Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Jasmine flower tea is usually made of green tea and is flavored with aromatic jasmine flowers. The full bodied floral scent and its combination with the flowers make them very attractive to tea enthusiasts. The savory taste makes it very satisfying to the person's palate. Jasmine teas are usually available in Chinese markets because it was the Chinese people who started the aromatic teas. When you visit some restaurants, you will find these jasmine teas being served hot.

Jasmine flowering tea has different varieties. The most common varieties are green tea and oolong tea. Oolong teas originated in China. They are flavorful and fragrant, and with a complex flavor. This tea is an herbal tea because it has the capacity to settle the stomach. They are perfect drinks after eating because it helps in the fast digestion of the food. This tea is a semi-fermented tea which crosses between green and black teas. The black tea's flavor has the ability to overcome the jasmine, but it tends to be tannic. It can be consumed plain, but others have the alternative of adding sugar to enjoy a sweeter tea.

There are many health benefits that jasmine teas offer. These are:

• Jasmine is good for digestion. Most people encounter digestion problems that may lead to constipation and diarrhea. With the help of this amazing tea, one can say goodbye to these digestion issues.
• Jasmine tea is an excellent defense against certain cancer illnesses.
• Most green teas consist of polyphenols that are rich with antioxidants, and antiviral properties. This means it delays the process of aging, keeping a person look younger and vibrant.
• Jasmine flower tea reduces the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• It is an effective prevention for respiratory problems like heart attacks, arterial sclerosis and strokes.
• It helps maintain good intestine by blocking the growth of bad bacteria. It then produces good bacteria that are good for the body.
• Jasmine reduces the risk of blood clotting and aneurism.
• It boosts the immune system, making the body free from any ailments or diseases. It fights bacteria and viruses that could cause certain diseases.
• It prevents different types of allergies
• It protects the teeth from tooth decay and cavities. It provides proper oral care that our teeth needed.
• Jasmine tea is a wonderful anxiety and stress relief.
• Lastly, jasmine tea is an effective treatment for food poisoning like cholera, piccolo and dysentery.

Jasmine flower tea is an amazing tea that offers many health benefits to people. It is also an effective anti-depressant that helps people to calm and relax. This tea is useful for pregnant women to relieve them from nausea during their pregnancy. They can also utilize it to fight post-natal depression. It also relieves muscle and back pains, so they could be use for body massages to relax the body.

My journey with infertility began like many women I've met through the years.

For my husband and me, we just thought that our difficulties getting pregnant was something that would "go away" on its own. So we kept trying to conceive, and as the months went by, nothing was happening. After about 10 months without result, I started to panic.

When I talked to my OB/GYN doctor about my concerns, she agreed we should both be tested to see if our problems had to do with either my husband's low-sperm count (potentially), or maybe my ovulation schedule.

We did some testing, determining that both of us were functioning normally--which pretty much was depressing!

Something was wrong, it seemed to me, and to be told that nothing was wrong got us pretty frustrated.

Well, like a lot of women I know, I kept turning up the intensity of the procedures my doctor could offer. I had tests to see that my tubes weren't blocked, we moved to IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) with hormonal shots to start, stop and force my ovulation and menstrual cycle. And at some point, as the months of unsuccessful attempts added up, I started feeling like a guinea pig.

Plus, my hormones were out-of-whack and I was just feeling terrible. Depressed one day, crabby the next. It was getting rough, and stressful (both emotionally and financially).

So, one day I was talking to another girlfriend of mine, and she told me about acupuncture, and said it helped her get pregnant.

Since our next option was going to be to try IVF (which is very expensive!) my husband and I agreed to try acupuncture for a while, just to give it a try and see if something new wouldn't be better than what we'd been trying.

Through a clinic near me, Acupuncture & Natural Health in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, I started working with a Licensed Acupuncturist by the name of John Miley (L.Ac.). who specializes in infertility and fertility issues, as well as women's health imbalances.

To make a long story short, Mr. Miley started me out with a program designed to restore my body's natural ability to conceive. In his way of looking at things, which is the Traditional Chinese Medicine way of looking at the body, I had various imbalances in my system that were blocking my ability to conceive.

He had me start on a nutritional program, mind-body relaxation techniques that I could practice each night at home, and scheduled me for acupuncture one to two times per week.

I can't even tell you how much better this program made me feel!

First of all, John listened to what was going on, and had been going on in my life since we started trying to conceive. We talked about my stress levels, my diet, my pattern of "stuffing" my emotions, and the overall depression that I'd been feeling since we realized we were not conceiving a child as "planned".

Within a few weeks, I noticed I felt more emotionally balanced. I was actually feeling "calm" for the first time in over a year! And my body started to change--no more menstrual headaches, and I was ovulating on time, which was huge for me.

And then it happened...five months after I started working with Mr. Miley's infertility program, we conceived. Just out of the blue, it "happened". And I remember one time talking to John and he said, "Our main objective is to get your mind-body balance back where it needs to be, so your entire body can work as one unit, to conceive. When we get to that point, you'll be much more likely to conceive" ( --he said something close to that, anyway).

Sure enough, it was true for us.

Looking back, I am grateful for the testing we did with our OB/GYN because it told us that things were working. However, I am even more grateful that I explored an alternative approach to infertility and found someone who specialized in natural alternatives to conventional infertility treatments like IVF.

I'd encourage any couple to investigate this type of fertility support program if they're having trouble getting pregnant. It is cost effective and can be life-changing. Just make sure the person you are seeing is a licensed acupuncturist, with Nationally recognized training in acupuncture and natural medicine (look for the initials L.Ac. behind that person's name).

And if you live near St. Cloud MN, be sure to check out John Miley's site! He also has programs that he develops for people who don't live close to him. I'm sure he could help you out. He' been very good to us.

Good luck finding your path to pregnancy. Keep the faith. You'll get your answers.

One of the biggest problems you face as a new mother is the feeling of being isolated. Perhaps you are accustomed to interacting with others at work or perhaps you have a group of friends you're accustomed to seeing often. Then when you delivered your baby, you were surrounded by friends, family and other visitors.

Now, suddenly, it's just you and your baby. Your visitors have trailed off, your colleagues are busy with their jobs, your friends aren't used to modifying their plans to accommodate a baby, and you are left wondering if you will ever interact with another adult again. The transition from being socially engaged to being alone with your baby can feel overwhelming to a new mother. Sometimes the feelings of isolation can be compounded by other postpartum emotions. You want to be careful to make sure that you don't give in to your loneliness.

Finding a social support group, especially one made up of new moms, will allow you to share experiences and milestones. Additionally, you can seek feedback and affirmation on frustrations or concerns that you have. Even if you just laugh together about your new motherhood experiences, you will build your confidence and relieve stress.

If you don't have success in finding new friends right away, don't despair. Many new mothers are just like you: overwhelmed, busy, and unsure about where to look for support. Be tenacious in your efforts and they will pay off.
You can change feelings of isolation to elation, and loneliness to laugher.

Survival Tip 1
Join a play group. You are not alone in your feelings of solitude. Many new mothers experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. Don't worry; your baby doesn't have to be old enough to "play" in order for you to join a group. If you can't find one in your area, start one yourself.

Survival Tip 2
Start a new hobby. Explore something you've always wanted to try-pottery, painting, joining a walking group or a book club. Not only will you feel better because you're engaging with other adults in your day, but you will also feel more positive about yourself because you are creating something meaningful to you.

Survival Tip 3
Call your friends. Just because it seems as if they are moving on with their lives without you, doesn't mean they won't jump at the chance to have lunch with you or take a walk with you and your new baby. Sometimes taking a little bit of initiative is all it takes to rekindle a relationship.

Survival Tip 4
Volunteer in the nursery at a coop, a "mother's morning out," or in your church. You can keep your baby with you and at the same time socialize with other mothers who are volunteering or picking their children up. Very soon you'll meet women who are mothers, and just like you, they are looking for companionship. If you can't find a group like this, start your own babysitting exchange. You'll be able to have a few hours to yourself at the same time you're meeting new mothers, just like you.

Survival Tip 5
Go to the park. You will not only enjoy the fresh air and the exercise, but you will also meet other mothers who feel just like you do. Be bold and strike up a conversation with another mother. Smile and make eye contact with everyone you meet.

After having spent a good part of one's life attempting to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, it seems a cruel trick by Mother Nature when an individual or couple discovers that they are unable to conceive.

There are many reasons why a couple may be unable to get pregnant; some are simple fixes, while others are more complex and may lead to the need for medical assistance.

The Timing Is Off

The average woman with a normal menstrual cycle is only fertile for a few days out of each month, in the period around ovulation. This occurs roughly two weeks after the end of menstruation, but can be earlier or later than this.

In order to pinpoint the time of ovulation, it is vital to keep a chart of BBTs, or Basal Body Temperatures. It may take two to three months to be able to anticipate the correct time of ovulation. Over-the-counter Ovulation Predictor Kits can also aid in determining ovulation.

Diet Dilemmas

Some foods can cause a couple to have difficulty conceiving. Caffeine and alcohol are the most common culprits, as is an excess of body weight. Women who are over- or underweight have a tendency to have more difficulty conceiving than those who are of a healthy weight.

Check your BMI (body mass index) and attempt to fall within what is considered a healthy range. Smoking tobacco and the use of illegal drugs can also inhibit fertility.

The Stress Test

Nothing is more infuriating than hearing someone say, "Just relax and you'll get pregnant," but for some, that is true. Occasionally the hormones triggered by the stress of trying to get pregnant can affect the ability to conceive.

Taking some time off from "the baby dance" can provide much needed relief that can sometimes lead to a much wanted pregnancy.

A For-Profit Enterprise In The United States
Except for seniors that qualify for Medicare, or the poorest of Americans that have access to Medicaid, people in the United States purchase health care coverage from private, for-profit companies.

Up until recently, Americans could simply choose not to purchase health care coverage. This is changing with the recent passage of the "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" by the U.S. Congress. Starting in 2014, most Americans will have to be covered by a health care plan purchased from the private health care insurance market.

Health Insurance Is A Good Idea...How To Start
Irrespective of whether medical coverage is mandated by law or not, it is a smart choice to have it and to make sure that you purchase the right plan for you and your family.

Making the right choice when purchasing a private medical insurance plan depends upon three sets of information for you to assess before making a decision.

The first one is easy - are you offered health care coverage through your employer? More on this below.

Next is for you to make a thorough assessment of your current and near-term medical care needs.

After understanding the coverage you and your family need, you should know the parts of health care insurance that will add up to be costs taken directly out of your pocket when you and your family receive care.

This article will take each of these considerations in turn.

Plans Offered Through Your Employer Can Be Your Best Bet
Is health care coverage offered as an employee benefit where you work? If so, then you usually do not need to look any further for the right medical plan for you and your family.

You will almost always get the best deal in healthcare coverage that meets your medical needs by assessing and choosing from among the plan options offered from your employer. Individual premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses for the members of an employer plan are determined based on the group, not each individual member.

Because the group represents a better risk for the insurer, each individual member benefits through lower out-of-pocket costs for receiving medical care. An easy mistake to make with this option is missing the deadline set by your company for open enrollment each year. Pay attention to the due dates for making your choice of plan, or you may have to wait a year to get coverage that is offered by your employer.

Employer Plan Or Not, Make The Right Choice For You
Irrespective of whether you have access to health care coverage through your job, or if you must purchase it directly from the individual health insurance market, making the right choice for you and your family begins with a good understanding of your medical care needs - and this includes forecasting probable needs.

For example, a young, healthy, 20-something year old single man doesn't have the same forecast of health care needs as a 40-something husband and father of young children.

The single fellow may simply need to forecast that there is a slight chance he could be in a car accident resulting in serious bodily injuries - for which he would want to be insured against major financial loss. The husband and father of young children might forecast the possibility of another child on the way or that his young children will need both routine and illness care from a physician.

While maternity or well child care is not important to the single man with no plans of marrying in the next year, it is very important to the man whose wife could be pregnant before the year is up. An individual or family's anticipated medical needs determine which plans are not a good fit.

Not Understanding Your Out-Of-Pocket Costs Is Expensive
Once you understand where you will buy coverage, i.e. through your employer or directly from the individual market - and your medical needs are forecast - the next task to prepare for making the best coverage purchase is to know the terms used in health care plans that describe your out-of-pocket costs for receiving care.

Knowing these terms will help you know what you can expect to pay directly and what the insurance plan will cover. This way, you can balance your forecast of medical needs against your direct cost in order to make the best financial choice for medical care. These terms are covered next.

Health Insurance Terms You Should Know
The premium is what you pay for the insurance coverage. This is calculated as a yearly charge but, especially in the case of an employer plan, can be paid in monthly increments.

You will most likely pay a higher premium for a comprehensive plan that covers items like maternity care or well child doctor visits. However, compare the premium you pay each month (or that is deducted from your paycheck) with your remaining out-of-pocket costs. A good rule of thumb is that the more comprehensive plans will charge a higher premium but your costs for expected services during the year are more predictable.

Co-payment is a fixed amount, e.g. $15, that you pay out-of-pocket for a specific medical service like a doctor visit; your plan pays the rest of the cost. A co-payment is usually associated with a health care plan that requires you to use a network of doctors and other health care providers where the plan has prearranged fees.

The catch is that you have to use a doctor in the network to take advantage of paying only the fixed co-payment charge. However, if you need predictable health care expenses, this should not be a problem.

Co-insurance is a percentage of the medical services you receive, e.g. 20%, that you pay out of pocket; your plan paying the remaining 80% in this example.

You usually have more choice of doctors or other health care providers with this type of arrangement, but you can end up paying much more out of pocket if you seek medical care often. Your yearly costs with this type of plan are less predictable when compared to a comprehensive managed care option.

Another financial term you need to consider is out-of-pocket maximum. This is the most your plan will require you to pay directly for medical services in a given year.

A deductable is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your plan will start paying anything for medical services you receive.

Pay attention to the lifetime maximum. After reaching this amount, your plan will no longer pay anything for medical services you may need.

Summing It Up All Up
In summary, choose health care coverage through your employer if it's offered as a benefit; forecast the health care services needed by you and your family; and know the basic terms of the health insurance business to choose the best plan at the best out-of-pocket cost for you.

If you have made the decision to have a baby, you want to make sure you are in the best possible health prior to conception. In addition to moderate exercise and a healthy diet, taking vitamins to help get pregnant is a very effective way to make sure both you and your baby will get the proper nutrition needed right from the start. There are several vitamins and minerals can assist you in becoming more fertile and speed conception.

Folic Acid- This is probably one of the most important supplements to take both before conception and during pregnancy. Folic acid is used to prevent birth defects of the spinal cord. The spinal cord develops in the first 28 days after conception, often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. Doctors commonly recommend 800mcg of folic acid daily. In addition to supplements, you can find this vitamin in dark green leafy vegetable (like spinach) whole grains, fortified breads and cereals. In addition, using these vitamins to help get pregnant boosts your own fertility.

Zinc- Studies have shown that using zinc vitamins to help get pregnant can be very effective. By getting 15-30mg total a day; zinc helps a woman's body use estrogen and progesterone more effectively. Make sure not to overdo it though- high levels of zinc can be toxic. So check your prenatal vitamin for dosage amounts. Zinc can be found naturally in meat and seafood.

Vitamin E- Often prescribed for couples undergoing invitro fertilization, vitamin E is well known for boosting fertility for both men and women. This is one of the most commonly used vitamins to help get pregnant. Taking the recommended dosage of 400-800 IU can help increase egg quality in a women. Studies where both partners have taken this vitamin showed a significant increase in fertility for both sexes. Vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, sunflower seeds (and oil) as well as broccoli and spinach.

Other vitamins and nutrients- Studies have shown that simply taking a prenatal supplement can help you become more fertile. In addition to providing you with the nutrients needed for your own health, and your baby's development, several vitamins are also well known for boosting fertility. Make sure your prenatal has the following: calcium, vitamin c, vitamins b6 and b12, selenium, Omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin A. Taking these vitamins to help get pregnant will ensure well balanced reproductive health.

Us Labrador Retrievers do require a lot of care, even more so if you have the wonderful opportunity to care for a mother-to-be of Labrador Retriever puppies! However, it's very important not to forget that caring for a pregnant Labrador Retriever is a huge responsibility, since you are responsible for the well-being of the unborn puppies as well. A Labrador Retriever will be very appreciative of your care, and we will do much better if you research the best care methods. If you learn about how to care for a pregnant Labrador Retriever, you will be able to dramatically improve the quality of life for her future puppy litter.

Female Labrador Retrievers are very similar to human females, as they will give many key signs that signal they are pregnant. Your Labrador Retriever may seem listless, and she might not show as much enthusiasm at mealtimes. Decreased appetite is a common sign that a female Labrador is experiencing the early stages of her pregnancy. Of course, this will make you worry, so it should be a good opportunity to visit the veterinarian! This is the equivalent of "morning sickness" in a pregnant female dog, and normally will disappear some time after the first trimester. During this time, it is highly recommended to start giving your pregnant Labrador Retriever some prenatal vitamins.

Swelling of the tummy is another key sign that your female Labrador is pregnant. This seems like a fairly obvious sign, but many people mistake it for their dog becoming overweight. During this time, some dog owners even stop feeding their female Labradors their normal food, or begin a weight loss program. This can harm the unborn puppies! Even if your female Labrador Retriever has been spayed, it's still possible for her to become pregnant. The spaying operation is usually very successful, but should not be assumed to protect your dog 100% against pregnancy. If your female Labrador Retriever is beginning to become a bit chubby around the middle, be sure to take her to the veterinarian first, before making any assumptions of whether or not she is pregnant.

During the second and third trimester of your Labrador's pregnancy, she may begin to engage in a behavior commonly known as "nesting". This is the same type of behavior that some human mothers experience before giving birth. With this behavior, your female Labrador Retriever may begin to constantly rearrange or paw at her bedding. She may also carry some of her favorite toys or treats over to her bed area. It's best to let her alone when she does this, as she is simply preparing her sleeping area for giving birth to her puppies. Most female Labradors will display nesting behavior soon before giving birth.

When you have confirmed your female Labrador Retriever's pregnancy with your veterinarian, there are many important prenatal care steps that should be followed. Since your Labrador is now also supplying nutrients for her unborn puppies, it's highly recommended to start giving her a prenatal vitamin. Try to give her the best prenatal vitamin that you can find, since cheap or poorly formulated prenatal vitamins can actually be deficient in important vitamins needed by your dog and her puppies. A good prenatal vitamin can be purchased online, from a pet supply store, or prescribed by your veterinarian.

After your female Labrador Retriever has gotten over her "morning sickness" of the first trimester, she'll begin to eat... a LOT! The average pregnant female Labrador will consume from two to three times her normal food amount. It's much better to divide her meals throughout the day, to ensure the maximum absorption of the nutrients found in the food. At this time, it is also wise to switch to a premium high-nutrient dog food, of the best quality that you can comfortably afford. Remember, your female Labrador is supplying nutrients for the proper development of her puppies, and it's your job to help her get all of the nutrition she needs.

Since Labrador Retrievers are very affectionate, we will need additional attention when going through a situation such as pregnancy. Try to keep your female Labrador as comfortable as possible, and don't forget to schedule regular check-ups during her pregnancy with your veterinarian.

It seems that many women are trying to get pregnant and finding it isn't as easy as they thought. It takes more than having a lot of sex to conceive, despite beliefs otherwise. The truth to the matter is that each healthy couple really only has a 20 to 25% chance of falling pregnant each ovulation period. However, some tips and tricks may help improve your chances.

Anything that is going to make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg is something that decreases your chances. When trying to make a baby, leave the lubricants, oils, and other similar products out of the lovemaking. Even saliva may slow saliva down, so hold off on oral sex. Although some products do not contain spermicide, they may have something else in them that could affect or harm sperm.

Take your vitamins and herbs. Certain herbs can help a woman who has problems with her ovulation cycle by regulating it. In addition, some can improve sperm count and quality. A healthy body is a body ready for pregnancy, so eliminate all the unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking to give your body the best chance possible to conceive.

Stay out of the hot tub if you want to have baby making sex. Spicing up the lovemaking is a good thing, but doing it in hot water is not. That can decrease the production of the sperm and slow it down. Plus you have to think about all the water you are in; you want the sperm swimming in the uterus not the hot tub.

Choose your sexual positions wisely. While you avoid sex in the hot tub, also avoid sex in the shower. The reason behind this is simple gravity. You are standing, so sperm doesn't even have a chance to get to the egg before gravity pulls it out. The same can go for woman-on-top sex and sitting sex. Choose positions that increase your chances like doggy-style, side-to-side, and missionary.

After the sperm has been released, the man needs to keep his penis inside for as long as possible, and as deep as possible. The woman must also continue to lie on her back for five minutes or so. Both of these actions keep sperm from leaking out, increasing the chances of conception. For an added boost, the woman can lift her pelvis, keeping it elevated to help sperm stay in.

Timing is everything. You can eat all the right foods, use all the right positions, and tilt the pelvis for hours, but none of it matters if you are not having sex on the right days. The woman's cycle must be determined to find out which are her fertile days. Once that is determined, then sex needs to begin two or three days before ovulation and continue right up until the period arrives. This makes sure that there is always sperm inside waiting and ready for the egg.

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to get pregnant, but sometimes you do need to increase your odds with a few tips and tricks. Using a combination of the tips mentions, like a healthy diet, the right sexual positions, and timing can help improve your odds of conceiving. It is important to remember that while you do things to increase your chances, you avoid those things that don't.

Girls in Southeast Asia have learnt in their early women life from grandmother wisdom that they do not engage in any activity, distorting their regular period. Menstrual disorder should be treated immediately, otherwise, it may cause a wide range of women diseases, such as infertility, according to Traditional Chinese medicine. Damp wind is considered as a condition of excessive fluids accumulated in the body's organs and tissues, after a prolonged period of time of eating cool and cold foods or/and engaging in activity that requires to be presented in a damp-cool environment. Under extreme conditions, it causes rebellion Qi attacking the lower part of the body, including reproductive organs and joints.

1. Wei ling xian (Clematis recta)
Wei ling xian has been used in improving the circulation of the clematis meridian by expelling the wind-damp caused by blockage of the channels, after a prolonged period of fluids accumulating in the women's lower part of the body, thus relieving menstrual cramps and pain.

2. Qin jiao (Bitter root or macrophylla root)
Qin Jiao has been used in strengthening the meridian gallbladder-liver-stomach by improving the stomach's food digestion and smoothing the qi absorption of the spleen, thus decreasing the rebellion qi flow of the lung and liver causes of menstrual disorder, such as menstrual cramps and pain.

3. Du huo (European angelica and garden angelica)

It has been used in smoothing the qi flow of the kidney-bladder meridian by strengthening and smoothening the kidney qi, improving the functions of the kidney in fluid distribution and blood flow to the reproductive organs, thereby lessening the risk of development of damp wind, disturbing the lower parts of the women's body.

4. Mu gua (Stephania root )
Mu gua has been used in TCM in improving the function of the meridian liver-spleen, thereby smoothening the qi flow to the spleen and liver, resulting in reducing dis-harmonization of the stomach and spleen in food absorption.

5. Fang ji
Fang ji has been used in treating the meridian bladder-spleen-kidney blockage. By smoothening the qi flow of the spleen and kidney and increasing the bladder function in urinary secretion, the herb decreases the risk of dampness accumulation in the lower part of the body. It also helps to expel the wind from the body, thus reducing the damp wind causes of abdominal distention.

You're having a baby! Congratulations! Though you might have found out recently, or be coming close to delivery, you're probably experiencing many physical changes and discomforts. Low-back pain is an extremely common complaint for pregnant women, at all stages of pregnancy. In fact, more than half the population of pregnant women goes through a period of low-back pain at some point. The causes are primarily hormonal changes and a shifted center of gravity.

Many women will be surprised that they feel back pain so early in their pregnancy. Progesterone, a hormone produced early in pregnancy, is responsible for much of this low-back pain. This hormone, which is essential to embryo implantation and gestation, softens the ligaments and disks in your back as well. This reduces the support required by your upper body, often resulting in muscle spasms and cramps in your lower back.

Further on in your pregnancy, your body increasingly produces the hormone relaxin. This hormone is essential to labor and delivery; as the name implies, relaxin relaxes the joints in your pelvis, which enables the baby to pass through the birth canal with ample room. However, the hormone can lead to inflammation and pain in your other joints, as it may cause other joints in your body to move abnormally.

Several changes resulting from the growth of your fetus can contribute to low-back pain. As your uterus expands from the growth of your fetus, your abdominal muscles are pushed beyond their usual limit, in order to accommodate the surplus growth. This effectively keeps your abdominal muscles from helping to support proper body posture, transferring the additional weight from your torso to your lower back.

As you carry your child to term, your center of gravity undergoes significant change. On average, a woman will gain 7-8 pounds of weight from the baby itself, 1-2 pounds of placenta, 2 pounds of amniotic fluid, and 2 pounds that can be attributed to uterine tissue. The outcome of all this extra weight is that the center of gravity shifts forward, putting still more strain on the lower back.

Back pain is a serious issue, however common it might seem in pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any low-back pain, to be confident that you are not suffering from an undiagnosed, deeper condition. Dull backaches, felt low and in rhythmic intervals, might indicate labor. Many women have "back labor," which just means that they feel the labor in their back. Another possibility, if you suffer from severe back pain, particularly if accompanied by a fever, may be infection.

There are many things you can do to prevent and manage low-back pain while pregnant:

• Exercises that focus on stretching, like pelvic tilts.


• Standing straight and tall, maintaining your shoulders down and back, and aligning your buttocks under - all the elements of proper posture.


• Try not to stand for extended periods of time, though, if that is unavoidable, you can take some of the strain off by elevating one foot on a small object like a box or step stool.


• Try placing a small pillow behind your lower back while you are sitting.


• Beware of high heeled shoes! Flat shoes with adequate arch support are a much better choice.


• For a little extra support, find maternity pants with a wide elastic band that you can wear under the belly.


• You can find maternity belts, or girdles mean specifically for expecting women in healthcare and maternity stores. You may also find that your insurance company covers such a purchase when prescribed by your healthcare provider, so check in with them.


• Keep a pillow between your legs at night, sleeping on your side. Also, if possible, use a firm mattress that supports your back better than softer ones.


• You might try using a maternity pillow, a specially designed pillow for pregnant women that can alleviate some strain in your back.


• Remember the adage: lift with your legs and not with your back. Of course, try not to lift heavy things at all.


• Rather than carrying a single big load, divide larger bundles into smaller, manageable portions.


• Keep fit! If your healthcare provider thinks it's wise, try walking or swimming.


• See if you can find a trained pregnancy masseuse. You might discover that your partner or friend can provide adequate relief with gentle rubbing or kneading on the sore spots on your back.


• Warm compresses can be effective. A heating pad set to its lowest point, an adequately warm bath, or arranging yourself on your hands and knees in the shower to direct warm water at your lower back, may all offer relief.


• Look into chiropractic care, which is considered safe and may benefit many women - of course, discuss this possibility with your doctor first.


• Also look into acupuncture treatment - again, only after consulting your doctor.


• Acetaminophen - the active ingredient in Tylenol - is a painkiller safe for use by pregnant women.

Naturally, you won't find a "magic cure" that will instantly relieve your back pain, whether you go to a chiropractor or not. On your search for a treatment option that leads to a pain-free life, you are in charge of your decisions. As oftentimes back pain is the result of discrete moments of strain or injury, you may discover that it takes weeks to discern a change in your conditions, so you must remember to be patient.

No matter what the individual symptoms of your pregnancy are, make sure to note all the details in your changing physical condition. Don't let anything unusual just slip by your attention that you would have ignored in normal circumstances - remember, you have to worry for two, now. Especially for first-time mothers, get ready to experience dramatic, surprising changes to your body, regardless of how much research you've done. This is to be expected. Stay focused on your body, treat low-back pain seriously, and take pleasure in the process of being an expectant mother!