Early Pregnancy - The First Trimester - Understanding Bleeding And Spotting - A Definitive Guide

Bleeding Or Spotting In Early Pregnancy-Some Statistics And Facts

Bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy can be very worrying, although it is often not a signal of a problem. However bleeding can be the sign of a miscarriage, yet on the other hand it doesn't mean that one is imminent.

20% to 30% of women do experience some type of spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy, of which approximately 50% result in miscarriages and the other 50% don't. These facts and stats have been proven in studies.

The two other potential reasons for bleeding during the first trimester are ectopic pregnancies or molar pregnancies. More detailed information is included in the sections below about miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy.

What You Should Do If You Experience Bleeding Or Spotting

• Use a pad or panty liner so that you can be aware of the level and type of bleeding you are experiencing

• Do not use a tampon, or have intercourse, have a douche, or introduce anything into the vagina while bleeding

• Contact your health care provider immediately.

Possible Reasons For Bleeding Or Spotting In Early Pregnancy/First Trimester

Apart from the possible complications mentioned previously, other reasons for bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy are:

Breakthrough bleeding - happens when the pregnancy hormones cover up the menstrual cycle but the cycle still continues for a short while. So it could be that you do get what appears to be your period around the same time it was due but it could be breakthrough bleeding.

Implantation bleeding - this can happen between six and twelve days after a potential conception. Different women will have different variations of implantation bleeding; some will have light spotting for a few hours whereas others will have this for up to a few days.

After intercourse - bleeding may be experienced by some women as the cervix can be sensitive and tender. Do not have intercourse until you have seen your doctor.

Infection in the pelvic cavity or urinary tract - can cause bleeding.

Early Pregnancy/First Trimester Possible Complications Signalled By Bleeding

MISCARRIAGE

Miscarriage - is experience by 50% of the women who have spotting or bleeding during the first trimester.

Why Does A Miscarriage Occur?

Miscarriage is nature's way or your body's way of dealing with a pregnancy which was not continuing as it should. The majority of miscarriages occur during the first 12 gestational weeks of pregnancy. (Gestational weeks date from the first day of your last period.) There is normally nothing that can be done to prevent a miscarriage. Somewhere between 15% and 20% of pregnancies will result in miscarriage.

Miscarriage Signs/Miscarriage Symptoms

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding

• Passing tissue via the vagina

• Cramps which are generally stronger than menstrual cramps, felt in the lower stomach area

Miscarriage Support

Experiencing miscarriage can be extremely distressing for many women and can bring up undeserved feelings of being a failure and this mixed with grief, as well as dealing with a possible flux of hormones can make this a difficult time. Do get support if you ever experience a miscarriage.

For support in Ireland go to The Miscarriage Association of Ireland and in the UK it is the Miscarriage Assocation.

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

An Ectopic Pregnancy - is when the pregnancy implants somewhere outside the uterus, such as one of the fallopian tubes. In rare cases it can occur in the ovary, cervix or stomach area. Approximately one in sixty pregnancies will be an ectopic pregnancy.

Why Does An Ectopic Pregnancy Occur?

Ectopic pregnancies can occur due to a condition that blocks or slows down the fertilised egg moving through the fallopian tube to the uterus; such as a previous ectopic pregnancy, previous pelvic surgery or an infection in the tubes. Sometimes the cause is not known.

Ectopic Pregnancy Signs/Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding

• Sharp pain in the abdominal area

• Cramps which are usually stronger than menstrual cramps, felt in the lower stomach area

• Low levels of hCG (pregnancy hormone)

• Shoulder tip pain

• Collapse

• Bladder or bower problems

Ectopic Pregnancy Support

An ectopic pregnancy is not only a very tough physical condition to experience but it affects our emotions hugely. It is good to get support if you are either going through the experience or after you have had an ectopic pregnancy.

Search for the term Ectopic Pregnancy Support and in whichever country you are in the organisation should show up.

MOLAR PREGNANCY

Molar Pregnancies - are a very rare reason for early pregnancy spotting or bleeding and the "mole" or molar pregnancy is when abnormal tissue has grown instead of an embryo. A molar pregnancy occurs 1 in 1000 pregnancies.

This is also known as GTD - gestational trophoblastic disease.

Why Does A Molar Pregnancy Occur?

It is the result of a genetic error; an abnormality of the placenta which occurs when the egg and sperm joined during fertilisation.

Molar Pregnancy Signs/ Molar Pregnancy Symptoms

• Spotting or bleeding

• Increased hCG (pregnancy hormone)

• Vomiting and nausea

• High blood pressure

• No heart tone or fetal movement can be detected

• Sometimes a rare complication such as thyroid disease can occur

Molar Pregnancy Support

At the time of writing there does not appear to be an Irish support organisation.

In the UK the name of the website is simply Molar Pregnancy, just search for this.

There is a website called My Molar Pregnancy. I mention this one as it is quite a personal website set up by someone called Jennifer Wood that has experienced a molar pregnancy. On this website there is also a link to a Facebook Group.

This information is meant only as a guideline and always be sure to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you have any concerns.

Postpartum Checkup

You will probably have an appointment for a checkup 4 to 6 weeks after delivery to make sure your body is healing without problems. If you had a cesarean birth, you may need to have your checkup sooner.

General Physical Examination

This part of the checkup includes:

• Measuring your weight. A woman usually returns to her prepregnancy weight about 6 months after delivery. The postpartum period is not a good time to diet. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in fat. For more information on weight loss after having a baby, talk to your health care professional, who can advise you on the best way to lose weight.


• Taking your blood pressure. During pregnancy, your blood pressure may increase. By the end of the sixth week after delivery, your blood pressure usually returns to its prepregnancy level.


• Examining your breasts. It is important to have your breasts checked for lumps and nipple problems. Your health care professional can show you how to check your breasts. Breast self-examination is important to do every month. If you are bottle-feeding, your breasts will usually return to their normal shape and size in 4 to 6 weeks. You still need to check your breasts regularly for any changes. If you are breastfeeding, your breasts still may be full and feel firm by the sixth week. Checking your breasts daily for lumps or plugged ducts can help prevent problems with discomfort or infection.


• Examining your abdominal incision. If you had a cesarean birth or your tubes were cut or tied, you have an incision. Your health care professional will check your incision to make sure healing is complete.

Pelvic Examination

This part of the checkup is an internal examination to check the health of your ovaries, uterus (womb), cervix (opening into the womb) and vagina (birth canal). Your health care professional also will check your perineum (area around the birth canal) for healing. The first part is checking your perineum. Your health care professional will examine the areas around the vagina, urethra (opening of the bladder) and rectum for healing. The second part of the internal examination is checking your vagina and cervix. Your health care professional will use a speculum to allow a visual inspection of the vagina and cervix. The last part of the examination is checking your uterus and ovaries. Your health care professional will feel the shape and size of both. Vaginal bleeding, or lochia, usually stops in the first 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Bleeding that begins one month after delivery is usually your period.

Questions and Answers

After the examinations, your health care professional will tell you if your body is healing properly after childbirth. This is a good time to ask questions. You may be wondering about returning to work, exercising, birth-control methods or general health concerns. Write your questions on paper and take them with you to your appointment. Review them with your health care professional.

Getting Pregnant After a Miscarriage - Improving Your Chances

Losing a baby through a miscarriage is a devastating experience. The decision to try again to conceive afterward may have been a difficult one to make, but there is a very good chance you will be successful. Doctors and fertility experts agree that one miscarriage does not guarantee a second one in the future. Even women who have miscarried more than once have a 75% chance of conceiving again. Although there is no treatment that can give you 100% protection from future miscarriages, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant after miscarriage by taking good care of your body and yourself.

Possible causes

The most common causes of miscarriage are due to chromosomal problems in the embryo, physical defects in the uterus, immune system dysfunctions, or a hormonal imbalance. However, it's very likely that pollutants, the medicines we take, and poor nutrition played a role in its occurrence. For instance, chromosomal defects can be caused by a deficiency in the trace mineral selenium. This mineral, which can be found in many green vegetables, protects the body from pollutants and toxins that can do DNA damage. Researchers discovered that women who miscarried have lower levels of selenium in their blood than women who have successfully delivered babies.

Seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs can also increase the risk of miscarrying. A study by Kaiser Permanente from San Francisco discovered that 24% of women who took aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen miscarried before the 20th week of their pregnancy versus a 15% miscarriage rate among women who didn't take these drugs. Although this phenomenon has to be examined more closely by other researchers, the study theorized that these drugs suppress the production of prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances participate in pain-signaling, but they are also required for a fertilized egg to successfully implant itself onto the uterus.

Even fertility drugs can provoke miscarriages. Clomid is known to, in some cases, interfere with the uterine lining and prevent a fertilized egg from implanting itself. And with gonadotrophin treatment, which is another technique to stimulate ovulation, a similar phenomenon has also been observed. So even if these fertility drugs increase the chances of conceiving, they also ironically increase the odds of a failed pregnancy.

Remedies against future miscarriages

Miscarriages are caused by factors beyond your control, but there are some simple things you can do to increase the odds of a successful and trouble-free pregnancy.

Have a pre-conception examination

Before attempting to conceive after a miscarriage, visit your gynecologist or physician for a pre-conception examination. This exam will actually involve a series of tests to check if you have infections or underlying health problems that can threaten your pregnancy. Many miscarriages are caused by infections that need to be treated before you conceive again, or severe infections that just happened to occur during the early part of pregnancy. One of these is called bacterial vaginosis, an infection that makes a pregnant woman five times more likely to experience a late miscarriage or premature birth. Other infections include Chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, herpes, and mycoplasma hominis. Many of these conditions show no immediate symptoms, which is why it is essential to be screened and treated before trying to conceive again.

Increase your intake of folic acid

According to Sweden's Karolinska Institute, one common nutrition-related cause of miscarriages is low levels of folic acid. This B-vitamin is essential for proper embryo development and cell growth, which can explain why a lack of folic acid contributes to miscarriages due to chromosomal abnormalities. A deficiency in folic acid is also connected to low blood supply to the placenta, hypertension, and placental separation during pregnancy, which place the mother at high risk of miscarriage. Doctors recommend consuming at least 400mcg of folic acid before trying to conceive. You can obtain folic acid from sources such as green leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains or pre-natal vitamins which contain the recommended daily allowance of the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.

Observe food safety techniques

Two kinds of food-borne bacteria called listeria and T. gondii can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis known to induce early miscarriage. Listeria can be found in unpasteurized milk products, undercooked meat, and soft cheeses, while T. gondii can be found in undercooked meat and unwashed fruits or vegetables. Toxoplasmosis itself only causes flu-like symptoms in the mother, but it can be passed on to a growing baby and cause a miscarriage, birth defects, or retardation.

Fortunately, this infection can be prevented by following basic food safety techniques. Always wash your hands before you prepare food or handle raw meats. All fruits and vegetables must also be washed under running water before consuming. Cook all your meat and poultry until they are well done, and reheat all leftovers until they steam. Never use a microwave to reheat food because this will not kill bacteria.

Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise

Studies show that women who are overweight or obese before pregnancy are more likely to experience a miscarriage or other complications like hypertension, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia. If you are overweight, speak with a nutritionist and ask for a diet plan that can help you obtain a healthy weight. Do not go on a crash diet because the sudden weight loss will deplete your body of nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. Regular exercise is good too, but make sure you do not overdo it; strenuous exercise places the body under stress, which makes it more difficult to conceive.

You can conceive after a miscarriage

Going through a miscarriage may have been painful and traumatic, but that doesn't mean that your next pregnancy will end the same way. As long as you take good care of yourself and follow your doctor's advice, you too have an excellent chance of giving birth to a healthy baby.

The Consequences of Anorexia During Pregnancy

Anorexia affects primarily women as statistics show that ninety five percent of anorexics are women. The average age range for anorexia also falls during the childhood bearing years and becoming pregnant while having an eating disorder can be detrimental to both mother and child. Eating disorders also affect fertility- especially anorexia- as women who have eating disorders often times have irregular menstrual cycles or none at all.

The Dangers Associated with Anorexia during Pregnancy

There are numerous detrimental effects primarily due to malnutrition which an eating disorder such as anorexia can cause during pregnancy. These include effects to the fetus such as, delayed fetal growth, premature birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. Anorexia can also cause complications during labor and the risk for having to undergo a cesarean birth is much higher.

Respiratory problems and gestational diabetes are also more common in pregnant women with an eating disorder. The chances are also higher for postpartum depression as well as problems with breastfeeding. Taking laxatives or diuretics during pregnancy can also cause harmful effects to the fetus as they are not able to receive the necessary nutrition due to the fact that these take away the important fluids and nutrients which the fetus needs to grow.

Precautions you should take When Becoming Pregnant with an Eating Disorder

It is essential for your overall health as well as the health of your baby that as soon as you discover you are pregnant to schedule an appointment for prenatal care and inform your doctor right away that you have an eating disorder.

Schedule regular group therapy and individual counseling sessions as well as guidance from a nutritionist who can help you maintain your weight. It is also essential that after giving birth you continue maintaining your nutritional health as well as treatment for your disorder as bringing a new baby into the world can bring you great joy but can also be a very stressful time which can intensify the symptoms of anorexia.

Struggling To Pay Medical Bills?

People all over the U.S. struggle to pay medical bills. The unpaid hospital bills will pile up quickly from an unexpected illness. Due to the lack of medical insurance, you may have received a minimum level of treatment and were discharged with a recommendation of going to see another doctor. How do they expect you to see another doctor when you can't afford to pay their medical bills?

This is the sad reality of the medical industry in the United States. While the current administration promises a resolution, what do you do in the mean time? There are options, however none are absolute. Americans neglect their own health issues until their body won't let them anymore and sometimes it is too late by then. Waiting makes the issues worse yet many cannot afford the preventative measures and checkups necessary. Your health should be a priority, but the expense of medical bills sometimes makes that impossible.

Medical assistance is available through state and federal programs for some people. Those that are offered medical insurance through their employer sometimes can't afford it or they have it and it is not as effective as it should be. The rates of insurance are high, the deductibles are high, the co pays are high and the percentage the insurance covers is low. For those who do have insurance these numbers still equal needing help to pay medical expenses.

Medical advocates can help with unpaid hospital bills; however their assistance is limited too. They can find errors in billing and negotiate the numbers, but in the end you still have to find a way to pay medical bills. When there is nothing left to rob from Peter to pay Paul, it is time to consider a different approach to resolve your medical expenses.

Many have not considered bankruptcy to alleviate the stress and financial burden of medical expenses, however many are forced into bankruptcy due to unpaid hospital bills. When you do not have the means to pay medical bills, consult with a bankruptcy professional to help you make the best financial decision.

Health Insurance Riders and Exclusions - The Basics

Health insurance can be a confusing area for anyone to navigate, with difficult concepts to understand for someone who is not well versed in insurance. One of the most confusing areas is health insurance riders and exclusions. Every company is different, although all must comply with federal, state, and local laws. However, the details of each policy's riders and exclusions vary widely from insurance company to insurance company. Even within a single company, coverage will vary from one plan to the next. So how is a novice supposed to learn about riders and exclusions if there are so many different options?

First, it would help to understand exactly what health insurance riders and exclusions are and what they are not. Exclusions cover health conditions, treatments, and other medical procedures that are excluded from coverage in whole or in part. Riders are changes to the standard policy. For example, a rider might specifically exclude treatments for a pre-existing condition in order for an otherwise uninsurable patient to get coverage. A rider might also feature changes to the standard policy such as capping a family's deductible at a certain amount no matter how many dependents are covered.

While each company has their own policies regarding health insurance riders and exclusions, there are some standards that apply to all or most companies. For example, typical exclusions from coverage include:

1. Pre-existing conditions
2. Cosmetic or plastic surgery
3. Infertility treatments
4. Co-ordination of benefits (to prevent duplicate payments for the same covered event)
5. Experimental treatments, procedures, or medications
6. Dental maintenance, treatments, or procedures
7. Injuries sustained during criminal activity, during times of war, while under the influence, or while serving in the military
8. Vision correction including eye exams, eyeglasses, contacts, or corrective surgery

Likewise, there are standards in terms of riders. Insurance policies must be written to comply with federal, state, and local laws. As such, most insurance companies write policies based on a standard insurance form. When an insurance company offers a customer or group of customers additional coverage or different terms, a rider must be written separately as an addendum to the standard form policy. Some common riders include:

1. Indemnity (doubling or tripling benefits for qualifying death or dismemberment)
2. Impairment riders (to specifically exclude a pre-existing condition)
3. Premium riders (skipping premiums during lengthy hospital stays and other premium-related changes)
4. Additional coverage for specific conditions, treatments, or procedures

If you need assistance in locating particular coverages at a pre-determined price, we can help save 50% on health insurance.

9 Pregnancy Nausea Remedies That Might Help

Pregnancy nausea can be both exhausting and stressing for a pregnant woman. There are no scientifically proven causes for nausea for pregnancy, although there have been speculations as to what can cause it. Therefore there are no known 100% pregnancy nausea remedies out there. Just some helpful tips on how to keep it under control. Some may work for you and some may not. The best thing to do is not give up and keep trying until you find one that works well for you. Here are some suggested pregnancy nausea remedies.

1. Frequently eat small meals containing protein and complex carbohydrates to keep your blood sugar levels even. Nausea can be attributed to a sudden rise and drop in blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates take longer to turn into blood sugar. They therefore are more efficient at keeping blood sugar levels balanced than simple sugars. A good example will be taking unsweetened fruit juice.

2. Make sure you eat before you go to bed. Again eat something with complex carbohydrates and high protein. This should keep your blood sugar levels balanced as you sleep.

3. Have a morning snack before you wake up. The snack should be high in carbohydrate and you should find what suits you best. After taking the snack stay in bed for a bout 20 to 30 minutes before getting out of bed. Do not rush into the days activities this could trigger a surge of nausea.

4. Eat before you are hungry. Hunger produces gastric juices in the stomach. This could trigger vomiting once food is eaten. Eating before hunger sets in allows the stomach to produce gastric juices gradually allowing for it to adapt to food consumption.

5. Take plenty of fluids during the day. Nausea usually dehydrates the pregnant woman. If this is severe, it might result in a dehydrated fetus. Taking in plenty of fluids which are high in nutrients and energy should be considered as a measure to control nausea for pregnancy.

6. Avoid foods which seem to trigger nausea and substitute them with high protein and complex carbohydrate foods. Nausea at times is triggered by some foods, be it their sight or smell. The pregnant woman should substitute them with others which seem to stay down in her stomach as well as provide the nutritional benefits required.

7. A deficiency of vitamin B6 is suspected to cause nausea in pregnancy. Getting B6 supplements is necessary. However, you should first consult your doctor to determine if you are deficient of the vitamin. The doctor will also recommend a daily dosage for you.

8. The sour taste left after vomiting usually triggers other spouts of nausea. It is important that you brush or rinse the taste off.

9. Taking your prenatal vitamins will also help a lot. If the one you take makes you nauseate try out other brands. In addition some women found that changing the time they took the vitamins helped quite a lot.

There are many suggested pregnancy nausea remedies which are not included here. The most important thing to note is that if anything helps you keep your meals down and is safe, it should be encouraged.

Want to discover more about pregnancy nausea remedies?

If You Think You Have Major Depression

This is the most serious form of depression in terms of number of symptoms and severity of symptoms. It is a medical illness that involves the mind and the body and affects how a person thinks and behaves. Although suicidal thoughts or gestures are part of major depression, a person does not have to be suicidal to be clinically depressed; you may not be able to go about your usual daily activities, and depression may make you feel as if life just isn't worth living anymore. Although some people experience only one episode of depression, most have repeated episodes of depression symptoms throughout their life.

Symptoms of major depression

• Loss of interest in normal daily activities
• Feeling sad or down
• Feeling hopeless
• Crying spells for no apparent reason
• Problems sleeping
• Trouble focusing or concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Unintentional weight gain or loss
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Being easily annoyed
• Feeling fatigued or weak
• Feeling worthless
• Loss of interest in sex
• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

The severity of symptoms differ from person to person. In some people, the symptoms are obvious to those around us, even if we don't recognize them in ourselves. Sometimes, a depressed person may just feel miserable or unhappy without knowing why.

What causes major depression?

It isn't known exactly what causes depression, but it is felt to be a combination of factors.

Biochemical: It is felt that naturally occurring chemical uptake to the brain (called neurotransmitters) may be interrupted or faulty. These affect mood and thought and are felt to play a part in depression. Hormonal imbalance can also be a factor.

Genetic: Some studies show that depression is more common in family groups and therefore is hereditary to some degree.

Environment: Life events can trigger depression. Loss of a loved one, financial problems, periods of high stress and marital issues are some of the major environmental factors in depression.

Risk factors for depression

Although the exact causes or triggers for depression aren't known, there are certain factors and life events that seem to increase the risk of developing depression. Being aware of these triggers can help you identify your own depression.

• Having other biological relatives with depression
• Having family members who have taken their own life
• Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
• Having a depressed mood as a youngster
• Illness, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS
• Long-term use of certain medications, such as some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills or, occasionally, birth control pills
• Certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
• Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse
• Having recently given birth
• Being in a lower socioeconomic group

Seeking medical advice

Many people don't recognize their own depression and therefore don't seek help. If you recognize yourself in any of the above, you are taking a step in the right direction. Once you recognize the symptoms, you can then also recognize that you don't have to live like this.

It's normal to occasionally upset or unhappy with situations in your life. With depression, however, these feelings hang onto you for a long period of time. Your friends and family may tell you to "get over it," but you find yourself unable to do that. These feelings are more intense than just "feeling blue," and interfere with your life, work and enjoyment of daily living.

If you are feeling suicidal or having thoughts that life just isn't worth living, seek medical attention immediately. If you are having suicidal feelings right now, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This is a free service.

If you don't want to or are unable to for some reason, you have other choices for reaching out for help, such as contacting family members or friends, a doctor or mental or health care provider, a spiritual leader, or someone in your circle with whom you feel a strong connection. You can also go to your local emergency room or call a crisis center or hotline.

Helping a loved one

You may be visiting HandlingDepression.com because you feel someone you love is suffering from depression and you wonder what you could be doing for them.

Have an open and honest discussion with them. As stated above, many times people don't realize they're depressed. For them, depression is "normal," and they don't recognize the severity of their condition. They believe that everyone feels the way they do. You may not be able to force someone to get professional help, but you can be supportive and offer encouragement.

Sometimes, someone who is depressed just needs someone to demonstrate to them that their presence in the world does matter, that there are people who care about them enough to help them make the first step in the right direction. It can be very helpful to them if you get a referral for them to get professional help, assist them in making the appointment and getting to it. Even these simple tasks can be daunting to someone who is severely depressed. Often, they require assistance in getting the help they desperately need because they are incapable of taking care of the things the rest of us take for granted.

If your loved one is suicidal, do not attempt to help them on your own. That is not to say don't help them - just don't try to handle it without professional help. Take them to the emergency room or call for emergency help.

Common Birth Injuries and How They Happen

Serious birth injuries can have long-term effects on a child, and therefore it is important that if your baby suffered an injury at birth that you understand the causes and the long-term implications. This article seeks to provide a basic overview; for more information it is always better to speak to a qualified doctor or nurse.

An unusually large infant, premature birth and breech delivery are all risk factors which could lead to birth trauma. A skilled doctor or midwife will obviously reduce the risk of these problems translating into a birth injury, however instances of medical negligence are also a major cause of serious injuries during birth. Common birth injuries to the baby include:

• Skull injuries: can be caused by cuts and abrasions and bleeding between the skull and scalp.
• Brachial plexus injuries: which occurs when the baby's anterior shoulder becomes trapped during birth (also known as shoulder dystocia).
• Injuries to the Cranial Nerve: potentially resulting in facial paralysis, eye paralysis and breathing difficulties.
• Fractures: often affecting the arm and leg bones as a result of problems during birth.

Many common birth injuries can be avoided if mother and baby are provided with good medical and maternity care. Unfortunately, instances of clinical negligence do occur, in which a doctor or nurse's behaviour or misdiagnosis is directly responsible for a serious birth injury and long term medical issues on the part of the baby.

Clinical Negligence

If your baby suffered a birth injury and you suspect that a doctor or midwife behaved negligently, whether this negligence caused a serious injury to the cranial nerve, a scalpel cut or an abrasion, it is recommended that you contact a solicitor to discuss making a medical negligence compensation claim.

Financial compensation is often awarded to parents in this situation, and is intended to help them cover the costs of ongoing medical care and rehabilitation costs. The team of clinical negligence specialists at Pannone LLP can provide all the legal advice and guidance you require to make an informed decision regarding the potential of your clinical negligence claim.

For more information, visit the Pannone website at: http://www.pannone.com/solicitors-for-you/clinical-negligence.asp

Protein and Pregnancy - From Conception to Weaning, Protein Needs Increase

Every healthy diet begins and ends with three components: protein, fat and carbohydrates. Every food that is eaten can be categorized into one or the other of these groups. All three are important in the diet; however, they should not be eaten in the same amounts. Your doctor or health care provider can help you to determine the best diet for you, which becomes even more important during pregnancy and afterward if you intend to breastfeed your baby. Yes, your caloric needs will increase, even if you are already overweight when you find out that you are pregnant, however, you will need to make sure that you are firstly, gaining the right amount of weight, and secondly, adding the right nutritional compounds to your diet. Not only will you be eating to help your baby grow and develop, you will also be eating to keep yourself healthy and strong. The diet type of each pregnant woman will change from trimester to trimester, with each part of the change being especially important for the growing embryo.

Protein: Before Conception to the End of the First Trimester

The average, healthy woman should be getting between.4 and.8 grams of protein per kilogram of her body weight, depending on her activity level. If she is doing light to moderate exercises two to three times per week, she can up the level to around.5 grams. On the other hand, if she is doing very intense exercise that lasts between 30-60 minutes four days a week or more, she should up the protein intake to around.8 grams. A woman who is body building, training for a marathon or a similar activity may need as much as 1.2 grams of protein. Once she becomes pregnant, her need for better nutrition, including additional protein, will increase as well.

The average woman will need a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day during her pregnancy, or more if she is carrying twins. This additional protein is needed for not only the physical growth and development of the baby, but for the development of the placenta, amniotic tissue and maternal tissues. A mother's blood volume increases by about 50%. Protein is needed to create these new blood cells as well as for circulating proteins. (Source: Medio-Consult Nutrition Services)

Women who are having problems with morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy may benefit from having a high protein, high carbohydrate diet. However, they should limit the amount of fat, especially in the form of fried foods. The carbohydrates should be complex, such as those found in vegetables and whole grain foods. (Source: Nancy E. Polatty, RNC, JS, JD, CNS, of the University of Nevada at Reno)

For women who are especially troubled by morning sickness, it might be easier to split meals into smaller portions and never go longer than two to three hours without eating. If you want to add a small snack in between meals, opting for a liquid protein supplement is a good idea.

Second Trimester

During the second trimester, the additional blood volume, as well as the expanding uterus and increased levels of the hormone estrogen, can cause edema, especially in the legs, feet and hands. One of the easiest ways to combat this is by increasing the protein intake. There is a misconception that the minute you find out that you are pregnant you need to start piling on the protein. This is simply not true - your increased needs progress slowly during the pregnancy and for different reasons. In month one through three, the need was to help establish the embryo, placenta and amniotic sac. The additional protein also worked to help combat the physical discomfort of morning sickness that plagues many women. For the rest of the pregnancy, protein needs will remain at this level so that the baby continues to develop and grow strong.

Third Trimester

Your need for protein continues during the final three months of pregnancy for a number of reasons. First, eating a diet that is high in protein, vitamins and minerals can minimize the development and appearance of any stretch marks. Second, you will need the additional protein for the energy required for labor and childbirth. By now your intake should be up to the recommended 60 grams per day, however, your own doctor might suggest a different amount based on your own nutritional needs.

Lactating New Mothers

Immediately after birth and for around six months or so afterward, you will continue to need more protein than you normally do so that your body can continue the process of repairing itself after the trauma of birth, as well as to make the breast milk that your baby will need to be healthy and strong. There is no formula that is more perfect than your own milk for your growing baby, and your protein intake will make sure that it provides all of the nutrients that he needs as well. There is no higher time of need for protein than in the first six months following birth, when the recommended daily allowance is 2.2 grams per kg of body weight. After age six months, the amount drops slightly to two grams and then slowly decreases as the child grows. Remember that not only is this the time period of the greatest protein need, it is also the time of the greatest growth of your baby as well. The baby that started his life at between 7 and 9 pounds (the average is just over 8 pounds) will enter his first year weighing twenty pounds or more.

The breastfeeding mother must make sure that she is getting around 500 extra calories per day as well as enough liquids to make sure that she is making enough milk (baby should wet six to eight diapers each day and be steadily gaining weight). In addition, mom should be getting an extra 20 grams of protein per day while she is breastfeeding.

Protein needs for mothers will slowly decrease as she loses weight, however, the doctor will give recommendations for proper nutrition for the postpartum period. Because this is a time in a mother's life that is very hectic, she may not be taking the time that she needs for proper nutrition. While getting nutrition from whole, freshly made foods it best, it may not always be possible. Using a protein supplement that is fast to consume, not loaded with a lot of additional sugar and which gives plenty of absorbable protein is a good option.

Mothers who have any special health concerns will need to be monitored by their doctor more carefully and will have different protein and nutrition needs. It is important to follow the advice of your doctor or other medical practitioner.

References

Medio-Consult Nutrition Services

Nancy E Polatty, RNC, JS, JD, CNS, University of Nevada at Reno from the book: Ask a Nurse: From Home Remedies to Hospital Care Edited by Geraldine Bednash, PhD. RN, FAAN. Simon and Schuster New York New York 2001

Taking a Look at Short Term Disability Insurance

In 2005 alone, there were more than 24 million disabling injuries. That's 2,750 every hour, says the National Safety Council! While all of these incidents did not result in permanent injury or the need for long term disability insurance, they did require some time off and many people were concerned about lost wages and how to cover basic living expenses. Luckily, most working adults pay into a system of disability insurance through their employers, so they'll be covered should they ever need it. Self-employed individuals and contract employees may opt into a similar system to protect their wages as well.

One type of short-term disability insurance applies to the states of California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island only. These locations offer State Disability Insurance benefits, which may also be referred to as temporary disability insurance. When a person comes down with an illness or non-work-related injury that is expected to last for a short amount of time, they can receive partial wage replacement under this program. These state programs pay maternity disability benefits for pregnancy and childbirth as well.

Workers may be able to go back to work -- either with the same employer or a different employer -- and will still receive a certain percentage of their new pay. The money for these programs is paid through automatic payroll deductions, so any non-government employee is eligible, even if they are currently out of work. (However, they will not be eligible for SDI and unemployment insurance at the same time.)

Once you apply for short-term disability insurance, you will have to wait to see if you're approved. On average, this can take anywhere from one day to 14 days. If approved, you will receive back-pay for the waiting period.

Injuries generally clear much faster than illnesses, for which you will need a medical doctor to provide verification documentation on your disability insurance claims. If you disagree with the rejection of your claim, then you may appeal the determination, file a lawsuit or both. If you intend to appear in court, it's advisable to have an attorney who specializes in disability benefits law.

Short-term disability insurance frees you from worrying about how you're going to pay the bills or cover basic daily expenses as you recuperate from a sudden illness or injury. In some cases, you may be quite certain that you're filing for disability long term, but you must first make a claim for short-term benefits and then re-apply for long-term benefits once your temporary disability insurance runs out. In some cases, you will need to apply for social security disability if you are over age 65 or worker's compensation if you were hurt on the job. You aren't mandated to stay at home for the entire time you're rehabilitating; in fact, many employers encourage you to come back to work, even in part-time as you heal.

Child Birth - Be an Informed Mother About Birthing Issues

In today's society of advanced medical technology, it is important for women to make informed decisions concerning the birth of their child. Many women have been convinced that things like induction, epidurals and fetal heart monitors are necessary for a healthy birth experience. But what most women do not know is that they have a right to refuse any intervention. Consent forms can be legally modified at the time of signing. Deleting statements and even refusing to sign consents for treatment are well within a patients' rights. Verbal expressions of refusal are considered legitimate and any expression of preferences must be acknowledged. All the risks, benefits and consequences for treatment must be explained in detail by law.

The cesarean rate in the United States is increasing at an alarming pace. The latest CDC statistics show that 31.8 percent of all births are by cesarean. Most patients are not consulted or given access to information concerning the decision for this surgical procedure. Over half the mothers who have repeat cesareans are not given information that would allow them to make an educated decision. The authoritarian model of health care is considered the norm and women who question their doctors are often labeled as radical and uncooperative.

Education is the key to understanding the risks associated with common pregnancy, labor and birth interventions. Making decisions based on information gained through multiple sources is vital to understanding the benefits and risks associated with many pervasive measures. The use of alternate healthcare professionals such as midwives and doulas can also increase the likelihood of an intervention-free birth experience.

Making a birth plan can assist caregivers in understanding the desires of an informed mother. Although not a legal document, it can help those caring for and assisting in the birth to understand the wants and needs of the mother. Certain procedures, such as eye drops for the infant, might be required by law. But other things, like the timing of cutting the cord, are preference issues that can be accommodated.

Intervention rates vary by community and facility. Alternative birth facilities and care providers are an option to consider. Birth centers and home births are becoming more prevalent. These types of services are less likely to intervene in a low risk pregnancy and birth.

The birth philosophy of healthcare providers in often difficult to discern. One free resource to consult is the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services. This consumer rated web site provides information on over 17,500 providers and 6,500 facilities. The overall impact to mother and infant health depends on the quality of maternity care. Being an informed healthcare consumer is vital to experiencing an intervention-free labor and delivery.

Herbs for Infertility - How Herbs Can Help Women Over 35 Get Pregnant

There is a new trend in our society in which us women are delaying childbirth and waiting longer to start our families. As a result of this fact, an increasing number of women over the age of 35 are now realizing having a baby is not as easy as they thought it would be.

After more than 1 year of trying to conceive, many women find they are dealing with infertility issues and are now seeking professional help and looking to available assisted reproductive technologies. These methods can be extremely costly, invasive, and are not guaranteed to work, although some women have great results.

For others dealing with infertility issues, they prefer to try the more gentle natural route of herbal therapy and healthy diet.

Herbs for infertility have been used by the eastern civilizations for thousands of years. Herbs for infertility address underlying imbalances which are produced by our polluted environment, processed foods, pesticides and unhealthy lifestyles to name a few.

Herbal therapy promotes hormone balance, improves sperm and egg quality, regulates the menstrual cycle, enhances secretions, tones the uterus, nourishes the endometrial lining and maintains a healthy pregnancy.

In the treatment of infertility, herbs are used to promote optimal fertility health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM herbal therapy) generally uses combinations of herbs to get optimal results. The combination of different herbs in a fertility formula can be made into teas, pills, powders, or even added to delicious recipes. Herbal therapy combined with fertility foods and healthy lifestyle living has enabled women over the centuries to get pregnant and start the family they've been dreaming of!

Chinese herbs offered to women suffering from infertility include dong quai, chaste tree, damiana, ginseng and hachimijiogan. Keep in mind these herbs are extremely powerful and may be harmful or even fatal if taken in inadequate quantities. A herbalist who has extensive training or a professional who is experienced with herbal therapy should always be consulted.

Many women over 35 experiencing infertility issues have a great success with herbal therapy. They were able to treat their infertility effectively with fewer side effects that result with modern-day fertility drugs.

If you are planning to start a family or increasing your family size, regardless of your age, there is no time like the present to take control of nurturing your body and stimulating your reproductive organs. Herbs for infertility can provide your body with exactly what is needs to make your conceiving and pregnancy safe, natural and fun!

De-Stigmatising Postnatal Depression

"There are a number of causes of postnatal depression, but being a 'bad mother' is not one of them."
~Kylie Woolcock

Depression is a far more common phenomenon than most of the non-depressed world is readily aware of. And of the particular nuances of this black dog, postnatal depression seems just as common as overall depression is.

One in six Australian mothers experience depression postnatally.

Like all depressed people, postnatally depressed women cry out from within themselves for support and guidance to get through the troubled days of dark uncertainty.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?

There are the reasons of isolation, of a lack of anticipation, preparedness and awareness (who could adequately prepare for every eventuality for such a significant life change as the coming of a baby?), of self-doubting, as well as the core deficits of self-concept. Deficits of attachment are also linked.

But it is more useful to look at some of the myths surrounding the prevalence of postnatal depression, and to dispel them.

DISPELLING 3 MYTHS OF POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

MYTH: Women who suffer from postnatal depression are bad mothers.

Women who suffer from postnatal depression are not bad mothers. The trouble with depression is the doubting involved compounds, and thoughts of failing our babies and our families start in unfounded ways. But the more we doubt, and the more we entertain ourselves as failures, the more we block out signs of our positive self-concept, only to invite evidence of negativity - of seeing the failures in bright lights.

We should listen to the positive sources of encouragement in our lives and believe them.

MYTH: Being depressed will harm the baby.

Being depressed does not necessarily harm the baby. Especially when we admit our weakness, and we draw upon strength from trusted others, with help also from psychotherapy, we offset most of the possible negative effects on the baby. Getting our support is vital, as is journeying with our doctors regarding medications where they are required.

MYTH: Being depressed lasts a long time.

Depressed mothers do not necessarily remain depressed over the long term. The quicker we get treatment in any form of depression, or in any mental illness for that matter, the quicker our response of recovery. While some people will be prone to longer term symptoms, most react well to available treatments.

***

Postnatal or postpartum depression is as common as overall depression is. Many more women are affected than we often realise. There is no shame in any depression. The quicker we ask for help and get the treatment we need, the quicker we recover, generally.

穢 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Further Reading: Kylie Woolcock, "Postnatal Depression" in Counselling in Practice, vol. 30:9 - September 2011.

Top Tips for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Returning to work after having a baby is a time of mixed emotions, whether you are going back after a few months, a year, or longer. Guilt plays a big factor for many mums, but you need to put it in perspective and remember that happy mums mean happy babies. Going back to work has many positives, such as allowing you to have grown up conversations again, and allowing you to achieve more in your chosen career.

Childcare

The practical arrangements for who will look after your baby, where, at what times and how much this will cost is something which I am sure you have already thought about. When it comes to getting back into the working routine, no amount of planning will make it problem free. Aim to start your childcare a day or two early to get into practice, ensure that your baby is happy with the carer, and get used to being baby-free again. There are a variety of government funding options available to help pay for childcare. Have a chat with fellow working Mum's to find out the latest policies or do a search online.

Backup Plans

At some point, your baby or your care provider will be ill - and you will need to think about alternative arrangements. It might be agreed with your work that you are able to take the time off at short notice, if not then perhaps a friend or family member could be your emergency backup. Have this planned before you go back to work, and be sure to keep tabs on when your backup may not be available.

Organisation

Working and being a mum is a juggling act. Pack everything that you can for your baby's day and yours the night before, and make a list for the final bits you need to pack in the morning. Become a fan of lists, on the fridge, in the car...

Return to Work

If you are able to choose exactly when you return, then be kind to yourself and plan to go back halfway through the week, easing you back into the working routine slowly.

The Boss

Most employers are sympathetic and understand the stresses associated with returning to work. Scheduling an informal meeting with your boss the week before your return to discuss your workload and priorities could help you feel more prepared for the first day back.

Flexitime

Perhaps you have already decided on working flexible hours, working from home or maybe only returning to work part time?

Whatever you have agreed, don't let the first week make you feel like you've made the wrong decision. It won't be easy but give it time and see how you feel. If after a few weeks you still aren't happy, talk to your boss to find out what your options are.

New job

Perhaps you are returning to a new job, or just looking for something which will fit around your new life as a mum. There are many options, from self-employed jobs to part time and freelance positions, all with their own unique challenges.

For example you could put your childcare skills to use and become a qualified childminder, or you may wish to help pregnant mums to be by becoming a Hypnobirthing practitioner.

Keep your Mum friends

After being at home with your baby for the past months, you will probably now have some new mother friends. It is important not to lose contact with other mums when back at work, as being able to talk about your baby with people who understand is extremely valuable. Plan a weekend get together - if only for a coffee it gives you something nice to look forward to.

Sleep

Working and being a mum is tiring. Don't try to do all that you did pre-baby, and set yourself an earlier bedtime. Sleep is important not only to stay physically healthy, but helps you deal with stress too.

Stay positive

Being a mum is one of the most important jobs you can do, juggling work with this role requires much effort and determination. If you're feeling stressed, or having a bad day, take a few minutes to think of the positives and then tackle the problems one by one. Don't forget to take the time to do things for yourself, whether it is an afternoon shopping with friends or an evening curled up with a good book. Find the happy balance between work, family and career and enjoy the benefits of being a working mum.

New Jersey Commuters Have Varying Disability Coverage Levels

If you live in New Jersey and commute to work, your destination impacts the amount of disability insurance you may have. New Jersey temporary disability insurance covers private workers in the state. Know what your coverage level is before getting sick, hurt, or becoming pregnant.

Two people sitting on a train may have very different levels of coverage depending upon which stop they take to reach their work destination. Many New Jersey commuters are traveling cross state lines to go to work, and many do not are commuting to government jobs: federal, state, county, city, and municipal positions. The one thing all these commuters share in common is they are not mandated to participate in the NJ temporary insurance program.

Commuters with NY Disability

Commuters who cross the Hudson River to work in are covered by the New York plan. The New Jersey mandate applies to workers in the state, rather than residents, as does the NY plan. The NY plan caps benefits at $170 per week, far less than the NJ plan which caps income replacement at $561 per week.

NJ Residents Who May Not Have Coverage

Commuters traveling to government jobs may or may not have coverage. The New Jersey mandate applies to private workers only - government workers are exempt from the mandate, but each government entity is allowed to participate if they choose. If your government employer elected not to participate as many do not, you won't have any disability insurance coverage should you happen to become sick or hurt.

NJ Commuters with No Disability Coverage

Those residents crossing the Delaware River are in the worst position of all. Because the NJ mandate applies to people who work in the state, residents commuting to Pennsylvania or Delaware have no state disability coverage options at all. Both Delaware and Pennsylvania do not have state mandated disability insurance of any kind. Even if your employer wanted to participate, there is no state program to join. Workers in these states must rely on a company sponsored plan via a private insurer.

Regardless of where to commute to, you should consider buying supplemental short-term disability before getting sick, hurt, or becoming pregnant. At a $561 weekly cap many workers will find that it does not provide adequate coverage. This gap is even more profound for those with a $170 weekly cap and for those with no coverage at all.

Individual Health Insurance Plans

Buying individual health insurance plans is a feasible option if you want to avoid falling victim to the escalating medical costs. Buying individual health insurance plans that cover your family is an ideal solution to keep your medical bills in check. This is even more important if you are self-employed or are working for a company that does not cover your health insurance. Even for those working in companies that provide group insurance, it is better to play safe and buy an individual health insurance plan for a greater security.

With so many companies in the market offering affordable individual health plans, it is best to study various options before arriving at any decision. There are three types of policies available for individuals, families and for those who are self employed -PPO Plans, HMO Plans, and Indemnity Plans.

In a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), you have the option of choosing your health provider from a pool of doctors associated with the network. If you opt for the HMO (Health Management Plan), you will be able to choose one doctor who will then be your primary health physician. But if you need to go to a specialist, you will need a nod of approval from him or her. Indemnity Plans are the traditional health insurance plans wherein you can choose any hospital or doctor for your services.

Once you decide upon the plan, contact the companies to get their quotes. The best thing is to seek expert advice and consult your friends, in case they have bought health coverage plans. Study the quotes carefully and compare the plans. You will find that some plans cover additional benefits like providing prescription drugs or offering facilities for preventive care. Vision care and maternity care benefits are also covered by some plans.

Another factor that you need to analyze carefully is that of additional costs that might be involved. This means that apart from the monthly premiums, you may end up paying additional costs. These costs can really make a difference to your budget especially if the plan covers your children or other family members.

All said, any individual health plan that you buy should cover your hospital expenses, surgical expenses, and physician's expenses as also any incidental costs in case you are hospitalized.

What Husbands Can Do When Their Wives Have Postpartum Depression

When your wife has postpartum depression (PPD), which affects about 1 in 7 women after childbirth, you might feel confused, annoyed, scared, sad, worried or any combination of these. My husband certainly did. You might be thinking, "Why can't she just be happy? What's wrong with her? Aren't new moms supposed to be happy now that the baby's finally here? What's going on?"

Remember that PPD is a biochemical disorder which is no one's fault - not yours or hers. Although you can't fix it like you can a broken cabinet or leaky faucet, it's your job to support her as she recovers. Warning signs of PPD include anxiety, lack of energy, frequent crying, inability to sleep at night even when the baby's sleeping, low self-esteem, guilt feelings, appetite problems, irritability or anger, overwhelmed feelings, forgetfulness, decreased sex drive, and hopelessness. The normal Baby Blues should be gone by two weeks postpartum, so if she's still feeling weepy, she needs help. Or, if the symptoms are more severe than the mild Baby Blues even during the first two weeks, don't wait - get her help right away. You or she should call a healthcare practitioner you trust and ask for a referral to a therapist who specializes in postpartum depression.

Here are some pointers that will help you to help her and your relationship: (Excerpts from Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Bennett and Indman)

Just being there with her is doing a great deal.

Letting her know you support her is often all she'll need. Ask her what words she needs to hear for reassurance, and say those words to her often. Things like, "We'll get through this. I'm here for you. I love you very much. You're a great mom. The baby loves you. You'll get yourself back. The PPD is temporary. I'm sorry you're suffering - that must feel awful. This isn't your fault."

Share at-home responsibilities.

Even a non-depressed new mom can't realistically be expected to cook dinner and clean house. She may be guilt-tripping herself about not measuring up to her own expectations and worrying that you'll also be disappointed with her. Remind her that parenting your child(ren) and taking care of your home is also your job, not just hers. Your relationship will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.

Let her sleep at night.

She needs at least 5 hour of uninterrupted sleep per night to receive a full sleep cycle and restore her biorhythms (Chapter 11 of Postpartum Depression For Dummies* explains in detail how splitting the night can work even if she's breastfeeding or you need to leave the house early for work.) If you want your wife back quicker, be on duty for this time without disturbing her. Many dads have expressed how much closer they are to their children because of nighttime caretaking. If you can't be up at night taking care of your baby, hire someone who can take your place. A temporary baby nurse will be worth her weight in gold.

Get the support you need so you can be there for her.

Often a husband becomes depressed during or after his wife's depression. You can help protect yourself by getting your own support from friends, family, or professionals. Regular exercise or other stress-relieving activity is important, so you can remain the solid support for your wife. Provide a stand-in support person for her while you're gone. o Don't take it personally. Irritability is common with PPD. Don't allow yourself to become a verbal punching bag. It's not healthy for anyone concerned. She feels guilty after saying hurtful things to you and it's not good for her. If you feel you didn't deserve to be snapped at, calmly explain that to her. (Excerpts from Postpartum Depression For Dummies by Bennett)

Back her up in her decision- making.

If your wife needs to see various practitioners, take medication, join a PPD support group, stop breastfeeding, or whatever else, she needs to know you're behind her 100 percent. You can certainly participate in the decision-making process, but the decisions themselves are ultimately hers. It can be helpful for you to accompany her to a therapy or doctor's appointment so you can ask any questions you may have regarding her treatment. As a therapist, I find the partner's attendance useful and I encourage it at least once. My client is always relieved to know that her husband is getting support and now understands more about her situation and the illness. o Don't mention how much her care costs. She's already feeling guilty about what she's costing the family, both emotionally and financially. Without your wife's mental health in tact, nothing else matters. During PPD recovery, couples may use up savings and take out loans - consider it an investment in launching your new family in a healthy way. Be open to doing (and spending) whatever it takes to get her the right, specialized help, not just whoever is covered by the insurance plan.

Practice the work/life balance.

You've probably read your employee handbook about your company's work/life balance program. Now's the time to make it work for you. Tell your manager what's going on at home, that you need to leave work every evening on time, and that you can't take expended business trips for the foreseeable future. You may see this practice as career suicide, but it isn't. Many of my clients' husbands have taken parental leave, and have made the effort to be at home on time every night during this difficult period. Federal law provides husbands job-protected time off from work following the birth of a baby or to care for a seriously ill spouse. If you're a domestic partner, it depends on the state in which you live whether or not you'll be covered. If necessary, go ahead and move off the corporate fast track to help your partner recover. Your physical presence to her is more important than the next promotion, and years from now, when you look back on your life, you'll never regret having chosen family over work. I hear over and over from my clients that they don't care about the big house (with the big mortgage). They just want their husbands at home. So, if you're thinking that it's for her and your kids that you're working long hours, traveling, and so forth, you may want to ask her what she thinks - you many be surprised.

Maintain intimacy.

As you and your wife walk the road to recovery, it's important to maintain intimacy, even if it's (for now) void of any sexual activity. You may be rolling your eyes with the thought of "just cuddling." After all, what's the point of cuddling if it doesn't lead to anything? But for her, just being close to you and being held by you is comforting and healing. She may also have some physical healing to do following the birth process. Remember not to take her lack of interest in sex personally. This isn't a rejection of you - it's mainly about hormones, brain chemicals, and life changes. If you're the one returning from work at the end of the day, make sure you greet your wife first, before you greet any other member of the family (including the furry, four-legged ones). The relationship with her is the most important one and without it, no other little person would be there (see Chapter 15 for other sex and intimacy issues). Refer to the first bullet for ideas of what to say to your wife that will truly help her.

There are also some clear no-no's to avoid. Here are a few: DO NOT say:

"Think about everything you have to feel happy about." She already knows everything she has to feel happy about. One of the reasons she feels so guilty is that she's depressed despite these things.

"Just relax." This suggestion usually produces the opposite effect! She's already frustrated at not being able to relax in spite of all the coping mechanisms that have worked in the past. Anxiety produces hormones that can cause physical reactions such as increased heart rate, shakiness, and muscle tension. This is not something she can just will away.

"Snap out of it." If she could, she would have already. She wouldn't wish this on anyone. She can't snap out of PPD any easier than she can snap out of the flu. Be patient, non-judgmental, and upbeat. With the right kind of professional help along with your consistent and loving support, your wife will recover and your marriage will likely be stronger than ever.

Individual Health Insurance: The Maternity Coverage Gap

Individual health insurance with maternity coverage has become an oxymoron in the United States. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms such as: dark light, living dead, etc. The terms have become contradictory because of market forces: the only people willing to buy maternity coverage plan to use the benefit. Insurers respond by eliminating coverage from basic plans and creating maternity riders designed not to appeal to couples planning a pregnancy; which leaves many couples with very limited options. Fortunately, a hybrid option exists.

The costs of covering a planned normal pregnancy are quite high: $6,000 to $12,000 depending upon the type of delivery. If you have group health insurance your plan likely covers normal labor and delivery as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires group health plans to cover normal pregnancy. But there is no such law governing plans issued in the individual market, and insurers have grown wary of offering plans that cover normal delivery in this market: the only people buying coverage plan to use the benefit.

Maternity Insurance Riders

Insurers have responded to this market based dilemma by eliminating maternity coverage from base plans and introducing maternity riders. The rider structure allows them to market competitively priced plans to the majority not planning on having children, and the option to upgrade coverage for those who are. However, the population segment interested in the rider plans to generate $6,000 to $12,000 in incremental claims (and far more if complications arise). A rider priced at the mid point - $8,000 in additional annual premium would be outrageously expensive.

Long Waiting Periods

So instead they offer riders with long waiting periods and/or long deductibles. These features limit the benefit to almost zero, but do minimize the sticker shock. The insurer has found a way to offer coverage without losing money on a planned event. But the potential customers (couples planning to have children) are left scratching their heads about the value.

A long waiting period forces couples to pre pay premiums in advance of using the benefit. But many couples decide to start a family right away. Waiting twelve months BEFORE getting pregnant is just not an option for many. Waiting an additional twelve months makes matters worse if a couple is nearing the end of their age based fertility window.

Large Deductibles

Deductibles are structured in an insurers favor. Should you pay an additional $300 per month for a maternity rider with a $5,000 deductible? If you have a simple delivery the policy may cost more than you receive in benefits. But that's the idea behind insurance. It's there to cover you in case of the unexpected, not something you are planning to do.

Supplemental Insurance

Supplemental insurance sold as a voluntary employee benefit offers a hybrid solution to the maternity coverage gap. Because they are sold through employer groups, normal labor and delivery is covered. Because they are voluntary, there is no direct cost to employers to make the option available to all employees. Couples can purchase individual health insurance for basic needs, and add supplemental insurance instead of a devalued maternity rider.

Pregnancy Antenatal Care - Your Health Care Team and Appointments

During pregnancy, yours and your baby's health is monitored closely, but who should you see? When do you need to see them? And what are all the pregnancy tests and scans for? Finding out what antenatal care you should expect when you're pregnant can be confusing, so here's our guide to help you through this exciting time.

Your Pregnancy Health Care Team

Your team of health care professionals during pregnancy can be quite varied. Initially you should see your GP (family doctor) when you think you're pregnant and they will help you plan your antenatal care.

Your doctor should tell you how to arrange your first appointment with your midwife (otherwise known as your 'booking in appointment') and from there the midwife will look after you and your baby throughout your pregnancy and for the first few weeks after your baby is born.

You may also have routine appointments with an Obstetrician at the beginning and end of your pregnancy. They specialise in pregnancy and birth and will see you more regularly if you are carrying multiple births, have any complications with your pregnancy or are having a planned cesarean.

When your baby is a few months old, your Health Visitor will take over the care of you and your baby from your midwife. They are likely to visit you to see how you're getting on and are available for any worries or concerns you may have as your baby grows.

Pregnancy check ups

During your first pregnancy you are likely to have up to 10 appointments to attend to. This reduces to around 7 in subsequent pregnancies.

The number of check ups you have when pregnant depends on many things:

• Your risk factors


• Any complications


• Elected labour options


• The number of babies you are carrying


• The area in which you live.

All pregnant women will be given their medical records to keep hold of during pregnancy. Don't forget to bring them to all of your appointments so that whichever doctor or midwife is treating you will have your notes to hand.

Booking in appointment

The first meeting with your midwife will happen when you are around 8-10 weeks pregnant and is referred to as the 'booking in' appointment.

This is when your midwife will discuss your family history (and your partner's), give you advice about your diet, lifestyle and staying healthy whilst you're pregnant.

The midwife will also carry out some tests such as urine and blood tests, you'll have your blood pressure checked and some details about your body recorded such as height, weight and tummy measurement. This is all for your midwife to monitor the health of you and your baby.

Dating 12 week scan

Many clinics offer a scan at between 10 and 14 weeks. This is your pregnancy dating scan (also called the 12 week scan) and is used to date the pregnancy more accurately than the estimated due date your midwife may have given you. The dating scan is also used to check the number of babies you are carrying.

Sometimes you may be able to take a picture of the baby home with you (often hospitals charge for this) to keep as a momentum of your 12 week scan. For most women this is the first time they will have seen the baby.

The dating scan isn't offered in all parts of the country so if this isn't available to you in your area, you'll need to wait for the 20-week anomaly scan which is the next scheduled pregnancy scan.

Pregnancy blood tests

You should have a range of blood tests in your 2nd trimester, usually between the 14th and 20th week of your pregnancy. These are routine and are offered to all pregnant women:

• Blood group tests identify whether you are Rhesus Negative (RhD). This can cause complications in later pregnancies, but simple injections during your first pregnancy will prevent this.


• You'll have what's called a full blood count test (repeated again at 28 weeks) which helps to monitor you for deficiency anaemia, a common complaint during pregnancy.


• You'll also be screened for infections and viruses such as Hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. This is a precautionary measure and just means they can look after your baby to prevent you passing the infection on during pregnancy.

The 20 week anomaly scan

Around your 20th week of pregnancy, you will have an anomaly scan. This is a detailed check on your baby using ultrasound and examines the baby's body, measurements and growth. They'll also check on your placenta and you may even have the option of finding out the sex of your baby, although not all places offer this and no hospital guarantees the sex from the ultrasound.

You can usually ask for a picture from this pregnancy scan, but again expect to pay a charge. Some places even offer a video.

Additional tests and scans

Other than the standard pregnancy scans and tests you may be offered additional checks, either as optional tests if you are at risk of any complications, or as extra monitoring of your baby. The important thing to remember is to discuss any concerns you have with your midwife or doctor, they are there to help make your pregnancy as healthy, safe and enjoyable as possible.

Family Law - Maternity and Paternity Leave

If you are working and you fall pregnant, the law protects you with some basic rights, these are that you should not be fired from your job just because you are pregnant, your job should be safe for when you want to return to work, you have the right to maternity pay and to have time off for ante natal care. If your employer fails to comply with these laws, you have the right to take legal action against them.

If you are fired from your job for being pregnant or having a baby, it is an unfair dismissal. You may experience other types of discrimination which are used to try and force you to leave your job, this includes changing your hours without consulting your first, being given work which is unsuitable for you, being unfairly judged in staff reports and not being allowed time off for ante natal appointments.

It is a mother's legal right to have time off for maternity leave. There is a basic statutory amount which is set by the government and some employers have their own company schemes which can differ and be more generous than the statutory amount.

Statutory maternity leave is set at 52 weeks. 26 weeks of this is Ordinary Maternity Leave and the other 26 is Additional Maternity leave. 39 weeks of maternity leave should be paid. Throughout this time the mother's job should be kept open and her contract of employment should continue despite the fact that she is not there. If you are pregnant, you need to inform your employer before the 15th week before the baby is due that you are pregnant and plan to take maternity leave. You should also inform your employer of the date in which you would like your maternity leave to start. Provided that you follow this procedure, you will be entitled to maternity leave regardless of how long you have worked for your employer or the amount of hours that you work.

If you fit certain specifications, for example you have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks before getting pregnant; you may be entitled to statutory maternity pay. Statutory maternity pay is set at 90% of your normal pay and is payable for six weeks. After this time it will be reduced to 瞿124.80 for the remainder of the maternity period up until 33 weeks. If you don't qualify for statutory maternity pay, you may be entitled to state maternity allowance.

Expecting fathers are also entitled to some paternity benefits. A father is entitled to two weeks statutory paternity leave providing that they inform their employer before the 15th week before their child is due.

Fathers will also be entitled to statutory paternity pay for the duration of their leave, this is set at 90% of their weekly earnings or 瞿124.80, whichever amount is lower. Fathers are not legally entitled to any time off for ante natal care, however individual employers may make exceptions for this.

PPO Insurance and Plans - How Deductibles Work

Simply put, PPO means you can go see anyone within that company's network, without needing a referral. So if you are looking to see if your doctor is in a particular network, you should ask your agent before you buy health insurance.

Now before you buy a health Insurance plan, an incredibly important question you MUST ask BEFORE you buy is how does the deductible work? This is such a neglected question, but very important to understand.

With Health Insurance, a Deductible (the first stage) is the amount of money that you pay out of your pocket before you move into the 2nd stage. So in the first stage, pay attention to the details of how much you'll pay for small procedures if you only pay parts of your deductible in a year, but not the entire deductible.

Now if you have met your Deductible, you'll move into the"Co-Insurance" stage. In this 2nd Co-Insurance stage, you and your insurance company will 'co-insure" meaning, you and your insurance company will share the burden of the bill. You will generally pay the lesser percentage, and the insurance company will pay the larger portion.

Then the 3rd and final stage of insurance is "Maximum Out Of Pocket." This is the most you'll have to pay in a calendar year.

What happens before the deductible is met is where company's can vastly differ. For example, if you have a $5,000 expense from an Emergency Room, and you have a $5,000 deductible, and you haven't yet "met your deductible," how much would you expect to pay? Is the insurance company going to share with you a negotiated rate? If they do, get specific, how much of a discounted rate will they will give you? Dig deeper, get your straight forward answer. Is it a percentage? Is it a range?

For Example:

* Scenario 1 - $5,000 Emergency Room Kidney Stones Bill, Deductible $5000, your out of pocket $2,000

* Scenario 2 - $5,000 Emergency Room Kidney Stones Bill, Deductible $5000, your out of pocket $5,000

Always ask how many deductibles you must meet each year. This can vastly differ within different company's and different plans. Are you a single individual or family? Ask how many total deductibles there are per calendar year... per person and per family.

Deductibles usually range from $500 - $10,000 in private insurance plans. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and conversely the higher the premium, the lower the deductible.

The rationale behind this is that if the Insured person is willing to pay a little more each month in their premium, the insurance company can reduce their deductible, but if the client would prefer to have a low premium and take on a little higher risk with total money out of pocket, they exchange that risk for a lower premium.

If you have ppo insurance with Co-Pays, generally you'll pay a "Co-Pay" at the Dr's office, without having to worry about a deductible, however, you MUST ask questions when shopping for health coverage. Some "Co-Pays" are after the deductible has been met, for example, if your plan says an Emergency Room "copay" of $100, is this before or after the deductible?

So to sum up deductibles, it is the amount of money that comes out of your pocket before the insurance company will begin to split the bill with you (co-insurance). Again, ask questions. BEFORE you've met your deductible, are you getting a network discounted rate, and if you are, WHAT IS IT?

What Intended Parents Pay For in Surrogacy

Whether you have decided to become a surrogate mother, or you are looking to find a surrogate mother, the question of what fees and costs intended parents pay for in surrogacy is a big one. Pregnancy, and an IVF pregnancy in particular, can be quite costly.

The short answer is, if it relates to pregnancy, the intended parents pay for it. These expenses can add up fast. The following lists some common fees that intended parents pay.

Insurance
If a surrogate mother has her own health insurance, that does not exclude surrogacy, then this should be used. The intended parents should NOT reimburse her for her regular insurance, but should pay for a policy if she does not have one.

Medical Expenses
All medical expenses that are not covered by a surrogate mother's health insurance will be the responsibility of the intended parents. This includes if she loses her health insurance, or if the provider decides not to pay for the pregnancy.

Clinic Fees
All fees from the IVF clinic (not used in traditional surrogacy) are the responsibility of the intended parents. This also includes all medications and all tests the clinic requires of the gestational surrogate mother.

Attorney Fees
Both the intended parents' attorney and the surrogate mother's attorney will be paid for by the intended parents. They will also need to pay all legal fees associated with the birth of the surrogate baby.

Agency Fees
If an agency is used, all the fees should be paid by the intended parents. This fee can be avoided by finding an independent match.

Surrogate Fees
The fees that the traditional or gestational surrogate mother requires will be outlined in the surrogacy contract. The intended parents are responsible for all these fees, as they are described.

Miscellaneous Fees
Things like travel, childcare, lost wages, prenatal vitamins, and doctors office copays should be paid for by the intended parents. The surrogate mother should receive reimbursement on these items in addition to her compensation.

The expenses that intended parents are responsible for can be quite large, and more than intimidating. If you are considering surrogacy as a solution to creating your family, it is best to research these fees and be prepared in advance.

It is not unrealistic to assume that added up, all of these various fees can come to more than $50-100,000. It is so hard to put a better number on it since each situation is different.

Lawyers may charge more in one state than another. An experienced gestational surrogate mother will request more in compensation than a first time traditional surrogate mother. A pregnancy might not be achieved on a first IVF transfer but may require three cycles, or four.

And even after all the big expenses are paid, there are a myriad of smaller, everyday items that add up over time. Maternity clothing, prenatal vitamins, pregnancy tests. These things cost money.

A surrogate pregnancy can be a very expensive undertaking. But in the end, having your own child to hold in your arms is worth it.

PCOS Symptoms - Can Holistic Pregnancy Help?

With today's modern medicine, you would imagine PCOS and infertility would be thing of the past, well unfortunately it's not. A small percentage of women suffer from a disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Discovering PCOS symptoms is not always straight forward as symptoms may vary depending on the woman. PCOS is also strongly linked to insulin resistance syndrome, a condition that leads to poor blood sugar control and weight gain. PCOS is a condition which affects approximately 5-10% of all women and without the proper help it can cause permanent infertility.

Possible PCOS Symptoms include.

Acne

Irregular period cycle

Obesity

Extreme body hair growth

High blood pressure

Hormone imbalances

Pigmented skin

Hair loss

Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes

Thinning of scalp hair

If you have concerns about PCOS Symptoms you should seek medical advice from your doctor.

PCOS symptoms can be determined after a simple blood test. If you have been diagnosed you will require a complete lifestyle change, this alone can increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you need help on how to get pregnant with PCOS, there are some useful guides you can follow before using prescribed drugs or expensive treatments.

Holistic pregnancy methods have been regarded in recent years as highly successful and more importantly they do not require you to pollute your body with various drugs. As a sufferer of PCOS I can tell you first hand that my experience with certain infertility drugs was not pleasant and unsuccessful.

Infertility drugs should be avoided until they become your only option. If you require some guidance on PCOS Symptoms you can research the web and find plenty of help and advice from other sufferers. You will be amazed at how many women have had success in using holistic pregnancy methods, thankfully I can include myself as one of the success stories. Help on how to get pregnant with PCOS is only a click away. I wish you every success and remember to never lose hope.

Importance of Buying the Right Maternity Clothes

Today, there are many pregnant women that prefer buying maternity clothes. Earlier people who had limited budget were unable to afford maternity clothes and had to wear what was available to them. However, with the opening up of the markets, many women prefer wearing special dresses that take care of their needs.

However, maternity clothes are not cheap as they are made from soft material so women don't feel uncomfortable wearing them. Also, most women who buy these clothes expect them to last for the entire period of pregnancy. If manufacturers use cheap cloth it can get damaged easily and may not last long. Therefore manufacturers use expensive cloth that last long and are soft.

Women who buy maternity clothes must check the quality of material used by the manufacturers. They should buy clothes that are not only classy but are also of exceptional quality. When buying clothes that you want to wear at home or at casual outings, buy large comfortable clothes like t-shirts and large sweaters.

You can also use maternity clothes after childbirth when you breastfeed your child. Buying breastfeeding clothes can be expensive and mothers can save money by using maternity clothes when they feed their baby. However, you cannot completely avoid getting nursing clothes as you may require them when you go out shopping or meet your friends.

Today, designing clothes for pregnant women is a big business and many designers have come out with exclusive collection of clothes for pregnant women. You can buy these designer clothes at a well-known departmental store or you can even buy them online. If you are looking to buy simple clothes, you can buy clothes have simple designs or prints on them.

Lower the Cost of Infertility Treatments With Subsidies From the IRS

Fertility treatment costs can seem daunting, especially if your employer's health insurance does not provide coverage for these procedures - as many do not. There are a handful of states that mandate insurers to cover infertility treatments, for companies with more than 50 employees.

The majority of couples live in a state without a such a mandate, or work for employers with less than 50 employees. If you fall into this category, Uncle Sam is willing to make your cost of infertility procedures more affordable.

Let the IRS Cut Infertility Rates

Un-reimbursed medical expenses such as infertility treatment costs are tax deductible. You can discount infertility procedure prices by offsetting tax savings. You have two options, but one is clearly superior:

Take an itemized medical deduction on your IRS Schedule A. Beware - the first 7.5% of your adjusted gross income will be subtracted from the total of your total un-reimbursed medical expenses to determine your amount of tax savings.

For example, if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 this means no tax savings on the first $7,500 of un-reimbursed medical expenses.

Use a Flexible Spending Account for Bigger Savings

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to realize tax savings on your very first dollar of infertility treatment costs, plus you may also reduce the amount of State, and FICA taxes you pay.

For example, you are in the 25% federal tax bracket, 5% state income tax bracket, and you pay 7.65% in FICA taxes. You contribute $5,200 to the FSA, and use the funds to settle your infertility treatment costs. You will lower your tax bill by $1,957.

That is a nearly 38% reduction in your cost of IVF, IUI or other treatment. Thank you IRS!

Top Secrets to Get Pregnant Quickly and Naturally - Spiritual Battles to Get Pregnant and Conceive

Are you embarrassed by how long you have waited to get pregnant? Do you have concerns about your ovulation? Are you afraid your fallopian tube may be blocked? Is delayed pregnancy making you feel less of a real woman and more like a barren? There are top secrets to get pregnant quickly and naturally your doctor may be overlooking or may not even be aware of. And if you lay your hands on these secrets and diligently apply them, you will become pregnant within 2 months.

Why you should consider an effective natural method to get pregnant quickly? This is because of the side effects and dangers of other methods and the high cost and complexities of such medical procedures and interventions, which at times does not make you pregnant. Also remember that you are not fighting against flesh and blood; but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6: 12).

One secret that will help you to get pregnant safely and naturally and give birth to healthy babies is to take up the WHOLE armor of God through prayers. Most women neglect this simple fact and begin to spend thousands of dollars on complex medical procedures and techniques that may not work.

If you want to get pregnant quickly and naturally within 2 months you must pray the following power prayers with faith:

• First, begin to thank God for yet another day. Thank God for your marriage. Millions are still unmarried.




• Lord, you are the one that ordained marriage and you decreed that we should be fruitful and multiply.




• Therefore, I come to you and ask that you make my spouse and I to become fruitful, in the name of Jesus.




• Whatever is not fruitful is not of God; therefore I reject it in the name of Jesus.




• I command all anti-fruitfulness powers to dry up concerning my family in Jesus name.




• Jehovah God, you made Hannah fruitful after many years. Do the same for my family in Jesus name.




• Jehovah God, you wiped the tears and covered the shame of Hannah. Do the same for my family in Jesus name.




• I declare today that with you Jehovah all things are possible. Let there be the cry of a baby in this house in Jesus name.




• Lord God, you visited Sarah and a miracle pregnancy happened in her life. Do the same for me in Jesus name.




• Jehovah God, give us miracle pregnancy. Do what will make the world to celebrate us.




• The God of Hannah, disappoint every medical report in Jesus name. Give us miracle pregnancy. Use my family as evidence that you are the living God. Give us a new song.




• Today, I divorce every spirit husband or wife and command them to die in Jesus name. I release my children to come to me now, in Jesus name.




• Exodus 23: 26 - there shall none be barren in my house. I resist you Satan in Jesus name.




• I know the God that made Hannah to dance will make me to dance.




• Thank you, Father for answered prayers. My spouse and I shall testify in Jesus name.

Repeat the prayers every day - morning, afternoon and at night before bed.

Here, you are using the armor of God to deal with every spiritual powers fighting against your pregnancy.

The second top secret to get pregnant quickly and naturally is to acquire the right knowledge that will help you to conceive and give birth to healthy babies within 2 months. Remember, my people perish for lack of knowledge...

It is wise to acquire the right knowledge that will help you get pregnant quickly and naturally. You can understand so many things about your body, hormonal changes, the type of food you should eat and not eat, chemicals in your home that may be sabotaging your efforts to get pregnant, your ideal weight to get pregnant, and much more.

You can get some of these facts from a good book or the internet. Once you know what may be the cause of your problem, you can then take specific steps to solve it. No more dilly-dallying!

There is a book I have recommended to several women in my community and all of them became pregnant within a very short time after knowing what they did not understand about their body before. Do you understand your body very well? Your doctor will not know, your husband will not know. Only you can explain how you feel!

Pregnancy - Pregnancy in the Sixth Week

During week 6 of pregnancy, you may begin to experience an increase of pregnancy symptoms such as food cravings and aversions - also morning sickness. The embryo at this stage is 0.08 to 0.16 inches long, and structures and organs are more defined. Pregnancy week by week progresses - at 6 weeks, you begin experiencing more pregnancy symptoms. Your baby's heart is beating in a normal pattern. The physical signs of the pregnancy stages can include nausea, extreme fatigue, tender and aching breasts. At this stage, your own health care is very important.

Pregnancy week by week shows that the embryo is growing rapidly and other pregnancy symptoms include a frequent need to urinate. Although these symptoms occur in the early pregnancy stages as well, they are more severe during week 6 due to the rapid growth of the embryo. Therefore, adequate health care for the pregnant mother is absolutely essential.

Part of your health care during pregnancy, particularly when you are 6 weeks pregnant should be to drink plenty of water, as morning sickness can occur at any hour even all day long. During your pregnancy stages, you should bear in mind that alcohol, nicotine and drugs should be avoided altogether. Some of the pregnancy symptoms will include food cravings, your breasts becoming larger and a slight weight gain. As the development of pregnancy week by week progresses, your baby's heart beat is distinct and the backbone and head are beginning to form.

During pregnancy, your health care should include a high protein diet that includes soy, milk, cheese and fish, yogurt, fruit juice and cereal. Try to avoid fried and oily foods. If your pregnancy symptoms include nausea, try to take your vitamins with a citric juice, but do not cut out your vitamins. Pregnancy in the 6th week and right through your pregnancy stages should include light exercise like walking, aerobics or even yoga, but always consult your doctor.