Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Some couples may never need any help getting pregnant; pregnancy may seem normal as eating, drinking and breathing. Some couples on the other hand may require a little help in conceiving let alone knowing when the woman is fertile and ready to conceive a child. With technology in our hands, there seem to be a great success in conceiving a child through artificial means. The downside for these methods however, is that most are too expensive for a regular person to afford. There are however sensible techniques to help a woman get pregnant. Some of these tips are often taken for granted which stems from the couple's busy and active lifestyle but are nevertheless very important if one needs help getting pregnant.

• A change in lifestyle is imminent if you really want to get pregnant right away. A woman can only conceive a child before she reaches her menopausal years so if you want help getting pregnant then it has to start right now. Any unhealthy habits must go like smoking, drinking, drugs and night outs. These negative habits greatly decrease your chances of conceiving and for males, these habits directly affect the health of your sperm and your sperm count as well. Aside from pregnancy, stopping these negative habits will also increase your energy, improve overall body function and help you achieve more in life.

• Caffeine is another factor that reduces the body to absorb elemental iron which is needed for healthy blood. Lack of iron in females increases the chances of stillbirth. It is not just ditching coffee, teas and caffeinated drinks or colas must also be avoided.

• Stress is one of the major reasons why most busy and active couples fail to conceive. If you want help getting pregnant try reducing stress and tension in your life. You may try relaxation activities, meditation, leisure activities and sports together. Take time to have the right amount of sleep in a day as well. With less stress and tension, your body and mind will both be ready to get pregnant. If a busy or hectic schedule is one of your daily stressors, make a schedule to be able to have time for relaxation and fun. For all you know, a vacation or a couple's retreat is the answer to all your pregnancy woes!

• Research on infertility in women has shown that women who are infertile have very low levels of the hormone leptin. Leptin levels decreases when a woman has lack of sleep. It is important therefore that women who needs help getting pregnant, to get the usual 8 hours of sleep in a day.

• A weight problem (being overweight and underweight) is another factor that decreases the chances of couples to get pregnant. There is an ideal weight for both male and female; recent studies show that couples with the ideal body weight can conceive faster than those with weight problems. Women whose body mass index is below 20 or above 30 may find it hard to conceive so if your BMI falls anywhere in the red zone, then it is time to lose weight or build up on weight so you can get pregnant soon.

• There are researches regarding the effect of exposure to pesticides being one of the major reasons why women find it hard to get pregnant. A pesticide called methoxychlor (a DDT derivative) reduces estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men. This pesticide is sprayed on crops to get rid of insects that destroy plants. Therefore, it is important to purchase and eat organic foods instead. Eating naturally grown food may help boost your health and maintain your hormone levels. If you want help getting pregnant then ditch the processed and commercially grown foods and try growing and eating organic vegetables and fruits.

• One of the most important factors that most couples are unaware of is that timing is everything in pregnancy. It is the best time to conceive a child when the woman is ovulating. Sure signs that a woman is ovulating is when she has tender breasts, has cervical discharge that appear thinner and is stretchy, painful and bloated abdomen and a noticeable increase in basal body temperature (about 翻 to 1 degree). You may try using an over the counter ovulation test kit to help you know if you are indeed ovulating But if you are not certain when these days are then go for the record and have sex more often! This is a sure fire help in getting pregnant.

• After sexual intercourse, it is important for a woman to lie low for a while. Let sperm take their time to move and swim upstream. You may try a different position for intercourse that may help sperm move as well. A missionary position (where the man is on top) is one of the best ways to become pregnant since the sperm can enter and swim to the uterus without any effort at all.

• A woman's vagina must be a sperm-friendly environment with no chemicals that may destroy sperm on purpose. Avoid using sprays, scented lubricants, douches and scented tampons that can alter the normal acidic environment of the vagina. Simple water and mild soap may be enough to cleanse the vagina.

• Having healthy and numerous sperm count is another factor to increase a couple's chances of getting pregnant. Sperm need adequate temperature and pH levels to survive. A perfect way to make sure sperm are healthy and viable is for men to wear boxers instead of briefs. Briefs move the scrotum closer to the body where it is warmer than usual and killing sperm in the process. A man also has a higher chance to impregnate a woman in the morning when the sperm count is at its highest.

It is also important to seek the help of a professional regarding the best technique or additional advice if you need help getting pregnant. If you have been trying for the past 12 months and have done most of these techniques to no avail, then it may be time to consider a professional's opinion for assessment, diagnosis and appropriate treatment for infertility.

Acupuncture is a type of ancient Chinese medicine. It has been used for thousands of years, and works with over 2,000 pressure points and energy meridians in your body. As you probably know, acupuncture uses disposable needles as thin as a strand of hair placed just below the skin to stimulate these points on your body. Treatments are usually painless. At worst, patients have reported tingling, heaviness, or a slight burning sensation where certain needles are positioned.

What is great for pregnant women is that acupuncture provides assistance with a myriad of conditions associated with pregnancy without drugs. Pregnant women need to work with a highly skilled practitioner, since stimulating certain points on the body can hasten labor by ripening the cervix.

A study by Harvard University figured that over 5 million Americans visit acupuncturists every year. The National Institute of Health supports this claim, saying that a growing number of doctors and dentists refer people to acupuncturists for prevention as well as treatment.

Acupuncture is a common treatment for headaches, allergies, arthritis, digestion problems, and relief from the side effects of chemotherapy. At every stage of pregnancy and beyond, acupuncture has time-honored and scientifically-proven benefits--not just for you but for your baby. Valerie Hobbs, director of the Southwest Acupuncture College, says that babies can be influenced by "maternal toxins" while in the womb. These toxins can lead to higher fevers, frequent childhood illnesses, and a tendency towards skin irritations. Hobbs says, "Regular balancing treatments throughout pregnancy enhance the health of the mother, preventing complications and influence the development of the baby."

FIRST TRIMESTER: MORNING SICKNESS, NAUSEA, BLEEDING, & MIGRAINES

It is controversial if traditional acupuncture can cause fetal movement, early contractions, and spontaneous abortion in the first trimester. However, a well-known acupuncture study was conducted in the UK on about 600 women who were in the first trimester. No adverse reactions were found. Women in the study reported less fatigue, migraines, bloating, and bleeding. Also, the women reported less frequent and less severe bouts of nausea.

To error on the side of caution, you should only trust a nationally-certified and experienced acupuncturist. California is the only state not requiring acupuncturists to be nationally-certified. Again, it's especially important for pregnant women to work only with very experienced practitioners. Although not essential, acupuncturists with a certificate in Chinese herbology is even better, as their understanding of the entire Chinese medicine system will be superior. You can also have "ear acupuncture" (versus "body acupuncture") or acupressure (without needles) done in the first trimester to reduce any risk of complication.

SECOND TRIMESTER: HEARTBURN, HEMORRHOIDS, & STRESS

In addition to heartburn, hemorrhoids, and stress, Hobbs says that second-trimester acupuncture can also reduce edema, high blood pressure, and excessive weight gain. If you are experiencing any of these more serious problems, consult with your regular doctor as well.

THIRD TRIMESTER: BACK AND PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN

The third trimester is universally considered the safest time to undergo acupuncture treatments. Benefits during this stage include relief from: sciatica, back pain, carpal tunnel, and pelvic girdle pain. Acupuncture has actually been found to be better at reducing back pain, which effects ¾ of third trimester women, than massage, heat, and exercise, according to the Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.

According to BBC News, one in three pregnant women are affected by pelvic girdle pain in the third trimester. In a British study of 386 pregnant women, they were broken up into three groups. One group did a standard at-home exercise routine; the next group did exercise and acupuncture; the final group did a specialized exercise regimen. The expectant moms undergoing acupuncture reported the least pain. Dr. Graham Archard, vice-chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, says, "Pregnant women should be avoiding drugs, so acupuncture, which releases the bodies painkillers, should be of benefit."

IN LABOR: REDUCE PAIN, INCREASE ENERGY

Not only is acupuncture effective at inducing labor with overdue babies, but is can help reposition a breech presentation. Using a form of acupuncture called moxabustion has been shown to have a significant effect on turning breech presentations into head-first births, as reported by the Journal of American Medical Association. Additionally, acupuncture during labor can reduce pain and increase energy and vitality. It has also helped women with extensive bleeding after delivery stop the flow.

POST-PARTUM: RECUPERATING, PREVENTING DEPRESSION

Whether your delivery was by vaginal birth or C-section, acupuncture can bring pain relief. If you are concerned about postpartum depression, Hobbs says, "We theoretically prevent serious postpartum depression from occurring by addressing the normal recuperative cycle in the woman." As acupuncture can help bring your entire self back into balance, feelings of depression and stress will naturally be reduced. It's also been demonstrated that pregnant women receiving acupuncture have a lower rate of postpartum depression.

Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D.

Author, Postpartum Depression for Dummies

SOURCES:

http://www.pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/acupuncture.htm

http://www.webmd.com/news/20000706/acupuncture-pregnancy-lower-back-pain

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2844/acupuncture_and_pregnancy.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4358509.stm

http://www.pregnancytoday.com/articles/pregnancy/acupuncture-1241

Most woman these days understand the importance of keeping healthy during their pregnancy, and the best way to achieve this is to eat a healthy diet and exercise. I know, the thought of exercise for many woman is not that appealing, however, it really makes a difference and is definitely worthwhile.

Need some convincing? Okay, let's talk about back pain. For those of you who haven't experienced child birth before, back pain is a common problem for expectant mothers, at times it can be unbearable. The extra weight you carry around takes a huge toll on your back and it definitely gets worse during child birth.

Guess what? Exercising helps relieve back pain! There are even women who claim to have no back pain because they exercised during their pregnancy.

How about weight gain? No I'm not talking about the extra weight you put on for your baby, I'm talking about excessive weight gain. You know, the weight that has nothing to do with baby! This is also common during pregnancy and again, it can be controlled by exercising. And as a bonus, because you've kept your body toned, strong and healthy, your body will return to it's pre-pregnancy weight a lot faster than if you don't exercise... now that's good news.

Stress! Yes, that's another problem pregnant women deal with. Worrying if your baby will be healthy, worrying if they'll have five fingers and five toes, worrying if you'll get to hospital on time, worry about who will be around to take you to hospital, worry about child birth and on and on it goes. You'll also need to deal with the midnight trips to the toilet and sleepless nights, all thanks to your pregnancy.

Guess what? Yes, you got it! Exercise helps reduce your stress levels and also helps you get a good nights sleep. Sorry, it doesn't help much with the toilet trips but two out of three ain't bad.

Are you beginning to understand the benefits of exercise? I hope so, I can't stress how much it will help you cope with the mental and physical demands of pregnancy. Exercising really is your key to a healthy, happy pregnancy and there's so many forms of exercise you can choose from. You'll easily find something that you will enjoy and will suit your situation. Give it a go, seriously.

Okay, now you've decided to exercise during your pregnancy, here's a few things to think about:

1/ Consult your doctor and discuss your intentions with him so he can give you the best advice directly related to you and your situation

2/ Avoid exercises or activities that have an increased risk of falling. eg; horse riding, cycling, roller blading, skiing

3/ After the 3rd/4th month avoid exercises or activities that involve lying on your back

4/ Always listen to your body, if it doesn't feel right, DON'T do it

5/ Don't over exercise! A good test is the talk test, you should still be able to carry on a conversation while exercising, if you're gasping for breath or can't talk, you need to stop or slow down

Here's a list of popular pregnancy exercises to get your started:

1/ Walking - walking is one of the best cardiovascular exercises and it's easy and safe to do. Almost anyone can do it with little to no effort, by that I mean no fees, you don't have to drive anywhere, no video or DVD is required, you can walk around your home, street or local area. Change your habits to include walking, walk the dog, walk your kids to school or pick them up, walk to the shop, you get the picture right?

2/ Swimming - this is highly recommended by many doctors and fitness experts as the best and safest activity for pregnant women. It exercises most muscle groups and gives you a good cardiovascular workout at the same time. The weightlessness you feel while swimming is wonderful and it's a refreshing and fun way to exercise.

3/ Pilates - this is one of the most popular forms of exercise for pregnant women in this day and age. Many women are doing it including celebrities. It's an exercise that combines flexibility and strength training and has huge benefits for your breathing, relaxation and preparation for child birth. It takes a lot of stress off your pelvis and back and many say it helps your baby get into the correct position for delivery.

4/ Yoga - very similar to Pilates, yoga focuses on stretching and helps maintain muscle tone and relaxation. Definitely worth consideration, it's known as an all over wellness exercise.

5/ Weight Training - you may think this is an odd exercise for pregnant women, funnily enough it's actually really popular. It strengthens and tones your muscles and prepares your body for child birth. It also helps you return to you pre-pregnancy body weight a lot faster.

So there's a few examples of exercises to do while pregnant! But the best advice I can give you is to find something you enjoy. The main aim is to DO SOMETHING! I wish you well with your pregnancy and please please please, strongly consider doing exercises during your pregnancy, it will make the world of difference.

Pregnancy can be a trying nine month period of time for any woman. Many times, a mom to be may feel sleep deprived. Since she will not be getting much rest once the baby arrives, it is best to nip the problem in the bud. When sleep deprivation is occurring during pregnancy, a woman will need advice concerning the best way to get rest. Here are some tips that a pregnant woman can follow to get to bed and sleep through the night peacefully.

One way that a pregnant woman can sleep better is with use of a pregnancy pillow. This special pillow is designed to support the stomach and lower back while sleeping. It is usually C-shaped and fit to contour against the profile of a pregnant woman's curves. It can be placed between the knees or around the back for support. Most pregnant women will find that side sleeping is the most comfortable position.

Getting a weekly pregnancy massage may also help to get a better night's rest. Massage can lower stress and relieve the discomfort placed on the body by the growing fetus. Backaches and leg cramps are common complaints during pregnancy, so massage can alleviate the pain. It can also heighten circulation and take away tension. On the end, it can encourage a good night's sleep as well.

Soothing music can be an outlet when stress builds during pregnancy. Music is a way to ease anxiousness and depression that sets in as hormones are running wild during pregnancy. Soothing music can also calm the baby as well.

When a pregnant woman cannot sleep, it is best to leave the television off. Turning the tv on will only get the brain excited instead of making it calm. When a person finds a show that is interesting, they tend to watch it to the end. This may take away valuable time that can be spent resting. Before it is all said and done, morning has come and it is time to get up.

Many women who are pregnant will experience swollen nasal passages. This will lead to snoring or congestion which keeps a person awake or from falling asleep. To alleviate the problem, it may be smart to place a humidifier in the bedroom. This will add moisture to the air, leaving the nose clear and open.

No pregnant woman wants to suffer from sleep deprivation, so it is imperative to learn ways to get a good night's sleep. The above tips will help a woman rest comfortably at night when she is expecting a baby. Without sleep, a pregnant woman will be irritable and even more uncomfortable than normal.

It was only a few years back when the notion of infertility was more of a myth. Back then women could easily get pregnant about four to five times without any hassle, however, nowadays women are finding it more and more difficult to get pregnant and start a family. This is due to lack of nutrients in their diet as more women find it easy to grab food from fast food chains instead of cooking it at their home. Furthermore lack of vegetables and fruits in their diet leads them to developing such infertility problems. This article will provide you with all the information you require regarding what nutritionists call fertility foods. A proper fertility diet will help increase the chances of one getting pregnant. Such a preconception diet not only helps to increase the chances at impregnation but also helps create intelligent babies. This notion though believed by many doctors, is still yet to be confirmed.

Though there are many reasons that many cause infertility problems such as problems related to the ovaries, pelvic, cervical, hormones and uterine, the main idea that is being catered in this particular article is the development of impregnation due to a lack of proper diet. Most medicinal doctors believe that proper nutrition can in fact improve the chances. When two people start living together their entire lifestyle shifts. This can lead to one maybe consuming easy to consume and purchase food due to the immense pressure this new lifestyle has, which may lead to obesity or starvation in certain cases. With such problems one can certainly develop infertility.

繚 Fish Oil

Certain essential fatty acids are very important for your body and help fight against any disorder that may cause infertility. A certain fatty acid, that is found in fish oil, which is called Omega 3 has known to be a great nutrient that should be included in every woman's diet. This fish oil is an ingredient that is often used in ice cream. So if you liked it before, there is certainly one more reason to eat it more.

繚 Plant Protein

Another thing that you should include in your diet is plant protein. Meat such as chicken and beef consist of hormones that are known to reduce your chances of getting pregnant while proteins found in plants are known to do the opposite.

繚 Vitamins & Minerals

To sum it up rather than confusing you with the vast amount of foods that are available out there you should focus on foods that contain the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. These vitamins will cause an increase in your fertility levels. For example consume more orange juice since it contains Vitamin C.

One of the most bothersome facial pigment problems is called melasma - otherwise known as "pregnancy mask. Melasma is a brownish pigmentation that affects adult women. It often develops during pregnancy - hence the name "pregnancy mask". Some women only have a few small brown spots here and there, but many have big patches of brown pigment that cover entire cheeks or foreheads or around the mouth. It can often be difficult to cover completely with makeup, and many women have spent a fortune on lightening creams and various laser therapies trying to get rid of it. Melasma is exacerbated by sun and UV radiation exposure (including tanning beds), but hormonal factors play a role as well, since it often comes on during pregnancy, while on birth control pills, or while on hormone replacement therapy. Certain unknown genetic factors will also predispose certain women to get it. Melasma can be very difficult but not impossible to control. Here are some tips:

1. Use daily sunscreen. The best method of treatment is prevention. Starting at a young age with daily sun block, avoiding intense sun exposure, and avoiding tanning beds all can help prevent younger women and teenagers from developing this condition in their middle adult years. In women that have melasma already, sun protection can keep it from worsening. This means daily sun block year round.

2. Stop your birth control pills if you no longer need them for birth control. If you are finished having kids, consider your surgical options for birth control. If you are taking birth control for help with menstrual symptoms, consider bioidentical hormone management instead. If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, try to minimize your estrogen (take the smallest amount you need to control your symptoms)

3. Avoid soy. Many people don't know that 20% of the calories in the typical American diet come from soy derivatives. Much of our processed food contains significant amounts of soy. And soy can mimic estrogen in your body and may exacerbate melasma. Read your food labels, and try to cut back on your soy intake.

4. Lightening creams. This is a very popular form of treatment but not effective for many and usually will only lighten the melasma some. Hydroquinone is the most effective topical lightening agent and can be found in low doses over the counter or at higher more effective doses with a prescription. But long term use of hydroquinone can sometimes exacerbate the melasma, especially in Asian and Hispanic skin. Therefore, short-term intermittent use is best. Triluma (which contains hydroquinone), Retin A, and Kojic Acid are other topical lighteners that may help.

5. Chemical Peels. A series of medical grade chemical peels with glycolic acid or TCA can help some people with melasma.

6. Laser therapy can be especially effective at treating melasma, but you need to chose the correct type of laser. Traditional photofacials or micro laser peels typically do not go deep enough to remove melasma pigment in most people. The more aggressive fractionated laser therapy (such as the Active FX laser) offer more consistent melasma-removing results.

The appearance of cellulite during pregnancy is a fairly common occurrence, much to the dismay of many expectant mothers. As if gaining weight, constant cravings, swollen feet and rapidly changing hormones weren't enough, many women also end up battling the unsightly bulges fondly referred to as "cottage cheese". Fortunately, there are ways to reduce and even get rid of this particular side effect of pregnancy, so pregnant women can take heart.

The first step in getting rid of cellulite is understanding what it is. Simply put, cellulite is a build up of fat deposits just under the skin which can cause the skin to bulge, creating the bumpy effect we all know and love. It can happen to anyone, though it is more common among women, and it is a common byproduct of pregnancy, when women tend to gain weight rapidly and become less active.

Though cellulite during pregnancy can be embarrassing and unsightly, the good news is that it usually corrects itself. Once the baby is born, your body will go back to its pre-pregnancy state and cellulite will disappear. For some women this offers little consolation, however, as they are not content to wait for nature to take its course. For these women, there are several tips they can follow to help get rid of cellulite.

First and foremost is the need to eat right. Allowing yourself to slip into poor eating habits during pregnancy is not good for you or your baby and it also leaves the door open for developing excess fat or cellulite. Now more than ever you need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and be sure to get all the proper nutrients and limit fatty foods.

Along with diet, a second tip for getting rid of cellulite during pregnancy is to stay active. A common misconception is that pregnant women need to stop moving. Quite the opposite is true. There are many forms of exercise, including walking, yoga, and even some weight training, which are very good for pregnant women. By staying fit and active you can improve your own health and reduce fat build up, which will also result in a healthier baby.

If diet and exercise alone don't do the trick, a third tip is to consider pregnancy massage. Massaging the affected area can help to stimulate blood flow and break up fatty deposits, reducing the appearance of cellulite. You can even get your partner involved in this step for a relaxing, romantic moment to help relieve stress for both of you.

There are a number of products available on the market which claim to help rid you of cellulite during pregnancy. Creams, lotions and other "cure alls" may provide some help, but only maintaining a healthy life style, eating right and getting plenty of exercise will really give you long term results.

Nobody likes to deal with the issue of cellulite, whether during pregnancy or at any other time, but remember that it doesn't have to be permanent. You can reduce the appearance of cellulite and, especially during pregnancy, it can clear up on its own. So don't despair, just make sure you're living right and you can make cellulite a thing of the past!

After you've safely given birth, you heaved a sigh of relief giving thanks for your cute baby's life and the next thing that crossed your mind afterward is losing pregnancy fat. Your thought of this can take some of your attention away from caring for your child properly. You might be tempted to sign up for a weight loss program to help you lose your pregnancy fat. This can be another burden on you.

Fortunately, there are some simple and viable tips that can help you burn the extra fat in your body after delivery, and still have enough time for your little angel.

Change your eating habit. Yes, you need to watch what you put into your mouth and control your cravings if you really want to lose the extra fat after delivery. Cut down the amount of fatty foods you eat. Eat nutritious foods daily and include some snacks, healthy ones of course, between your meals. You'll need them along the way. Include fruits and vegetables in your meals. This is because of their rich contents in vitamins and minerals. Read the labels of food items you buy at the grocery store for their fat content. Avoid excessive intake of fried foods.

Exercise your body. This is another way of losing pregnancy fat fast. You don't have to engage in any strenuous workout. Begin your fitness exercise with brisk walking around the neighborhood. You can even do this with your child by putting him/her in a stroller to catch the feel of the environment. Take advantage of the time your baby usually falls asleep by engaging yourself in aerobic workouts such as swimming, riding on a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill if you have one. The whole idea is to help keep your body active by engaging in small activities that can help burn the extra fat.

Breastfeeding your baby is another way to lose pregnancy fat. Lactation is very important after giving birth not only for your baby but for you as well. You lose about 500-700 calories daily while you properly breastfeed your baby. That's why breastfeeding is one of the good ways to burn pregnancy fat.

Drinking plenty of water daily also helps in losing body fat. 70 percent of your body is made up of water and not fat. To help your body function properly, drink about 7-8 liters of water daily. This will also help prevent your body from dehydration. Water also enhances your metabolism. Metabolism is simply the process through which your body burns calories without any effort on your part. And water is the most important requirement for this to function effectively. You can now imagine the benefits of drinking plenty water.

The birthmother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy has made the difficult decision to place her baby for adoption with a family that she has chosen. She may or may not have the support of her parents and her siblings or even the birth father. You want to help her but are not sure what to say and what not to say. Here are some helpful ideas:

1. Be sure to tell her that you are beside her 100% and that you are here for her whenever she needs someone to talk to. There nothing more difficult than making the decision to place your baby for adoption and then to have everyone judging you, criticizing you, and rejecting you.


2. Let her know that she can be open and honest and you will not judge, criticize or give advice unless she asks for it. Sometimes she just needs a listening ear to bend.


3. She is still a young woman having a baby. The baby is a part of her. It's o.k. to ask her questions like: How is she feeling? Does she feel the baby moving? How does that make her feel? You can be excited with her about the child growing within her. Take your lead from her.


4. It's o.k. to talk about her baby's future...who will they look like? Will they have her temperament? Will they love what she loves?


5. Talk about the relationship she is having with her adoptive family. How do they get along? What are they like? What makes you happy about them being the parents of your baby? This new family will forever be a part of her.


6. Talk about her future. What will she do after the baby has been born? What are her goals and dreams? What is she doing to prepare for her future while she is preparing for her child's future? How can you help her get ready for that time? Internet search together or visit colleges together...go to the library and do some research.


7. Hang out with her! She still loves shopping, movies and munching on yummy food!


8. Think of ways to celebrate this baby who is being formed within her. Ask her if she would like a baby shower...to give gifts that can go home with the baby and that would provide connection and meaning for the baby later in life. Make something special together like a blanket that can be given to the baby and her family at the hospital.


9. Offer to help her make a family photo album to give to the adoptive couple for the baby when he or she is older.


10. Encourage her to write letters for the baby that can be kept for them when they can read or want to know more about their biological family.


11. Be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and laugh with. It's o.k. to still have fun and laugh together.


12. After the birth, be there for her. Sometimes no words are necessary. Sometimes the best thing to say in nothing. Just be there.

Have you been trying to get pregnant but don't seem to be succeeding? Are you wondering if there is anything that could give you insight as to how you could get pregnant faster and without medication? Well this article is exactly what you are looking for. Read on to find out about the things to help you get pregnant faster.

The first thing to do is to get a thorough checkup when you and your partner decide to have a child. This will give you an insight into the areas that may pose a problem while trying to get pregnant.

The second thing to help you get pregnant is to figure out when you are ovulating so that you could time your sexual intercourse. This increases the chances of getting pregnant. If you do not know the exact days of your ovulation, you may miss out on the chance of getting pregnant that month. When you are ovulating the odds are high that the sperm would reach the eggs.

Although it is advised to have sex only once in 48 hours, another thing to help you get pregnant faster would be to ask your husband to ejaculate once every two or three days. This is very important for men as this helps them to keep up their sperm supply.

Another aspect that will help getting pregnant is to maintain a healthy life style. This goes for both men and women. Not only will it help in you getting pregnant faster, it also affects the quality and health of your offspring.

One more thing to help you get pregnant faster is to choose the right position while having sexual intercourse. The so calling missionary position is said to be the best while you are trying to get pregnant.

Another important point to note is to enjoy your sex life. Do not have intercourse with the ordeal that you have to get pregnant because then there is so much tension while having sexual intercourse that sometimes it may result in counter productivity.

One more important thing to help you get pregnant faster is the elimination of stress in your day to day life. Try to be happy and calm all the time. Due to this women may stop menstruating.

You must also stop consumption of alcohol and drugs. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Also do not use lubricants and medication while having sex or even after that.

Take your time in bed. There is no hurry to get out and rush to the bathroom. You could also try putting a pillow under your hips after sexual intercourse to prevent sperm leakage. Also ask your husband or partner to keep his testicles closed as heat can cause the death of sperms.

These are a few things to help you get pregnant faster. However not always is the possibility of getting pregnant faster in our hands. So the best thing we can do is to do everything right.

Sleep shouldn't be a problem for anyone. But for pregnant mothers who are expecting their babies, sleep can be a quite troublesome and difficult matter. Everyone knows that having enough and good sleep is important, especially for pregnant mothers. Anyone who doesn't get enough sleep knows that when they don't have good qualified sleep, they may get cranky and get depressed in the end. Sleep is mostly important for expecting mothers since they need to get all the rest they can have.

Being pregnant mothers is difficult. As time passes and the belly is showing, they may have problems concerning their back and neck because of the increasing weight inside their belly. Most mothers would prefer to lie down most of the time so that they won't have more problems about the constant tiredness and the heavy burden. But another problem arises when they can't find the right support that can make them lie comfortably on their back. Most pillows are designed for regular use; for sleeping and supporting the head and neck. But for them, they would expect special pillows that could support not only their back, neck, and head, but also their belly. Having the right one would help them achieve the good quality sleep they've been wanting for long times.

There are three kinds of maternity or pregnancy pillows that people may wonder which to choose such as full-length body pillows, bean shaped pillows, wedge pillows and simple maternity pillows. The full-length body pillows are ideal for those who suffer from back and neck strains. Bean shaped pillows are ideal for mother by taking the strain off her stomach and knees. Wedge pillows are help the pregnant women relax sleep better. Whereas simple maternity pillows re help to prevent pregnancy complications such as lower back pain.

Snoogle is a kind of maternity pillow that could help mothers achieve relaxing and comforting sleep. A good maternity pillow should have special feature that could support the back, neck, hips, and belly well. It should be strong but soft enough. A good maternity or pregnancy pillows should be able to follow the body contour and shape perfectly so mothers could relax, as if they're lying on soft cotton candy or on the clouds.

Maternity pillows are must have necessities during pregnancy. This pillow is a useful item that can be given as a gift to pregnant woman. Pregnant women has to be made as comfortable as possible. Sure it is more expensive than any ordinary pillows, but when comfort is the issue, money shouldn't be any problems. After all, the comfort is worth the price.

You really need some tips so you can go into labor now. You are past your due date and your body is feeling the effects. You are carrying around a full term baby inside of you and it is wearing you thin. You want to be able to give birth already and to get pregnancy over with. You need some help.

You need some help so you can induce your own labor. You don't want to go down the route of medical induction because it scares you. You wouldn't want anything going awry and harming your unborn child. You would much rather bring on labor naturally and without any side effects.

You are going to learn 5 tips to induce your labor today. These tips will help you to jumpstart your labor so you can finally work towards giving birth sometime in the near future.

The first tip to go into labor now is to learn to relax. Relaxing your body and distressing your body is going to help you to give birth quickly. The best way to make this happen is to distract yourself. Try watching some funny movies as it will help to get you laughing and to take your mind off of the pregnancy. The more you relax, the more open your body becomes and the faster you are able to go into labor.

The second tip to induce your labor naturally is to have sex. Although this seems like the last thing you want to do, a quickie in the bedroom can really work wonders for you. Having sex relaxes your body and pulls the tension out of it. As well, if you have an orgasm, then this dilates your cervix and you want this to happen. People also believe that sperm is a natural induction tool and it can help to force your body into labor.

The third tip is to eat something spicy. Eating spicy foods can force your body into labor because it speeds up the natural processes of your body. Stock up on some spicy salsa or eat a whole jalapeno and this will definitely work wonders for you.

The fourth tip is classified as an old wives tale but it really works. If you want to go into labor now, then take a drive in a car on a bumpy road. If there is a gravel road next to your home or out in the country then take a drive. The bumps and shocks in the road will transfer into your body, causing your water to break. This is the first step to going into labor so you need to make it happen.

The final tip for inducing your own labor is to have positive thoughts. When you think positively, then the outcome is a positive one. Surrounding yourself with negative energy is a bad idea and you need to stop it. Think positively and you will be able to induce your own labor now.

You don't have a boy, are you desperate? Have you tired of repeated doctor's visits? Have you fed up of trying different treatment options? I'm sure if your answer s yes then your bank balance must also be giving warning alarms. Spending here few seconds would help to turn your dream into reality.

The exciting news I have for you is that nowadays the natural treatments are increasingly becoming popular as the percentage of determining the sex of unborn is increasing with the help of these conventional approaches. The easiest as well as the cheapest method to complete your dream family is by adopting specific intercourse positions.

The following reading would describe the best sexual positions that help the woman in conceiving a baby boy. Here I will also explain you the theory that works behind these sexual intercourse positions.

Many couples who are in search of knowing some specific sexual intercourse positions must have heard a lot of things about theses positions. The truth however is there are only few intercourse positions that work.

The fact that determines the sex of the unborn is that which type of sperm or the sperm fertilizes the egg. Many couples must have enough information about the Y (Boy) chromosomes as well as X (Girl) chromosomes. Both these kinds of sperm race towards the egg.

Each sperm kind has a particular set of characteristics. The best characteristics of Y chromosome is that these are fast but at the same time their bad feature is they are weaker as well. X sperms on the other are stronger, but at the same time they are slower as well.

It is vital to embed this information in the head if the couple wants to conceive for a baby boy. It is important for the couple to overcome the weak characteristic of their favorite sperm.

In order to conceive for a baby boy, it is important for the couple to understand that chromosome will begin to die quickly. There are many opinions for overcoming their weakness. The best idea is to opt a sexual intercourse position that can increase the chance of having a baby boy.

Those sexual positions are recommended for conceiving a baby boy that helps in placement of sperm's nearest to cervix. The deeper positioning helps these weak and tiny guys to stay closer to cervix. The deeper positioning helps these weaker guys to stay alive in their trip in vagina.

Rear entry is the well known position for deepest sperm penetration closest to cervix. Such position also needs that women should lay down on the bed on her tummy while resting the knees in sitting position.

Many pregnant women who find it difficult to sleep at night are looking for products that can provide them comfort. At times, women use multiple pillows to reduce discomfort. To avoid the inconvenience of using multiple pillows, many manufacturers have come out with special pillows for pregnant women. These special products are called pregnancy pillows which are a preferred choice of pregnant women as they help them sleep without any discomfort. However, not many men are happy with these special products as they leave little room for them in the bed.

Pregnant women find it difficult to sleep at night because their tummy gets heavier as the pregnancy progresses. The problem becomes more acute when you enter into second trimester as the lump in your tummy puts strain on your back. It is a good idea to sleep on your side as it improves the flow of oxygen to the baby.

Pregnancy pillows can help you sleep comfortably on your side without causing any strain on your back.Even though many would-be-moms prefer using these pillows, there are many who question its usefulness. Here are some of the reasons why pregnant women should buy these pillows.

They are preferred over ordinary pillows because they provide comfort and support for your growing body. Ordinary pillows are too soft and don't provide you with the required support.

Another benefit of using these pillows is that you don't have to deal with multiple pillows. When you use ordinary pillows you have to arrange all the pillows to sleep comfortably, which requires both time and effort. When you use pregnancy pillow you get extra sleeping time as you don't have to arrange multiple ordinary pillows.

They can also be used after the birth of the baby. Many mothers use them to support the baby when they breastfeed them.

A smart woman would take pregnancy related nutrition help in order to decrease the risk of complications during the nine months and delivery. Good health is inevitable for the mother and baby with appropriate nutrition during pregnancy period.

List Of Foods For Good Pregnancy Nutrition

Milky Ideas!

There are many women who don't like milk. If you are one of them, don't worry. You can still get nourishment during pregnancy. Add some chocolate or vanilla in milk or drink it chilled with ice to get a new taste. If you still cannot stand the taste of milk, here's another way to reap the calcium benefits of milk. Add powdered milk to mashed potatoes, soups, and other such foods and relish the newly flavored dish!

In addition to this, you can garnish your soups, salads, and vegetables with grated cheese. Better still; eat your snacks with a yogurt dip. If you hate yogurt, replace it with mayonnaise in your salad dressings.

Got a sweet tooth? Eat milk pudding. If you choose ice cream or iced milk, you need to have one and half cups of them to get an equivalent of one serving of milk. This is because they have sugar as well as air content in them. Take more pregnancy nutrition help and you will come to know of lots of ways to eat food items that you don't like, yet are important for your health.

You should also discuss with your doctor about its diet supplements. No matter how informed you are about pregnancy diet, it's always better to take pregnancy nutrition help through articles, books, and your doctor.

No matter how healthy your diet may be, you might have to change it a little while you are pregnant. Some foods you may want to eliminate altogether, while others, you will want to increase in your daily menu. In our modern research, we try to figure out more about health, food, and nutrition during pregnancy. In order to do this, we need to learn more about the very foods that we eat and how they affect our bodies.

For example, you might ask what impact vegetarian diets, red meats, strong cheeses, organic foods or others may have on how your baby grows during the nine months of pregnancy.

Foods You Want to Eat

During your first trimester, foods that have a lot of protein, are the best foods that you can choose to eat. By consuming more protein you will be giving your baby the main building block of all cells. Protein is especially critical, since your tiny unborn child develops their major organs in these 3 months.

Vegetarians

Any vegetarian diet should be filled with foods that contain protein for cellular growth and development. You may be surprised at the variety of vegetarian protein that is really available. Beans with rice very high in protein and come a colorful variety.

Meat Eaters

For non-vegetarians, turkey, beef, tuna, and finally chicken have a high level of protein per ounce ranked from most to least. If you are on a vegetarian diet, beans and rice are excellent protein sources when combined. If money is tight, two eggs or peanut butter are other options.

For a fast, handy snack, vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, can have protein by grabbing a small handful of natural almonds with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Almonds are packed with vitamins and minerals that help you ensure that your baby gets exactly what nutrition it needs the most.

Organic Foods

Organic foods also need to be carefully selected, since they may be prone to have more natural residues. However, if they are grown locally, these foods may be better for your body since it is more used to the immediate environment. Be sure to check where and how they are grown, such as being a hybrid of two or more strains of foods.

Foods You Want to Avoid

There are certain types of fish and cheese, that may actually be bad to eat while pregnant. These are foods that you may want to check out, before heading to your favorite seafood restaurant or fixing yourself a sandwich. Check with your medical provider before munching on raw sushi, oyster, muscles, octopus, and similar raw fish.

Cheese

In addition, some strong cheeses may carry bacteria that could hurt your baby. Blue cheese, feta, wine cheese, Manchego sheep milk cheese, and others that have a potent aroma often require getting used to for adults, let alone a tiny fetus. You will most likely want to take these foods off your menu, at least while you are pregnant.

Sugar

Foods high in sugar take your body on an energy roller coaster, stressing both you and your unborn child. Pregnancy takes an enormous amount of energy already and may suffer by extreme energy swings. If you must have something sweet, try foods such as applesauce, grapes, or other raw fruit. Use spices to add flavor to fruit to make it have more taste. Do avoid honey as it has a bacteria that can hurt small children.

Healthy Food Makes A Long Term Difference

Through all stages of your life, eating the proper foods makes a difference to your overall health. But, during pregnancy it is absolutely critical to the normal growth of your baby. Making a list of the right and wrong foods to eat can help you and your baby stay on a nutritious track.

By making a careful selection for your menu, you help to ensure not just a safe nine months of pregnancy, but a safe start so your baby can grow those first teeth and strong legs to walk on.

How to tell when you are pregnant
Pregnancy signs include: the lack or the delay of menstruation, enlarged or painful breasts, sudden unexplained fatigue and increased need of sleep, frequent urination, and nausea. If you think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test.

A urine pregnancy test can be made after 10 to 14 days after the disappearance of the menstruation. Most urine and blood tests can even be made earlier, even at the date the menstruation should appear. Also, a doctor can confirm the pregnancy if you go and pay him a visit. But still the simplest way is to buy a home designed pregnancy test so you can find out for you self whether you are pregnant or not in the privacy of your home.

A happy mommy - not just a dream!
The pregnancy period is a very special period in your life. If you find pout just what to expect while pregnant and when giving birth, you will feel more relaxed and accept the changes you are going through easily. When you are pregnant, treat yourself just as if you would be treating your child. Rest for as long as you want to, go to sleep whenever you feel tired (8 hours of sleep every night are an absolute must!). Try to avoid stress and save some time for yourself every day. You will also fell very good about yourself if you try and remain active through activities like swimming, dancing or simple walks.

When do you have to go to the doctor for prenatal care?
You can prevent any undesirable complications and you can make sure you will have a healthy baby through prenatal care (start it once you've found out you are pregnant). Pregnant women go to their doctor usually once a month during the first 7 month of pregnancy, and then twice a month, ending up to go even every week as the due date approaches. During these visits the doctor can easily follow your baby's growth, can identify any small problem that might appear and can advice you how to stay healthy. The first visit is usually the longest. The doctor will ask you a series of questions to calculate your due date and if there are any risks regarding the pregnancy. You can expect to be asked things like the date of your last period, if you were pregnant before, if you use drugs or alcohol, if you've even been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases.

Then, you will get a complete gynecological exam. During every visit, your medic will check the blood pressure, keep a track of your weight gain, and recommend a urine test for diabetes or infections, blood tests for anemia and kidney problems. The doctor will also follow the growth of the baby by ultrasounds or by measuring the uterus, examine your belly and listening to the baby's heartbeat.

What to eat during pregnancy?
A healthy diet is vital for a healthy pregnancy. It's the best thing you can do to assure the proper growth of your baby. It will also make you stronger and ready to give birth and to breastfeed your baby. Eat healthy, equilibrate and drink lots of water. Limit the consumption of sweets. Don't try to loose weight, it might be harmful. You should expect to gain anywhere from 14 to 30 pounds during pregnancy. Don't forget to take vitamins and iron to prevent anemia.

What to avoid during pregnancy?
Try to stay way from everything that could negatively affect your baby. So you must avoid things like smoking, alcohol and drugs. All these can trigger a premature birth or can create physical or mental problems to your child, even from the period he is still in your uterus.

How to tell something is wrong during pregnancy?
Most pregnancies start out without problems, buy those can appear unexpectedly. If you have any of these alarming signs, you should go to your doctor immediately: sudden weight gain, swallowing of you feel and hands, sever and repetitive headaches that last more than 2-3 hours and don't go away even with medication, fainting, blurry vision, seeing light spots, pain or burning sensations when urinating, exaggerated thirst and troubles urinating, strange and smelly vaginal secretions, bleeding.

Also you should consider seeing you doctor in any of the below listed situations too: if you feel like you baby hasn't moved for more than 8 hours or more (after the 6 month of pregnancy), when you contraction start early (uterine contraction at every 10 minutes or faster, abdominal cramps, pelvic pressure or a descending sensation, changing in you vaginal secretions or the sudden release of a water like liquid)

Do you have to breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby, as it is the most nutritive food he can get. The milk from his mother can protect him from diarrhea cause by medicine, aliment or contaminated water, will help him be immunized, protecting him from disease and infections and will also help building a close relation between you and your baby. If you are only feeding you child with your milk (not even water or tea), and if you feed him every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night while your menstruation did not appeared yet, you are at shelter from a new pregnancy (only under all these conditions) until your baby will be six month old. You can start to breastfeed as soon as your child is born. In the first few days your breast will produce thicker liquid called colostrum. The colostrum gives your baby all the nutrients he needs. At the end of day two or three, regular breast milk will start producing normally.

How to take care of yourself after birth?
Most women can restart their regular activities as soon as a week after giving birth. It's highly recommended that you are as active as possible, excepting the case in witch you've suffered an operation. The movement can improve you blood circulation, help your breathing return to normal and help you regain muscular elasticity. Watch out for the signs of complications like infection and heavy bleeding. If there are any, call the doctor or go to the hospital immediately.

After giving birth, when to start using family planning methods?
It's important to let your body rest after pregnancy and birth. You need time and energy to take care of yourself and your baby. Normally you can regain your fertility and then get pregnant after as little as 6 weeks from birth, even before having your period. Breastfeeding will delay the fertile period. You will have to start thinking of protecting yourself from a new pregnancy even before birth. If you want to breast feed, you will have to choose a method that won't affect your milk like: condoms, the mono-hormone pill, injectable contraceptives etc.

If you are not breastfeeding you can start using oral contraceptives starting 3 to 6 weeks after giving birth. You shouldn't rely on the all know method of recognizing the fertile period. It's hard to tell when this period will come after birth, so don't used this method; it's doomed to fail in the first few months. And remember that if there are no medical problems after birth, you and your partner can start having sex as soon as you feel comfortable about it. After a normal birth, most women start having sex after 4 to 6 weeks, but some do it much earlier or even after 6 months, it all depends on their body and libido.

Couples struggling to conceive a baby often feel frustrated and desperate. Women, especially, jump to the worst conclusion that either her or her husband has fertility problems. Most of the time, however, it is just bad timing that is causing their difficulty in conceiving. The good thing is that couples can predict the time of ovulation using a free fertility calculator.

A fertility calculator uses different information about the females reproductive health to predict the date of her next ovulation. During her ovulation, she is at her most fertile condition and her chances of conceiving are significantly increased. Taking advantage of this knowledge, it becomes possible to sidestep all the frustration of trying to conceive a child for the first time.

People usually misinterpret the real purpose of these calculators. It is understandable that they will think of its purpose as contraception, because ovulation calculators can be used in two ways. First, couples can use the calculator to predict the date of the woman's ovulation, in an effort to improve their chances at conceive a baby. On the flipside, they can also use that knowledge to prevent her from getting pregnant.

An ovulation calculator is typically used in conjunction with various fertility monitoring methods, such as body temperature detection and mucus monitoring. Combined, these methods can predict her ovulation date more accurately. There are other aspects that have to be considered, too, including lifestyle and reproductive health. Her menstrual cycle is also a very important variable in the equation.

There are many different types of calculation systems, offering a variety of features. As a matter of fact there are calculators that predict how couples can conceive a boy or a girl; or, if the couple prefers the classic surprise, they can leave this field blank. An ovulation calculator works best for women with cycles that go on for 21 to 35 days. Take note that a 28-day period is the most ideal menstrual cycle for all middle-aged women.

For parents who are trying to have their first baby, this is a very important step to take. It helps not only in conceiving a child, but also in detecting any pre-existing reproductive system medical condition that either of the couple has. In that sense, an ovulation calculator provides couples a way to prepare themselves for unfortunate medical conditions, so they can find treatment much earlier.

Take note that every woman will have different menstrual cycle lengths, as well as varying reproductive health. These factors need to be taken in consideration and honestly entered into the calculator in order to achieve the most accurate results. Provided the couple entered the correct details, the outcome will be reliable.

Awareness is the best weapon couples can have against surprise pregnancies. Note that many parents were taken off guard when they first conceived a child, too. In that sense, a free fertility calculator is the best way to help couples conceive.