The Secret of Postnatal Depression

Around 20 percent of women and 10 percent of men go through postnatal depression. There is nothing to be ashamed about if you are one of them and if you are a friend or partner, you should not judge them for their feelings. There are many reasons why someone will go through these problems and it is possible to get treatment without the use of medication.

Postnatal depression is commonly referred to a postpartum depression. It affects both men and women, for different reasons, but is more commonly remembered as a condition that many new moms go through. Women usually find the disorder occurs due to a sudden change in hormones while men will find it occurs due to a sudden change in lifestyle.

There are many feelings that will be experienced while a man or woman is going through postnatal depression. Some will have a fear of not being able to care or provide for the infant while others will feel resentment for the baby changing their lives so much. This is commonly the reason why parents do not like talking to each other or their friends about their feelings; they fear that the other parent or the friends will not understand their feelings and will judge them.

Making a few changes in the home can really help with dealing with the postpartum depression. Setting a schedule has been known to help, especially for men, since it means they can have some order back into their lives. Getting the rest needed helps both sexes because it gives the bodies a chance to rejuvenate and deal with the next day.

Techniques like the Emotional Freedom Technique are commonly used to help with treating postnatal depression. EFT is done in three stages. The first stage is when the person suffering with the condition is able to talk openly about their fears and feelings. This helps the professional know the best ways to treat them. The second stage is the treatment phase; this is when pressure is placed on acupuncture points and the person suffering will think about their feelings and say a mantra over and over again.

The benefit of EFT is that the treatment and post-treatment phases (the last part) will continue until the fears and feelings and subsided enough to help treat postnatal depression. This is something that can be used on men and women and has been known to help a number of people. The main benefit is that there is no need to take any antidepressant medication.

Five Ways to Collect California Maternity Benefits

California has the nation's richest and most extensive state mandated benefits for pregnancy and maternity. There are at least five ways you might need to utilize these benefits. But while these benefits are rich compared with what other states offer, you could still be left in financial distress. Be sure to supplement these benefits before getting pregnant.

1 - Pregnancy Disability before Delivery

Twenty five percent of pregnancies will encounter one or more complications. Should this happen to you, your doctor may order you to stop working to take bed rest. California short term disability will replace up to 55% of your income during this time.

2 - Help at Home from Your Spouse

If your pregnancy complications are severe, you may need some assistance while at home - especially if there are young children at home that require attention. Should this happen to you your husband may need to leave work to provide care to you and/or your children. California Paid Family Leave will replace up to 55% of your husband's income for up to six weeks.

But now you will be dealing with two simultaneous 45% pay cuts. Can you afford this?

3 - Maternity Leave Income

When you deliver your baby you will need time to recover and will be unable to work. California short term disability will replace up to 55% of your income for six weeks for a vaginal birth, and eight weeks for a c-section delivery.

4 - Baby Bonding Time

After you recover from your delivery, you may want to spend additional time at home bonding with your baby. The California Paid Family Leave provides an additional six weeks of partial income replacement during this time. Also, your husband may choose to take time from work and is eligible for six weeks of partial income replacement as well - provided he did not exhaust these benefits before delivery.

5 - Postpartum Disorders

Many women develop postpartum disorders that result in a longer recovery time. Should this happen to you, you may not be able to return to work as quickly as planned. California short term disability will continue to replace up to 55% of you income during the time.

Get Supplemental Coverage before Getting Pregnant

California maternity benefits may pay out in five different ways, but only 55% of your income is being replaced. Purchase supplemental insurance before getting pregnant to replace a higher percentage of your income, and to help out with left over medical bills.

Personal Health Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate

Personal health insurance provides you with financial coverage for medical expenses or lost income resulting from illness or injury. It can include:

* Health coverage

* Dental coverage

* Vision coverage

* Major medical/accident coverage

Typical expenses covered by such a plan include both preventive and diagnostic care such as :

* Physicians' fees

* Medical exams

* Laboratory tests and X-rays

* Hospitalization costs and surgical fees

* Maternity care

* Prescription drug costs

Unless you can buy this insurance through your employer, it can be quite expensive. However, you can save money by following these tips:

Build Healthy Habits

People who avoid tobacco, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight pay less for their health insurance.

Consider a PPO or HMO plan

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans cost less than traditional fee-for-service (indemnity) plans. You will be limited in your choice of doctors and hospitals, choosing from a list provided by the insurance company. In addition, with an HMO plan, you may need approval to see a specialist.

Consider Major Medical Insurance

Major medical plans cover larger expenses, such as surgery or injuries. You pay for smaller expenses such as routine office visits yourself. This type of plan saves money if you are in good health.

Choose a Plan with High Deductibles

The higher you set your deductibles, the lower your premiums will be.

Shop Around

Insurance rates vary dramatically from company to company, so you should comparison shop when you buy personal health insurance.

Fortunately, insurance comparison websites on the Internet make it easy for you to compare rates and companies. You just fill out the simple questionnaire on the website and you'll receive quotes from multiple A-rated health insurance companies.

On the best websites, you can even talk with insurance professionals, asking questions and getting quick, expert answers (see link below).

Here Are Top 5 Home Remedy Fertility Tips

A lot of couples strive with problems involving fertility. Yet, getting fertility medications can be exceptionally luxurious, and in several places such medications are not included on insurance. Or, it may be that the prescriptions utilized to take care of fertility problems like hormone injections, are not an alternative. In these cases, a lot of couples turn to home remedies to enhance fertility.

Here are several useful tips on about Home Remedy Fertility

1. One of the most efficient home remedies you can utilize to enhance your fertility is to maintain an excellent track of ovulation. All through ovulation, a diversity of modifications takes place to your body for example variation to cervical mucus, basal body warmth, and intensity of luteinizing hormone. For several couples, basically tracking ovulation to take advantage on your opportunity of conceiving will determine fertility troubles.

2. Vitamins and nutritional supplements may also facilitate to enhance your fertility. A woman requires accurate nutrients to be capable of conceiving and to be fit enough to conceive. By making sure that your dietary stores are at their best, you can facilitate to raise the likelihood that your pregnancy will be hale and hearty and flourishing one and that your child will not experience threats for difficulties.

3. If you are having dilemma on conceiving or thinking about getting pregnant, it is significant to be conscious of how exercise can affect your fertility. Although most of us never think about it, exercise is essentially a home remedy in a lot of infertility difficulties Exercising too much or too little can actually have an influence on the natural fertility of your body, which can stop you from becoming pregnant. So, if you are presently going through fertility medications, reflect on the impact that exercise may have effects on your fertility levels.

4. One of the home remedies for fertility that can assist to elevate mental and emotional health is flower remedies. The philosophy following the medication is that couples that are experiencing infertility repeatedly are under more stress that can have an effect on your hormonal activity that in turn affects the response of the reproductive organs.

5. Root of Banyan Tree- Roots of banyan tree is extremely efficient in curing the female childlessness. Gather these roots and parched them in the sun for a few days. Then pulverize them and make gauzy residue from them. Make sure that you do not consume everything right away after taking this herbal medicine.

Maternal Health in India

'God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers' - A Jewish proverb summarizes the relevance of a mother. That should place mothers in a highly privileged position. But the irony is that every minute a woman dies in childbirth. 536,000 women continue to die needlessly each year at a time which should be joyous - just when they are bringing life into the world. A further 300 million suffer from avoidable illness and disability.

About 14 years have passed since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) formulated a reproductive health agenda for the world, and about seven years remain for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to be achieved

The fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) (Table 1) which aims to 'improve maternal health' - is desperately off-track.

Table 1 MDG 5-Improve maternal health

TARGETS INDICATORS

Target 5A: reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015,the maternal mortality ratio

1. Maternal mortality ratio
2. Proportion of birth attended by skilled Health personnel

Target5B:Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

1. Contraceptive prevalence rate
2. Adolescent birth rate
3. Antenatal care coverage
4. Unmet need of family Planning

Maternal mortality is an important indicator of the status of women in a society - a maternal death often represents the endpoint of a life of gender discrimination and deprivation 'inside' the household, and failure of the 'outside' (e.g., health system) to provide timely and effective care. Chronic conditions such as under nutrition, anaemia, diabetes and hypertension make women more susceptible to maternal death, but even healthy women can succumb to an unexpected complication during pregnancy or childbirth.

Only use of good health care can make maternal death a rarity, as it has in the developed world. Indeed, a striking feature of maternal health in the world today is the vast difference in maternal mortality in developed and developing countries, the latter still alarmingly high. In 2000, 13 developing countries accounted for 70 percent of maternal deaths worldwide and South Asia for one-third. The country with the single largest number of deaths was India, where an estimated 136,000 women died.

A number of individual and household factors put women at high risk of death during pregnancy and delivery. These include age (too young or too old), high parity, poor nutritional status, low access to health services, low social status, illiteracy and poverty. As with other indicators of reproductive health, maternal mortality is higher in rural areas, among the economically worse-off, and those with little or no education. Women who have received no antenatal care appear to be at greater risk of death (a cause or correlate), and those with unmet need for contraception are clearly at higher risk than they would be if they could avoid pregnancy.

A maternal death is a death like no other. The impact of a maternal death on families and communities is devastating - but is especially so for surviving children. A newborn baby is three to ten times more likely to die within its first two years without its mother. The health of women is critical to a country's social, economic and political development. The survival of women in childbirth reflects the overall development of a country and whether or not the health services are functioning. In reality, the survival of women reflects whether or not women matter.

As per NFHS-3 and SRS 2001-2003, various health indicators reflective of the current situation of Woman's health in India are

o Women in the reproductive age group constitute nearly 19% of the total population with 16% of women in the age group of 15-19 yrs. are already child bearing.The median age of child bearing in India is 19.8 years. (Urban area -20.9 yrs., Rural area - 19.3 yrs).

o 77% of the total pregnant mother received some form of Antenatal Care.( Urban area 91% , rural area 72%)

o Among women who received ANC, less than two-thirds had weight, blood, or urine taken or blood pressure measured, Three-fourths had their abdomen examined and 36% were told about pregnancy complications. 56% of married and 59% of pregnant women are anemic. 65% of the pregnant mother received or purchased Iron and folic Acid but only 23% consumed IFA for 90 days. In urban Area the 76% pregnant women received or purchased IFA and only 35% consumed IFA for 90 days and in the rural area 61% received or purchased IFA and 19% consumed the same for 90 days.

o 49% of all deliveries are institutional .Only about 1 in 7 home deliveries are assisted by a skilled provider.(urban-68%,rural-29%)

o 13% of the lowest indexed women delivered in an institution in contrast to 84% of women in highest indexed group.33% of pregnancies belonging to SC caste delivered in the institution against 18% among Scheduled tribe.

o Only 42% of the postnatal mothers are receiving any forms of postnatal care. Maternal Mortality Rate has been gradually improving from 437 in 1992-1993 to 301/100000 live births .Maternal Mortality in India is not uniform. High maternal mortality is clustered among the EAG states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, UP, Uttaranchal, Assam & Orissa.

The overall average rate of MMR decline during the period 1997-2003 has been, of 16 points per year. At this rate of decline, MDG of 109 by 2015 may be difficult to achieve Under the prevailing conditions, the MMR would be around 231 by 2012.

They give us the impression that though we are moving in the right direction, the progress is slow and to prevent mothers from dying and living with problems related to child birth, a lot still needs to be done and at a much faster pace

The major causes of maternal mortality are excessive bleeding during childbirth (generally among home deliveries),(38%) obstructed and prolonged labour,(5%) infection/ sepsis (11%), unsafe abortion,(8%) disorders related to high blood pressure(5%) and other condition including anaemia.(34%).Forty seven per cent of maternal deaths in rural India are attributed to excessive bleeding and anaemia resulting from poor nutritional practices. Intermediate causes, which are the first and second delays in care-seeking, include the low social status of women, lack of awareness and knowledge at the household level, inadequate resources to seek care, and poor access to quality health care. Causes of third delay are untimely diagnosis and treatment, poor skills and training of care providers, and prolonged waiting time at the facility due to lack of trained personnel, equipment and blood. There are insufficient facilities for antenatal care and more than half of all deliveries are still conducted at home, very often by untrained helpers. The link between pregnancy-related care and maternal mortality is well established.

National programmes and plans have stressed the need for universal screening of pregnant women and operationalising essential and emergency obstetric care. Focused antenatal care, birth preparedness and complication readiness, skilled attendance at birth, care within the first seven days, and access to emergency obstetric care are factors that can help reduce maternal mortality. One of the major goals of Government of India's Department of Health and Family Welfare is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The focus has shifted from individualized interventions to attention to the reproductive health care, which includes skilled attendance at birth, operationalising Referral Units and 24 hours delivery services at Primary Health Centres. and initiation of Janani Suraksha Yojna (National Maternity Benefit Scheme). The program to attend the same is Rural Health Mission in EAG states and RCH II in the other states.

If India is to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5) by 2015, besides providing universal emergency obstetrical care to each of the pregnant mother in need it will have to tackle critical social and economic factors, such as the low status of women, the poor understanding of many families about health care, the cost of such care, and also the low standard

Strategies which need to be adopted are

o Enhance inclusion. Two important groups - poor women and adolescents -need to be brought squarely into the fold of reproductive health services through geographic and household targeting and clearly-directed outreach. Social and gender sensitivity among providers, managers and policymakers is essential to achieve this inclusion, as well as the supply and demand improvements noted below.

o Improve supply. Enhancing the supply of services for all stages of the reproductive life cycle, for which integrating the essential package and providing a client-centred continuum of care are good approaches. Four services have been particularly neglected and require additional attention in this context: combating unsafe abortion, nutrition counselling and care, postnatal care, and RTI/ STI diagnosis and treatment. Improving the availability and quality of frontline female health workers through recruitment and/or contracting in, training, field support and performance-based incentives would help to fulfil many needs, while contracting out of services and other client/provider payment systems could increase the availability of care for poor women.

o Increase demand. Increase demand for several services that are provided but underutilized, such as ANC, IFA, institutional deliveries and family planning (although supply may be a constraint in some areas). In addition to 'behaviour change communication,' demand-side financing is important to achieve this.

o Reform the health sector for reproductive health. As reforms take place in the health sector, the delivery and financing of reproductive health services merit special attention. Reforms are especially necessary in three areas to support the above approaches to improving reproductive health. Decentralized planning and resource allocations, human resource development, and financing improvements are important to implement targeting, integration of services, supply improvements, a client focus, demand creation, and effective outreach.

Will Acupuncture and Holistic Methods Help With Getting Pregnant?

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and in a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Many women that are having trouble getting pregnant are turning to acupuncture and holistic methods to help them fall pregnant. If fertility issues are a concern for many men and women, turning to acupuncture and other holistic methods may be the answer that is needed. Will acupuncture and holistic methods help with getting pregnant for you? Find out in this article.

The traditional Chinese medicine practice has been accepted into western practices and continues to spread globally as a way to cure common ailments. Fertility issues are an area that is being helped by acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture shall not get you pregnant. The needles are used to eradicate the level of negativity in the patient to allow the body to open up and allow conception.

Acupuncture has been found to help men and women struggling with infertility and has helped them conceive. It is usually older women who have decided to try to have a child that are turning to this more and more because of the success rate. Acupuncture in conjunction with other holistic methods such as the addition of certain herbs, lifestyle changes, diet changes, etc, have proven successful with helping with conception and getting pregnant.

For women that have fertility issues resulting from hormone imbalance or blockages in the fallopian tubes, acupuncture and other holistic methods may help with conceiving. Men with low sperm counts that hinder conception are commonly treated with acupuncture. In this case, along with herbs, acupuncture treats the kidney energy levels.

Negativity affects the body in many levels and may lead to various illnesses and diseases such as infertility. Instead of treating the symptoms such as infertility, acupuncture and other holistic methods seek to get to the bottom or root of the problem. Once the root is dealt with and treated, the problem should no longer persist. If only the symptom is treated, the root can continue to produce more and more symptoms which is why traditional medicine does to effectively treat the problem because it only seeks to address the symptoms.

Acupuncture and holistic or natural methods can also be used to create a healthy body. Although there is no guarantee that fertility issues will be cured despite the success rates of acupuncture and holistic remedies, you are guaranteed to become healthier with less stress and anxiety, etc, which may allow traditional infertility treatments to work because your body is in a much healthier place. These traditional methods may include being artificially inseminated, in vitro fertilization, etc.

Even after you conceive, other types of acupuncture can be performed to relieve cravings, back pain and to continue to promote a healthier body to allow the fetus to thrive until delivery. Giving birth may throw your body's energy levels off and an acupuncturist can help you deal with negativity as well as postpartum depression that a lot of women deal with after giving birth so that you can be in a better place to bond with the baby.

Can A Blood Test Predict Postnatal Depression?

Quite a number of women suffer from postnatal depression a few weeks after they have given birth. According to researchers, approximately 14 percent of women who have given birth will suffer from the depression. Some women who suffer from this form of depression go through a lot of turmoil, sometimes lasting for more than a few years. In this light, it can be helpful for the expecting mother to know if she will develop it. Scientists are experimenting with some methods to determine if a woman can develop the depression. One of these methods involves a simple blood test. Is it possible? Let's take a look.

The symptoms of post birth depression include irritability, anxiety, reduced sexual drive, crying spells, changes in sleeping and eating habits, and sadness. It's important to distinguish it from "baby blues" where the symptoms are temporary and milder. Most women go through a period of "baby blues" because of the demands of motherhood and the changes in their lives. As for women who suffer from this despair, the illness can be quite devastating. If they don't get the necessary professional help, it can spiral into something more serious.

According to a study conducted at the University of Warwick Medical School, the researchers propose that it's possible to predict the likelihood that a woman will suffer from post birth depression. This is done by checking for specific genetic variants, and the researchers are confident that a blood test can be used to make a similar prediction. On May 7, 2012, the University of Warwick's professor of molecular medicine, Dr. Dimitris Grammatopoulos, presented the findings of the study to the European Congress of Endocrinology/International Congress of Endocrinology.

Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score, the researchers from the university studied a group of 200 pregnant women. The first time that the women were assessed was the time of their first prenatal visit. After that, the women were assessed for a second time about two to eight weeks after they have given birth. The researchers discovered that the women who suffered from it had a higher probability of possessing specific genetic variants such as the hormone receptor-1 genes that release corticotrophin and the glucocorticoid receptor's rs242939 single nucleotide polymorphisms and bcl1. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, an endocrine system, is controlled by these receptors. This system is activated by stress.

Dr. Grammatopoulos explained that the University of Warwick's study was the first to prove that there's a link between postnatal depression and the specific genetic variants of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Buoyed by the findings from this study, she revealed that the university will be expanding their research with women from other parts of England in a bigger, multi-centre study. The focus will be on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis' other genetic elements.

As you can see from the results of this groundbreaking study at the University of Warwick, it's possible to predict this depression with a blood test. It will be a great help for pregnant women if they know that they are likely to develop post birth depression because they can be better prepared to deal with it.

Mother, Child and Depression

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
These are a few words said by Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Mom is the first word uttered by a child, the guardian angel "Mom" is the sole source of love and affection to the child, and the security and warmth of her lap remains there for a long time, even if she is not there, giving us strength and urge to live when we are need it most. The centre of his life is his mother, so, her love, care, smiles, tears, anger, frustration, depression, prayer... affect the child. A child's intellectual and social development flourishes closely around his mother, influenced by her immensely. A cheerful mother makes everything seem so perfect for him, in the same way the behaviour of a depressed mother may give an impression that he is unwanted and he is not able to make her happy. That creates confusion in a child's mind about his worthiness and he also may become depressed.

Depressed mother's depressed child and a bleak future...
Research studies show that parental depression is a major risk factor for anxiety, depression and troublesome behaviour in the children and make them violent at the same time. Children of depressed mother are more vulnerable to be victimized by depression than those of normal mothers. The children of mothers suffering from depression during postnatal period are found to be fighting with their peers more often and resulted in injuries followed by suspension from school. "Although it appears that violence is not an inevitable outcome of postnatal depression, it is one that is made more likely under conditions of continued adversity. Early and recurring exposure to maternal depression puts children at risk for the overt pathway toward serious violence" says researcher Dale F. Hay, Ph.D., of Cardiff University. The severity of mother's depression has more impact on the child than the chronicity of the mother's depression no matter what is the age of the child. The reason being, a child finds it difficult to regulate attention and emotion from a mother who is depressed. The feeling of lack of love and attention makes the child angry and inattentive, so the propensity to violence increases. The loss caused by his psychological condition is so serious that the whole future of this depressed and angry child remains at stake. A mother's depression strangulates his childhood's innocence and faith, and his whole future may be ruined afterwards.

Psychological help for both mother and child is necessary
This is a strong acknowledgement of environmental influences on the child's mental health. The depression in the mother or in the family should not creep into the child. The importance of psychological help under the given circumstances is beyond question. Both mother and child should be treated with medications of depression, like therapies and antidepressants, for obvious reasons. Children respond more quickly to environmental changes and psychological therapies. If a mother is depressed due to problems in the marital relationship, it is important for the child's normal growth that the couple considers psychological help for the same. For example if a father does not protect the child from his mother's assaulting and do not cover up for the attentions he needs from his mother, the child may turn to a timid and panicky person who would be frightened by darkness, a close door, nightmares and a list of similar aspects. The connotation more simplified is, the depressed mother needs to treat herself for the sake of the child. Taking antidepressants, something like Xanax, during the postnatal months prove to be helpful in cognitive and temperament development of the child. At the later stage, if the depression continues with the mother, psychological therapies from a psychiatrist becomes very important for the normal mental health of the child.

My Mom is the best!
If you ask a child who is the best, he would answer instantly with a big confident smile, "My Mom is the best!" A simple memory of the mother brings smile to his face. A mother's depression may take away that precious smile forever. Let every mother save that smile, and save the future of the child.

How Do Compression Socks Work?

Compression hose and stockings are technological innovations that improve circulation for pregnant women, diabetics, the elderly, and anyone in need of some support to keep the blood properly flowing.

The heart pumps approximately 100,000 heartbeats per day in order to send 6 quarts of blood through 100,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries. However gravity, age, a slowed heart, or other health problems can cause blood to pool in the legs and lower feet. This leads to swelling and fatigue, or event to potentially more serious problems like blood clots.

Compression socks, such as Jobst support socks or varicose veins stockings, are made from a super-strong elastic material that fits very tightly at the feet and less tightly up by the knee. This change in pressure keeps the calf muscles constantly squeezed and stimulated, sending blood back to the heart and reducing swelling and the potential for forming clots. The socks in fact act as very strong synthetic calf muscles. Graduated pressure in the sock is the primary mechanism for increasing what's known as the body's "arterial pressure" and push blood back toward the heart.

The socks are made from a high-friction material that grips securely around the leg. Long compression stockings can sometimes bunch and buckle, but this can be addressed with a maternity belt or garter.

Compression stockings must be custom made so that the pressure from the sock is appropriately adjusted to individual needs. A physician or pharmacist first takes measurements at the top of the ankle, around the largest part of the calf, and just above the knee. Custom tailoring for compression socks does up the cost, although insurance will often cover compression socks and stockings.

If prescribed, compression socks are worn from waking through bedtime. The socks should be removed at night when the legs are elevated.

In fact, the benefits of compression socks can also be gained by keeping the lower limbs properly elevated. However, a tightly wound Ace bandage or other wrapping is no substitute for good compression hose. The pressure from the bandage is uneven and may actually aggravate pain and swelling.

There are many benefits to compression socks besides improved circulation. They also ease pain, provide comfort, and prevent swelling in legs and feet. The most firm socks are prescribed to patients with severe lymph edema, which causes major swelling and fluid retention in the legs and feet.

Compression socks were originally only prescribed to those with poor circulation but now many others find them helpful, such as passengers on long airplane rides or people with jobs that require them to stand in one place for many hours may also wear these socks. Compression socks are also used to speed post-surgical recovery for edema, venous ulcers, phlebitis, varicose veins, spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis. Others who might benefit from compression socks include obese individuals, those who have had a previous blood clot, those who have had a stroke, and those who are bed ridden. Compression socks are also used by athletes to increase their endurance, reduce lactic acid build-up, reduce cramping, and boost overall performance.

Baby's Arrival Checklist

So the BIG DAY is just around the corner and everyone else in the family is breathlessly waiting to welcome its newest member. For everyone, nine months of pregnancy may seem like forever and parents are usually excited to know if the little one will show up in time. As you settle down for the final stretch of anticipation, it is time to reflect if you have actually made all the necessary preparations for the momentous event. Here are some preparations you might want to add to your checklist:

1. Get a Baby-sitter for other kids
For parents with other children, it is important to assign someone to supervise someone to take care of the other kids while you are away. You can ask a family member or a close friend to handle these tasks, especially when it comes to fetching the kids to and from school.

2. Prepare the baby's room
Preparing for the baby's room is one of the exciting tasks every expectant mom and dad seem to relish. You will need to make sure that the baby's room or sleeping area is made as comfortable as possible, complete with all the possible equipment needed for baby care such as the following:
o Bibs
o Blankets
o Diapers
o Crib
o Formula milk
o Feeding bottles
o Pacifiers
o Carrier

4. Infant's Safety
Your newborn's safety should be considered a priority. Experts advise to have an officially approved infant car seat on your way home. After all, accidents with newborns are not totally unheard of, right? Be sure to place the infant car seat at the back as the deployment of the air bags has been known to seriously cause injury to infants. for more please visit PreggyTips.com

How to Benefit From Aromatherapy During Pregnancy

The joy of bringing a baby into the world is overwhelming a most exciting period in many lives. It is also a time of changing emotions, body shape and the unknown for first time mothers. Aromatherapy can be very important during this time.

When considering the use of aromatherapy during pregnancy there a several oils that should be avoided as they could harm both the mother and the baby.

Ensure that the oils you are using are pure essential oils, as adulterated blends or synthetic oils can have a less predictable effect.

OILS TO AVOID:

Any oil that has toxic in the description, along with the list below.

Arnica, Aniseed, Basil, Bay, Birch, Camphor, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Comfrey, Cypress,

Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Melissa, Mugwort, Myrrh, Origanum, Pennyroyal,

Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Savoury, St John's Wort, Tansy, Thyme< Wintergreen, Wormwood.

These oils aside, aromatherapy can be used very safely and be extremely beneficial to maintain the general health of the expectant mother, to aid in minimising the discomforts associated with pregnancy as follows.

MORNING SICKNESS:

Choose chemical and preservatives free fresh food. Eat small portions often during the day. Avoid heavy meals late at night and junk food. Ginger tea herbal infusion is a safe and effective remedy.

Peppermint tea is better avoided.

BACKACHE:

Lower back pain is common as the pregnancy advances due to the increase in weight of the baby and changing body shape. A massage with essential oils will bring great relief and help to tone the muscles. The lower back should be massaged lightly during the first four months, during this time though back ache is not always a problem, it is usually after the six month period and then a firm massage is perfectly safe.

Neroli or Mandarin oil at 2% to a base oil say Almond, Apricot or Olive Oil or Stretch Mark Oil can be used which contain these essential oils along with a rich cocktail of base oils that penetrates deep into the skin.

TENDER BREASTS:

As the breasts expand during pregnancy they need extra care and attention. Use a gentle massage again with Stretch Mark Oil or a base oil with 2% essential oil, Neroli or Mandarin. If breasts are swollen, make a cool compress out of rosewater and place over the breast while resting.

BREASTFEEDING:

Essential oils can be very helpful in easing some of the discomforts of breastfeeding. Insufficiency of milk and cracked nipples are two of the main reasons that many mothers abandon breastfeeding. Engorgement can sometimes be the cause as well. To promote th flow of milk Fennel, Caraway, Dill and Aniseed is widely used mostly in the form of herbal tea infusions, fennel being the most popular choice.

To reduce the milk flow Peppermint oil can be used on cold compresses - Use a basin of water with 4-5 drops of essential oil use clean fabric or a washer and immerse in the water, wring out then place on the painful area.

It is IMPORTANT to wash off all traces of essential oils before feeding the baby. It is dangerous to give the oils to the baby internally even relatively safe oils.

CRACKED NIPPLES:

Can be extremely painful and slow to heal. Calendula is the most healing plant known for this condition. Some Nipple Butters contains Calendula and is safe to use whilst nursing. Apply the butter immediately after feeding so that the nipples have the maximum time to absorb the beneficial properties prior to the next feed.

Products containing lanolin are often used for cracked nipples but some tests have discovered traces of toxins in the lanolin from sheep dipping, so wise to avoid these products.

HEARTBURN:

Avoid rich, spicy foods and heavy meals. A Peppermint, Fennel or Chamomile tea infusion can speed up relief. A gentle massage of the stomach with a soothing oil such as Lavender, Chamomile or Marjoram will assisst.A hot compress using one of these oils can be placed over the stomach as often as needed. Just 2-3 drops in a basin of water for compress and the same with 50ml base oil.

SLEEP PROBLEMS:

The baby kicking and other discomforts in the last few months of pregnancy makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep. A relaxing bath with stretch mark oil 10mls or a total of 6 drops of either Neroli or Rose pure essential oil in a bath before bedtime. The water should not be too hot as this is stimulating rather than relaxing.

An aromatherapy massage with stretch mark oil, the combination of gentle therapeutic touch and relaxing essential oils will work both on the mind and body to reduce the level of stress, and sleep will follow quite naturally.

CONSTIPATION:

Eating of high fibre foods, including plenty of fresh garlic and drinking ample filtered or bottled water is important during pregnancy to avoid constipation.

Aromatherapy treatments are complicated by the fact that many of the oils used in the treatment of circulatory problems are those to avoid during pregnancy. However, lemon essential oil at 2% dilution can be used to gently massage. Tension can also be a contributory factor, so try a relaxing bath using stretch mark oil or 6 drops total of neroli or rose.

STRETCH MARKS:

Massaging daily is an excellent way to reduce the risk or intensity of stretch marks during

pregnancy, Massage provides stimulation of the tissues underlying the superficial layers of the skin, using gentle strokes it is both effective and safe in pregnancy. Gently make small repetitive circles all over the tummy, thighs and breasts using a stretch mark oil regularly.

Continue massaging these areas after the birth for at least four months until your weight has returned to normal. Avoid stretch mark oil on the nipples if breastfeeding.

SWOLLEN ANKLES:

Swelling (Oedema) of the ankles and legs is often a problem in the latter months of pregnancy. If severe you should consult your Doctor in case there is a kidney problem, but mild puffiness of the ankles usually after standing or at the end of the day, can be effectively relieved by massaging the legs with one tablespoon of base oil to 2 drops of Geranium. Ideally this would be more beneficial carried out by a professional but you or your partner can apply the oil with firm strokes always moving from the ankles towards the thighs.

A cool to warm foot bath with 2 drops each of Benzoin, Orange and Rose can help reduce the swelling.

Rest the feet higher than the head on raised cushions or pillows.

Avoiding salt, strong tea, coffee will also help to reduce swelling, drinking plenty of bottled or filtered water is also advisable.

VARICOSE VEINS:

During pregnancy the bulk and weight of the growing baby can cause pressure on the veins and arteries of the lower abdomen, causing circulatory problems and the veins to dilate. One of the best oils for circulation is Geranium, but this should be very dilute for pregnancy. No more than 4 drops to one tablespoon of carrier oil, massaging the legs with a gentle upward movement. Do not work directly on the veins or apply too much pressure. You can also add 4 drops to your bath.

LABOUR;

To create a relaxing atmosphere in the labour room, use several drops of Lavender in an atomizer or Rose, Yang-Ylang or Neroli to fortify you as the labour progresses. Any of these oils can be used in a massage blend for the lower back to aid contractions.

POST NATAL:

Some women can suffer from post-natal depression for up to a year after childbirth, some more severe than others. A bath with jasmine and ylang-ylang can help them feel better 3 drops of each. Or a massage with 5 drops each of Geranium, Orange, Chamomile..

To ease perineal pain Organic Bath Herbs, a collection of wound healing and anti-bacterial natural ingredients and essential oils with powerful antiseptic and healing benefits for internal wounds and stitches.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

The simple touch of massage movements can help to relieve many of the stresses and discomfort of pregnancy, back massage in particular is very welcome during labour.

Aromatherapy techniques can be used very safely and beneficially to maintain the general health of the expectant mother. It aids with various discomforts during this time.

The positions to work in need to be adapted to suit her comfort, she needs to be well supported.

- Check the oils to be avoided

- Use lower concentrations of essential oil to base oil 1/2 to 1% is desired.

- Stokes should be lighter than usual for a massage.

- The back - massage can be done on a chair after the fourth month of pregnancy as it becomes uncomfortable to lie on her stomach, a chair or a pillow wrapped in a towel for her to hold in front for support.

- The abdomen - as the weight of the uterus can constrict the important blood vessels is the pregnant women is laying flat on her back, so she must be supported with plenty of pillows, bolsters or rolled towels to make her comfortable. Under the knees should be supported with cushions. After four months a gentle massage all over the abdomen can be very soothing, very often the developing baby responds to the massage given to the mother. Very often if the baby is lively and kicking causing discomfort to the mother will calm down and be quite for some time after. Babies whose mothers have received regular massages during pregnancy are usually very peaceful when they are born.

- The legs - Gently stroking the legs from the ankles to the knee to begin, then continue with firmer pressure is very soothing. It can relieve swelling, varicose veins or cramp. (See varicose veins for further information). Gentle stroking around the ankles is also appreciated. Avoid any reflex movements on the feet.

- Head - With both hands at the back of the neck at the base of the cranium, apply slow, light, circular pressures with your fingertips in an upward direction to release tension and to finish the massage.

Allow a 15 minute rest and then gently help her get up.

Help To Relax During Pregnancy

Some mothers to be really enjoy their pregnancies whilst others find the situation a little more trying. There are many aspects of pregnancy that can cause discomfort, anxiety or indeed frustration. Morning sickness, digestive changes and feeling fat are amongst the most frequently cited irritants.

Some mothers are more fortunate in their genetic predisposition than others. This you can do nothing to change. All that you can do is adapt your attitude and behavior to best suit the situation you are presented with. You can use your mind to soothe your body.

Every mom is aware that it is important to remain as relaxed and calm as possible. It's better for you, your baby and everyone else who lives in your home. For someone who is generally of an anxious disposition this can pose quite a challenge. Even for a mom who is normally quite a laid back person can find herself becoming a little uptight or feeling intrepid about certain aspects of pregnancy, childbirth or parenting.

Being pregnant also signifies for many moms a time of change, especially if the baby due is your first. You are stepping into the unknown in so many ways. That said you also know that to give birth and raise a family is meant to be one of the most natural and normal thing known to man.

When you want to relax one of the most natural and easy things to use is hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural state of relaxation, and thus just using hypnosis will help you to remain calm and peaceful. You will easily let go of anxiety and tension both mentally and physically. Needless to say, most moms seek help that is as natural as possible. Hypnosis fits the bill to perfection.

Hypnosis can assist in many more varied ways. With hypnosis you have access to your subconscious mind, which is the part that thinks and acts automatically and instinctively. Hypnosis can be used to let go of unhelpful thoughts, habits and behaviors. It can be used to release and relieve fears and anxiety. As you relax and feel calm your baby will inevitably benefit from this transition.

Hypnosis can also be used to change your expectations and focus upon a belief that everything will go well with your pregnancy and birth. Fears can be eliminated and replaced with a positive expectation instead.

A further way in which hypnosis can be used relates to the impact that your mind has upon your body. You can use your mind to change what is happening within your body in terms of soothing away morning sickness and also reducing your perception of pain during the birth. You can use hypnosis to assist in recovering quickly from the birth and getting back into your optimal physical shape.

Thus you can see how flexible hypnosis is and how useful it is to an expectant mom and baby to be. It is natural and also easy to use, simply by listening to a hypnosis mp3 recording. A further thing to be aware of is that there are no negative side effects; there is nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis mp3 downloads for pregnancy and childbirth.

P.S. Discover how you can relax with hypnosis. Grab a free hypnosis mp3 from my website now.

Safe and Smart Pregnancy Clothing

It is a must for every mom-to-be to pay more attention towards what she wears since it is not only about comfort but also about safety! Get an idea of 'what to purchase during pregnancy?'

During pregnancy, along with healthcare, one thing every mom-to-be must note is 'What they wear?' For many women, their fashion statement during pregnancy turns out to be so mind-numbing and unexciting. To refresh yourself and also to keep up the comfort quotient uncompromised, you must fill your wardrobe with right choice of maternity wear.

Its All Here!
It is a myth that your husband's dresses can make pregnancy clothing comfortable. People are also of an assumption that shopping for maternity wear is tiresome and there are very less choices available. Nowadays, there are many outlets specializing in pregnancy clothing are present in all cities. One can also shop their maternity wear from the comfort of their home! Its all simple with specialty online stores for pregnancy A-Z where a wide range of maternity clothes are available at reasonable prices.

Special Maternity Wears
One can enjoy being a fashionista even during pregnancy if they choose to wear the right type of pregnancy clothes. The is a wide range of maternity wears which includes kurtas, t-shirts, pregnancy jeans and pants, formal wear, drapes, lingerie and even nursing wears are widely available in stores specializing in pregnancy clothing.

Maternity clothing is considered safe and is strongly recommended to every mom-to-be because, it reduces the risk of feeling sick and dull allover due to forcing yourself in wrong fits, developing ungraceful figure post pregnancy, reduces chances of getting more stretch marks, sagging, maternity wear are skin friendly and hygienic.

Clothing for every Trimester
Pregnancy clothing can be classified based on the trimesters. There are maternity wear available for every trimester. Few start gaining weight during their first trimester itself, even if people don't gain weight at this point, it is recommended to wear free and soothing fabric since first trimester is well noted for morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms that will make you feel more uncomfortable if you choose wrong clothes.

Second and third trimester clothing should be chosen with utmost care. The fabric, the fit, the convenience in every piece of clothing matters the most here. Get branded dresses and also expandable and scratch-free dresses for this period to avoid permanent scar marks.

There are specially designed nursing wear and postpartum wears available for new moms in pregnancy clothing stores. Making use of postpartum wear adds more style, comfort and they will be more convenient to nurse your new born.

There are also summer maternity clothes and winter maternity clothes available and they are reasonably priced for everyone to afford with ease.

So what your pregnancy fashion statement?

Health Issues For Young Women is Most Prominent

In western medical philosophy medicine and statistic have always had some binds with one another, to paradoxically both generalize patients and both specify with the numerical analysis making it easier. To develop which illness, population are divided by gender, then by age, and then by even more demographics, which groups all in effort to find out are more likely. Whether or not medication would be effective of the population, to be useful at the same time on a large enough size. With various sections each segment of the people undertakes unreliable measures showing medical commonalities of analysis and study. Womens' health issues particularly around the ages are one of these groupings likely. Womens' health issues are the most prominent in the aforementioned age group, counting among that is stress, believe it or not.

Tend to vary widely the triggers for stress from person to person, but that can be considered regardless, common, and demographic there are a couple of causes. In this age group, women can all bear on family life, professional careers, parental care and social pressures. To roles of cultural and expected social, women due to juggling all of these has never been easy on anyone, debate puts more stress on the emotional toll of the internal "family versus career", some believe about that. Than other female age groups, statistically speaking, particularly in recent years they are more prone to stress. In this age group, conditions such as depression and anxiety have also been noted as a possible outcrop of stress as womens' health issues. Not female specific, women in the ages between 25 and 40 are usually, however it is worth stating that the forms of mood disorder and anxiety that occur, such as postpartum depression. On female behavior, one of the factors believe between cultural perception and how it contrast and compares with drive and career to contribute to the emerging prevalence of this problem would be the delicate balance.

For example, among the corporate elite, crying and tears are often seen as weaknesses, so women to suppress natural emotional reactions are often make an effort striving to earn positions of power in the business world. To relieve a good amount of tension and stress in women, in moderation and when appropriate science and medicine both state that crying and the release of tears. Under the same situations, this is similar in theory to how "therapeutic" hitting objects is for men. Because it no longer has the strength and resiliency of youth, particularly skin care is also a major concern for the 25 to 40 age group particularly. Than adult skin to outside influence that it is a little recognized verity that teenage skin is much further resistant, as well as being more thin-skinned to current healing. As career or family concerns time begin also contributes to the lower level of skin care during this age to take more priority over appearances. Without investing time, there are various ways that a woman can maintain the overall health of their skin, ensuring that skin damage does not become a major concern later on in life.

Sugar Free Homemade Granola

Did you grow up with the nutty and wholesome smell of granola in the oven? I didn't, but thanks to this recipe, my mom now makes her own as well!

4 cups rolled oats

翻 cup olive oil

翻 cup maple syrup

翻 cup EACH sesame OR sunflower seeds AND pumpkin seeds

1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds

1/8 tsp EACH nutmeg AND cinnamon

Dried fruit: craisins, raisins or chopped, dried apricots

Pour oats, seeds and nuts into a square baking pan. Then drizzle the wet ingredients over the top, slowly rolling all together with wooden spoons. Bake at 275 degrees until golden brown. I check and stir every 20-30 minutes.

While cooling, I toss in the dried fruit. We store this on our counter top with a 翹 measuring spoon for a quick snack when needed. I typically double this batch and it lasts us about two weeks.

The thing to remember with homemade granola is that you can change up the measurements and ingredients as you like. For example, switch up the spices, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to something different and the taste completely changes. What you want to maintain is the ratio of wet to dry, specifically of and for the olive oil, syrup and rolled oats. You can also switch out honey for maple syrup and get a nice crunch with a little sweet. Sometimes that makes all the difference in the world.

Easy to give as a gift, just store in a Mason Jar, tie with a bow and you have yourself a last minute hostess gift, thank you or holiday gift.

Dealing With Postpartum Depression? (Baby Blues)

Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression or the baby blues affects some women after they have given birth. The symptoms can include:

- Feeling low and sad for no apparent reason
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Disturbed sleep
- Disinterested in caring for the baby
- Lack of appetite or eating too much
- Feeling worthless and inadequate
- Anxiety
- Lack of libido
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Excessive worrying

If severe, the effects can be devastating on mother and baby and indeed the rest of the family, and at a time that is supposed to be joyful.

Having a new baby to care for can be a daunting experience so it is perfectly natural to feel tired and a little anxious. You are suddenly responsible for a new life and along with this there are sleepless nights to deal with, and then your days are taken up caring for the new baby with feeds and nappy changes and routines to settle in to. There's no doubt about it, having a new baby involves a great deal of adjustment in the home and this is inevitably going to be stressful and tiring.

However, the difference between normal feelings of fatigue and worry, and postpartum depression, is that with postpartum depression the symptoms are more severe and they persist.

What causes Postpartum Depression?

There is no single clear cut reason why some women develop postpartum depression and not others but research has shown that nutritional deficiencies can be involved so it's important to make sure that your diet is good before, during and after pregnancy.

One nutrient in particular that has been found to play quite an important role during and after pregnancy is Omega 3. The Omega 3 fatty acids Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are vital during pregnancy and indeed where EPA is concerned each and every one of us need adequate supplies for the whole of our lives whether we are pregnant or not. DHA is needed for healthy growth and development of the brain and eyesight and EPA is needed for efficient functioning of the brain on an ongoing basis.

It stands to reason that if the mother is not getting all the nutrients she needs whilst the baby is taking what little she has, then the mother will find her supplies of nutrients severely depleted.

It's an interesting point that people suffering from depression, and not just postpartum depression but indeed any mental health problem tend to have lower than normal levels of EPA in their blood.

Self help techniques for postpartum depression

- If your diet has been less than adequate it may be worth considering an Omega 3 fish oil supplement, speak to your doctor for more advice
- Get as much rest as you can, try to sleep when baby sleeps
- Try to avoid any extra stresses, this wouldn't be a good time to move house for example
- If you find yourself with a spare moment, indulge. Read a book, watch television, have a relaxing bath, don't spend these precious moments rushing around trying to do chores and be perfect, that little space can be a life saver
- Talk to your family and your care professionals about how you are feeling

What Foods Give You Energy Post Pregnancy

OK, all you new mommies... time to wake up! Are you tired of having no energy since you've had your bundle of joy? Newborns definitely keep you busy, busy, busy, not to mention waking you up in the night fairly often, especially in the beginning. I remember feeling almost zombie-like some days when my girls were newborns. Well, eating the right kind of foods will help you out with that. So, what foods give you energy post pregnancy you ask? Let's discuss:

1. Whole Grains. Starting your morning with a bowl of whole grain cereal (hot or cold), is going to give you a nice energy boost to start your day. Eating whole grain foods in general is a good habit to stick to when you want to keep your energy up. They are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They will not only help keep your energy going, but they'll also help you feel full for longer periods of time, help keep you regular (this is a great thing for new moms as constipation can be a problem for many), help protect against things like heart disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Some examples of whole grain foods are: whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole wheat crackers, whole grain bread, oatmeal and whole grain cereal.

2. Legumes. When wondering what foods give you energy post pregnancy, legumes are great... and inexpensive! They are packed with folic acid, iron and magnesium. They are also low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Some legume examples are: red kidney beans, lima beans, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, soybeans, green beans, green peas and snow peas. Add them to chili, salsa, salads!

3. Blueberries. These little low calorie morsels are a great source of fiber and contain iron as well as vitamins B, C and E to give you an energy boost! They also contain anthocyanins, which is the pigment that gives the blueberry it's blue colouring, which may help to prevent cancer, heart disease and memory loss. Some suggest that they also help eye sight. Another interesting study from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center suggests that blueberries may help to reduce belly fat (great news for new moms trying to lose a baby belly!).

4. Eggs. Eggs contain 5-6 grams of protein which is going to give you energy and as well as help to keep you feeling full longer. They have been shown to be great for weight management which is going to be great for you if you are attempting to lose post pregnancy weight. A large egg contains only 5 grams of fat and 70 calories. When considering what foods give you energy, it is best to eat the whole egg (yolks and all!) to get the full effect of its energy potential. Eggs also contain choline, which is great for brain function and development. They also contain nutrients such as folate, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B12, D, and E.

5. Hummus. Hummus is a dip with chickpeas as the main ingredient. It is a great source of fiber, protein, iron and vitamin C. Use it as a dip for veggies such as carrots or whole grain crackers or whole pita slices.

6. Vitamin C. Eating foods rich in vitamin C are great for keeping your energy levels up. Some examples are papayas, strawberries, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges, bell peppers, broccoli and pineapple.

7. Trail Mix. When thinking about what foods give you energy post pregnancy, trail mix is an excellent choice! You can combine ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, seeds and whole grain and/or high fiber cereals. Your boost of energy will come from the carbohydrates in the dried fruit and you get sustained energy from the protein and mono and polyunsaturated fats in the nuts. You also get a good dose of fiber with trail mix. Some examples can be: dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, raisins), nuts (almonds, pistachios, peanuts), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) and cereals (Multigrain Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats Bite Size).

Basically, you want to stick to complex carbohydrates and foods that contain protein and/or iron and vitamins and minerals when needing to know what foods give you energy. Here are some examples:

Complex Carbohydrates - brown rice, whole wheat pasta, vegetables, fresh/dried fruits, whole grain breads/cereals, etc.

Protein - milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, chicken, fish, beef, tofu, legumes, etc.

Iron - soy products, red meat (lean), spinach, figs, etc.

Pregnancy Hormones May Cause Memory Problems

A lot of pregnant women actually suffer from forgetfulness and clumsiness during pregnancy. A research shows that hormone levels are so elevated during pregnancy that they may be having an adverse effect on the brain cells. There could a link between pregnancy and memory problems.

A research that was conducted took into account the various stages of pregnancy. According to the research, the first trimester in pregnancy did not show any visible set of problems related to memory. However, when women were given simple questionnaires to fill in their second and third trimesters, they performed a lot worse. Also, women tend to get worried during pregnancy if they will be able to function normally after giving birth. The phase of memory loss actually lasts for quite some months even after pregnancy.

Pregnancy causes several psychological problems like low mood levels and anxiety disorder. It is known to cause prenatal and postnatal depression. These conditions may be affecting the memory in women during pregnancy also.

Hormones could be playing a big role in causing memory loss. While typically hormones get regulated in the body for the safety of the mother and child, some hormones when produced excessively in the body may not suit the brain cells. Higher rate of sex hormones also have an effect on the neurons in the brain. Memory is a brain function that usually takes place in the hippocampus and it is this region of the brain that the scientists feel is adversely affected by the circulating hormones. Mood swings and anxiety that extend after pregnancy in the form of post natal depression also causes memory loss after pregnancy.

However, researchers agree that more research needs to be conducted in this field in order to definitively find out what causes memory problems in pregnant women.

Information About Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology is the specialty that focuses on the treatment of women. Gynecology focuses on maternity care before birth, support pregnant and after treatment when gynecologist is facing the general health of women, focusing on female genitalia. The experts asked the obstetrician midwife, while women have gynecological diseases expert.

Both these two specialties obstetrics and gynecology clumped together because both involve in caring for women. Specialties are the maternal and prenatal care, where management obstetric high-risk pregnancy, as well as family planning and reproductive health, endocrinology, hormones, research on the reproductive system.

Practitioner of obstetrics and gynecology called an OB/GYN. Many OB/GYNs are women, although many male doctors talent working in this discipline too. The reason behind this is that obstetrics and gynecology deals with sensitive female subjects, some patients prefer to work with female doctors, especially those who are concerned about shyness and decency. In obstetrics in rural areas and basic services provided by practitioners who have no special training, but can still provide the desired benefits to their patients.

An obstetrician/gynecologist are a physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care of women and has particular expertise in pregnancy, childbirth and genital disorders. This includes preventive care, prenatal care and detection of sexually transmitted diseases, Pap smears and family planning.

OB/GYNs may choose to specialize in the following areas:

• Acute and Chronic Disease
• Gynecology
• Behavioral problems of adolescents
• Cancer
• Endocrinology
• Maintaining health during pregnancy
• Infertility
• Operative Gynecology Infertility Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Preventative health
• Urinary tract disorders

Maternal / Fetal Medicine

* Concerned with the care and consultation for patients with complications during pregnancy

* Requires knowledge of obstetrics, medical and surgical complications for the mother and fetus, the current methods of diagnosis and treatment, adaptation and neonatal

Gynecology Oncology

* Concerned about the consultation and comprehensive treatment of patients with gynecological cancer

* Requires knowledge of the treatment of major cancers, diagnosis and complications of cancer

Endocrinology of Reproduction and Infertility

* Reproductive endocrinology and infertility do with the management of complex problems relating to infertility and reproductive endocrinology

* Requires information on the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders and infertility.

For perfection in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a doctor must first complete four years of medical school, he must have to follow residency. If your doctor wants to focus on subspecialty, such as gynecological surgery or fertility treatments, and more will be charged.

Post-Natal Depression

Dealing with the Baby Blues & Post Natal Depression
With your body undergoing such a massive transformation over the nine months of pregnancy and the subsequent birth, the readjustment of your hormone levels can have some unexpected effects.

The Baby Blues
The baby blues are a mild form of post natal depression. Most women will experience a period of anxiety and emotional turbulence in the first few weeks after the birth of a baby. This is normal, and it's to be expected after such a huge biological event. This period is referred to as the 'baby blues' or the 'maternal blues' in popular culture, and will pass after a few weeks.

The Cause of the Baby Blues
Since 75-80% of mothers experience the baby blues, it's pretty safe to say that the cause is biological, not psychological. It's caused by the hormone balances in your body; over the nine months of your pregnancy your body has learned to depend on the raised levels of estrogen, progesterone and endorphins. So after the birth, when these chemicals are suddenly no longer coursing healthily through your veins, you enter a sort of 'withdrawal' period, just as you would if you'd just quit smoking, for example. Combine the biological elements with the fact that you're exhausted from the mental and physical exertions of giving birth and caring for a newborn baby and you have a recipe for, frankly, a rough couple of weeks. But those rough couple of weeks will pass.

Symptoms of the Baby Blues
You will probably be aware of, or will have experienced, most of the symptoms of the baby blues before your pregnancy, since many of them are in common with the symptoms of any other type of depression.

They include:
* Depression - You are low a lot of the time. You're miserable, melancholy. You may have moments of real contentment which give you hope, but it passes and the depression seems all the more profound.

* Irritability - You are grumpy and snappy with people around you. You shrug off and reject any physical contact, and even inquiries about your well-being irritate you.

* Fatigue - Lethargy and listlessness add to a general sense of malaise, yet you may not be unable to get much sleep despite how tired you are. This can be the most frustrating symptom, since all the lying awake provides loads of time to explore in your mind all the negative emotions you're currently feeling.

* No Appetite - You forget to eat or you're never hungry. When you eat, it's only small amounts and with no real interest. The lack of food makes you feel rundown. You may even be aware that you're not eating enough, but are not inclined to do anything about it.

* Joylessness - You find that you can derive virtually no pleasure from any activity. Even the sense of safety and comfort you previously derived from sex has evaporated and you are reluctant to partake.

* Guilt - You experience waves of unendurable guilt, a sense that you could and should be trying harder with your baby, a real sense of uselessness occurs to you. Guilt that you feel so low when you are aware that it should be a time for real happiness, and this knowledge exacerbates your feelings.

* Anxiety - You feel panicky and your heart races and thumps causing you to worry that you are unwell or have a heart condition. Further, you worry about your relationship with your baby, whether you are bonding or not, whether your baby is breathing steadily enough and if he or she is healthy. You are wracked with worry when your baby is in the care of another, and you're anxious about the possibility of cot death, choking, or drowning. You may also be worried that you will harm your baby yourself.

Every new mother has all or some of the symptoms listed above. However, there are cases where the symptoms are extreme, leading to a serious condition that we will discuss in just a moment. Before we do, you have to be aware that it is difficult, nearly impossible in fact, for you to determine when your symptoms have moved from the mild depression of the baby blues, and onto the vaguely termed 'extreme'. It's difficult to tell the difference between the baby blues and PND when your experiencing one or other of them.

It may take another person, perhaps a spouse, family member, or doctor, to help you. When this is the case, you may find that you've been diagnosed with Post Natal Depression. Post Natal Depression (PND) is different from the baby blues. Post natal depression is a serious medical condition which can be dealt with quickly if it's diagnosed early. You can't diagnose yourself, but your GP is trained to recognize PND, so if the symptoms listed above persist for more than a month after the birth of your baby, it might be worth contacting him or her.

Common Factors in Post Natal Depression
PND is a form of clinical depression and is treated as such. Although there is no single individual cause of post natal depression, there are occasionally cases in which obvious factors are at play. In these cases, any treatment will be primarily focused on those factors. They include:

* Prenatal Depression - Depression during pregnancy seems to be the most common contributing factor to postnatal depression.

* Low Self Esteem - A mother who has consistently had low self-esteem or a low opinion of herself, or places little value or importance on her place in the world may risk developing PND.

* Childcare Stress - If a mother has been really, seriously anxious about her ability to raise a child, anxious to the point of becoming unwell, then PND may develop.

*Life Stress - An unusually or extremely stressful lifestyle can be detrimental to your mental health after the birth of your baby.

* Low Social Support - PND has been connected a lack of support from friends and family. Women who have been rejected by their families will generally have a higher chance of developing PND.

* Poor Marital Relationship - A loveless conception is a possible factor in the development of post natal depression. A loving relationship is beneficial anyway, but perhaps more poignantly so in cases of mental health.

* A History of Depression - If you have a history of clinical or manic depression, there may be an elevated chance of post natal depression manifesting itself.

* Infant Temperament Problems / Colic - A particularly 'fussy' or 'colicky' baby often puts enormous pressure on mothers. Listening to their baby crying for such extended periods of time can lead to the belief that they are neglecting something important that their child desperately needs. This feeling can lead to stress, depression, feelings of helplessness, and low self-esteem, all of which, as we have seen, can be a factor in the development of postnatal depression.

* Single Parenthood - A lack of support and feeling of economic insecurity can be damaging at the best of times, but it's effect on a vulnerable new mother can potentially be devastating.

* Low Socioeconomic Status - Associated with many of the points already mentioned, your status and economic situation have the capability to seriously affect your mental health.

* Unplanned/Unwanted Pregnancy - An unwanted or unplanned pregnancy brings many of the stresses and anxieties that we've already covered, along with associated feelings of shame and an immediate problem bonding with the baby.

Treating Post Natal Depression
Just as there is no single cause for post natal depression, there is no single cure for it. It is fully treatable however, and most women go on to make a full recovery. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed, and have a positive effect in up to 70% of its applications in medium to severe cases of postnatal depression. However, some antidepressants are transmitted through breast milk, lithium, clozapine, and lamotrigine for example, and as such can't be prescribed to new mothers.

For less severe cases of PND, talking treatments have been found to be just as effective as antidepressants. Counseling sessions with a psychologist or other mental health specialist can be really helpful, and may be prescribed over medical treatments in some situations.

There are three main types of talking treatments being practiced in the UK today. The first is 'cognitive therapy', and it's based on the idea that your thoughts and emotions can directly affect your physical well-being. The second kind is 'cognitive behavior therapy', and it involves changing any behavior that is harmful, as well as incorporating the ideas in cognitive therapy. The third kind of talking treatment includes 'interpersonal therapy' and 'problem solving therapies'. Any combination of these treatments might be prescribed and all depend on the severity of the depression and the patient herself.

To supplement any medical or psychological treatment, taking regular exercise can help in all sorts of ways.
As we mentioned, the earlier the condition is identified, the easier it is to treat. But, now we know what post natal depression is and what can be done when it's diagnosed, why don't we consider a few pointers on

Preventing Post Natal Depression
No one's really sure if PND is inevitable for the unfortunate women who develop it, but there are a few steps that pregnant women can take to reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.

* First, and perhaps the most obvious of all the following points and one that should apply regardless of the worry of PND, don't smoke, don't take drugs, and don't drink.
* Sleep well, relax and rest whenever you can.
* Low blood sugar levels can make you feel pretty down, so make sure you eat a balanced, healthy, and varied diet.
* Support that diet with a multi-vitamin supplement.
* Take gentle exercise and keep yourself occupied.
* Budget your time and pace yourself: while you may be able to multi-task efficiently most of the time, you should try to take things one step at a time in the lead up to the birth.
* Open up to friends or family, or especially your partner, about your concerns. It can be really dangerous to try to bear the burden of concern alone, set let other people help.

These tips won't necessarily prevent PND, but they will help. You know that phrase, 'healthy body, healthy mind'? Well it works the other way, too, 'healthy mind, healthy body'. Keep your mind active and lively and keep your body relaxed but healthy.

The Partners of PND Sufferers
It can be almost intolerable to have a partner suffering from postnatal depression. But for a while, you may have to endure a lack of sympathy while she gets better. She will need you, but she may be reluctant to ask. She may even try to push you away. In these instances, try to relieve some of the pressure on her by holding the baby for a few hours so she can get some sleep. Do chores that she would normally do, but try not to step on her toes, she may resent feeling like she's being pushed out.

It's essential that the new mother feels understood and supported. To facilitate this, try to make yourself available as often as possible, and don't feel abandoned if she needs to confide in someone other than you. The last thing needed for the sake of her mental health as well as your own is for your self-consciousness and insecurities to cause further friction. Be patient, she will eventually come to appreciate the space you have given her, as long as you are still there when she needs you.

Learn as much as possible about her condition, but don't act like you know more than she does about it, or even pretend to know what she's going through. Use your knowledge to adapt how you act, not to teach her how to act.

Further Information on Post Natal Depression:
For further information on Post Natal Depression or the Baby Blues visit these websites: The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPSYCH), Mind, NHS Direct.

Make Your California State Pregnancy and Maternity Leave Benefits Work Harder

Can you pay your bills for 18 weeks on a 45% pay cut? Ask yourself this question if you are planning a pregnancy and work in California.

Why is this question vital? California has state mandated pregnancy, maternity leave, and paid family leave benefits which can extend for up to 18 weeks. You will be receiving 55% of your income - or less - during this time. Many couples can't afford having mom away from work so long.

18 Weeks of Pregnancy & Maternity Benefits

Here's how California allows you up to 18 weeks of maternity benefits for your normal labor and delivery.

• 4 weeks before your delivery via California SDI


• 8 weeks after your delivery (c-section delivery) via SDI


• 6 weeks of paid family leave so you can bond with your baby

It's possible that your pregnancy may encounter complications requiring you to leave work before the standard four week period. In this case your total time away from work will exceed the eighteen week barrier.

What's your CA Maternity Income Gap?

California State Short Term Disability Insurance caps your weekly benefit at 55% of income or $959 per week - whichever is less.

If your income exceeds $90,669 per year, you hit the cap. In this case divide $959 by your weekly gross pay to determine how big your pay cut will be for 18 weeks.

Are you Covered?

Government workers, teachers, domestic workers, non-profit employees, contract workers, and employees who claim a religious exemption often are not covered. The California short term disability insurance plan mandate covers private workers only.

Fill the CA Maternity Leave Gap

If you are planning a pregnancy, you have an opportunity to buy additional income protection to cover your normal maternity labor and delivery!

Supplemental Short Term Disability Insurance can fill the gap in your CA maternity leave pay. It pays pays an additional six week benefit for your vaginal delivery, and an eight week benefit for your c-section birth. Your maternity leave benefit may greatly exceed the premium you pay.

• Create maternity leave income


• Spend more time bonding with your baby


• Worry less about paying your bills

At no additional cost, you are also covered in case of:

• Pregnancy complications


• Delivery complications


• Premature birth


• Accidents


• Illnesses

Pregnancy and maternity leave benefits are payable only when coverage begins before conception. Don't delay!

Stress, Illness and Emotional Freedom Techniques

Emotional Freedom Techniques has emerged from a growing field of science with quite profound research findings and results amongst its consumers.

The work of Dr Callahan and Gary Craig may be familiar to you. The scope of application ranges from applying emotional freedom techniques to illness to proactive use of the techniques to experience greater emotional vibrancy and life.

It is widely acknowledged that in spite of the advance of technology, the stressors of a modern society have taken its toll. Workplace stress has reached excessive proportions, and has played its part in an under performing global economy.

Whilst the average lifespan may have increased, so has the incidence of chronic disease, with heart disease claiming the number one spot.

Heart disease claims more lives than the top six cancers combined. Cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease are the other common chronic illnesses.

When you consider this, the actual illnesses are usually symptomatic of a cluster of emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual threads that define our lifestyle, which when out of harmony breed these illnesses.

Whilst it is well documented that excessive stress can lead to chronic and degenerative disease, there is still a stigma attached that prevents closer attention and care.

It is somewhat ironic that many place more value on their cars than their well-being. A car gets an MOT and Full Service yearly due to the wear and tear of travel and to ensure safety on the road.

However the human body and the human life embodied is arguably a more important vehicle. Yet many do not do the equivalent of car maintenance where their lives are concerned.

One of the biggest components of health that warrants more attention is in the area of the emotions, rather than just the mind. Unresolved emotions can be as damaging to health as unhealthy thoughts, yet this is an area that remains relatively neglected.

It is fascinating that scientists can now measure the frequency of a thought and an emotion. Emotional Freedom Techniques works with the human energy field and in particular where unresolved emotions disrupt the human energy field.

Scientists can show the difference in frequency between a diseased and health cell. The way Emotional Freedom Techniques work is by tapping on certain energy areas of the body known as meridians, whilst making certain statements in relation to the issue being worked on.

The results gathered in the study of emotional freedom techniques is such that Deepak Chopra MD declared that "EFT offers great healing benefits".

In many documented cases, therapy times have been reduced with profound physical healing as well.

Another colleague Eric Robins MD went one further when he said "Someday the medical profession will wake up and realise that unresolved emotional issues are the main cause of 85% of all illnesses. When they do, EFT will be one of their primary healing tools"

The research and case studies of results have gathered so much momentum that in the last two years there has been a World Tapping Summit.

The World Tapping Summit is an online event and a good place to receive educational content on this approach, and watch inspiring real life accounts. You decide whether this is worth exploring and adding to your life's tool kit.

Santiago, Chile's Best Hospitals

Santiago is the capital of Chile and also the largest city of the country. Santiago is the center of finance and trade in Chile and the headquarters of many multinational companies in the country are located here. The city has many well-known shopping centers and high-rise architecture and has become one of the most modern metropolitan areas of Latin America.

Santiago has many good hospitals in both public and private sectors. Many of the leading private hospitals offer world-class health care service, which is affordable too. These hospitals are well equipped and accept all major health insurance companies.

This is a brief description of some of the major hospitals in Santiago.

Clinica Las Condes located at Lo Fontecilla 441 - Las Condes, Santiago is a reputed private hospital in Chile and Latin America that has all modern medical facilities to deliver excellent health care. The hospital founded in 1978 by a famous doctor has now achieved the prestigious Joint Commission International accreditation and has affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International for training. This 220-bedded modern hospital has well equipped specialties in every branches of medicine. The hospital's surgery department is well known and performs most modern laparoscopic surgery for digestive endocrine tumors, breast surgery using advanced technique like mammography, stereotactic biopsy equipment, and trauma surgery. CLC has facilities in blood bank, clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine and physiotherapy. The hospital has many special centers like anti smoking center, kidney stone, travel medicine, advanced center for epilepsy and spine center. Its new emergency service with separate laboratory system was built under the guidance of Johns Hopkins Hospital,US. This favorite hospital among the foreign patients offers luxurious accommodation and has agreements with all major insurance companies. Phone: (56-2 ) 210 4000

Cl穩nica Alemana is one of the leading private hospitals in Chile and is situated at Av. Vitacura 5951 - Vitacura - Santiago. This hospital was founded by a well-reputed nonprofit foundation-"Sociedad de Beneficencia Hospital Alem獺n"- that has established many modern hospitals across the country. This 350-bedded hospital with 18 operating rooms offers best medical service to over 35, 000 patients annually by employing more than 700 eminent doctors and 3000 dedicated staff. This multidisciplinary healthcare facility has full-fledged departments in cardiology, ENT, neurology, pediatrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, psychology, bronchopulmonology, physical therapy and many more. Cl穩nica Alemana has many special centers like comprehensive adolescent care unit, breast care center, center for oral and maxillofacial surgery, round the clock blood bank, radiation therapy center, maternity ward, and five well-equipped ICUs. This hospital possesses an outstanding diagnostic imaging department with service in radiology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography, MRIs, Computed Tomography and angiography. The hospital staffs some of the best surgeons in the country and its surgery department has five different kinds of operating rooms (OR) including main operating room, cardiology OR, obstetrics/ gyn OR. The hospital has well equipped emergency department with separate general emergency room and pediatric emergency room. Cl穩nica Alemana offers comfortable accommodation in various rooms and suites including rooms for non-paying patients and provides all modern facilities. Phones: (56-2) 210 1111

Hospital San Juan De Dios situated at Hu矇rfanos 3255, Santiago, is another major hospital in the city that offers complete and cost effective medical service. The Western Metropolitan Health Service manages this service-oriented polyclinic, founded in 1954.This is also a premier teaching hospital and has affiliation with the University of Chile. Hospital San Juan De Dios has four large buildings and staffs 332 doctors and 17 dental practitioners. The hospital has lounges and restrooms for users, well-equipped coronary care unit, new custom delivery rooms and modern Surgical ICU. The hospital has adult and children sub specialties in all major departments. The hospital has an emergency sector featuring 3 focus rooms of 19 beds, an observation room, a modern recovery room and a procedures room. Hospital San Juan De Dios has implemented AUGE system to improve care for the sick and included more than 50health problems in this like chronic renal failure, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced palliative care and congenital heart diseases in children. Phone: (0)2 360 1053

Postpartum Care and Recovery - Issues No One Told You About

You have barely done with dealing with pregnancy issues and now you have a horde of postpartum issues to deal with.

Blood Clots - or Lochia as it is also called is different from menstrual bleeding and occurs after childbirth for a period of a month or more. It is normal to bleed although your doctor must be informed in case of any abnormality like foul smelling blood clots, feeling dizzy and having a fever above 101.2 F.

Contractions - of your uterus continues for a few days even after childbirth as it is your body's way of bringing your uterus back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Breastfeeding activates the oxytocin hormones that helps contract the uterus further.

Sore Vagina - A birth of a baby might tear your vagina on account of which your doctor would have to stitch it up. The stitches may make your vaginal passage sore and make it hard for your bowel movements too. Use an ice pack to soothe the wound or pour warm water over the wound while urinating to prevent the wound from stinging badly.

Bowel movements - may be difficult during the initial days as you may feel hesitant to push anymore after a laborious childbirth. You are likely to get constipated too, so eat fiber rich foods and drink plenty of water to allow smooth passage of waste products. A herbal laxative will also provide relief from constipation.

Urination - may also be hard to begin with, as the vaginal muscles may be swollen or the stitches may sting. However, doing the Kegels can greatly help combat urinary issues and tighten your pelvic floor as well.

Hair Loss - is a common problem after childbirth. During pregnancy, your hair gets thicker due to hormonal changes in your body but after childbirth you lose almost all the additional hair that you had. However, there is no need to despair as it is only temporary and your hair will look the way it did before your pregnancy. Eat protein rich food and hot oil massages for good hair growth.

Stretch Marks - Proper and liberal application of anti-stretch marks cream during pregnancy will greatly combat further stretch marks after childbirth. Apply vitamin E oil liberally and the stretch marks will fade in time.

Postpartum/Vaginal gas - is a common occurrence for all new mothers. You can prevent vaginal/postpartum gas by consuming the right kind of food, wearing a postpartum belt and following certain traditional postpartum methods.

You will find a detailed information on many more postpartum issues, especially prevention of vaginal/postpartum gas, on visiting http://yourkidandyou.blogspot.in/

Overtime - One Of The Risk Factors Of Depression

Long hours have become the new normal in this faltering economy, leaving the worker (as usual) to pay the price. A recent study suggests what many people working these long hours could tell you... routinely putting in 11 hour days is one of the risk factors of depression - doubles the risk in fact - compared to those who work the more traditional eight hours each day.

Long days at work take a toll on your body, but there's also evidence of impacts within the brain as well. Overtime and depression have not been studied to any great extent so the team examined over 2,000 British workers (average age 47) who didn't have mental health issues at the start of the research in 1991.

Almost six years passed before nearly 70 incidences of serious depression were identified by mental health screenings given to the workers. Those whose working hours topped more than 11 hours a day had a two times greater risk of being diagnosed with depression compared to those who spent under eight hours at work each day.

Now there are lots of things that put you at risk for depression - genetic factors, physical or emotional issues and prolonged stress. All those hours at work give you fewer opportunities to relax and likely less sleep as well. You don't have time to exercise and your own self-care slips. The long workdays can also cause problems in close relationships with friends and family, and this itself can also bring on depression.

The most likely candidates for depression were younger women who were in the lower job grades, used alcohol in moderation and had also been diagnosed with a chronic condition. Should you be worried? Here are some warning signs to watch for:

- Trouble sleeping

- Changes in appetite

- Fatigue or loss of energy

- Feeling stressed or worthless

- Being irritable and impossible to satisfy

- Not taking pleasure in activities that usually bring you joy

- More mistakes at work

- Trouble organizing things, concentrating or making decisions

- Suicidal thoughts or acts

If you, or someone you love, has three or more of these symptoms and they last for at least two weeks, depression is most likely the cause. Recognizing you're in trouble, and in need of help is important - the first step toward getting better.

Even if you love what you do, the long hours you're on the job can still trigger a depressive episode, but it may well take longer to show up. Eventually however, researchers believe that workaholics too will show signs of depression.

It's hard to know if these results would hold for workers doing other jobs, but it certainly points out the fact that working long hours can play a part in depression. Since you usually can't cut back on working hours, here are some simple ways you might cope...

- Try to alternate periods of high stress with times of less pressure or with shorter hours.

- Listen to your favorite music as this boosts levels of dopamine, the feel good chemical in the brain.

- Don't skip vacation time or days off.

- Try a random act of kindness to your boss, co-worker, a vendor.

- Look for humor in daily goings on, circumstances beyond your control.

- Make time for sleep and don't skimp on exercise.

The research on long working hours as one of the risk factors of depression appears online.

If You Go Overdue What Should You Do? - A HypnoBirthing Approach

If you have gone over 40 weeks in your pregnancy there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself. 40 weeks of pregnancy really is an arbitrary number based on averages and only about five percent of pregnancies actually result in labour by the 40 week. However, if you have gone overdue it is very likely that your care providers, such as your doctor, midwife or obstetrician, will begin to get nervous for every day that you have not gone into labour.

So what can you do about it?

For starters, recognise that you are one of the 95 percent of women who do not begin spontaneous labour on the estimated due date. You are in the majority. 95 percent pregnancies take somewhere between 265 and 300 days from the mother's last menstrual period. This is quite a broad range of days and the estimated due date is based upon a 28 day regular menstrual cycle, which in itself is also unusual, as most women range widely from every 2 weeks to every 6 weeks, to sometimes not even knowing when their next period will come because it is sporadic. You cannot set the due date if you want a natural birth. The best way of looking at your due date is to call it a guess date and give people a month range such as, "the baby will be born somewhere between mid October to mid November".

If your care provider has suggested an intervention to initiate labour, ask him or her if there is any medical necessity which justifies their suggestion for the particular intervention? Such interventions include doing a cervical sweep, rupturing the membranes (the amniotic sac) or applying a gel to the cervix to ripen it. All of these carry risks, so it is a good idea to question the suggestion and at the bottom of this article there is information on a You Tube video which gives a list of questions that you should ask your obstetrician or midwife if they are talking about interventions.

Depending upon your care provider, sometimes they may subscribe to Active Management of Labour (AML) which, as you know from your classes, can result in a surgical birth because of the diagnosis, "failure to progress". It is true that once an AML time limit is placed upon a labouring mother her labour will often falter and she may feel under pressure. This will result in her cervix naturally tightening due to the Fight, Flight or Freeze stress response and this will prompt the caregiver to administer drugs to augment and speed up labour. If the cervix remains tightly closed she will fail to progress and end up with a surgical birth. So it is OK to say no to your care provider once you have asked them these questions, and heard their responses and if you are not totally comfortable with having the intervention. One of the happy compromises that often works between caregivers and overdue mothers is to have an ultrasound to check the placenta and the amniotic fluid to ensure that both are still functioning normally. Usually they will be, in which case you can respectfully decline the offer of jumpstarting labour. Your baby knows when he wants to be born. Let him guide you and your body to initiate labour naturally.

Activities you can do to initiate labour naturally

To get your body and mind and body ready for labour, particularly if you are stressed out about going overdue, you should stop everything and slow down completely. Stop working, stop errands, stop planning, stop cooking, stop cleaning and stop preparing the baby's room. Get someone else to mind your other children. Just stop everything and slow down. Go deep within your body through relaxation. Imagine your body working for you. Imagine powerful, comfortable surges that make labour and birth swift and easy. Talk to your body and baby about how excited you are to start birthing. Relax everything and spend as much time in relaxation as you possibly can. Sometimes labour will not start simply because your head thinks that you are too busy to do it. Stop everything. Tell your head and your body that you are ready. Use imagery extensively in your relaxation and watch your body respond.

Acupuncture and acupressure work brilliantly if you have such practitioners where you live.

Nipple and clitoral stimulation releases oxytocin - the chemical which initiates surges.

Have sex daily and preferably to orgasm. This helps with the secretion of oxytocin and the rhythmic waves of orgasm can initiate labour surges in your uterus.

Eat hot and spicy foods.

Cleanse the bowel with either an enema from the chemist, or castor oil (take 1/2 tablespoon every 1/2 hour for 3 doses, repeat the following day if necessary)

Visualise your surges commencing and your joy that you baby is coming now.

Walk, gently and slowly.

Do a Fear Release relaxation (taught in class). Release the fear of starting labour even if you don't think you are fearful of starting labour. Pretend you are and release that fear.

Drink lots of water to ensure your body knows that it is well hydrated enough to start labour without hindrance.

Talk to a homeopath or naturopath about remedies or herbs to initiate labour gently but only if you already have a relationship with a homeopath or naturopath. Homeopathy will not initiate labour if your body isn't ready for birth - it only works if your body is ready to begin birthing in the first place. Herbs however, are powerful and can have the same effect as artificial induction of labour, causing continuous spasmodic and painful contractions if you take too much. You only want to start labour, not make it labour hard for yourself. Take extreme care with herbs.

Hopefully you will not have pressure from your care providers to initiate labour artificially. Do what you can to get it going naturally. The most important and empowering thing you can do to help yourself is to relax. Your body is a living miracle capable of so much. Birth is just one of the miraculous things it can do! So relax, let go and let it happen...

To access the video "Questions  to ask your midwife/obstetrician", go to YouTube and search for "hypnobirthtrainer".

Happy HypnoBirthing!