Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

The cost of health care is quite a bit higher in the United States than in other developed countries. As well as being unfairly expensive, the American medical infrastructure has come under fire as of late due to a number of factors. Perhaps the greatest influence is the imminent presidential election in late 2008, and candidates from both the left and right have been scrambling to find plausible solutions to the glaring deficiencies left as a legacy of the Bush era. Another cause for the pressure to change comes from Michael Moore, a controversial political moviemaker whose recent work, a documentary film titled "SiCKO," highlights the many flaws in the United States health care system.

Faced with limited options, mothers-to-be are often stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of covering their prenatal and childbirth costs. Traditional insurance providers, with high premiums and deductibles, sometimes have additional out-of-pocket costs that families are unable to shoulder. Other options, such as traditional health methods, aren't very reliable so women are forced to face the rising costs without attractive solutions. What other alternatives do they have?

One solution that has arisen comes in the form of non-traditional health coverage. Consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) are becoming popular for Americans seeking a cheaper route to medical insurance. CDHPs, which incorporate cost-sharing and fairly low deductibles in combination with Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), have the potential to yield high tax benefits that could offset costs and make CDHPs considerably less expensive than traditional insurance providers. The likelihood of these benefits coming to fruition, however, remains in question. Desperate individual policyholders are nevertheless turning to CDHPs to lessen the financial burden that comes with childbirth.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, a California-based, health-related think tank, recently tested the viability of CDHPs as an affordable option for high maternity costs. In the least expensive scenario, it was found that a new mother could pay barely US$6,000 for out-of-pocket costs to cover prenatal treatment and a straightforward childbirth. While US$6,000 is starkly less than the costs paid by other CDHP policyholders, it is still similar to or more expensive than would have been paid out-of-pocket under a traditional medical insurance plan.

In a second scenario, a family spent US$21,000 on out-of-pocket maternity fees when using a CDHP. This is quite a high value, despite the family having had coverage for more than two years and the pregnancy and birth being relatively free of complications. In a third (and quite extreme) example, a family was forced to pay more than US$287,000 in medical fees during the birth of the family's second child. In this case, a woman experienced a rocky pregnancy, coupled with gestational diabetes, pre-term labor that resulted in a c-section birth, and comprehensive neonatal intensive care.

The vast divide between the out-of-pocket charges for maternity care is the result of inconsistent cost-sharing across CDHPs. The conclusion, therefore, is that pregnant women with coverage from CDHPs could face costs that are extremely higher those incurred under traditional insurance providers. The risk of accumulating ridiculous hospital bills is too high in the face of the steep costs of raising an infant. The rising popularity of CDHPs could therefore potentially damage the health of less wealthy Americans who turn to CDHPs and then suffer from inferior health care and heavy financial losses as a result. On the other hand, CDHPs can, in some cases, provide comprehensive health care options to those who have been exposed to health insurance plans that are incomplete parcels of larger plans designed to suit a broader base.

Despite a much longer list of pros and cons, it has clearly emerged that CDHPs are a much riskier alternative to complete health care plans. Though American health care is pricey and often insufficient for the cost, the safest choice is to acquire coverage from a trusted insurance provider. The lack of reliable cost sharing and the rookie mistakes made by the new CDHP organizers can result in disastrous effects to the health of those insured. And the health of a pregnant woman or newborn should not be gambled with.

Although it's always best to speak with your doctor when you have concerns about your pregnancy, the following tips cover some of the most common health concerns for expecting mothers.

1. Leg Cramps
During the last months of pregnancy, women often experience leg cramps, especially while they're resting in bed. Massage or heat pads are wonderful ways to reduce the pain of leg cramps, as is wearing maternity compression stockings. Compression stockings reduce venous pressure and increase circulation, which often completely stops cramping in the legs. However, if the cramps persist, you should contact your doctor.

2. Poor Leg Circulation
During pregnancy, the weight of the fetus puts extra pressure on the legs and feet. Specifically, the uterus puts pressure on the main vein on the right side of the body, the inferior vena cava. This puts more pressure on the rest of the veins in the legs, and can result in varicose and spider veins.

In addition to following your doctor's orders for relieving swelling (such as elevating your feet when you are seated), compression stockings can also reduce the pain and discoloration of varicose and spider veins. Maternity compression stockings are specially designed to boost the blood flow from your legs to your heart; this reduces circulatory problems that can occur in your ankles and lower legs.

3. Thyroid Disease
During pregnancy, the body naturally increases the levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone present in a woman's hormone system. These hormones can cause the thyroid to function differently. Altered thyroid functioning can manifest in symptoms such as fatigue, feelings of depression, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, anemia, and intolerance to heat. Doctors often prescribe thyroid supplements for pregnant women experiencing a problem with their thyroid gland. Health professionals may recommend wearing compression socks for women as well; this will help reduce the additional leg swelling that can come with a thyroid imbalance.

4. Gestational Diabetes
When an individual is diabetic, insulin levels are too high. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood stream. If the body fails to produce enough insulin, or inappropriately uses insulin, diabetes may occur. Gestational diabetes symptoms include extreme fatigue, hunger, and thirst.

Because these symptoms are common during pregnancy, the best way to diagnose gestational diabetes is through blood testing. Doctors may instruct sufferers of gestational diabetes to follow a certain diet/meal plan, exercise regularly, regularly monitor blood sugar levels, and take certain medications. Lastly, gestational diabetes can decrease circulation, particularly in the legs, so your health advisor may suggest that you wear maternity compression stockings to prevent or alleviate pressure and swelling.

5. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure during pregnancy is dangerous, especially for the baby. It can cause conditions such as low birth weight, preeclampsia, and premature delivery.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure during your pregnancy, it is wise to heed your doctor's advice regarding diet and lifestyle changes. Additionally, compression socks for women can help control the symptoms of high blood pressure, such as leg swelling and cramps.

Exactly what are the Symptoms?

Thyroiditis serves as a generic expression which defines "inflammation of the thyroid gland", therefore, postpartum thyroiditis is thyroiditis that comes about in females following the delivery of a newborn baby. Thyroiditis symptoms can cause both thyrotoxicosis (very high thyroid gland hormone levels in the bloodstream) and also hypothyroidism (very low thyroid hormone levels in the blood). When it comes to postpartum thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis starts initially followed by hypothyroidism.

What's causing thyroiditis symptoms?

The precise explanation isn't understood but it is considered to be an autoimmune condition similar to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In fact, both of these diseases can't be distinguished from one another in relation to pathology specimens. Just like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis is concerning the development of anti-thyroid (anti-thyroid peroxidise, anti-thymoglobulin) antibodies. The women having positive antithyroid antibodies have a much greater risk of developing postpartum symptoms than women that do not have positive antibodies. It is believed that females who develop postpartum thyroiditis have an underlying asymptomatic autoimmune thyroiditis that flares up within the postpartum period when there are variances in the immune system function.

So how common is thyroiditis?

Within the United states, postpartum thyroiditis happens in around 5-10% of women. Often the number of cases is certainly elevated in certain high risk populations (see below).

Who's going to be in danger of getting thyroiditis symptoms?

Practically any women with:

• Autoimmune disorders (for instance Type 1, or juvenile onset, Diabetes Mellitus

• Positive anti-thyroid antibodies (risk fits with antibody levels, the larger the antibody number the higher the associated risk)

• Background of prior thyroid problems

• History of earlier thyroiditis (20% of ladies have recurrence of thyroiditis symptoms with future pregnancy)

• Family history of thyroid dysfunction

What is the clinical course of thyroiditis?

The conventional description of postpartum thyroiditis comprises of thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. Not all ladies exhibit evidence connected with going through both phases; in the region of 1/3 of individuals will manifest both stages, whilst a third of people are going to have just a thyrotoxic or hypothyroid phase. The thyrotoxic phase shows up 1-4 months following birth of a child, may last for 1-3 months and is particularly related to symptoms like panic and anxiety, insomnia issues, palpitations (fast heart rate), weakness, weight reduction, and also one becoming easily irritated. Because these indications in many cases are attributed to being postpartum and the emotional stress of having a new baby, the thyrotoxic cycle of post-partum thyroiditis often is missed. It's much more common for women to display indications in the hypothyroid stage, that almost always occurs four to eight months after delivery and can last as much as nine to twelve months. Regular Thyroiditis indications and symptoms incorporate weariness, putting on weight, bowel problems, dry skin, depression symptoms and poor physical exercise tolerance. A lot of women will have return of their thyroid function to normal inside of twelve to eighteen months from the beginning of indicators. However, approximately 20% of those that go into a hypothyroid phase will remain hypothyroid.

How is thyroiditis dealt with?

Treatment plans is dependent on the phase of thyroiditis symptoms and degree of indicators that sufferers display. Most women presenting with thyrotoxicosis may be treated with beta blockers to lower palpitations as well as reduce shakes and tremors. As signs or symptoms get better, the prescription medication is tapered off simply because the thyrotoxic stage is transient. Antithyroid medicines usually are not helpful for the thyrotoxic stage because the thyroid just isn't overactive. The hypothyroid phase is generally helped by thyroid hormone substitute. If the hypothyroidism is slight, and the patient has few, if any, symptoms, absolutely no treatments could be appropriate. If, perhaps thyroid hormone therapy is actually begun, treatment plan have to be ongoing for approximately 6-12 months and then tapered to find out if thyroid hormone is necessary in the long term. It will always be critical to strive to stop thyroid hormone following postpartum thyroiditis Symptoms, considering that eighty percent of patients will probably attain standard thyroid performance and not need chronic therapy treatment.

Health insurance is a crucial package of benefits your pocket book can't live without. Read on to learn why this coverage is important and what elements you should look for when you're shopping for a health insurance policy.

A most basic definition of health insurance explains that if you purchase health coverage and are sick or injured, depending on what is covered in your policy, you will only be responsible for a certain percentage of the medical costs. This type of coverage is intended to help you manage health care and medical bills.

"What should be in my policy?"

The perfect health insurance plan will include FIVE vital components:

-International coverage - Are you covered worldwide for non-emergency care?
-Annual dollar limit you can afford out-of-pocket - Make sure your pocketbook can handle your policy's annual maximum
-Ability to see specialists without a referral - If you or your loved ones have a serious or life-threatening illness, you don't want to have to beg for the best treatment.
-Vast coverage limit that shouldn't ever be exhausted, even for the most catastrophic medical expenses - A key idea to keep in mind when shopping for your health insurance policy is to find one with no limits, if possible. If this is unattainable, find a maximum policy limit of $1 million per claim or $2 million per lifetime.
-No internal policy limits - Do not purchase a policy that has internal policy limits.

"What coverages should I have under my health insurance?"

Your health insurance policy should include several coverages...

Physician's expense - covers your doctor's office visit or hospital visit

Hospital expense - takes care of room, board and services while you're in the hospital

Surgical expense - pays for any surgery related fees or costs

Major medical insurance - provides a very high maximum benefit formulated to protect you against losses from major injuries or illnesses

"Perks of health insurance?"

Double check your health insurance policy. It MIGHT include the following benefits...

- Vision
- Maternity care
- Preventive care
- Mental health benefits
- Prescription drugs
- Dental

"I know I need health insurance, but my company doesn't offer insurance packages. Where can I get a reasonable insurance quote?"

There are several insurance comparison web sites that allow you to quickly get an insurance quote - whether you're looking for health, life, home owner's or auto coverage. To receive an insurance quote online, most of the comparison sites will ask for personal information. It is very important to answer truthfully when you are filling out these applications. Otherwise, your insurance quote may not be as accurate as possible.

Are you seeking an infertility cure or get pregnant quick and naturally guide?

For those who have been planning to have a baby for a couple of months or years without results, you may well be serious about reading an infertility cure ebook. This is a far less expensive choice, than say, proceeding straight to a fertility consultant.

The issue with fertility doctors is that they can be extremely expensive, and their fee isn't often covered by insurance. They may suggest medicinal drugs which have awful adverse reactions, or you could possibly choose to undertake invasive IVF operations. In any event, you can actually throw away lots of useful time and cash, and have completely nothing to point out for it.

Fortunately, there exist an infertility cure e-book which DOES guarantee success. It is referred to as Pregnancy Miracle, and it is part of a total package of ebooks that centers on everything connected to fertility and pregnancy. You will understand the most effective ways to become pregnant - that is, what time of the month, what positions you should utilize, and many others.

Moreover, this eBook clearly shows why your daily diet may be adding to your infertility. As you will get to know, the over-processed, fast foods that are well-known these days have excessive preservatives and chemicals to be digested adequately. In contrast, raw, natural fruit and veggies will boost your metabolic rate and enhance your energy.

More often than not, changing to an organic eating plan can have remarkable effects on your chance to become pregnant. So how can this infertility cure book guarantee a pregnancy? Easy! If you don't become pregnant within twelve months of purchase, you can actually return the Pregnancy Miracle and obtain a full refund. This risk-free guarantee is something you'll never see made available by fertility professionals.

So in addition to the book's awesome low-cost, it is also almost risk-free. This makes the Pregnancy Miracle the best guide now available in the fertility industry. As infertility cure books go, it is the most in-depth and holistic guide to fertility on the market.

Lastly, in addition to the Pregnancy Miracle, you will obtain various free added ebooks in the series. A baby name guidebook is included, which consists of a large number of names, meanings, and origins from just about every country on earth.

Additionally, you'll get a pregnancy guide that will assist you to prepare once you are expecting your baby. And because exercising is indeed essential, the package also contains a comprehensive guide to yoga, which is possibly the best activities for women that are pregnant, due to it's less impact nature along with stress-relieving tactics. Could it be that Pregnancy Miracle is the best infertility cure book on the market?

So now you know you are pregnant and you have done all it takes to ensure that all is as it should be with you and your unborn child. Yet, now and again, you are assaulted with feelings that are so real and tangible which indicate that all is not as well as you might think. Feelings that make you think thoughts like; "How certain are you, for example that your baby is okay?", "What is the guarantee you have that you will make a good mother for that child?", "How will you provide for it until he needs to leave your house when fully grown?", "Will you be required to raise him or her alone", "What if you cannot lose all that post baby fat?" etcetera, etcetera.

While all of the above may be legitimate questions, you must realize that becoming anxious over them are unnecessary and uncalled for. This is due to the fact that you are simply experiencing bouts of anxiety and panic attacks which can be a normal condition for pregnant women. Nevertheless, being common does not mean that you should accept it as the norm and begin to endure it - no, in fact there are many techniques out there that can help you put those anxious feelings under. This article will not list out all of those techniques but will answer the most frequently asked question concerning the 7 most common of these techniques in the hopes that you will be able to decide on which best suits your kind of person or the type of panic that you experience. Okay let's roll...

1. Is Swimming An Effective Way To Calm A Panic Attack?

Yes it is. It helps to ease pressure on your joints and calm frayed nerves. It also gives your mind something to concentrate and focus on. Additionally, swimming helps to position your baby for the birth process (delivery).

2. Can You Give Me A List Of Herbal Supplements?

These include, but are not limited to, the following; valerian, kava kava, winter cherry, St. John's wort, bugleweed, ashwangandha, and so on.

These herbs can be used to combat panic attacks and achieve a panic-free pregnancy term. They are also very fantastic catalyst for mood stabilization and achieving a calm sleep. It is able to do this by helping the neurotransmitters in your brain maintain healthy balance.

3. I Don't Know How To Execute The Proper Deep Breathing Technique, Can You Describe How?

Deep breathing helps you relax and will be helpful when it is time for labor too. They are very effective for preventing panic and can improve you physical and mental condition. Two basic types are note worthy; Abdominal and Slow;

Abdominal - To do this one, place one hand on your belly; Take in air through your nostrils slowly and deeply so that it gets to the bottom of your lungs. While doing this, your shoulders and chest should be as stationary as possible while your belly should expand with air; After about 5 to 8 seconds, you should exhale slowly. As you exhale, feel and allow your body relax. Repeat this technique about ten times to ensure a smooth and regular breathing. Once you have done this for 5 minutes you will begin to notice much less anxiety. Practice this routine daily.

Slow - Slowly inhale air through your nostrils while counting to 5; Hold in that breath for about 5 seconds; Then exhale slowly through your mouth while counting down from 5 - 1. While doing this you might want to repeat the word "relax...relax..." silently. Continue this technique for about 5 minutes and practice it daily.

4. I've Heard About Prenatal Yoga, What Is It Exactly?

It is simply a variation of yoga which is suitable for pregnant women. Yoga is a relaxation technique that calms the body and clears the mind of anxiety.

5. Going For A Walk - Is It Advisable Or Not?

It is advisable. But care should be taking to choose serene locations and terrain that is not harsh or too coarse. You should be thinking about locations like the park, the beach and so on. Try not to overdo it as the aim here is to relieve the stress that causes panic and not to help bring it on.

6. Is It Important To Eat Healthy Foods To Ward Off Panic Attacks?

Yes it is. In fact eating a healthy meal with high nutritional value is recommended if you want to have a panic-free pregnancy term. You want to ensure that you eat foods like; cereals, eggs, fruits, veggies, milk and so on. You should also abstain from ingesting or inhaling substances that consist of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other negative substances that are addictive and dangerous to you and your unborn baby.

7. Should I Medicate My Attacks?

This is a toughie. The answer is not so simple...I will not recommend that you take medication for your panic due to a lot of reasons but your doctor may disagree. So let me expatiate further; even though antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication can help calm you down, the truth is that they are addictive, habit-forming, and pack quite nasty withdrawal symptoms. You will also constantly need to up your medication so as to maintain their efficacy. Finally and more importantly what panic attack medication actually does is to quell your symptoms not eradicate the original trigger or root cause of that panic. If you still opt for medication, ensure that it is with the full consent of your doctor.

Fish oil for pregnant women is becoming so popular, it's a standard recommendation by many gynecologists to their pregnant patients. A healthy diet and other good supplements are important, too, of course: no food or nutrient is enough all by itself. Having said that... here's why this may be the No. 1 supplement for pregnant women.

First, DHA and EPA, the essential omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil, are among the best natural anti-inflammatory nutrients known. This is a major reason why they are helpful in so many areas: the brain, the joints, the digestive system, the heart and circulatory system.

Omega 3's have been shown to benefit mood, concentration and mental alertness. There is also a strong relationship between the lack of omega 3's and depression.

The areas of the world where omega 3 is lowest in the diet are also those with the highest incidence of depression. Japan, with a tradition of a lot of fish in the diet, has rates of depression among the lowest in the world. New Zealand has rates of clinical depression that are among the highest on earth -- and New Zealand has one of the lowest amounts of omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.

From these facts, and several clinical studies, omega 3's are considered to be good nutrients to help prevent postnatal depression, the depression that sometimes plagues new mothers.

Omega 3's, and especially DHA are vital during pregnancy because the baby developing in the womb needs DHA for healthy development of the brain and eyes. DHA is actually concentrated in the brain and the cornea of the eyes. Studies have shown better development of brain function and eyesight in babies whose mothers were given omega 3 supplements during their pregnancies.

Other interesting studies have shown that omega 3 supplements for pregnant women seem to help head off allergies in their children -- perhaps because of the anti-inflammation qualities of DHA while the baby is developing.

After the baby is born, omega 3 supplements are still extremely important. The brains, eyes and bodies of young children are developing rapidly, so this is a nutrient that is also particularly important at this stage. And of course, it's also great for the emotional health of the busy mother.

For more on the importance of fish oil for pregnant women, see my website.

During the last trimester of pregnancy, you need to eat more foods high in iron than you normally would. This is because your body is busy making more red blood cells so as to supply enough for you and your baby. Each blood cell uses iron as a core. Iron can't be manufactured by your body; it must be absorbed from the food you eat.

Iron is found in lots of different foods, but it is difficult to absorb. This makes it hard for your body to take in enough iron to meet its needs when you are pregnant. If you don't provide your body with enough iron in your diet, your body makes fewer red blood cells. This is known as anemia. Anemia from iron deficiency is very common, and, fortunately, is fairly easy to remedy, as well.

Your body also needs a nutrient known as folate to make healthy red blood cells. Folate is easy to absorb and you can find it in most green vegetables.

What causes anemia? It's usually brought on by a poor intake of folate- and iron-rich foods. It can also be caused by the destruction of red blood cells that occurs occasionally when you're sick.

What are the symptoms and signs of anemia? Sometimes you won't experience any symptoms. But if your anemia is severe, you may feel fatigued and weak.

Can you prevent anemia? Yes, you can eat foods high in iron. These include fortified grains, dried beans, eggs, fish, chicken and meat. The type of iron that is found in meats is called heme and it is easier to absorb than the iron that's found in vegetables. If you're suffering from anemia and you already eat meat, increasing the meat that you consume will readily increase the iron that your body receives from it.

Also, it's a good idea to eat foods that are high in folic acid, like orange juice, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables and dried beans. Always eat foods that are high in vitamin C, too. This includes fresh raw vegetables, and citrus fruits.

Another way to get iron, and something people don't think of very often, is cooking with iron pots. This can add up to 80% more iron to your diet that food cooked in aluminum. Be sure to always remember to take your prenatal vitamins, and your mineral pills that contain extra folate.

You can also take vitamin and iron tablets. Since it's hard to get enough iron in your diet, you may need to take a supplement, in addition to eating foods high in iron. There is usually enough iron in your prenatal vitamin to avert anemia, but your health care provider may prescribe an extra iron supplement if you're anemic. Take it in small amounts if it upsets your stomach. You may want to take a stool softener as well. Don't take your iron supplement with calcium supplements or dairy products.

Hemorrhoids are masses of swollen veins in the lower rectum or at the anus. The condition develops from increased pressure in the veins in the lower rectum most often caused by straining to have a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins -- that is, blood vessels that have become unusually swollen - hat show up in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids are typically anywhere from the size of a raisin to the size of a grape. Hemorrhoids are often itchy and can be very painful, especially in the first few days postpartum. You may find some bleeding in the rectal area especially after a bowel movement, this is normal.

Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women, and about half of the population in the United States will suffer from hemorrhoids at least once by age fifty. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and excess tissue in the lower rectum and anus. They can cause pain, bleeding, and itching. Hemorrhoids are common among pregnant women because the pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge.

External Hemorrhoids, however, are commonly associated with pain and itching as well as bleeding. Thus, most of the approximately 500,000 Americans who seek medical treatment for Hemorrhoids each year are afflicted with the external type of the swollen veins. External Hemorrhoids involve the veins outside the anus. They can be itchy or painful and can sometimes crack and bleed. External hemorrhoids may also be noticed by the presence of a small skin tag protruding from the anus or of a bulging vein type protusion around the anus.

Internal Hemorrhoids can range from small, swollen veins in the wall of the anal canal to large, sagging veins and tissue that bulge out of the anus all the time. Internal Hemorrhoids can be painful if they protrude all the time and are squeezed by the anal muscles, or if they are thrombosed, or clotted. Internal Hemorrhoids usually develop due to chronic constipation and are also prone to develop during a woman's pregnancy period. Internal Hemorrhoids often do not cause a visible lump or pain, but they can bleed. Bleeding from Internal Hemorrhoids typically occurs with bowel movements, causing blood-streaked stool or toilet paper.

Hemorrhoids treatment can be external or internal or both together depending on the nature of the condition. Medicated pads procurable commercially contain witch hazel, that is a natural astringent drug which can help relieve irritation and reduce swelling. A few people are sensitive to astringents as well as the painkillers carried in hemorrhoid cream, thus care should be exercised when using these products. Natural treatments, such as Venapro, have shown to be effective in controlling and reversing symptoms dramatically.

The baby is on the way. Excitement reigns in the household. However, mother is feeling aches and pains that cause her distress. Her back is aching, her balance is off, and it is nearly impossible to find relief. Fortunately, there is help available.

The Problem

Pregnancy causes a number of changes in your body. As the baby grows, your center of gravity shifts. As this happens, your posture is affected and you start feeling back pain and abdominal pain. Your skin is being stretched to make room for your growing child and this, too, causes pain. In addition, your body is producing a hormone called relaxin that is softening up the ligaments and joints, getting them ready for the birth of your baby. The support you once had just is not there and it is painful. Your body is also producing more fluids and blood as it takes care of you and the baby. This causes swelling (called edema) which is another annoyance.

What You Can Do

Back pain does not have to be overwhelming. Regular exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your back and give you more flexibility. Swimming, walking, and stationary cycling are all safe exercise methods, even in the later stages of pregnancy.

Be aware of your posture when you are working, sitting, or sleeping. While you are sitting at a desk, place a rolled up towel at the small of your back to provide extra support. When sitting for a long time, placing your feet on a stack of books and sitting up straight with your shoulders back will also help. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees will relieve some of the stress on your back.

When You Need More

Following the suggestions above will help but sometimes you need to do more. One way to help alleviate pain and provide support for your growing belly is to wear a maternity support garment. A good support garment will help relieve:

繚 Abdominal muscle pain

繚 Leg pain

繚 Sciatica

繚 Pelvis pain or weakness

繚 Hip separation pain

繚 Lower back pain

繚 Provide postpartum back, stomach, and pelvis support

A maternity support body suit that supports your whole upper body is now available. Be careful when you are looking at body suits. This is not the body suit that cosmetically covers your belly. Worn as an undergarment, the maternity support body suit provides not just support for your abdomen but also helps to correct your posture and provide correct body alignment. You may find that you feel less fatigue and stress while wearing the body suit. You also may find that you are breathing better as your lungs now have more room to expand. A maternity support body suit will give you better overall support and help your muscles to actually grow stronger.

As you wear the maternity support bodysuit, you will find that your back feels better and your abdomen does not feel so heavy. Your posture will improve and you will feel better overall. This is a time to feel joy and expectation, not pain and stress. Do what you can to help yourself feel better.