Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Every business that recruits people is accountable to maintain a payroll system. It is also a mandatory document that requires while auditing. There are many ways available to take care of the payroll activities. Many companies prefer outsourcing their payroll accounting tasks to accounting outsourcing companies and get it done. Few companies rely on payroll software and they will complete their payroll activities by themselves. Both the option has its advantages. This article would explain you the benefits of outsourcing payroll function and using payroll software.

Benefits of outsourcing payroll activities:

The purpose of payroll is to calculate the correct income and the national insurance contributions to be deducted. This will also be used to deduct the employer national insurance. Running a payroll system is common in any size of companies no matter if it is a small or large scale industry. There will be payroll specialist who can take care of all the payroll entries and maintenance.

Payroll outsourcing is absolutely suits for the small business companies. In fact, they are not familiar with the complications of recording the employee accounts. They cannot afford for the software as it will be too costly for the small business companies as they will not have many employees. The only left out option is to outsource their payroll accounting to a third party company who specializes in accounting. They have to pay a reasonable amount and forward their details to the outsourcing company.

All their payroll details will be up to date and they can focus on some other mandatory tasks. The payroll system not only focus on calculating the income tax and the insurance contributions but also dealing with the tax codes, taxable benefits, allowances which includes sick pay, maternity benefits, student loan plans and pension benefits etc. Hence, it is a huge system according to the size of the company. Medium sized companies also have started adapting the outsourcing techniques considering the time saving and cost effectiveness.

Hence, outsourcing your payroll system to a genuine outsourcing company is always worthy doing it. It saves your money and time. On top of everything it brings in more profit by allowing you to focus completely on your core competency.

Benefits of using payroll software:

A big alternative to outsourcing is to implement software system for payroll calculations. Here, you need to recruit a dedicated payroll specialist or a team of payroll experts according to the size of the company. It will be done in house and all the details will be operated within the company. You should choose potential software which has various option that suits your company. Also you have to consider the pay scenarios while choosing the software.

Mostly large scale industries prefer having a separate payroll section with all these software facility as they do not have to worry about any of the data. Everything will be maintained with in their office premises. Here, you can have a personal access to all the details. Maintaining your payroll accounts using the software is much more easier than doing it manually. It will reduce your entire administration burdens. You will be able to access to the particular data of an employee with in few mouse clicks. There is less chances of making mistakes. Hence you can choose to follow any methods mentioned above according to your financial status and the size of your company.

Nursing can be your career choice for you future. If you are interested to the healthy filed but you do not want to become a doctor, surgeon, or the therapist, becoming a nurse can the right option for your future career. However, before you take the nursery education, it is better for you to see some reviews related to the nursery education programs. Some nurses work with the physician by helping to do their daily tasks. While the other help obstetricians to take care of pregnant woman and deliver the baby. The education programs and the training you will take depend to the field you will choose.

It is better for you to take full-time nursing degree courses first. The full-time nursing degree has four branches of nursing: child, adult, mental health, and learning disabilities. By taking this program you will be educated for three years and offered by higher education institution across England.

There is an also pre-registration nursing degree program which offers you both academic and professional qualification by combining the theory studies and supervised nursing practice. The program provides you the general introduction in nursing which helps you to build the observational, communication and caring skills. It is also including the introduction of four branches to nurse and maternity care.

Supervised nursing practice is half of this program and is carried out in the hospital and community settings. You will learn for three years in length. It starts with 12 or 18 month of common foundation program (CFP) and then followed by 18 or 24 months branch program included the four branches of adult, mental health, learning disabilities or children nursing.

Other degrees related to the nursing field are Masters Degree and part-time degree courses. Masters degree program need for years for the duration. You should contact the universities directly for further information. Part time degree courses are usually offered by some higher education institution.

Women generally are very conscious of their figures. They are very particular about their looks and the attitude is no different when they are pregnant. There was a time when pregnant women used to wear clothes larger than their sizes to suit the convenience. But modern days are different. A woman wants to look elegant and beautiful irrespective of the different phases of her womanhood. Why not look good during the pregnancy which is the most delightful and exciting period of her life.

New designs based on different styles and ideas have been introduced in the fashion world to cater the needs of the pregnant women. They can choose the right clothes that fit them as well as the colours they like. The designers of maternity clothes are taking care to offer maximum comforts to those who wear them without compromising the quality and the latest trends in fashion. The clothes suitable for the changing seasons are specially tailored from fabrics that are chosen with care. The clothes that are made for pregnant women should not only be comfortable but also withstand the climatic changes. The texture of the clothes used to create these special dresses is hand picked with care so that they should not cause any problem to the body or skin. A good designer knows well that the maternity clothes are to take care of, not only a would be mother but also the growing baby in the womb.

Dresses with enough room to stretch for a growing belly and without tight strings or straps to support them are preferred by pregnant women. At the same time the dress should not make her look like an inflated balloon. The skill and imagination of new designers have answers to all such problems.

Apart from summer and winter wears, clothes for special occasions are also available to day. Maternity swimwear suitable throughout all the trimesters are made and marketed in various patterns. One piece maternity bikinis, trousers, tops, skirts, nightwear, lingerie, jeans and T-shirts, and a variety of dresses in different colours and designs are made to meet the growing demands in the markets. A pregnant woman has to go through the extreme conditions of climate. So clothes to suit the changing weather conditions are essential. Naturally, the markets provide clothes for autumn, winter and summer months, and all of them are superbly designed.

For those who cannot afford to buy expensive clothes, there are many shops which offer good quality maternity dresses at affordable rates, thanks to the competitive market. Special discounts are also offered by many of them. There are many shops and websites who are dealing with used but good maternity clothes for the benefit of those who prefer inexpensive ones. A reasonably liberal return policy and offer of free shipping are the special features of many online dealers. Some of the shops buy back the used clothes if they are maintained in good condition.

The maternity clothe stores also offer baby clothing to facilitate shoppers in the advanced stages of pregnancy. Kid's crocs, baby kits, nursery tops, nursing bras etc along with a variety of dresses which the woman can wear after the delivery, are available in such shops. Online shopping is a convenient option for women during the advanced stages of pregnancy when the mobility is restricted.

Many women do not feel complete until they experience giving birth and the happiness that comes with it. The hardest part is getting there, as conception is necessary first. Because of the stress that we deal with, day in and day out, conceiving a baby can be hard. It is important and helpful to know the best and quickest tips. Especially if you're asking "can someone help me get pregnant".

You can increase your chances of getting pregnant by doing a few different things, but there is never a guarantee. You can be on your way to holding your baby by taking the following hints to heart. There is no better feeling than becoming a mom.

1. Having sex on a regular basis, regardless of how crazy and stressful your life may be, is important. To conceive, many believe that you should be having sex, not every day, but every other day.

2. Keep track of your monthly cycles in order to realize when you are ovulating. Women typically ovulate halfway through their cycle, so if yours is 28 days, you should be ovulating around day 14. If you are someone who deals with a period that is irregular, you can calculate the day of ovulating by using an ovulation kit. Your urine contains hormones that will let you know whether or not you are ready to ovulate, just by a safe and easy test.

3. You should know that two days before you ovulate, you are most likely to get pregnant, and this is the prime time for sexual intercourse. His sperm will move towards your egg much easier if your cervical mucous is of the right consistency.

4. Remember that this process takes time and that you should wait up to a year before asking a physician to assist you in becoming pregnant, due to your fertility issues.

When most of us hear the word, "insurance" our eyes glaze over and our mind starts to get fuzzy. Insurance, specifically health insurance, is complicated and confusing, and most self-employed people prefer to delay having to think about it... until it's too late.

In this article, small business owners and insurance providers across the country offer their advice on how to keep health care costs down for the self-employed. Remember, no matter which path you take, insurance costs can be tax-deductible as a business expense!

High Deductibles Increase Your Monthly Cash-Flow

Erik Lehtinen of Integrative Wealth recommends high-deductible plans to bring down the monthly cost of insurance premiums. The higher your out-of-pocket expense for any kind of claim, the lower your monthly rate will be. This is true with any health-care plan, no matter where you sign up.

To further decrease costs, if you are able to forego preventative or maternity care and just receive catastrophic insurance for emergencies, your premiums will be much lower as well.

Catastrophic Insurance (High-Deductible Health Plan -- HDHP)

Catastrophic Insurance is just that: for emergency use only. If you get the sniffles, or want a cosmetic procedure, chances are you won't be covered. However, if you get mauled by a lion at the Zoo, or otherwise encounter an accident, the insurance will cover the necessary expenses. Each company that offers catastrophic insurance has it's own guidelines, stipulations, and requirements, so be sure to read through your plan thoroughly and ask questions.

Barry Maher is a self-employed speaker that prefers his catastrophic plan. Although it has a $5200 deductible, it allows him to have a Health Savings Account for non-emergencies. This way, he can use his HSA for minor illnesses, and to pay the deductible of the HDHP in the case of a true emergency.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Health Savings Accounts are available to those who enroll in a catastrophic, high-deductible health plans (HDHP). Money deposited into a HSA is not subject to federal income tax at the time of the deposit, and funds roll over year to year if they are not spent. These funds can only be spent on qualified medical expenses, but they come without federal tax liability or penalty. This also includes medications with a doctor's prescription. If you are collecting federal or state unemployment, you can use your HSA to pay your health insurance premiums.

If, at some point, you lose your HDHP insurance, you'll still have access to your HSA, but won't be able to contribute additional money to it. In the case of death, you can name a beneficiary.

Using Auto-Insurance as Catastrophic Insurance

Talk to your car insurance provider to see what kind of medical benefits they offer if you get into an accident. This option is good for people who live a healthy life, but want to be protected while out on the road. Beware: even if you get hospital coverage and loss wage coverage due to an accident, this type of insurance won't help you if you get an illness. This is purely accidental coverage.

Generally, auto insurance coverage applies to the injured, no matter who was at fault. Additionally, automobile medical insurance can pay for, partially or completely, your health care insurance premiums. Medical payments through an auto insurance plan typically over doctor visits, hospital visits, surgery, x-rays, EMT and ambulance fees, nursing services and care, prostheses as well as funeral costs.

Health Insurance Through Memberships

Those who are self-employed can seek insurance benefits through a variety of membership organizations. These organizations pool together their resources and are able to get discounts on premiums and care that individuals don't have access to.

Members CU, a Credit Union based in Traverse City Michigan, offers a variety of health, auto, and life insurance to its members. If you're currently a member of a credit union, check to see if they offer similar benefits. (It's another great reason to move your money from big banks!)

The National Association for the Self-Employed offers group health benefits for its members, as does the A.A.R.P.

The Alliance for Affordable Services represents nearly 80,000 individuals and small business owners nationwide and provides discounts on legal, health, and personal financial services.

Additionally, Mary Ratliff (Nine Hour Films) found that an artistic organization, Fractured Atlas, provided great resources and two helpful brochures that break down insurance issues and terminology specifically geared towards the freelance artist. You can view those brochures at: http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/healthcare

Get the discount!

You may be surprised how many low-cost and free options are available to you, without getting on the government's dole. For example, many dental schools offer free or reduced-cost cleanings, exams, and procedures.

Bartering allows you to trade your businesses goods and services with other members of a bartering club. If you offer graphic or website design, you could trade that with a chiropractor or ophthalmologist for health services.

These bartering services could be run through your local chamber of commerce, or you could sign on with a national organization like The International Reciprocal Trade Association or the National Association of Trade Exchanges. Craigslist is another place you can find people to swap services with under the "Barter" heading.

Amy Rose Herrick, ChFC, was successful with this method stating, "We have used a barter network to pay for about $10,000 braces on two children. We've also bartered for general dental cleanings, crowns and fillings for another perhaps $3,000 on services used."

Also, many doctors and clinics offer discounts to patients who pay cash, instead of go through their insurance provider. You just need to ask!

"I have found that my doctors offer lower fees for self-paying patients (at least half of what they charge insurers)" discovered Becky Meyers of Magnolia-Sky "Additionally, my pharmacy signed me up for discounts through programs they have, which has saved me a bundle of money on prescriptions, two of which I take on an ongoing basis."

Finally, take advantage of the daily deal sites. Many times you'll see chiropractic adjustments, massages, dental visits, and health-club memberships at deep discounts. Health care isn't just about protecting you when you're sick, but keeping your body in optimal shape to prevent illness in the first place. Groupon, Living Social, and Amazon Local all offer daily deals on a wide variety of products and services.

Thoughts about the upcoming Health Care Changes

We've already seen some changes coming with the new health care laws. Specifically, children can now stay on their parent's insurance until the age of 25, and those with pre-existing conditions will no longer be denied coverage or care. Additionally, insurance providers are now required by law to spend at least 80% of the premiums they receive on health care. This means, if more than 20% of the premium you pay the insurance company goes to overhead, advertising, profits or other costs, you will then get a check in the mail refunding the difference, as Barry Maher has already experienced:

"The new health care law has already put money in my pocket, generating several rebates from my insurance company (because they expended too high an percentage on overhead) and it also expanded the coverage. And obviously it should make purchasing insurance easier for the self-employed, many of which currently can't even buy health insurance because of pre-existing conditions."

Unfortunately, we won't really see the full effects of the new health care laws on entrepreneurs until 2014 and beyond. We can speculate on its effectiveness, but we won't truly know until we get there. Most entrepreneurs, including Stacy Spensley, (Centerstage Wellness) are optimistic:

"My hope with the health insurance changes that are coming is that premiums will fall once more people buy in to make health care more affordable for all Americans. As a health coach, my goal is to help people need less medication and health care in general, so more people only need insurance in case of emergencies. The more we can avoid preventable disease, the better for all of us."

Need more information? Visit The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website: Insure U for Small Business. They provide helpful information and tips about insurance for owners of small companies and home-based businesses.

When you have a medical emergency, you often go to the emergency room (ER), or to an urgent care clinic. As expected, they charge you for the services and treatment, with insurance covering a large portion of the bill. However, there are various medical procedures that your policy does not cover. And if you go into the operation blindly, you could wind up with a major shock later.

Medication
If you have surgery or a routine operation, chances are you will receive prescribed medication. Some of those meds are covered, while others are not. Your doctor or pharmacist should be able to answer any questions. Keep in mind, however, that over the counter medications like aspirin do not fall under insurance coverage.

Cosmetic Surgery
While policies cover many surgical procedures, one thing that it does not is cosmetic or plastic surgeries, such as a face lift, nose job, or liposuction. That is because these operations often improve one's appearance, but do not necessarily improve his or her health. The coverage simply depends on the company with which you are insured. However, if you feel that it could improve your way of life, write a letter to the insurance company to get them to reconsider.

Experimental Treatments
Depending on your diagnosis and recommended treatment, you may qualify for a clinical trial. However, insurance does not handle every single trial, at least if they define it as "experimental". Depending on the method of treatment, the product manufacturer might handle the product itself. However, you may have to pay for outside expenses like doctor's appointments or additional testing. The insurance company may allow clinical trials if you can prove the benefits of undergoing treatment.

Before you schedule any appointments, ask your insurer what is or is not covered. Your company can easily provide you with that kind of information, either on its website, or over the phone. If you find yourself having to pay completely out of pocket, call your doctor's office or hospital to work out a more reasonable solution. There are alternate treatments and lower payments that may suit your budget. A medical bill negotiation can help you reduce your bill tremendously, especially if you are already on a fixed income.

Maternity
Different policies cover different aspects of a woman's pregnancy, including when a woman goes into labor. However, some may exclude a woman if she does not have maternity coverage before contraception. Since that is virtually impossible to predict, if you are considering having children, you may want to look into coverage well in advance.

Health insurance for self employed people can be very expensive so it is really important that you sit down and think through what you really need before you decide on a particular policy. Every individual and family has different needs and your particular needs should determine the best insurance for you. Once you figure out your needs it will be easier to sort through the plans available and find the best one for your health, financial, and family situation.

The first thing you need to think about is what types of things you need coverage for. Typically, health insurance will cover physicians visits, fees, hospital expenses, and surgeries. Be sure that hospitals and surgeries are covered because these are the things that can have a severe financial impact if you are not covered. Everyone needs this kind of coverage.

Beyond doctors, hospitals, and surgeries, there are a variety of options that might or might not be valuable to you and your family. For example, if you or a family member wear glasses or contacts, it might be worthwhile to get a plan that covers these expenses. How about prescription medicines? If you or any member of your family has a chronic health condition requiring regular prescriptions that might well be an important option for you. If you are planning on having children then maternity care is a benefit you definitely want to consider. After you make a list of benefits that are important to you, you can start searching for insurance that will either include or let you add the particular coverage that is important to you.

You also want to consider how important it is to you to be able to choose your own doctor or stay with a doctor you already have. You have more flexibility with traditional health insurance but the trade-off is higher premiums. PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations), POS (Point of Service), or HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) plans offer greater savings but are much more restrictive in their choices of health care providers, including doctors and hospitals.

Lastly, consider any group options that might be available to you to reduce you costs. Often your local Chamber of Commerce or other small business organizations can help you find small group plans that can help you save money when buying health insurance for self employed people. The most important thing is to find coverage that will protect you and your family from any catastrophic medical bills and ruin your financial health.

Are you confused? You don't have to be. I know since you have this article in your hands, you are very close to achieving your dream weight. I can imagine you thinking how much better in shape you were before you finally settled to have a baby with your spouse. Having children is a good thing but most women don't like the weight gain during this time and the only thing most women want to do is get delivered of the baby and make sure they get back to their former weight level.

The loss of weight after pregnancy could be some issue in itself if not handled properly. There have been issues of women who tried and somewhere along the way, they gave up and ended up having more weight than they could imagine. This is because most engage their selves in unrealistic ventures, like using multivitamins without working out, eating less than they would have loved to and stuffs like that. These are old techniques that never worked for anyone so why keep doing the same thing and expecting different results? I will share with you some shunning tricks that will help you lose weight after pregnancy and these tips are what everyone could practice.

Determination and Discipline
Now this is no; formula neither is it a multivitamin. It is more of a principle that will work for everyone that will lose weight eventually. Most people never reach their expected weight after pregnancy because they got tired or just gave up. You have to be determined and be disciplined because you will need to be giving your body some things that it's not used to. So if you are not determined and disciplined, you will just not get anywhere with this. Now when you think you have faced enough trauma from this weight gain problem and you are ready for weight loss, then move on to the next tips.

Eat When You Are Hungry
This is the bottom line of fat accumulation. If everyone understood this principle and worked with it, no one will have to worry about losing weight. When you eat as you are hungry, your body is in a relaxed mode. Body metabolism proceeds and unnecessary food is passed out, the useful ones are used and converted to energy. You have energy to work out and do exercise, you don't get tired easily and this way, you end up burning fat. On the other hand, if you refuse to eat when you are hungry, your body switches to a protective or defensive mode and in this mode, it stores up more food and metabolism is slowed down. The food ingested is stored straight as fat and this is because your body kind of feels that there is not going to be enough food when needed so it has to keep some for the rainy day. This will give you more weight than you could bargain for after pregnancy.

Drink a lot of Liquids
Taking liquids could help reduce your appetite and therefore reduce your food intake. Remember, above, we only said "Eat when you are hungry" and not "Eat when you are not hungry". If you eat when your body is not asking for food, the food is just going to be a waste. Taking liquids like juice, water, protein shakes could help balance up when you are not eating solid food while eliminating hunger. The main idea is to make sure you have something in your mouth whenever your body says "I am Hungry!". Liquids will help us cover for this. Also avoid taking coffee, take tea instead as it contains caffeine that your body is more accustomed to and it also contains antioxidants that serves the purposed of making the body feel better.

Exercise
Never forget to work out daily. If you don't have a gym at home, go and register yourself at a gym place. It will do you a lot of good to work out as this will make sure you use up all the energy that have been made available through body metabolism.

If the following tips are followed strictly, then you will soon smile as you will see the weight you have gained during pregnancy burn till its no more there. Do not forget to keep the routine, stopping at any point will make you go back to square one, you are expected to make this a way of life.

CHINESE AND MALAYS TRADITIONS AND MYTHS ABOUT CONFINEMENT

T.Med Ctr

Asian mothers, especially the Chinese,observe many rules, regulations andtaboos that have been handed down from past generations during the period known as confinement. New mothers and their newborns usually stay home during this period, which lasts for about 28 days. New mothers are given special care and food to help the body recuperate from the trauma of childbirth. Special nannies known as confinement nannies are often hired to help look after new mothers and their newborn.

KEEPING WARM

Believed to be weak and "cold" after the delivery of her baby, the new mother should keep warm with "heaty" foods and wear plenty of warm clothing. She is not allowed to go near fans or air-conditioning as she may catch a chill. In observing this
tradition, both mother and baby suffer the uncomfortable effects of bad ventilation,especially in the tropical heat of Singapore.

BATHING

The Chinese do not allow new mothers to bathe for a month following childbirth as they may catch a chill and suffer from rheumatism later on in their lives. There is no scientific basis for such a belief. New mothers are recommended to have warm
baths as cold water may bring on muscle cramps. Using herbs, ginger or lemongrass to rid of wind is not necessary.

WASHING HAIR

Despite the traditional Chinese ban on hair washing during confinement, new mothers are encouraged to wash their hair
when they are more stable on their feet after delivery. The worry is that some women may get giddy spells when shampooing and slip. The tradition is that washing hair during confinement allows "wind" to go into the heads and thus lead to headaches later on. This, again, has no scientific basis.

ALCOHOL

Contrary to the Chinese belief that alcohol increases blood circulation and warms the body, it is not a must after delivery. It does not help to boost your postpartum state and, if you are nursing, it can be transmitted through breast milk to your
baby. Alcohol can appear quickly in the mother's fore milk and hind milk as well as reduce milk production as it inhibits
oxytocine release. Studies have shown that nursing babies while drinking heavily can

cause developmental delays in the child.

MALAY TRADITIONS AND MYTHS ABOUT PREGNANCY AND CONFINEMENT

The Malays believe that a pregnant woman's behaviour and emotion affects her unborn child. As such, they are not allowed to attend funerals or harm any living creatures. Otherwise, the baby may be born deformed.

From the second trimester, food jamu like a cocktail of egg yolk, palm sugar,tamarind and secret herbs or pepper,
honey, lemon juice and tumeric taken with secret herbs is believed to be able to clean the womb.

Around the seventh month, a melenggang perut ceremony is performed to correct the position of the baby and for a safe delivery. There are also rituals like rolling the coconut to determine the sex of the baby. When the coconut stops
rolling and the "eyes" face upwards, it is a boy.

POSTPARTUM

The Malay traditional confinement period is 40 days. A bright light burns day and night in the baby's home. Special food and
care is given to restore the mother's health and beauty. Bidan provides full belly massage, therapeutic baths and jamu.

The stomach is wrapped tightly to "shrink" the belly and jamu is used to cleanse any "dirty blood". Burning

charcoal is used to warm the feet and to heat up the "cooling" body after baths. The mother is encouraged to move about the house as too much rest prolongs the dirty blood in the mother's system.

Milk producing jamu are prescribed and fish is usually removed from the mother's diet to prevent fishy-smelling milk. The last part of the Malay massage is known as "realigning the womb" and it can be painful and, if not done properly,

can be harmful.

Be Happy

Share your stress and worries with loved ones and friends. Most mothers start to feel some emotional swings known as "baby blues" around the fourth day of the postpartum period. Talk about your concerns, log onto chat rooms on the Internet, or join hospital support groups.
These will allow you to share with other new mothers the anxieties of having a new baby and the disruptions that it brings.
Make sure that you consult your doctor,nurses or specialists if you feel that the anxieties are overwhelming you.

TREAT YOURSELF

Indulge yourself in massages (if you had a caesarean delivery, do not massage the tummy), spa treatments and even manicures and pedicures. All these can help you regain a sense of well-being after having been through the traumatic and dramatic process of childbirth. Take time out with your husband without the baby so that both of you can unwind and recharge before going back to the stress and demands of caring for your baby.

Above all, enjoy motherhood.

By the time you've reached your third trimester, you've likely conquered many of the challenges of eating during pregnancy. During your first trimester, you made changes to your diet, such as cutting back on caffeine and sugar, to make a healthier lifestyle for both you and your baby. You also conquered the nausea of morning sickness.

During your second trimester, you learned how to eat protein with every meal and handle your cravings in a sensible manner. So when you reach your third trimester, your problems are less about how you eat than how to deal with the discomforts and special issues that arise during the last three months of your pregnancy. In this article, we will cover these special issues one by one.

The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You've probably been taking Omega-3 fatty acids throughout your pregnancy, at a rate of 1200mg per day. But it's especially important to keep your fatty acid intake high during the last trimester. The proper amount of Omega-3 fatty acids can provide a wealth of benefits to both mother and child, such as:

• Decreased incidence of postpartum depression;
• Suggested easier birth and labor;
• Lower risk of premature birth;
• Babies tend to sleep through the night earlier.

Your pregnancy nutritionist can help you find a high quality fish oil supplement that will give you the DHA you need for your own health as well as your baby's development. You can also boost your consumption of fatty acids by eating foods like walnuts, flaxseed oil, organic eggs, and wild salmon.

Dealing with Indigestion

Indigestion and heartburn become major issues during the last trimester of pregnancy, as hormonal changes in your body cause your muscles to relax in preparation for labor. This also causes the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach to relax, allowing stomach acid to back up into your throat.

There is no cure for indigestion caused by pregnancy, and most of the over-the-counter medications that ease the pain of indigestion are not safe to take while pregnant.

You should eliminate foods that aggravate this issue, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, and foods with a vinegar base. Try eating foods that neutralize stomach acid, such as papaya. You can also deal with the symptoms of indigestion by eating smaller meals more frequently, and by sleeping in an upright position.

Handling Fatigue with Ease

You may start feeling very tired during your third trimester. This is common as you might find it difficult to get comfortable for sleep, or find that the baby moves too often for you to get a good night's sleep. A body pillow might be helpful, as it cushions your baby bump and can help you get into a comfortable enough position for sleep. Try "setting the stage" for sleep, too-a practice recommended by sleep experts.

Don't watch television or stare at your computer screen for a few hours before bed, as this can interfere with your body's natural melatonin production. Instead, dim the lights and play relaxing music. Take a long bath or shower and read an enjoyable book. You might try a cup of herbal tea. These preparations alert your body that it's time for bed, and can help you get more restful sleep through the night.

Getting Your Exercise In

You may be tempted to give up exercise during this last stage of pregnancy, but it's crucial to stay in shape for your upcoming labor. Try low or no impact forms of exercise that are easier on your body. Yoga, swimming, and walking are all excellent ways to stay fit without getting exhausted during pregnancy.

Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress. It can also help promote restful sleep. So make sure you are getting at least 15 minutes of gentle movement per day. It will make all the difference to your pregnancy.