look at when shopping for medical insurance plans. Costs come in number of different forms...premiums, co-pays and costs for seeing physicians outside of the network, if applicable. That is why you need to take each and every expense into account when choosing a health insurance policy, not just the premium.

Find the answers to these questions for all of the medical insurance plans you are looking at:
· Is there a deductible? If so, how much is it?
· Is there a cap on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses I will have to pay?
· How much are the premiums?
· Is there a co-payment? If so, how much is it?
· Does the policy cover the cost of prescription drugs?
· Is there a cap on the amount of expenses the policy will pay for any specific illness or injury? · Which, if any, "high risk lifestyle choices" (such as smoking or riding a motorcycle) will increase the cost of coverage?

Consider your convenience as well. Dealing with health insurance paperwork and trips to the doctor aren't exactly a walk in the park. Any way that you can the process easier is a good thing.

When searching for medical insurance plans, find out about:
· The location of the doctors and hospitals in the network
· How easy it is to get a timely appointment
· The amount of paperwork

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the factors to consider when you are searching through medical insurance policies. Rather, it is a starting place for narrowing down your choices. For instance, if you absolutely want to have free choice of doctors, then Policy A, an HMO, can be ruled out. No matter your personal preferences, take the time to find out the answer to all of the above questions to ensure that you are getting a policy that is not only affordable but also meetings your needs and preferences.

Missouri Differences From the Federal FMLA

Missouri's family and medical leave laws conform closely to the federal Family Medical Leave Act. That means all employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for either their own or a loved one's illness or injury as well as certain other family-related matters.

The FMLA allows all employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave when they or a loved one is sick or injured. If they choose, employees can use accumulated leave such as sick or vacation time before taking unpaid leave. FMLA leave can be used:

• Following the birth of a newborn child;


• Following the placement of an adopted or foster child;


• To care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition;


• To take medical leave from work when the employee has a serious health condition;


• When the employee's spouse, child or parent is on active duty military service and has been notified of an impending deployment;


• When the employee's spouse, child or parent is injured or becomes sick during military service and the employee must be absent from work to care for the relative. Up to 26 weeks of annual leave are allowed for this purpose.

Use of Sick Leave

Missouri state law gives employers the right to require employees to use accrued paid sick leave before taking unpaid leave for family or medical leave. Accrued paid sick leave may be used for:

• an employee's own incapacitating illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, medical exam and treatment or exposure to contagious disease that would jeopardize the health of others;


• an employee needs to care for their child, spouse, other relatives or members of household, due to illness.

Missouri laws dictate that annual and sick leave are to be calculated in multiples of one-quarter hour. Employees must submit a written statement indicating that the leave was taken for an allowable reason. Sick leave cannot be accrued while employees are on any unpaid leave of absence.

Leave for Adoptive Parents

Missouri state law grants leave to parents adopting a child. Adopting parents employed by the state may use accrued sick leave, annual leave, compensatory time or leave without pay to take time off to arrange for the adoption or placement of a child.

Medical Donations

Public employees are entitled to five days off for bone marrow transplants. These employees are also entitled to 30 workdays of paid leave to donate an organ. Written verification must be provided to the employer. Employers must continue to provide health insurance and other benefits throughout the period the employee takes leave for organ or marrow donations.

California Health Insurance Executives Testify Before Congress in March

Congress is scrutinizing Health Insurance for California by challenging the reasons that prevent many people from obtaining health care coverage. When the largest health insurance company in the U.S. (WellPoint, Inc.) proposed raising monthly premiums by up to 39 percent in California, Congress summoned WellPoint chief executives. WellPoint postponed its premium increases until May 1st 2010, and California's insurance commissioner will decide whether to allow the increases.

In short order, Congress expanded investigation of Health Insurance in California to look at coverage being refused and medical claims being denied as "preexisting conditions." Chief executives from three more of the country's largest for-profit health insurers (Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group) were summoned to appear before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its investigations subcommittee on March 23rd.

Congress asked the companies to provide internal documents and e-mails about guidelines, practices, and underwriting policies for the last five years. These companies have been asked to show average premiums and increases, as well as maternity coverage for individuals by March 12th. These four companies sell health insurance policies for individuals to approximately 17 million Americans without health coverage from work.

Need for Maternity Coverage in California Health Insurance Plans

Looking at maternity coverage is important because woman ages 18 to 29 are the most likely group in the U.S. to lack health insurance. With just 59 percent of these women having health insurance through an employer, these young women comprise the group that is least likely to have health insurance from work. One-fourth of these women have no health insurance at all, yet 3.5 million pregnancies occur among the 21 million women who are ages 19 to 29 each year.

As in third-world countries, lack of health care hits babies the hardest. Uninsured pregnant women are 60 percent more apt to delay prenatal care, three times more likely to suffer adverse outcomes, and their babies are 30 percent more likely to die.

Lower California Health Insurance Rates Found by Independent Agents

Premiums and benefits vary greatly between insurance companies. Even insurance companies that are raising premiums, may have alternative plans with higher deductibles and lower premiums.

Look for Websites that compare plans and offer quotes from a range of companies to get a feel for benefits and prices. Independent agents (those who work with many different insurance companies) may know which insurers have more lenient underwriting for people with back problems, for instance. Independent agents can also appeal if you are denied coverage, or are assessed a higher rate because you have pre-existing conditions.

Compare California Health Insurance Plans to Get the Most for Your Money

When comparing policies look at the annual deductible, the percentage you pay for a medical service after a deductible is met (coinsurance), and the annual out-of-pocket maximum. That maximum is how much you have to spend on co-pays, coinsurance, and other costs before the insurance company covers any expenses for the year.

Check whether doctor visits are covered, and whether hospital stays have limited coverage. Look at which doctors and hospitals are in-network, too. Some individual plans exclude maternity coverage, but separate policies deal specifically with maternity and prenatal care.

If you aren't taking prescription drugs, you can save by eliminating that coverage. If you are using prescription medications, research the cost of buying through discount drug programs at King Soopers, Wal-Mart, or other large chains.

Be careful about letting coverage lapse while you're looking for a better policy. Events during a coverage lapse might make you ineligible for coverage. For example, insurance companies may not cover birth or prenatal care if there has been a gap in coverage.

More Help for Maternal and Child Services

Maternal and child services are also available for women with low incomes who are pregnant, and have children under the age of 22. A program called Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides education about nutrition and child care for woman with low incomes, woman who are breastfeeding, and postpartum women. WIC also provides health coverage for children under five.

Even if you do not qualify for the above programs, you may still have access to care through free clinics, prescription drug assistance plans, or temporary state insurance. Your best bet may be to educate yourself about how health care insurance works, and find an independent agent that will take the time to listen to your needs and help you navigate the insurance jungle.

Natural Way of Treating Depression and Anxiety

Suffering from depression? Some doctors prescribed Anti-Depressants, Tranquillizers and Sleeping Tablets in order to treat postnatal depression.

There are caring doctors out there but there are some who over prescribe medications.

These medications that was mentioned earlier are only be used as a last resort in order to treat depression, anxiety, or insomnia, which is already severe like for instance if a person's daily routine are being affected and when his or her problem is no longer responsive with any medication or treatment. But most of the time, people who are suffering with depression or anxiety are being prescribed with such medications which in due time becomes a problem with the patient's health. It can even lead to other complications or problems.

If you are being prescribed with strong medication, after a while since your body get used of strong medication, soon need more and stronger medication. But this could now happen if only health practitioner will spend some of time to listen to the patient's problem and try his or her best to help the patient overcome it problem but that doesn't happen, they rather prescribed drugs for patient's problem.

But the good news is that there are a lot of healthier alternatives that can work well with your depression and anxiety. This article will mention few of these alternatives, so read on.

- Exercise. A lot of people find it hard for them to do this, but you have to bear in mind that this can be helpful to you. Doing regular exercising can make you healthier, it will even increase the good feeling in your body and will boosts your self-esteem, so it will lessen the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. But take this note, it should be done regularly. You can give about half an hour of your day by doing walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, aerobics and so on, as long as it makes you sweat and will increase your heart beat. Actually, if you only carry on, you will find yourself enjoying it already.

- Social Support. When you are depressed, you usually just want to stay at your room and be alone. But you have to bear in mind that loneliness is one of the causes of depression, so better to go out and join groups. You may not want it, but do it anyway; this can be helpful to you. If ever you do not have any group yet, start joining a social circle, you can do it by volunteering on church, sport clubs and so on. You can try out different alternatives, besides there are plenty of social groups that you can join in.

- Talk thing out. Talking about it is one of the most effective ways to relieve your depression and anxiety. You can share your problems than just keeping it all up by yourself. Soon you will find how good it is to b relieved with the problem you have. You can share your problems with family, friends and even with counselor.

- Herbal remedies. There are a lot of herbal remedies out there that you can use to relieve and also prevent your depression, anxiety and stress. The use of herbal remedies can help you with your depression and anxiety naturally, safely and effectively. One of these herbal remedies for depression is relagen. Relagen is a 100% all natural product that efficiently addresses the different and devastating symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Post Natal Injury Prevention

Common complaints for new mothers include lower back strain, shoulder and neck and arm pain, and headaches. The good news is that all of these conditions are preventable. The aim of this article is to help you to understand the cause of these symptoms and how to prevent them. Following are some tips on posture and correct lifting techniques, along with some preventative exercises.

It is important to remember that all exercises should be absolutely pain free. If you experience any pain while attempting them stop immediately. The chances are that you need some treatment so do not attempt the exercise again until you have sought medical advice.

Injury Prevention

The time you are most susceptible to back injury in particular, is in the weeks following the birth. The abdominal and pelvic muscles and ligaments are stretched and weak, dramatically reducing the core stability that protects your back as you repeatedly bend to lift your babies and toddlers, and go about your normal household chores.

The first thing you need to learn is how to contract your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles before you lift your child, and keep them contracted as you lift and while you are carrying them. Strengthening these muscles will protect your back and reduce the incidence of bladder problems.

The Exercises

You can do these standing, sitting or lying down, or even as you walk. You will probably remember the pelvic floor exercises from post natal care at hospital. These are the muscles which prevent the flow of urine. Squeeze these muscles now so that you can feel the contraction internally. Try and hold them in contraction for as long as possible. It is not uncommon for you to have difficulty feeling this contraction soon after birth, but it is very important that you keep trying. At first they may feel very weak and you may only be able to hold the contraction for a few seconds. Work up to holding for a full minute, this may take several weeks to accomplish. Practice the exercise several times a day.

The next stage is to begin to increase your awareness of the interaction between the internal pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal muscles. Again contract internally and keeping those muscles tight, move your focus to the area between your pubic bone and navel. Slowly contract this area until you feel your naval sink towards your spine and your waist get smaller. This is called "bracing".

In the weeks and months following the birth it is absolutely essential that you practice this exercise several times a day. I suggest you try to build to 10 in a row. These are the muscles that you should contract before you attempt any activity which requires bending or lifting.

A major cause of back pain is incorrect lifting techniques of your baby.
Next time you go to lift your baby out of the cot, notice your posture; if your feet are close together you will be forced to lean over more to reach the baby, your arms will be stretched away from your body, and as you lift your wriggling infant, you will put enormous strain on your back. Take time to notice if you are twisting from the hips too - this will cause pain in the muscle between your hip and ribs. Notice your head and neck, there should be no tilting or rotating of your head as this will lead to neck pain and headaches.

Correct lifting techniques

Taking the baby from the cot

Before you attempt to lift your infant from the cot, spread your legs and feet wide, with hips and knees slightly flexed, as though you are sitting astride a horse. Have your thighs leaning against the edge of the cot. Brace your abdominal muscles as above, and lower your self by bending your legs so that you are closer to the baby. As you take hold of him, draw him closer to you without lifting him, until your arms are close to your trunk. Now make sure the abdominal muscles are braced, and gently lift and draw the baby to your body, using your legs not your back to straighten up.

Lifting toddlers

Always bend at the knee, get down to their level, brace abdominals, and draw the child in close to your body, then lift with your legs. Lifting toddlers in and out of cars usually requires some incredible contortions. You can reduce the risk of injury by keeping your legs bent, back straight and your head, arms hips and feet all pointing in the same direction. Try and keep the child's body as close to yours as possible and manoeuvre yourself as close to the child seat as possible before placing them in it.

Neck and Arm Pain

You may have experienced a strange discomfort, ranging from a toothache like pain in your arm, to tingling, numbness or weakness. This can come from a combination of poor lifting techniques, and your posture while breast feeding.

Once again, notice your posture while you are feeding the baby. Tension in your neck and shoulders may be from supporting the weight of the infant, and a tend to tilt your head as you watch it suckle. This distorted position is going to lead to muscle strain. Nerve impingement may arise from muscle and connective tissue placing pressure on the nerve, or from mal-alignment of the skeleton, and this can give rise to the arm pain and other symptoms I have mentioned. If you do have any of these symptoms, then you should seek treatment to avoid more serious injury.

To prevent these injuries, you need to experiment with the way you support the infant. Try placing them on an extra pillow so that you are not supporting their weight, and once they are settled, avoid prolonged tilting and rotation of your neck.

Exercises for upper back and shoulder tension
First, take a look at your posture. Stand in front of a mirror, try to stand as you would normally. Ideally your shoulders should be relaxed and not elevated. The rounded tops of your arm (humerus) should be sitting level and not forward of your collar bone. Your palms should facing the side of your thigh, with your thumbs approximately in line with the seam of your pants or skirt.

Its very rare that I see this ideal posture, so lets assume that you are perfectly normal and could do with some help in this department!

Shoulder Rolls

Stay in front of the mirror.

1. Bring your shoulders up towards your ears, as high as you can. Remember this
should be pain free.

2. Next squeeze your shoulder blades back as though you are trying to get them to
touch.

3. The next step is vital; relax your shoulders and imagine your shoulder blades
gradually sliding down your ribs. Let gravity do the work. Watch the top of your shoulders in the mirror, you should see that they are totally relaxed. Don't be tempted to use these muscles to push the shoulders down.

4. Once the shoulder blades are relaxed into place, imagine that you are now going to take them as far apart as possible, look in the mirror again. The movement must come from the shoulder blades, not from the arms, and again, the upper shoulders must be relaxed and not lifting. As you separate the shoulder blades, arch your mid to upper back, imagine lifting this section of your spine back and up, until you feel a good stretch between the shoulder blades. If you like you can hold this position for 30 secs.

That completes one full shoulder roll, now you can start over again, repeat a minimum of six repetitions several times a day.

Posture Correction Exercise for the Neck and Shoulders

This involves the first three steps of the shoulder rolls.

1. Once again raise your shoulders towards your ears.

2. Squeeze shoulder blades back, and relax.

3. Allow the shoulder blades to slide down the ribs into a resting position. This time, keep them in that position, that is, don't let your shoulder roll forward.

Now you will probably feel like your neck is hanging forward, so let it relax back onto its new center of gravity. You will also feel like you are sticking your chest out. This is probably because the pectoral muscles are tight. Check that you are not sticking your tummy out, if you are, relax your pelvis and spine. This should reduce the any tension in your back, and to some extent, your chest. It will take a while for this new posture to feel normal. What you should feel is reduced tension in your neck and upper shoulder, while the muscles between your shoulder blades should be gently contracted. This too will feel unnatural for a while, as these muscles are unused to working for a living!

When you should seek advice

I believe in the old adage that prevention is better than cure. This information is designed to help you to maintain a pain free status. If you are already in pain or discomfort then you may need to seek treatment. Most people put up with pain for too long, in the belief it will go away. In reality, the longer you have had pain, the longer it will take to resolve. As a rough guide, if pain persists, worsens or recurs after 3 days then it is advisable to seek treatment, to prevent the condition from becoming chronic. Remember that pain killers treat the symptoms not the cause of pain. Persistent symptoms need to be investigated. Most muscular pain is easily remedied by remedial massage, but it is a good idea to speak to your doctor first.

Get Rid Of Bladder Infections During And After Pregnancy

Bladder infections during pregnancy can cause a lot of problems. Women need to take special care during and after pregnancy and any kind of infection can cause a lot of problems. Extra care and preventing the occurrence of any infection is necessary during this time. Women are more susceptible to this infection than men. Doctors attribute this to the closely placed vagina and anus in women and the short length of urethra. Also known as cystitis, this affects more than 50% of women during pregnancy. The bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and stick to the walls of the bladder. The condition becomes serious if they travel to the kidneys and cause kidney infection.

It is quite easy to prevent the infection and you can get rid of it in the initial stages with some precautions.

1. Know the symptoms of bladder infections - During pregnancy watch for the sure signs of urinary infection or UTI. With the first clue, rush to get the necessary treatment. Some of the general symptoms are pain during urination, need for frequent and urgent urination, cramps or pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy urine, pain during sex, waking up often to urinate, foul smell of urine, tenderness in the urinary bladder area, and fever. Make sure that you have observed the symptoms closely, as some of these can mimic the symptoms of normal pregnancy.

2. Visit the doctor immediately- Urinary infections can cause other complications during pregnancy like pre-term labor. So get doctor's help immediately. If un-treated, the infection can spread to kidneys, and result in a very serious condition. Take the prescribed medicines regularly and as directed. Ask your doctor of pain controlling medication, if your pain is unbearable.

3. Stay hydrated - Drinking lots of water during pregnancy is necessary and more so if there is an infection. Cranberry juice is also good for flushing out the bacteria. Do not be dehydrated or there are chances that the infection could become worse.

4. Wipe the right way - It is important to wipe front to back and not the other way. This way you prevent the bacteria from the anus from entering the vagina. Hygiene is one of the best ways of staying infection free during and after pregnancy.

5. Wear breathable clothes - Do not wear tight clothes during bladder infections. Wear cotton or breathable panties and allow your skin to get air. Tight clothes can trap moisture and aggravate the infections.

After pregnancy care is absolutely necessary for women. The body is more susceptible to infection after delivery. All the above mentioned precautions should be followed by women after their pregnancy too. Women, who have had the infection once, are more chances of suffering from a relapse. Take your doctor's advice and get rid of all the traces of infection.

10 Things Not to Say to a New Mom

So you've just experienced the miracle of birth. Isn't it wonderful. And now you are the proud and exhausted mum of the cutest little angel in the world. Family and friends come over to coo. Everyone is smiling and celebrating this new life.

Well, everyone that is except certain individuals, who for reasons known only to themselves, are incapable of being supportive and can't resist saying the most insensitive things.

Why these people feel compelled to steer away from the customary, "what a cutie," "well done new mum," and "is there anything you need?" remains a mystery. But they do. And more often than not, we've all had to endure at least one such person.

So here are ten asinine comments that no new mom wants to hear:

1) "You look so well and relaxed."
Actually I've lost a ton of blood, have stitches down below, my nipples feel like they've been through a cheese grater, I haven't had a bowel movement in ten days, and I've slept less than three consecutive hours in the last two weeks. I am NOT well and relaxed, and the fact that you can't see that only serves to increase my feeling of isolation. I can't believe I ever chose such a self-absorbed person as a friend.

2) "You need a break. Leave the baby with your mum and I'll take you out to dinner."
Thanks but when my mum takes the baby off my hands, I'll relax by SLEEPING!

3) "Aren't you just absolutely and insanely in love with your new baby?"
Actually right now I am in the process of bonding with my baby. Yes believe it or not, bonding is a process.

4) "I can't believe you didn't hear about that hurricane in....?"
Well believe it! Because right now, current events are not a priority.

5) "I can't talk to you like we used to. All you talk about is babies."
Why don't you bear with me for a few weeks?!. As soon as I get the hang of this insanely steep learning curve, I'll be back to my old self. Though I might reconsider whether I'll still want YOU as a friend!

6) "Have a glass of wine."
Looking after a new baby is hard enough. I don't need the added challenge of doing it with a hangover!

7) "It's selfish not to breast feed."
Get your own baby and mind your own business!

8) "I remember when my son/daughter was that age."
I don't want to hear from people whose son/daughter is no longer that age. I want to hear
only from people who are suffering the sleepless nights, lack of freedom and steep learning curve. The fact that you went through it and now have your freedom back is not something I need to hear at this particular point in time.

9) "I lost all the baby weight in the first week."
There is no civilized response to this.

10) "Are you planning another baby?"
I've just squeezed out this one. Right now I'm not even planning another bowel movement, let alone a baby. What is even going through your head?!

I'm sure there are many more insensitive no no's out there. So feel free to share some of the outrageous 'advice' to which you have been subjected.

***
Occasionally though, someone will surprise you with advice that will resonate and carry you through the toughest times. I'd like to share the two most important pieces of advice that I ever received, and that repeatedly kept me sane in those times of doubt.

1) Always bear in mind that everything your child does is a phase. So if he won't eat this week, he'll probably be over it by next week. If he throws a tantrum, he will grow out of it. If he likes to fling food on the floor, he won't still be doing it years from now.

2) All babies develop at their own rates, so just because your best friend's precocious little thing is up and running at 8 months of age, while yours isn't even showing signs of crawling, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your baby. Chances are your friend is exhausted and jealous of your super chilled little angel.

So moms don't worry about baby's fluctuating appetite, bowel movements, size of baby, time to grasp, time to crawl or time to walk. Your aim in that first year is to effectively sleep train your baby and to show him / her lots of affection.

Oh yes, and try not to strangle those insensitive people who simply, for the life of them, can't bring themselves to say something intelligent.

Baby Care - Options For Prenatal Care

Prenatal classes are helpful and supportive for you both.

What classes do

They will help explain a lot of the choices available before, during, and after the birth and will tell you about labor, birth, and baby care. You'll also meet other expectant parents with due dates near yours.

Where to find classes

If you're planning a hospital delivery, hospital based classes can be useful, they'll help familiarize you with procedures and will include a tour of the labor ward. Child birth educators generally offer classes in hospitals as well as birthing centers, but some communities offer other local venues as well. Ask friends who have young babies to recommend a good class that's easy to get to. Most child birth classes include guidance on preparing your self for an active birth, in which your partner or birth coach is also involved.

There's now a huge choice in maternity care, although how wide the choice is will depend on what's available in your area. Look into your prenatal options also means looking at your birth options.

Who Can Deliver Care?

Once you know you're pregnant, your first call will probably be to your family doctor or gynecologist. He or she may confirm the pregnancy with another test, take your blood pressure, and ask when your last period was to work out the due date. Your doctor will tell you the different options for prenatal care available in your area, and you can also talk through where the baby will be born, since these are often linked. Don't feel you have to make your mind up on any of these issues immediately go away and think about the possibilities before finalizing details.

Hospital care

You'll be cared for by hospital based doctors, your obstetrician and or midwife. The prenatal care may lack the informality of other options, but if you have any complications, have an existing medical condition, or are having twins, it's probably the wisest choice to have your pregnancy monitored by professionals in this setting.

Midwives

In many places, prenatal care is given almost entirely by midwives who are based either in a free standing site dedicated to prenatal care labor and delivery or in a hospital. The comfortable, home like feeling of midwife centers is a comfort to many women who would like to have a natural birth out side of a hospital setting. Many women benefit from building a relationship with the midwives who will also deliver their babies.

Your doctor or obstetrician's office

You'll have consultations, checkups, and tests through out your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are doing fine. Most pregnancies are perfectly normal, but its vital to have these check up to make sure all is well and to spot possible problems early, before any harm is done. Here, too, you will have many opportunities to get to know and bond with the professional who will be on hand to deliver your baby when the time comes.

High Deductible Health Plans - Is it For Everyone?

With health insurance premium costs that are increasing, high deductible health plans with their lower premiums seem like a very attractive option. But don't be too fast to jump into this option as it is not for everyone.

With high deductible health plans, you pay the everyday expenses such as office visits, prescriptions, and minor accidents until a very high deductible is reached. These plans have an annual deductible that is higher than that in the more traditional health plans. This means the insurance company does not have to pay claims unless something major happens. Because you are paying a higher deductible, your health insurance premiums will be lower than you are used to paying.

The term "high deductible health plan" almost always works together with health savings accounts (HSA's). HSA's are a special kind of tax-advantaged savings account that accumulates as deposits are made, for medical expenses. The policyholder can withdraw money from the HSA to pay for the HDHP deductible and allowable medical expenses.

High deductible health plans are not good for all people. It is for those who can afford high out-of-pocket expenses as the deductibles are high and generally about $1,000 to $2,000. They must be in good health and generally not needing prescription drugs.

Some of these plans have a one year wait before being eligible for maternity care. So, don't plan to get pregnant. Also, don't have any pre-existing conditions, in which case there may be a waiting period as well.

If you decide to go with high deductible insurance, then set up a HSA for your out-of-pocket expenses. Check out first if your employer offers a plan before going to private insurance companies. It is possible that your employer might pay part of your premium.

Shop around and look at multiple quotes and compare the premium cost, the deductible amount, what is covered and the lifetime annual benefit.