The Winterton and Cumberlege Reports

During the Parliamentary Session of 1991-1992, the Health Committee of the House of Commons conducted an investigation into Maternity Services in the United Kingdom. Under the chairmanship of Nicholas Winterton, MP, the Committee heard the views of midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, GPs, health and social services administrators, dieticians and neonatal nurses. Most importantly, the Committee also listened to many women who spoke about their own experiences of the maternity services or who represented other women who had used or would use them in the future. Representatives of The National Childbirth Trust, the Maternity Alliance, the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society and the Society for Support after Termination for Abnormality spoke at length to the Committee about the kind of care they felt women wanted during pregnancy, when they were in labour and in the early days and months of parenthood. A 130-page summary of the Committee's findings was published at the beginning of 1992. It stressed repeatedly that health professionals should not presume to know what is best for any individual woman, but confine themselves to the task - a very important one - of providing information to help women make their own decisions about the kind of care they want. The Health Committee stated that midwives should be the key professionals to care for the vast majority of women who have perfectly normal pregnancies and births and that obstetricians should only look after the few women who have complicated pregnancies. The Committee decided there was no evidence to suggest that home birth is unsafe for healthy women and asked health professionals to ensure that every woman knows she has the right to choose to have her baby at home.

Following the publication of what became known as the Winterton Report, the Government set up an Expert Maternity Group to consider the Report's findings. This group was chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege and published its own Report in 1993 entitled Changing Childbirth. It is a much shorter document than the Winterton Report and far more readable; you should be able to see a copy of it at any central library.

The essence of Changing Childbirth is captured in the three 'Cs': Choice, Control and Continuity:
CHOICE: a woman should be able to choose the type of care which she feels is best for her (for example, home birth or hospital birth; to receive maternity care from midwives or doctors).
CONTROL: she should feel in control of what is happening to her because she is able to participate in decisions about her care.
CONTINUITY: She should be able to get to know a small group of health professionals during her pregnancy who will care for her until a few weeks after her baby is born, rather than having to meet a different professional at every stage of her maternity care.

Changing Childbirth is an exciting and revolutionary document. It constitutes a Bill of Rights for childbearing women. Maternity services are now being planned in accordance with its recommendations and women should soon be able to have more say in their care than they have ever had before.

Choosing Your Maternity Coat

When you think about the length of time that you wear maternity clothes, not just for the length of your pregnancy but also the time after your pregnancy before you return to your normal weight, you will probably need your maternity clothes for nine months at the very least. and you will probably wear your maternity coat for even longer. So make sure when you choose your maternity you go for something that is not only going to look great this season, but is going to look great and keep you warm throughout the year.

The most common mistake pregnant women make when choosing maternity coats is to just buy a standard coat in a bigger size. However, by doing this, you are buying a bigger size over your entire body which can make you look bigger than you actually are and will do nothing to flatter your changing shape. The shape of a good maternity coat actually incorporates your expanding tummy so that you have the space to grow where you need it but is tailored in at other points to actually flatter your shape and keep you looking trim.

For a traditional and very versatile style, opt for a long length trench coat design. Choose one with detail either in the collar area or under the bust and look out for darts and tailoring in the back which will draw the back of your coat in to provide a flattering silhouette and a great shape to your body. Deep dark colours are great for versatility and wearing with any outfit for any occasion, and if you find you need to brighten your coat up, just add a light flowery scarf and you will see the style of your coat transform.

This seasons most popular style is again the puffa jacket. It is soft and comfortable and ideal for wearing all year round. Take care to choose your pre pregnancy size to get a good fit, unless you are carrying twins or have gained more than the standard 30 pounds, at which point you will probably need to go up a dress size. The key with a good puffa jacket is to make sure you get the length just right. A maternity style will be cut a little longer to incorporate your bump as it grows so that the jacket does not ride up and miss the bottom of your back, but there are also puffa coats which cost about the same and can be incredibly flattering for a pregnant physique.

To get the very best value for money, make sure that you shop around for all your maternity clothes. Use internet comparison sites to buy your clothes to make sure you are getting the best value for money and look out for sites which give special offers and voucher codes for discount at major maternity wear retailers.

Whether you opt for your traditional style or try to mix things up when you are pregnant, a good maternity coat is going to complete any maternity outfit and is going to make you look great and keep warm throughout your pregnancy, so start considering your coat today and make sure it is a good one!

Medical Care During Pregnancy

An estimated 4 million American women give birth each year, and about one-third of these women will suffer from some type of complication. Many times, a doctor can detect and deter these problems, which means that prenatal care is very important for both a mother and her unborn baby. When a soon-to-be mother goes to the doctor, she is taking steps to protect both herself and her child.

You can start regular meetings with your doctor before you even get pregnant. If you are wanting to have a baby, you should visit your physician to make sure you are physically ready for pregnancy. This includes testing for diseases that can spread to your baby, like rubella or group B strep. Additionally, if you have a condition like diabetes or hypertension, you can discuss the best way to manage these problems so that you do harm your precious child. Before pregnancy, you can also discuss any hereditary diseases that run in your family.

Once you suspect that you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with your obstetrician two to four weeks after your first missed period. If you have not had previous testing for diseases, this is when doctors will check for any transmittable health problems. He or she will also do blood work, and help you find good prenatal vitamins to nourish both you and your child.

Even if you are healthy and normal, you should visit the doctor every four weeks through the 28th week of pregnancy. This is to check for any problems that may develop as well as to make sure that your child is growing correctly. After the 28th week, you must go every 2 weeks until the 36th week of pregnancy. From there, you should visit every week until delivery. Testing during these routine visits can keep a continuous watch for conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Routine medical care during pregnancy can help prevent health problems in the long run. However, it can be expensive to receive this treatment. In cases like this, you should make sure that you have a good health insurance provider who can help you pay these medical bills. To find the best health insurance plan for you, please contact the California health insurance agents from the Catherine Michaels Insurance Services today.

CFS, Fibromyalgia and Obesity: The Truth about Exercise and Diet

We have now reached a level of obesity in the US, South America, Canada, and throughout Europe which is unprecedented in recorded history.

It is also accepted that the lifestyles we lead are often very high stress.

It is no coincidence that these new peaks of obesity and stress correlate directly with an increase in the occurrence of "modern" or "new" diseases of Western society, including heart disease, the cancers, and others including the rheumatic and fatigue spectrum, specifically in our case Fibromyalgia and CFS.

At least we have moved past the era when debate was so Neolithic as to suggest that these conditions don't really exist or are a subdivision of psychology and now we can concentrate on the science and biology of these diseases and the reality of life and recovery for Fibromyalgia and CFS patients.

Carrying extra weight will exacerbate small anomalies in musculoskeletal balance.

These anomalies in conjunction with a certain genetic predisposition appear to underlie the onset of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in certain individuals, while other individuals who suffer the same initial "trigger" infection, trauma or exposure recover relatively unscathed.

Post-onset, carrying extra weight may cause your condition to be maintained longer and exacerbated more than in patients of normal weight.

The Autonomic Nervous System, damaged by the initial trauma of your condition controls homeostasis, digestion, and the organs of elimination to name but a few of its functions.

The ANS will be under additional stress in individuals who are overweight or clinically obese.

I do appreciate that the last thing you need to hear when you are struck with the early stages of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that you need to lose weight.

In the early stages of the illness weight loss is NOT advised. I advise sufferers to eat a well balanced diet.

At a later stage as overall toxicity reduces, lymphatic flow improves, immunological modulation begins and digestive stress is reduced weight loss strategies can be considered and undertaken.

However due to the causal factors involved in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome it is essential to avoid programs which require strenuous exercise regimes, due to the onset of post-exertional malaise which is a defining feature of Fibromyalgia and CFS pathology.

Any program involving sustained aerobic activity that induces cardiovascular debt or strenuous muscular exertion such as weightlifting, can seriously damage sufferers of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Patients suffering "true" CFS should never attempt to waste what little energy they have on strenuous exercise, whether it be weight bearing, graded, aerobic or anaerobic.

The only energy you should be expending is on your essential daily activities, and relaxing walks or pastimes which will reduce your susceptibility to depression.

What I am about to say I am sure will open a veritable Pandora's Box, well so be it.

My research has lead me firmly to the conclusion that the evidence supporting "graded exercise" as a strategy for CFS and Fibromyalgia treatment is wholly unfounded.

Clinical trials I have investigated which were used as supporting evidence for the use of graded exercise as an establishment response to CFS and Fibromyalgia were deeply flawed as inadequate distinction was made with regards to the actual medical cause of fatigue in these sufferers.

The definition of Chronic Fatigue was basically that a subject should have suffered pronounced fatigue for 6 months or more.

From our own research we all know that there are a thousand and one different causes of long term fatigue. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being just one of these.

Similarly it is a recognized fact that patients diagnosed with mild, post-natal, or clinical depression and/or Seasonal Affective Disorder often respond well to graded exercise regimes, particularly if undertaken outdoors in daylight.

Not only does graded exercise improve stamina via increased RBC production and oxygen uptake, it provides a lux (unit of light) boost in SAD sufferers, and provides a new purpose and routine to depressed patients.

Exercise also produces endorphins which help to boost and modulate brain chemistry with respect to serotonin and dopamine balance.

Naturally, it stands to reason that all these factors will benefit patients with fatigue of DEPRESSIVE origin.

However, damage to the Autonomic Nervous System in patients with "true" Fibromyalgia and CFS mean that energy production via the Sympathetic Nervous System in response to exercise is impaired.

More importantly, removal of toxins and lactic acid produced by the muscles in response to exercise via the lymphatic and venous systems is seriously compromised and as a result causes toxic overload and rapid symptomatic decline after exercise.

This results in the "post-exertional malaise" that Fibromyalgia and CFS sufferers who have attempted an exercise regime WILL have experienced.

A cruel twist in the tale which has lead the establishment down the psychological path so many times is that often the most obvious physical sign of illness in Fibromyalgia and CFS patients is that they are suffering depression.

It is only now being acknowledged by the establishment that patients with these syndromes display depression as an environmental CONSEQUENCE of living with their illness.

It is NOT THE CAUSE as is so often dictated by well-meaning healthcare providers.

I am putting together a manual of dietary advice which I will be posting soon, but in the meantime I recommend a diet that is balanced and safe, rich in nutrients and will produce sustainable results with regards to maintaining or reducing your weight while you are still in the recuperative phase of a chronic disease.

I do admit reservations about recommending calorific restrictions but our illness is not caused by a lack of calories, and excessive consumption due to depression or comfort eating will only serve to overload organs which are already disturbed and congested.

From a dietary perspective, I advise a pretty standard protocol:

o Eat 5 or more portions of fresh, raw fruit and lightly boiled or streamed vegetables per day, with a good balance of protein and carbohydrates.

o Avoid red meat more than once a week. Eat chicken and fish instead.

o Avoid too much sugar. Fruit will contain all the sugars you need in a more useable form.

o Avoid dairy products due to the almost universal immune over-reaction to cow's milk.

o Avoid alcohol consumption. This should be a given if you are reading this anyway. The immune response is excessive and the toxic load on the eliminatory organs such as the liver, kidneys and stomach are also excessive.

o Take a daily high quality multivitamin/multimineral supplement.

With this balanced diet you will not be deficient in any nutrients which could possibly be causing your fatigue, or that could hinder your recovery from your condition.

Also, you will not be putting undue strain on your digestive system, which is currently disturbed and malfunctioning.

I DO advocate taking a high quality multivitamin/multimineral supplement to top up any slight deficiencies you may have on a daily basis. They will certainly do you no harm and for a small price will eliminate any worries you might have over dietary deficiencies.

There have been notable cases where sufferers who have been misdiagnosed have responded remarkably to high doses of the B-Complex family. It seems malnutrition is still far from being confined to history in the US and with the rise of fast food is making quite a confident and remarkable comeback in our own backyard.

The quality of foods you consume should hugely outweigh the quantity.

All foods consumed should be natural, unprocessed, and highly rich in vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.

If I must recommend a particular "fashion" diet that meets these criteria it would probably be "The South Beach Diet", but I do not recommend any dietary restrictions till you are past the 3 month stage of your recovery protocol.

Herbal Breast Care - Useful Herbs For Breast Care

Herbs are used all over the world to cure various diseases. There are a number of herbal preparations available that play an important role in healing a disorder. In this article, you will find some useful herbal preparations for breast care.

Painful conditions of the breasts are common among women. Mastitis is an unbearably painful condition which causes inflammation and hardening of the breast. Sore, cracked nipples are usually a result of breastfeeding, either because of the baby dragging at the nipple or because correct care is not being taken in washing and drying the breasts before and after feeding.

Herbal Preparations for Breast Care

1. Take one teaspoon each of Marjoram (marwa, sathra), dried Aniseed (saunf), half teaspoon dried fenugreek and honey. Infuse the herbs in 600 ml. (1 pint) boiling water for 10 minutes. This potion improves the flow of breast milk. A poor flow of milk is always considered to be one of the causes of mastitis in lactating mothers.

2. Mallows increase the supply and flow of milk. Other herbs that have added benefits of giving breasts an alluring roundness are Borage (pattharchuri, patta ajwain), Parsley (ajmod, prajmoda), Watercress (jalkhumbi), Fennel (saunf), Anise (saunf), Cumin, Carrots, Lentils and Fenugreek.

3. Many of these herbs have the added benefits of counteracting post-natal depression. ½ teaspoon of Sage infused in 1 cup of boiling water when drunk 3 times a day has the reverse effect and dries up the flow of the milk.

4. To prevent sore and cracked nipples, rub the nipples with a mixture of pure lemon juice and olive oil throughout the pregnancy. Whilst nursing add a few drops of essential oil of geranium to a pot of cold cream and soothe the nipples with this.

5. Calendula flowers are beneficial for clearing the skin of eczema, spots and grease. It is claimed to be rejuvenating. Its ointment may also help in treating breast disorders.

6. Massage your breast with herbal oil. To prepare massage oil for the breasts, mix together 4 teaspoons each of apricot and wheatgerm oil. Warm it and massage painful breasts.

7. Camphor is used in preparing massage oil for hard breasts. Mix a few drop of camphor (kapoor) oil in two tablespoons of olive oil (jaitun oil) and massage your breasts but not when nursing.

8. Mix honey with lanolin or olive oil and use to rub cracked nipples. Lanolin rubbed into the nipples soothes and softens but before using make sure you are not allergic to it.

9. Warm poultices are natural remedy for mastitis. Baked potatoes, turnips, freshly cooked (not baked) beans pounded with olive oil, hot plasters and warm fomentations help. Keep the breasts in a sling - a good properly fitted, supporting bra.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the URL's (links) active.

COBRA Health Insurance - What You Need To Know

COBRA health insurance is an area of insurance law that suffers from a certain degree of uncertainty and yet this law will affect the lives of many Americans at some point in their lives. This is not an obscure law that only affects a small number of people in limited special situations. COBRA (or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986) amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to provide continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated.

According to the US Department of Labor; COBRA provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. This coverage, however, is only available when coverage is lost due to certain specific events. Group health coverage for COBRA participants is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, since usually the employer pays a part of the premium for active employees while COBRA participants generally pay the entire premium themselves. It is ordinarily less expensive, though, than individual health coverage.

Generally speaking, if you are an employee at a company that has 20 or more employees and you leave your group health plan (or your group health plan terminates for some reason) for some reason other than gross negligence then you will be offered COBRA continuation coverage (There are also provisions for spouses and dependent children).

Practically speaking; should you elect the COBRA continuation coverage option? If you or your family has major health issues then yes. If you and your family are relatively healthy then you will probably want to compare individual health insurance plans as individual rates are approximately half the cost of a comparable COBRA group health insurance premium. (Hint: One major difference between individual health plans and group health plans is that with individual health plans you usually have to pay extra to receive maternity coverage where on most group plans maternity coverage is included. If having maternity is a necessity then be sure and compare the rates offered to you by COBRA with the rates offered from an individual plan with maternity coverage to get a true apples to apples comparison.

Things to Buy For the Newborn Baby and the Expecting Couple

Expecting a child is one of the most wondrous times for a couple, especially if the child is their first-born. But it could also be quite a challenge to the couple considering the various things they have to consider and prepare before labor or birth. Child experts and even OB Gynecologists will tell the expectant couple to prepare a few things a month or so before the projected birth date. Also, welcoming a new addition to the family should be put to consideration in order to build a harmonious relationship with all the members of the family.

Here are several things a couple needs to make sure they are ready and have considered before "the day" arrives:

Goodie Bag. This may be overlooked a lot of times by the expecting couple but being ready a month or so before the day arrives with a packed goodie bag will prove to be a very beneficial thing to do. So what should be in the goodie bag? I suggest put in everything, from small to big things, as this is technically not just a "bag" but a metaphorical bag for all things needed by the couple, themselves. On the side of the expecting mother, as she is the one who will undergo labor, I suggest that she make a list of everything that can help her undergo through labor, may she chose any form of labor like normal or Caesarian. This list could include her favorite treats or foods, her favorite blanket or pillow, her favorite robe or even her most beloved scent. Make sure that the expecting mother has got everything that will make the hospital room feel like home, sure enough, labor will go smoothly when the expecting mother is fully relaxed.

Clothes for the Baby. As the couple's center of the universe when he or she arrives, the newborn baby will surely need and get a lot of attention. Buying new baby clothes is actually one of the most fun times the expecting couple may have. As some couples do get an ultrasound for the mother five months into her pregnancy, they could be sure what clothes for a particular sex to buy. However, for couples who choose to be surprised on the birth date of the child, buying clothes which are unisex is imperative. Do consider buying newborn baby clothes which are neutral in color, white is always the perfect choice for this. Just be aware that in buying baby clothes, the couple should check for the materials used, cotton materials are breezy and do also check for hypoallergenic materials for the newborn.

The Nursery. Getting the home ready for the baby is also a thing that should not be missed by the couple. Yes, some couples sometimes do get overly excited and baby-proof their home. I suggest not spending good money on baby proofing up until the half year of the child. Putting up a special place or a nursery for the baby is a good project for the expecting couple. Get a sturdy crib that could last for a good year or a couple of years as this could still be used for the next baby. Make sure that the fabric materials used suits your baby's skin best and that the paint is lead and toxins-free.

Baby Toiletries. There is a whole market segment out there, a whole industry catering to baby toiletries. And this is a good thing for the consumers and the couples as the products do continuously become better suited for babies. Buy soaps or liquid baths that they are mild, hypoallergenic and essentially free of any harmful chemicals. Going further to this, do also look for brands of laundry detergent specially formulated for the newborns' clothes, as the usual household detergent may sometimes be harmful to them thus getting some allergic reactions on the skin.

Birth Announcements. Getting birth announcements will make the day extra special for your baby. Sending these sentimental cards to your family and friends is good as this shows much care for the special day.

Newborn Baby Gift Basket. As newborn baby gift items or baskets could come from the couple themselves or their immediate family and friends, I decided to include this here. Buying a unique personalized baby gift basket is a good way to welcome the newborn into the world wherein he or she is warmly loved by everyone around him or her. There are a lot of great things and toys for babies out in the market but I suggest that you look for customized baby items and gifts as these show the extra effort, love and care for the child. And who wouldn't adore a child wearing a cute personalized baby shirt? Personalized newborn gifts can be custom arranged based on the child's gender, putting in the perfect personalized newborn baby gift items has never been so wonderful.

These are just some of the things that should be remembered in expecting a child into this wonderful world. Others to be considered are: making sure that the monetary funds will cover up to after birth for the vaccinations, etc., taking Lamaze classes, choosing the best-suited way of labor, pre-introduction to the household, and even post-natal depression.