Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Unplanned pregnancy is not an uncommon problem.

Did you know that one in three girls will become pregnant before turning 20? This is almost always an unplanned pregnancy and it creates stress and trauma in the teens' lives as well as those of their families. Deep emotional feelings of denial, shock, fear, guilt, worry, anger, disappointment, embarrassment, depression, excitement and nervousness are common for both the teen and their family.

Where can a teen turn for help when this happens?

First and foremost: Tell your parents! Even when emotions run hot, they are still your best support! Give them some time to get used to the situation, then listen to them and their advice. They love you and want to help you. Work it out as a family. You're young and the wisdom of parents with more experience in the world will be the best place to start.

After you tell your parents, you may wish to follow, or look into the following three areas to get the outside help you will need during your unplanned pregnancy.

1. Get medical advice. Find a doctor that will best fit your particular needs. Someone who will be honest and forthcoming with options you will need along the way. Take a prenatal vitamin, one your doctor prescribes, and take it regularly. It will boost your energy and give the baby you carry needed nutrients.

Get plenty of rest and eat right. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and dairy products with calcium and iron will be most helpful.

Exercise daily to help prevent stress and depression. Your doctor will be a wealth of information on how best to take care of yourself and the baby during your pregnancy.

Don't know which obstetrics (OB) doctor to choose? Your local hospital or your own family doctor can suggest names. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember, unplanned pregnancy is not that uncommon. No one will think you're weird.

2. Find an unplanned pregnancy support group through your school, your doctor, or your clergy. There are many ways to get information that will help arm you against worry and fear during your pregnancy.

3. Begin thinking about your options after the baby is born. Will you keep it? Will you look into adoption? I, for one, would hope that you would choose to take the pregnancy to full term and not abort. Abortion has its own set of serious problems that arise long after the baby is taken out. The financial problems that result go far beyond the cost of the procedure, and the emotional and social price you pay are devastating.

Will you marry the father? If you do, ask yourself, "Will he really be a good husband and father," or will his frustrations and the pressure of parenthood turn him into someone you barely recognize? It happens more often than you think.

Will you offer the baby up for adoption? There are thousands of wonderful people out there who are mature, financially secure, and are yearning for a child they can call their own, and nurture to maturity. Additionally, it gives you a chance to still have your youth, plan for a career, and when the time is right, start your family openly and intentionally. Adoption is often the best option for all involved: you, the child, and the new parents.

If you choose this option, be sure you involve a reputable adoption agency that has access to the best adoptive parents, can and will counsel and help you through the process, and will stand by you during birthing and the recovery days afterward.

Also, if you choose to adopt out, don't worry that you "abandoned" your child. Quite the contrary, you will have made a tough decision that gives that child a chance for a full and happy life, one of plenty and peace instead of a life of hardship because of your limited means. That's just as much "love for your child" as any other sacrifice you could make for them.

In the end, do what is best for you and your child, but make sure you really know the likely future for each decision before you settle on one course of action. Remember that you are deciding for two.

Many years ago, a friend of mine had an unplanned pregnancy. Her mother made her marry the father. Looking at the results, it's hard to believe that the mother was right. The young couple were divorced after a year and she had the baby while living at home with her family.

Because of the responsibilities of parenthood while she was too young, a lot of educational and social options were out of her reach. Her life has been a struggle to make money and support her baby. She is living with the natural consequences of the choices she made long ago.

So, what are your goals? What do you want to accomplish in your life? Don't forget that you are important, too, even as you try to make the best decision for the baby. Strive for the win-win situation, and you really can have a happy future!

Keeping healthy during pregnancy can be accomplished in a number of ways. Most of the ideas that follow are not hard to implement, so have a look.

Before you retire to bed each night, take the time to do some stretching. Leg cramps are common during pregnancy because of weight gain. Having a good stretch before bedtime will relax your muscles and help reduce the chances of cramping during the night. This will help you to sleep soundly all night long!

You must exercise regularly during pregnancy. Light to moderate exercise, that does not overly stress your body, can help you have a shorter labor and lose your baby weight quickly after delivery.

Staying relaxed and as stress-free as possible during pregnancy is essential. Not only does stress trigger a wide range of health issues in a pregnant woman, but stress also affects the baby in the womb. If some cases, large amounts of stress could make the baby come out too soon.

Human skin can stretch a lot, but only so far. It's perfectly normal for your belly to become itchy as it expands. Avoid taking a hot shower or bath to try to soothe your skin. Hot water leeches oils from the skin, leaving it itchy and dry. See to it that you moisturize using something heavy like petroleum jelly or cocoa butter. Choose loose fitting clothing made of soft fabrics and stop scratching!

This will keep your body's weight under control and your health in check. It is, of course, important not to over-do the exercise. You need to make sure to stay in shape during your pregnancy because this will help you lower your risk of a miscarriage and also overall help to reduce labor complications.

Ask your doctor about your condition before you travel, while you're pregnant. Make sure you bring all of your medical records along with you, in case something might happen.

Swelling is often an inevitable part of pregnancy, but it can be dealt with. Attempt to minimize your salt intake.

Build up a bedtime routine to help improve your sleep while pregnant. If you can follow a consistent bedtime routine, then your body will learn that bedtime is near. This should ease the process of falling asleep. Try shoulder massages, warm showers, or reading short stories before bed.

Make sure you eat before you head out to buy your groceries. Cravings for unhealthy foods will occur frequently during your pregnancy. An occasional treat is perfectly fine, but your daily menu should be packed with nutritious foods that promote the health of your baby and keep you feeling great. If you go grocery shopping when full, you'll be less likely to purchase anything outside of your list.

When you are pregnant, you should give your body support, when you are sleeping. You can find various body pillows specifically designed for those who are pregnant at a number of stores. A regular pillow can be used for support if you don't have a pregnancy pillow. Try to sleep with a pillow beneath your knees and one beneath your stomach.

A pregnancy journal is a wonderful way to commemorate your pregnancy and all of the wonderful things that happen when you are expecting. The gift of a pregnancy journal can be just as special to your child. In this journal you can write down every thought you may have regarding your pregnancy, and even your hopes and dreams for your child. It will be a wonderful present for your child in the future.

Don't overeat when you are pregnant in order to not have to try to lose a lot of weight once your baby is born. You should not double your calorie intake! You should eat an extra 300 calories a day for the last six months of the pregnancy to allow your baby to grow.

When you are pregnant, you should consider taking an HIV test. Even if you don't think it's possible the worst can happen, so it's best to know before your baby is born so you can ensure they have the best chance of being healthy. It will also allow you to seek out medical professionals who are knowledgeable about HIV.

As you experience the constant changes your body goes through while pregnant, consider archiving your stomach in photographs. Once your baby is born, your pregnancy will soon be forgotten, so it's worth having pictures as a reminder of those nine glorious months.

Ask your partner to eat healthier with you; this will give you some support. Doing this as a team will make the changes easier on you and lead to less stress in your relationship down the road.

Snoring may increase during your pregnancy. Nasal membranes swell during pregnancy. If you're snoring so much that your partner can't sleep, try using nasal strips so that your airways are opened up. You may also want to pick up a pair of ear plugs that your partner can wear, to help them get a better night's sleep.

Learn how to track your cycles if you are trying to conceive. By finding out when you are ovulating, you can increase your odds of becoming pregnant. It can help you figure out when you became pregnant so that you have a due date that's more accurate.

The shade of the line on your pregnancy test does not determine how strong your pregnancy is. If you see that the line is faint, it still means that you are or are not pregnant. It does not show anything else. The appearance of the line, any line at all, is a determiner of pregnancy.

If you read through and apply the ideas in the preceding paragraphs, then you and your child can easily waltz through pregnancy with ease and grace. It is obvious from these simple tips that so long as you take good care of yourself and baby during this time, it can be one of the most enjoyable periods of your life.

A series of emotions for Dads may come during nine months of pregnancy. It range from surprise finding out she's pregnant or wishing she were not. There may be emotions pleasure and acceptance of the pregnancy task. The common reaction is ambivalence which is feeling of being pleased and not pleased.

Dads were forgotten in the childbearing process in the old days. However, Dads today have important role and encourage having emotional support and interest in the pregnancy. As the pregnant woman adapts to pregnancy, Dads must go through some psychological changes.

Dads must accept her partner's body changing to another state. He must have recognition of the reality that a baby is coming. He must give emotional support while she is learning the process of pregnancy.

Some Dads may work too much to earn more money in preparation for the baby. They spend little time for her due to preoccupation with work. She needs emotional support during these times, dads must be beside her.

Dads must enjoy her partners pregnancy and be informed about sexuality and woman's health. Some men believe that breastfeeding may result to her wife's breast unattractive. He may make decision not to breastfeed the baby. The good advice of Obstetricians is to have bonding between mother and the baby, and breastfeeding is the only way. Sexual desire may not change during pregnancy. The enjoyment rises and remains with some difficulty of looking for the best position.

Some pregnant may have mood swings and husbands must handle it. The stress of pregnancy may affect her relationship with the child. It also influence whether she's able to carry pregnancy until delivery. Help your pregnant wife reduce level of stress and fatigue. Do not let problems go into big ones.Be there when she needs you most.

Go with her during prenatal visits, childbirth classes, and planning parenthood. These classes can help accept, expose with other parent role models, and learn information about pregnancy with childcare.

You have just given birth and the excitement of being a mother is seeping into you. With this new explosion of energy, you can turn two ways. Either get home feeling extremely exhausted and down and sleep the days away or go nuts with the new found energy. If you are on the verge to commit the latter, let me help draw you a list of do's and don'ts in this article.

Don'ts

Don't be a superwoman! If you're somebody who used to excel in multitasking, it's time to relinquish that title for a while. Caring for your baby and getting enough rest alone will keep you busy daily. Let hubby attend to matters for a while. Everything can be shelved; only attend to matters if it needs immediate attention. Don't commit yourself to any strenuous activity such as moving house or racquetball playing.

Workouts are a no-go for the first 40 days even if you're up and about a few days after giving birth. Your body is still not ready for the high-impact workouts for several weeks. Although most mothers are usually back on their feet within two weeks of giving birth, they better off restricting themselves to low-impact activities. It's not uncommon for many mothers to engage in yoga exercises around this time.

Sex? No! You've just had your baby hence muscles and whatnots are probably very sore. Sexual intercourse should preferably only resume after the postnatal check-up. Of course with the hormones going haywire in you, sex may be something you would pounce on. Refrain yourself for six weeks if possible. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Dos

If the previous paragraph has upset your husband, here's something he can rejoice about. When we said preferably no sex, we didn't rule out love play. Hand petting by you on him or vice versa, is encouraged. You don't want to reach a point where you both lose interest in sex (although we have our doubts over any man ever losing interest in sex!).

Do build up on good nutrition. We are not just saying this to help you get into the process of regaining your strength or to supplement Baby with the necessities when you breastfeed. We are insisting on this because studies have shown that good nutrition (with good moral support) prevent mood swings and hence decrease postpartum depression.

Do drink lots of water. Before you roll your eyes at us and mumble that you already know that, allow us to emphasise why we are not just telling you, but writing it in capital letters and highlighting it. Flushing out toxins and aiding in digestion and elimination are just general stuff water helps with. Drinking heaps of water also helps facilitate milk production.

Do get a postnatal massage if possible. The benefits of getting a massage are tenfold. Not only does the massage provide relaxation, it releases stress, relieves aches on shoulders and neck, hastens the reduction of fluid retention, helps the uterus to shrink to its original size and reduces cellulite. If you have delivered via C-section, then consult a massage therapist before you partake in this massage.

Rest and more rest. Nursing affects the hormones and thus would leave you exhausted. There is no such thing as too much rest for a mother who has just given birth. Try and master the art of catnapping. This will be extra beneficial when you need to wake up in the middle of the night and feed Baby.

So there you have it - some do's and don'ts that you should be aware of in those first 40 days. Enjoy the arrival of your little one and rest well.

Many of you have prayed all year for God to take away the miscarriage and infertility that has troubled you and give you your own child. Low sperm count may have been an issue that has troubled you and stopped you from having your own child. You may have done all you know to do in the physical yet have no answer to your problems. It looks like God has forsaken you. It looks like heaven has become brass in your case. In times like these what can I do? You may ask?
Today I want us to visit the Bible and see someone who faced the problem of unanswered prayer and how she finally overcame it.

In the book of 1 Samue1- 1:11, I found an unanswered prayer. A woman named Hannah was offering this prayer. It becomes obvious upon close observation that she had been praying this prayer for a long time. If you will notice, her prayer is not unscriptural It is simply unanswered. All she wants is a child. However, no child is born. Day and night she cried out to God to bless her womb and enable her become pregnant with her own child, but nothing happened.

The Bible tells us that Hannah is a faithful child of the Most High God. She and her husband go to Shiloh and worship God each time there is a feast. During those pilgrimages they always make the proper sacrifices and give generously to the work of the Lord in Shiloh.

Since we know that Hannah is a faithful worshiper of Almighty God, it is only reasonable to believe she is also a woman of prayer. Because of her great desire to have a son, we know she is constantly praying to conceive. No doubt she rises early every morning with this special prayer request, "Oh, God, give me a Son!"

Like so many out there she keeps at it, Lord, take away this miscarriage, take away this infertility from my life! Visit my womb with a child. Surely she continues to call out to the Lord Almighty every single day yet nothing seemed to be happening.

Everyone in the house knows her prayer by heart. I am sure she has asked all her family and neighbours again and again to agree with her that she will become pregnant. All the angels of heaven know her desire. To put it bluntly, everyone in heaven and earth seems to have heard her prayer - that is, everyone except God. Here we see the most heart-breaking kind of prayer. It is an unanswered prayer!
The Bible tells us that sorrow over her unanswered petition finally causes her to stop eating, "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD".

At this point she makes a radical change in the way she prays. Driven by desperation, she makes one last, violent attempt to move God's hand. Thank God, she has the sense to throw tradition to the wind and boldly take hold of that which is rightfully hers! Child of God, don't be turned off by the thought of taking violent action in prayer, for the violent leap of faith almost always brings deliverance, especially when your heaven has turned to brass.

We can see the desperation in Hannah's heart in the unusual way she forms her prayer. Her approach to God totally disregards tradition. The words she speaks can be described only as spiritual violence. It did not matter to her any more what anybody had to say.

Hannah's new way of praying swiftly moves God's mighty hand to her point of need. The Bible tells us that within hours of praying, she becomes pregnant. Take a moment, and read her most unusual prayer. (Continue reading in Part 2)

Only a healthy mother can deliver a healthy baby. So, parental care and preparation are necessary at the beginning itself. Having nutritious food and health exercise alone will not help a mother to deliver a healthy child. It needs overall care in each minute element that a mother comes across her regular life. Once you know that you are going to have a baby, it is essential that you give your baby a healthy start. Pregnancy is an extremely amazing time for you as well as your partner and future child. As an expectant mother, you must know what is happening to you and the baby growing within you.

Time of changes

Even though in the initial stages you might not notice any major transitions taking place in yourself, you would be able to see the budding evidences of the changes going on inside your body slowly. Most Believe it or not, it would be totally miraculous yet strange for you to wake up every morning to discover that you see a body that is different from what you had yesterday. It is quite normal to experience some common discomforts while you are pregnant. Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, bloated body, fatigue, tiredness, body aches, frequent urination and many other problems are common during this time. All these should be given due care during the effective parental care.

Give care on emotional changes

You would also undergo emotional and physical changes during pregnancy. Maintaining a cool and calm mindset is necessary to keep your baby healthy. The time demands more relaxation techniques to free your body from unnecessary commotions. Try to practice any of your favourite pastimes during pregnancy period. If you come across extra mental pressure and shock, try to get rid of it at the earliest with the help of your better half. Reading is a good habit that any woman can leisurely enjoy during her pregnancy days. Watching comedy movies also can gift you more relaxation.

Consult your doctor in time

You can keep a track of your kid's development by going through various tests. The best way is to visit your gynecologist regularly. These parental care visits are extremely essential for the health of your would be baby and you. A health care provider would also guide you about the things that you must avoid during your nine months of conception. Activities like drinking and smoking would hurt your child. Same is the case with certain medicines. A good doctor would advise you to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. Prenatal vitamins also play an essential role in the health of your unborn child.

Teens are becoming more and more sexually active these days. This increases the risk of contracting STD's and also unwanted pregnancies. Some teenagers are aware of the consequences of having unprotected sex and some are not. Then there are those who want to have a baby and those who don't want one but end up getting pregnant anyway.

Teen pregnancies are either unwanted or wanted. Either way, if you are a teen, there are still issues that have to be faced. Here are some of the pros and cons of teen pregnancies.

Cons:

They will most likely miss out on needed education. Some teen girls don't like the stares they get from having a big belly so they might stay home from school. Then there are those who get sick a lot from the pregnancy and have to stay home. Not to mention all the doctor appointments they have to go to. So, there is a big chance that they will either miss a lot of days in school, or have to quit for the moment.

The pregnancy will have a big impact on them. They will go through pain, gain weight, lose sleep, feel stressed, and more. Pregnancy can be very hard on a teenager. Their bodies aren't as strong as fully grown women and they are new to this experience and most often, it's something that is hard for them to experience.

Dealing with family is another negative side to teen pregnancies. In most cases the parents will be upset. They know that they will have to support the teen and the baby once it's born. With most teen pregnancies, the teen will not be able to care for and support the baby. They will need some kind of help. This help usually comes from the parents. So it is normal for them to be upset with the teen.

The most common downside of becoming pregnant as a teen is not being able to do the things they usually do. After the baby is born and even while the teen is carrying the child, they won't be able to do the things they normally do. For example, they might like playing basketball, going to the amusement park, and doing things they can't do during pregnancy. When the baby arrives, they have to turn their focus to the baby. They won't be able to go to the mall every weekend or go out with friends. They will have to tend to the baby unless they have a babysitter.

Pros:

They will be able to grow with their child. Being a young parent has it's good points too. Being able to do things with your child is always good. Older people tend to pass up on things because they are not into whatever it is that the child might be into or they are just too tired.

There are not too many positive sides to getting pregnant as a teen. There are more negatives than positives. Either way, just make sure you know what you are doing before you do it. Educate yourself on what happens when you practice unprotected sex and get pregnant. Having a talk with an older relative or parent that will have a calm talk with you is also a good idea.

There are many ways to treat infertility. Probably the easiest method has been taken for granted by many because of it's easy availability. Yes, treating infertility is as easy as drinking water!

Drinking water is important as it plays a vital role to our organs, including the reproductive system. By drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day can help flush out our body of toxins and wastes to prepare it for conception. Drink pure water, that is, water that has been removed of all impurities which are harmful to our body. Not all tap water are safe. It differs in different countries.

Cervical fluid plays an important role in getting pregnant. It helps the sperms get to the eggs for fertilization. Water helps by increasing the fertile quality cervical fluid. Good fertile quality cervical fluid will help the sperms reach the eggs for fertilization. It will also help to keep the sperms alive for several days while waiting for ovulation to take place. This is how water helps in improving fertility.

When your body is cleared of toxins, it will make it more effective for our body to absorb all the nutrients from the food we consume. Nutrients are essential to the reproductive success. Here again water plays an important role in transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout our body in the form of blood, which makes up of about 85% of water. So always stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

Lemon Water Boost Fertility

If you want to add flavour to your plain water, you may squeeze some lemon or lime juice. This way you are increasing your chances of getting pregnant even greater. This fruit contains vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants. Antioxidants in this drink helps to get rid the free radicals in our body which can harm the sperms and eggs, thereby increasing your fertility. You can still continue drinking lemon water if you are already pregnant. Another advantage is that it can help stimulate your bowel movement.

In general, water is always good for your health. It is the life blood of pregnancy. Make it a habit of drinking water in trying to conceive and continue the habit throughout your pregnancy too. Pregnant women are more susceptible to infections, so drinking lots of water helps to keep the infections at bay. However, take note that drinking water cannot be replaced by coffee or sodas because it can deplete you of water instead. Make drinking plain water a habit and soon it you will get use to it.

Before we get to discussing the best position to get pregnant, let's get one important thing straight first: you can get pregnant in any position-man on top, woman on top, standing, sitting, lying down or on all fours. Pregnancy happens when the male sperm enters the woman's vagina and meets up with an egg on its way to the uterus up the fallopian tube. Ideally, this is possible with any sexual position that you assume.

Unfortunately, however, some couples do find it hard to conceive for several reasons, including weak or insufficient sperm count. In some cases, as when nature needs a boost, a little push from you and your partner can go a long way in getting pregnant. When it comes to the best position to get pregnant, the general rule is that the male sperm must be deposited as near to the female cervix as possible.

This has something to do with the life spans of the female egg and the male sperm. Once an egg is released from the ovary-a stage also known as ovulation-it begins its path down the fallopian tube to the uterus. A released egg typically survives for only 24 hours, while a sperm can last anywhere from three to five days in the female body. As such, the egg has to be as close to the egg as possible so they can meet and join before the egg dies.

While not a lot of people will agree that the sexual positions have anything to do with getting pregnant, the logical inference is that it makes sense to assume the position that can help the sperm meet the egg in the shortest possible time.

This is especially true when for couples who have problems or difficulty conceiving. Having said this, the first "best position to get pregnant" tip is to avoid positions that least expose the cervix to the male sperm, and that generally defy gravity such as sex while standing up, sitting down, or with the woman on top. When trying to conceive, it is best to limit the amount of sperm that flows back out of the vagina.

The woman's hips should also be positioned in such a way that the sperm released is kept inside, giving it enough time to swim up to the female cervix.

Consider the following positions instead:

1. The missionary position, or man-on-top, is said to be the position that's best for getting pregnant. This is because this particular position allows for the deepest possible penetration, making it possible for the sperm to get deposited closest to the cervix.

2. Elevating the hips, which can be done by placing a pillow behind her, can also be helpful because this exposes the female cervix to as much semen as the male can release.

3. The rear-entry position where the man enters the woman from behind is also a recommended position. In this position, sperm is also deposited closest to the cervix, thereby helping increase the chances of conception.

4. You can also try having intercourse while lying side by side. This position likewise causes the most exposure of the cervix to the male sperm.

5. Finally, while this has nothing to do with sexual positions, there are also researches that suggest the importance of the female orgasm in conceiving. According to studies, female orgasm leads to contractions that could push sperm up into the cervix. The lesson: have fun while trying to conceive.

It is unfortunate to know that some men think that the only role they can play in pregnancy is by providing the sperm and once fertilization has taken place, their work is over. Well, that in itself gives one a title-FATHER! But he has got to act like one and indeed be one.

Once your wife becomes pregnant, you are not pregnant yourself and you should not despise what she says she feels. You should understand that there is so much that she cannot be in control of that is happening in her body. This is because of hormonal changes.

Both of you are equally responsible for the child you decided to bring into the world. Just that she got the duty of housing your child as it grows. There is so much you can do for her to show appreciation and your involvement in the pregnancy. I like what a friend of mine once said in reference to the time that the wife was expectant. "...the time we were pregnant" For me it presented deep commitment and involvement and I just loved that.

WHEN THE PREGNANCY TEST IS POSITIVE
Right from this moment, you as a husband should be involved in everything else that follows. You may not have experienced a pregnant woman before. In this case it is not just another pregnant woman, it is your wife and more so, carrying your baby! You may need to start attending childbirth classes. These classes will help you understand her and also know what to do when certain emergencies happen. A greater deal will it help when she is in labor instead of staying all green as your wife goes through the pregnancy.

You will need to also show up for some of the prenatal appointments. At least you may not afford to miss out on the most important ones like the one on the child's first heartbeat and ultra sounds.

GIVE A HAND
While some women are still strong to perform some household tasks even as late as their eighth month of pregnancy, the husband should come in. It does no harm when you help wash dishes or even fix the evening meal. If anything, it makes the wife happier. Providing breakfast in bed would also be a good surprise for the morning.

SPEND TIME TOGETHER
Some men are ashamed of walking beside their wives when in their late months of pregnancy. I do not understand why this should be the case. They should instead be happy that they are just about to be called daddy. Take her out for a stroll and probably jog together back home. Do not forget that she is still your sweetheart and deserves special treatment. Take her out for dinner!

FEEL THE BABY
Try resting your hand on her belly while watching TV or while relaxing in bed. It gives a feeling of concern and suggests saying. 'If only I could help carry the baby' and it brings you almost to the same level.

SHOW INTEREST
You should ask every often how the mother and the baby are doing. When she suggests you go out for shopping, avail yourself unless you are very committed somewhere else. Suggest baby names too. Let it not look like she is the only one too obsessed with that.

WHEN IT IS BABY TIME!
Here, if you took the childbirth classes, you will be better placed as you know how to handle the situation. Before labor, you would talk with your partner and agree to what you would want him to do for you. It is advisable that you are present as your wife delivers. It gives a feeling of oneness. Husbands who have been present during the delivery of their kids have an interesting story to tell and they term it as the best experience in the world. It is good to be there so as to feel with her. Some men say that they cannot stand the process. How then do they expect their wives to go through it? Gone are the days that husbands used to pace up and down the waiting room of hospitals waiting for the doctor to announce "it's a baby girl" or "it's a baby boy". Today, they can get in to where the delivery is taking place.

It is important for the husband to be around so as to:

• Provide encouragement-while it may not be welcome during a tough labor, it is good for him to be there. At least a word of encouragement from him will take the wife miles.
• Help relieve pain- with massage, acupressure or any other means or relieving pain, he should walk with her as many steps through the pain as he can.
• Give updates to family.

ADVICE TO HUSBANDS

• Help your wife in her emotions - She may be scared as you would also apparently be. She needs support and she should draw it from you. You need to encourage her as she goes through the process reassuring her that you love her and that she is doing a good thing for the family.

• Ensure skin to skin contact - as much as possible make sure your body is touching her skin whenever possible. This helps in soothing her and she feels safe. Many partners remove their shirts or all of their clothing and cradle their partners as they are moving through contractions and pushing.

There are very many other roles that husband can play when their wives are pregnant. Even as simple as rubbing her feet! You do not need to go to a school to do that! You simply have to listen to your instincts and be natural. So husbands should not just sit and watch for nine months until the baby comes. Make the most of the opportunity!

While the odds of conception of a healthy baby decrease as women get older, there are many things you can do to help yourself be as healthy as possible as you go through the process of conceiving over age 35. It is amazing how many women don't follow this basic advice:

1. Take Prenatal Vitamins. Check with your doctor to see what they recommend; however, generally, a good prenatal vitamin with sufficient folic acid is recommended for all women trying to conceive.

2. Exercise. Get out and get moving. Participating in a moderate walking program for as little as 30 minutes each day has been proven to provide multiple physical, mental and emotional benefits. Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

3. Manage your Stress. Stress is a factor that women often don't consider in their quest for having a baby. We don't know the total impact of stress on the body (and mind), but there are many studies which document the negative impacts of excessive stress. Remember that everyone needs some stress in their lives -both good and bad; however, EXCESSIVE stress can have negative impacts.

4. Be at a Healthy Weight - Not Too Heavy, Not Too Thin. Women more often face being overweight; however, being underweight can potentially impact a woman's ability to conceive and/or carry a baby. Research has shown that women with low body fat may experience amenorrea (loss of period). Think about some of the celebrities over the age of 35 who are having trouble conceiving a baby. Many are extremely thin. At least one has admitted that her doctor told her that she needed to gain at least 5 pounds. Ask your doctor if she thinks you should gain or lose weight to optimize your conception odds.

5. Eat Healthfully. This is good advice in general, but becomes critical during conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check with your doctor about what you should be eating; however, the following are good general rules:

*Get lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The less processed a food is, the better.
*Drink plenty of milk or eat foods high in calcium. (Be careful because high calcium foods can also be high fat foods)
*Eat plenty of whole grains and nuts.

Be sure to focus on lean sources of protein such as lean chicken and beef. Check with your doctor about fish consumption as there may be a mercury concern with some types of fish or shellfish.

6. Drink Plenty of Water. Fluids are not the same as water. Coffee, and caffeinated beverages can have a diuretic effect. Fruit juices are fine, but also carry lots of sugar. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.

7. Don't Smoke. Studies show that smoking can result in a myriad of health issues for both mother and baby, including low birth weight.

8. Get Enough Sleep. This may be the most overlooked thing that a woman can do to improve her chances of conception. While there is no medical evidence that I am aware of to support the link between conception and sufficient sleep; it is documented that Americans are notorious for sleep deprivation. It seems that everything takes a priority over getting 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep gives your body and mind a chance to relax and recharge. Make it a priority for one month to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. See for yourself how much better you feel. The better condition your body is in; the better fit it is for conceiving and carrying a baby.

Take time to make your body and lifestyle as healthy as possible before you begin trying to conceive a child after the age of 35. There are many factors which contribute to a successful pregnancy as women age; and there are lots of things you can do to improve your odds of getting pregnant.

If you are wanting to get pregnant quickly then it's important that you are having intercourse during your prime "fertility window." Simply put, your fertility window is the time of the month when you are mot likely to conceive. So what are the best days to get pregnant?

In days gone by women would look to the moon or strange astrological charts to help them figure out their prime fertility days. The good news now is that we can rely more on science and a regular calendar than such archaic methods. In simple terms, the best days to get pregnant are the days around the time you ovulate. Sperm can live a few days in the body so even if you have intercourse before ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary) you can still conceive. If you have a regular 28 day cycle, you most likely ovulate on day 14 of your cycle, so the best days to get pregnant would be anywhere from day 12 to day 16 or 17 of your cycle.

What if your menstrual cycle is irregular or longer than 28 days? Luckily modern technology can help you out here, too. Some women are very attune to their bodies and the subtle signs that your body gives you when you ovulate. Some of these include an an increased interest in sex (that's biology talking and how nature ensures that we continue our species), slight cramping near the ovaries an a change in the consistency of cervical mucus (it takes on the slimy consistency of egg whites).

For those who are less able to detect when they are ovulating there are 2 main ways that you can pin down the date. One easy way is to track your basal body temperature. Basal body temperature is the temperature of your body when you are at rest. Most women tracking their temperature take a reading first thing in the morning and track it on a calendar. When you ovulate your basal body temperature will usually increase between one half to a whole degree Fahrenheit.

Another easy way to determine when you ovulate is to use an ovulation predictor kit. These kits are easy to find in most pharmacies or drug stores and are not too expensive. They work by measuring the level of certain hormones in your urine, much the same way as a pregnancy test works.

So keeping these tips in mind, you should be able to figure out when your prime fertility window is and improve your chances of getting pregnant by ensuring you have intercourse on the best days to get pregnant.

One last tip! To give nature an even bigger helping hand, make sure your mate's sperm count is as high as possible when trying to get pregnant. To do this you should not make love for the few days before your fertility window and he should also not masturbate (sorry, no other polite way to say it.)

Ladies, here's one for you: If you have given birth recently, you are likely jam-packed with the pleasure that a new life brings. Since you are disgusted about hearing how easy it is for famous people to lose weight after pregnancy. Then you should know something.

Celebrities won't tell their secrets that they employ many professionals to assist them in shaking off unwanted weight and get back into that figure they had before. But when you catch sight of them on the television you realize the make-up does its illusion.

With your health involved you need to recognize there are many ways to lose weight after pregnancy carefully. Advice is no more than around the corner for assistance.

Remove all Doubt

Different mothers have to be capable to set time aside to lose weight after pregnancy, with all the different activities you already have. Inquire about assistance of others. Place trust in individuals to help you with your regular agenda to create time so you can work out. There are many professional gyms that have daycare accommodations so you might have time to yourself. Use the resources available in your area.

Be Good to Yourself

Now is not the time to fill up on junk food, as tempting as it may sound. When you decide to lose those extra pounds small nutritious meals and snacks will help you on your way. Watch and make sure your calories come from a variety of sources.

If you are breastfeeding, you will require more calories than normal to keep you and your baby healthy. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. New moms require 64 to 128 ounces a day, especially while nursing.

Start Now

Sometimes it takes all of a new mom's determination just to get out of bed, but exercise is imperative for staying healthy, and it will also aid you to lose weight after pregnancy. You don't have to commit to a gym workout; a long walk with the baby, maybe a hobby or some kind of physical activity.

After awhile your drive will become stronger, especially when you see that you're losing weight. If you have any stress in your life, then try some yoga exercises. They go a long way. Try doing stretches and poses after you wake up for a burst of energy, and do your breathing and meditative exercises before bed for more restful sleep.

Keep Focused

With new moms it is hard, but essential to get plenty of rest. Everybody knows how that goes with a newborn in the house. You can always ask for help from friends and family, or by getting a nap while the little one does. Try to sleep when the baby sleeps to maximize your periods of rest.

Sleep helps us function, mentally and physically. A shortage of sleep can hurt your health and slow down your ability to cope with everyday things. Unfortunately, most people don't sleep enough and that's especially true for new moms!

Take care of your loved ones by taking care of yourself. Small nourishing meals, a good routine of exercises with plenty of rest will get you to your goals to lose weight after pregnancy.

It's common advice to tell a women who is trying to conceive or to get pregnant to hold her legs to her chest or to elevate her legs and hips after sex for about twenty minutes.  The reason for this advice is that it's assumed that the elevation of your legs increases the angle that will force the sperm toward your cervix / reproductive tract and will allow less hard working and viable sperm to escape. 

The other day, someone asked me if this practice would increase the odds of conceiving a girl or boy baby.  Specifically, she wanted to know "if I want to get pregnant with a girl, would elevating my legs after intercourse help my odds or hurt them?"  I'll tell you what I told her in the following article.

Does Elevating Your Legs After Sex Really Do Anything To Help You Get Pregnant?:  The jury is still out on this one.  I suppose if your partner had a low sperm count or his sperm were compromised in some way, then it doesn't hurt to use every advantage or to try everything that you can.  The amount of semen in a man's ejaculation varies because of many different factors, including how much time has passed since the last ejaculation and the age or your partner. 

Larger amounts are seen after longer periods of abstinence.  In general though, most men will emit between 1.5 and 5 milliliters. Typically ejaculate would contain 60 -80 million sperm chromosomes per milliliter.  So if your partner (assuming he is healthy) were about average and emitted 2 milliliters, you'd have around 120 -160 million sperm fighting to reach your egg.  This is obviously an astronomical number so unless you just had bad aim, elevating your legs may be over kill, but as I said, it's an easy, free, and noninvasive practice, so it certainly doesn't hurt to try.

So Does Elevating Your Legs / Hips Increase The Odds Having Having A Girl Or Boy Baby?:  Again, there's not a lot of documentation about this, but here is what I think based on what I know to be true about this topic.   Conventional wisdom and research tells us to use shallow penetration if we want to conceive a daughter and deep penetration if we want a son. 

The reason for this is that the Y sperm chromosomes (boy producing) are less viable and are shorter lived.  By using deeper penetration, you're giving them an easier road and a shorter trip.  I would think that elevating your legs falls into this same category.  And I would also think that the very strong girl sperm could survive and make their way toward your egg just fine without your needing to elevate your legs.

The bottom line for me would be if you want to conceive a girl, you really don't need to do this unless you're having some fertility issues.  But, this practice would not hurt if you wanted a boy.

However, I firmly believe that this practice alone would not be enough to get you the gender that you want.  You'd also need to time your conception to the letter (depending on when you ovulate and which gender you want) and you'd need to make your body / vaginal canal more alkaline for a boy conception and more acidic for a girl one.

When a woman expects a bundle of joy, the hormones are kicked into high gear. Your body adjusts to this wonderful experience that sometimes it can cause various changes on your skin. Some women would often break out or some may experience hyper pigmentation. While this may be a little disconcerting, there are still a lot of safe and easy methods that you can do to help alleviate these problems.

SKIN CARE TIPS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

1. Sudden Breakouts

Similar to puberty, your hormones are at a chaotic state because it is adjusting to a growing baby inside your womb. Breakouts usually happen during the first trimester. Pregnant women should especially be careful when choosing a particular product to combat acne. It is always best to approach your doctor so that he or she can recommend treatments that will be safe for you and your baby. Once you have given birth, rest assured that this will usually disappear.

2. Darker Skin

When pregnant, you may notice that certain areas of your body may have traces of hyper-pigmentation. You may also see a dark line that starts from your navel down to your pubic area. This line is called the linea nigra. This line is visible during pregnancy, but you don't have to worry because it goes away once you give birth. Try to exfoliate your skin mildly in order to remove the dead skin cells. As usual, always ask our doctor for any product that is safe to use.

3. Glowing Skin

I'm sure a lot of women may wish to get this kind of effect on their skin during pregnancy. This "glowy" effect is attributed by the increase of blood flow into the vessels, thereby giving you a pretty flush on the cheeks. Sometimes, hormones can cause the skin to emit oil glands, which may make your skin appear shiny.

4. Melasma

Melasma is oftentimes called the "mask of pregnancy". It usually looks as if you got sunburned. As with any pregnancy, this will disappear eventually after giving birth. In the meantime, protect your face with a good hat before heading out. Use a sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays.

Getting pregnant is a special event in one's ?life, especially for us women. The hormones that are kicking into high gear are just signs that signify that a new life is being formed inside you. Enjoy this moment of your life and always visit your doctor regularly.

The size and shape of breast and nipples changes during pregnancy, so an extra care is require for both. Sometimes unusual things also happen like leaking of milk, oily discharge from the nipples, etc. Here in this article, you will find useful tips on breast and nipple care during pregnancy and lactation.

1. Oily discharge from the nipples - Sometimes, there is an oily discharge from the nipples during pregnancy and after childbirth for a few days. Around the areola of the breasts there are small glands (called Montgomery's Tubercles) which secrete small amounts of a greasy material which kills the germs on the skin in this area. The greasy material is also useful in keeping the nipples supple. Do not wash nipples with soap to clean the greasy material; otherwise there will be a possibility that the nipples might become sore when the baby suckles them. All that need to be done is to splash the nipples with plain water to keep them clean.

2. Flat or inverted nipples - In case the nipples appear flat or inverted, it is advised to press the areola between the thumb and the finger to encourage the nipple to stand out. If the nipple sticks out, the baby will not have any difficulty in suckling. During the pregnancy period the shape of the nipple may be abnormal, but it improves as the pregnancy advances. This is because of the effect of hormones during pregnancy. Do not apply any ointment or a cream to the nipples. Clean the nipples by splashing water on them. Do not try to remove any secretions, since these are protective and prevent infection.

3. Leaking of Milk From Breasts - Oozing of milk from the breast is common during the first few weeks after the baby is born. This indicates that the breast is full and the mother is ready to breastfeed the baby. Keep a soft napkin or a hanky or a piece of soft cloth or a pad against the nipple in the cup of the brassiere. This will soak up the milk and prevent the blouse, bra and sheet from getting spoiled. Make sure to change this pad quite often to prevent the nipples from remaining wet. Otherwise these will become sore. Try to keep the nipples dry and clean. The secretion of milk can be stopped by pressing the nipple with the heel of your hand against the breast for about one minute. In case the milk drips from the other breast while feeding the baby, just leave the breast exposed and let the milk drip on a hanky or a clear diaper.

Hope this article will help you to find some easy solution of problem discussed above.

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

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

By the end of pregnancy you want nothing more than to just have your baby! It's hard to feel huge, exhausted, and like you have to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes! Here are four safe, proven methods to get labor going. Different women's bodies work differently, so these might not all work for you. It's worth a shot when you're tired and just ready to meet your baby, though!

Keep on Walking

You're probably doing a lot of walking already. It's one of the easiest exercises during pregnancy and it helps keep you and your baby healthy. But taking a walk every day can help your body go into labor if it's not getting there on its own. It gets your blood moving and nourishes baby regardless.

Climbing stairs is a trusted variation on walking. Find a flight and go up and down until you're tired. Remember to get plenty of rest after your walks and stair climbing. You want energy if labor does start up!

Squat Away

Squatting is strongly associated with pregnancy and giving birth, and with good reason. It usually opens the pelvis and helps your baby come down to the birth canal. Doing squats during pregnancy can prepare you for an easier labor and birth.

The reason squats can help you during labor is due to your baby's head. We're not sure exactly what causes labor to begin, but the baby's head pressing firmly against the cervix is thought to help trigger labor into beginning. Squats help to push baby down to firmly engage.

Enjoy Yourself

You've probably heard that lovemaking can stimulate labor, and this is true. What gets the baby in can help get the baby out. Semen contains prostaglandins that help ripen the cervix and prepare it for labor. You also get relaxed and all hormones are able to flow more freely.

Certain other things, like nipple stimulation can come into play and help get labor going. Nipple stimulation can be so powerful, in fact, that breast pumps have been used to get a labor moving. If you decide to try this know that it can take persistence to get a labor pattern going and established.

Visualization and Relaxation

Some people may think it makes no difference, but many moms have found that just by taking a break and relaxing things start to happen. Stop wondering "is this it!" about everything. Instead, ask yourself what you'll do next. Will you take a nap, clean the kitchen, get a snack? Maybe you'll take a walk or go window shopping. Take it one day at a time. When you finally resolve to relax and let nature take its course is when things might just get going!

Visualization is also a powerful thing. Find some time to take a rest in your bedroom or on the couch. Vividly imagine yourself going into labor. See, smell, touch, and taste how things will go. Let your baby know that you're ready. Focus on opening and softening your body so that things will get started. Our mind has a powerful effect on our body and you may just find that this technique works for you.

Everybody wants to start their own family on a long and joyful life. That eventually leads to the beginning of a new family when they decide to become parents. Becoming mother of a baby and getting pregnant is the most easy and natural thing in the world.

Many couples are there in the worlds who avoid pregnancy for a long-term in the life. They use all the birth control methods for not becoming pregnant. After some years suddenly they decided to get pregnant and have a Baby. They have to face many types of problem in conceiving. Using of birth control methods and contraceptive pills for a long time, may create the big problems in your pregnancy. There are thousands of women in the world who struggles for years to get pregnant. They do their tireless efforts to conceive naturally but not able to do so.

How to get pregnant is the biggest question for the new generation couples. Many couples have let the years slip away by before starting a new family and suddenly they decide to start their family at the late of 30s and 40s. So, these couples are the most common who are affected by the infertility. This is not the fact that only using of contraceptive pills for a long time may hamper your pregnancy but there are several other reasons also that make you infertile. Now a day's getting pregnant naturally is a big challenge for the good percentage of couples.

Many women get pregnant very easily but some women find it very hard and difficult task of the life. If you are one of those women who have been told that you can never conceive your own child then you can understand the pain of infertility. Getting pregnant and giving birth of a child is the basic instinct and the
very essence of a being women.

So, when you decide to get pregnant but not accomplish your goal, you just need to follow all the natural ways and holistic approaches. Natural ways and methods are very effective in curing your infertility and help you in getting pregnant fast and naturally. Natural ways has no any horrible side effects which are dangerous for your health and even for your unborn baby. Now a day's many young couples are going to treat their infertility by the natural ways. A natural method helps you in balancing your body naturally. When your body is fully balanced, your all internal system works very efficiently. So, now you do not need to worry at all for not becoming pregnant.

When it comes to getting pregnant it is not about doing one thing to improve your chances its more about doing many things so as to improve your odds of success.

If you are trying to get pregnant, there are things you can do to increase your chances of success and that is what I am going to cover briefly in this article.

Pregnancy isn't an exact science, but there are steps you can follow to prepare yourself for the event. The following are 3 effective steps you can take to help you get pregnant.

1. Number one, changing your diet will also help you to get pregnant. If you consider what you are putting into your body, it will help you prepare both mentally and physically. Try eating healthier: more fruits and vegetables and a balanced diet in general will not only make it easier to get pregnant but will ensure the child is safe and healthy.

2. Number 2, it is important to stop or limit any bad habits you may have. Thus, you should start this process by stopping any drinking or smoking. If you are planning this child, then you have the ability to stop any activities that could cause harm to the pregnancy.

3. Number three, you should talk to a doctor. He or she will be able to give you medical help in regards to figuring out when the best time to get pregnant is and what else you can do to increase your chances in your specific case.

If you follow the above tips you will improve your chances.

The Art of Conception

Obviously, when a man's sperm goes inside a woman's vagina and fertilizes her egg. This is how she becomes pregnant. Many couples have a hard time conceiving for a number of different reasons. Sometimes this has to do with a low sperm count. Some couples need a little help to get pregnant.

Sex Positions That Helps Achieve Pregnancy Fast

1. The missionary position, is known to be the best position for getting pregnant. The reason for this is because the man is able to get the deepest penetration.

2. It is a good idea to raise her hips because the female cervix will be able to get all the sperm that your partner releases.

3. The doggie style position when the man enters the woman from behind is also recommended. This way, the sperm is placed closest to the cervix, giving you a much greater chance for conception.

4. The spoon position puts no pressure on the women's abdomen. The woman lies on her side and the man enters her from behind pulling his body close to hers.

5. The leapfrog position is perfect when the woman starts to feel uncomfortable with the man's weight pushing down on her. The woman kneels down on the bed with her legs spread wide as the man enters her from behind.

6. The spread eagle position is when the woman lies face down with the man on top of her. She needs to spread her legs and the man will support his weight using his arms. If she raises her bottom a little, with the aid of a pillow under her hips, then the man will be able to get deeper penetration. These sex positions should help you achieve pregnancy fast.