How to Get Pregnant: Fertility Tips for Women and Men

One of the most common questions I see asked is, "How can I get pregnant?" Infertility affects ten percent of the reproductive population in the United States according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Many couples can overcome the challenge of trying to conceive through lifestyle changes.

Infertility affects both men and women. In approximately 40% of couples, male infertility contributes to or is the sole cause of their infertility. Lifestyle changes can have a dramatic impact on fertility. These tips will help both women and men increase their chances of getting pregnant.

For women...

* Use an ovulation prediction kit. This will let you know 24-48 hours before you ovulate so you can time your trying to conceive appropriately. When the test shows positive, you and your partner should have sex that day and the day after.

* Chart your basal body temperature. This provides you with a record of what is going on with your cycle. Not only will you be able to tell the day you ovulated, but charting your BBT can also identify potential problems such as low progesterone and luteal phase defects. You can download a free BBT chart from my website in either Celsius and Fahrenheit format. BBT Monthly Cycle Charts

* Take prenatal vitamins. This is essential for both your health and your baby's health. Taking folate at least one month before conception can decrease your baby's chances of having neural tube defects by 70%. The daily intake of vitamin C can help you grow a strong placenta that will last through a full term pregnancy.

For men...

* Limit or eliminate caffeine intake. Drink no more than one or two cups of coffee a day. Eliminate caffeine entirely if possible. Drinking an entire coffee pot full can be detrimental to your fertility.

* Keep cool and avoid excessive heat to your scrotum. Wear boxers instead of briefs, stay away from saunas and hot tubs, take cool showers, and avoid bike riding or over exercising.

* Take vitamins. At minimum, take a good daily multivitamin. Some important vitamins for sperm health are B12, C (500 mg daily), E (400 IUS daily), Arginine, L-Carnitine, Zinc (20 mg daily), Selenium (200 mcgs daily), and Coenzyme Q10. Folic acid is also recommended for men (400 mcgs daily). Get approval from your family doctor before taking any vitamins.

* Abstain from sex for short periods. Abstaining can increase the volume and potency of sperm, but abstaining for too long can leave too many older less motile sperm. Do not abstain for more than 3 to 6 six days.

* Be careful with medications. Some medications are known to cause fertility issues. Medications to avoid include anabolic steroids, some antibiotics (nitrofurans and macrolides), sulfasalazine (anti-diarrheal), and ketoconazole (anti-fungal).

For both of you...

* Have sex every other day throughout your fertile period. While having sex at the right time is one of the most important things you can do, some couples overlook this. A woman's egg is viable for just under 24 hours. Most sperm live 2-3 days, with some living up to five days. This means your fertile period begins approximately five days before ovulation and ends one day after.

* Exercise regularly. Exercise three or four days a week for at least 20 minutes per day. If you have not exercised in the past, then walking is a great way to get your exercise. If you have access to a place to swim, it is great exercise that is easy to get into. Remember for men that you should not over-exercise, which can create too much heat.

* Avoid toxins such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. Do not take any medications not approved by the ObGyn or your family doctor. Men and women both need to make sure their doctor is aware they are trying to conceive when they are prescribing medications.

* Do not smoke. This is worth repeating. Smoking can have a profoundly negative affect on your fertility. Smoking is also detrimental to the health of both you and your baby. If you are a smoker, stop smoking now.

* Eat healthy. Eat whole, natural foods. For instance, eat an orange instead of drinking orange juice. Avoid processed foods. This means for the most part sticking to the outside aisles at the grocery store where the whole foods are and staying away from the packaged foods on the inside. For bread, check the label. If it says enriched, then it is processed. Look for unprocessed whole grain breads. For oats, eat steel cut oats rather than instant.

* Get to a healthy weight. Thin men may have a low sperm count, while obese men may have their hormones out of whack - too much estrogen and not enough testosterone. Thin women do not have enough estrogen and may not ovulate, while obese women have too much estrogen to get pregnant.

* Be sure and get plenty of anti-oxidants in your diet. This includes drinking tea, eating fruit snacks like blueberries, cherries, black plums, prunes, and apples, and eating vegetables such as dark green leafy (kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, etc.), tomatoes, peppers and parsley.

* Drink water and lots of it. A man should drink half his weight in ounces of water per day. If he weighs 200 pounds, he should drink 100 ounces of water. A woman should drink a minimum of 100 ounces of water per day.

* Avoid stress. This can be hard to do, especially during the two week wait, but it is essential for your reproductive health. Relax and enjoy this time with each other.

* Avoid toxins. Do not take any medications unless approved by your ObGyn and your family doctor. Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and recreation drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

* Avoid environmental hazards such as pesticides, lead, heavy metals, and radiation.

Following these lifestyle change tips can help many couples improve their chances of getting pregnant. Some changes will provide almost immediate improvement, and some take longer. Keep in mind that it takes three months for a man to grow sperm, so if things like smoking or excessive heat have hurt or killed his sperm, it can take that long for the lifestyle changes to take affect.

3 Food Nutrition Tips for a Pregnant Woman

Pregnancy is a great time in a woman's life but it can also be a very stressful time. If you are expecting a child then you have to be particularly careful about your overall health. You need to be especially watchful about your diet because you need the best possible food nutrition in order to ensure that you and your unborn child are both healthy. Pregnant women also find it easier to deal with most pregnancy related ailments simply by eating right.

As a pregnant woman your objective should be to stay as healthy as possible without putting on a lot of weight. Excess weight will harm your unborn child and can also lead to lasting health issues for you. Besides, it is far easier to avoid weight gain than to lose it afterwards. You'll merely be saving yourself a great deal of trouble (and expense) if you stick to a really good diet.

The following tips will ensure that you get adequate food nutrition without consuming excess calories:

- Eat lots of fibre rich foods, preferably from organic sources. This will ensure that you won't have too many problems with constipation. Most pregnant women get constipated because their digestive processes do not work well during this period. Foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are rich in fibre and they ensure that constipation is no longer a problem.

- Add adequate amounts of flax seed and avocado to your diet. They are rich sources of monounsaturated fatty acids which are essential for your child. No doubt you can get these fatty acids from fish as well, but doctors recommend that you reduce the amount of fish you eat when you are pregnant because of fears of mercury poisoning.

- Eat lots of greens so that your body can produce the necessary amount of blood. The foetus tends to require a lot of iron in the third trimester; you should increase your intake of spinach, kale etc. accordingly. Be sure to consume Vitamin C along with the greens (a simple dressing of lemon juice will do) in order to ensure better absorption.

You will be able to enjoy a relatively trouble free pregnancy as long as you are careful about what you eat. Get help from a professional, if necessary, so that your diet is correct right from the outset. These food nutrition tips will also be of great help long after your baby has been born.

Pregnancy for Dads - Understanding What Your Wife Is Going Through

A series of emotions for Dads may come during nine months of pregnancy. It range from surprise finding out she's pregnant or wishing she were not. There may be emotions pleasure and acceptance of the pregnancy task. The common reaction is ambivalence which is feeling of being pleased and not pleased.

Dads were forgotten in the childbearing process in the old days. However, Dads today have important role and encourage having emotional support and interest in the pregnancy. As the pregnant woman adapts to pregnancy, Dads must go through some psychological changes.

Dads must accept her partner's body changing to another state. He must have recognition of the reality that a baby is coming. He must give emotional support while she is learning the process of pregnancy.

Some Dads may work too much to earn more money in preparation for the baby. They spend little time for her due to preoccupation with work. She needs emotional support during these times, dads must be beside her.

Dads must enjoy her partners pregnancy and be informed about sexuality and woman's health. Some men believe that breastfeeding may result to her wife's breast unattractive. He may make decision not to breastfeed the baby. The good advice of Obstetricians is to have bonding between mother and the baby, and breastfeeding is the only way. Sexual desire may not change during pregnancy. The enjoyment rises and remains with some difficulty of looking for the best position.

Some pregnant may have mood swings and husbands must handle it. The stress of pregnancy may affect her relationship with the child. It also influence whether she's able to carry pregnancy until delivery. Help your pregnant wife reduce level of stress and fatigue. Do not let problems go into big ones.Be there when she needs you most.

Go with her during prenatal visits, childbirth classes, and planning parenthood. These classes can help accept, expose with other parent role models, and learn information about pregnancy with childcare.

Maternity Leave Benefits - At No Direct Cost to Employers

Creating viable maternity leave benefits is a vexing problem for many small businesses. Helping female workers fund their maternity leave is a noble goal. But funding maternity leave is very costly, and creates a favored employee class: working women in the growing family life stage. Voluntary employee benefit programs help employers create maternity leave benefits that fund maternity leave, treat all employee classes equally, and come at no direct cost to the employer.

Maternity Leave Benefits

Women in the growing family life-stage will gravitate to employers offering maternity leave benefits. Having and raising children is quite expensive, and to begin the journey with six to eight weeks of unpaid leave is a burden to many couples. Plus, there is also the chance that mom may miss additional time from work prior to delivery due to complications, after work because of postpartum problems, or to take care of a sick or prematurely delivered baby. Any employer offering solutions to this wage gap problem has a leg up on recruiting and retaining workers in this category.

But how can a small employer offer maternity benefits without driving up costs, or unfairly favoring one employee segment over another? Providing six to eight week of paid leave is an option many small employers can not afford. When you add on the need to replace income for complications and/or care of a sick infant the costs can quickly spin out of control. Plus, employers need to consider how male employees and older female employees may feel about the extra benefits provided to one small segment of the employee population. Many employees will never use maternity benefits, and may seek an alternative form of compensation - raising the stakes yet again.

Voluntary Employee Benefits are the Answer

Voluntary employees benefits provide answers to these employer dilemmas. Voluntary benefits allow working women to create maternity leave income for their normal labor and delivery, plus provide protection in case of pregnancy complications, delivery complications, and premature birth. Employees pay for the programs themselves by payroll deduction, so there is no direct cost to the employer. Make the options available to all employees, and no special favors are being done for any single employee segment. Women in the growing family life stage will have their maternity benefits, and the remaining employees will have expanded options to protect themselves and their families in case of unexpected accidents and illnesses.

The most common forms of voluntary benefits are flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health insurance. Flexible spending accounts use pre-tax dollars to help lower a variety of maternity related expenses. A healthcare flex accounts can lower the costs of infertility treatments, pregnancy expenses, and left over medical bills associated with a long NICU stay for a sick infant. Dependent care flex accounts help lower the costs of child care, making it easier for women to return to work. Supplemental health insurance helps women create maternity leave pay for their normal delivery, plus it provides additional protection in case of pregnancy complications, delivery disorders, premature birth, accidents and illnesses.

Pregnancy - First 40 Days - Dos and Don'ts

You have just given birth and the excitement of being a mother is seeping into you. With this new explosion of energy, you can turn two ways. Either get home feeling extremely exhausted and down and sleep the days away or go nuts with the new found energy. If you are on the verge to commit the latter, let me help draw you a list of do's and don'ts in this article.

Don'ts

Don't be a superwoman! If you're somebody who used to excel in multitasking, it's time to relinquish that title for a while. Caring for your baby and getting enough rest alone will keep you busy daily. Let hubby attend to matters for a while. Everything can be shelved; only attend to matters if it needs immediate attention. Don't commit yourself to any strenuous activity such as moving house or racquetball playing.

Workouts are a no-go for the first 40 days even if you're up and about a few days after giving birth. Your body is still not ready for the high-impact workouts for several weeks. Although most mothers are usually back on their feet within two weeks of giving birth, they better off restricting themselves to low-impact activities. It's not uncommon for many mothers to engage in yoga exercises around this time.

Sex? No! You've just had your baby hence muscles and whatnots are probably very sore. Sexual intercourse should preferably only resume after the postnatal check-up. Of course with the hormones going haywire in you, sex may be something you would pounce on. Refrain yourself for six weeks if possible. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Dos

If the previous paragraph has upset your husband, here's something he can rejoice about. When we said preferably no sex, we didn't rule out love play. Hand petting by you on him or vice versa, is encouraged. You don't want to reach a point where you both lose interest in sex (although we have our doubts over any man ever losing interest in sex!).

Do build up on good nutrition. We are not just saying this to help you get into the process of regaining your strength or to supplement Baby with the necessities when you breastfeed. We are insisting on this because studies have shown that good nutrition (with good moral support) prevent mood swings and hence decrease postpartum depression.

Do drink lots of water. Before you roll your eyes at us and mumble that you already know that, allow us to emphasise why we are not just telling you, but writing it in capital letters and highlighting it. Flushing out toxins and aiding in digestion and elimination are just general stuff water helps with. Drinking heaps of water also helps facilitate milk production.

Do get a postnatal massage if possible. The benefits of getting a massage are tenfold. Not only does the massage provide relaxation, it releases stress, relieves aches on shoulders and neck, hastens the reduction of fluid retention, helps the uterus to shrink to its original size and reduces cellulite. If you have delivered via C-section, then consult a massage therapist before you partake in this massage.

Rest and more rest. Nursing affects the hormones and thus would leave you exhausted. There is no such thing as too much rest for a mother who has just given birth. Try and master the art of catnapping. This will be extra beneficial when you need to wake up in the middle of the night and feed Baby.

So there you have it - some do's and don'ts that you should be aware of in those first 40 days. Enjoy the arrival of your little one and rest well.

Baby Blues

Changes in hormone levels after childbirth can profoundly affect the emotions. In most women, emotional swings - the "baby blues" - last only a few days, but in others they lead to more prolonged, serious condition called postnatal depression.

Baby blues

The "baby blues" are mood swings caused by hormonal changes. In all likelihood this period of feeling low one minute and euphoric the next will not last beyond the first week but you still need a lot of support to get you through it.

Maybe the "baby blues" are a natural sign to those around you that you need time and space to come to terms with being a mother.

Your hormones, progesterone and oestrogen, will have been high during pregnancy. After you have had your baby, these hormone levels drop and your body may find it difficult to adjust.

This can have a marked effect on your emotions. With this, and the fact that you are probably completely exhausted from the labour and lack of sleep, it is not at all surprising that you may not be feeling on top of the world.

Postnatal depression

If symptoms that started out as the common "baby blues" do not go away and in fact, start to become worse, you could be suffering from postnatal depression.

There are many reasons why postnatal depression occurs. It depends on you as a person, your personal circumstances and the way your baby behaves. The following risk factors may make you more susceptible to postpartum depression -

• If you enjoyed a senior position at work or high-flying career before the birth, it can be difficult to adjust to the status changed.


• If you already have difficulties in your relationship, the baby may make them worse; this in itself may lead to disillusionment and low self-esteem.


• If you had an unexpectedly difficult birth experience, you could easily feel demoralized and feel that you have failed in some way.


• If you have had depression in the past, you are more prone to it now.


• A very demanding, sleepless baby can trigger it from sheer exhaustion.


• If you have particularly difficult living conditions and no support network, this can exacerbate postnatal depression.


• If you have bottled up your emotions and not sought help early on, postnatal depression may develop.

8 Ways to Help Yourself Get Pregnant Over Age 35

While the odds of conception of a healthy baby decrease as women get older, there are many things you can do to help yourself be as healthy as possible as you go through the process of conceiving over age 35. It is amazing how many women don't follow this basic advice:

1. Take Prenatal Vitamins. Check with your doctor to see what they recommend; however, generally, a good prenatal vitamin with sufficient folic acid is recommended for all women trying to conceive.

2. Exercise. Get out and get moving. Participating in a moderate walking program for as little as 30 minutes each day has been proven to provide multiple physical, mental and emotional benefits. Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

3. Manage your Stress. Stress is a factor that women often don't consider in their quest for having a baby. We don't know the total impact of stress on the body (and mind), but there are many studies which document the negative impacts of excessive stress. Remember that everyone needs some stress in their lives -both good and bad; however, EXCESSIVE stress can have negative impacts.

4. Be at a Healthy Weight - Not Too Heavy, Not Too Thin. Women more often face being overweight; however, being underweight can potentially impact a woman's ability to conceive and/or carry a baby. Research has shown that women with low body fat may experience amenorrea (loss of period). Think about some of the celebrities over the age of 35 who are having trouble conceiving a baby. Many are extremely thin. At least one has admitted that her doctor told her that she needed to gain at least 5 pounds. Ask your doctor if she thinks you should gain or lose weight to optimize your conception odds.

5. Eat Healthfully. This is good advice in general, but becomes critical during conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check with your doctor about what you should be eating; however, the following are good general rules:

*Get lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The less processed a food is, the better.
*Drink plenty of milk or eat foods high in calcium. (Be careful because high calcium foods can also be high fat foods)
*Eat plenty of whole grains and nuts.

Be sure to focus on lean sources of protein such as lean chicken and beef. Check with your doctor about fish consumption as there may be a mercury concern with some types of fish or shellfish.

6. Drink Plenty of Water. Fluids are not the same as water. Coffee, and caffeinated beverages can have a diuretic effect. Fruit juices are fine, but also carry lots of sugar. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.

7. Don't Smoke. Studies show that smoking can result in a myriad of health issues for both mother and baby, including low birth weight.

8. Get Enough Sleep. This may be the most overlooked thing that a woman can do to improve her chances of conception. While there is no medical evidence that I am aware of to support the link between conception and sufficient sleep; it is documented that Americans are notorious for sleep deprivation. It seems that everything takes a priority over getting 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep gives your body and mind a chance to relax and recharge. Make it a priority for one month to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. See for yourself how much better you feel. The better condition your body is in; the better fit it is for conceiving and carrying a baby.

Take time to make your body and lifestyle as healthy as possible before you begin trying to conceive a child after the age of 35. There are many factors which contribute to a successful pregnancy as women age; and there are lots of things you can do to improve your odds of getting pregnant.

Preventing the Baby Blues

The saying is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is very true when it comes to the baby blues. It's very normal for new mothers to have some ups and downs in the early weeks after a baby is born. In fact, these ups and downs are pretty normal throughout your baby's first year of life. There are specific steps you can take to make it less likely that these normal feelings will develop into a lasting case of mild depression, or the baby blues, however.

Get Enough Sleep

I know this one is hard. In fact, I'm a mother of five. I really understand that getting enough sleep is hard. But as a mother of five I know the wisdom of the advice "sleep when the baby sleeps." You want to get as much sleep as you can. At the very least you should try and take one nap a day with your baby. You can do this throughout your child's early years (toddlers are pretty tiring too!).

If you have older children, keep them occupied while you have a short nap period. You can put a toddler safely into a playpen or crib with some toys, then lie down with the baby. You can nap while an older child is in school or preschool, or if you homeschool, schedule a quiet work period for your child while you nap.

It can be hard to fit this time in if you return to work after your baby is born. Try to make sure you're getting this nap while you're on maternity leave. If your baby is very wakeful at night after you return to work, you may want to try and take a few minutes to relax at your desk each day. Listen to a guided relaxation on headphones to relax your muscles and get some rest.

Eat Really Well

You need to eat well to take care of a baby. Pregnancy is a time of nutritional stress - your baby needed a lot from your body and your body changed a lot for him or her. After pregnancy you need to build back up your nutrient stores while taking care of a needy baby. If you're breast feeding your baby you will need good nutrition to keep your milk supply strong for your little one.

Eating well means trying to eat simpler, homemade foods. Get plenty of protein. Did you know that your body needs healthy fats for energy and fuel? Your brain and your baby's brain need a lot of fat. It's believed that one of the reasons mothers feel the baby blues or experience stronger postpartum depression is because of deficiency in essential fats. You may have heard a lot of joking about "mommy brain" -- where suddenly your brain is always foggy and you can't quite think clearly. These are also signs of a need for more fats. Get good fats like coconut oil, olive oil, animal fats, and full-fat dairy. Industrial fats like corn oil, margarine, and soybean oil are bad for your health. Fatty fish and pastured beef (cows raised eating grass) have lots of Omega-3 fatty acids, which you need a lot of.

Also get plenty of vegetables and eat fruits in season. These will give you vitamins and minerals you need (again, you need fat to make sure your body absorbs them).

It's OK to Let Thing Go

Remember that being a mom is a big job. It's okay to take a break from things. Don't feel obligated to make it to all six mommy groups every week. If you need to use paper plates and plastic utensils in the early weeks, do it without guilt! Keep the bathroom and kitchen clean, but really, you don't need your house to look like company is coming all the time. Scale back volunteering and other things until your baby is a few months old and you've adjusted to life as a new mom. Keeping a low-key, predictable routine will go a long way towards enhancing your sense of well-being.

Pregnancy Cover in Health Insurance Policy

There are many reasons why people buy health insurance. One of the main reasons of getting a policy is to meet high medical expenses that may be difficult for the policyholder to afford under normal circumstances. Going to a medical center is stressful and people want to have a comfortable stay at the hospital. People want all the facilities in the medical center that they have at home. These facilities are expensive and people need to be adequately insured if they want to use the best facilities at the hospital.

Most health insurance providers will not cover pregnancy under normal plans. These insurance providers have their own terms when they offer pregnancy cover. Some insurance companies will provide insurance for pregnancy related issues but may not cover operation expenses. Therefore it is important that you understand the terms of the policy before you sign the agreement.

Some of the common pregnancy covers that are included in the policy are expenses incurred for treating complications during childbirth, expenses incurred on obstetrics procedures and examination and all other expenses related to childbirth. However, some insurance companies that offer pregnancy cover will require the policy holder to pay at least 2 policy premiums if they want to avail pregnancy benefit. Also, some companies may set a monetary limit on the pregnancy expenses that can be incurred in a year.

Most companies will offer reimbursement of medical expenses only for inpatient treatment. It is in your interest to select an insurance company that not only offers inpatient cover but also outpatient cover. However, people who out for comprehensive cover will have to pay higher premium.

Trying to Get Pregnant? Discover 4 Tips to Help You Conceive Naturally Within 8 Weeks

Firstly, I would like to thank you for viewing my article - I hope that you find it informative, and i truly believe that I can save you long term pain, frustration and save you tons of money. Take just a few minutes to read this before you end up spending money on expensive drugs and unhealthy infertility treatments - i can assure you, you haven't seen anything like this before! Plan and find the best way to conceive by reading these effective tips:

Tip 1 - Try avoiding lubricants. Some kinds change the acid balance in the vagina, which can stop sperm from swimming properly. Don't douche either after sex or any other time. A survey of 840 women revealed that women who douched were less likely to get pregnant than women who didn't. The study didn't reveal why, but some doctors think douching can also change the acid balance in the vagina.

Tip 2 - One of the most important tips when trying to get pregnant is to know your fertile days. You only ovulate once a month, and you're most likely to get pregnant if your have sex shortly before you ovulate. Your fertile days are approximately in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Learn the signs of ovulation and try keeping an ovulation chart to help you plan.

Have plenty of sex, especially during your fertile days. Many people believe that having sex every day decreases a man's sperm count, and that he should take every other day off to "recharge". But for normal men, sex every day is just fine. Trying every day during your fertile days may actually increase your chance of conceiving. Don't turn it into a chore, though. Trying to make a baby should be fun and joyful!

Tip 3 - There is no firm evidence that certain positions help to get pregnant. If penetration is achieved and ejaculation occurs then there is a good chance of getting pregnant whatever the position you are adopting.

When ejaculation occurs, the sperm are shot up inside the vagina right up to the mouth of the cervix and even higher, the sperm from there will start to move upwards aided by vaginal mucus towards the moth of the fallopian tubes where most fertilisation actually takes place.

The only reason for thinking that certain positions are better than others is gravity.

Some women think there is something wrong when they get up after lovemaking (even if it is the next morning), and have a flood of sperm flow out of the vagina. This is normal, but rest assured that there is still a significant amount of sperm that has already traveled right up inside towards the opening of the fallopian tubes.

Also, after lovemaking if you want you might try putting a cushion under your hips to avoid the flow of sperm out from the vagina.

Tip 4 - Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can cause you not to have periods. They can also disturb your thyroid function, which then disrupts your menstrual cycle.

Consider giving up caffeine. Some studies show decreased fertility among coffer drinkers, but others don't show any effect at all. However, if you can survive without your daily caffeine dose, it's worth a try.

Although it probably won't affect your fertility, you should start taking prenatal vitamins or folic acid supplements. Folic acid helps guard against a very serious neurological birth defect.

There are many ways to become pregnant. For more tips on getting pregnant, get Beth Kiley's FREE "The 7 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying To Conceive", report, by clicking here.

Postnatal Depression - A Major Form of Clinical Depression Which Affects 5-25% of Women

There are a large number of women who suffer from the Postnatal depression. It is also known as Postpartrum Depression. This is one of the major types of clinical depression as well. By and large from 5% to 25% women are affected with the postnatal depression.

There are various symptoms which will help you in recognizing postnatal depression. These Symptoms of post natal depression can occur anytime within the first year postpartum. Some of the symptoms of the postnatal depression are mentioned below.

o Inability to be Comforted: The patient will always feel restless. There will be no comfort level for the patient. The patient will never be happy.

o Exhaustion: The patient will suffer from tiredness and exhaustion. She will feel like sleeping always.

o Emptiness: The patient will feel that something is missing in her life. She will not be able to enjoy the positive environment around her.

o Inability to Enjoy Things One Previously Enjoyed: She will dislike the things that she had liked earlier.

o Social Withdrawal: The patient will withdraw herself within her room and will not interact with anyone else.

o Low Energy: Energy levels will be low for the patients. She will always look as she has not eaten anything or she will look extremely tired.

o Easily Frustrated: The patient will be frustrated easily and will also fight over small and minute things. Feeling Inadequate in Taking Care of Baby

o Sadness: A sense of sadness will prevail over the patient always. She will looked extremely depressed at the first sight itself.

o Hopelessness: The patient will feel that she has lost everything in her life.

o Low Self-Esteem: She will also loose her self respect.

o Guilt: Guilt will take over the happiness that has had gained when she had conceived the baby.

o Sleep Disturbances: The patient will not be able to sleep properly in the night.

o Eating Disturbances: The food habits of the patients will be changed. She will not like eating things which she used to love earlier.

A lot of research activities as well as experiments going on which has resulted in the development of medications as well as remedies for the people. Some of the major postnatal depression treatment includes the following:

o Medical evaluation in order rule out physiological problems: The patient should be taken to a doctor who will help in diagnosing the disease and offer proper medication.

o Cognitive behavioral therapy: Psychotherapy is advised by the doctor which is one of the best medicines in this case.

o Possible medicines: All the possible medicines should be given to the patient so that she will be able to recover fast.

o Support groups: family and friends are the best support groups. The husband should take special care of his wife.

o Home visits/Home visitors: Family members as well as relatives should also visit the patient so that she can cope up the depression.

o Healthy diet: Tasty and delicious food should be offered to her so that she is tempted to eat. Her favorite dishes should be on the platter.

o Consistent healthy sleep patterns: Sleep is an important part of the treatment of the postnatal depression. The family members should take care that the patient gets ample sleep and follows a regular sleep pattern.

Common Problems During the Third Trimester of Your Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when a woman glows with the anticipation of her new joy,a new life she is bringing into this world, this is a time of wonder, a time of amazement, a time that can feel like an eternity when common complaints of pregnancy can make you feel less than glowing!

Yes indeed pregnancy is wonderful but back aches, breathlessness, rib pain and high blood pressure can all leave you worn out and overwhelmed. Fortunately there are natural solutions for common complaints that really do work.

In the third trimester most women begin feeling just as bad if not worse than they felt in the first trimester of pregnancy. There may well have been fewer problems in the second trimester from what was felt in the first but in the third trimester you may well come back to realise just how very, very pregnant you are.

Back aches and rib pain is experience in nearly every pregnancy and can range from fairly mild to extreme.

The pain of a back ache is usually in the lower back and goes down the legs; this can be aggravated by standing for long periods of time. Twisting or turning as well as poor positioning while sleeping also causes and contributes to back pain.

Hormones are playing a part in this situation and will allow your joints and ligaments to loosen to assist your body and prepare it for birth. Massages for the back and strengthening exercises can help as well as proper alignment from a qualified chiropractor. Wearing flat supportive shoes and sleeping on a firm mattress can help too.

The rib pain that is often felt is usually caused by the uterus pressing into the abdomen and in turn into your ribs. Tiny baby feet will find their way under the rib cage as well as baby stretches in the head down position preparing for birth. There is little that can be done for this complaint other than wearing comfortable loose clothes and stretching the abdomen a bit with an exercise ball or by leaning into a wall as you face it.

Along with the rib pain many women experience breathlessness, like there is just not enough room for baby and lungs too, this is kind of often the case. Often breathlessness and rib pain will subside a little after week 36 when the baby drops into the birthing position. Propping up with pillows while lying down or even sitting can help move the baby off of the diaphragm. Experimenting with positions to find what is most comfortable and effective is about the only solution.

High blood pressure can be common and must be addressed in pregnancy. High blood pressure in pregnancy needs to be carefully monitored by a health care provider to avoid serious complications such as eclampsia and even death. Some ways to prevent high blood pressure before it begins is a healthy diet, avoiding caffeine, spicy foods and nicotine and exercising regularly. Mild to moderate high blood pressure can often be controlled by deep relaxation, meditation, eating raw garlic, parsley and onion as well as cucumber. Always follow the recommendations of the health care provider and check with him or her before any herbal or other supplements.

Just as there are many different complaints in the third trimester there are many different solutions and one of the best ways to obtain information is in mass numbers of experience. Reading books, web sites and message boards often can provide the information that not only matches the symptom but the personality as well. Searching out the camaraderie of others who are going through it too gives a sense of community that can ease those blues.

Always remember to check with a health care provider before following herbal or any advice that creates a feeling of doubt...better to be safe.

A Lack of Money Causes Depression - Increase Income to Overcome Depression and Poverty

Remember the last time you were depressed because you really wanted something but there was no money or you were short of the money it required? Remember the disappointment you felt in yourself? Did your mind start to tell you that you somehow fell short of your own self-goals and self-worth?

If you relate to those questions, I am with you. I hate not having money for something that is important to me. I hate not having money for something I simply desire! I am not going to hide it, because it is the truth and only the truth has brought me to the point that I have now reached. I want to help you reach your financial goals by teaching you how to work from home on the internet and make money. I want to help you feel good about yourself.

I love to be around happy people. Sad, depressed and broke people have low self-esteems and tend to have the magical dark powers of bringing others down around them. I have learned to not hang around those people, in particular.

That is my first suggestion: Get AWAY from losers, who always want a handout, abusers who always try to pull others down to feel good about themselves, and users who only come around when you have something that they can get--and get around people who love life, make money and if not making money at this time are seeking ways to do so, and people who are giving. These will be the backbone of your success when you need encouragement of any kind. I know you are a winner, otherwise you would not be reading this article. You have already determined that poverty is an ugly enemy to you and your loved ones and you have decided that it being broke is No Life For You! Financial Success is For You!

Good for you! That realization is the first step in obtaining the financial success that you deserve for a healthy and prosperous lifestyle and mentality. You have to decide to change your life if your self-esteem is lacking and is in direct proportion to a lack of money.

The question is how? It starts with direction. You would profit from sitting down with a pen and paper and make a list of exactly how a lack of finances is affecting you and directly relate the list to Where it affects your life. You can start by making a column list. It can be ten columns long and in each column you write down a name for the depression. Here is an example:

1. Income
2. Appearance
3. Friendships
4. Romance
5. Fun
6. Bills
7. Charity
8. Goals
9. Education
10. Family

Then, you would write under each subject how not having money is affecting your overall life in this area and how it makes you feel. By doing so, you will pinpoint the source of your depression deep down within and simultaneously treat it. Being able to recognize the problem is the first step to a resolution.

Under income, for example, you would write down that you feel as if you failed in life because you are living paycheck to paycheck. Because I feel as if I have failed myself, I feel depressed. And under the subject of Appearance: I do not care about my appearance and have let myself go. I cannot even afford to buy makeup. This makes me feel bad about myself on the outside, I am embarrassed to go around people and so I stay alone. This makes me feel depressed.

So, you go down the list and pinpoint the exact way that a lack of money affects you in all aspects of your life with honesty. Do not be easy on your feelings--trying to protect yourself from sadness. The entire task is done to change the sadness and to do so, it has to be honestly addressed.

There is no embarrassment for you at this point, because no one else has to ever see it! This is for you to make a change! If money has kept you from getting and education for anything that will bring you success, you should address it. It can simply be a self-help book, article, publication or online class about goal-setting. Search your memory for something that you did not get because you felt that you could not afford it. When you passed the opportunity up, you did not get the help that you could have given your own self.

So, now that you have a few examples of how having no money affects everything about you, you can work on your remedies. There is a remedy for depression just as there is a remedy for poverty!

Once you have completed your task of identifying the problems that a lack of finances has caused, you attack the problem vigilantly! You become a roaring lion and the prey is depression and poverty. You will win!

The way to attack, is to now set goals to correct each identified source of depression. In the matter of education, since we have used it as an example previously, you would set a goal to get some knowledge in ways to make money! So, you buy a Making Money Training Course! It must be AFFORDABLE for you! IF you start out with the thought that you CANNOT AFFORD to spend money for education, you will never get the self-help you need to overcome poverty. Education has changed the lives of countless people who even started out as bums on the street and are now millionaires! These are the types of education you might want to focus on because going to college right now might not be the avenue you want to start at. For some, that is perfect, but it is very costly.

Since your pockets are to let, you want to start out with something that is not too much money. But, the main point is to GET Some Knowledge on making money! If you have a computer, you can use it to get online training in making money. You will kill two birds with one stone here. You have gotten some education and you have gotten education that will show you how to make money. Money will start coming in as you learn.

If you are extremely desperate and need extra money really fast just to be able to get the education, you can help the economy by recycling. If you do not have any bottles and plastic to recycle...start keeping it for future income. Also, you can do an even greater service and go to your neighbors and let them know that you have started a neighborhood recycling effort to combat global warming! Let them know that you will pick up any recyclables for them each Saturday and if they would leave it outside at the sidewalk, you will be happy to dispose of it for them! You have done a service to your community(and you can also put this under charity), to your earth, your health, and your income! You can feel good about yourself---you are making some major progress against depression! Be sure to use some of the money to invest in your financial future and get some education on how to make money. The internet offers you the easiest, fastest and most profitable way to do this AFFORDABLY!

Would you like to be the person that you know in your heart that you are? Would you like to have money to be generous to those who need help, the brokenhearted, the hopeless, those whom you love and even like? Heck, even to be a LITTLE generous to those you do not like? I have learned in my years that a major source of self-esteem is not only in my success, but to be good to those who tried to make me lose. That is a real picker-upper! When you help someone who meant you harm in the past, they are put in their place forever! You can feel good about that!!

Raise the bar on your self-esteem for your health, for obtaining goals, for your family and friends and simply for being able to feel good about making a lot of money.

You can help others that you know need help to make money too, once you learn how. That alone will raise your self-esteem, because helping others is an excellent character trait to possess. You know how it feels when you really need help and you know not a person in the world who can or will help you. So, all I ask in return for helping you to achieve the financial freedom and self-esteem you deserve, is that help someone else who is DESERVING of a chance to succeed by sharing this article with them. They may need it even more than you! Success To You and Enjoy Doing Great Things For Yourself and Others! Get Started on That List and Change Your Life!!

Blue Shield of California Agrees To Cover Autism

Millions of people are affected by neural developmental disorders that all fall within the umbrella-label of autism. The effects can be devastating or mild. Many people with autism can still function independently, but some require early treatment and rigid intensive therapies. Due to the regular and expensive treatment that autism may require, many CA health insurance companies have declined to cover it.

For the past two decades, California health insurance has tried to avoid covering the treatment for autism-related problems. According to some insurance companies, the treatment for autism should be considered educational rather than medical. However, after a hearing conducted at the Senate Capitol last July 13, Blue Shield of California has conceded to cover behavioral therapy for autism-related problems.

California Health Insurance Faces Legislative Intervention Over Covering Autism Treatment

Darrell Steinberg, California Senate President Pro Tem, authored two of the senate bills addressing autism, autism treatment and health insurance in California. One of the bills, namely Senate Bill 166, required that CA health insurance providers cover early-intervention therapies for children with autism. According to Steinberg, the bill would make such therapy consistent in the insurance industry.

Senator Steinberg argued that prompt identification of autism and early treatment from the beginning has been found to be more effective. That alone could have a huge impact on the long-term medical treatment and supervision requirements for several decades.

When Will Blue Shield Of California Start Covering Autism Treatment For Children?

On July 11, 2011, Blue Shield of California signed an agreement that took effect immediately to cover a type of autism therapy that it previously refused to cover. Only Blue Shield members whose insurance policies are overseen by the Department of Managed Health Care will benefit from this, though.

Under the terms of the agreement, CA Blue Shield said it will not deny coverage for autism therapies, although it will consider the medical necessity of such treatments. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) or behavioral intervention therapy is the standard health care therapy from a professional therapist for children with autism.

ABA focuses on teaching children how to relate to others on a personal basis from an early age. It is a very expensive form of therapy that routinely costs around $100,000 annually. California health insurance companies know about the cost of this treatment and that is why they strongly oppose the mandate to cover autism treatment.

Will California Health Insurance Premiums Rise When Autism Treatment Is Covered?

Industry representatives say that mandating ABA will only lead to higher premiums for everyone. Steinberg contested that although the mandate will cost policy holders some additional out-of-pocket costs, it stands to eliminate a lot of future costs that would be faced without early intervention.

Twenty five states have passed laws mandating autism treatment coverage for children. Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to cover such treatments and California Blue Shield has agreed to avoid interruptions in care, and to expand access to health care providers. CA Blue Shield has only agreed to reimburse some policy holders for ABA treatments, though.

New Design Maternity Clothes

Women generally are very conscious of their figures. They are very particular about their looks and the attitude is no different when they are pregnant. There was a time when pregnant women used to wear clothes larger than their sizes to suit the convenience. But modern days are different. A woman wants to look elegant and beautiful irrespective of the different phases of her womanhood. Why not look good during the pregnancy which is the most delightful and exciting period of her life.

New designs based on different styles and ideas have been introduced in the fashion world to cater the needs of the pregnant women. They can choose the right clothes that fit them as well as the colours they like. The designers of maternity clothes are taking care to offer maximum comforts to those who wear them without compromising the quality and the latest trends in fashion. The clothes suitable for the changing seasons are specially tailored from fabrics that are chosen with care. The clothes that are made for pregnant women should not only be comfortable but also withstand the climatic changes. The texture of the clothes used to create these special dresses is hand picked with care so that they should not cause any problem to the body or skin. A good designer knows well that the maternity clothes are to take care of, not only a would be mother but also the growing baby in the womb.

Dresses with enough room to stretch for a growing belly and without tight strings or straps to support them are preferred by pregnant women. At the same time the dress should not make her look like an inflated balloon. The skill and imagination of new designers have answers to all such problems.

Apart from summer and winter wears, clothes for special occasions are also available to day. Maternity swimwear suitable throughout all the trimesters are made and marketed in various patterns. One piece maternity bikinis, trousers, tops, skirts, nightwear, lingerie, jeans and T-shirts, and a variety of dresses in different colours and designs are made to meet the growing demands in the markets. A pregnant woman has to go through the extreme conditions of climate. So clothes to suit the changing weather conditions are essential. Naturally, the markets provide clothes for autumn, winter and summer months, and all of them are superbly designed.

For those who cannot afford to buy expensive clothes, there are many shops which offer good quality maternity dresses at affordable rates, thanks to the competitive market. Special discounts are also offered by many of them. There are many shops and websites who are dealing with used but good maternity clothes for the benefit of those who prefer inexpensive ones. A reasonably liberal return policy and offer of free shipping are the special features of many online dealers. Some of the shops buy back the used clothes if they are maintained in good condition.

The maternity clothe stores also offer baby clothing to facilitate shoppers in the advanced stages of pregnancy. Kid's crocs, baby kits, nursery tops, nursing bras etc along with a variety of dresses which the woman can wear after the delivery, are available in such shops. Online shopping is a convenient option for women during the advanced stages of pregnancy when the mobility is restricted.

Find a Way to Get Health Insurance for Pregnant Women to Help Cover Your Costs

Unborn children are one of the biggest concerns for anyone that is carrying one around with them. Pregnant women are one of the most in need of health insurance for pregnant women and this is to ensure they get regular examinations for them and the baby and proper care in the event of any complications. While everyone hopes their pregnancy goes well, there can be unforeseen and unsuspected complications.

Statistically speaking, babies born to a mother who was uninsured and unable to get necessary health care are more likely to have higher incidents of SIDS and/or low birth weights. There was a time when a mother might be able to afford going to the doctor regularly uninsured, but times have changed. The cost of health insurance has risen with wages and the cost of health care. The American Health Association has determined that 41 million Americans have no insurance and among these is 13% of the population that happens to be pregnant. That is far too many people and unborn babies at considerable risk.

Consider the cost of prenatal check-ups which can run an upwards of $200 each the fact that most births cost $10,000 or more. This is without complications. As soon as complications arise with the pregnancy and/or the birth costs can easily triple or quadruple or more. It is extremely important for pregnant women to try and find a way to get health insurance for pregnant women to help cover these costs.

It's possible that your pregnancy was unplanned, that your insurance policy had no maternity coverage, or you didn't have insurance because you never actually needed it before. Unfortunately, the insurance companies often treat pregnancy as a pre-existing condition and aren't very sympathetic to your health care needs after the fact. You can still get insurance for pregnant women, but it will cost a lot more if you can get it at all. Here are some tips to help you obtain insurance for pregnant women if you find yourself pregnant without maternity benefits:

• Comparison shop online for companies who provide discount programs or pregnancy health coverage.
• Check out federal and state programs that offer coverage for low income people regardless of any pre-existing condition.
• Contact advocacy groups for pregnant women - they sometimes have access to emergency coverage programs if you meet qualifications.
• Before deciding on any of the available coverage, weigh your options carefully and make sure you enroll in one or all of them that will cover both prenatal visits and hospital care.

Depression Over a Break Up - 5 Natural Ways to Alleviate Depression Over a Broken Heart

Depression can strike at any time, but it commonly occurs during major life transitions, such as the end of a relationship. Symptoms of depression can include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety about the future, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and changes in sleeping patterns and appetite. It is challenging to let go of something old and embrace a different possibility in life, but it can be managed. For severe cases of depression, it may be necessary to take a pharmaceutical approach, but for many milder cases, natural treatments may be very effective in alleviating symptoms. Here are 5 natural methods to treat depression following a break up:

1. Eat well. It is important to take care of the body, as the health or the body impacts the health of the mind. As tempting as it may be to grab junk and comfort foods, try to focus your diet around fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid highly processed foods and sugars. If you are struggling with your appetite, try carrying around high protein, healthy snack foods and eating small amounts throughout the day. If your tendency is to overeat, do not eat while distracted, i.e. in front of the TV. Try setting a time at night when you stop eating for the day.

2. Take supplements. Start with a good, food based multivitamin. If you do not eat a lot of calcium rich foods, take a calcium supplement. Try fish oil. Its many physical benefits include improved brain health. You may take 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan), a natural antidepressant that is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved in mood regulation. L-Theanine is often taken in conjunction with 5 HTP and is a natural anti-anxiety supplement.

3. Implement an exercise regimen approved by your doctor. Cardiovascular exercise is ideal for treating depression. What you want is an activity that will elevate your heart rate and keep it up for a period of time. This allows for the release of the feel good compounds, endorphins, that elevate mood. An added bonus is better overall physical health and better body image. The ideal is 45 minutes of cardio activity 5 days per week, but don't avoid exercise if that seems too much for you. Any amount is helpful.

4. Talk it out. A good counselor is very helpful. Having a professional, unbiased person to offer you feedback and perspective on you and your past relationship can be invaluable. You will be better able to process the break up, as well as take valuable lessons forward into your future. Friends and family are also important to have close when you're depressed, to offer emotional support and help fill the time you used to spend with your partner.

5. Do one kind thing for yourself daily. Make a list of small things you enjoy doing. Each day, choose one thing off your list and do it for yourself. When you have exhausted that list, create a new one.

Tips & Tactics to Help You Get Pregnant

The first tip to help you get pregnant is to understand how you body works. Your body is amazing; with observation and attention you can greatly improve you chances of getting pregnant. Monitoring changes throughout your monthly cycle will help you identify when the time is right to conceive.

The next tip is to start to watch what you eat and drink, if you are finding that you are suffering from stress then it would be wise to cut down on caffeine and sugary sodas. Drink more water and eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.

The next tip is to prepare your body nutritionally. Good health is all about balance, eating the right foods with the all the nutrition you need can be challenging. To overcome this you can supplement your diet with vitamins. One very important vitamin is vitamin B9, better known as folic acid.

The next tip relates to sexual intercourse. Sex as we all know is wonderful, however if it becomes mechanical then it can start to be a bit of a drag. This can lead to lack of drive and makes the joy of love making routine and boring. You want to conceive a child through passion and love.

When both partners are passionate and climax at the same time it actually helps deliver more sperm to the egg. This improves your chances of conception. After sex, relax, stay lying down and let good old Mother Nature do her job. If you prop up your hips then you get gravity working on your side.

In conclusion your health is everything and this applies to both you and your partner.

Free Pregnancy Diet Plans - Take Online Help!

The period of pregnancy is one of vacillating emotions like tears and laughter, change in physical appearance, encountering unexpected health challenges and so on. But all of it seems worthwhile to you since you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your child! Of course, you can expect to deliver a healthy baby only if you strictly adhere to a balanced and nutritious diet. Now that seems rather a difficult thing to do without guidance, isn't it? Well, just enroll yourself in an online program where free pregnancy diet plans are offered!

It has become imperative for expectant mothers to look towards various sources of help where a pregnancy diet is concerned, since environmental challenges are increasing day by day. If you should go back to earlier times, food was brought straight from the fields to the dining table, ensuring that it was free of any toxins or chemicals.

Today, more and more people are opting for tinned and canned foods as they are too busy rushing here and there to find time to cook proper meals! Packaged food contains preservatives to make sure that it stays fresh and can be stored for longer periods. Therefore, to assure yourself of chemical-free and healthy meals, go in for the free pregnancy diet plans!

Were you consuming nutritious meals even before your pregnancy? Then the changes to be made in your diet will be minimal. In case you constitute one among the vast majority of pregnant women who have never bothered about health earlier, then you need to go in for drastic changes in your dietary plans! The free pregnancy diet plans offered on the Net provide oodles of information as well as certain dietary tools that regularly monitor what you eat.

The free pregnancy diet plans include- updated information about nutrition obtained from experts in the medical field, well-planned menus, tasty recipes, and the latest research sheets related to pregnancy diets. You are also made aware of vitamins which are vital for your baby's health, as well as updated about essential minerals like folic acid, iron and calcium. The best part is that different diets are matched with the different stages of pregnancy!

Other benefits provided on these web sites that concentrate on free pregnancy diet plans, include articles on varied topics, such as-how to prevent yourself from snacking too much and putting on excess weight, how to get relief from specific symptoms via proper nutrition, recommendations regarding inclusion of vitamins in your diet and so on. There are even answers to specific questions provided.

The dietary trackers consist of-trimester calendars, worksheets to help track diet plans, food trackers, weight gain trackers, and calorie counters.

Oh yes, if you have a sweet tooth, you could go in for a dessert or sweets just once in a while. But do not overdo it! The baby's health should count as your first priority.

So do not hesitate to turn to the online free pregnancy diet plans for help whenever you need it. After all, your baby's well-being is entirely dependent on how healthy you are. Therefore, diet should not become a cause of stress.

Using Acupuncture During And To Promote Pregnancy

Being pregnant is definitely a thrilling and fantastic time. On the other hand, with all the bodily and hormonal modifications that take place, it may also be a time of soreness. Several expecting females endure fatigue, nausea, backache along with other problems which are regarded as a "normal" component of being pregnant. Acupuncture is a safe, mild and successful method to tackle these ailments, particularly given that Western medicines cannot be utilized throughout this time.

Normal acupuncture in the course of being pregnant sets the basis for a wholesome mom and child. Furthermore, ladies who utulize acupuncture through pregnancy typically experience a less difficult pregnancy than females who do not use acupuncture. Research done in Europe concluded that "women of all ages who obtained acupuncture every week through the final month of being pregnant had considerably shorter labor than ladies who didn't acquire any acupuncture."

A few of the ailments that acupuncture can deal with are:

Nausea, Vomiting,
Insomnia
Decreased Energy Levels
Anemia
Anxiety/depression
constipation
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Substantial blood stress (pre-eclampsia)
PUPPs & other pregnancy-related skin problems
Pre-term labor
Delayed labor
Labor discomfort
Lactation complications
Postpartum depression

Prenatal acupuncture has been employed for thousands of years to help sufferers ease into and through pregnancy, and to have an uncomplicated delivery. An Australian study conducted by Adelaide University in 2002 found that acupuncture throughout being pregnant had no adverse effects and was completely safe when provided by a trained acupuncturist.

You may well have heard that some acupuncture points are forbidden for the duration of being pregnant. This is true - certain points on the body are to be avoided for the duration of the pregnancy as they might stimulate uterine contractions. Nonetheless, a trained specialist in acupuncture will know specifically which points are unsafe to utilize during various treatments.

Acupuncture in the course of the first trimester focuses on setting the basis for a wholesome, safe, and uncomplicated pregnancy. Therapies are provided to prevent miscarriage and to tackle any early problems, such as nausea and fatigue. For optimum results, the recommended frequency of acupuncture throughout the first trimester is once per week.

Acupuncture throughout the second trimester aims to maintain balance and offer relief from numerous problems and ailments that arise during this time. The recommended frequency of therapies for that second trimester is evaluated for each individual. Sufferers may possibly come one to two times per month if the pregnancy is uncomplicated and there are no complaints. If addressing a certain issue, sufferers may perhaps need to come more often.

Acupuncture in the course of the third trimester prepares the body for labor and delivery. Treatment for labor induction can and should be offered anytime after the thirty-ninth week if there are no complications present. For the duration of the third trimester, sufferers are encouraged to seek weekly treatment to ensure a smooth labor and delivery. Research show that women of all ages who acquire normal acupuncture in the course of the third trimester generally have smaller and more productive labor.

In most cases postpartum acupuncture is continued in order to return the body to a state of organic balance and optimal health. Not many mothers in this day and age have the luxury of retiring to the bedroom for months after the pregnancy to heal and rejuvenate, because of this acupuncture is a great method to help stimulate growth and speed up the healing process.

Check Into Health Insurance Maternity Options Before Starting a Family

A year ago we were in the middle of monthly prenatal visits. By summer it was every other week, and in mid-August, I was going once a week. These visits ensured my doctor that the baby growing inside was healthy and ready for this world. He also monitored my health during the nine months, and when I went in for the scheduled caesarean, we were anxiously awaiting the birth of our baby girl. A month later we were receiving bills from the clinic, hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc. It made us wonder how someone could afford to have a baby if they weren't under any medical insurance coverage. The problem is some aren't, but it's important to know there's health insurance maternity options available for the joyous occasion.

If you're looking for a medical insurance plan, make sure maternity is a part of the insurance coverage. Even in traditional health insurance plans, there are different layers of coverage, with some not covering maternity. This way if you would get pregnant, none of the cost of having a baby would be covered. There are also different deductibles of coverage, so if it's possible, make sure there's a manageable deductible. You could possibly have the birth paid off before the baby's even born.

Pros:
* Maternity coverage could save money later.
* Low deductibles will allow you to have birth paid off fast.

Cons:
* Not checking into health insurance maternity options prior to being pregnant could create huge bills.
* A high deductible can still make pregnancy expensive.

It's also important to know that there are options online where a quote for health insurance maternity options would be given within minutes. Once you find a plan that works for you, sign up so you can be ready to start a family.

Top 10 Benefits of Aromatherapy

A lot of people are aware that aromatherapy can provide a wide range of benefits that can improve the present health condition of a person. In major places like United States and England for example, they would regard the benefits of aromatherapy as something which is very much related to alternative medicine techniques. While on the other hand, those countries which accept aromatherapy as part of their medical procedure would regulate them the way they would do with their medical practices.

Here are the top 10 benefits that aromatherapy can give, read along and you will be pleased on how much it can help:

Benefit # 1: Aromatherapy Helps The Medical Field

In France, this method is use in order to complement the traditional medical practices which they would normally do to address the need of their body. In this place, essential oils are given by physician in order to target harmful organisms which can lead to viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. On the other hand, in United States they would make use of the scents in order to alleviate symptoms of illnesses. This is why a lot of people are familiar with products like Vicks or Halls cough drops that effectively relieve clogged sinuses as well as throats. Aromatic chemicals compounds like eucalyptus and menthol can lessen symptoms associated to colds.

Benefit # 2: Aromatherapy as Stress Reliever

When one mention aromatherapy, the first thing that will ring in one's ear is that it can relieve everyday stress. Aromatherapy is mostly given in order to lessen symptoms of stress among people. A good example of this is the basil oil which is normally given to calm down the effects of depression.

Benefit # 3: Aromatherapy and Behavior

It has been shown that aromatherapy can improve the condition of the mind hence giving some effect to the behavior of a person. According to study conducted among mice, the animal tend to become calm the moment they were exposed to aroma of sandalwood, lavender, and other oils sprayed on them while they became extremely irritable when exposed to thymol, orange terpines, and other aromas.

Benefit # 4: Aromatherapy Can Improve Sleep

A study shows that elderly people were able to "sleep like babies" the time when they were exposed to lavender aroma. These people are suffering from sleep difficulty disorder and had to consume sleeping pills in order to get to sleep before the use of the scented oil.

Benefit # 5: Aromatherapy Relieves Postpartum Discomfort

A study conducted to 635 women shows that postpartum discomfort can highly lessen during the 3rd or the 5th when a woman would apply lavender oil into their perineal area (between the vagina and the rectum)

Benefit # 6: Aromatherapy Heals Colds

It has been noted that consuming chicken soup when you are suffering from colds can highly improve one's condition. Now, there was a further study that was conducted in order to find out whether the effect of chicken soup is because of the action of the hot steam on the nostrils or if it is the aroma of the chicken soup that can actually cure the colds away. The results indicate that it is because of the steam hence suggesting the effectiveness of aroma.

Benefit # 7: Aromatherapy Improves Male Sexual Response

It has been observed that Circulation to the male sexual organ was substantially improved by means of the treatment of licorice or lavender together with pumpkin pie. Doughnut that contains black licorice is also known to be effective. Men that are known to be sexually active responded greatly to cola, lavender, as well as oriental spice while on the other hand older males would rather go for the fragrance of vanilla. This clearly states that aromatherapy is an efficient therapy to address the problem of male impotency.

Benefit # 8: Aromatherapy makes a Person more Alert

It has been shown that people who were exposed to rosemary were able to have a decrease in frontal alpha and beta power which simply suggest that there is an increased in alertness. Furthermore, they also experienced lower anxiety levels and they can perform math computations faster.

Benefit # 9: Aromatherapy for Pain Management

A lot of people would make use of clove bud which is a very potent essential oil in reducing bodily pain. Be sure to use the oil with care and don't forget to dilute it first if you wish to use it for massage or as a lotion.

Benefit # 10: Aromatherapy Heal Wounds

You can make use of tea tree oil to clean the wound first then apply essential oil helichrysum in areas near the wound but not on the wound itself in order to promote healing faster and safer. Keep in mind that the faster the wound heals the lesser scarring will take place.

Things to Eat Or Drink to Help Bring Fertility Back - I Want to Get Pregnant Now!

There is not any one magic food recipe that will guarantee conception, but what you eat can increase your chance for conceiving. One thing you have to do is start eating healthy. Start by eating less meat and more vegetables. You should be eating a lot of green vegetables. If you are not big on vegetables, you can chop them up real small and add them to your meatloaf and you probably won't even taste them.

Things to Eat Or Drink to Help Bring Fertility Back

It is good for you to drink plenty of green tea and Vitamin C too. Studies have shown that women who make these a part of their diet are more likely to become pregnant. Trans fat is something that you want to avoid whether you are trying to get pregnant or not. Trans fat is found in all kinds of foods. Here is a list of the top seven Trans fat foods.

1. Margarine - is loaded with trans fats and saturated fats, both of which can lead to heart disease. Look for soft-tub margarine because it is less likely to have trans fat.

2. Packaged foods - Cake mixes and other mixes have several grams of trans fat per serving. Look for reduced fat mixes.

3. Soups - Ramen noodles contain high levels of trans fat. See if you can find fat free or reduced fat soups.

4. Fast Food - Fries, chicken, and other foods are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil.

5. Frozen Food - Those delicious frozen pies, pot pies, pizzas, and waffles hs trans fat. In frozen foods, baked is always heart-healthier than breaded.

6. Baked Goods - More trans fat are used in baked products than any other foods.

7. Cookies and cakes from your local grocery have plenty of trans fat in them.

If you and your partner are really trying to get pregnant you should consider the importance of a healthy diet. Making small changes in what you eat and drink can make the difference between conceiving or not being able to conceive.

You don't have to drastically change your diet to improve your chances of fertility, but one easy thing you can do is to drink more water. Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily will help to increase your fertility levels. Also, you should be eating high-fiber low-fat foods. This will improve your hormonal balance which will help your chances to conceive.

Add Color to Your Diet

You should eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables. These foods are nutrient rich and have plenty of vitamin B and folic acid. These foods are essential for healthy sperm and ovaries. Fruits and vegetables also have plenty of vitamin C and iron. Both enhance the quality of sperm and improve the immune system. It is a good idea to include plenty of fruits in your diet.

Wholesome Grain Foods

Another food that you need to include for a healthy fertility diet are nutrient rich whole grains. These include brown rice, corn, whole wheat bread, millet, pasta, and oats. Whole grain foods are rich in vitamins E and B which are essential for the production of healthy eggs, hormone balance, and sperm.

Eat lots of Nuts!

Nuts contain natural plant proteins. Nuts and whole grains also contain vitamin B6 and folic acid which raise your fertility levels. Here are six of the healthiest nuts to eat.

1. Walnuts are a great source of healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids which have been found to protect the heart, promote better cognitive function, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and psoriasis.

2. Almonds contain almost 25 percent of your needed daily value for the important nutrient magnesium plus is rich in potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium.

3. Cashews are a lot lower in fat than most nuts, and 65 percent of this fat is unsaturated fatty acids. 90 percent is folic acids, which is a heart healthy fat found in olive oil.

4. Pecans are a great source of over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamins E and A, copper, manganese, potassium, zinc, folic acid and calcium.

5. Brazil Nuts are very nutrient-rich and contain protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber, vitamin E and Selenium. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that works to neutralize dangerous free radicals. Studeis have shown that high amounts of selenium in Brazil nuts could help to prevent breast cancer.

6. Macadamia Nuts are high in protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium and magnesium.

Fish in your diet

Omega 3 which is mostly found in fish oil helps fertility as it linked to healthy hormone function. Good sources of iron and selenium are seafood, meat and poultry.

A good well balanced fertility diet should include five servings of fruit and vegetables, two or three servings of protein and dairy products, and five to six servings of grains. This diet will ensure you have all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Try to eat smaller meals because three full meals can cause constipation, bloating and pre-menstrual syndrome troubles. These are the Things to Eat Or Drink to Help Bring Fertility Back.

England's Healthcare Crisis Sends a Warning to the Colonies

The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

Milton Friedman

I thought I would share this article out of England (Laura Donnelly, "Axe-falls-on-NHS-services," Sunday Telegraph, July 24, 2010). Despite having the ultimate "public option" the British are facing a cost crisis of their own. The choices they are making carry worrying implications for us.

England nationalized health care during the second world war, and is a paradigm for what is both good and bad about government controlled health care. Funding comes from the government, and local entities decide how to spend it. Everyone is insured, but what is actually covered is determined by committees using the money available. Faced with an unprecedented financial crunch, the government has decided to severely limit health care funding. Quoting from the article

• Restrictions on some of the most basic and common operations, including hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and orthodontic procedures.


• Plans to cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from budgets for the terminally ill, with dying cancer patients to be told to manage their own symptoms if their condition worsens at evenings or weekends.


• The closure of nursing homes for the elderly.


• A reduction in acute hospital beds, including those for the mentally ill, with targets to discourage GPs from sending patients to hospitals and reduce the number of people using accident and emergency departments.Tighter rationing of NHS funding for IVF treatment, and for surgery for obesity.


• Thousands of job losses at NHS hospitals, including 500 staff to go at a trust where cancer patients recently suffered delays in diagnosis and treatment because of staff shortages.


• Cost-cutting programs in pediatric and maternity services, care of the elderly and services that provide respite breaks to long-term carers.

Such dramatic cuts are disturbing on many levels. Many of the services, including joint replacements, nursing homes, and terminal care would be considered mandatory for any basic healthcare plan in this country. But far more important is the manner in which the decisions were made.

From the article "The Sunday Telegraph found the details of hundreds of cuts buried in obscure appendices to lengthy policy and strategy documents published by trusts. In most cases, local communities appear to be unaware of the plans."

It appears bureaucrats made decisions impacting millions of people in secret, with little or no disclosure. This is the exact procedure used when Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid rammed through Obamacare, with the vote coming before the actual bill was available for review.

I am well aware that society must make difficult choices about how to allocate limited funds for competing and often irreconcilable demands. I also believe that health care must be rationed in some way, or no money will be left for anything else.

However, the experience in England and with Obamacare demonstrates that governments are unwilling and unable to openly and honestly debate these issues. Our elected representatives are so fearful of the populace that they cannot face the harsh light of day.

Governments are simply not very good at making health care decisions. Allocations will be made based on political donations and lobbying efforts. It is not hard to imagine Plastic Surgeons coming out ahead in the votes of this Congress. The "scooter store" is a perfect example I will discuss later.

Many voices in this debate use these argument against any government involvement in health care. Although alluring, such Utopian fantasies are not realistic, our government must be involved. I feel some combination of basic, limited government coverage for everyone, combined with market driven choice based supplemental care, offers the optimal solution for our country.

Postnatal Care for Dogs

Your dog is fully capable of caring for both itself and for its pups, after birthing. However, you should do what you can to help lessen the strain, as birthing for dogs is as tiring and draining as it is for humans. Think about it this way: if you had just given birth, you'd probably like to have a little help and support!

The most important thing to do after your dog gives birth is to bring your dog and the puppies to the vet. Going to the vet early on can save you and your dog a lot of grief later on. The vet will check for complications and possible problems after birthing.

After your dog has been declared fit and healthy by your vet, you should bring the dog home and continue to monitor its activities closely. Your dog will be easily tired so you should restrain it from going out, but not prevent it from doing any exercise. You will need to continue to feed your dog properly, and your dog will still require more than the food it was accustomed to before it got pregnant. So, feed your dog with the right amount of dog food, and do not neglect to give your dog plenty of water either. Give it time, and your dog will gradually start to recover its previous energy levels.

New mothers will feel the urge to defecate more often than normal, so you should be sure to keep your dog's kennel clean, with a ready newspaper on which to defecate. You also should not neglect brushing your dog's hair regularly, because she will probably be shedding more hair than usual.

The Facts About Insurance For Pregnancy

Did you know that many women in the United States do not have insurance for pregnancy? This is mainly because pregnancy is considered a pre-existing health condition and when you are pregnant, you will be turned down for health coverage. It is costly to have this rider added to your insurance policy before you become pregnant and most companies have a qualifying period of three months to a year after you purchase a policy for maternity coverage to take effect.

However, there are ways in which you can get the insurance for pregnancy that you need. Medicaid is a federally sponsored program for low income families. Pregnancy is not considered to be a pre-existing medical condition for this program, which is available to those earning less than $30,000 per year, but requirements vary from state to state. Once you are accepted for this program, the costs of medical treatments you receive are paid directly to the health care provider and the hospital. In California there is a program called Medic-al that also accepts pregnant women.

Having a Maternity Card, while this is not insurance for pregnancy, will help deter some of the major expenses associated with having a baby. You not only have to look at the cost of having your baby in a hospital, but there are costs associated with pre-natal visits, lab tests and ultrasounds during the pregnancy. When you have this card, you have a comprehensive medical plan to cover you for all your medical needs, and not just those connected with being pregnant.

Ameriplan is one of the insurance companies that do offer low cost insurance for pregnancy. You will find that the premiums for such health insurance providers are far cheaper than other policies and cover you for all health problems. Even if you are already pregnant, you can purchase a comprehensive policy with no limits on the services you receive.

All medical conditions are accepted and you can choose from over 400,000 physicians in the network. However, this insurance coverage is not available in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont or Alaska. In Florida, you cannot have Ameriplan insurance, but you can still enjoy discounts on the medical services you receive.

With insurance for pregnancy through Ameriplan, you do not have to pay a deductible and there are various health plans to choose from. In addition to having maternity coverage you can also enjoy vision, dental and chiropractic coverage.

It will take you some time to search for insurance for pregnancy to find a policy that meets your financial needs. It is advisable to plan ahead, not necessarily to plan a pregnancy, but to plan for the event of a pregnancy so that you have the coverage in place when it does happen. If you have health coverage under your employer's plan you should inquire whether it has maternity coverage. It may be cheaper for you to buy into extra coverage under this plan than it is to take out private health insurance for this purpose.

In order to determine how much insurance for pregnancy you will need, you should check out the costs of having a baby in your state. This will give you an idea of what you would have to pay without such coverage and make you realize how vital this insurance is for the finances of your family.

5 Early Signs of Pregnancy

Extremely early signs of pregnancy- are there any? Yes no doubt there are the signs which very early indicate that one is pregnant. The fertilized egg implants itself after about seven days of conception. The moment implantation happens, the early pregnancy signs begin to appear. The hormone level start to change and the body start reacting to these new hormonal levels.

The initial anxieties of pregnancy are completely over shadowed by the overwhelming and unpleasant symptoms known as morning sickness.

The term 'morning' can be misleading as the symptoms often continue throughout the day. Morning sickness can, of course, start before you know you are pregnant, almost as soon as conception has occurred. It may be what alerts you to the fact that you have conceived.

These early pregnancy symptoms can be quite distressing especially if you are still reeling from the discovery that you are pregnant. Where there are mixed feelings about the pregnancy and thoughts of possible termination, this can be intensely distressing as the sickness brings a constant reminder of the reality of the pregnancy.

The onset of morning sickness can be very sudden. It is not unusual to go to bed wondering why you don't feel any different yet and to wake up feeling like you've been hit by a bus. All manner of symptoms, physical and emotional, can occur in early pregnancy and are explained by the umbrella term 'morning sickness'. The list below features a range of experiences women report:

Tiredness

Tiredness/exhaustion: the tiredness of early pregnancy can be worse than the sleepless nights after the baby is born. Women may find themselves wanting to sleep much longer or more often than usual and yet sleeping may have little impact on the feelings of tiredness and lethargy. It's not unusual to spend a whole day in bed and still feel tired! This can be very disabling and the early weeks of pregnancy can seem unending. You may begin to worry: how will I cope with a baby if I can't cope with feeling tired now? Fortunately this malaise does lift as the pregnancy progresses.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting: along with tiredness, the persistent sickness that some women experience can be the most debilitating part of pregnancy. It can affect all aspects of your life, making carrying on with everyday life almost impossible. Despite its debilitating effects it is only in extreme circumstances that vomiting leads to medical intervention or hospitalization. There is in fact little that can be done to stop vomiting in pregnancy and most women simply try to endure it and adapt their lives as much as possible, hoping that the symptom will soon pass.

Food Cravings

Strange tastes, going 'off' foods or cravings. Many women report a metallic taste in their mouths. Classically women reject certain foods or develop preoccupations with particular foods. There may be good adaptive reasons why women 'crave' certain foods, perhaps their bodies are identifying their nutritional needs. However, the preoccupation often with one item makes this seem unlikely. In extreme cases non-food items such as coal have been the object of cravings, which would be hard to explain in physiological terms.

Headaches

Headaches, general aches and pains.

Mood Swings

Tearfulness, angry outbursts, anxiety symptoms. Nevertheless at the time these feelings can be confusing for both parents-to-be especially in a planned and wanted pregnancy.

Remember to take care of yourself even before becoming pregnant. Avoid drinking and quit smoking. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides the above mentioned 5 early pregnancy signs try to learn as much as you can because only with proper knowledge you can assure a healthy pregnancy thus a healthy baby.

Is it Safe to Use Wrinkle Cream During Pregnancy?

Being pregnant usually feels like being in a totally different world than the one you're used to. There are new food rules, new physical and emotional experiences and of course new no nos to your skin care regimen.

Many pregnant women do want nothing more but to keep using the anti aging cream they have been using before they got pregnant. Unfortunately though, you need to exercise a lot more caution now that you have a tiny little one inside of you.

The big problem is that many antiaging cream contain chemicals which have not been tested on pregnant women or worse, have been tested and have proven to be detrimental for the health of a the fetus. And truth be told, beauty products, over the counter cream specifically, are not required by law to list all the ingredients they use on the product, so you never really know what you're getting.

This is why as much as possible, if you ask me, it is best to stay away from anti wrinkle cream while your pregnant and when you're breastfeeding. But don't despair. There are some things that you can which ensure that your baby develops healthily and that your skin still gets the proper pampering it needs.

First of all, you can still continue to use moisturizer. This alone is already a great help in rejuvenating your skin. Stay away from bad ingredients in skin care products and go for organic ingredients instead.

For organic skin care products, have a look at Dr. Haushcka, Weleda, and Dr. Alkaitis Skin Care.

Secondly, make sure your properly nourish yourself during this period. It is no secret that what you eat greatly affects how your skin looks as well. So eat healthy. Always have food high in antioxidants and drink a lot of water.

Moreover, if you really want to use some antiaging products on your face, then go natural. There are a lot of natural anti wrinkle treatment that you can make at home. They're safe and you know exactly what you're putting in your face.

For example, you can mix 4 Vitamin E capsules, half teaspoons of honey, lemon juice and yoghurt and then slather them on your face with a cotton ball. You can then leave it on for 30 minutes or so. This home mixture is said to help so much in the moisturizing and healing of skin cells. Do this 4 or 4x a week and you won't miss your anti wrinkle cream at all!

Insight Into Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is defined by the National Library of Medicine as moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Most of the time, it occurs within the first three months following delivery. A new baby can bring an influx of emotions and a whirlwind of unfamiliar feelings into the household, especially for the mother. Many new moms will experience mood swings and crying spells after giving birth, but those are quite common and usually go away on their own and shouldn't cause concern. Postnatal depression is different than these common, fleeting episodes though, even though it can look similar at first. While the baby blues don't need much care to fade away, postpartum depression can be a bit more complicated, and in severe cases when left untreated, downright dangerous.

Signs of Postpartum Depression

The first thing to know about it is of course, what are the symptoms? How can you tell if you or a loved one is suffering from it? Some of the common signs are as follows -

• Loss of appetite


• Insomnia


• Intense irritability and anger


• Overwhelming fatigue


• Loss of interest in sex


• Lack of joy in life


• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy


• Severe mood swings


• Difficulty bonding with the baby


• Withdrawal from family and friends


• Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

Like most illnesses, the earlier you seek treatment for your post-baby depression, the simpler it is to get a handle on. Untreated it can last up to a year or longer not to mention can cause a host of complications for the baby and mother alike, so it's definitely not one of those things you want to ignore or be too proud to admit you're struggling with. It's just not worth it. Especially in light of the fact that with proper treatment, postpartum depression usually goes away in just a few months.

Are Some Women More At Risk for Postpartum Depression?

Yes, some women are more at risk than others. Risk factors that increase the chance of developing postpartum depression include a history of depression either in the pregnant woman or in her family, a history of substance abuse, stressful environmental factors, and being depressed during pregnancy. These factors don't necessarily mean that you will develop postpartum depression, but if you or a woman you care about have increased risks, it's a good idea to educate yourself and pay close attention for signs and symptoms after childbirth.

Treatment of Postpartum Depression

After it has been diagnosed by a medical professional, traditional treatment of counseling and in certain cases medication can begin. Counseling is often found very helpful by women suffering from postpartum depression as it can teach them new, healthier ways to process and channel their feelings and emotions as well as coping strategies when they're feeling stressed or upset. Antidepressants are also proven to work for the treatment of postpartum depression, but it is important to note that these drugs will pass to your baby through your breast milk if you intend on breast-feeding. That said, there are a few antidepressants available today with minimal risk of side effects to the baby so be sure to discuss these options with your doctor if this is a route you're interesting in taking.

Health Insurance for Self Employed People - Figure Out Exactly What You Need To Protect Yourself

Health insurance for self employed people can be very expensive so it is really important that you sit down and think through what you really need before you decide on a particular policy. Every individual and family has different needs and your particular needs should determine the best insurance for you. Once you figure out your needs it will be easier to sort through the plans available and find the best one for your health, financial, and family situation.

The first thing you need to think about is what types of things you need coverage for. Typically, health insurance will cover physicians visits, fees, hospital expenses, and surgeries. Be sure that hospitals and surgeries are covered because these are the things that can have a severe financial impact if you are not covered. Everyone needs this kind of coverage.

Beyond doctors, hospitals, and surgeries, there are a variety of options that might or might not be valuable to you and your family. For example, if you or a family member wear glasses or contacts, it might be worthwhile to get a plan that covers these expenses. How about prescription medicines? If you or any member of your family has a chronic health condition requiring regular prescriptions that might well be an important option for you. If you are planning on having children then maternity care is a benefit you definitely want to consider. After you make a list of benefits that are important to you, you can start searching for insurance that will either include or let you add the particular coverage that is important to you.

You also want to consider how important it is to you to be able to choose your own doctor or stay with a doctor you already have. You have more flexibility with traditional health insurance but the trade-off is higher premiums. PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations), POS (Point of Service), or HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) plans offer greater savings but are much more restrictive in their choices of health care providers, including doctors and hospitals.

Lastly, consider any group options that might be available to you to reduce you costs. Often your local Chamber of Commerce or other small business organizations can help you find small group plans that can help you save money when buying health insurance for self employed people. The most important thing is to find coverage that will protect you and your family from any catastrophic medical bills and ruin your financial health.