Pregnancy Massage - Why Should You Bother?

Pregnancy massage, also called "prenatal massage" has a series of benefits that pregnant women should not ignore, since this massage can help them overcome the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy such as stress. Prenatal massage is not only very healthy, but it works as a pain reliever as well. It helps future moms deal with the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy.

One of the most important benefits of pregnancy massage is that it can reduce the pain caused by pressure around the knee area. In addition, it also eliminates headaches and any pain associated with weight gain. It is known that most medications are contraindicated for expecting mothers due to their possible side effects and this is why alternative pain relievers such as massages are better and do not affect the child in any way.

A good pregnancy massage can also regulate the hormone levels, which is an essential aspect for a pregnant woman. This happens provided that the woman gets massages on a regular basis. Proper hormone levels can not only regulate a woman's mood, but they also promote cardiovascular health. This way, it is important to lower the levels of stress-related hormones and increase the levels of the hormones associated with happiness (serotonin).

Circulation is increased as well and digestion is significantly improved, provided that the massage is done by a professional. If digestion is improved, mothers no longer experience unpleasant symptoms such as bloating or stomach aches. Besides this, the child is well-nourished and can develop properly.

Besides the benefits of pregnancy massage that were mentioned above, mothers also get the chance to relax, which is very important for both them and the child. If an expecting woman is seriously stressed (as it usually happens with pregnant mothers) this can have a very negative impact. With a prenatal massage, future mothers can feel relaxed and less stressed throughout the pregnancy. It is certainly a well-deserved treatment in a period when a woman experiences great amounts of stress and anxiety, since it is known that although pregnancy is one of the most beautiful moments in the life of a woman, it can also be one of the most difficult.

Even though the pregnancy massage has numerous advantages, it must be mentioned that it may be contraindicated for some women. For instance, the massage may be contraindicated for women who have a high-risk pregnancy or suffer from hypertension. All pregnant women must consult their doctor before starting the massage sessions. The healthcare provider is the only one who can give accurate advice regarding prenatal massage.

To summarize, these are the main benefits of pregnancy massage. It decreases pain caused by increased weight, it reduces swelling, improves circulation and digestion and last but not least, it regulates the hormone levels. Besides, prenatal massage can be very helpful because it allows pregnant women to relax and feel beautiful. Another positive aspect is that stress is also reduced, since it is known that stress can have a negative impact on both the mother and the child.

During Labor Risky Drugs and Unnecessary Medical Interventions Have Reached Epidemic Proportions

Are more and more of your friends talking about the medications they used in labor? Have there been more Cesareans (aka "C-section") that you've heard about then say 5, 10, or 20 years ago? Are you pregnant and hearing your provider freely talk about medications that you may be encountering during your labor? Have you asked your provider about his/her Cesarean rate? Or how often he orders Pitocin and Epidurals? It might just be a good idea to ask.

Medical interventions and risky drugs are a huge factor in the increase of the C-section rate to 30.2% (Statistics compiled by CDC in 2005 up from 29.1% in 2004). You have to figure it is much higher now in 2008.

During labor in hospitals today there is an increase use of risky drugs and unnecessary medical interventions. With the use of Epidurals, Pitocin, and unnecessary C-sections many providers are making unsafe decisions for their convenience of shortening the labor. Some providers perform unnecessary C-sections in fear of malpractice if they continue the laboring process naturally and the slim slim chance that something MIGHT go wrong. The Phrase "once a section, always a section" is never truer then right now AND is to the advantage of the provider. If you birth your first baby by C-section than all your other babies can be scheduled and birthed by C-section in 20 minutes of the provider's time. How snappy is that for health care professionals who just want to get the laboring process over with?

As an RN, and midwife I have witnessed the use of risky drugs and unnecessary medical interventions in hospitals in almost epidemic proportions. The hospital I'm currently working at in San Diego has an epidural rate of 98% and a C-section rate before the weekends way over the national average of 30.2%, some Fridays I've seen it as high as 75%. Hey, for the provider, that means no laboring women over the weekends. You might ask why the concern on the use of Epidurals when most of your friends have used and loved it? Epidurals have many more complications then the provider is willing to tell you about.

For the mother in labor it can:





Drop her blood pressure to a dangerous low





Cause uncontrollable shivering





Allergic reaction like itching to the face and body





Nausea and vomiting





Postpartum backache that can last for years





Maternal fever that could result in her baby getting unnecessary lab work





Spinal headaches





Feeling of emotion detachment





Inability to move about freely during labor





Stopping labor and needing other medications to resume labor





Loss of sensation and sexual function




For Your Baby



Fetal distress, abnormal fetal heart rate (needing C-section)





Drowsiness and poor sucking and breastfeeding





Poor muscle strength and muscle tone in the first few hours




In Labor



Prolonged first and second stage labor





Increased incidence of malpresentation of baby's head





Increase the need for Pitocin to accelerate labor





Decrease the ability to push effectively





Increase the likelihood of forceps or vacuum extraction





Increase the need for episiotomy





Increased the likelihood of C-section

With the use of an Epidural there is a higher chance that an IV drip of Pitocin will be ordered, which is a synthetic form of oxytocin (which causes the uterus to contract). The risk of Pitocin is that it can cause your uterus to contract so hard and so rapidly that it stresses you and your baby to the point that it is safer to perform a C-section then to let you continue labor and birth your baby vaginally.

Some providers during your prenatal visits promise natural childbirth but sing another song when you enter the hospital in labor. They jump at the idea of medical interventions and risky drugs before they suggest the birth ball or shower for increasing your labor. Some L&D nurses don't give you a lot of chances to use the natural methods you were hoping for because, having you on an Epidural sleeping is a lot less work for them then having you in the shower, on the birth ball or walking the halls in labor.

As an RN watching all this, and wishing pregnant couples knew what was happening in hospitals has inspired me to write "Hey! Who's Having This Baby Anyway?"

"Hey! Who's Having This Baby Anyway?" shows the laboring couple that during their pregnancy, they can find the right provider, know about the medications in labor, alternatives to their use, how to create a birth plan that works, about labor management, yoga and other ways to stay in control of their baby's birth.

Also in this book you will find why the increase of C-sections has haunted our hospitals and laboring couples and how easy it is to insure that it can be prevented in your birth.

Getting Pregnant Naturally Requires Attention! Pregnancy Miracle Will Help You

Getting pregnant just like that, is no longer taken for granted. Nowadays there are too many factors disturbing the biological system in the human body. To become pregnant demands attention to the risks caused by our modern lifestyle. In this article we will discuss the importance of preparing your body to get pregnant, how Pregnancy Miracle can assist you with this and how you can avoid the cost of IVF or any other expensive medical solution.

This article is for every couple that wants to get pregnant! For every couple that has doubts about starting IVF treatment. For every couple that already undergone IVF and it just did not work for them. Even for couples that are just starting to get pregnant this article has some valuable information.

Nature Needs Some Help

There are numerous indications showing that folic acid is not the only important factor that increases the chances of getting pregnant. Before and during a pregnancy there are several nutrients that are essential for the human body. A human body gives already warning signs before the pregnancy. These signs indicate that the body created deficits of these essential nutrients. Especially on this area it is possible to take preventive action.

Sometimes it is necessary to do something about the lack of attention towards your body. To get rid of the deficits before you can get pregnant. Detox (cleaning), weight loss and supplementing minerals and vitamins have become a necessity.

Simple advice is nowadays inadequate, particularly if somebody had a bad or mediocre lifestyle. Next to that the average age of people getting pregnant increased over the years. It is important to understand that this has a significant impact on the chance to get pregnant. Healthy eating is the first step, but now more is needed. Negative factors as age, stress, radiation, poor diet, smoking and alcohol require a targeted approach before you start getting pregnant.

Programs That Can Help You To Avoid IVF Or Other Expensive Methods

It is not that easy to figure out by yourself what you should do or not. Some foods you think are healthy but do not really help you to get ready for pregnancy. Or simple things like certain make-up can influence your changes. Luckily there are some good programs and guides on the market that will provide you with this knowledge. Some even have an exact blue print of what to do.

For example a guide like Pregnancy Miracle can help you out to prepare your pregnancy in terms of diet, lifestyle and many other important steps to take. A guide like this will provide you with the benefits before, during and after pregnancy.

For more and more couples it becomes more difficult to get pregnant just like that. Our lifestyle has a big influence on this experience. This is something we have to keep in mind the moment we would like to get pregnant. As mentioned before a targeted approach that helps you to get your body ready is nowadays for a lot of couples a necessity. For many people a natural approach like this can save them from getting into a medical treatment like IVF. The costs of IVF are not only financial but also emotional and if possible you should avoid them. Couples that have to undergo medical treatment may use an approach like this to supplement their medical treatment. It may help them to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Getting Pregnancy Coverage While Pregnant

Finding medical insurance that covers maternity expenses via a private insurance carrier while you are already pregnant is difficult or impossible. Insurance companies will usually consider a current pregnancy a reason reject an application. They will consider the pregnancy to be a pre-existing disease or condition.

The advice below may not be or might not be applicable to you. There are different regulations in different areas. The exclusions and limitations you might find on a given policy might mean that a pre-existing disease or condition you expect to be covered isn't.

It is important to know the limitations of your medical insurance plan before you purchase it.

It is also important to keep any current health care insurance policy you might have until you are covered by the new policy. Even if your existing health insurance plan does not cover maternity expenses, you should think twice or even three times before canceling it.

There are three main reasons that you should do this. The first is that you may have an otherwise covered sickness or injury not associated with your pregnancy that triggers a major health care expense. The second is that you may have or develop a serious medical disease or condition that will keep you from getting coverage in the future. The third reason is that even though the health expenses of a normal pregnancy might be excluded from your policy, your plan may include coverage for complications. Complications of pregnancy are considered a disease. Pregnancy is not.

In many situations, private health insurance will not be an option. Most insurance companies will automatically deny new coverage for pregnant women. However, there are some exceptions.

Group or employer-sponsored medical insurance may offer an opportunity for you to get coverage. These types of policies are governed by different regulations. Medical history is less often a factor in your being eligible for a group health insurance policy.

Employer-sponsored medical insurance policies will often cover preexisting disease or conditions. If, you can get coverage through a group contract before you give birth, you may be able to get the health insurance company to cover most of your bills.

Of course, the group medical insurance coverage plan in question will need to cover maternity. Not all will. Many health insurance policies will specifically exclude maternity related expenses.

In a typical pregnancy the vast majority of the medical care will be needed just before, during and immediately after the birth of the child. This means that if you can get coverage before you have your child, you can avoid most of the medical expenses.

If your employer offers group medical insurance, and they will have an open enrollment period before your due date, you might be able to get coverage for your expenses in the maternity ward. This can help you dramatically reduce your financial exposure.

If your spouse or domestic partner has group medical insurance available through his or her work, you may be able to take advantage of his or her next open enrollment period. This may also be a viable option for you.

If you are married at this time, but get married to someone with group health insurance, you may be able to get insured by their contract during a special open enrollment period. Getting married usually allows a spouse be insured by the other spouse's health insurance plan right away without waiting for the next open enrollment period.

The approaches listed above might not work for you. Group insurance often provides the best coverage. However, if you are not able to get coverage that way there may be programs available from your local, state or from the federal government that can help you limit your exposure.

To learn about the options you qualify for via other stratagems and via local, state or federal-based programs, contact the hospital where you intend to deliver your child. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

Top Ten Health Insurance Tips to Consider When Buying Health Insurance

Whether you are switching health insurer or buying health insurance for the first time there are a few points that you should consider before you make up your mind:

1. Cover for private accommodation in public hospitals in most cases does not guarantee fast access to treatment. Make sure you have a plan with some access to private hospitals. Even if it only covers a portion of the charges it's better than not having any access to these hospitals or being faced with extremely large bills for treatment you needed in a hurry.

2. Check that hospitals local to you are not excluded and don't have excesses applied to accommodation. Most people prefer to be close to home when they are sick or in hospital so that friends or relatives can visit or be close at hand should they be needed in an emergency.

3. Check that there are no shortfalls on specific treatments or procedures such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, orthopaedic. Where there is a shortfall on orthopaedic treatments consider the likelihood of you needing any of these treatments in the near future. Young people are less likely to need these treatments than older people. You may be able to upgrade in the future if affordability is an issue right now.

4. Check that you have full cover for day case treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and colonoscopies in private hospitals - these procedures account for 60 -70% of all health insurance claims.

5. Try to ensure you have cover for direct settlement MRI and CT scan centres which are local to you. This means you won't have to wait to get access and you don't need to pay if they are classified as 'direct settlement' centres.

6. Try to ensure you have cover for major cardiac procedures in all the main private hospitals and hi-tech or specialist centres

7. Check that there is a low outpatient excess, this will ensure you get more money back from your outpatient expenses.

8. If you want cover for day-to-day benefits such as GP, Physiotherapist and dentist ensure that you are getting long-term value for money - check the cover for each benefit & how many visits are covered per benefit. Do you really need this cover right now? If you have young children or you are undergoing regular treatment it may be worthwhile however if not then weigh up how much you are paying for these benefits and how much you are likely to use them. Some of these plans can cost five of six times the price of seeing a doctor so if you usually only attend a doctor once or twice a year it may not be worthwhile having this type of cover.

9. Check for any other benefits that may be of interest to you - health screening, maternity benefits, kid's benefits etc.

10. Consider the health insurance needs of all the family individually - consider different plan & levels of cover for each. You might choose to have the children on one level plan and the adults on another.

Five Important Tips For Fetal Development

In my work in family medicine, I see a lot of expectant mothers. I'm often surprised at how much misinformation is out there about proper nutrition during pregnancy, and in particular about Essential Fatty Acids during pregnancy.

Essential Fatty Acids are so-called because they move oxygen through our blood, they help in cell and brain development, and they keep organs and tissue healthy. One of the most crucial Essential Fatty Acids for fetal development is Omega 3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This Omega 3 (not to be confused with Omega 3 EPA or ALA) is the primary structural component of brain tissue.

What follows are five important tips for fetal development:

1. DHA is a basic building block for your baby's brain. The Omega-3 DHA is a critical component n the development of your baby's brain, spinal cord, eyes, and nervous system. Adequate amounts of DHA help to prevent allergies in children who are at risk for them, and also increases birth size and weight. It also increases your baby's coordination and motor skills.

2. Your body naturally gives all its DHA to your fetus. It's part of the miracle of birth - your body instinctively gives your fetus all the resources it needs for optimal fetal development, even if that means that it robs you of the nutrients you need. For most mothers who are deficient in DHA, this manifests itself as postpartum depression, or in brain shrinkage (also known as 'mommy brain'.)

3. Mothers who got more Omega 3s in their last trimester had smarter babies. A recent study of over 11,000 pregnant women in England showed that mothers who got more Omega 3s during pregnancy had babies with higher IQs and better social development, including fewer incidences of ADD. Infants who had insufficient supply had lower fine motor skills, less developed communication skills, and social behavior issues that could be measured for years after birth.

4. Baby's development continues through breastfeeding. If you choose to breastfeed, you are the only source of nutrition for your baby. Since your baby's development is continuing rapidly at this time, it is critical that you are getting enough DHA to supply your baby with enough for optimal growth, without depleting your reserves to critical levels. If you are deficient, discuss using an Omega 3 enhanced baby formula with your physician.

5. Prenatal vitamins generally do not contain Omega 3. It is a source of unending frustration to doctors, but prenatal vitamins rarely contain DHA. With more than 98% of women not getting enough Omega 3 in their diet to properly support themselves and their developing babies, it is very important that women are aware of this lack and are looking to make up for it through diet or supplementation.

Most women are conscious of the FDA's recommendation that expecting mothers and children avoid certain types of fish. This is because of a risk of mercury contamination, found especially in large fish that feed on other fish.

One way to avoid mercury contamination during this critical time of development is to take an Omega 3 supplement. It is vital that you ensure you are getting a molecularly-distilled supplement that is certified by independent parties to be pure and free of toxins.

Also, ensure that you are getting the recommended dose of Omega 3 for expecting mothers.

Tummy Tuck and Pregnancy - Your Questions Answered

Many women wonder when the best time is to have their tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, surgery performed. This is a very important consideration for all women because pregnancy has such a profound effect on all women's bodies.

What effect does pregnancy have on a woman's body?

Pregnancy causes weight gain in the abdominal area both from the baby itself, but also from fatty deposits which the body makes during pregnancy. All of this weight contained in the lower abdominal area causes the skin and muscles to expand and stretch. The results are often many issues, including; fatty areas which cannot be removed through diet and exercise alone, hanging skin, stretch marks, and issues having to do with the abdominal wall muscles themselves.

One of the biggest reasons women choose to have a tummy tuck performed is due to the stretching and bulging of the muscles of the abdominal wall itself. This muscle budging can cause the abdomen to protrude outward and appear to be fat even when no excess fat is present in the area. Unfortunately, there simply is no exercise which can rectify the problem; the only solution is to have a procedure performed to fix the bulging and stretching muscles.

Just as with the issue of bulging abdominal muscles, the only way to remove the sagging abdominal skin from pregnancy is through a tummy tuck. Simple liposuction can deal with fatty deposits, but nothing other than an abdominoplasty can remove the sagging skin. The good news however, is that a tummy tuck will remove the lower abdominal skin where most stretch marks occur. This means that post-operation they will be gone as a nice byproduct of the surgery.

When is the best time to have a tummy tuck if you are a mother?

If you are a mom who is interested in a flatter stomach, like you had before your children were born, the best time to have abdominoplasty performed is clearly when you are finished having all of your children. By waiting until you have had all of your children, you can ensure that the effects of your surgery will be long lasting.

Can I have one if I have had a C-section surgery in the past?

If your children were born through C-section you are indeed still a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Interestingly enough, you will likely find the abdominoplasty will be less painful than your C-section surgery was and your recovery will likely be faster as well.

Is it dangerous to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

It is not dangerous to you or your child if you get pregnant after having a tummy tuck. However, the pregnancy can reverse all of the changes made by your abdominoplasty and cause you to need another one following the birth of your child.

Because having a tummy tuck can be a fairly expensive surgery to have, and it is generally not covered by medical insurance, most women choose to wait until they are done having children to have their abdominoplasty performed. By waiting until after pregnancy, you can ensure that your stomach will stay flat and tight throughout your older years.

Lasik Surgery During Pregnancy

Female patients of mine often ask whether having a child will affect their ability to undergo Lasik eye surgery. Actually, pregnancy can affect the eyes in many ways so it is important to understand what considerations should be made for pregnant women who are considering Lasik. These things should also be considerations even if a woman is not pregnant at the time but may be planning it in the near future.

First, it is always important to establish the total medical and structural health of the eye prior to proceeding with any kind of eye surgery. Pregnant women are known to be at risk for the development or worsening of diabetes and can develop significant blood pressure problems such as preeclampsia. These blood pressure or diabetes related problems can manifest in the eye, and therefore a complete dilated exam of the eye to look for any changes or pathology in the retinal blood vessels is extremely important. Patients can potentially present with bleeding or leaking blood vessels which can cause distortion of vision. Any changes of these kinds need to be handled very carefully to prevent long-term damage to the eyes. These conditions can lead to an acute medical or surgical situation and the patient would definitely be precluded from having Lasik eye surgery. Other rare pregnancy related eye disorders can occur that induce swelling of the optic nerve or retina and can also be detected with a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist.

But not all eye changes during pregnancy are necessarily pathologic. In some otherwise healthy women, it has been observed that their glasses prescription actually changes during pregnancy. Similar changes can also occur after the baby is delivered while the woman is breast-feeding her child. In some cases, these changes may be temporary but in others they can be permanent. Unfortunately there is no way to distinguish which cases are temporary. Actually, the majority of women never have these prescription changes during pregnancy at all. The exact mechanism of action is unknown although it has been shown that changes in the corneal thickness and curvature occur, possibly due to swelling. Some have postulated that the same hormonal changes which allow for bodily changes to accommodate for growth of the baby within the woman's body also allow for growth of the eye as well. Usually, growth changes of the eye leading to nearsightedness come to a conclusion when a person stops growing in their late teens or early twenties, but perhaps the hormonal changes of pregnancy allow for some of these changes to re-occur later in life.

Of course, when this situation arises, the woman's glasses prescription and nearsightedness are no longer stable and predictable. Performing Lasik on someone like this is unwise because the exact final prescription cannot be known. It's like shooting at a moving target. It is a general rule that a patient should have a stable glasses prescription for about one year prior to having Lasik eye surgery. If my patients go through pregnancy and experience no changes, then I feel it is okay for them to proceed at any point thereafter when they feel ready. However, if changes in their prescription have occurred, I do advise them to wait on Lasik surgery until we have observed that it does not change any further. This waiting period applies to the postpartum breast-feeding time as well.

I also talk to many of my patients that are young women who are not planning on pregnancy in the near future but feel they may have children in the distant future. In these people, there is no way to predict if a future pregnancy will change their glasses prescription. I advise these people most women have little or no change during pregnancy so it is reasonable to proceed with Lasik as they have no immediate plans for having children. They should be aware of the small possibility of developing regression of their near-sightedness in the future in the event they do become pregnant. In those cases, it is possible to do additional treatment after pregnancy is completed and once their prescription is stable. However, if the visual changes are small, many women feel that their vision is adequate and may not need additional treatment or might choose to wear glasses only under certain conditions, eg night driving. Those are personal decisions each individual must make for themselves.

The bottom line is to make sure that any health issues of the patient which can be related to pregnancy are stable and that the overall glasses prescription is stable and predictable prior to proceeding with Lasik eye surgery. Once all of these things are stable and the pregnancy is complete, that is the best time to proceed with the procedure. Although performing Lasik just prior or during pregnancy is technically possible, there remains the small chance of a prescription change induced by the pregnancy which might require additional treatment later. To avoid multiple procedures, I recommend waiting until after the baby is delivered and breast-feeding is completed.

Pregnancy - An Introduction to Pregnancy Health Care Issues

It feels so great when you are about to become a mom, especially when you are expecting for the first time. It is such a good feeling, yet a delicate situation of your life. Some of the pregnancy health issues include what to do, how to do, what to eat, what exercises are right, and so on. That is why a pregnancy magazine is important for you. These health care magazines not only guide you with pregnancy health problems, but also prepare you for welcoming the new one in your life. These magazines equip you with right knowledge that can help you deal with yourself and the growing changes in you.

Though pregnancy is a great feeling, with all these concerns at hand, it becomes difficult for a mother to enjoy the bliss that motherhood can offer. The feelings and the bonding that blooms between the two connected individuals is unparalleled. And with the various tips and the featured articles in these health magazines, you get to know all that you want to know and more. Certain topics dealt with in these pregnancy magazines might be completely new for you, while others may not be. Whether it is about creating a birth plan, or guiding you about what to do when having contractions or breaking of the water bag, or how to feed the new-born, you'll find every pregnancy health care issue covered in there. There are special sections too, that may tell you about preventing birth defects, planning nutrition, immunization, intercourse, air travel, and so on for different stages of pregnancy.

Planning for child-care calls for education and counseling so as to be able to handle different aspects of pregnancy health. These health care magazines feature the latest news and developments related to maternity, thus turning out to be pregnancy health care guides for expecting parents. In fact, these pregnancy magazines also feature special columns for addressing the woes of a mother. And, that is why these magazines have become a must have for the mothers to be.

With great tips at your disposal, you'll surely be able to handle the problems and complications that come with pregnancy, and enjoy the feeling that only a mother can get.

How a Pregnancy Sleep Pillow Can Help You Catch Your Zzz's in Pregnancy

One of the most precious gifts a pregnant mother can get is a good night's sleep. Unfortunately there are many factors working against the mother to be to get her much needed sleep. How can she get help? A pregnancy sleep pillow may be just what the doctor ordered.

Many pregnant women experience sleep problems at some point in their pregnancy. It is completely natural so if the sandman hasn't paid a visit to your bedroom lately do not feel alone. There are many reasons why you may have difficulty sleeping during pregnancy. From more frequent urination, to backaches, to heartburn there are several factors working against the poor expectant mother.

But, ironically, the biggest reason pregnant women have difficulty sleeping is because of the baby growing inside of them. As your baby grows the pressure they cause internally can make it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep. If a woman is a natural back or stomach sleeper it can be even harder as it is difficult to sleep in either of these positions as the fetus grows.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep in the side sleeping position. There actually are a few reasons for this. Not only will it be more comfortable it actually is good for you and your baby. Specifically you want to sleep on your left side. This will keep pressure off of your liver. It also relieves pressure from major arteries that supply blood to the lower part of you body and legs. This allows better blood flow to your legs preventing swelling.

Many women find it hard to maintain to a side sleeping position. They may toss and turn a little and find themselves on their back several times throughout the night. Then the pressure of their baby wakes them up. One of the best solutions to help an expectant mother maintain the side sleeping position and have a much more comfortable sleep is a maternity pillow, or also known as a pregnancy pillow.

A pregnancy sleep pillow is full body pillow specifically designed to help a pregnant woman sleep comfortably by providing support to their growing tummy. They also help you to maintain the doctor recommended side sleeping position.

Ways to Pay For Infertility Treatment

When a couple hears the devastating news that they are dealing with the inability to conceive unless there is medical intervention, one of the many thoughts they will have is how to pay for the treatment. Infertility treatment can be as minor as medicated cycles which assist the woman in developing and releasing an ovum, or as complicated as IVF with ICSI. Medicated cycles can be as inexpensive as a couple hundred dollars, plus doctor office visits, and lab work, to the truly expensive IVF cycles with ICSI costing between $12,000 and $17,000 plus medications, and lab work. For most Americans that is a lot of money to spend on a chance to get pregnant. However, if you find yourself faced with the expense of IVF, there are things you can do to afford this expensive medical procedure.

The very first thing you need to do is read your health insurance policy and find out what procedures and medications are covered and to what extent. Sometimes the difference between having a procedure or a test covered or denied is based solely on how it was coded by the doctor's office and nothing more. Talk to your doctor about how things are coded, as well as your insurance company. Some, but not all, insurance companies have patient advocates that you can talk to and find out what is and is not covered. A few phone calls can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses if you know what to expect and what is covered before you have a procedure done.

A few states do require some form of infertility coverage, but what is covered varies among these states, and any employer that "self-insures" is exempt from the law. A self-insure health plan is when the employer operates their own insurance plan instead of purchasing it from an insurance company. You can easily find out if your employer's health plan is self-insured by just asking or reading your plans benefits information. To see if your state has mandated infertility coverage, and if it does what must be covered, visit Resolve's State Information on Insurance Coverage at http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/insurance_coverage/state-coverage.html.

If you find that little or nothing is covered by your insurance, don't panic. There are options out there, and they do not require you to max out your credit cards or get a second mortgage on your house. The first thing you should do is talk to the billing department of the fertility clinic that you have been to, or that your doctor has referred you to and find out what kind of payment options are available through them.

Some fertility clinics offer low cost loans, reasonable payment plans, and some offer what is known as shared risk plans. A shared risk plan requires a couple to commit to a series of IVF procedures, usually 3, for a set price. If the first IVF procedure does not take, the second is performed, and the same with the third. If the last IVF procedure does not result in a pregnancy, the couple gets a portion of their money back. Because the first IVF procedure can be successful, this can be a very expensive procedure, usually costing about $26,000 to $30,000 dollars for three possible procedures. A couple also has to qualify for the shared risk program, and could be disqualified due to age or other factors that they won't know about until extensive medical tests have been performed.

Another option is to budget for the procedure and medications that will be needed. Drastically cut back on all non-necessary spending, and put every last penny into a savings account so that you can walk into the fertility clinic, cash in hand, and not have to worry about your credit rating, interest rates, or the possibility of a shared risk being too successful. Budgeting may seem like a crazy idea, but if you were to track your spending for just a week, you could probably find ways to save at least $50, and possibly a lot more. Yes, it would take a while to save up the money needed to pay cash for the treatments, but in the long run, you won't have the burden of a successful procedure as well as the medical bills of giving birth and caring for a baby piling up either. There are options out there, and you need to do your homework and find out what is available to you either through your health insurance, fertility clinic, medication assistance through drug companies, or just by saving every penny.

How to Deal With an Eating Disorder During Pregnancy

When I told a counselor about my eating disorder, he did a terribly unhelpful thing: he scared me. He launched into a story about his anorexic niece who had been unable to conceive a child, even after returning to a healthy body weight. I was nineteen, petrified both of gaining weight and the physical effects of my starvation-binge-purge cycle, and the counselor's story merely terrified me more. If I eventually wanted a child, would I be able to become pregnant or would I forever pay the price of damaging my body? How would I respond to the inevitable pregnancy weight gain? Would the beauty of carrying a child in my womb offset the fear of gaining weight, or make things worse?

Eventually, counseling, supportive friends and family, and lifestyle changes helped me recover from my self-destructive behavior. My weight returned to normal. My fears subsided. My body image improved. Then I got pregnant and the old weight gain fears threatened to return as the number on the scale increased. Thankfully, my mindset had changed enough that I could cope with my gradually increasing weight.

Here are a few things I found helpful during my pregnancy.

Seek professional help. A good counselor won't scold or terrify you with horror stories. There is no shame in going to a counselor or a psychiatrist. Many people need professional help to deal with issues in their lives, so don't feel as if you are the only one who has ever needed assistance. You're not alone.

Let your ob-gyn know about your disorder as soon as possible. Again, a compassionate medical caregiver won't scold you but will encourage you to gain a healthy amount of weight. Since serious health issues can arise from starving, binging, overeating or purging, the caregiver needs to keep an eye out for any problems. It's a safety measure for you and for your unborn baby.

Don't surround yourself with diet-crazed people. Instead, seek out friends who don't talk incessantly about eating, food, weight loss, and dieting. I wish I had done this. Some of my female acquaintances made tacky remarks about the amount of food I ate or how skinny I was for a pregnant woman. There's nothing worse than dealing with an eating disorder and having those around you blabber about their latest fad diet.

Educate yourself on healthy eating habits. Of all the professionals I saw while battling bulimia and anorexia, my nutritionist was the most helpful. He taught me about food groups, making healthy food choices, and dealing with difficult situations such as dining out or people who tried to sabotage my recovery efforts.

An easy-to-moderate exercise program may help calm your fears that your weight gain is out of control. For me, doing the elliptical machine at the gym for a half hour a few days a week helped level out my cranky, hormonal moods, helped me focus on having a healthy body rather than an ideal one, and gave me a social outlet. But if working out becomes an obsession, or if it has been part of your disorder's symptoms, talk to your health care professional about whether this is advisable for you.

Remember that weight gain in pregnancy is vital to your baby's development. Nourish your body with healthy food so your little one can grow. Focus on loving the life developing inside you. He or she is the reason you are pregnant!

Remember that pregnancy doesn't last forever, and neither does the postpartum period.

In the end, I had a beautiful baby, a tiny person who didn't care that her mama's body wasn't the supposedly ideal one. Every body part that I had deemed fat were ones that cared for her. I carried her in my arms, cuddled her against my chest, let her sleep on my stomach, and paced the floor with her at midnight on weary legs and feet. For my child, her mama's body was perfect the way it was. Chances are your baby will feel the same way.

Homeopathy for Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth

How exciting!

In a very short while my wife and I will be welcoming our first child into the world! It's a phase a life I am met with humility, excitement, and of course, fears. Perhaps it's fear of the unknown, or hope that all will be well, or the overall uncertainty of how life will change. As any friend, colleague, or family member has told me, life will undoubtedly change.

Through any change that pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting may bring to our life, I can confidently rely on homeopathy to help bring some balance and healing. I especially want to dedicate this article to the all-important phase of having a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

This is certainly a new phase in our life, but is also a time of claiming what is truly important for us. There are so many facets of this new journey. But, when it comes to healthy pregnancy and childbirth there are innumerable opportunities to forgo one's convictions about how they want the pregnancy to go, or the childbirth experience to unfold.

My wife and I recently watched a movie produced by Ricki Lake entitled "The Business of Being Born." It, along with Ina May's book "A Guide to Childbirth" have been great resources for us that support our idea of how we'd like pregnancy and childbirth to go. We've also attended childbirth classes with a brilliant doula, as well. All this to say this is our choice, our route, that makes sense to us.

What also makes sense to us is using homeopathic remedies to help aid and support my wife and developing baby through this process. Homeopathy is very safe and effective for pregnant women and their developing baby. Homeopathy is natural and has no side effects or toxic substances in them.

And we choose to make this as natural a process as possible. Pregnancy and childbirth, after all, has been a natural occurrence since time immemorial and without the use of toxic substances or invasive procedures, at least until very recent times.

Nonetheless, I dedicate this article to the women who are looking for natural support in their own lives for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth using homeopathic remedies.

For a more detailed look into what homeopathy is, what homeopathic remedies are, etc. please go to my website, found at the very end of this article. There, you'll find plenty of resources to help educate you. For now, I will give the reader insight into some of the most frequently used and most effective homeopathic remedies used during pregnancy and childbirth.

First, I'd like to break down certain phases of pregnancy and childbirth for educational purposes and for ease of use.

Before Birth

The most important 'remedy' during this time is practicing relaxation through breath-work. Visualize the kind of birth you would like. Communicate to the baby your love for them; that you are going to work together for your mutual health and benefit. Perhaps they know not, consciously, what you're communicating, but most certainly they will take in your voice, love, and information somewhere in their being.

Practicing yoga frequently will help you breathe, stretch appropriately, and accomplish pelvic floor exercises that will prepare you for healthy childbirth. I'd recommend the DVD "Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga." It is a safe and effective prenatal practice that is modified for each trimester. My wife frequently does this video and I've accompanied here on a few occasions, even. It's an excellent practice to maintain throughout the pregnancy.

I'd also recommend taking pre-natal classes on childbirth from a doula or midwife. This will help you begin preparing for how you want your childbirth experience to go. In Austin, there are many resources available. I'd recommend going to the Central Texas Doula Association for more information.

There are many nutritional guidelines that could be mentioned here. That would take an entire article in and of itself. So, I'll just mention that drinking raspberry leaf tea (not before the sixth month of pregnancy, though) will help tone the uterine muscles.

Additionally, doing Kegel exercises will prime the muscles necessary for childbirth. Kegel exercises will also help you recover more quickly from childbirth and to also help avoid any complications after delivery (such as post-natal incontinence, for example).

The following sub-sections will describe the various phases of delivery:

Pre-Labor

Symptoms of pre-labor frequently involve the mother-to-be experiencing extra energy, perhaps she has a backache, she may have diarrhea, and may have a "show" (streaked mucus from the vagina). Not exclusively, but this stage is frequently when the water breaks.

During this time, it commonly occurs to the woman and birth partner to rush to the hospital. Yet, this is a time that could be dedicated to sleeping or resting as much as possible. Eat light, nourishing snacks if you're hungry, move around on an exercise ball, breathe, go for a walk, or take a bath (or shower if the water has broken). The key ingredient here is to breathe and relax as much as possible.

At this stage, use a Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. A recommended amount would be 20 drops in a glass of water and sip whenever you feel called to.

First Stage

This stage is characterized by low adrenalin; a time of waiting while the body does the work of opening up. Try not to resist it. Breathe in when the rush ("contraction") comes and breathe out during it. The birth assistant should frequently remind you to continue breathing and relaxing. Our doula had a helpful reminder for this. The saying goes "As above, so below." This refers to our jaws. If we are tense in our mouth, jaw, and neck, so everything will also be below. Tension is not recommended here. Relax the jaw and everything below will follow suit.

Time the rushes ("contractions"). Stay upright as much as you can and keep moving! Work with gravity and the direction the baby will come out. Also, minimize distractions and interruptions. This is a sacred time shared by the lineage of women throughout all of time. This is a time to be supported with maximum comfort, support, encouragement, and reassurance.

To help with energy levels, sip watered down fruit juice between rushes to keep blood sugar levels up. Continue to use the Rescue Remedy as needed.

Transition

This is the point where the cervix is fully dilated and the rushes will now begin to help push the baby out. Frequently, this is where a desire for drug intervention is most desired. An alternative, though, is to keep moving, change scenery by moving to other parts of your birthing location. Continue to breathe! Visualize the baby coming out as you would like. Talk to it. Remember to take the Rescue Remedy as needed.

Second Stage

High adrenalin levels come on and action is taken for delivery of the baby. The pushing will just happen. If the rushes have many peaks, divide the out-breath; as if blowing out separate candles.

Third Stage

This is the delivery of the placenta. Note: it's not unusual for contractions to stop for a while before pushing the placenta out.

There's so much more that could be said about each of these stages. This is intended to give you a brief overview for educational purposes. For more detailed information, I'd highly recommend reading "A Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May!

Homeopathic Remedies

Throughout each of the above phases, several different homeopathic remedies can be used to assist the mother and baby should anything come up.

Because of the innumerable unknowns for each childbirth, and the fact that each mother and baby is an individual, I've highlighted here just four of the most commonly used remedies and their uses. Please note this list is not comprehensive. There are many, many more remedies and situations in pregnancy and childbirth not mentioned here.

Arnica

What an amazing remedy! Arnica is our favorite trauma remedy and is frequently the most known remedy to those first learning or hearing about homeopathy. Nearly every woman can benefit from Arnica during labor.

Arnica encourages healing, controls bleeding, reduces swelling and the likelihood of pus formation. It can help reduce exhaustion and produce a 'second wind' during long, slow and painful labors where tiredness makes rushes ("contractions") weak or ineffectual.

Given after birth, Arnica will speed recovery and alleviate a bruised or sore feeling. It is also given when someone is in shock; when they say they are alright, but clearly aren't. Arnica can also reduce excessive bleeding where there is a traumatic or unusually long or unusually short birth.

People who need Arnica are worse from being touched, from any jarring movements, or from lying or sitting on the injured part. They may remark "the bed feels too hard."

The following are some common complaints during certain phases for women who may benefit from Arnica:

Before Childbirth: Exhaustion. Use Arnica after taking a fall and having a resultant state of shock. Other uses will be after a kick from the baby that causes soreness or bruising. Premature labor after a fall. Transverse position of the baby (at the 36th week).

During Childbirth: Preventative for bleeding that may occur during long, slow, or difficult labors. States of denial. Exhaustion during long or difficult labors. Forceps delivery. Long, slow, or painful labors that cause exhaustion. Delivery of large babies or if the baby's shoulder gets stuck. Straining (excessively!).

After Childbirth: Pains that feel worse if the baby is feeding. Any bruised or sore feelings. Bruising of any kind; after cesarean births, after epidurals, or after-effects of a forceps delivery. Inflammation of the penis of a newborn. Retained placenta after exhausting labor. Shock of the mother after learning the baby is an unexpected sex. Sore uterus. Urine retention of the mother. Overall weakness after long, slow, or difficult labors with much bruising and soreness.

Sepia

Sepia is such an amazing remedy for women during these phases of their life!

Sepia is most suiting for a woman with severe, dragging down pains that are much relieved with exercise.

Emotionally, she feels irritable or indifferent to loved ones, and is averse to any sympathy. She feels sluggish and weepy. Sepia is useful for uterine prolapse, with strong bearing-down sensations.

Sepia may really help a mother who has children born too close and the body hasn't had sufficient time in between to recover. Generally, she feel worse from fasting, touch, or staying in the same position. Overall, she feels better from eating and moving around.

The following are common complaints women experience who may need Sepia.

During Childbirth: Half open or hard cervix. Rushes (contractions) feel fine and needle-like up from the cervix, or "hour glass" contractions. Exhaustion where she feels better from moving around. She may have feelings of despair with weepiness, but isn't better from any consolation or sympathy. Her feet are cold, she may feel overall chilly, yet have flushes of heat and feel better from warm covers. Sepia may help a woman experiencing slow labor who is irritable at any attempts of sympathy for her. This state is characterized by an absence of any affection.

After Childbirth: She's very irritable, weak and weepy, but is worse from any consolation. Retained placenta with a bearing down sensation. Uterine prolapse. Subinvolution (uterine fails to contract down).

Pulsatilla

An equally beneficial remedy for women during these phases is Pulsatilla. It is best used from the 36th week onward to encourage a breech or transverse position of the baby to turn.

Pulsatilla can be quite easy to spot because of the marked emotional symptoms. She is weepy, clingy, and pleading for help.

Rushes (contractions) can be short, weak, or stop entirely. She may have back pain, exhaustion, faintness, thirstlessness, nausea and vomiting. She is worse from a stuffy room; at twilight; or getting her feet cold or wet. She feels overall better from fresh, open air; moving around; and from sympathy and company.

The following are common complaints for women who may need Pulsatilla at various phases.

Before Childbirth: Breech or transverse position of the baby (at the 36th week or beyond).

During Childbirth: Bleeding that alternates with contractions; contractions cease, then bleeding begins. Pulsatilla is useful for slow labor with back pain, when there is a lack of an expulsive power (especially during the second stage). She feels depressed, helpless, and restless. She is weepy and much better from consolation and sympathy. She may feel exhausted with weepiness. Nausea that's better from open air. Abnormal positions of the baby.

After Childbirth: She may experience after pains with weepiness and feel better from company and sympathy. After pains appear when the baby feeds. Pulsatilla may help a woman producing too much milk. It will help a woman with retained placenta where there is weak or non-existent contractions. Subinvolution (uterus fails to contract down) with weakness and weepiness; better from sympathy and consolation.

Caulophyllum

This remedy is useful in the first stage of labor to establish strong productive contractions. It is NOT meant to be used routinely. Think of caulophyllum if the contractions are located in the lower half of the uterus, while the top (fundus) feels flabby. The contractions will feel sharp and painful, but are short, ineffective, spasmodic, and/or unstable. The contractions move around the bladder, groin, or thighs. Sometimes the contractions will slow or stop completely, due to exhaustion.

Caulophyllum is also useful if the cervix fails to dilate. Overall, she feels chilly with shivering, trembling, and irritability. She may be thirsty during contractions.

The following are some common complaints during certain phases for women who may benefit from Caulophyllum.

Before Childbirth: Caulophyllum is a great alternative to induction.

During Childbirth: Labor pains around the bladder, or labor pains that extend to the groin and/or thighs. To be used if the cervix fails to dilate or if it is half open or hard. Contractions are atonic (flabby), are slow or stop altogether due to her exhaustion. She is chilly and feels feverish with shivering and/or trembling. She may also be thirsty in between contractions.

After Childbirth: Retained placenta with shaking. Subinvolution (uterus fails to contract down).

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As you may notice, some symptoms appear to be helped by multiple remedies. It's always best to consult with a professional for guidance and support.

Homeopathy is a beautiful art and science of healing. A well chosen remedy will act instantly and the desired effect will ensue. It is so helpful, there are no toxins or side effects, and it is safe throughout pregnancy, during childbirth, and after - both for mom and baby!

Supplement Suggestions For Getting Pregnant With a Girl

Supplements, which may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and even over-the-counter medicines, can help you get pregnant with a girl. The range of choices available and what "really works" or not is confusing, however. This article will cover some common supplements to consider. Remember, do careful research any time you consider adding a dietary supplement to your day.

You want to look for supplements that make the body more acidic and lower testosterone if you'd like a girl. It's also good to have your husband take supplements for the same reasons.

Supplements to Consider for a Girl

Cranberry is one of the most recommended supplements. It has been shown to help make the cervical fluids more acidic, which is favorable for a girl. You can get cranberry by taking a standardized supplement or by drinking unsweetened cranberry juice. The calories from the juice quickly add up, so the supplement may be better for you. Some women find it hard on their stomach, so adjust your dosage if you have this problem.

Another favored supplement for conceiving a girl is Saw Palmetto, which is an herb. Many women trying to conceive have found saw palmetto helpful because it can help overcome the effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS). Testosterone is a major culprit in PCOS and it's where saw palmetto shines. The herb helps to lower testosterone levels in both men and women -- what you want for getting a girl.

You may want to consider some of the traditional "girl" vitamins and minerals. There's some debate about supplementing heavily with vitamins and minerals. Research suggests that high vitamin and mineral levels increase boy conceptions all around, so some are recommending against high supplementation if you want a girl.

It's definitely advisable to get these nutrients via a supplement rather than food -- foods come with calories and a lot of other nutrients which will boost the chances of a boy. It's best to eat a bland, low-fat, low-calorie diet.

If you'd like to supplement the "girl minerals," though, you can take them in a sensible pill every day. Calcium and magnesium are what you want to look for, and fortunately there are many cal/mag blends available to give you a small, balanced daily dose.

B-vitamins have also been thought to increase the chances of getting a girl in the past, but raising vitamin levels too high may be counter-productive. All women trying to conceive should take vitamin B6 and folate (folic acid). These are vital for your baby's health and may help with morning sickness.

Morning sickness doesn't indicate baby gender -- you'll get it regardless of boy or girl. If you have issues with it, the B6 should help.

You can take a B-complex with moderate levels of the B vitamins, and you should if you've had a history of depression, especially during and after pregnancy.

There are some other herbal supplements, like Vitex/Chasteberry and Lydia Pinkham that may increase your chances of getting a girl. These potent herbal blends can influence your menstrual cycle, so watch very carefully how your body reacts to them. You generally only use them before ovulation, then take a break until your next period.

Peppermint is a final herb to consider. Like saw palmetto, peppermint may lower testosterone levels. It makes a delicious tea to sip on throughout the day.

How to Get Maternity Insurance While Pregnant

So here you are, pregnant with no maternity coverage. You start asking yourself, "How am I (are we) going to pay for the maternity bills?" You know they're coming, one way or the other, what are your options?

Logically, you decide that it would be great to get on an insurance plan that would cover your maternity expenses. So your next move is to call different insurance providers. Shortly you will find out that most insurance companies consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing condition and therefore would not cover any expenses relating to pregnancy. If you think about it from the insurance company's point of view, it makes perfect sense. They know that if you are already pregnant, it is a guaranteed expense out of their pocket with all the doctor visits, lab fees, hospital stay and the specialists. God forbid if you have any complications.

What would be your next move? You might be lucky enough to qualify for free maternity coverage through your county's health department. That is if your family's income is below or at the poverty level.

For all the other folks, the issue stays open. What else can you do? There is obviously a self-pay option, where you pay for all the bills yourself. It's scary to you, how much will it be? $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, more?

If you are self-employed, you have the advantage versus someone who is employed by another. Self-employed can qualify for the group insurance plan as long as the company consists of at least two people who would like to get insurance. This is the case for most states, but please check with your local insurance agent for additional details. Having your spouse as an employee should qualify you for group insurance plan.

The companies with more than two employees, might be required to offer group insurance to the rest of their full-time employees. This can significantly raise the cost of your group plan, defeating the original purpose of saving money. I recommend contacting an agent as soon as you find out about your pregnancy since there might be a waiting period before the policy is active. Be prepared to show your state's employer's tax forms showing taxes paid for each employee.

One of the disadvantages of having an employee is that you are required to pay the state and federal unemployment tax, Social Security and Medicare for each of your employee. So if you are thinking of putting your spouse on the payroll in order to get group insurance, consider the costs involved with paying the employment taxes that I listed above, based on his/her wages. If your spouse is already on the payroll, then you can disregard these costs as an additional expense.

Please, don't make a mistake of taking your spouse off the payroll once you receive insurance, just so you can save a buck on taxes. It's actually illegal and if at any time during your pregnancy, you submit a large claim to the insurance company, it can request your current employment records at any time you have the policy. And simply, if you or your spouse is not on the payroll, insurance company will simply deny coverage.

Questions to ask your group insurance provider or insurance agent

Do I have to cover all of my employees (if applicable)?
What are monthly premiums?
Is there co-pay for doctor's visits and hospital admission?
Do you have to pay additional sum when or before the baby is born in order to cover all of the newborn expenses?
Can you cancel your insurance at any time?
Can you start your insurance at any time? (If you don't mind waiting 2 or 3 months after you get pregnant, you won't have to pay as much in premiums)
What documentation is required?
What is the waiting period before the insurance is active?

If you are able to obtain group insurance, you might want to cancel your Individual or Family Insurance plan for the time being. This will save you some money as well. Make sure you check with your current company on whether you will have to pay a higher premium when you re-enroll, and obviously, if you accumulate pre-existing conditions in the time being, your premium may rise or you might be refused for coverage completely.

Eating During Pregnancy: Your Third Trimester

By the time you've reached your third trimester, you've likely conquered many of the challenges of eating during pregnancy. During your first trimester, you made changes to your diet, such as cutting back on caffeine and sugar, to make a healthier lifestyle for both you and your baby. You also conquered the nausea of morning sickness.

During your second trimester, you learned how to eat protein with every meal and handle your cravings in a sensible manner. So when you reach your third trimester, your problems are less about how you eat than how to deal with the discomforts and special issues that arise during the last three months of your pregnancy. In this article, we will cover these special issues one by one.

The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You've probably been taking Omega-3 fatty acids throughout your pregnancy, at a rate of 1200mg per day. But it's especially important to keep your fatty acid intake high during the last trimester. The proper amount of Omega-3 fatty acids can provide a wealth of benefits to both mother and child, such as:

• Decreased incidence of postpartum depression;
• Suggested easier birth and labor;
• Lower risk of premature birth;
• Babies tend to sleep through the night earlier.

Your pregnancy nutritionist can help you find a high quality fish oil supplement that will give you the DHA you need for your own health as well as your baby's development. You can also boost your consumption of fatty acids by eating foods like walnuts, flaxseed oil, organic eggs, and wild salmon.

Dealing with Indigestion

Indigestion and heartburn become major issues during the last trimester of pregnancy, as hormonal changes in your body cause your muscles to relax in preparation for labor. This also causes the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach to relax, allowing stomach acid to back up into your throat.

There is no cure for indigestion caused by pregnancy, and most of the over-the-counter medications that ease the pain of indigestion are not safe to take while pregnant.

You should eliminate foods that aggravate this issue, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, and foods with a vinegar base. Try eating foods that neutralize stomach acid, such as papaya. You can also deal with the symptoms of indigestion by eating smaller meals more frequently, and by sleeping in an upright position.

Handling Fatigue with Ease

You may start feeling very tired during your third trimester. This is common as you might find it difficult to get comfortable for sleep, or find that the baby moves too often for you to get a good night's sleep. A body pillow might be helpful, as it cushions your baby bump and can help you get into a comfortable enough position for sleep. Try "setting the stage" for sleep, too-a practice recommended by sleep experts.

Don't watch television or stare at your computer screen for a few hours before bed, as this can interfere with your body's natural melatonin production. Instead, dim the lights and play relaxing music. Take a long bath or shower and read an enjoyable book. You might try a cup of herbal tea. These preparations alert your body that it's time for bed, and can help you get more restful sleep through the night.

Getting Your Exercise In

You may be tempted to give up exercise during this last stage of pregnancy, but it's crucial to stay in shape for your upcoming labor. Try low or no impact forms of exercise that are easier on your body. Yoga, swimming, and walking are all excellent ways to stay fit without getting exhausted during pregnancy.

Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress. It can also help promote restful sleep. So make sure you are getting at least 15 minutes of gentle movement per day. It will make all the difference to your pregnancy.

Medication For Graves Disease

The medication for Graves Disease involves the taking in of antithyroid drugs. Antithyroid drugs reduce the production of the thyroid hormones. Usually, it takes two weeks after starting the medication for the thyroid hormone level of the blood to improve and will eventually normalize after six to eight more weeks.

However, this kind of treatment has its side effects. The common side effect of this medication for Graves Disease is a rash thus requiring the medication to be stopped once the rashes become severe. Other side effects include liver inflammation, joint swelling and even a very rare case of knocking down the function of the immune system. By the time the patients experience a sore throat, a fever or a bad infection, they are advised to go see their physicians to determine if it is necessary to stop taking in the drugs.

For pregnant women and nursing mothers, it can be a safe treatment but it is important that the doctor should monitor the taking in of these drugs by these women. The thyroid status of the baby should be well monitored as well to prevent any complications. Often, the disease improves as pregnancy reaches its peak but it can return by the postpartum period.

While the treatment may help the patients, this antithyroid medication for Graves Disease is only for the symptoms and not exactly for the root cause of it. Unfortunately, for most patients the disease will still return and they will have to go through the same treatment all over again.

Unlike taking in medication for Graves Disease [http://graves-disease-treatment.blogspot.com/2007/09/best-treatment-for-graves-disease.html], there are other methods known to us now which are safer and more effective compared to these antithryoid drugs. The most natural method is to get the right kind of diet. This process is well explained in some reading materials that are now available today. This treatment affectively reverses the condition of the patient and it does not only treat the symptoms but it treats the root cause of the disease.

Help! Holidays During Pregnancy?

It is that time of year again and every girl wants to look great on holiday, whether that is at home or abroad. Not everyone feels as confident as they should. Wearing swimwear often makes us feel uncomfortable and many women choose to have a suitable cover up to give them added confidence. This can be more true when you are pregnant. You want to celebrate your curves at this special time as well as stay cool comfortable and relaxed.

Here are some tips to help you feel great on holiday, whether you are walking, on the beach or in the pool.

What kind of holiday are you going on? There is a big difference between a sightseeing and beach holidays, means a different wardrobe. For sightseeing holidays, loose adjustable linen trousers or skirts can help keep you cool and can be placed under the bump or grow with your bump. Cool cotton tops that are fitted but not tight are also flattering. Avoid buying summer dresses that are not fitted and just expand to fit your bump. These can be really unflattering and look like you are wearing a tent.

Beach holidays require well fitting maternity swimwear and beach cover.
Maternity swimwear is a good investment every time as it will be more flattering to your new shape as well as give you the support that you need. A good cover-up needs to flatter your curves as well as be cool and comfortable. also try to find fabrics that dry quickly and do not crease, that way you are always sure of feeling great.

Whatever type of clothing you need don't underestimate how jewellery and accessories can really make an outfit. Maternity clothes can be expensive, try investing in a few simple pieces that can be worn for a variety of occasions and fit really well, accessories can then dress up or down the pieces you choose and can still be worn after your baby is born.

Health Insurance Plans For The Expectant Mother

Excitement over a pregnancy can easily turn into worry and anxiety if a woman has no health insurance coverage. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was created to keep pregnant women from being discriminated against regarding health insurance. Unfortunately, this act does not apply to companies with less than 15 employees or individual health policies. Even if a woman has health insurance, pregnancy may not be covered unless a rider to the policy is purchased. These riders are expensive, have limited coverage and usually have waiting periods from six months to more than a year. A report by the National Women's Law Center in 2009 showed that only 13% of 3,600 national policies covered pregnancy. Even with these difficulties there are options for pregnant women who are without health insurance.

The average cost for a normal pregnancy, which includes prenatal and post partum care, can be anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 so it is essential to find some type of health insurance. For women considered low-income there are State programs such as Medicaid and WIC that can help with medical care and nutrition. There is also a federal program called CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). These programs are run by the Department of Health (DHS) and even if you don't qualify for Medicaid, there may be other programs available. DHS will be able to give you helpful information.

Another option is a Health Care Discount Program. This isn't health insurance so there is no waiting period, deductible, coinsurance or pre-existing clause. Some discounts can be up to 50%. You can also talk to your doctor or clinic about possible discounts they may give you, such as a cash discount or they may be able to set up a payment plan. Also, there are some clinics that provide medical services on a sliding scale which goes according to your income. These options will cut your overall pregnancy costs.

Many hospitals have their own maternity plans for women who are uninsured. These plans include prenatal care, ultrasounds, labs, hospital and delivery costs and post partum care for a flat fee. The average cost is about $2,500. The cost may be a little higher if you have a c-section. If the hospital does not have their own maternity plan, they can set up a monthly payment plan for you.

Birthing centers are available for women who do not have high risk pregnancies. These centers are staffed by midwives who have years of experience delivering babies. The centers offer package rates which include prenatal and postpartum care, birthing classes and the delivery. There is a more personal and homey feel at a birthing center and they are usually located near a hospital, in case of an emergency.

There are many options out there to take advantage of. Compare all of the options and benefits available to you before making a decision. This will help you find the best plan that fits your specific needs.

Pregnancy Diet Plan - In What Way Does Your Diet Affect Your Pregnancy and Weight?

If you're pregnant, whether you know it or not you need a pregnancy diet plan. Many moms-to-be think, "Oh, good, I'm pregnant;that means I can eat anything I want". In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. A pregnancy diet plan is about ensuring you eat the right things for you and your baby to have a healthy pregnancy, it doesn't mean "losing weight".

While you do need SOME extra calories during pregnancy, you only need about 300 extra per day it's the equivalent of a small sandwich, which really isn't that much. You can have a treat every so often but, do not consume alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs during pregnancy, these can be harmful to your baby's development.

Pregnancy and Weight...

It goes without saying that when you're pregnant, you will gain some weight, for most women, that's about 30 pounds (13-14kg) as long as you are of normal weight to start with, you should gain a little more if you were under weight when you became pregnant and a little less if you were overweight when you became pregnant. That weight gain, by the way, should come from healthy baby growth and good nutrition on your part, not because you ordered out from Domino's Pizza every night.

Pregnancy Diet Plan

Your pregnancy diet plan should focus on good nutrition. When you're pregnant, you need to make sure everything you eat gives you a good nutritional "bang for your buck," so to speak. Food to include in your diet includes:

Lean meats, chicken and fish (avoid fish high in mercury

Dried beans and Lentils

Nuts and Seeds

Green Leafy Vegetables

Lots of: Fruit, Vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals

Medium amounts of: Low fat dairy foods and lean meats

Small Amounts of: Foods high in fat, sugar and salt

Eating small meals more often is best.

Especially in your first trimester, you may have difficulty eating because of nausea and morning sickness. Therefore, your pregnancy diet plan should include small meals eaten frequently instead of large meals eaten infrequently. In addition, you may have some digestive problems such as heartburn because of your pregnancy, and eating small meals will also help keep this at bay.

If you do suffer from morning sickness, before you get out of bed make sure you eat something light and carbohydrate rich, like crackers or rice cakes. This should help negate the effects of morning sickness and perhaps even keep them under better control.

One part of managing your pregnancy and weight is your pregnancy diet plan. Proper nutritional diet needs to be combined with a well-structured exercise routine to help you keep your weight gain to a healthy level. Of course before you begin or continue any exercise during pregnancy you must get your doctor's or your family's health care provider's approval.

Exercising when pregnant will also keep you healthier during your pregnancy,help make your labor easier and get you back in shape quicker after your pregnancy.

Finally if you keep to your pregnancy diet plan, avoid certain foods which could be potentially harmful to your baby and take exercise approved by your doctor you can look forward to a healthier pregnancy and weight under control.

Be healthy, look good, feel great and enjoy this wonderful time.

Fathers Are Pregnant Too!

There is no argument about the fact that expectant mothers go through a tough nine months of pregnancy. Their bodies experience vast changes which can last up until the time they are able to wean their babies from breast milk. Sadly, during this long time, nobody really considers the father.
He is expected to play his part, but often feels helpless, able to do little more than cook a meal or give a massage. Things can be made even more difficult if his partner is suffering the effects of her raging hormones, and he may end up feeling that he can't do right for doing wrong - no matter how hard he may try.

In dad forums we can read how the expectant father feels: excited, scared, worried, amazed; again, fathers can enumerate a whole range of emotions he may feel. But how do these feelings affect a man physically? How much can a father be physically pregnant, and actually "feel" what his partner goes through?

For all the fathers to be, there is some interesting news for you. Cross-cultural studies have revealed that men can experience hormonal changes during their partner's pregnancy which in turn cause them to feel unwell. There is evidence which shows that in some traditional societies, fathers feel so deeply connected to their unborn child that they show very similar symptoms of pregnancy and even birth. This phenomenon has been called couvade which is a Basque word meaning "brood" or "hatch".

Couvade men can suffer from morning sickness, tooth aches, and even the same gestational problems as their expectant partners. A study of more than 250 expectant mothers and their partners revealed that at least 22.5% of the male partners reported at least one unexplainable ailment to their doctor. These symptoms were new to the men, but strikingly similar to those reported by their pregnant partners. The expectant fathers also visited the doctor twice as often, and filled twice as many prescriptions, during their partners' pregnancy than they had before. In addition, many expectant fathers reported an average weight gain of approximately 4kg.

During their partner's labour, extremely couvade fathers-to-be feel very weak, and may even experience pain to the extent that they have to be looked after by medical personnel and close relatives. After the birth, 62% of fathers interviewed felt sadness and disappointment at about the same time as the mother did, even reporting some kind of postnatal depression.

Two Canadian studies have shown that a father's hormones can alter during his partner's pregnancy, with a marked increase in the milk producing hormone prolactine. This hormone helps promote the breeding habits in male birds, which may help to explain why the levels of this otherwise useless hormone increase in men. Testosterone levels have also been shown to decrease by about one third after the birth of the child. It is thought that this decrease leads to a more nurturing attitude in men; and that the greater the decrease, the more caring a father will be.

After a baby is born, fathers experience the same kind of emotions as their partners when first looking at and holding the baby. Their initial reaction to the baby mirrors that of the mother, beginning with the exploration of the baby's body - fingers first, then palms, arms and legs and finally the trunk. The pitch of the voice changes just like their partner's and they use shorter phrases and more repetitions. Even in controlled laboratory experiments, where mother, father and baby were videotaped to examine their interaction during play; it was observed that fathers gave the same responses to their baby's movements, and were just as sensitive to his cries as the mothers were.

The fact that fathers can feel pregnant too is easily explained. Humans are amongst the few species whose offspring are totally reliant until well into a juvenile age. So many years of caring, feeding, and protecting cannot be mastered by the mother only; so nature has taken care of this through the art of male bonding. Over time, a bond between father and baby can be just as strong as between mother and baby.

With all this in mind, we may come to a more homogenous understanding of how both mother and father are equipped to bond and care for their baby. In our society we have always anticipated the mother as being the one who experiences the magnitude of emotions; but we must remember that fathers are also experiencing these emotions. Whilst they may not gestate or lactate as mothers do, they can care, protect, and feed just as well. Bonds between father and baby can be equally as strong as they are between mother and baby; and we should try and understand the pressure fathers face in the physical anticipation, as well as in their social expectations.

Boost Your Fertility and Get Pregnant

Starting to plan the family of your future or trying to conceive can be a very exciting time. Here are some tips that can help you get pregnant faster and boost your body's fertility.

Know when you ovulate. It is a myth that women ovulate on day 14. This is based on the assumption that all women have a 28-day cycle each and every month. Most women do not, and furthermore it is common for ovulation to vary from month to month by as much as 5 days. Purchase some reliable ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), and begin keeping track of when your most fertile days are.

Time intercourse. If your partner has a normal sperm count, begin having sex on day 10 of your cycle, or when you first get a positive on your OPK, which ever happens first. There after, have sex every other day until you get a positive. Once you get a positive, have sex 2-3 days in a row. Skip one day, and then have intercourse once more.

Track your cycles. Free online services such as fertiltyfriend.com can help you keep track and chart your cycles. You can easily enter in basal body temperature, OPK results, intercourse days, and much more.

Increase your cervical mucous. Healthy, copious amounts of cervical mucous (CM) nourish the sperm and maximize travel time and travel conditions to the egg. As we age, cervical mucous can decline. Healthy cervical mucous looks and feels like raw egg white. If yours is less than optimal, increase water intake and limit alcohol and caffeine. Taking 3000 mg of evening primrose oil a day from the beginning of your cycle up through ovulation can also help to increase the quantity and the quality of CM.

Check your lube. Most lubricants, in order to extend shelf life, have harmful additives and preservatives that have been shown to kill or adversely affect sperm motility and mobility. PreConceive Plus and Pre Seed are two lubricants that are not only preservative and additive free, but also have ingredients that help nourish and feed the sperm, similar to a woman's natural cervical mucous. Astroglide Natural is also preservative free.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Studies have confirmed what practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have known for thousands of years. Acupuncture can improve fertility by regulating and stabilizing hormone levels, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, and reducing stress.

Increase blood flow to the pelvis. Any regular cardiovascular exercise and deep stretching targeted at the pelvic region increases blood flow to the genitals, which can make sex more pleasurable and can also increase the chances of implantation. Yoga, power walking, jogging or cycling all target the pelvic organs. Regular exercise can also decrease stress and improve your mood, both important factors when trying to conceive.

Help Getting Pregnant Using Art

Couples who need help getting pregnant can benefit from assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART is, in the broadest sense of the term, any Western medical treatment that uses artificial means to achieve pregnancy. ART procedures are used to treat male and female factor infertility including but not limited to ovulatory problems, tubal factor infertility, ejaculatory problems and unexplained infertility. Every year, ART is responsible for the successful birth of 200,000 babies in the United States, Europe, and North America. ART procedures are not for everyone. They can be financially, physically, and emotionally challenging and should only be considered after simpler forms of infertility treatment have failed. Have you been diagnosed with a serious fertility disorder? Are you feeling a lot of pressure as more and more time passes and your biological clock continues to tick without that baby you so desperately want in your arms? If you answered yes to either of these questions then this may be a good time to begin a discussion with your doctor about ART. Perhaps this is a way for you to become pregnant when natural techniques alone have, in your case, not been enough. Here is a brief rundown of some widely-used ART treatments:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is among the least invasive ART procedures. Also known as artificial insemination, this procedure can be done two ways. The first approach is called an unstimulated cycle or natural cycle, where no fertility drugs are used. The second approach is called a stimulated cycle and involves giving the woman a fertility drug to stimulate the production of multiple follicles. In both approaches, the man submits a sperm sample to a lab, where a technician separates the sperm cells from the semen. The IUI procedure starts around the time of the woman's ovulation. During an unstimulated cycle, a woman will be asked to use an ovulation predictor kit to pinpoint the time of ovulation accurately. For stimulated cycles, a doctor will use an ultrasound to detect ovulation. The IUI will then take place once ovulation is confirmed. Sperm cells are introduced directly into the uterine cavity via a tube inserted through the vagina and cervix. Sometimes, the sperm cells may be mixed with a large amount of fluid to help carry it to the fallopian tube. This additional technique is known as fallopian sperm infusion. Like other methods of ART, the success rate of IUI depends on the couple's age, and mostly that of the female partner. Generally, a woman under the age of 35 has a 10-15% chance of conceiving with an IUI; however, the success rate of stimulated cycles is higher at 30%.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most popular and successful ART procedures. Every year, 48,000 IVF babies are born in the United States alone. IVF can help couples get pregnant by overcoming a diversity of fertility issues like severe endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, ovulatory problems, and even male factor infertility. During an IVF cycle, you will be closely monitored by your doctor during all phases. Treatment begins with a course of fertility drugs which are administered by injection prior to ovulation. The drugs contain hormones that stimulate the production of more than one egg. You will be scheduled for ultrasounds so that your doctor can determine when the follicles have matured to a stage when retrieval of your eggs can take place. At a very precise time, your doctor will instruct you to administer an injection of a specific hormone that will trigger ovulation. As soon as you ovulate, the retrieval procedure will take place. The eggs will then be combined with the partner's sperm with the hope that the sperm will fertilize at least some of the eggs. In a few days, the fertilized egg cells will start dividing and form embryos. The embryos will then be transferred inside your uterus by inserting a thin tube through the vagina and cervix. Normally, only two to three embryos are placed in the uterus; the rest, if any, may be cryo-preserved in case the eggs that were transferred fail to implant. In two weeks, you will take a blood test to determine if pregnancy has occurred. If the treatment is successful, the embryo will attach itself to the uterine wall and continue to develop normally.The success rate of IVF treatments varies according to the couple's age, general health issues and specific fertility challenges. Women younger than 35 have healthier eggs and generally have a 48-50% chance of conceiving with an IVF. Over 30% of IVF treatments result in a multiple pregnancy.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was first introduced in 1992 and is now the leading method of ART for male factor infertility. Every year, 24,000 babies are born in the United States through the assistance of ICSI. ICSI is the preferred treatment if the male has low sperm count, poor sperm motility, irreversible vasectomy, or a damaged vas deferens (the tube that brings the seminal fluid from the testicles to the penis). Unlike IVF, ICSI is not a stand-alone treatment; rather, it is a complimentary treatment that is only performed together with an IVF or ZIFT treatment. The man will have to provide a sperm sample by either masturbation, or if there is not enough healthy sperm in the ejaculate, the physician can obtain the sample surgically from the testicles or the passages that hold the sperm. The sperm sample may in some cases be collected in advance and frozen until the mature eggs are ready. Once the sperm and egg sample are obtained, the physician will inject a sperm cell into an egg cell using a microscopic needle to manipulate fertilization. (In an IVF without ICSI, the sperm are placed in close proximity to the egg in a petri dish without any medical intervention to stimulate fertilization.) When the fertilized eggs become an embryo, they are inserted into the woman's uterus through the same procedure used in a conventional IVF. In two weeks, the woman can take a pregnancy test to see if the procedure was a success. Some studies show that ICSI increases the pregnancy success rates of IVF procedures as opposed to IVF procedures without ICSI.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) is a less popular approach, making up less than 1% of ART treatments. GIFT is an option for women with cervical or ovulatory problems, or where male factor infertility is present. A woman must have at least one healthy fallopian tube for this technique to have a chance at being successful. The initial phase of the procedure is similar to IVF in that fertility drugs are used to stimulate egg production and a sperm sample is obtained from the male partner. The egg and sperm are then combined in a petri dish, but not long enough for fertilization to occur in that environment as it would in an IVF procedure. The combined egg and sperm are then inserted into the fallopian tube through a laproscopic technique. Some people are drawn to GIFT over IVF for ethical reasons because through this form of ART, fertilization is allowed to occur naturally inside the fallopian tube, rather than fertilization taking place outside the body in a petri dish as happens with IVF. The success rates vary but generally speaking, couples have a 21% chance of a successful pregnancy after a GIFT cycle. The risks of this procedure include multiple pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy where the egg implants itself onto the fallopian tube).

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is used even less than GIFT. ZIFT is a very similar procedure to GIFT, the difference being that the sperm and egg are allowed to fertilize outside the body in a petri dish before they are inserted into a fallopian tube. For this reason, the success rate of ZIFT at approximately 26% is slightly higher than that of GIFT. Thirty-five percent of ZIFT pregnancies result in a multiple pregnancy.

Increasing your chance of success with ART

Although factors beyond your control can affect the outcome, there are things that would be beneficial for you to do to help improve your odds of becoming pregnant with ART. These simple steps should be part of everyone's basic pre-natal care and can boost your chances of success, especially if started months before the procedure.

Stay well-nourished

A quality pre-natal vitamin contains nutrients that are essential to producing healthy eggs and a nutrient-rich uterine lining. But just because you take vitamins, doesn't mean that you should start neglecting your diet. A fertility diet filled with nutrient-dense organic foods can also really boost your fertility potential. Avoid refined carbohydrates, trans-fats, and caffeine. These foods consume a large number of nutrients before they get converted into bio-available energy.

Take supplements

Studies show that COQ10 and L-arginine can improve the pregnancy rates among IVF patients. COQ10 protects eggs from free radicals whereas the amino acid L-arginine improves ovarian response and endometrial receptivity. Ask your doctor's advice on the right dosage of these supplements.

Quit drinking and smoking

Researchers from Harvard Medical School discovered that women who drink at least two large glasses of wine a week have lowered chances of conceiving using IVF. Alcohol reduces the chances of an IVF pregnancy by 18%, where as men have a 14% reduced rate of successfully fathering a child using this procedure. Although the researchers could not determine exactly why alcohol consumption lowers the success rate of an IVF, these findings are strong enough to show that unhealthy lifestyle habits have a serious impact on fertility. If you are trying to conceive, your chances will increase if you quit drinking and smoking.

Try acupuncture

It may be an unconventional way to boost fertility, but research shows that acupuncture can increase the success rates of fertility treatment. A study by researchers from the University of Maryland and the VU University Amsterdam discovered that acupuncture increases the success rate of IVF by as much as 65%. Acupuncture is thought to stimulate the production of endogenous opioids to induce relaxation and make the body receptive to an embryo. The procedure is also known to increase the blood flow to the uterus. Consider starting acupuncture treatments as early as you can before your ART procedure. At the very least, get a treatment just before or right after the embryo gets transferred into your uterus.

The Best Ways To Get Pregnant Faster - Ideas To Help You and Your Partner

If you are in a hurry to get pregnant, there are a few ideas to help you and your partner out.

Try having sex at least three times a week or more. When a couple has sex often, they are able to conceive much more easily. People try far too often to time everything down without a glitch for when a woman ovulates, but it doesn't always work out the way you plan it.

If a couple does it more than once a week, they will have a better chance at becoming pregnant faster.

You can also consider getting a kit that will predict when you will ovulate or a monitor for your fertility. Both of these devices have been proven to help couples get pregnant. These two products are amazing and will help you know when the best time is, so that you can conceive faster. Most women have to guess at when their ovulation time actually is, but the product does all of the work for you so that you no longer have to worry. These can be bought at any pharmacy or local department store.

To conceive faster, you should have sexual intercourse before you ovulate. Some couples will be confused as to when the correct time is to have sexual intercourse. There is only a small frame of time within each month for a woman to get pregnant, so if you are actively trying to have a baby, you will need to pay close attention to your cycle. Once a woman ovulates, an egg can survive for around twenty four hours. Sperm on the other hand, can live for several days. Do not wait for the exact day that you will be ovulating, because you do not want to miss the perfect chance of getting pregnant.

Most couples will try the calendar method and in most cases this has failed because of the twenty eight day cycle and the mid-cycle of ovulation. A lot of women do not ovulate exactly on the fourteenth and then get disappointed because they missed the chance to conceive. If you are on the pill then go off of it. It has been known that when a woman skips or quits taking the pill they are more often than none have a greater chance in getting pregnant faster. After having sex lie on your back because the vagina is at a downward position and this will allow the sperm to get closer to your egg.

Do not use any form of lubricant before having sex in most cases this has proven to hinder the sperm count with the ingredients in lube. If you do not have an orgasm this can make the process of getting pregnant slower so always make sure that your partner gets you to have one. Make sure your partner wears boxers because it is well-known that this can help with his sperm count and you could possibly get pregnant at a faster rate.

Out of all the information listed above the most important thing to remember is have fun and try not to stress out if you do not get pregnant the first time around.