Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

California is one of only five states with a mandated short term disability insurance program. And of the five, it has some of the richest benefits. This is especially good news for working women about to go out on maternity leave. Be sure you qualify for benefits before getting pregnant. Not every California employee is automatically covered.

California State Disability Insurance

California State Disability Insurance is also commonly referred to as California SDI. This is a short term disability insurance program for people who work in the state of California. CA is one of only five states that mandate this type of insurance coverage.

Of the five states with coverage, California is near the top of the list when it comes to the total amount of income replacement, but in the middle on percentage terms. The program will replace up to 55% of your income, which is in the mid range of the five states.

But the hard dollar cap of $987 per week beginning in 2010 comes out on top. This means that higher income wage earners will get a higher level of income replacement. A person earning $93,316 per year or more will be subject to the cap.

What this Means for Maternity Leave

This means that women working in California will get a decent wage during maternity leave.

Of course, this only applies if you have coverage. The mandate applies only to those subject to the California Unemployment Insurance Code. Certain worker groups are not automatically covered. Find out if you are covered before getting pregnant, as pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition.

In 1/3 of all U.S. households, women are the breadwinners. In many cases, women out earn their partners by a considerable amount. While this is nothing new for the women who do this, when having a baby comes into play, new considerations and dilemmas arise. The following are 7 things you NEED to know before planning and taking your maternity leave:

1) Understand the ins and outs of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Whether you are an entrepreneur with employees or an employee working in corporate, it is critical that you understand the stipulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. For example, FMLA applies only to companies who have a minimum of 50 employees and to employees who work full time and have done so for a minimum of a year. In this, an employee has to have worked more than 1,250 hours over the past year to qualify for FMLA. In addition, if an employee and her partner work for the same company, they don't each get 12 weeks of unpaid family leave. They get a combined 12 weeks and will need to plan accordingly.

Keep in mind that the 12 weeks is unpaid, requires giving written notice at least 30 days in advance of taking the leave, can be used by mothers or fathers, but involves no pay. While a company is required to keep your medical coverage during this time, a company does not have to pay for your coverage. You may have to pay out of pocket. To help compensate for losing 12 weeks of pay, you may be able to get short term disability insurance that would cover some of that lost income but not all. You can also take the 12 weeks of unpaid leave in chunks and work part time throughout your leave. Once you have your baby, you must add the baby to your health insurance within 30 days of birth to ensure that your health insurance covers the labor and delivery costs. In addition to this, your company may have you go through procedures and processes specific to that company when taking a maternity leave. As the woman breadwinner, you'll need to have a plan for a) when you'll notify your employer that you're pregnant, b) when you'll take maternity leave, c) what will happen to your position while you're out, d) when you plan to return. You'll also need to consider how you'll make up for the salary lost during those 12 weeks.

2) Unexpected financial expenses must be planned for in advance.

When having a baby, many plan for traditional expenses such as diapers, wipes, cute baby clothes, cribs and bedding. But what financial plan do you have in place for the unexpected expenses such as: a doula, unanticipated doctor visits and pharmacy expenses, breast pump, part time nanny and/or babysitter, remodeling and/or moving costs when moving to a larger home, babyproofing expenses for the home, a new wardrobe for the temporary post-baby body that may not be the size you started the pregnancy at, etc.? Planning for these unexpected expenses (even if you don't want them to come into play) is a great way to reduce financial stress when the realities of new motherhood set in.

3) You may change your mind about your return-to-work timeline.

Many women who vow to return to work a few months after having a baby change their minds. As the breadwinner, this is a heavier and harder decision to make. Be sure that you consider this BEFORE you take maternity leave. If you decided that you didn't want to return to work after having your baby, what other options do you have for creating financial stability? Who would provide? Are you even in a position, if you wanted to, to stay at home with your baby? If not, how will you deal with the grief that comes from having to leave your baby in the care of others while you go back to work? All of these are questions you must answer before going on maternity leave.

4) Bed rest could happen during the pregnancy.

Most women don't consider this until it actually happens but a wiser route would be to scenario plan this situation. If, for some reason, in the middle of your pregnancy, your doctor put you on bed rest (either moderate where you could work from home or complete bed rest where you could not work and had to reduce all stress levels), what would you do? How would you outsource and/or delegate responsibilities?

5) The transition to new motherhood (especially if this is baby #1) takes YEARS, not months.

Many new moms expect their lives after baby to be similar to their lives before baby. Having a child is a major life transition. There will be sleepless nights, less time for a social life or going to the gym, having to call in to work because the baby has a fever, operating at a slower pace or taking longer to get things done because you're breastfeeding every two hours and are absolutely exhausted, and the list goes on. Be sure that you have a realistic preview of what the next 2-3 years will look like and decide, in advance, how you'll manage change and transition.

6) Know who's in your new baby inner circle.

Once you have a baby, your inner circle of friends, supporters, and mentors may change. It's important to begin looking for those individuals who know what you're going through, have been there, and can be supportive post-baby. You'll need to create that inner circle very intentionally.

7) Returning to work (no matter how much you love your job and how much of a stay-at-home-mom-type you are not) is going to be hard. You will experience grief. You will wonder if you made the right decision. You may have some depression. Prepare yourself for the grief that's coming and put solid support in place so you can manage the transition back to work in a healthy and loving way.

Overall, understand that you have the power to create your motherhood experience in any way you choose but it does take planning. You are the breadwinner but, upon having a baby, you might not want to be so be sure you have the proper planning in place to ensure that you have a number of options for motherhood well before you have to choose which one to use.

If you have been trying to conceive a baby for months without any success, you are probably looking for helpful information in order to understand the different causes involved. One of them has something to do with mineral requirements. Let's see how zinc can significantly increase male and female fertility.

Why do testicles need so much zinc?

Several studies have demonstrated that for each ejaculation, a man loses an average of 5 mg of zinc. That represents an important percentage of the daily use of zinc in all body's metabolic functions. Sperm does need a huge amount of zinc! Why? Zinc plays a major role in strengthening the structure of DNA material. As a result, zinc has a positive effect on sperm production. Additionally, it helps improve semen quality. High level of zinc in sperm would boost male gametes ability to speed up once moving in the uterus.

Why do female eggs need zinc too?

Zinc helps not only with the growth of seminal secretion in men but also with the production of healthy gametes in women (often called eggs). Zinc plays another crucial role in synthesizing the hormones (such as oestrogens and progesterone) necessary to get and remain pregnant. It appears that Zinc is the only mineral involved in infertility.

Use and Precaution

If you and your mate decide to take a supplement of zinc, make sure not to take more than 100 mg (it will depress the immune system). I recommend you to take a dosage between 30 and 60 mg of zinc gluconate or zinc sulfate per day. It's enough! The other option would be to add foods rich in zinc to your daily diet.

Conclusion

Zinc (often coupled with folic acid) supplements intake could be one of the many solutions possible to treat fertility issues. It can help to improve fertility and get pregnant fast.

In order to really increase chances for conception, a couple would have to change a few things in its lifestyle. If you are ready to strictly follow a very comprehensive plan to get pregnant within 4 months click the Getting Pregnant Plan now!  

Many women who are used to receiving regular chiropractic care find themselves questioning whether or not they should continue with this treatment once they become pregnant. There are no known complications to chiropractic care to be concerned with during your pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant and some have additional training in specific methods.

Chiropractor who use low-force or gentle techniques may be preferred by pregnant women as there is no cracking or twisting of the spine during the adjustment.

Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?

Chiropractic during pregnancy is an effective, drug free and safe treatment for both the mom and her baby. Chiropractic care can continue while you are pregnant, or you can begin a new chiropractic treatment program as early as the first month of pregnancy. Treatment will help you better deal with the many changes that are occurring with your body. Special adjustments by the chiropractor, designed for pregnancy, help balance the pelvis, reduce any nerve irritation in the spine and generally help your body feel more at ease overall.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy in order to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout the pregnancy. With a better balanced pelvis, babies enjoy a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth which can result in an easier and safer delivery for both the mother and her baby.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can lead to a healthier overall pregnancy. Other benefits include controlling nausea symptoms, relieving back, neck and joint pain, reduce the risk of possible cesarean section as well as reducing the amount of time a woman is in labor and delivery. Chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique are able to perform adjustments using this technique when babies are presenting breech. Studies have shown an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when the Webster Technique was used.

How do I get adjusted while pregnant?

Many chiropractors have either specially designed pillows or tables that allow the expectant mother to lay on her stomach, safely and comfortably during her chiropractic adjustment. Women that are uncomfortable lying this way can still be adjusted by lying on their side.

Are there benefits to Chiropractic Care Post Pregnancy?

After your delivery, your body's supply of relaxin is reduced and your bones and ligaments start to return back to their original positions. Chiropractic adjustments help this process by making sure that everything is aligned. Chiropractic is an essential part of the postpartum process and is especially helpful if you've had a difficult pregnancy or birthing experience.

Chiropractic also helps your body deal with the added stresses that occur as you hold and take care of your baby. Additional bending, lifting, stretching and rocking will become part of your daily routine. Your body will need help adjusting to these new movements and chiropractic is a great help.

As more women look to chiropractic care as a means of maintaining good health throughout pregnancy, more health care providers are referring to chiropractors within their communities. Be sure to discuss chiropractic as an option when you meet with your health care provider. If they are not aware of chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out it. Most chiropractors welcome the opportunity to partner with other health care providers to help pregnant women enjoy a positive pregnancy experience.

Over the past 10 years, working as a RMT, I have seen a huge increase in the demand for pregnancy massage. I am very excited that more and more mothers-to-be are incorporating prenatal massage into their health care regimes. Although massage therapy is very safe during your pregnancy, it is still important that you inform yourself about how massage can help, as well as how to find the right therapist. This short article will cover the musculoskeletal changes that occur throughout pregnancy, how massage therapy can help, as well as how to find a qualified Pregnancy massage RMT.

Changes that occur in the body during pregnancy

AS a mother-to-be you have probably already started to read up on what's going on with your baby, how it's growing, and how to keep it safe and happy. Unfortunately many women are so focused on the baby they forget to think of themselves as well. As the baby grows, there are many changes that need to occur in the mothers' body in order for the pregnancy to progress normally. These changes vary from temporary to, in some cases, permanent.

Hormonal changes

In the earlier stages of the pregnancy these changes are very small, and in some cases cannot even be felt by the mother. Most of the changes felt are usually hormonal, that can often cause, fatigue, irritability, nausea, and water retention. As the fetus starts to grow, the body must change in order to support it, and make room. The body allows these changes to occur with the help of a hormone which is released later in the pregnancy. This hormone is called relaxin, and its job is to circulate in the body and cause all the ligaments in the body to become a bit more relaxed. This is important because as the baby grown the ribs need to shift and flare out, and the pelvis needs to widen to make room. Although these changes are natural and necessary they can also cause mild to moderate muscle and joint discomfort. As the ligaments loosen, and the joints become more unstable there is a significant increase in stress placed on the muscles. This increase in stress can cause muscular aches and pains, which can be easily alleviated with pregnancy massage.

Postural changes

As the uterus grows, the posture of the mother to be will progressively change along with it. Normal postural changes during pregnancy are:

• An increase in the lordotic curve ( curve in the low back) This can lead to joint compression and muscular tension and the low back, causing pain and discomfort.


• The pelvis will drop forward, and widen, increasing the strain on the muscles of the legs, hips and feet.


• The ligaments along the Anterior and posterior aspect of the spine, as well as the ligaments of the pelvis will stretch out, predisposing the mother to ligaments sprains.


• The shoulders will round forward causing a tightening of the pectoral muscles, and over stretching the mid back muscles. this can cause pain between the shoulder blades, and tightness in the chest.


• The head starts to rest in a more forward position, leading to neck, and shoulder pain.


• The abdominal muscles stretch out, and in some cases separate. This causes to muscles of the back to have to work way more to stabilize the spine.

Although these changes are completely normal, and will happen to every woman throughout their pregnancy they can be uncomfortable, and in some cases quite painful. Pregnancy or prenatal massage not only helps decrease muscular tension, and pain, but can also prevent excessive changes to occur, helping you stay as straight, and stable as possible. A qualified RMT can also give you some strengthening exercises to help stabilize the body (as much as possible) in order to prevent injury, and pain.

?Fluid retention

Due to hormonal changes, increase in blood pressure, and lack of mobility fluid retention can occur throughout the pregnancy. In most cases, this presents as puffiness, in the hands and feet, and legs. This puffiness can cause mild to moderate discomfort, and in some cases can even compress nerves. This can lead to conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness in the hands, and arms. Pregnancy massage can help drain out the stagnant fluid by pushing it back towards the heart, and allowing it to be re-circulated and peed out.

How is pregnancy massage done?

Now that I have explained why pregnancy massage is extremely beneficial for most expecting mothers I will quickly explain how pregnancy massage is performed. Pregnancy massage should always be performed by a registered massage therapist qualified in prenatal massage. This ensures that your therapist will be able to safely and effectively perform the massage treatment.

In the early phases of pregnancy there are very few modifications to the treatments. The expectant mother can lie on her stomach to receive her treatment. The only modification will be a decrease in pressure in the low back, and perhaps a small bolsters placed under her shoulders to lift some pressure of her breast. (Can sometimes be tender). There are also shiatsu points in between the shoulder blades, as well as around the ankle bones that need to be avoided, as they can cause uterine contractions

As the uterus grows, the mother to be will be asked to lie on her side to receive the massage treatment. Once the back and legs have been treated she can turn onto her back, where she will be proper up on pillows to a semi-seated position. A small towel roll will be placed under her right hip in order to shift the baby off the major veins of the torso, so the mother-to-be doesn't get light headed. Most pregnancy massages include the back, legs, feet, arms, upper back, and neck, but every massage can be tailored to each individuals needs

During the pregnancy massage, or prenatal massage, pressure does not need to be modified, and can be tailored to what is more comfortable to the expectant mother. There is however some modification that needs to be made, such as no joint mobilizations or aggressive stretching. This can lead to injury because of the natural ligament laxity in the joint throughout the pregnancy.

As you can see, pregnancy massage is extremely safe and beneficial for most expectant mothers. However it is important to note that prenatal massage may not be safe for those who have complications during pregnancy. In those cases it is important to consult with your MD, OBGYN, or mid wife before booking a pregnancy massage. It is also important to note, that even if all RMT's have received basic training in pregnancy massage, not all therapists are comfortable, or experienced in the treatments, so inquire about the RMT's experience with prenatal massage.

Pregnancy types vary from woman to woman and it is important for her that she knows about each type. Not all types of pregnancy are normal, and a certain pregnancy type might spell danger and she needs to be alert to it.

Ectopic And Lupus Pregnancy

Of all the pregnancy types, lupus pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy are the most dangerous. Lupus is an immunity related disease affecting a woman. It can lead to miscarriage and still birth. If a woman suffers miscarriage for no apparent reason, she should consult her gynaecologist before conceiving again. Proper treatment can help her become a mother but she has to take extra care and make sure that the hospital she is going to deliver has an emergency neo-natal unit.

Ectopic pregnancy on the other hand has no proven medical reason. It happens when the foetus implantation occurs in any other body part instead of the uterus. It inevitably results in miscarriage and can be deadly for the mother if medical attention is delayed. Symptoms of such a pregnancy are abdominal pain, dizziness and low blood pressure in the first few weeks after conception.

New And Second Pregnancy

New pregnancy makes a mother out of a woman. It is a new sensation that her body undergoes. She changes everyday; each new day brings new joy and challenge. In early pregnancy stages, she may feel morning sickness, nausea vomiting tendency, fatigue and lethargy. As her pregnancy progresses, she may need to go to the bathroom frequently and back aches may cause a major problem.
All these symptoms may be lower in intensity during her second pregnancy. But that does not mean that she has it easy. For now in addition to the child inside her, she has to take care of her older baby. Still second pregnancy is a bit more enjoyable than first pregnancy as the mother now understands every change her body undergoes.

Twin Pregnancies

Lucky is the woman who undergoes nine months of labour instead of eighteen to have two babies. Twin pregnancy is common in woman with prior family history of twins but nowadays due to fertility treatment, many more woman are having multiple pregnancies. It is also a risky affair as the woman needs special care and attention while carrying two foetuses. Most of the time twins are born prematurely with low birth weight. So this kind of pregnancy type needs regular check ups, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Teen Pregnancy

Though a woman's body is theoretically ready for motherhood with the arrival of puberty, but biologically or emotionally, she is not ready in her teens to be a mother. Of the pregnancy types, this one should be avoided at all cost. But sadly, with puberty setting early and average age of sexually active youngsters going down, teen pregnancy is a problem in modern society. A teen mother gives birth to undernourished babies, become victims in domestic life and sometimes neglects and abandons the child. Spread of sex education and availability of contraception can reduce this pregnancy type.

The first tip to help you get pregnant is to understand how you body works. Your body is amazing; with observation and attention you can greatly improve you chances of getting pregnant. Monitoring changes throughout your monthly cycle will help you identify when the time is right to conceive.

The next tip is to start to watch what you eat and drink, if you are finding that you are suffering from stress then it would be wise to cut down on caffeine and sugary sodas. Drink more water and eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.

The next tip is to prepare your body nutritionally. Good health is all about balance, eating the right foods with the all the nutrition you need can be challenging. To overcome this you can supplement your diet with vitamins. One very important vitamin is vitamin B9, better known as folic acid.

The next tip relates to sexual intercourse. Sex as we all know is wonderful, however if it becomes mechanical then it can start to be a bit of a drag. This can lead to lack of drive and makes the joy of love making routine and boring. You want to conceive a child through passion and love.

When both partners are passionate and climax at the same time it actually helps deliver more sperm to the egg. This improves your chances of conception. After sex, relax, stay lying down and let good old Mother Nature do her job. If you prop up your hips then you get gravity working on your side.

In conclusion your health is everything and this applies to both you and your partner.

Johannesburg is the largest and one of the wealthiest and most modern cities in South Africa. It is also the major financial, commercial, industrial and mining center of the country. It is known to have the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city has many skyscrapers and is the world's largest city not located on a lake, river or coastline. Johannesburg has many good hospitals, many of which are truly world class. The technologically advanced hospitals offer the services of eminent doctors and accept all major health insurances.

Netcare Linksfield Hospital is placed at 24 12th Avenue, Linksfield West, Johannesburg 2192. South Africa's largest healthcare and medical emergency service provider, Netcare manages this hospital. The center is most well known for neuro-surgery and spinal surgery. The hospital's orthopedic unit is popular for treating of all kinds of sports injuries. In addition, the hospital is country's leading oncology center. The hospital has many special clinics like the travel clinic, the baby clinic, the counseling clinic and the beauty clinic. Excellent service from qualified audiologists is also available. Facilities like a coffee shop, a round the clock pharmacy, and agift shop are also located on site. The hospital has well equipped units in ultrasound, angiography, mammography, biopsies and nuclear medicine. It has also been equipped with a PET scanner, an MRI, a CT and a bone densitometry. The 24- hour emergency department has resuscitation rooms, sophisticated equipment, vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing air ambulances. The company's Netcare 911 employing about 1000 staff members is the largest private emergency service provider in South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)11 647 3400

Life Brenthurst Clinic situated at 4 Park Lane, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 is another major hospital. The world famous South African hospital group, Life Healthcare has 63 modern hospitals of which Life Brenthurst Clinic is one. The 233 bed hospital is famous for medical excellence and patient centeredness. The center offers excellent clinical and diagnostic services in all medical departments and has the best doctors in the region. The newest eye laser facilities are available in the ophthalmology unit. The modern maternity unit features 20 beds as well as antenatal, postnatal, immunization clinics and a well baby center. Tel: 011 647 9000

Pregnancy is a very special time in the life of a woman. It can also be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience. Every stage of pregnancy is both exciting and challenging. Having the support of her loved ones makes a pregnant mom comfortable and confident of herself. If you are looking for the best gifts for pregnant moms, then consider gifting her an experience rather than a material gift.

Even if she does not say it, every pregnant woman appreciates the help, care and support that her family and friends offer. Most women may find it difficult to ask for or accept help, so try to offer it even if she does not ask for it. One of the nicest things that you can do is to gift her a few hours of quality time by herself or with her partner. You can offer to take care of the household chores such as cleaning the dishes, doing the laundry and dusting the house. This simple gesture will mean more to her than a basket full of gifts.

Offer to run errands such as shopping for groceries. Pregnant mums need to eat properly and should have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. This means that they need to go to the store frequently to shop for them. Pregnancy tires out the woman's body and by ensuring that she doesn't have to stand in the queue at the grocery store and lug her shopping home, you can pamper her rather thoughtfully. You do not need to pay for the groceries; the time and effort that you spend shopping for the provisions are your gift to your friend.

You can also offer to cook dinner at her house or bring the food over. Do take the time and effort to choose dishes that she enjoys. It would be thoughtful to bring a little extra, so that she has leftovers to warm and eat the next day too. It would be nice if you washed the dishes before you left so that she does not have to bother with them.

Pregnancy is accompanied by a plethora of discomforts including backaches, headaches, leg cramps and a general feeling of fatigue. A gentle, soothing massage is just what a pregnant mum needs to alleviate her aches. There are spas that offer special massage treatment for mums-to-be.

Women with normal pregnancies can enjoy the many benefits that a prenatal massage offers. The masseur will help reduce the pressure and strain on certain body parts such as the lower back or the feet. The pampering is just what the lady needs to make her feel loved and cherished. Facial and neck massages relax the body and ease the mind, and can be the perfect gift for a pregnant mum.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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