Buying Ovulation Predictor Tests? Include This Insurance Purchase Too

If you are buying ovulation predictor tests, you are embarking on an exciting new journey. A journey filled with hope and joy, but also uncertainty. Getting pregnant, and having a baby provides great rewards, but it comes at a cost along with some risks as well. Make some smart choices now, before getting pregnant, so you can enjoy the wonderful experience without some of the stress and worry. Never buy an ovulation test alone. Purchase short term disability insurance before buying your ovulation predictor. It may be the smartest move you ever made.

Ovulation Predictor Tests

Ovulation predictor tests looks for luteinizing hormone. Just prior to ovulation, women experience a short surge where the luteinizing hormone level spikes. Ovulation predictor kits will help you pinpoint this surge and help you predict when you will ovulate. This information can help couples improve their odds of conception.

Before moving down the path of buying an ovulation predictor and getting pregnant, it would be wise to consider the financial consequences of your pregnancy. There is much more to think about beyond the extra mouth to feed and clothe. Mom will be missing at least six weeks of work for her maternity leave. In addition, 25% of pregnancies involve one or more complications that may require mom to miss work prior to her delivery. Plus, delivery complications may mean an extended time away from the job after delivery. And mom could get sick or hurt at any time.

Leverage your Plans to Get Pregnant

If you are researching ovulation predictors, you have an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy insurance that covers a planned event: your normal labor and delivery. Bought before getting pregnant, short term disability insurance will pay a six week benefit when mom experiences a health safe pregnancy, and a happy healthy baby. Use your plans to get pregnant to your best advantage. Buy an insurance policy that pays a direct benefit to you when you plans to get pregnant come true. Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceed the premium you pay.

Get Security at No Additional Cost

But this is not the real value of buying short term disability coverage before purchasing your ovulation test. You also will be covered in case pregnancy complications cause you to miss work. In addition, there is an eight week benefit for a c-section delivery, and if delivery complications cause you to miss additional time, your short term disability policy may cover this additional time as well.

Plus you just never know when you might become sick or suffer an injury and miss work. Most people who purchase disability coverage do so for this reason alone Buy combing a disability purchase with your ovulation test, you simply have three additional compelling reasons: you create maternity leave income, and get additional coverage for pregnancy and delivery complications - all at no additional cost.

Before buying your ovulation kit, do some research into short term disability coverage. Consider your benefit for normal delivery - an event you plan to have happen sometime very soon. Compare that benefit to the premium cost, and then consider all the other ways a policy helps you sleep well at night.

Pain and Electricity

When I think of electricity and pain, a scene from "Return of the Jedi" tends to pop into my head, the one in which the evil Emperor is zapping Luke with lightning bolts from his finger tips. Having experienced the unpleasantness of an electrical shock more than once in my life, I can sympathize with poor Luke Skywalker as he writhes around on the ground as electrical bolts play up and down his body. It is not like he is merely feeling the tingle that results from sticking the tip of your tongue on a nine volt battery. Still, while electricity can be dangerous (especially in the hands of someone who has joined the dark side) that mild tingling sensation that you get when you touch your tongue to a nine volt battery can actually help alleviate pain.

By blocking pain signals from reaching your brain, low intensity electrical pulses can actually help with cases of chronic pain. Physicians have known about this since the time of the Ancient Greeks. While the Greeks did not have nine volt batteries, they did have electric eels. It was discovered that placing a painful part of the body in a bucket with an electric eel helped alleviate the pain. While no one was really sure how it worked, the eel bucket trick was used for centuries to help alleviate the pain from gout.

Today, scientists have a much better idea why this phenomenon occurs. Pain, it turns out, is actually "all in your head" just like your high school coach told you it was. Pain is actually a useful thing in most cases, triggering your brain that something is causing damage to you, triggering action such as removing your hand from a hot surface or doing your best to get out of Emperor Palpatine's line of fire. These pain impulses are actually electrical signals that are sent up the spinal column and then to the brain triggering a response in the nerves. While these pain signals can be seen as a beneficial way to keep us from getting our fingers burned off, they can also become the problem in the case of chronic pain.

In the case of chronic pain, such as lower back pain, these pain messages become constant to the point of are detrimental. Even though we already know all about the problem, our bodies continue to shoot us pain signals making life rather miserable. This is where electricity can come in handy. Since there are only a select number of messages that your brain can receive at any given time, it is possible to override the chronic pain signals by replacing it with some other sensation, in this case the tingling sensation of low pulse electricity. By applying electrodes to the area of chronic pain and then pulsing electricity through it, you can actually temporarily block out the chronic pain and find some relief.

Since the bucket of eels is not longer politically correct, medical researchers have come up with other devices which can help deliver these electrical signals. One such device is the TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) device. This device is a portable battery operated device that a person can use to find temporary relief from chronic pain. One such device called the AuraWave has even been recently cleared by the FDA for non prescription use. If you cannot get your hands on some eels, or if you do not think you can convince the Emperor to use his powers for the good of pain relief, this TENS Device is certainly something that is worth checking out.

Depression Is Not a Sign of Weakness

There is a quote that I absolutely love: "Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you have been strong for too long." Unfortunately, it is anonymous because I would love to give credit where credit is due especially when it is great credit like in this case.

It conveys the message that, despite the depression (and maybe even because of it), we are indeed strong; we have no reason to be ashamed because there is nothing wrong with us and our body simply needs our attention.

Our body needs attention because for too long (depression is the result of extended periods of unrelieved stress), we have pushed it beyond its limits and then we pushed it some more. After all, no one wakes up one morning and decides: "Awesome! From now on, I think I will be depressed!" We build our way up to depression. And no matter what the underlying cause (or causes) for the depression, it takes time to get there. The exceptions to that are depression due to chemical imbalances in the brain and depression experienced by individuals who are taking certain medications that are creating the symptoms of depression. In these particular cases, depression just is.

Today, we hear a lot about people being depressed due to the financial pressures everyone is feeling, the overall state of the economy and the fear of what tomorrow will bring. It could also be the result of some traumatic life event such as the death of a loved one or going through divorce or dealing with job loss or extended illness (among others).

In all these circumstances, we have a tendency to suppress our feelings, to try to put on a brave face, to continue to place others' needs before our own, to attempt to go on as if nothing was wrong, and then beating ourselves up when we failed to do everything ourselves. So is it any wonder that after pushing ourselves and our body way beyond our limits for so long your body finally says: "enough; I can't do this anymore"? At this point we no longer have a choice and we are forced to stop and reevaluate our situation.

I am a firm believer in that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. (Ok, I am also the first one to admit that I didn't always feel this way. I had to learn it the hard way). I am also a firm believer in the fact that our bodies were created with the power to heal themselves but we have to allow them to do just that by giving them what they need to do it.

So today, take the time to ask your body what it needs from you and then take a moment to stop and listen to the answer. Is it some time away from work? Is it a walk out in nature? Is it some quiet time for reflection? Maybe a massage? A good healthy meal? A great book? A fun get-together with friends? Some sleep maybe? Or maybe today it simply needs a little acknowledgment from you for everything it does for you every day?

And when you have your answer, go out and do it. Then see and feel how much stronger and happier you will feel. Go on! What are you waiting for?

4 Practical Tips To Help You Get Pregnant

Getting pregnant isn't always as easy of a task as you would like it to be. It often seems that when you're ready to try getting pregnant, it's harder than getting pregnant by accident. So, there are some practical tips that you can try in order to help yourself get pregnant easier.

1. Relax. Studies have shown that women and men who are relaxed and who are enjoying sex are going to be much more likely to get pregnant. Stressing about which days are perfect and which positions are best are ways to reduce your chances of getting pregnant. Try to be stress free and enjoy having sex with your partner. You'll have a better chance of getting pregnant.

2. Make sure you are healthy. It is also harder to get pregnant if you've got a medical condition - and its not safe to even try with some conditions. So, go to your doctor and have a check up, just to make sure that everything is alright with you. Have your partner go too, just to be sure that he's healthy. You'll find this will also help you have more fun and be less stressed out.

3. Eat well. There are lots of foods that are good for conception, and some foods that aren't. For instance, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant just by switching from regular cooking oil to olive oil. Do a little bit of research on what a healthy pregnancy diet should be, and then get onto it as soon as you can.

4. Exercise. This will help you get in shape for being pregnant, and will also help make sure that you are healthy enough to get pregnant.

9 Myths About Sperm Banks

Modern technology has allowed for many medical miracles in a variety of fields. One medical development allows for any woman to have a child, regardless of her relationships or status.

Sperm banks, like European Sperm Bank USA, are a major source for women and couples of all forms to help in the conception of a child.

There are, however, a few misconceptions about what sperm banks are and how they work. Here are some notable myths about the sperm bank industry and artificial insemination:

Myth #1: "Sperm banking is a new and unknown technology"
False. This form of conception technology has been around for almost half a century now. The first two sperm banks were opened in Iowa City, Iowa and Tokyo, Japan in 1965.

Myth #2: "Few people ever use this method"
False. Approximately one in eight infertile couples require the use of donor sperm to conceive. One type of insemination procedure uses a syringe to place semen into a woman's vagina to assist her in getting pregnant. Another procedure, called intrauterine insemination, is most common. A physician uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to place the sperm into the woman's reproductive tract.

Myth #3: "Few children are born with this process"
False. American medical experts say the number of donor inseminated births is somewhere between 4,000-5,000 births per year.

Myth #4: "A man's sperm count will be the same each time it's examined under a microscope"
False. A man's sperm count will vary. The number of sperm and motility can be affected by: time between ejaculations, illness, and medications.

Myth #5: "Age is not one of the main reasons behind secondary fertility"
False. Many couples have no problem conceiving their first child while in their 20's, yet struggle conceiving a second child when they are in their 30's.

Myth #6: "The entire process from conception till birth is different"
False. For women who use a sperm donor, treatment by a doctor will be no different. Conception achieved with donor sperm is no different from conception by using partner sperm, and it is also no different from conception achieved by sexual intercourse.

Myth #7: "Infertility is not a medical illness and treatment is not covered by insurance"
False. Infertility is a medical illness and treatment is sometimes covered by insurance.

Myth #8: "Sperm banks are not required to follow strict regulations regarding donor testing and screening"
False. All sperm banks, including European Sperm Bank USA, are required by the FDA to test donors before taking full units of semen in order to screen for any potential problems. Donors are tested for sexually transmitted diseases, any genetic disorders and virility of the sperm.

Myth #9: "There is little chance I will conceive"
False. Health experts say the chances are good for a woman to conceive using artificial insemination. A woman's reproductive potential declines with age. But as long as there are no infertility factors related to the woman, 60-70 percent will be pregnant after six to nine months of insemination treatments.

Pregnancy and Travel Insurance

Travelling while pregnant can be a bit of a gamble. "When should be your cut off date? What kinds of travel are worse than others for heavily pregnant mothers? Should you risk it if the destination isn't prepared for or can't or won't offer maternity care?" The last worry you would want on top of this is "how much will it cost?" We take a look at the world of travel and pregnancy and see how having travel insurance on holiday is very important when pregnant.

When can and should you travel?

Experts differ as to when you should stop all travel if you are pregnant. To an extent it depends on the type of transport you are taking. Driving isn't usually a problem, nor is walking unless you are trekking along very strenuous trails (though doing almost anything close to the due date may induce labour). Travelling by ship or train are, similarly, not huge problems. The main type of travel that is unsafe while pregnant is flying. The pressurised environment is arguably bad for the baby the closer to term a woman gets, and may cause complications and possible premature births.

Most airlines, for example British Airways, don't allow pregnant women past 28 weeks to travel. Others allow you to fly after that with a doctor's certificate up to 36 weeks and not at all after that, but that can be pushing the limit.

Will my usual travel insurance cover me?

Many companies offer travel insurance up until 28 weeks, depending on the company and the individual case. Most standard travel insurance policies don't cover pregnancy as a medical condition, and therefore it's best to check with your holiday insurance provider before you go. Many standard and cheap travel insurance companies will offer top-up pregnancy travel insurance policies, and it's best to invest in one of those even just for the peace of mind it will bring. It's also best to check the facilities of the country you are travelling to and what documentation you might need - better to be prepared than be caught short while abroad where there's little you can do.

Do I only need travel insurance if going by plane?

No. When pregnant you will want to have the extra travel insurance in place even if you are going by train, ship, car or any other transport. This is because the main point of travel insurance whilst you are pregnant is to literally ensure that you can be pregnant and give birth in another country if necessary. Most countries have no national health provision, and health care is paid for on insurance or billed to your account when your procedure is over. Some go as far as not treating you if you are unable to pay for the treatment there and then. The last thing that you want when going into labour is to have someone questioning your financial situation. To make sure that you are covered for any foreign medical expenses, always check that you have travel insurance before booking your holiday.

What Helps With Pregnancy Nausea - Remedies for Morning Sickness

Physicians hesitate to prescribe drugs as remedies for morning sickness and suggest instead safe natural methods to get over the problem. And hence for women who are on look out for what helps with pregnancy nausea, the natural and traditional remedies are the best bet, yet. Some of the drug free remedies prescribed as alternative treatments help even those suffering from acute morning sickness.

Fashionable looking sea bands are even used in hospitals by doctors to help pregnant women get over the feeling of nausea. The working of the bands have been scientifically researched and proven in medical studies conducted. The pressure applied continuously by the bands on certain points of the wrists help women to tide over their feeling of nausea during pregnancy. The safe bands are adjustable and reusable. The user could also easily remove them when signs of discomfort emerge as a result of sustained pressure at one point.

Using the same acupressure principle and making it simpler on pregnant women, they are taught to use their thumbs to apply pressure on the vital points to get over the nausea. Repeatedly applying pressure on certain points in the forearm, women are able to get over the problem of nausea during pregnancy. The obvious advantage of acupressure is that it is an effective and practical self-help a pregnant woman could resort to any time she wants relief.

The other alternate remedies pregnant women have been trying out successfully include natural ingredients like ginger and cinnamon. Peppermint candies are also chewed by few pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. These remedies however are not scientifically proven and few doubts are raised about their safety from time to time. Critics of ginger point to one of its properties which inhibit blood clotting and argue that it may not be safe for pregnant women.

Thus though there are several unanswered queries with regard to what helps with pregnancy nausea there has been unanimity on few remedies like the acupressure and sea bands for overcoming the morning sickness. Yet another useful remedy lies in intake of proper diet at right times in a day. Thus natural methods discussed here are considered safe and effective for avoiding pregnancy nausea.

Taking Care of Your Unborn Baby the Natural Way

There are numerous options now that an expectant mother can choose from when it comes to taking care of the baby inside her womb. She can opt to live a healthy lifestyle by having a balanced nutrition and regular exercise as well as take in synthetic prenatal vitamins. This also means that she'd have to give up on cigarette smoking and alcoholic drinking. However, she can also opt to take care of her baby in a more natural way. This means that she still lead a healthy lifestyle and do away with all her vices minus the synthetic supplements.

The second option is quite doable nowadays, with the presence of a number of alternative ways to get natural supplements to the synthetic prenatal vitamins. It is very easy now for a pregnant mom to get sources of alternative supplements because of the numerous healthshops and even sites on the Internet that offer these stuff. There are now herbal prenatal supplements that are made from all-natural ingredients like trees, flowers, fruit seeds and roots, among others. There are even fruit bars already available that contain all the needed vitamins and minerals needed by pregnant moms. These fruits bars even have proper amounts of folic acid, calcium, iron and other essential nutrients that are much needed for the development of the unborn baby. If you are one of these mothers who want to take care of their unborn child in the most natural way possible, then all you have to do is familiarize yourself with the alternative and natural prenatal supplements that are now abound.

If you are still dubious about these herbal prenatal supplements as well as these fruit bars, then you can talk to your doctor about this. He will tell you what fruits and vegetables as well as other foods that you can take to still get the amount of nutrients needed for your unborn baby to grow and develop healthily. There are certain vegetables and fruits that, if taken in correct propertions, can already supply you and your baby with much needed nutrients like the folic acid, calcium and iron. If you increase your ingestion of these foods in appropriate amounts, then it is already possible for you to do away with taking synthetic or even herbal prenatal vitamins. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oranges, beans, wheat germ and whole grain breads are just among the foods that you can stock up on if you want to avoid taking prenatal vitamins. Through these foods, you are not only assured of your own health but also that of your unborn baby.

Pregnancy Diet Plan - What Should I Eat to Help My Baby Develop

A Pregnancy Diet Plan is one of the first things that should cross your mind as you look at the meter and see a positive reading on your pregnancy test.

Only a women that has been pregnant before knows the feelings of joy that you feel as you see the results of your pregnancy test are positive. You gently rub your stomach as you hope that the precious child you carry inside you will be able to know you are there.

You are going to experience 9 months that are going to be an exciting time in yours and your baby's life. You will have a life inside of you that grows as each day goes by. As they move around inside you, you will feel them.

Your baby will start out as an egg and sperm and turn into a bundle of joy that you will not be able to resist kissing over and over. It really is a miraculous process. Now is the time for you to realize you are taking care of another life inside you and it is vital that you eat properly.

Your first trimester can be most difficult as far as nutrition is concerned because of morning sickness and food cravings. Believe it or not there are some women that do not experience much movement during pregnancy and therefore do not have much morning sickness. These women will have a better opportunity to eat with nutrition in mind from the very start.

Eating nutritious meals will lay a solid foundation for healthy growth for your baby You can not live on junk food and expect your baby to have the nutrition necessary to help with the development of organs and even bones. Nutrition is critical to brain development not candy bars.

You and your new baby need vitamins and calcium to ensure that you achieve proper development. If you want your baby to be healthy and able to handle solid foods after birth then eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is important.

Did you know that a part of your diet will get into your baby's amniotic fluid through the placenta? This means your baby could taste what you are eating. Your baby will swallow this amniotic fluid and the flavors you eat will be picked up by your baby as their taste buds have developed enough to taste.

Physicians are under the assumption that women who eat fruits and vegetables during pregnancy will give birth to babies that will not be picky eaters later. By eating fruits and vegetables during pregnancy you are laying the foundation for your child to always eat properly.

Physicians are also convinced that women that drink lots of milk during their pregnancy will have babies that are easily weaned from formula or breast milk. That is an important benefit but a more important benefit is the calcium you will provide for your babies bone development. Most physicians agree you should consume at least one 8 ounce glass of fat free milk a day.

Even though you won't see your baby's teeth for a few months, the calcium you take in by drinking milk during pregnancy is critical to the development of not only bones but teeth also.

The purpose of this writing is not to convince you that you can not ever have anything sweet and you must live on fruits and vegetables. You are going to have cravings and there is nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while. You just need to remember that moderation is a key component.

You should never use pregnancy as an excuse to go on a nine month eating binge. If you look at it like that you will find you and your baby will pay the price. Become a responsible parent and adopt a pregnancy diet plan.

Parenting Child Care - Deficiency in Mother's Milk

Indications of lacking Breast Milk:

The mother's milk is the only nutrition that a child gets for the first few months after birth. Generally mother's milk secretion starts in 2 or 3 days after delivery. In some cases the milk will be produced in very less quantities for a fortnight or more. This condition is called deficient secretion of breast milk.

Usually, it is quite natural that the secretion is less the first two or three weeks. Here we suggest some methods to improve the milk secretion by the mother. These methods should not be practiced for a long period of time as they can cause pother types of complications. If the milk secretion does not improve by second or third week then doctor's consultation is required. It is a very crucial situation as the child will keep weaning away if it is not provided with the required quantity of mother's milk.

A Wonderful Method to Enrich Breast Milk:

Malted liquor has been proved to increase the quality and quantity of the breast milk yield. The quantity of intake should be very less. But prolonged usage of the malt liquor can cause very severe damage to both the other and the child.

This method of enhancing the breast milk secretion comes at the price of small damage to the health of the mother. Though the damage to her health will not be evident immediately, it will become evident later on the long run. But considering the urgency of the situation to save the child's life this method can be used very carefully.

The Common Practice to Enhance Secretion:

Doctor generally advices nutritious, natural and healthy food, for a feeding mother. It is the standard practice to augment the yield of the milk. Rarely doctors advice the consumption of low quantities of malted alcohol. If the mother is not used to malt liquor, she may have a good preparation of ale. It should be noted that sometimes consumption of these can cause stomach upset. Regular exercise in an open area can also enhance the secretion of milk.

The Role of Exercise on the Secretion:

The mother who is feeding can perform many regular exercises that can keep her and the baby healthy. Many traditional exercise followed by custom in the family are also useful. They can be performed after the child is asleep. Daily walking in fresh air as a schedule has proved to be very useful. Horse riding can also be practices on a regular basis. But it is subject to availability. After the regular exercises the mother should have a good bath in cold water, though the temperature of the water should be selected based on the climate. If it is possible she can clean her body with salt water using a soft sponge.

Following the above mentioned in a proper manner will prove to be very useful for the present and the future. It will help in enhanced secretion of the milk both in terms of quantity and quality.

The Study on Deficient Breast Milk:

This case history is about a lady who was very healthy. After her first delivery the child and the mother were healthy in the beginning. The mother had enlargement of her breast in the first week of delivery, making it assume that milk secretion will be good in quantity and quality. But to the dismay by the completion of first week milk was just oozing out. By the completion of second week only 60ml of milk was produced.

This caused severe nutritional deficiency to the child. The child started to become weak. So the child was given artificial milk as a supplement. The mother also tried pumping her milk onto a spoon and feeding the child with it. But the child did not feel satisfied.

Then after a month both the mother and the child became healthy. The chills started to suck the milk. The mild secretion also increased well in quantity and quality. This case typically shows that there could be slight problems in milk secretion in the beginning. But as time goes it becomes all right. Similarly the child in such a scenario has to be given artificial milk preparations through a feeding bottle with nipples and not by spoon.

Health Insurance Maternity Coverage - Are You Covered?

If you have a healthcare plan through your employer or your spouse's employer, odds are you have some form of medical insurance motherhood coverage. Most employer-sponsored medical insurance plans provided by larger insurance companies include, at the least, minimal coverage for prenatal care and delivery. Smaller insurance companies and some managed care plans may not include coverage for pregnancy and delivery, but as a general rule of thumb, employer plans include maternity care. Typically, reproductive health such as infertility treatments or elective procedures such as tubal ligations are not covered under a standard insurance policy.

Individuals with private medical insurance plans may or may not have coverage for maternity or prenatal care. In such cases, a maternity coverage rider must be added to the policy prior to pregnancy in order for expenses to be covered. Even with a maternity rider, coverage may be limited to delivery only. Some health insurance maternity coverage riders will cover prenatal visits on a limited basis. For example, the plan may cover routine doctor visits, blood tests, and typical lab work. However, the plan may not cover certain tests like ultrasounds or amniocentesis unless a physician or healthcare practitioner deems the test medically necessary.

In terms of medical insurance motherhood coverage, there is no guarantee that any one policy, either private or employer-sponsored, will have such coverage as part of their standard policy. In fact, some employer-sponsored healthcare plan options allow for employees to select a plan based on various factors, such as whether they wish to have maternity coverage. Certain plans offered by an employer may cover maternity expenses, but have higher premiums than plan options without such coverage. Likewise, with private insurance, there are also numerous plan options, some of which may include maternity coverage while others do not.

As a general rule, medical insurance motherhood coverage will increase a plan's premiums. Whether an individual or family opts to have maternity coverage added as a rider to a standard policy, or selects a plan that includes maternity coverage, increasing the number of conditions covered under a health insurance policy normally increases the premiums. For those without healthcare coverage, the expenses for a typical pregnancy can range from $7,000 to $15,000. In light of such expenses, it may be worthwhile to invest the additional premiums to have maternity coverage. This is especially true in the event of complications such as the need for a C-section.If you need assistance in locating particular coverages at a pre-determined price, we can help save 50% on health insurance.

What is Catastrophic Health Insurance Coverage?

A major or catastrophic medical insurance plan, although being rather speculative, is fairly cheap but is also deductible. The money that you pay up from your own funds before the insurer meets the balance is the deductible.

As an example: if you have a deductible set at $5000 and your visit to a hospital results in a bill of $12, 000 your insurance provider will pay $7,000 only towards the bill and you meet the balance. On this type of cover, the larger your deductible is, the smaller the premium. By taking up this option, you will be gambling on not needing any major medical expense soon.

It would be a reasonable gamble. One survey that was conducted showed that in the US, 90% of the population has medical expenses less than $2000, and for 73%, their expenses were less than $500 per annum.

Two main groups favor the catastrophic health insurance: the young who are in their 20's who feel their health is not at risk and elderly men between 50 and 65 who would be waiting on Medicare eligibility.

The catastrophic health insurance plan is designed to cover only against major hospital expenses rather than day-to-day medical expenses. It will not normally cover doctor's visits, maternity care, or prescription drugs. The cover usually excludes mental health conditions, substance abuse and some pre-existing medical conditions.

This catastrophic health insurance plan can be bought as a group plan or on an individual basis. Of late, many organizations have started to encourage their employees to take up this type of cover. The highest lifetime limit can be as much as $3 million.

Rates do vary on age and the area in which you live. In some states the savings on premiums can be up to two-thirds. As an example: a female of 21 years, non-smoker, could have a monthly premium of only $30.

Before taking a decision to select this cover, get some professional advice from agents, insurance companies or both and compare quotes.

Pregnancy Tips - Do's and Don'ts - The Don'ts

Help your spouse steer clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep her and the baby safe and healthy:

* Avoid fish with lots of mercury in her diet. Get correct information from your dietitian on what fish to eat and what fish to avoid when she is pregnant.

* Don't disregard food borne illness. Eat, cook, handle and clean food safely! According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, food borne illness can cause serious health problems - or even death for both mother and baby.

* Protect her from using chemicals. Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains, and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If she must use these things, make sure she wears gloves, a mask, and keeps the room well-ventilated.

* Don't let her clean or change a cat's litter box. This could put her at risk for an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that cats can carry in their feces. Toxoplasmosis can harm a fetus.

* Don't let her take very hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, high temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or causing the mother-to-be to faint.

* Discourage her from using scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your spouse's vaginal area, and increase her risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.

* Don't let her douche. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, douching can irritate the vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the increase the risk of infection

* Avoid optional x-rays. X-rays are a form of radiation that is linked to a very small risk of cancer for an unborn baby. But x-rays are usually safe during pregnancy. So if your doctor says your spouse needs x-rays for a health problem you should follow her advice. But sometimes doctors can use other tests in place of x-rays. And other times, x-rays can wait until after the baby is born.

* Don't let her smoke tobacco. Tell your doctor if your spouse smokes. Quitting is hard, but she can do it. Ask your doctor for help. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting needed nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth and premature birth (a small baby born too early).

* Discourage her from drinking alcohol. Your spouse should stop drinking alcohol if she drinks it regularly. Experts are still unsure of the exact amount of alcohol needed to cause problems in your baby. But, both drinking every day and drinking a lot of alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.

* Don't let her use illegal drugs. Tell your doctor if your spouse is using drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed (amphetamines), barbiturates, and LSD are very dangerous for your spouse and the baby.

Tips And Tricks To Help You Get Pregnant

It seems that many women are trying to get pregnant and finding it isn't as easy as they thought. It takes more than having a lot of sex to conceive, despite beliefs otherwise. The truth to the matter is that each healthy couple really only has a 20 to 25% chance of falling pregnant each ovulation period. However, some tips and tricks may help improve your chances.

Anything that is going to make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg is something that decreases your chances. When trying to make a baby, leave the lubricants, oils, and other similar products out of the lovemaking. Even saliva may slow saliva down, so hold off on oral sex. Although some products do not contain spermicide, they may have something else in them that could affect or harm sperm.

Take your vitamins and herbs. Certain herbs can help a woman who has problems with her ovulation cycle by regulating it. In addition, some can improve sperm count and quality. A healthy body is a body ready for pregnancy, so eliminate all the unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking to give your body the best chance possible to conceive.

Stay out of the hot tub if you want to have baby making sex. Spicing up the lovemaking is a good thing, but doing it in hot water is not. That can decrease the production of the sperm and slow it down. Plus you have to think about all the water you are in; you want the sperm swimming in the uterus not the hot tub.

Choose your sexual positions wisely. While you avoid sex in the hot tub, also avoid sex in the shower. The reason behind this is simple gravity. You are standing, so sperm doesn't even have a chance to get to the egg before gravity pulls it out. The same can go for woman-on-top sex and sitting sex. Choose positions that increase your chances like doggy-style, side-to-side, and missionary.

After the sperm has been released, the man needs to keep his penis inside for as long as possible, and as deep as possible. The woman must also continue to lie on her back for five minutes or so. Both of these actions keep sperm from leaking out, increasing the chances of conception. For an added boost, the woman can lift her pelvis, keeping it elevated to help sperm stay in.

Timing is everything. You can eat all the right foods, use all the right positions, and tilt the pelvis for hours, but none of it matters if you are not having sex on the right days. The woman's cycle must be determined to find out which are her fertile days. Once that is determined, then sex needs to begin two or three days before ovulation and continue right up until the period arrives. This makes sure that there is always sperm inside waiting and ready for the egg.

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to get pregnant, but sometimes you do need to increase your odds with a few tips and tricks. Using a combination of the tips mentions, like a healthy diet, the right sexual positions, and timing can help improve your odds of conceiving. It is important to remember that while you do things to increase your chances, you avoid those things that don't.

Fish Oil and Conception - Help Getting Pregnant?

Recent scientific studies reveal that consumption of increased amounts of fish oil can actually improve fertility both in men and women alike. This recently discovered connection between both of these can help a great deal for those who have been trying to get pregnant.

Of course, the whole issue of fertility and conception can be oftentimes complicated, and a wide range of factors seem to be at play. However, it seems that omega 3 fatty acids in this supplement play a significant role in the biological processes and promoting chemical balance that are important for fertility. But what is it about omega-3 in this that helps increase your chances of conceiving a child? Let us take a look at the relationship between these two in men and in women.

Fish Oil and Fertility in Men

DHA is one of the most potent omega-3 fatty acids. It appears that DHA plays an important role in promoting sperm mobility and development of healthy sperm cells in men. As you know, sperm cells have it tough and they need to be able to go through a long journey before it penetrates the ovum and successfully unite with an egg during conception. DHA assists in the formation of healthy sperm - the more produced, the more chances of pregnancy. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids have also been discovered to increase blood flow to the male genitalia for proper performance and sperm production.

Fish Oil and Fertility in Women

Female fertility seems more complicated than that of males. There are issues of hormones and menstrual cycles to think about. One of the important factors to achieve to increase chances of fertility is a regular menstrual cycle. The more predictable your ovulation periods are, the higher chances you can have in getting pregnant. Fish oil are not magical potions that guarantee pregnancy right there and then, but what omega-3 fatty acids do is that they allow women to have regular cycles. They enhance the body's natural ability to conceive by the process of natural regulation. With normal cycles, the ovulation process becomes predictable and couples will have increased chances of knowing when they will have the highest chances of conceiving a child.

It is also important to ensure that your diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids as these essential fats have the ability to restore the normal balance of eicosanoids in the body. This results to increased blood flow in the uterus of females to ensure that the endometrial lining is fully developed every month, which in turn optimizes the chances for implantation to occur when the egg cell becomes successfully fertilized.

Omega-3 fatty acids can go a long way as far as conception is concerned. So if you are having troubles getting pregnant, bank on the connection between these two. Supplement your diet with enough omega 3 fish oils today, and get closer to conceiving the baby that you have always wanted.

Nursing Career Options and Job Outlook

We are currently facing a nursing shortage in the United States and it is predicted that this need for qualified nurses is only going to increase. Through advances in healthcare people are living longer than ever which has produced an increased population of elderly people who are in need of medical care. There is also a great need for nurses in non-hospital settings. Another factor in the shortage is that current nurses are growing older as well and choosing to retire. A new crop of nurses will be needed to fill these positions. This makes nurses today, especially nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), are just about guaranteed to obtain a job directly after school. They can also count on there never being a shortage of need for their skills.

The average beginning yearly pay for a new RN is about $44,600, which is more than many careers that have comparable education and experience requirements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the yearly median earning of a registered nurse in 2004 at $52.330. While the middle percent of registered nurses took home yearly incomes between $43.370 and $63,360, with the highest earners making more than $74,760. Even the lowest earner made around $37,200. As experience is obtained yearly incomes go up. When you factor in wages made for shift differentials and over time, most nurses make well over their base incomes. Going into management and administration can add even additional income.

Nurses can be found in every area of the hospital setting. They are at the patients bedsides, in operating and emergency rooms. There are nurses that specialize in x-ray and diagnostics as well as in the labs. Some nurses focus on children or maternity care. Not only are nurses working in large hospital settings but also same-day surgery centers and as part of emergency response teams who care for patients as they are transported to the hospital.

Only about half of nurses fulfill the various positions at hospitals. The rest are split between many other places. There are also more options than ever before for nurses to do exactly the type of work they enjoy most and work for who they want when they want. They work in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Also medical offices, clinics, schools, various businesses, research centers and in the military. They also hold instructor positions teaching nursing students. These are just a sampling of the different career options nurses have today.

RNs who seek additional education have even more opportunities to specialize their care. They can be clinical nurse specialists, who focus their energy on one particular health crisis such as mental illness or cancer. There are certified nurse midwife opportunities for nurses who feel the need to assist women through the various steps of pregnancy and childbirth. Nurse anesthetists work along size anesthesiologist in operation and emergency rooms. There is an over whelming need for nurse practitioners who can take care of most of the daily health issues and free up doctors to tackle more invasive concerns. Then there are the nurses who participate in the research for new technicians, methods and equipment.

How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Easily - Tips to Help You Conceive Faster

Getting pregnant quickly takes a lot of effort. The first thing that you should do is start tracking your ovulation. You can purchase over the counter ovulation tests at your local pharmacy or grocery store. You should time your sexual intercourse to coincide with your ovulation window.

The second thing that you should do is reduce the stress that is in your life. Stress can cause you not to conceive so you need to relax and get enough sleep.

The third thing that you should do is start eating a balanced diet and get to a healthy weight. Overweight women have a harder time conceiving so you should try to lose a few pounds before trying to conceive if you are overweight.

The fourth thing that you should do is take folic acid supplements and prenatal vitamins. Folic acid and prenatal vitamins will help your baby develop properly; if you have these vitamins and minerals in your system before you conceive then you can help to reduce birth defects.

The fifth thing that you should do is stop drinking alcohol and smoking. Smoking and drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects; you need to avoid exposing your unborn child to harmful chemicals and alcohol. Smoking cigarettes can make it harder for you to conceive and it has harmful effects on your own health.

The sixth thing that you should do is avoid being exposed to chemicals and toxins. You should eat and drink organic food products to keep your body as healthy as possible. You should avoid using a lot of household chemicals that have harsh fumes because they are bad for your health.

Conceiving a child quickly takes a lot of effort but these tips can help women increase their chances of conceiving quickly. If a year goes by and you are not pregnant then you should consult your gynecologist so that they can examine you and see if there is a medical issue that needs to be resolved.

Preparing for a Second Child

Having a second child can make you a little nervous just thinking about juggling two kids and taking care of the family. You may also be worried about the increased daily budget allocation you will have to consider once your second baby is born. Although more than the budgetary concerns, most mothers are more concerned about raising two children well and helping them develop physically, mentally and emotionally.

Before you consider having another child, it is advisable that you focus first on your first child and give him a little time to be an only child for a while - at least three years - five is ideal. However, as parents, we know that sometimes we can't wait to have another baby because time is a-ticking or we want our children to have a close age range. Whatever your reason, it is best to be prepared for a second child before he comes.

1. Fix your finances. A second child will mean more expenses on milk, diapers, baby furniture, clothes and trips to the doctor. Although some of the baby stuff can be hand-me-downs from your firstborn such as crib, stroller and some clothes; a second child will still mean more expenses for you so it's best to start saving for his arrival. You will also need to put in more money into your emergency fund for incidentals.

2. Prepare his quarters. Where will your newborn sleep? It might not be advisable to room him in with your first child especially if the older child is still in his toddlers because children are naturally curios beings and he could end up hurting the newborn or hurting himself. He might also be irritated with the constant crying of a newborn and when this happens, you will have to pacify two very irate babies.

3. Talk to your first child about the arrival of his sibling. This is the most important task you will have to do before your second child is born. You will have to explain to your first child what his role is going to be concerning his younger sibling.

He may get jealous because they do not understand why you are not paying as much attention to him since the new baby came. Involve him in the preparation for the new baby and explain the importance of being an older brother. This way, he will not feel excluded.

4. Ask for help! A second child can be very overwhelming especially right after giving birth. You will feel postpartum blues and this may greatly affect your mood and your emotional/mental health. Before you feel that the world is on your shoulders, talk to your family and friends about having to ask for their help once in awhile once the baby is born.

Better still, check out nanny and housekeeping services that you can call every now and then. List down all the numbers of the people you'd want to call for help and post it where you can easily see it. Fix a daily schedule for your firstborn so he will have activities that will occupy him if he is still not going to school.

COBRA Extension - Should I Extend My COBRA Benefits?

A COBRA extension can typically be granted if you have "qualifying life events" such as a birth, death, marriage, or divorce. However, at some point, your COBRA benefits will inevitably have to expire, as they approach the expiration dates as mandated by government law.

In that case, your only recourse would be to find your own health insurance. After all, the sole purpose of COBRA is to help you "bridge the gap" between the coverage offered by your former employer and finding new health insurance coverage for yourself.

Is it more cost effective to seek a COBRA extension or to buy your own health insurance? As you know, COBRA requires you to pay for 100% of your own medical insurance premiums, whereas your employer was paying a significant percentage of your premiums for you, on your behalf. Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to find a better deal if you buy your own health insurance than if you maintain your COBRA coverage.

When comparing health insurance plan, you have the freedom and flexibility to choose how much you want to pay for your premium for whatever the coverage you desire. Under COBRA you really only had one or two choices. There is a much wider array of options out there when you shop for private health insurance.

How much deductible do you want to pay? How much you can you afford to pay in premiums? Or do you prefer your expenses to be variable and pay a higher deductible instead? Do you need maternity coverage or prescription drug coverage? You have greater flexibility to choose the type of plan that specifically suits your needs as well as your budget.

So you need to weigh your options: Are you really better off seeking a COBRA extension?

Common Types of Depression in Women

Depression in women is unquestionable, probably because women, in general, are emotional than their men counterpart. What's sad about it is that women find it hard to overcome this condition. There are actually a lot of most common types of depression in women, which experts classified. However, the following are just some of them that mostly women can easily relate to.

Post-natal depression

This type of depression in women occurs several months after giving birth. This condition is due to drastic changes in lifestyle, constant dependence on other people, and sense of increase responsibility. What happens is that first-time and young mothers find it difficult to do certain things that motherhood brings the right way and more quickly, such as new responsibility of nursing their child.

To overcome this condition, forcing to play the role of a loving mother will do no good, especially if you don't recognize any feelings towards your child at first, which is rather normal. Take things slowly at your own pace, but make sure not to prolong your adjustment period. Remember that it is your duty to look after your baby. And once you get acquainted and starting to get used of your role as a mother, you'll do better than you thought. Additionally, if your relatives or friends offer help, accept it because you will need time to get back to normal senses again after returning from hospital.

Age-dependent depression

Depression in women may be associated with age. Those women in climacteric age can suffer from depression. Women's hormonal background of organism changes during this time and most often depressive condition is observed. The coming of menopause also results to psychological pressure that may disturb women.

To conquer this condition, you should try not to change your day-to-day routine. Keep in mind that climacteric does not mean the end of the world. Only you know the changes that happen to you, unless of course you spread the words. Menopausal is a natural phase in life that all, which means without exception, women have to go through. Therefore, don't make a tragedy out of it. You may want to consult your doctor if hormonal therapy can do you any good.

Monthly depression

Monthly depression in women refers to premenstrual. This condition can be detected few days before menstruation period, during or right after it, or depending on a certain women's distinction.

Since you don't have any ways to hide this condition, you may want to consider some ways to cope with it such as staying at home or making no important plans. Most likely, you may have already noticed the period of your cycle that you can't control this condition. Therefore, it's easier for you to plan your activities ahead and "spare" those days that you can't be active.

Depression in women associated to exhaustion

This condition is also called chronic tiredness. This usually occurs if you overestimate your strengths and if you have increased responsibilities for the duties you assume. This is why is it important that you alternate work with rest, otherwise time will come that you will no longer be able to do previous work and suffer because of this condition. To prevent exhaustion depression in women, make it a point to have a full day rest on your day off. Physical and mental rest is essential to keep you productive in your work.

5 Ways That Pregnancy Pillow Reviews Help Expecting Moms

Pregnancy pillows like the Comfort-U body pillow are a very big help to expecting moms all over the world. This is because all thanks to these special cushions, expecting mothers can now be able to have a good night sleep even if they have a very big baby bump. With the many brands available in the market today, it is really a big help for expecting mothers to read up and understand their choices on pregnancy pillow reviews. Here are the five main benefits that reviews provide for expecting mothers.

It informs them how a pregnancy pillow can help them - many reviews would first start off by describing what a pregnancy pillow is and what it is used for. This is usually done because most women who look up these reviews are often women who are expecting a bundle of joy for the first time. This means they really have no idea what this handy cushion is all about. By reading a review, they are able to learn more about it.

It tells them how to identify the right pregnancy pillow that will fit their needs - these pillows come in a lot of different designs. Identifying the right designs can be quite difficult especially if you do not know anything about these things. Reading reviews can greatly help you identify the right design that fits your needs.

It helps them find the best priced pregnancy pillow that they want - if you have to work on a budget, reviews can also help you find the best available one that has all the features that you need while making sure that you are able to stick to a budget. This is one of the biggest reasons why many expecting mothers look for quality product reviews on these cushions.

It tells them how to find accessories like pillow cases - women love to accessorize. This means as soon as they find a cushion that they like, they will immediately think up ways on how to accessorize it. This includes finding pillow cases and other add-ons that will make their pillow look awesome.

It teaches them how to properly use it - in order to maximize the effectiveness of a pregnancy pillow, it has to be used properly. This means assuming the proper sleeping position that will ensure that these special pillows properly support the baby bump as well as other parts of the body of the pregnant woman.

How to Choose Between Implants Vs Fat Injections For Buttock Enhancement Surgery

Enlargement of the buttocks or buttock enhancement is a plastic surgery procedure that has become more commonly requested and performed in the past several years than ever before. Ten years ago, this was a procedure that was unheard of and rarely done. Due to cultural influences and a changing population mix, the shape and size of the buttocks has become an aesthetic issue of importance.

The buttocks is a three-dimensional structure of which its size and shape are both important. For some patients, their buttocks is too flat and lacks any definition, for other patients it is an issue of size more than shape. As a result, when it comes to buttock recontouring, one has to consider what procedures can increase size as well as shape. It often takes a combination of procedures to create the best buttock result.

When it comes to increasing buttock size, it is a choice between natural fat injections or the use of synthetic implant. Both work and are capable of adding volume to the buttocks, but they are different in the results achieved and their associated potential risks and complications.

Buttock implants remain the gold standard for buttock enlargement. They have a long-standing history of success and their primary advantage is that the volume they add to the buttocks is both stable and permanent. The implants will not change in size over time as the material of which it is made (silicone rubber) does not degrade in the body. While implants do have traditional risks of malpositioning, infection, and seroma (fluid) development, improved surgical techniques with intramuscular placement has gone a long way in decreasing these issues. Nonetheless, these potential risks still exist and a patient must be willing to accept that a small percentage of buttock implants will develop these problems.

Fat injections, using the patients own fat, is a 'newer' buttock implant approach that has only become popular in the past few years. Its recent popularity is linked to the emergence of fat grafting in plastic surgery in general and as an easier alternative than traditional implant placement. Fat injections into the buttocks is less invasive and has a quicker recovery than an implant. It also uses the patient's own fat which, if one is having liposuction anyway uses the discard, or if done by itself offers an aesthetic contouring benefit from the donor site. The primary disadvantage to fat injections is their unpredictability and that only a modest gain in buttock size can be achieved with one surgical treatment. It is far to say that fat injections can not create the same volume size that an implant can......in one surgical session. Multiple fat injections sessions, however, can create the same volume but at the disadvantage of considerable more expense and effort.

Which is better for any buttock enlargement patient....fat injections vs implant? If one is opposed to the thought and risks of an implant, then fat injections are the way to go with the understanding of the limitations in size that can be obtained. Or if one is having liposuction anyway, then fat injections are worth trying since enlargement of the buttocks may not be the sole objective of the surgery. But if considerable buttock size is wanted and one wants the most predictable result, buttock implants are the best choice.....if one can accept their risks.

What Are Kegel Balls And Kegel Exercisers?

I know everyone is so tired hearing about Fifty Shades of Grey. The one thing that no one is really talking about is how Christian Grey made Anastasia Steele use kegel balls during during a charity function. She was hesitant at first but then she enjoyed the new sexy orgasmic experience.

What are kegel balls and kegel exercisers? Kegel balls (or ben wa balls or geisha balls or orgasm balls) were intended to help women exercise and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. They are used by inserting them into the vagina and using the PC muscles to hold them in, stimulating movement and vibration. They can either be round weighted balls with or without a string that can be made of silicone or green materials such as glass or metal. Kegel Exercisers are anatomically designed toys with several round bulbs that stimulate the pelvic muscles. The best kegel exercisers are either made from body-safe silicone or sustainable materials like glass, wood or metal.

What are pelvic floor muscles? They are a set of muscles that support the pelvic organs such as the urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum.

Why is it so important to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles? Besides increasing circulation and enhancing overall vaginal and rectal health, exercising the pelvic floor increases your sexual performance. It makes it easier to achieve multiple orgasms and increases orgasm intensity and frequency. Who doesn't want that?

Besides having better orgasms, there are some added benefits of doing kegel exercises for new or aspiring mothers:

• Protects the vagina by learning to relax and control the muscles for labor and delivery


• Sets the stage for a swifter postpartum recovery


• Helps vagina to regain tightness after childbirth

Let's not forget older women. Kegel exercisers can benefit these women:

• Prepares the body for an easier menopause


• Improves vaginal wall thickness


• Increases natural lubrication


• Improves bladder control

How do you find the pelvic floor muscles:

• The next time you urinate, try to stop the flow of urine. The muscles in your vagina, bladder and anus tighten and move up. Congratulations-you found your pelvic floor muscle group!


• Insert a finger into your vagina. Once again, pretend to try to stop the flow of urine. You should feel the muscles tighten and move. Congratulations-you found your pelvic floor muscle group!

All women should experience the joys of kegel balls or kegel exercisers. If nothing else, try something new and experience some new sensations. During sex, you can also try to squeeze the pelvic floor muscles. Your partner should feel the muscles tighten and will thank you. You never know-you just might like it too!

I'm a Woman and My Hair is Thinning in the Front at the Bangs - What Should I Do?

The other day I received an email from someone who said that she had noticed a lot of thinning of the hair in her bang area - so much so that you could see the white of her scalp where her bangs met the top of her head. She asked me what could be causing this and what she should do about it. I'll tell you what I told her in the following article.

Things That Can Cause Your Hair To Thin In The Front: The first thing that I asked her was if she had noticed any increase in the amount of hair that she had been shedding or losing. As the bangs are often more sparse to begin with, this can be one of the first places that you notice over all thinning or shedding. And, telogen effluvium (TE) is a condition that occurs because of changes in your body. In females, common culprits are changing hormones, stress, pregnancy, giving birth, going off of birth control pills, thyroid issues, and other things. Typically, it takes a couple of months between the stress or change on your body until you start to notice more hair coming out. As I said, the bangs are one place where you will start to see the thinning first since this area has less hair to begin with. If you have this condition, you will often know it because you will shed hair all over - not just in the front. And, you will see more clothes on the floor, on your clothes, and in your brush.

Genetic Hair Thinning In The Front: Men's genetic thinning will often manifest itself in the temples when we are talking about the front of the scalp. Women though, often notice a thinning in their bang area. This is due to hormones also, but it's often not a lack of hormones or even an excess or hormones. It is a sensitivity to the normal presence of hormones that increase as we age. It doesn't' happen to everyone. Generally speaking, you will have a genetic tendency toward this sensitivity and the front of the scalp (as well as the crown, temples, and part line) are particularly susceptible to this.

What You Can Do About Thinning In The Front: First off, you need to pinpoint why this is happening. If this is run of the mill TE, then generally what you have to give is just time in cases like giving birth or stress. However, if this is due to medical or other condition that you can treat and improve then you should certainty do that. This is important because this condition is not likely to improve if you don't treat it or don't treat the correct cause of it.

If it is a genetic issue that we are talking about, then you will have to work on reducing your sensitivity to the androgens which are the cornerstone of this issue. Many people will try to eliminate their presence from the scalp, but this is really impossible. Your scalp will continue to produce them and as long as the sensitivity is there, you will still have the problem. It's far better to work on both reducing them (if your levels are too high to be healthy) and on reducing the sensitivity.

Also, you will want to take a look at and then reduce any inflammation. Often, the inflammatory process is present in both TE and in androgen driven loss. There are many natural substances that work well for this. (Tea tree oil, emu oil, lavender, etc.) Finally, you will want to really focus on stimulating your scalp to reproduce healthy hair in that area. Once the androgens are being treated, you must pounce on this window of opportunity to stimulate the follicles because the longer that they are not producing adequate regrowth, the harder it becomes to reignite this process.

In the meantime, there are powders that can cover the white of your scalp like topik and couvre. They do help. And, you can try growing out your bangs so that the area where scalp meets bang isn't so noticeable. But, this things will only take you so far. Eventually, you will need to take the next step and figure out what is causing this and fix it.

How Pregnancy Counseling Can Help You to Have a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy counseling can help you to decide what choices are best for you and for your unborn baby. Also sometimes called pregnancy counseling, it is advice and guidance given to a female in helping her prepare for all that expecting a baby entails. This advice can come by way of a family physician, an obstetrician, a nurse, a certified midwife or a childbirth educator. The most appropriate way to describe the sage advice is to say that it is a checklist to help you to figure out how to make the most suitable choices for yourself and your baby.

When you receive pregnancy counseling it can help you to make changes (if required) to ensure that you will be as healthy as possible during the nine months that you will be carrying a baby. It also helps to support the health and development of the fetus growing inside of your womb.

As a mother-to-be you want to have a healthy, successful pregnancy and you want to bring a healthy full-term baby into the world. The pregnancy counseling and education you receive are very important because there are lifestyle habits that can do your baby harm. Examples of these include smoking and alcohol consumption.

There are precautions that some women who wish to have babies need to think about. This is something that pregnancy counseling will address. For instance, females who suffer from diabetes need to speak with a diabetes educator, obstetrician and registered dietitian about how to prevent miscarriage in the early stages of the fetus' development and possible congenital malformations that are sometimes seen in infants born to diabetic mothers.

Women who are aware that they have a family history of genetic disease(s) may opt to be safe as opposed to sorry by having genetic tests done before they decide to try to get pregnant. This can be an aspect of counseling and education. Women in this situation can ask their family doctors or obstetricians for referrals to specialists.

Ladies over the age of 40 years are considered to be mature mothers and tend to have higher rates of caesarean births than women who give birth earlier in their life. These women are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and to give birth to infants who suffer from genetic disorders such as Down's syndrome.

Women who wish to become mothers should do everything possible to stay away from hazards that can hurt their chances of getting pregnant and can also harm their unborn babies. Avoid exposure to smoking (and second hand smoke), alcohol, any illicit drugs and chemicals. Cut back on caffeine and keep your body temperature at a normal range as much as possible.

The purpose of pregnancy counseling is to communicate many important elements that need to be in place to get pregnant and to ensure that all three trimesters are healthy for you and your infant. Nutrition will be discussed, as will be exercise, and use of medication.

Pregnancy Miracle Can Help You in Overcoming Infertility Problems

Infertility is the most insecure feeling for a woman. It takes away all the charm of her life and leaves stress and despair. There are many physiological as well as hormonal defects that lead to several infertility problems. Some common causes of infertility problems include: tubal obstruction, high levels of follicle stimulating hormone, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, uterine scarring, ovarian cysts or lazy ovaries and pituitary gland disorders.

No matter what type of infertility problems you are facing, Pregnancy Miracle offers natural and holistic solutions for overcoming the infertility problems. The Pregnancy Miracle guide has the ability to make things possible. It reveals all the mysteries and truths regarding pregnancy. It explains the problems with the help of facts and evidences rather than opinions.

Pregnancy Miracle is based on the expertise of a nutritionist, coupled with her personal experiences of infertility for many years. Therefore, the guide pays required attention to every aspect of infertility. In its beginning, the book helps to detect the reasons behind infertility. After diagnosing the problem, the book suggests workable and natural solutions for the problems.

Additionally, the Pregnancy Miracle also offers solution to women having a history of miscarriages. It suggests ways to complete the full course of gestation. It is also a ray of hope for the over-age women who want to conceive near the age of menopause.

Pregnancy has an entirely new definition of infertility. Contradictory to the western infertility concepts, it takes it as some sort of imbalance. Working on this definition, the guide strives to help you in regaining your balance. Pregnancy Miracle focuses on rebalancing your energies and prepares you mentally, physically and spiritually for the conception of the baby.

The best thing about the guide is that it keeps you away from the risky surgeries and nasty drugs. Rather, it uses natural and harmless Chinese medicines to solve the problems. Though it is not a very quick solution but has the ability to root out the main causes of infertility.

Pregnancy Miracle guides you about the foods that boost up fertility and foods that decrease fertility. It tells about the diet and vitamins that are essential for the normal working of your reproductive system. The book explains how the food rich in vitamin C, D, Zinc, calcium and antioxidants help in increasing the fertility. The guide has some food charts to set a diet that aids in conceiving.

Pregnancy Miracle tells those things which most doctors do not. The book tells you about your most fertile period. During this period, the chances of conceiving are increased manifolds. It teaches you how to keep an eye on the events during the menstrual cycle. Pregnancy Miracle uses many other methods and techniques to overcome the infertility problem. The recommended alternative methods include acupuncture, aromatherapy, fertility yoga, and more. After conceiving successfully, the book guides and supports you till the birth of the healthy child. It is like your home doctor that helps you in overcoming the infertility problems.

Health Insurance - Maternity Care Considerations

Nowadays, it's not necessary to be married in order to have health insurance. Maternity insurance is a good example. Not all modern couples are married when they start a family. There are many people who choose not to marry but they still require a health insurance policy that covers maternity needs. The best way to ensure you are covered is to include this particular requirement in your original policy. Whether you are a married couple or not you are going to need the very best care during the pregnancy and birth.

It is a fact of life that many things can go wrong. Things can go wrong for the mother or the unborn baby. Fortunately, nowadays medical science is so advanced that most problems that arise can be sorted out but it all depends on whether or not you have access to good medical care. It is very important for you to remember that even if you have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy a problem may arise during the birth. If you are in a well equipped medical facility with highly trained staff you and your baby will receive the best care. Another consideration is that your baby may require extra care after the birth. A good example of this is if your baby is premature. Such an event may require that your little one must receive extra care for weeks before going home.

If you want to ensure that mother and baby are expertly cared for from the start of a pregnancy you must have health insurance. Maternity is a period when health issues may arise. If this does happen then you want your health insurance provider to take care of any unexpected eventuality. To find a provider that gives the most in maternity cover request a list of quotes to get the best care.

Kangaroo Mother Care - A History of Healing

In 1979, in the highly populated city of Bogota, Columbia, doctors were faced with an unnerving predicament. They were experiencing a shortage of incubators at the city's hospital, and a serious infection was spreading among the patients. The doctors had to find a solution to keep the preterm babies warm, and protect them from contracting an infection. Thinking of how kangaroos keep their newborns in their pouches, the doctors devised a plan to use the mothers' bodies as incubators. As they had hoped, the newborns were kept safe and warm while wrapped against the skin of the mother. Kangaroo mother care was developed as a solution to a challenging situation, and has been studied and found to be an effective method in caring for preterm infants at home.

In the early 1980's, UNICEF noticed what the doctors in Bogota were doing, and took note of the benefits of KMC. By wrapping the newborn baby against the mother's chest in a sling, the baby is kept warm and has adequate access to the breast for feeding. One of UNICEF's missions in the early 1980's was to promote exclusive breastfeeding for infant health, and to discourage the marketing of breast milk substitutes. The kangaroo mother care protocol promotes a very healthy and protected environment for preterm babies, and encourages exclusive breastfeeding. In an effort to educate the communities throughout South America, UNICEF published a booklet, in Spanish, on kangaroo mother care. It became more apparent, through wide spread use in the region, that this form of parenting was highly effective in creating a viable living environment for the newborn baby.

The endorsement by UNICEF set the stage for the growth and development of the concept of KMC. The research and practice of this method of newborn baby care spread throughout Europe and North America, and was implemented throughout communities in Africa and the Middle East. Medical researchers began to look deeper into the reasons why this care worked, and how this form of early parenting may be the root of successful mother care through the centuries in more primitive societies. In 1991, the first research review on KMC was published by Dr. Gene Cranston Anderson, a doctor in research nursing. The publication confirmed the usefulness of kangaroo mother care in the development of preterm infants and in increasing the bond between mother and child.

Since 1990, kangaroo mother care has become a wide spread practice among all classes and societies throughout the world. In tribal villages, kangaroo mother care ensures the viability of preterm infants where advanced technologies are not readily available. In more advanced societies, kangaroo mother care is accepted as a best practice in caring for newborns and developing the child maternal bond. Additionally, the method allows preterm babies to leave the hospital, under the guidance of a physician, with the mother long before it was possible in the past. This natural approach to incubating newborns is an effective and cost efficient way to provide a nurturing environment for growth and development. Even today, there is still ongoing research into the effectiveness and possible applications for kangaroo mother care.

Find Ways to Pay For Medical Expenses During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be quite stressful. The extra expenses of prenatal care and preparing for the new baby are overwhelming for many women.

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, your spouse and your baby deserve to be healthy and have consistent care. Financial aid and other programs are available for women in need and their babies. The following organizations can help your partner and your baby get medical care:

" State and local health departments - They can tell you what programs are available in your area. Ask about health insurance, medical care, and how your family can qualify for this help.

" Local hospital or social service agencies - Ask to speak with a social worker on staff. She will be able to tell you where to go for help.

" Community clinics - Some areas have free clinics or clinics that provide free care to women in need.

" Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program - This government program is available in every state. It provides help with food, nutritional counseling, and access to health services for women, infants and children.

" Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - This program provides health insurance for children under age 18 in every state.

" Telephone book and Internet - These resources may have information on programs in your area.

Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help your family have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.

To find out about the program in your state:

" Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) This toll-free telephone number will connect you to the Health Department in your area code

" Call or contact your local Health Department.

Above all, ensure a healthy pregnancy for your spouse by making sure she has a healthy diet , sleep and exercise, a stress-free life, and regular visits to the doctor.

Benefits of Outsourcing Payroll Against Payroll Software

The essentials element of payroll administration in the UK is to accurately calculate the income tax and national insurance contributions deducted from the employee each pay period, produce payslips for each employee and account to the tax office for the payroll deductions.

Running a payroll system is natural for medium and large companies who may employ specialist payroll staff to perform these functions. Many medium companies may still choose to outsource the payroll function leaving many of the technical issues that might be encountered to a specialist payroll service.

Small businesses may choose to outsource the payroll function because they are not familiar with the paye system although HMRC do run seminars to assist employers. The payroll system not only calculates the tax and national insurance deductions but also has to deal with tax code changes, new employees and changes to existing employees plus taxable benefits and allowances such as statutory payments for sickness and maternity leave, contracting out of the state pension scheme and student loans.

The main benefit of manually producing the employee payroll is the reduced cost although the time spent on the payroll function by the proprietor may be better spent running the business. The cost may not be the cheapest option if an employee is required to produce the payroll. Purchasing payroll software can save significant time and costs for the small business that chooses to prepare and control its own payroll function. Although time is more important as the payroll production cost is not usually a big issue.

Outsourcing payroll adds a small additional cost to running the business but would normally carry worthwhile benefits in reducing the time spent on the function and reduces the paye administrative burden.

Main benefits outsourcing the payroll function.

1. Frees up time in calculating the payroll deductions and dealing with different and sometimes complex employee circumstances.

2. Using a professional outsourcing service to advise on potential payroll problems and difficulties.

3. The cost of outsourcing payroll should be compared against the cost of employing specialist in house payroll staff.

4. Payroll services use payroll software and are more likely to produce accurate tax and national insurance deductions and pay records reducing the prospect of problems with the tax authorities.

5. Payroll administration such as preparing the tax deductions schedules, dealing with starters and leavers, year end certificates for employees and the employer annual returns are normally all automated as part of the payroll service

6. The outsourced service company should also be responsible for producing employee payslips, advising tax and deductions liability and in larger businesses also provide a payroll analysis for accounting purposes.

Alternatives to outsourcing payroll functions.

Finding a suitable outsourced payroll service is not difficult. Local telephone directories or searching the internet would produce many potential payroll service providers.

Many accountancy firms offer payroll services to their clients and although the prices may struggle to be competitive price is always negotiable. Using the business accountant for the payroll has advantages since a substantial cost area for most businesses is already known to the accountant since they prepare the numbers.

Choosing payroll software.

The major alternative to outsourcing the payroll is for the business to acquire and use payroll software.

Larger companies require payroll software that has incorporated within it all the potential pay scenarios and also be capable of dealing with high numbers of employees. Large comprehensive packages can be complex to operate and require specialist wages staff.

Small business may choose simpler less complex payroll software packages that meet the basic needs of the business. It is important the person running the payroll within the wages function understands the payroll essentials and legal payroll administration requirements.

The advantages of choosing payroll software is basically the cost should save the business money against outsourcing the payroll, should retain control over the function and liabilities and ideally should take no more time that supplying employee details and gross wages to the payroll service.

If the business chooses to adopt a payroll software package then the complexity of the package should be considered and also the attributes and capabilities of the chosen software to produce all the payroll requirements in relation to pay and wage deductions, paye administration and employee payslips.

Lower Back Pain in Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women may feel different kind of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, missed period, and even lower back pain. Pain in the lower back occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy for about 80% of expecting women. Usually, aside from missing one's period, a woman can determine that she is pregnant if she is experiencing regular pains in the back.

Lower back pain in early pregnancy can be caused by many factors. Some of the causes of this back pain are as follows:

• Stretching of the ligaments - a woman's body needs to prepare and stretch itself along the abdominal area for pregnancy. Due to this, pregnant women may feel pains in the lower part of their back.

• Extra weight - during pregnancy, a woman may gain extra weight. Because of that, and along with the weight of the developing fetus, the spinal column cannot support the weight well.

• Posture - as the tummy of a pregnant woman swells, she has the tendency to bend backwards, resulting to pain in her lower back.

• Center of gravity - the woman's body starts to move forward due to the swelling of the uterus.

• Stress - pregnancy is really a stressful time for a woman, both physically and mentally. Because of that, the pelvis weakens and back pain results.

• Hormones - hormones are very much active during pregnancy. Progesterone, a hormone produced by women, may soften the pelvic ligaments and causes back pain.

• Urinary tract infections - UTI can be a cause of back pains, and during pregnancy, women are more prone to have UTI.

Pregnant women should not worry if ever they are experiencing back pain. It is a normal phase of pregnancy. Although there are no ways for them to stop occurring, there are still measures that will help the pain to be bearable. A pregnant woman can do these following steps to minimize the pain they will experience in their lower backs:

• First of all, it is important for a pregnant woman to do exercises during their pregnancy. Try doing back exercises to help lessen the pains in your back. You can do walking, pelvic rocking, stretching, and other back exercises.

• Drink lots of fluid to help ease the pain caused by UTI.

• Take a lot of rest. Pregnant women need a lot of rest, to gain more strength and energy for both her and the baby's health.

• When lying down, placing a pillow on your lower back can help ease the lower the pain in early pregnancy.

• Stop wearing heels and high-heeled shoes during pregnancy. Just wear flats and comfortable footwear to help you achieve more balance.

The mentioned tips above are just some of the remedies and preventive measures that a pregnant woman can do to lessen the discomfort experienced brought about by lower back pain. It is normal for women to experience several uncomfortable and even painful symptoms during pregnancy. These things cannot be avoided, but by doing preventive measures, can make them bearable. Pregnancy is a critical period for every woman, so utmost care must be observed to ensure the safety and health of both mother and child.

How to Get an Affordable Tubal Reversal in These Economic Times

Finding an affordable tubal reversal becomes the goal of any woman once she makes up her mind she wants to reverse her tubal ligation and become pregnant once again. Of course, as these hard economic times progress, there will be those who desperately want a free tubal reversal instead.

As much as I would love to be able to point you toward a surgeon who provides free surgeries, this just isn't going to be possible. Even if you could find a surgeon who would do all that work for free, there is still all the surgical staff, office staff, facility costs and more that must be paid. There are certain organizations who take providing free ones as a ministry but their money does come from somewhere and they usually have very strict rules. A search on the web should bring up something for you if you must choose this route.

However, if you are still just looking for an affordable tubal reversal, you will want to know more about the usual tubal reversal cost. The price range for this procedure is $3500 - $30,000. But, you will be happy to know that you can find several surgeons whose charges are in the $6,000 to $7,000 range. Fortunately for you, this encompasses some of the best tubal reversal doctors around including the world's foremost specialist for this surgery.

Of course, this price tag can still seem out of reach for some women and their families. So what are your choices? Most first turn to their health insurance. Unfortunately, most health insurance companies consider this an elective procedure and will not pay for the surgery. Some may pay for some of the upfront testing needed before the surgery, but not the operation itself.

Lacking that alternative, you could look into getting some type of loan. There are some companies that will lend money for surgical procedures. Or you could try to refinance or get a second mortgage on your home. There are even signature loans for those with excellent credit.

However, given the present economic turmoil, it would be better for you to avoid taking on more debt. Unfortunately, none of us knows what the future can hold and some wise advisers, looking to the lessons of the past, recommend getting out of debt, not taking on more.

What this leaves you with is saving up for the operation. Either save it yourself in your own special savings account set aside for just this procedure or see if the doctor you have chosen provides a payment plan. Once set up, you can pay into the plan as much or as little as you are able each month till the amount is totally saved. Using a payment plan is a better idea than saving in my own bank account as it is essentially gone. It will not be easy to use it for anything else that comes up.

Choosing a doctor or clinic that gives you an affordable tubal reversal is the first thing to do. This is possible because of the fine doctors that are available at an affordable price. Make sure you check out their credentials and learn more about them secondly. You may find price is not the most important criteria. Then make the choice as to how to pay that affordable price. It's up to you.

Do Not Suffer in Silence, Depression is Treatable

Many people experience depression at some point in life. On the whole, women are about 50% more likely to have symptoms than men. This is most likely due in part to the significant hormonal changes women experience. Men do get this illness, but they often do not seek out treatment. Instead, they show their state of mind through anger and hostility. Men are 25% more likely to commit suicide than are women. The elderly are another population that often become despondent and who are, as a group, less likely to get help for it.

This is a real illness, not just a state of mind or something that someone can think themselves out of. There are several causes, including genetics, trauma history, physical illness (such as not making enough thyroid hormone), certain medications, chronic pain and grief.

Depression is a mood disorder in which signals are not passed between neurons normally. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that are in charge of passing the signals between neurons. Neurotransmitter signals may be too weak or there may not be enough of a particular neurotransmitter, similar to a phone line with a bad connection.

Symptoms include lack of energy, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, restlessness, weight loss or weight gain of more than 5% in one month, intrusive thoughts of suicide and death, guilt and feeling worthless and hopeless, general irritability, inability to concentrate, loss of enjoyment of favorite activities, self-imposed isolation, physical pain, headaches or even digestive upset that does not respond to any treatment. Any of these symptoms lasting more than two weeks is cause to see a doctor.

Some common forms of the illness include childhood and postpartum depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Children can be depressed and may not be able to tell you in words what they are feeling. Children most often express what they are feeling through their behavior. Be attentive to any changes in the behavior or your children. Postpartum depression occurs in the first year after giving birth. This manifestation of the illness can be very debilitating and guilt producing. The woman may feel that because she just had this wonderful child she should not be feeling the way she does. This is just not true. She needs to get help. Bipolar is characterized by extreme periods of extremely sad, hopeless moods and mania. It tends to run in families. Seasonal affective disorder most often occurs in people living in northern latitudes with short winter days and long nights.

Depression is treatable. Cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy in combination with medications is a more successful treatment than therapy or medication alone. Eating well and exercising, taking time to relax and regenerate and listening to your body can help ease symptoms and possibly even prevent the illness. Stress management and reduction techniques, such as visualization, meditation and yoga practice are other ways to help manage symptoms. Light therapy is often the treatment method of choice for seasonal affective disorder.

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from this illness and it has been going on for more than two weeks, seek the attention of a doctor. Depression is a real illness that can sometimes be fatal. Remember that it is not your fault. It is a chemical malfunction in the brain that you have no more control over than a diabetic has control over their own insulin production. Remember that depression is a very treatable illness and that there is no reason to suffer in silence.

So How Exactly Does Prenatal Yoga DVD Support A Safe Pregnancy?

Yoga DVD, especially the Prenatal yoga dvd, is certainly the best type of exercise for expecting mothers - the best method to fulfill the 30 minutes of exercise recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Prenatal yoga is a wonderful type of physical exercise as well as one of the greatest ways to prepare for the experience of labor. It is a safe exercise designed for all 3 trimesters of being pregnant.

The DVDs record the heart and soul of yoga that is adapted to needs of mothers-to-be. The routines on these types of digital video discs mix simple movements along with conscious breathing and will help train future mothers to become deeply in contact with their body and also the baby while pregnant. It offers gentle and helpful stretches and strengthening exercises, which usually calm the body and mind, while also toning up the body and keeping you fit, without risk. The evidence is apparent: if you start exercising regularly and gently while pregnant, you support yourself and your baby. Infants delivered to exercising mothers are much healthier, experience less fetal problems in the course of labor, and may actually attain neurobehavioral advantages because of their mom's exercise regimen whilst they are in utero.

Aside from that, the videos will help: improve and build endurance in the muscle tissues used in the course of childbirth; learn about deep breathing strategies to help you access full relaxation - a power tool you can use to replenish yourself in between contractions; know inhaling and exhaling and visualization strategies to secrete stress and control pain during labor; improves circulation delivering a lot more o2 to both you and your fetus; enhances healthy posture and alleviates lower back pain; build up your self-confidence and rely upon the innate intelligence of your body; interact with your changing body and your growing baby; and enjoy uninterrupted time to explore your feelings as you make the transition to motherhood.

During maternity, taking time for yourself can be quite a difficult task. Making use of these types of prenatal yoga DVDs will let you acquire the ability to chill if you want to-a skill you'll discover ideal for both pregnancy and motherhood. Not everyone is ready to go to prenatal yoga classes, and many prefer to perform yoga pregnancy exercises inside the comfort and ease of their own house. If you happen to belong to this classification, pregnancy yoga DVDs offer you a great alternative to prenatal yoga courses and a considerable amount of time or a costly fitness center membership isn't needed. There is an array of prenatal yoga DVDs readily available out there, hence regardless of whether you're looking for a energetic work-out or a mild stretching yoga routine, there ought to be something that meets your taste.

Prenatal yoga DVD is really ideal for women in all stages of pregnancy. In fact, yoga is an excellent form of physical exercise following your delivery, particularly as your time far from home is going to be limited. When your baby is napping, just play your prenatal DVD for a quick yoga class and you'll appreciate the benefits of a refreshed body, mind and spirit when your newborn awakes. It might actually be a fun activity to do with "daddy" since some dads earn compassion weight with their expecting spouses.