How Can an Attorney Help in a Cerebral Palsy Case?

Cerebral palsy, which is a medical condition, occurs because of brain damage. It also occurs because of improper brain development. Brain development in a human being occurs right from the time of conception by the mother, as the fetus begins to show signs of growth. The brain is the most important organ because it almost controls everything in the human body. Any small damage to the brain can cause tremendous harm to any part in the body. If damage happens in the part of the brain cells that control the nerves and muscle coordination then the child will be born with cerebral palsy.

Damage to the brain of a child can occur anytime while the fetus is growing in the mother's stomach, during birth or right after birth due to various reasons. If the mother has a bad fall which directly results in causing brain damage to the fetus then cerebral palsy can occur. At times during birth, doctors tend to use forceps, a kind of medical instrument used for delivery on the head of the baby. When used with slight force it can cause damage to the brain. Also during birth or while in the stomach just before delivery, due to the mother's high blood pressure, the baby can be deprived of the much-needed oxygen that goes to the brain and this too can lead to cerebral palsy.

It is also possible that the umbilical cord connecting the baby and mother can get entangled around the neck of the baby and thus cause strangulation. This will result in the baby not getting enough oxygen to the brain and this will lead to certain cells in the brain to die a natural death because of lack of oxygen, which is so important for its survival. Leaving the baby too long inside the womb as soon as the child is ready for delivery is likely to cause cerebral palsy in the new born infant.

All these are instances of medical negligence and it is because of this that a cerebral palsy attorney is most required if your child is born and diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. It is the bounden duty of the medical fraternity to make sure that you have a safe pregnancy and the child in the womb is safe. In addition, they should ensure that the baby is born without facing any problems so that it stays healthy and does not end up with this medical condition.

The world over, there are thousands of children who are born with this medical condition and in many cases it is due to the negligence of the medical fraternity. Proper care during pregnancy, excellent delivery methods, and proper postnatal care is all very essential to the safety of the child. If malpractice and negligence is found to be the cause then legal remedy is to be sought, at once and a n attorney needs to be consulted. The attorney will call for all the records and then file lawsuits on behalf of the aggrieved parents. The attorney will fight the case in a court of law and get adequate compensation for the parents so that the money would be useful to help maintain and provide excellent treatment procedures for their affected child.

Ways To Overcome Post Natal Depression

Every mother feels the indescribable joy of holding her newborn child in her arms. But amidst all that, she may sometimes have to endure an unbearable animosity towards the child, which can even get the better of her and her relationship with the child.

This is no ordinary problem. It is an illness that not only will affect her, but also, the innocent child. In worst cases, it can lead to death.

We are referring to Post Natal Depression.

Post Natal Depression can be considered a syndrome that attacks some women out there the moment they have given birth.

Yes, life after the birth of your child is not necessarily a fairy tale like what you would see on television dramas or movies. You may not be battling with the physical pain that much, but you would definitely be battling with your emotional roller coasters the most.

Your mentality of everything that surrounds you will change for the worse, in such a way that you would have thoughts of negative happenings that apparently have not taken place at all, and would even go against others around you without any rhyme or reason. Most of all, you would develop negative perceptions and hatred for your own baby.

If you are one of those women who are going through these darkest after-birth moments, you need help!

But do not fret! It may seem like an illness that is beyond control, but it can actually be cured and overcome if you try your best to.

Ladies, let us share with you on what you can do to fight the battle. This information, too, would be useful for any of you whose friends or loved ones are facing Post Natal Depression, because in times like this, you could be the one they need the most.

1. Family support is the key factor that can keep her going despite her post-natal ordeals. Family members should never leave her unattended. You can take turns among yourselves to take care of her. Most importantly, understand that what she is going through will not last forever. Hence, you should be tolerant of her and not be too pushy for that period of time, and always remind her that the illness will gradually fade away.

2. Seek advice from doctors or professionals. They would be able to prescribe the most appropriate medications and provide further therapies that can help improve the situation.

3. Besides doctors, counselors can play a part for you too. Since Post Natal Depression highly involves conflict of emotions and downfall in terms of your self-esteem, counselors would be able to advise you on how such illness can be tackled in a more proper way. Family members can also get help from these professionals on how they can show their support towards the victims of this illness.

4. Instill some self-belief and self-confidence in you. Have faith that the illness will go away as long as you stay unwearied and strong. Yes, it is tough to pull it through, but if you can overcome that unbearable pain of bringing your child to life, why would you not be able to overcome this one?

5. Avoid consuming pills because they will exacerbate the depression in you rather than reducing it. You should especially avoid them during that point in time when you had just given birth to your child. Remember that pills are not the easy way out for you. As mentioned earlier on, seek advice from doctors with regards to the prescription of medications if you really need a form of medication for yourself.

Mothers and mothers-to-be, Post Natal Depression cannot be taken for granted, but it can be remedied. After all, it is only temporary.

To the families and friends of these victims, always shower them with your love and care, and perhaps the illness can fade away sooner than you expect.

Motherhood can be the most unforgettable if you know how to control your emotions and your mind. Think about your child who has got nothing to do with what you have to endure.

And think about those women who have been there done that. If those women could fight and surpass the illness, so could you.

Hope that all of you will be able to enjoy motherhood to the fullest!

What About a Doula? The Role of the Trained Supporter for Birth and Beyond

There are many reasons why people choose to employ a doula during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period- some lifestyle choice based, some based on a previous birth experience, some just because of the continuity that having a doula provides.

Here are my top reasons why pregnant women and their partners should consider a doula:

• Doulas are professionals that don't mind being yelled at. There can be something very comforting to a woman that they are able to express themselves without repercussions. This applies both antenatally and postnatally.


• Doulas are there to support both the mother and father; being able to give Dad the opportunity to pop out if he (and the labouring woman) so wish.


• Doulas are able to respond to situations sympathetically (and often empathetically too) without sharing too much of their own experiences.


• At the same time as the last point, Doulas aren't brought down and burdened by the 'stuff' that occurs as you work with them. They tend to reflect a lot on their practice to see where they can improve or do things differently, but then leave that behind as professionals.


• Doulas tend to be highly motivated individuals with a real passion for birth, mothers and babies- that is the sort of supporter you want on your side.


• At the same time, Doulas are not 'wannabe midwives' that just fancy having a go and dipping their toe in the water- many have undertaken strenuous training and are passionate about their particular role in supporting the mother rather than performing clinical tasks.


• Doulas are bound by the same rules as your care providers in terms of confidentiality.


• Doulas can be a rich source of information and resources- many operate their own lending library for clients, and others lend pieces of equipment such as birth pools.

Even if the above points don't sell the possibility of a doula to you than consider meeting one for a chat to see if you connect with them and they are able to offer a service that you may be interested in. Many Doulas are also able to offer complementary therapies such as antenatal massage or aromatherapy for before and during the birth, and many postnatal doulas offer services including baby massage classes or night nannying. Initial consultations are very often free of charge and you are under no obligation to take up their services, in fact even if you decide to use a Doula it is always best to chat to a few.

So, think about a Doula for your next birth- you may be surprised.

Start Reducing Postpartum Belly Fat In 4 Easy Steps

New mothers can learn how to reduce unwanted postpartum belly fat and improve overall health in only 4 steps. Read about some healthy living information you can start using right away.

Step 1: Nutritional Supplements

Good nutritional supplements are a wonderful insurance policy, especially when combined with healthy eating habits. In today's modern world we can't all be farmers and grow all our own food fresh in our back yard. Almost all of our food goes through some sort of processing, or at the very least, some waiting around before getting to our table.

Especially for fruits and vegetables, waiting means losing nutrients. For this reason it's very difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs through food alone, but combining proper nutrition with nutritional supplements is very powerful.

The one supplement everyone including new moms should be taking for sure is a good multi vitamin and mineral. Eating well is crucial, but a quality multivitamin and mineral supplement can assure you that you're getting all the nutrients your body needs. This is especially important if you are nursing your new little one.

Step 2: Nutrition

Most people these days know that good nutrition is important, but it's especially important for new mothers to get the right nutrition. You really are what you eat, and if you're a nursing mom, your baby is what you eat too.

Make the commitment to gradually improve your eating habits, eating more fresh and unprocessed foods and less of foods that are processed. It sounds overly simplistic, but it really works. Sweets don't have to be completely off your list, but reserve them for special occasions, and then, keep your indulgence to just a taste or a small serving.

Develop the habit of reading the labels of the foods you're buying. Avoid anything that's more than 50% fat, and watch out for salt. Even some innocent-looking crackers can pack quite a wallop in the fat and salt department, so be sure to educate yourself.

You may think it requires superhuman willpower to avoid all those delicious unhealthy snacks, but you'll be amazed at what how much better you'll feel when you start to eat better. Your body will love all the sweet fruits and good foods it's getting, and it will want you to keep improving your nutrition. Your body will reward you with greater energy and vitality in a very short period of time.

Step 3: Exercise

When it comes to improved health, many people leave out the final piece of the puzzle - exercise. There are so many benefits of exercising. Some of these are stronger bones, increased vitality, improved sleep and higher libido - so it's a very simple choice to start doing it.

Make it your goal to exercise 3-5 times a week with a combination of strength work and cardio exercise (but make it less than 1 hour per workout session). Work at a moderate pace. You should still be able to carry on a conversation while exercising, so don't overdo it, especially when you're just beginning.

Unfortunately, you can't spot-exercise away that postpartum belly fat and flabby abs. In fact if you work your abs too much you'll actually make your stomach bigger. Do some crunches and other traditional abs exercises, but in moderation.

A more effective abs exercise is to draw the stomach all the way in towards the spine, hold for 10 seconds, and let it out slowly. Repeat this 10 times. This will tone those muscles so that when the fat is gone, you'll reveal lovely, flat ab muscles.

If you add 3 pounds of muscle to your body, this added muscle will burn as many calories as if you ran 1 mile. Muscle burns calories, even at rest! So the more lean muscle your body has, the faster you'll burn off the fat. Grab those weights and start lifting!

Step 4: Stress Management and Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep each night, plus managing stress, are essential for good health. With a new baby, getting a full night's sleep can be pretty difficult; so make it a point to nap when the baby naps. If that's not workable for you, recruit someone to care for the baby while you get your rest.

Your body uses its sleep time to repair itself, and your mind needs that time to rest as well. Try to get 7 to 9 hours' worth of sleep per night. Two good ways to help ensure you get all the shut-eye you need are to get plenty of exercise, and avoid eating late at night. Your body can rest much better when it doesn't have a heavy meal to contend with as well.

Until you find a way to manage your stress, it will continue doing damage to your body. Here are two tips that should help: Every morning, prioritize your day. Plan to accomplish what's most important. If something isn't critical, it can wait. Your main focus right now is the baby. The other tip is to practice deep breathing exercises. Just stopping and focusing on deep breathing for a few minutes can work wonders for stress reduction.

Now that you have the basics, you can find out more for yourself. Find out what works for you, and build upon those findings. If you're consistent and have a little patience, that belly will shrink away in no time. Good luck and enjoy that beautiful baby.

Breastfeeding Diet - Tips on Diet When Breastfeeding

When breastfeeding baby, women can be concerned about their breastfeeding diet. Can they drink coffee or alcohol, for example? Should they avoid certain foods in case they upset baby's digestion, or give them colic? Because there is lots of conflicting advice, it is important to know the facts.

There is no single breastfeeding diet required when breastfeeding baby. You should, however, eat an overall healthy balanced and varied diet. Importantly, there are a few vital nutrients which a baby needs, and which can be affected if the mother's dietary intake of them is too low. These include iodine, vitamin B12, iron and calcium.

The best dietary sources of iodine include kelp, dairy products, eggs, onions, all seafood, and iodized table salt. Bear in mind that eating large amounts of raw cabbage can lead to iodine deficiency. Iodine is critical, as a deficiency can lead to mental retardation and stunted growth in children.

Vitamin B12 primarily is supplied by animal products, so if you are a vegetarian who does not eat eggs or dairy products, when breastfeeding baby you may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement. Similarly, if you drink alcohol regularly and breastfeed, you will have an increased need in your breastfeeding diet for B12. As B12 is extremely important for the formation of red blood cells, among other things, see your doctor to have your blood levels of B12 checked. The best natural sources of B12 include liver, beef, eggs, milk and fish.

Iron stores are depleted in pregnancy, so you will need to rebuild your iron stores with iron-rich foods. To protect bone strength, you will need about four serves of calcium rich foods per day.

Since breastfeeding baby can make you hungry, be guided by your appetite. The exact amount of calories you need will depend on your weight and level of activity. On the other hand, if you do not have an appetite regularly, and are not eating much at all, it may be advisable to speak to your doctor or health professional about how you are feeling. A continued lack of appetite is just one symptom of postnatal depression.

Part of a breastfeeding diet is to keep well hydrated. When breastfeeding baby, your body releases oxytocin, a hormone which causes milk to be 'let down' and available for baby. It can make you thirsty, so keep a drink of water nearby when you breastfeed. There is no requirement to drink more than normal, and as usual, you can keep an eye on the colour of your urine to gauge your hydration levels. Aside from first thing in the morning, if your urine is dark yellow or smells strongly, you may be dehydrated and should drink more. Light coloured or pale urine suggests that you are getting plenty to drink.

When it comes to alcohol in your breastfeeding diet, the safest option is to avoid alcohol altogether, as alcohol does pass to your baby through breast milk. But if you do want to drink alcohol while breastfeeding baby, follow health guidelines for lactating women, which are the same as for pregnancy. These include not having more than one or two standard drinks once or twice a week. Since it takes approximately two hours for the human body to clear alcohol from the system per standard drink, try and time your drinking accordingly, allowing time for your body to clear the alcohol before breastfeeding baby. You can always express some breast milk prior to imbibing to be sure.

In a breastfeeding diet, you really can eat anything in moderation. Like alcohol, caffeine passes into breast milk. So drinking more than three cups of tea or coffee a day, or large amounts of cola should be avoided. It is possible that a particular food may affect baby, such that it makes baby unsettled. There is little evidence to support this, however. Some foods thought to sometimes cause problems include onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chocolate and cow's milk. But there can be many causes for an unsettled baby, so if you breastfeed and think a particular food is the cause, you could try cutting it out of your breastfeeding diet for a few days and see if it makes any difference. Whenever in doubt, it is a good idea to seek advice from a health professional.

A strict diet to lose weight while breastfeeding baby is not recommended. So eat well and enjoy the closeness of breastfeeding your baby.

Life After Birth

LIFE AFTER BIRTH: THE FIRST 6 WEEKS

Life after birth can be chaotic, especially if this is your first baby. Taking care of your newborn is hard work and won't be much fun until he or she develops a personality. In case you didn't know, a newborn doesn't laugh or smile, it can't play or even hold its own head up without a supporting hand. All it can do is eat, sleep, dirty diapers, pass gas, throw up and cry. Despite all of this, you will - believe it or not - love your little tot more than anything else in the world. Moreover, you will learn a lot about yourself and your partner as you both navigate through these initial days of parenthood.

Sex (or lack thereof)

You should know that sex is off-limits for at least 6 weeks after your partner gives birth. Don't forget that she just delivered a fair-sized human through a very tiny birth canal and her body will need time to heal. Your gal's doctor will ask to see her about six weeks after delivery for a full physical and emotional post-baby follow-up. At this visit, the doctor will check to see how her wounds are healing. If everything is good, your partner will get the green light for sex. However, this doesn't mean that she will be as keen and eager to get back into the game. She'll likely be tired from the whole pregnancy ordeal and from the added responsibilities of caring for a newborn. Help out as much as possible and be patient. Her interest in sex will return...just don't push her too hard.

Sleep (or lack thereof)

The good news is that babies need a lot of sleep - about 15-16 hours a day. Unfortunately, newborns don't have regular sleep patterns and don't sleep for long hours at a time. This means that you won't have regular sleep patterns either. Get used to napping throughout the day. And if that doesn't work for you, then get used to sleep deprivation. You and your partner may feel like you are losing your minds as you quickly realize how cranky and dysfunctional you can be after several nights of disrupted sleep. Hang in there. After about 8 or 10 weeks, your baby will start to sleep through the night (approximately five consecutive hours) and your sleep-deprived, zombie-like state will be a thing of the past.

You may with to alternate night shifts to maximize the amount of uninterrupted sleep each partner gets. There really is no need for both of you to get up every time the baby needs to be fed, coddled or changed.

Caring for Your Tiny Tot

After your shopping spree for nursery items, layettes and strollers, you may have thought that you were fully ready for your baby. While these purchases were necessary, they are only a small part of what you need to survive postnatal care. There will be many new and strange things for you and your partner to learn. The ins-and-outs of feeding, bathing, diapering and umbilical cord care are in no way intuitive. Don't get scared or discouraged by your new-found incompetence. Chances are that your partner is also incompetent in this area. It's okay to make mistakes; every new parent does. The good news is that the parental learning curve is steep. You and your partner will quickly develop the skills needed to care for your tot. To give you a helping hand, here is are a few pointers on baby care basics:

Feeding

The first step is to decide your method of feeding - breast milk or formula? There are many benefits of breastfeeding, including nutritional and emotional advantages. Breast milk is a complete food source that contains hormones and disease-fighting compounds that are absent in formula. Nursing also helps build a special bond between mother and baby. Studies show that babies thrive on the skin-to-skin contact, cuddling and holding that occurs during breastfeeding. However, there are a variety of reasons why many women do not nurse. They may not be able to produce enough milk or they may have to return to work soon after birth and are not available to nurse the baby throughout the day. Whatever the reason, your gal should not feel guilty or uncomfortable with deciding to bottle-feed. There are many excellent formulas available which are highly nutritious. Speak with your partner's physician or pediatrician about recommended formulas.

Regardless of your method of feeding, you should know that most newborns eat about 8 times a day (approximately every two to three hours). However, you shouldn't try to set scheduled eating times during the first few weeks after birth. Let your baby eat whenever he or she seems hungry.

Bathing

Because your baby's umbilical cord will need to heal, it is very important that you keep it dry to prevent infection. After about two weeks, the gross looking stump (i.e., remnants of the umbilical cord) will fall off and your baby will be left with a cute little belly button. In the meantime, take extra care not to wet the umbilical cord during bathing. The best way to do this is to give your tot sponge baths until the cord heals.

To give a sponge bath, you will need a stable surface, a soft washcloth and lukewarm water. Make sure that you test the water temperature before applying the cloth to your baby to prevent scalding him or her. Your elbow or the inner part of your wrist is a good place to test water temperature. Your hand is not a good guide since it is not very sensitive enough to tell how hot or cold the water really is. Now you can begin wiping your baby gently with the moistened washcloth. Begin by wiping your baby's eyes (from inside to outside), ears and under arms. Then you can move onto legs and genitalia. When washing the bottom, make sure you wipe from front to back to avoid bringing any feces near the genitals. If you have had your baby boy circumcised, then you will want to speak with your pediatrician about caring for the penis while it heals.

The most important thing to remember when bathing your baby is to NEVER leave him or her along - not even for a second. Babies squirm around a lot, so you should always keep your eyes and one hand on your little one during bath time. The same rule applies when you are changing your baby's diaper.

Changing Diapers

Don't avoid this responsibility because it you have never changed a diaper before. Because babies pee and poop so often, you will spend a lot of time changing diapers. Take advantage of this precious time with junior. You may also have to develop silly and immature techniques to comfort your baby if he/she does not enjoy the diapering process. As ridiculous as you may feel, this is actually an important part of establishing a parent-tot bond.

While it may be dirty work, diapering is not rocket science. For easy to follow instructions, make sure to read our article on How to Change a Diaper at http://www.thefunkystork.com.

Caring for Yourself and Your Partner
As flighty and silly as it might sound, self-care is important. Neither you nor your partner is doing your tot any good by neglecting yourselves. Try a shift-work system where you schedule an hour or two during the day where one parent will care for the baby alone. This way, the other parent can practice self-care - taking a long, warm bath, going for a run, doing yoga, reading or just going for coffee with a friend.

You will find that self-care will also help maintain civility in your relationship with your partner. By making time to do something for yourself, you will find that you won't feel as overwhelmed by your initiation to parenthood. And don't forget that this rule also applies to your partner. In fact, she will likely need more time for self-care than you since she will also be recovering from both 40 weeks of pregnancy and hours of childbirth. Also be aware that your partner is particularly vulnerable to postpartum depression during the first weeks after birth.

Postpartum depression, which is a more serious case of the baby blues, can begin as early as a few days after delivery. Experts don't know the real cause of postpartum depression, but they suspect that it has something to do with changes hormonal levels. Stress, disturbed sleeping patterns and changes in daily routine can all contribute to postpartum depression. Signs and symptoms include restlessness, irritability, changes in appetite, sadness and anxiety. If your partner is experiencing any of these symptoms or if you sense that something isn't right with the way your partner is behaving, you should consult your physician immediately. Untreated, postpartum depression can develop into postpartum psychosis, which is a serious mental illness that requires medical intervention. Both you and your partner should take her postnatal psychological state very seriously.

On a lighter note, you and your partner make an extra effort to keep the romance in your relationship. While your baby will require a lot of your time and attention, he or she will also be taking a lot of naps. Nap-time may be the perfect (and only) time for your and your partner to romance each other. Snuggle, watch a movie, make dinner or enjoy a glass of wine together. Whatever you decide to do, take a minute to set the mood with candles and relaxing music.

Another important factor to consider is how involved you want your parents or partner's parents to be. Parental intervention can add some seriously unneeded stress to the situation and unnecessary strain on your relationship. That said, you shouldn't reject offers to help. Being a new parent is not going to be easy and you will need all the help that you can get. Just remember to set limits and don't be afraid to tell your relatives what you need (and don't need). The last thing you want is to have one overbearing relatives overstepping their boundaries and overstaying their welcome.

Now What?

Things change after about 6 weeks of caring for your newborn. You and your partner will be different people, your relationship will be redefined and your tot will begin to act more like a baby than a squirmy alien. Life will get easier from here on out. Your tot will become a toddler and will begin roaming around the house. Make sure you are prepared for junior's curiosity by baby-proofing your home early.

Losing Weight After Childbirth - 3 Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

Although losing weight after childbirth can be foremost on a young mother's mind, there are a few mistakes that should definitely be avoided. This is not only for the sake of the mother, but for her newborn child as well.

It can become frustrating for a woman to find herself with extra pounds after childbirth, but losing weight after childbirth is a process that should not be taken lightly. Giving birth is probably the single, most demanding experience a woman can put her body through.

And although giving birth is a blessed event, there are precautions a new mother should be aware of, especially where losing weight is the goal. Losing weight after childbirth too rapidly can be hazardous. Just as the birthing process took time, so should losing weight after pregnancy be done with some patience.

1) Don't Neglect Nutrition:

The body's demand for proper nutrients, during and after pregnancy, is huge. The weight gained in pregnancy helps build stores for your recovery and for breastfeeding. After delivery, all mothers need continued nutrition so that they can be healthy and active and able to care for their baby. Restricted calories can often equal less nutrition. Most lactation experts recommend that breastfeeding mothers should eat when they are hungry. But many mothers may be so tired or busy that food gets forgotten. So, it is essential to plan simple and healthy meals.

2) Don't Begin Exercising Too Soon:

Most women can begin a formal exercise program within 6 weeks of giving birth, though this time frame might be slightly longer for some women, including those recovering from a C-section. Most women recovering from a C-section will be able to exercise after there incision has healed and their doctor has cleared them for exercise. Keep in mind, starting an exercise program too soon will delay your recovery and could potentially injure your body permanently. It may also take you longer than six weeks to heal fully if you start exercising too soon. Losing weight after childbirth should be a slow and deliberate process.

3) Don't Surrender Your Rest:

No one misses sleep like a new mother. A baby's first few months are a busy, hectic time that will put big demands on your schedule. The advice that you should get enough rest and relaxation seems impossible to follow during the postpartum period. Ongoing sleep disturbances can leave you feeling cross, irritable, and depressed. When you are this tired, even little problems become difficult to solve, and you may find it hard to make decisions about even the smallest issues. Pump and let your partner take on one or a few of your child's feedings so you can grab longer stretches of shut eye. Sleep when your baby sleeps. Do whatever you can to grab rest periods, your body will thank you for it.

When it comes to losing weight after childbirth, it can take a number of months for your body to return to normal. So, even if you are not breast-feeding, don't be in too much of a hurry to cut calories. Apart from the physical trauma of giving birth that can leave you feeling completely exhausted, looking after and being responsible for a new baby can also be very tiring and stressful. Once you begin to feel like your normalizing, seek out a little guidance for your weight loss goals. Losing weight after childbirth does not have to be a confusing or lonely process. With the combination of good nutrition, exercise and a little guidance, you can and will recapture your former shape.

Homecare Agencies - Ensuring the Highest Level of Care in the Home Environment

Homecare relates to expert supportive, social and medical care which is provided in the comfort of the patient's home environment. Being available for long and short term contracts, homecare agencies are able to provide the level of care required to ensure that your loved ones receive the highest level of medical care. Whether there is a requirement for short term medical care and assistance with the recovery process after elective surgery, or longer term expert care is required to aid in rehabilitation from a disabling accident or illness, homecare agencies have professional healthcare staff to ensure that this becomes a reality. Furthermore, for those individuals and couples who require assistance in their daily routines as a result of aging, homecare agencies provide a range of medical, grooming and supportive services that enable senior citizens to remain in the community that they live in, which provides valuable social and support networks.

Homecare agencies offer a diverse range of services, including outpatient and post surgery care, prenatal and postnatal care, companionship, personal grooming, housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, mobility assistance and the delivery of medication. The diverse range of medical staff that homecare agencies provide, including assistants, helpers and qualified nurses ensures that the needs of the patient is matched with the level of care required.

Healthcare policies worldwide are being aimed at reducing the pressure on public hospitals and medical facilities by implementing a process of reducing the timeline for hospital visits, admissions and surgical procedures, while placing greater responsibility for mobile medical services to provide the care that patients require in their home environments.

Furthermore, those senior citizens whose only option in the past was to attend a specialist aged care retirement home now have the option to stay in the family home and receive the care and support they require, whether this is on a temporary or full time basis. The results of this is an increased demand across the medical spectrum for qualified, trusted and experienced healthcare staff to work for homecare agencies in support of the delivery of the highest quality of medical care in a patients home.

Homecare agencies are providing those who have previously retired from the workforce or who are planning on re-entering after time away for family or personal reasons, an opportunity to secure a position, either full time or part time, that enables them to earn a reliable income from a rewarding career. Speak to a specialist recruitment agency today to see what options are available to you.

What You Need to Know About Postpartum Nutrition

Everyone knows the importance of good nutrition while pregnant, but what happens after the baby comes. Typically, new moms are exhausted, trying to figure out the baby's schedule and many times either forget to eat, or eat something quick that provides little or no nutrition. This is not the best strategy if you want to recover quickly from your delivery and help your newborn to grow and develop.

Maintaining a healthy postpartum diet is also necessary for the healing and recovery process. A good diet supplies you with the energy needed to care for your newborn. If you don't eat and drink enough, you may not produce enough milk for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding moms need to add around 300-500 additional calories to their daily intake. If you are feeding twins, double that! If you're not breastfeeding, your caloric intake should be the same as it was before you became pregnant.

Eating properly will also help with deal with fatigue. The best way to fight postpartum fatigue (in addition to getting lots of sleep!) is to eat 5-6 small meals every day. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, eat a mid-afternoon snack and a late night snack. When you're tired, eat foods that require little or no preparation, like raw vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, trail mix, broiled meats and fish.

Hydration will also keep your body nourished. Keep a pitcher of water beside your breastfeeding chair and keep drinking throughout the day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will dehydrate you and negatively affect the baby if you are breastfeeding.

Ensuring your calcium intake is insufficient is vital for both your needs and those of your nursing baby. If it is not sufficient, your body will withdraw the calcium stored in your bones in order to produce the nutrient rich milk it needs. That means the future health of your bones suffers. Take the steps now to ensure your continued health.

Calcium can be found in milk products, yogurt, cheese, sardines and salmon with bones, and sesame seeds.

Iron is also an important part of postpartum nutrition. Unfortunately many women become anemic after the birth of their baby. Increasing your iron intake will combat anemia. Foods high in iron include lean red meats, egg yolks, tofu, lentils, figs, spinach and artichokes. Iron is important, but it is also important to help your body absorb the iron. Foods rich in Vitamin C help this happen. We know orange juice contains vitamin C, but you can also find it in other citrus fruits, tomatoes, baked potatoes, dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

If you are recovering from a Cesarean section, Vitamin C will help with wound healing. Proteins are also important to help your body repair itself, so make sure your diet includes high protein elements such as cheese, lean meats, seeds, tuna, salmon, lentils and peanuts.

You should not be concerned with weight loss in the initial postpartum period. It can take several months to lose the weight that you gained during your pregnancy. The best way to do this is not by dieting, but rather cutting out high-fat snacks and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can safely lose 3-4 pounds a month as long as you continue to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Walking is a great form of postpartum exercise and initially helps increase bowel activity and prevent constipation. Drinking water is also very important throughout the postpartum period.

Postpartum can be a difficult time for new moms. Let friends and family help. If they offer to bring over a meal -- let them. You'll appreciate it when you're too tired to cook, and you will need the nutrition that a home-cooked meal provides. Get rest. Eat well. Love your baby. It's just the beginning.

Deal With Postpartum Depression (PPD) Smartly

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) also called postnatal depression is a form of clinical depression that affects some women after they have delivered a child. The exact cause of this condition is not known however some research says that since the hormone levels change during and after pregnancy this imbalance of hormonal level in woman's body causes chemical changes in the brain that play a part in developing depression.

Post partum depression can be treated by talk therapy and medicine (antidepressant).

Why do women get affected by it?

Giving birth to baby is a tough job. The rapid gush of hormones in that period creates a state of imbalance in the body for a while. And this imbalance can last from a few days to months, which maybe a cause for postpartum depression.

However giving birth is also one of the most beautiful feeling a woman can ever experience. From the moment a woman has given birth she feels sheer joy and happiness, fulfillment, achievement, thankfulness. But with all these positive qualities come along anxiety, fear, uncertainty, responsibility and sometimes depression.

Simple steps to treat your depression yourself:-

• Be pro active not reactive

Once you get pregnant you want to gather all the information regarding your baby's development, what to eat what not to, what's good for the baby's health, what's the sex of the baby etc. Side by side do make it a point to study the topic of postpartum depression.

• Do not live in denial

Even if you are having a very smooth pregnancy and everything's fine, do not guarantee yourself that you cannot get depression.

Even the happiest of pregnant women do get some form of depression either they get mood swings also called Baby Blues or PPD or in very rare cases Postpartum psychosis.

• We fear the unknown

You delivered a baby a week ago. You are exhausted. You are not getting enough sleep you don't even know who this new person is? You hate your body. You hate the people around you. You don't have much interest in this baby. You just want to run away some place. In short there is nothing you feel good about. You have PPD!

You try to pretend that you don't know what's wrong however your subconscious tells you that there is something wrong with you and this is not normal. Once you know it that you have PPD, you have treated this illness 50%.

• Remember all your baby needs is you

You want to sleep for a stretch of 6 hours; you want to watch a movie alone or with your partner. Maybe all you want is some peace and quiet. Yes you can do all this but stock it up for some time later because rite now the most important thing in your life is your baby.

Remember this is tiny person you anxiously waited for 9 months. You worked so hard to make everything perfect for your baby.

Finally your baby is here. Your baby wants to be close to you, she wants your touch. She wants your body warmth; she wants your breast she simply wants to be near you. You are your baby's main life support.

You have to tell all this to yourself. Forget the world. Right now it's just you and the baby.

• Have faith in yourself

Do not jeopardize yourself in the process of child care. Go easy. Sleep when the baby sleeps even if it's for 15 minutes. Talk to your partner or any friend. Make plans for your baby.

Try to indulge yourself totally in motherhood. Yes this absolutely works.

Keep reassuring yourself that everything will be fine. Think positive. Do not let those irrational feelings take over you.

Taking antidepressant drugs is not a very good idea especially for a breastfeeding mother because the drug can get into in the milk.

Remember Postpartum depression is not a disease or illness it's just some bad vibes that hover over you when you have been blessed with the most beautiful gift. A baby!

High-Dose Vitamin D and the Decreased Incidence of Chronic Disease

It is well known that vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoporosis, bone fracture, increased falls, muscle weakness, increased risk of certain cancers (particularly breast and colon, and possibly prostate), autoimmune diseases, obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, depression, asthma, lung dysfunction, influenza, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Even complications of pregnancy, preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and gestational diabetes, are associated with vitamin D deficiency. In infants, the vitamin's insufficiency has also been linked to low birth weight (caused by low levels from the mother during pregancy) neonatal hypocalcemia (low blood calcium), poor postnatal growth, bone fragility, and increased incidence of autoimmune diseases and childhood asthma.

Prevention of Osteoporosis

The standard recommended dose of 400 IU/day of vitamin D was in general to help maintain "good health," and to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, falls, and hip fractures. Over the last 5 years, there has been an explosion of studies expanding our knowledge and indicating that higher doses have much more of an effect on overall health and on the prevention of various chronic diseases than just bone development and the prevention of osteoporosis. This was standard while I was practicing medicine to recommend calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D to women of menopausal age. However, I now recommend doses much higher than 400 IU/day.

Insulin Resistance

A common problem I saw in my medical practice, associated with aging and increased weight was insulin resistance, which often led to metabolic syndrome or full-blow Type 2 diabetes. To help reduce the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance I would encourage my patients to maintain a low-glycemic diet, exercise at least 4 times a week, and be on a broad spectrum nutritional supplementation program. Often this made the difference for people who took it seriously and made significant changes.

Insulin resistance begins with oxidation of insulin receptors. Anything that cause more oxidation, and therefore more inflammation, can lead to insulin resistance, and ultimatley Type 2 diabetes. Continued consumption of high-glycemic food (simple sugars and starches) will damage insulin receptors via inflammation/oxidation. With continued oxidation and inflammation of insulin receptors full-blown Type 2 diabetes develops. Lately, it has been discovered that vitamin D deficiency is a contributing cause to insulin resistance, giving further support to my recommending higher doses.

Although not all studies have been consistent and demonstrating a reversal of insulin resistance with vitamin D supplementation, the studies that have shown benefits in reversign insulin resistance have been the studies demonstrating blood serum 25-hydroxvitamin D (or 25-OH-D) concentrations that were at least in the range of 35 - 42 ng/ml. This may suggest that high doses may be needed to see a benefit in the prevention, and possible reversal of insulin resistance.

Decreased Risk of Breast and Colon Cancer Associated with Supplementation

As a former practicing board-certified Ob/Gyn, I had many patients who had a history of breast cancer, or a family history of breast cancer. Colon cancer was also a concern, as its incidence is second to breast cancer. A decreased risk of breast and colon cancer (and possibly prostate cancer) has been associated when blood serum levels of 25-hydroxvitamin D (25-OH-D) are 40 ng/ml or above. For most women, this would require a dailly dose near 4000 IU/day.

I had many patients using tamoxifen to treat or suppress the recurrence of breast cancer. However, tamoxifen has its own concerns (among them possible endometrial cancer). Interestingly, much like drugs that are used to treat breast cancer, such as tamoxifen, vitamin D enters breast cancer cells and triggers apoptosis; whicself-destruction, or "cellular death," of cancer cells. Actually, several various antioxidants; e.g., turmeric extract, polyphenolic compounds; such as grape seed extract, cruciferous extract, resveratrol, green tea extract, and olive extract) all cause apoptosis, or cellular self-destruction. The benefit of apoptosis compared to chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy is that it causes cancer cell dealth without toxicity or destruction to normal cells.

Although the knowledge and use of antioxidants to kill cancer cells is as of yet limited, and thefore too early to be used to replace current toxic therapies for cancer, there is much promise for vitamins and other antioxidants in the near future. According to the research, I am a believer that antioxidants, and like substancs may help to prevent to the initiation of cancer, and therefore, along with a proper diet and lifestyle, everyone should be taking quaility supplements.

Specifc to this article, as I have searched to find out what dose of vitamin D women "should be" taking for preventative measures against breast, ovarian, and colon cancer, I have discovered that the studies have shown an association between women whose serum 25-OH-D levels of at least 52 ng/ml or higher and a 50% decreased incidence of breast cancer. Ovarian and colon cancers are similar in that there is a significant decreased incidence when 25-OH-D levels are above 50 ng/ml; and particular when they reach 80 ng/ml.

As I speak on the "Power of Nutritional Supplementation," both in lectures and on my audio CD, I suggest that among other nutrients, when one considers there are so many potential health benefits to be obtained from nutritional supplementation of specific vitamins, let alone a full-range of quality supplements, with virtually no toxic effects, I have to ask why would anyone wait to supplement?

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease Associated with Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of both ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. Supplementation also helps control blood pressure, it influences parathyroid hormone levels, influences the function of heart muscle, and plays a role in reduction of inflammation and calcification of blood vessels, thus helping to reduce atherosclerosis.

The risk for heart disease is particularly high when 25-OH-D blood levels are below 15 ng/ml. With 25-OH-D levels above 30 ng/ml cardiac benefits may possibly be significant. Obviously, more studies are needed to draw conclusions about this vitamin's role in maintaining and/or reducing cardiovascular disease, but once again, I can only say that there is now enough evidence when taken as a whole, for everyone to consider supplementing with adequate doses of this all-important vitamin for any or "all" of the potential health benefits.

Reduced Risk of Influenza with Vitamin D

It is well established that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections. Children who have been found to have the lowest 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood levels are 11 times more likely to develop respiratory infections. I have been asked about the safety and effectiveness of children supplementing with this vitamin. One can only look to clinical information. Children with recurrent respiratory infections have been given as high a dose as 60,000 IU of vitamin D3 (the active form) each week (for six weeks), and found to have not one such infection for the following 6 months!

Many people suffer and die from influenza, or the "flu." They don't die of the viral infection per se, as much as they die from the body's over-reaction. The influenza virus causes an uncontrolled over-production of inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, vitamin D turns down this process by "down regulating" the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Actually, the pro-inflammatory cytokine process is the same inflammatory process that occurs in chronic disease, such as inflammation of arteries in atherosclerosis, inflammation in arthritis, damage to neurons, and inflammation and damage caused by cancer cells and by the aging process itself.

Think about the possibilities of reducing inflammation, by down regulating cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, etc.) and thus reducing the incidence and progression of many chronic degenerative diseases, including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, diabetes, respiratory infections, liver and kidney disease, and the aging process itself!

Regarding vitamin D (really a hormone) and the protection of respiratory infections and influenza, in addition to the down regulation of inflammatory cytokines, this unique hormone also up-regulates the expression of anti-microbial peptides in immune cells. Anti-microbial peptides damage the outer lipid membranes of influenza viruses, bacteria, and fungi allowing the white blood cells (macrophages) from the immune system to eliminate them from the body.

I suggest that adults and children supplement with much higher doses than what was has been traditionally recommended to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections and help support the immune system, particularly during winter months when exposure to sunlight is decreased.

Vitmain D May Help Reduce the Risk of Complications of Pregnancy

Maintaining health during pregnancy is a chief concern of mine because it is critical that women get proper cellular nutrition throughout their pregnancies. Optimal supplementation should take place before a woman even knows she's pregnant. This is one reason why I recommend all women of child-bearing age be on a full-spectrum of quality nutritional supplements. Now, with recent information about the benefits of vitamin D during pregnancy, the amount of vitamin D in prenatal vitamins is quite inadequate,...at least in my opinion.

Vitamin D plays a key role for calcium metabolism during pregnancy and development in order to prevent infantile rickets and adult osteomalacia. During pregnancy, calcium demands rapidly increase, particularly in the third trimester. Because of this, vitamin D, which is required for calcium incorporation into the bones becomes crucial for proper skeletal growth and optimal maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite widespread use of prenatal vitamins containing what is thought to be "adequate" doses of vitamin D, there is still a vitamin D deficiency epidemic among pregnant and lactating women.

It is even more important that a pregnant woman have optimal vitamin D blood levels than a non-pregnant woman, as her baby's health depends on it,...not only during fetal life, but during the next two decades of that baby's life!

Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy and infancy are associated with maternal preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, neonatal low birth weight and hypocalcemia, poor postnatal growth, bone fragility, and increased incidence of autoimmune diseases and asthma of the child.

During pregnancy a minimum blood level of vitamin D (25-hydroxyVitamin D) should be at least 32 ng/ml or greater; and optimally closer to 50 ng/ml. In order to achieve and maintain 25-hydroxvitamin D serum levels at 32 - 50 ng/ml, I suggest that pregnant and lactating women would possibly need to supplement with a dose between 2000 and 4000 IU/day of vitamin D3 per day, which is both safe and effective. Of course, this is beyond the level found in all prenatal vitamins.

Childhood Asthma Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency

The asthma epidemic may be explained in part by the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. There is a direct correlation between low serum vitamin D levels and higher risks for asthma exacerbations. Vitamin D plays a role in fetal lung growth and development. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that higher prenatal vitamin D intake has a protective role against wheezing illnesses in children. Vitamin D may protect against wheezing illnesses through its multiple immune effects as discussed above. In addition, vitamin D may play a therapeutic role among asthmatics from becoming steroid resistant.

Above I indicated that vitamin D plays an important role in reducing the risk of respiratory infections. In children, and adults for that matter, with asthma, supplementation with high dose vitamin D is of even more importance, as a respiratory infection can trigger attack.

Measuring Your Vitamin D Status

The question on most people's mind is, "How much vitamin D is the right dose?" The best way to know one's "correct" dose is to know your 25-hydroxyVitamin D blood level. This is the metabolically-active form of vitamin D, and is also known as calcidiol. It is abbreviated as 25-OH-D. In the past, "adequate" blood levels were set to prevent rickets and then osteoporosis. The myriad benefits and safety of vitamin D is coming to light.

Most laboratories have a normal reference range for 25-OH-D of 32 - 100 ng/ml. After studying what many of the experts in the field of vitamin D deficiency treatment have recommended, it varying widely, I am in line with suggesting that one's "optimal" serum 25-OH-D level should be between 50 - 80 ng/ml.

What Dose of Vitamin D is Optimal?

The vitamin D dose required to attain a serum level range of 50 - 80 ng/ml will vary from person to person, mostly based upon body mass (weight) and sun exposure. Although this will vary considerably, a 150 lb person who supplements with 2000 IU of vitamin D per day may attain blood level range of 25-OH-D between 30 and 45 ng/ml, depending upon sun exposure. In my experience, it seems that this same person may need to take 4000 IU/day, or more, to attain optimal blood levels between 50 and 80 ng/ml.

Again, from my experience, and it this will vary widely. A person who weighs 225 lbs. may require a dose of 10,000 IU/day to maintain 25-hydroxyVitamin D blood serum levels between 50 and 80 ng/ml. A person's true dose can only be determined by blood tests and titration (adjustments based upon the blood tests).

My suggestion would be to start with vitamin D at either 4000 to 6000 IU/day, depending upon your weight; or you may safely opt to take 10,000 IU/day, and then have your 25-OH-D blood level tested about 6 to 8 weeks later. Your optimal blood level target range for optimal health is 50 - 80 ng/ml. Therefore, once you know your blood level, you may adjust your daily vitamin D intake accordingly.

Are High Doses of Vitamin D Safe?

Is long-term "high dose" of vitamin D3 safe? There may be concern that high doses of vitamin D may elevate serum calcium levels and cause kidney stones in those at risk. There was a study in which vitamin D deficient patients received either a single oral, or a single intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU of vitamin D and followed for 12 weeks. During the 12 weeks not one person had elevated levels of serum calcium (or hypercalcemia).

This doesn't mean that chronic super high doses of vitamin D will not raise blood calcium levels; however, there are no credible reports of vitamin D toxicity with chronic daily vitamin D3 supplementation up to 10,000 IU/day, including elevation of blood calcium. In fact, many vitamin D expert clinicians are routinely recommending doses well above 10,000 IU/day. Hypercalcemia (an elevated serum calcium level) is only observed with synthetic vitamin D analogues, such as calcitriol.

Since it is safe for most people to supplement with vitamin D with doses as high as 10,000 IU/day (and possibly higher) without concern, my recommendation of a starting dose between 4000 - 6000 IU/day is quite conservative.

Are there Contraindications for High-Dose Vitamin D?

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the main contraindication. Also, high dose vitamin D3 supplementation may cause elevation of serum calcium levels in patients with sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or lymphoma. Therefore, in such cases, patients dosing with levels above 2000 IU per day should do so only with caution AND under the care and direction of a physician.

One Last Word: Maintain Proper Ratios and Balance of Vitamins

Vitamin D3 is obviously safe. It has been underestimated as an important vitamin for many decades for maintaining optimal health at least, and possibly for reducing the risk of many chronic diseases if boosted to optimal blood levels. However, as will all vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, or any other nutrient, vitamin D should be taken in balance! All nutrients should be used to supplement a healthy diet, and used in conjunction with exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Balance and proper ratios of nutrients are critical, as in the case of vitamin D with vitamin A. Vitamin A can neutralize the beneficial effects of vitamin D. In addition, many people are aware that high doses of vitamin A can be toxic to the liver and cause birth defects. However, most are not aware that vitamin A and vitamin D compete for each other's function in the body. Supplementing with excess amounts of vitamin A can suppress the important cancer-fighting effects of vitamin D.

Most multivitamin preparations contain vit A. Vitamin A (or pre-formed vitamin A) is different from pro-vitamin A, or beta-carotene. Beta-carotene does not interfere with vitamin D. Nor is beta-carotene associated with birth defects or liver problems.

Therefore, in choosing a quality, broad spectrum supplement brand, it is my suggestion to choose one that provides beta-carotene (a.k.a. "pro-vitamin A"), not vitamin A. This is just one of many criteria in choosing a quality supplement brand. As it relates to this article, choose a supplement that provides a daily dose of vitamin D3 of at least 2000 IU/day,...and consider taking at least 4000 IU/day and having your blood tested to achieve the target range of 50 - 80 ng/ml.

We should never rely on one vitamin, juice, or magic potion to cure all our problems. However, we should not ignore the ever-emerging evidence and promise that science is uncovering of the benefits nature has to offer in helping us to maintain optimal health.

I am a major proponent of using a broad spectrum of high quality vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids at proper doses and balance, along with healthy eating and proper lifestyle. I do not claim that all the answers are found in one vitamin or antioxidant, but many of the answers to optimal health are found in the synergistic action of the blend and balance of the fullest range of supplementation we are willing to incorporate into our lives.

Andrea Yates and Post Partum Depression

Can postpartum depression become so invasive as to cause a mother to kill her children? Since this very rarely happens, many scoff at the prospect. Interestingly enough, postpartum psychosis was first recognized as a disorder as far back as 1850. According to Pregnancy Infonet, (2007), studies on the rates of the disorder have shown that the number of women experiencing postpartum psychosis hasn't changed since the mid 1800s. Expert psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral scientists are discovering that postpartum depression can, if not treated promptly and properly over an extended period of time most definitely can escalate to psychosis. Doctor statements and evaluations, insufficient treatment, and failed suicides are things that must be considered in determining Andrea Yates mental defect at the time of her crime.

It has been argued that due to some of Yates' logical and thought out actions that these prove she was sane at the time of the incident. The fact that, on two occasions she refused medication and on another occasion she stopped taking her medication. The fact that she had done a "practice run" of filling up the bathtub and, individually tracked her children down and drug them to their death are all arguments that are being touted as evidence that she had full knowledge of what she was doing.

To understand the concept of Postpartum depression and Postpartum psychosis, one must first realize that the two illnesses are not synonymous. Postpartum depression is described as something that can start at anytime within one year of birth. There is usually sadness, common after such an ordeal as birth, and of course a loss of energy, also a common thing after giving birth. Sometimes there will be a bout with the inability to concentrate, especially for first time mothers and along with that, anxiety about motherhood. All these are symptoms of postpartum depression. Not every woman experiences these and some may experience only a few of them. However, these symptoms are quite different than those of postpartum psychosis. Catherine Roca, (April, 2005)

Dr. Dan Williams, Psy.D., PA-C, "Peace and Healing", (2006), describes post partum psychosis as "very rare". He goes on to say that "It is characterized by homicidal and suicidal impulses, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized and bizarre thinking." Dr. Williams goes on to further describe some of the consistent characteristics of one who suffers postpartum psychosis.

"The dilemma is that these individuals usually refuse treatment. This is a medical emergency situation. If post-partum psychosis is suspected, families need to call 911 as emergency intervention is necessary. Medication most likely will be prescribed. The ultimate goal is to keep the baby and mother safe." "Peace and Healing", (2006)

Yates was first diagnosed July 21, 1999 as having severe major depression by Eileen Starbranch, MD. This diagnoses, came after her attempted suicides. During her week stay at Methodist Hospital Psychiatric Unit, she was diagnosed as having severe major depressive disorder, recurrent with psychotic features. Additional problems diagnosed were social withdrawal and minimal verbal communications. It was during this psychological evaluation that Andrea Yates admitted to having thoughts of hurting herself or someone else.

Eileen Starbranch, MD, Court TV, Psychiatric Evaluation July (1999) On August 5, 1999, Dr. Starbranch along with Dr. Arturo Rics, M.D., had a consultation regarding continued care of Andrea. The findings of this consultation revealed that the onset of her depression began about six week prior along with symptoms of psychosis. Much of the documentation that was reviewed by both physicians indicated that Andrea remained reclusive, guarded and still had a persistent, depressed mood. Eventually Andrea did respond to some degree to her medication but was warned by Dr. Starbranch not to have another child as this could bring on another psychotic episode.

Dr. Arturo Rics, M.D., Dr. Starbranch, MD, Methodist Hospital Psychiatric Center July (1999) Another psychiatrist, Dr. Melissa R. Ferguson, former medical director of psychiatric services at the Harris County Jail, gave testimony that in her opinion, Yates was suffering from psychosis. According to Dr. Ferguson, Yates told her she believed that the cartoon characters on television were telling her how bad she was for giving her children "too much candy and cereal". Ferguson also testified that she believed that Andrea was incapable of understanding the consequences of what she did. Dr. Milissa, Former Director, Harris County Jail.

Andrea Yates had all the classic symptoms of post partum psychosis. Even though medication was administered, there was little supervision to ensure that she followed doctor's orders. Her hospital stays were short and therefore not effective in a medically supervised environment assuring that at best the possibility of her harming herself or others was sufficiently minimized.

There is absolutely do doubt in anyone's mind that Andrea Yates did in fact drown her children in a bathtub. There is no doubt that the "how" was too horrible to fathom. Because of the rarity of this condition and its horrendous results if not treated, many Americans, particular women, will judge women like Andrea Yates without compassion for the suffer or the effort to learn and understand the illness. What those individuals should realize is that by understanding this catastrophic illness, it in no way condones the actions done as a result of that illness.

In conclusion, the state of Texas is to be applauded in its efforts to recognize this rare, yet debilitating and extremely dangerous illness. The Andrea Yates bill became affective September 3, 2003 and it states the following:

"Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious disorder, each year affecting 10% to 15% of women who have delivered children. This disorder, despite its high prevalence, often goes undetected and untreated. In an attempt to address this public health problem, the State of Texas has enacted legislation, House Bill 341 (also known as the "Andrea Yates Bill"), which went into effect on September 1, 2003. This law requires healthcare providers who treat pregnant women to provide them with resource information regarding counseling for postpartum depression and other emotional traumas associated with pregnancy and parenting."
Blue Corss/Blue Shield of TexasPostpartum Depression and House Bill 341

References:

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas; Postpartum Depression and House Bill 341

(2007) Retrieved on September 9, 2007 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.bcbstx.com/provider/postpartum.htm

Ferguson, Dr. Melissa R. Former

Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at the Harris County Jail. Retrieved on September 8, 2007
from the World Wide Web: http://crime.about.com/b/a/257021.htm

Roca, Catherine , Chief, Women's Programs, (2005) Depression During and After Pregnancy

National Institute of Mental Health, (April 2005). Retrieved on September 7, 2007 from the World
Wide Web: [http://www.4woman.gov/faq/postpartum.htm#5]

The Pregnancy-Info Team, Postpartum Psychosis (2007) Retrieved on September 7, 2007 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/postpartum_psychosis.html

Starbranch, Eileen, M.D. Court TV

Retrieved on September 9, 2007 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.courttv.com/trials/yates/docs/gifs/psychiatric6.gif

Williams, Dan Psy.D., PA-C, (2006) Peace and Healing.

Retrieved on September 7, 2007 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.peaceandhealing.com/psychosis/postpartum.asp

Postnatal 'Confinement' Food Part 1

During pregnancy, the baby is like a parasite and will take all the nutrients that he requires from you. If your diet is sufficient in nutrients for both, it does not cause any problems. If on the other hand your diet is insufficient for both, then your recovery after the birth will take longer and if you still do not replenish your body stores during the confinement period, you may remain weak for a long time. This is probably why our elders make such a lot of fuss about eating well during the confinement period.

Wherever you are in the world, everyone will try and tell you what to eat and if possible how to eat it. The most important thing to do is follow your own body's needs. Whatever you eat, do make sure that you have a good balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and water in every meal.

Just remember the following pointers:

1. If you are breast feeding whatever you eat will be transferred to your baby via your breast milk therefore it is important that you eat a balanced diet so that your baby will get the right nutrients for optimum growth and development.

2. Some food does cause the baby to become 'windy' or have loose stools. If you find that your baby is suddenly quite unsettled, try and think of what you ate during the last 12 hours. Avoid that food for a few days and then try again. If the same happens again, then you should avoid that particular food for a while and re-introduce it into your diet by taking a very small amount and see how baby reacts then slowly increase the amount so that baby gets used to the food.

3. You may find that your appetite is slightly low especially during the first week. This is normal as your body is readjusting to its non-pregnant state both physically and mentally therefore it is better to have small frequent meals instead of the normal 3 big meals a day.

4. You need to drink plenty of fluids in order to make sufficient breast milk and if you are forbidden to drink water, you can get the amount of fluid from other sources such as soup.

So what should you eat?

Most Eastern cultures believe that your body is cold after delivery therefore you should avoid cooling or cold food but eat a lot of yang or 'heaty' food to warm the body up. However, if you are normally a yang person, eating too much 'heaty' food may cause rashes and fever. In this case it would be better to reduce the amount of 'heaty' food and eat more neutral food. If you are normally a Yin person, you should not have any problems eating 'heaty' food (lucky devils). The following table gives you a quick review of the types of food to eat or avoid.

Types of food to avoid

'Cooling food' for example: banana, cabbage, cucumber, coconut and Chinese cabbage
Contribute to mother's poor blood circulation and stomach ache in the baby if you are breastfeeding. Salt as a condiment and salty foods in general are to be rejected, too, in the belief that use reduces breast milk production

'Acidic food' for example: pineapple, mango, lemon, lime
Contribute to excessive lochia in the mother and diarrhea in the baby.

Too much 'Heaty food' for example: chilli, pepper, spices, tonics, spirits and medicines.
Contribute to diarrhea in the baby and maternal headaches

'Windy food' for example: jackfruit, tapioca, pumpkin, onions.
Contribute to baby being colicky and may cause indigestion for mother and baby.

Poisonous food such as prawns, shellfish, crab, eel, ginger
Delay healing of the mother's wound and may cause allergies and eczema in the baby. These foods may cause stomach upsets and vomiting

Type of food recommended

To improve milk production

Chicken, squid, clams (small varieties), fish (especially carp), millet, mutton, pork, rice wine, sea slug, soybean milk mixed with powdered walnuts, wheat cakes, wheat noodles with egg, green papaya

To provide strength to the mother so she recovers quickly from the exertion of labor.
Chicken, frog, Panax ginseng, licorice extract and razor clam

What you eat also depends on what you believe in and who cooks for you. If it is your mother or MIL you may not have many choices. I have seen women quarrelling and not talking to each other because of this issue. Try and work out a compromise which is acceptable to both parties. Use a persuasive and logical approach instead of confrontation.

Prevention of Stretch Marks During Pregnancy - 5 Ways to Prevent Stretch Marks

Women who have undergone childbirth usually have stretch marks. It is expected in a pregnant woman that along with nausea, morning sickness, mood swings, and other pregnancy discomforts, development of stretch marks is of great possibility. These red lines usually appear in your belly during the latter part of your pregnancy usually during the 7th or 8th months. But, do not stop there, for there is also great chance that the marks will develop in areas that tend to get larger during pregnancy, such areas are the thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms. Try to check these areas and you will see! But, it also depends on your weight gain and genetic history and whether or not you make efforts to prevent such.

Beating the odds against stretch marks and preventing them from developing is not difficult nowadays. There are a lot of stretch mark removal products that can effectively remove them. But as scientist argue as to the prevention, it is contended that one thing is absolutely certain- that is, genetics do play a role in determining whether or not you are prompt to getting such. Meaning, you are more likely to get them yourself when your mother had stretch marks during her pregnancy. However, there are ways that you can limit the possibility of getting them. Here are some guidelines that could help you:

1. Eat a healthy and balance diet that keeps your weight gain within the recommended range. The healthy foods that you are eating are vital for the development of the baby, and it also contributes to the health and strength of your skin.

2. Massage the areas where there are stretch marks and to areas that you feel they are likely to appear because this will help increase the circulation of blood in those areas.

3. Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin. It is also important to the baby and it is critical to the health of the skin.

4. Take your vitamins. Vitamins are helpful to the development of your baby and to your skin!

5. Apply moisturizer to your skin, before and after giving birth, because this serves as the supplement (or you may say "food") of your skin. There are products created out of natural vitamins and oils which will help enhance collagen production in the dermis, and will repair the damage of the extreme stretching. You can buy these products in the internet.

Remember that you must take care of yourself in the postnatal period as well because weight loss can make your skin susceptible to stretch marks again. Also, you must keep yourself strong to cope with stresses from childbirth and the duties of motherhood.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes for a healthy baby!

Sibour's Homemade Incubator - How Safe Is This Medical Equipment for Newborn Babies?

Babies apparently need to stay inside the mother's womb for an average of 9 months or about 37 weeks. But due to some reasons, expected mothers especially pregnant teenagers would give birth before time. Based on studies, infants who were born prior to 37 weeks pregnancy or premature babies are usually at risk to variety of medical problems at the same time has greater possibility to the die in the initial year of life. It is because many of their organs are still in the developing stage and not yet ready for the environment outside the womb. This is also the reason why incubators are very essential to preterm birth babies.

The said medical equipment has the capacity to maintain the same warmth, humidity as with the atmosphere inside the mother's womb. It also helps in maintaining the right amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen content at the same time allows enter of food and administration of medicines, which are all essential in the growth of newborn babies' organs until they become mature enough to adapt the environment outside the womb or the postnatal survival. Lastly, neonatal incubator is designed to limit the exposure of premature babies to germs that might cause infection. But recently, a traditional birth attendant and herbalist from Kenya named Alice Sibour was featured in CNN because of its invented ways of caring newborn babies. One thing in her clinic that caught attention to many people her own version of incubator, which is based on report helps premature babies of Mathare slum. The neonatal medical equipment that Sibour did basically needs pillows to serve as mattress, blankets to wrap the baby, two small containers of hot water to be placed underneath the bed, a mosquito net to cover the entire bed.

Sibour's home-produced medical equipment for neonatal incubation is probably the best solution in order for preterm birth children survive especially if they are living in countries wherein access to healthcare service is very limited, just like in Kenya. But if this medical equipment for incubation will be carefully inspected, many health specialists for sure will have doubt about its capability to control contamination. In the first place, mosquito net is not enough to trap all airborne particles that would cause infection. The said device also lacks the ability to maintain oxygenation that is par with the mother's womb. Moreover, it is already stated that the purpose of incubating a premature baby is to provide the same amount of heat that they acquire while inside the mother's womb. The said warmth is very essential for the development of their organs. With that two small containers of hot water placed underneath the bed, its capacity to provide heat greater than the core body temperature (37.5 degrees Celsius) is obviously questionable.

10 Top Tips To Get Rid Of Tummy Fat Fast

Ever wondered why it is so hard to lose weight, shape up and get rid of that unwanted tummy fat? Do you feel self-conscious, frustrated and unsure how to get back in shape? Then check out my 10 helpful tips to get rid of tummy fat fast.

1. Correct Nutrition - This may sound all too familiar, but a balanced diet, with enough fresh fruit, vegetables, carbohydrate and protein is critical for good health and weight management. Yet so often, when fat-fighting with fad diets it's all too easy to lose sight of the nutrition basics that really work. You can lose stomach fat healthily - just by eating the right foods more often.

2. Body Shape - Women's bodies vary enormously and come in every size and shape. What's important, however, is recognising and accepting your inherent shape, then toning to target problem areas. You can't alter your fundamental body shape, but you can get rid of tummy fat and hone the wobbly bits, feeling better about your body all round - you can make significant improvements to your silhouette. Consider these three archetypal shapes: apple, pear and runner bean. One way to ascertain which you are, if you're not already aware, is to ask yourself which areas of your body are most difficult to spot-reduce - tell-tale areas include the backs of the arms, cellulite on the thighs and bottom (pear), chubby tummy fat and waist (apple) or, for the runner bean, a lack of curves.

3. Power Walking - Get rid of tummy fat through power walking - this helps to melt away unwanted fat as it raises your metabolic rate, boosting your body's calorie-burning potential. Start by power walking for 20 minutes at a time, three times a week. And remember, the more you walk, the more energy you'll have. All you need to do is plan your route then get started - and believe me, once you get going, you'll love the stimulus to your mind and body.

4. Age - The reason you may find it harder to get rid of tummy fat as you get older is down to changes in your basal metabolic rate (bmr). This drops by 2 per cent for every decade of your life. Also, you lose 3.2kg (7lb) of lean body mass with every decade, which is replaced by fat. Therefore, as you get older you need to change what you do to stay fit, slim and toned - you need to do more exercise to turn back the clock.

5. Surgery - Abdominoplasty, or simply, a tummy tuck, is getting popular nowadays. A lot of people want to get that perfect abs without the effort. If you want to undergo such a procedure, it is important that you consult and discuss with a medical expert what you can expect during and after the procedure.

6. Exercises - Apart from doing cardio for 20 to 30 minutes a day to burn calories, tummy exercises will increase the number of calories you burn away. When you are in better shape, you will feel stronger, and are able to exercise more intensely for longer periods of time, thus increasing your tummy fat-burning capabilities. Incorporating tummy exercises, such as sit-ups and crunches, to your basic cardio regimen will help strengthen your core. A stronger core, or midsection, will help you to build lean muscle mass. It is this lean muscle that helps you losing tummy fat faster.

7. Sleep - Recent studies have shown that if you're sleep deprived, you're less likely to reduce weight. Lack of sleep affects the hormones that control appetite, making you hungry. Studies have shown that, on average, people who are overweight are those who tend to get the least amount of sleep. Health professionals recommend around 8 hours a night.

8. Attitude - In the willpower culture of sport and fitness, the influence of our emotional patterns can often be neglected. We can be guilty of sabotaging our own efforts because it is easier to put other people first or because we lack confidence in ourselves. It's therefore vital to care for your emotions as you would care for your body - allow yourself time for goal-setting and make sure you reward your efforts.

9. Postnatal - Getting rid of tummy fat and into shape after having a baby need not be a struggle, even when time for yourself and sleep are limited. Postnatal exercises benefit your mind and body, promoting better posture, less muscle tension, more relaxation and, above all, abdominal muscle tone. There are a lot of people who have been keeping a flat tummy all their life and enjoy a slim profile. But in times of pregnancy, your body figure can drastically change, making it harder to lose stomach fat. How can you prevent the pregnant tummy look and lose tummy fat after giving birth? Pregnancy is a very sensitive stage in a woman's life, therefore it is important to consult your doctor frequently and ask them if you can do a certain exercise and until what stage of your pregnancy you can do so. If you would like to know more, I have also reviewed The Fit Yummy Mummy system for losing tummy fat after having kids, which you may find interesting and helpful.

10. Equipment - Plan for working out and losing tummy fat by gathering the clothes and gear you need to help you feel motivated and look good. Getting organised in advance helps to reconfirm your commitment to yourself and increases the chances that you will get rid of tummy fat and to keep it off.

Postpartum Depression and Hormone Imbalance

With so many changes occurring in a woman's body during and after pregnancy, it is common to find that hormones can be out of balance. Quite a bit of strain is put on the body following ovulation and conception, and right on through pregnancy and delivery. Of course there are the outward physical changes, as the body accommodates the growing child and finally ushers it out into the world, but there are also effects that are not as immediately, outwardly observable. These can cause physical discomfort, and even contribute to mental and spiritual effects - such as postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression affects around 15% of new mothers - that means an unfortunately high likelihood that a woman who has recently given birth may find herself suffering from the condition. If left untreated, it can be severe, going as far as to include suicidal thoughts and neglect or even physical harm to the child. It is important to monitor both mother and child after birth to safeguard their health and well-being. If any severe or persistent changes for the worse are noticed in behavior or mood, it is a good idea to enlist the help of a health care practitioner.

Often, the impulse is to treat the symptoms of postpartum depression. "The mother is feeling depressed, so of course we should give her anti-depressants," the thinking goes. The trouble with this approach, however, is that it does not really address the underlying causes of the condition. One such factor can be hormone imbalance.

During and after pregnancy and childbirth, a mother's hormones can been thrown out of balance. The body is normally capable of re-balancing on its own, but where this is not happening, there are natural nutritional and hormonal remedies that can be used to gently restore balance. Whatever course of action you choose, the most important thing is to get help with any symptoms of postpartum depression as soon as you notice them.

It sometimes takes months for the body to return to normal and begin the ovulation cycle again. Helping the body through this period can ease the stresses - physical, mental and emotional. While most cases of postpartum depression can be treated quickly and easily, there are some times when it can be a very dangerous condition. Keeping a close watch on mother and child to ensure both are happy and healthy is an important part of welcoming the newest family member. The key is to be aware of any persistent symptoms and seek help in treating them early - it is always best to enlist the help of an expert.

Postpartum Blues - When a Mother Wants to Kill Her Own Baby

Generally, a mother has a great and unlimited love to be given to her baby. But this condition could be changed if the mother has Postpartum Blues disorder. This disorder leads a mother to have an idea to kill her own baby. How come?

Postpartum Blues disorder is a psychological problem after delivery process such as anxiety, unstable emotion, and depression. Therefore, this disorder belongs to depression category. The symptoms might occur in four week or even a year after the baby born because of the changes of the hormone as well as the changes in the life of the mother.

Some researches show that 50-70% numbers of mothers are estimated to have the initial symptoms of this depression. However, these symptoms could be coped with right support of the family member and also right adaptation process. There are several causes why a mother is having this disorder. They are:

1. Depression or anxiety disorder before the pregnancy.
2. There are some stressful-events happened to the mother during her pregnancy, such as losing her husband.
3. The baby born in an unexpected condition, such as having disease or having physical defect.
4. The delivery process happens in young mother, especially less than 20 years old.
5. The mother is an alcohol or drugs addict.
6. The mother gets less support of the family, husband or friends, or sometimes bad communication with them.
7. Economical problem related to the baby care.
8. The mother got less nurture of her parent in her childhood.
9. The mother has an idea to commit suicide during the pregnancy.

Up to this day, Postpartum Blues disorder is diagnosed only based on the occurred symptoms. The psychiatrists or doctors are often concluded that a mother might have this certain depression when several criteria of the symptoms have showed.

Then what are the general symptoms of this disorder? It is rather similar with the symptoms of depression. They are:

1. The mother has negative feeling to her baby, including has an idea to kill it.
2. Difficulty in sleeping.
3. Extreme changes in the weight of the mother.
4. The mother is often in fatigue and weak condition.
5. Guilty feeling, useless feeling, or sometimes hatred feeling to herself.
6. She could not have any concentration even to small stuffs.
7. She stays away from the social life or even loses interest to have social relationship.
8. Has a pessimistic feeling as well as planning or trying to commit suicide.

Definitely, you do not want any member of your family to have this disorder, right? For this reason, it is very important to give supports and care to your wife, your mother, your sister, or even your friends when they are pregnant. By you support and care, both of the mother and the baby will be having a very good life.

Postpartum Hair Loss - How To Stop Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Postpartum hair loss is what is commonly known as post pregnancy hair loss which this can last from six to twelve months after childbirth. There are several things you can do to Stop Hair Loss After Pregnancy.

Have your doctor check you out to ensure that you are no longer experiencing hormonal imbalance. If the hormonal imbalances continues after childbirth, you might be experiencing other types of medical conditions which could have occurred during pregnancy and extend thereafter like thyroid disorder in pregnancy.

If you are given a clean bill of health, you should start on a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables high in antioxidants, helping you to enhance hair growth and strengthening the follicles.

Intake of the right amount of supplements in terms of vitamins and minerals is an important part of the regimen. You may wish to continue taking prenatal vitamins as the chemical components of zinc, vitamin H, silica and calcium can help enhance hair growth. Fish oils containing omega, flaxseed oil, avocados and nuts can also help with the hair growth.

Scalp acupuncture and massage is also effective in stimulating the blood flow through the scalp and hair follicles. You may do the massage yourself or us a bristle brush. Be careful not to rip the remaining amounts of your hair.

Create a soothing, safe, healthy and happy environment at home to avoid emotional trauma and postnatal depression as this will give rise to more stress and hence intensify your postpartum hair loss.

As you trying to coax new hair to grow, never use harsh chemicals on your hair or scalp and this include thick moisturizing creams, harsh shampoos, hair coloring and highlights etc. Avoid using strong hair dryers, heated curlers just in case you might further aggravate hair loss.

While you may not be able to totally stop hair loss after pregnancy, there are some things you can do to camouflage it. Trying different hair styles or going for a shorter crop enables easy hair management and can in fact stimulate hair growth to a certain extent. You might wan to use headbands which can easily cover up certain areas, especially along the hairline or higher.

Always remember, post pregnancy hair loss is temporary and you will have a full-grown head of crowning glory again very soon, especially if you do not fuss over it every moment of the time. Anxiety and stress can affect it growth too.

Health Issues With Fast Food

Do health issues with fast food even matter?

There are plenty of people consuming junk food right now well aware of what's in it and what it will do to their health and body. I think a lot of people forget this. Some people completely bypass the health issues with fast food and just eat it.

So why do they do it? They like the fast food. Sometimes they like the junk food more than they care about their health.

Two major reasons for health issues not stopping people from buying fast food are chemicals and the environment.

There are Chemicals put in the food to make sure you come back to eat more, chemicals that are highly addictive. One example of this is high fructose corn syrup, which isn't only put in sugary foods, but actually many foods you wouldn't even think of!

The Second issue is environment.

By environment, I mean the environment some of these businesses create within their business. For example, not to pick on only them, but McDonalds has play places for children, televisions (in some) for adults, and large seating areas.

The McDonalds in my area actually compares to a restaurant. It has fancy lighting and very comfortable seats and so on.

Additionally, for some, taking the kids out to eat is the only family time they can actually get. It's the only environment where there is a lack of stress (sans dietary/chemical). I can really sympathize with this although it's on the sad side. I believe anyone can recreate their life to the point where they are able to provide a positive and nourishing environment for not only themselves, but also those they care about.

The point I am trying to make is that junk food isn't only about the taste of the food. There are many underlying reasons for why you or someone else eats it.

The solution is simple.

These companies are just satisfying the demand. As long as the American people and the people of this world demand fast food, it will be served. But if you take a stand, and demand healthy food, and demand that they improve their business, their service, they must.

The number one goal of a corporation is to make a profit. If the demand is for healthy food, it will be satisfied.