Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Are you looking forward to getting pregnant with a baby boy anytime soon? Then, you and your partner are one of the many couples all over the world who are exerting efforts to plan their families out well so that they can make their home as healthy as possible. Planning pregnancy is an excellent proof that you are taking the responsibility of making sure that your family will be healthy one. In here, I will be showing you three goods tips about conceiving a baby boy so if you want to make your efforts really accurate, then read carefully.

The first tip that will help you with getting pregnant with a baby boy is drink coffee. This tip is basically advised for men only. Are you wondering about the reason behind this weird advice? Then, read on. Studies have shown that drinking coffee will allow men to give their sperm cells a boost by providing them with an extra amount of strength so that they can increase their speeds. Through this, they will have a greater chance to reach the ovum or egg cell. How does coffee make this possible? Well, as to the reason that the sperm cells responsible for conceiving a baby boy are those that have a greater ability to swim much faster as compared to those that produce baby girls, giving them an extra boost will allow them to have a greater advantage over the latter. Male sperm cells swim much faster because of their low resistance against the acidic environment of the reproductive system of women. When men drink coffee, they allow the male sperm to swim even faster so that they can be exposed even lesser to the acidic discharge of the cervix. The lesser they get exposed to the latter, the greater their chances of surviving and reaching the egg cell.

Another useful tip on how to get pregnant easy with a baby boy that men can use would be using or wearing boxer shorts. The principle behind this tip is that temperature is an important factor when it comes to sperm count. A high temperature basically kills sperm cells. If a man has low sperm count, he has a small chance of impregnating a woman. Boxer shorts have a lesser amount of contact with the male genitalia, which prevents an increase in temperature in the area. Studies have shown that the number of Y sperm cells and X sperm cells released is of equal amount. This means that if you want to improve your chances of getting pregnant, you need to increase your sperm count. When you do so, you can increase your stock of Y sperm cells and in turn increase your chances of having a baby boy.

Let us move on to a tip that women can use. A good tip that women can carry out so that they can conceive a boy would be diet regulation. The different foods that women eat have a huge effect on the pH level of their bodies. As I have stated awhile ago, the male reproductive cells responsible for producing boys have a low resistance against acids. Based on this fact, you need to consume foods that will allow you to make your body more alkaline so that you can favor the latter and get the baby that you want. Some of the alkaline foods that you can place in your diet list include lettuce, almonds, chestnuts, broccoli, and strawberries.

Your health insurance needs are yet another aspect of life that will change once you discover you are having a baby. You may find yourself wondering where to find the best insurance for babies. Perhaps you are unsure whether your current health insurance is appropriate for a growing family. The guide below discusses what you need once you have a baby, and how to get the insurance for babies that work for their parents too.

Coverage Needs for Babies

Coverage that worked well when it was just you, or you and your spouse, may very prove insufficient when you factor in the new demands of pre-natal care, labor and delivery, the first two years of well-baby visits, and any complications that arise along the way. Maternity care and delivery coverage are two key issues to look into when deciding on health insurance for a growing family. Policies vary widely in terms of deductibles, co-payments and coverage. So spending a little extra time to find the best insurance for your situation can end up saving you a lot of money.

Preventative Care for Babies

Once the little bundle arrives, it's important to recognize that preventative care is the key to safeguarding the health of babies. It is crucial to make sure your insurance covers all the well-baby visits, vaccinations, and school physicals that your child will experience as he or she grows. Though we don't like to think about it, insurance for babies should include coverage for ambulance rides and emergency room visits as well.

Top Rated Providers for Family Coverage

When it comes to ensuring the healthiest possible environment for your baby, the best insurance is one that offers the most benefits for the whole family. In ranking the top commercial health insurance plans, the National Committee for Quality Assurance offers a good starting place to assess the best plan for your family.

In 2009, the top five contenders were:

One- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HMO/POS), Massachusetts and Maine

Two- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England (HMO/POS), New Hampshire

Three- Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization (HMO/POS), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island

Four- Grand Valley Health Plan (HMO), Michigan

Five- Capital Health Plan (HMO), Florida

For some reason or the other, a woman by herself or a couple may decide to go in for a medical termination of pregnancy. An abortion induces physical stress on the body. A woman needs time to recover and recuperate from this situation before she can consider having a baby. Following a few simple guidelines ensures safe pregnancy after an abortion.

Resting and Recuperating After An Abortion:

When a woman conceives there are pregnancy hormones circulating in her body. After an abortion, these remain present and it might take anything from 6 months to two years for the woman's body to return to a stable hormonal state. Her periods may vary, the amount of bleeding may vary and other symptoms persist until the woman becomes normal. It is advisable for a woman to have a check up to ensure that she is recuperating well and there are no abnormalities before she considers conception. Until she does return to a mentally and physically normal state of health, it is always wise to have safe sex as conception close to an abortion may pose problems.

Medical Exam After Abortion and Before Pregnancy:

If a woman is thinking of becoming pregnant again after an abortion, she should first have a thorough medical examination to ensure that she is healing perfectly, the cervix has closed and there are no infections in her uterus or vagina. If there are some tissues still left after the abortion, she may need D&C.

Safeguard health and revive physically:

After an abortion, she should preferably take some basic steps to safeguard her health. These steps include a healthy, nutritious diet with plenty of rest, relaxation and sleep. She would have to take antibiotics as prescribed by her doctor for the prescribed period. After an abortion, a woman should not engage in swimming or any strenuous activity like lifting weights. Avoid inserting tampons or use of a douche. Since ovulation can occur two weeks after abortion, she can become pregnant so it is best to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least a month to two until healing is complete and even then engage only in safe or alternative sex. If a woman has had an abortion after 8 or 9 weeks of conception, she may begin lactating but this phase will eventually pass so there is nothing to be unduly concerned about. A close fit bra helps. Take care to avoid infections.

Try again and conceive happily:

Once recovery is complete in all respects the couple can safely decide to have a baby. A doctor can advise when it is safe. When a woman wants to conceive, a healthy and nutritious diet along with vitamins, folic acid and supplements is necessary. She should also refrain from smoking and drinking and should reduce the intake of caffeinated drinks. Light to moderate physical exercises revitalize not only muscle tissues but also internal organs. She can resume normal and frequent intercourse using positions that are more conducive for conception. A break in between can be beneficial in the man being able to increase his sperm count and therefore the chances of impregnation.

Restorative yoga has many benefits, and it has been beneficial to many infertile women trying to become pregnant. It has also helped many women who have already become pregnant as they look to manage the various symptoms and discomforts associated with their pregnancy. If you feel discomfort, pain, or other symptoms during your pregnancy, it's important to notify your medical doctor first. The cause of your symptoms may be an underlying medical problem demanding the attention of a trained doctor. If your doctor informs you that the symptoms are a normal part of pregnancy, ask about yoga for its various benefits.

Restorative yoga is a type of restful yoga that utilizes props like chairs, walls, blankets, blocks, pillows, etc. to put the body into various poses. As the props do most of the work for you, you are not engaging in a strenuous stretch or pose. There are certain poses that you should avoid, however, such as those that invert you or put you on your stomach. Make sure you inform the instructor that you are pregnant, as he or she will then offer alternative poses for you during the session. Some classes are designed specifically for pregnant women; still inform the instructor of how far along in your pregnancy you are.

This type of yoga has had very positive effects on a lot of people. Many feel more rested and focused following a session. It helps to reduce stress, and is a healthy way to deal with the stressors that we face in our everyday lives. Many also note that they are able to sleep better throughout the night; this means falling asleep faster and sleeping through the night more than they had in the past.

If you are having difficulty breathing at night, this is an example of something you should discuss with your doctor. He or she may even recommend breathing exercises, such as are performed during yoga, to help you. Follow any instructions given to you by your doctor, but inquire about restorative yoga's benefits and whether this exercise may be helpful as you try to improve your breathing at night.

The breathing exercises performed during yoga sessions may be helpful in controlling asthma and various respiratory illnesses, and it may even be beneficial to those who are experiencing anxiety-a common emotional or mental problem during pregnancy. Restorative yoga has been beneficial for those with depression and other emotional disorders as well.

The recessionary pressures recently experienced have the potential to create a long tail effect on unemployment. While most western economies are returning to some sense of normality, the outlook for unemployment takes some time to react positively. The gradual ascent from the effects of the recession means that many industries are struggling to retain the employment levels to pre-recession levels. However, medicine and healthcare is an exception to the rule, the demand for healthcare services can actually increase as a result of reduced incomes and increased levels of stress. As a result, the demand for medical staff is consistent through the various economic cycles, providing a stable platform for career stability and growth. One such position that is consistently in high demand is midwifery.

Medical policy throughout the United Kingdom is committed to the delivery of high quality and accessible maternity care, which is focused around the needs of the woman and the family. Demographic changes and structural changes in the population have resulted in a different profile of women accessing maternity services. Divergent family structures and increasing population growth through active immigration policies has resulted in increasing demand for maternity services and a resultant increase in the number of midwifery vacancies. Furthermore, a notable increase in teenage pregnancies and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds has resulted in those from disadvantaged backgrounds experiencing inferior pregnancy outcomes. The dedication for positive outcomes for all pregnant woman by the United Kingdom agencies charged with the responsibility of social and medical healthcare has again, resulted in an increased demand by both public and private healthcare institutions, for qualified, experienced and trainee midwives.

As in all countries, the demand for health care services relates to trends in growth and proportion of the population. When assessing the current and future requirements for midwifery vacancies, it is important to balance the needs of the population with the age and skill profile of the current stock of qualified and experienced midwives. One critical issue to consider is how the population projections and demographic profile will affect the numbers of midwives available. Furthermore, it is vital to assess the demands of midwives based on these population projections.

As in all modern societies, the United Kingdom is experiencing rapid population change which will result in a continued demand for midwifery vacancies. To secure a rewarding career which provides job satisfaction and security, consider a move to fulfil one of the many midwifery vacancies available throughout the UK.

When you're looking at ways to get pregnant you have probably already been struggling for some time without having any kind of success. You are probably asking yourself, "why am I not getting pregnant?" I know exactly how you feel, that used to be me. I was overwhelmed with sorrow and frustration and I thought that I would probably in no way have the ability to have a child. This was before I found out about the different ways of getting pregnant.

I did not know that there were different techniques that could very well be implemented to get pregnant. No, I am not talking about artificial insemination. I am talking about alternative yet natural ways of getting pregnant. Numerous individuals are misinformed and think that all you have to do is have sexual intercourse and after that wait. This is certainly not the case. Some of the ways of getting pregnant are listed down below.

Try and document the period of the month in which your ovulation occurs. Ovulation kits allow you to discover when you're going to ovulate. You must have sexual intercourse each day for a number of days after taking the test if it's positive.

Eat healthier meals. A healthy diet will enable you to fall pregnant simply because your body will perform much better when it is healthy. It'll increase the way in which your system performs and consequently improve the probability of you getting pregnant.

Investigate which sexual positions will improve your chances of falling pregnant. A number of partners just have sex in any position yet the fact is that positions do have an effect on your likelihood of getting pregnant. Although individuals do fall pregnant from having sexual intercourse in any position, a number of positions simply enhance the probability of you getting pregnant. You have got to get past the point of asking yourself "why am I not getting pregnant?".

Stay away from alcoholic beverages and caffeine. Staying away from them will maximize your chances of falling pregnant due to the fact that they affect your health. Many men and women struggle to have a baby and it's a pity because having a baby is such a amazing thing. Not being able to have a child is frustrating and tragic. However if you understand how to increase your chances, and you understand how to get past the question "why am I not getting pregnant", there is almost no doubt in my mind that you will certainly become pregnant.

Pregnancy months come with lots of physical and emotional changes for both the mom-to-be and the developing baby, but what about the expectant daddy? Isn't he also exposed to increased stress, fears and unexpected situations during the 9 months of gestation?

It may sound strange but expectant fathers experience not only emotional changes and insecurities but also physical symptoms while caring for their partners. These are called sympathetic pregnancy symptoms or the couvade syndrome and generally begin at the end of the first trimester, increasing in intensity during the following months.

Dads-to-be experience frequent episodes of morning sickness, nausea, weight gain, sleeping troubles, mood swings, back pain and headaches. They also have changes in sexual appetite just like women and experience strange food cravings during the nine months. Quite surprising, isn't it?

As a future dad, you may find it difficult to cope with all these feelings but think about your partner. Things are way tougher for her so you definitely need to be there and support her unconditionally during the pregnancy months.

Expecting Father's role during pregnancy months

Let's be totally clear: pregnancies are never trouble-free. Each and every gestational period is accompanied by emotional unpredictability and physical discomfort for the mother so it's normal for her to be anxious, to feel things are out of control and to need you more than ever!

So instead of complaining about her sudden cravings or lack of sexual desire, try to understand her. Keep your calm when your partner pass through stressful situations and show her things can be solved easier in two. If she experiences nausea and vomiting, be there for her and let her see there's nothing embarrassing in these reactions. Your partner needs to know you still love and appreciate her, even if her legs are swollen like an elephant and her tummy gets bigger day by day.

She will feel extremely tired and depressed during the first months. Her breasts will enlarge and become sore. She will experience sever back pain, leg aches and muscle tension. While she'll probably blame you for this but understand that what she is experiencing is normal and somewhat expected may help you cope.

Be patient with your partner during her pregnancy month's emotional roller coaster. Expect her to be more irritable than usually. Some time she will become nervous and then suddenly gleam with happiness. This is normal - her body carries a baby inside without your partner seeing or knowing what's actually happening there!

You may not notice this and she may not tell you but she does feel guilty whenever she reacts rudely, when she refuses to make love to you or when she asks you to go and buy something immediately to stop her cravings. Encourage her to be open, share with you all her feelings, dreams and problems. Communication is crucial in pregnancy and as an expectant father it is your role to be informed and to know what to expect from her.

Spend more time with your partner. Do the dishes. Take her to a walk when she feels tensed. Tell her she is beautiful when she complains about her weight gain during pregnancy and colored spots on skin. Assure her you'll be there to support and help her at all time. Take care of her appointments for prenatal visits and never let her go alone if your schedule allows you to accompany her.

Make sure she has everything she needs for labor. Buy diapers, pills, ointments and everything you two may need after the baby is born. The more confident she is and the more loved she feels, the easier pregnancy months will pass for you as a couple!

Pregnancy is an exciting moment for the would-be parents; a moment of great significance. It is the culmination of the love of a man and woman have for each other. It also means that another individual is about to arrive into this world.

Pregnant women should take good care of themselves. Remember it is not just yourself your are taking care of; you are also taking care of your unborn baby. The immune system of an expecting mother is weakened, and therefore, she becomes susceptible to a myriad medical problems.

Usually, pregnant women suffer from colds and coughs. This is dangerous because colds and coughs can lead to more serious conditions such as bronchitis. Therefore, a pregnant woman must take special care to see that she does not catch a cold.

Bronchitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchioles. Its symptoms are similar to those of common cold. Keep away from conditions that might give you a cold if you are pregnant.

Simple Ways to Prevent Bronchitis

To avoid contracting bronchitis, you need to avoid catching its symptoms. Put simply, it means that your simply cannot and should not catch a cold, and here is what you should do in order to avoid catching colds and coughs

Wash your hands as much and as often as possible. If you have to travel to a place where washrooms are not available, carry a hand sanitizer or alcohol.

Maintain cleanliness in and around your house. Things that you have to touch, especially, should be very clean. Invest in some germ-killing disinfectants and use them while cleaning your house.

Avoid people who have colds and coughs. In your present condition, you are highly susceptible to colds and coughs, and it is not advisable for you to interact with individuals suffering from a cold or cough.

How Does Bronchitis Impact a Pregnant Woman?

Bronchitis can impact a pregnant woman is several ways.

A persistent cough is one of the symptoms of bronchitis. While it does your harm your baby, it can cause a lot of discomfort and annoyance to you.

Another symptom of bronchitis is a mild fever. According to medical studies, women who acquire a temperature higher than 38.9 degrees Celsius may give birth to a defective baby. So, if you get a high fever, it might impact your baby in adverse ways.

Symptoms such as cold, throat pain, and chest pain cause a great deal of annoyance to the pregnant woman; however, if checked at the right time, these symptoms won't cause any harm to your baby.

Steps to be Taken if You Notice Symptoms of Bronchitis

If you have observed the symptoms of bronchitis in yourself, you need to take necessary precautions to prevent the condition from becoming chronic. You also need to ensure that you do not suffer the discomforts that bronchitis can bring to a pregnant woman.

Drink plenty of non-caffeinated liquids because this eases mucus secretion. It is highly advisable for pregnant women suffering from bronchitis to drink plenty of water, fresh fruit juice, and soups.

Place a humidifier in your house; this will help you if you are suffering from cold.

Use saline drops to prevent stuffiness in your nose.

Take a warm shower daily. Studies have shown that a warm shower not only clears mucus but also prevents stuffiness in the nose.

Take plenty of rest. Relaxation is of utmost important.

Visit your obstetrician or gynecologist and talk to him or her about your condition.

Medicines for Bronchitis

It is not possible to avoid medicines even when you are pregnant. Medicines help you manage and control your condition better. Commonly, pregnant women with colds and allergies are treated with decongestants. Plenty of expectorants and cough suppressants are available to help pregnant women escape from the discomfort caused by coughing.

Before taking any of these medicines, however, remember to talk to your doctor. This way you can protect yourself and your unborn child.

If I were to tell you to look up, were would your eyes go? Would they move toward the ground or the sky? If you said the sky the only reason you are able to do so is because you have attached a certain meaning to the word "up". This concept becomes important because it illustrates how powerful the meanings we attach to things are.

What Drives Your Action?

In all honesty, your motivation to take action or do nothing is driven by the meaning you attach to various occurrences in your life. Have you experienced a setback in your weight loss journey? Let me ask you; is this the end or the beginning? Is this a sign that you will never reach your goals or an indication that you are one step closer to finding the diet and fitness routine that will work successfully for you?

What Does It All Mean?

Consider this, if the meaning you attach to an event in your life, no matter how large or small, is that this is the end, how likely are you to take action toward achieving your goal? How likely are you to push through the pain of exercise or the acquired taste of health food?

However, if the meaning you attach is that you are one step closer, then you would agree that you are much more likely to take massive action in the direction of your goal. Are you a failure or a success?

You see in any game, if a team is down by 50 points at halftime, they have two choices.

1. They can give up, take their star players out of the game and suffer through the next half.

2. They can see themselves as having the best chance to stage the greatest comeback in sports history.

This is best illustrated in a quote I once heard from a military general who was addressing his soldiers. "Gentlemen for the first time in this campaign, we find ourselves surrounded on the north, the south, the east and the west. We are now able to attack the enemy in all directions."

So, what about you? Do the meanings you attach to events and situations in your life empower you to act or leave you sitting on the sidelines asking yourself why does this always happens to me? The good news is that I truly believe that for you, this is the beginning, a fresh start to a happier and healthier you.

How long can you afford to take a 40% pay cut or more? If you are planning a pregnancy and work in Rhode Island this is a very important question to address before getting pregnant. Why? Because many pregnancies encounter complications before and/or after delivery, meaning you may miss more than the standard six to eight weeks for a normal maternity leave. Rhode Island is one of only five states with a mandated state disability insurance program that covers your pregnancy and maternity leave. But it leaves many with a false sense of security. Increase your Rhode Island maternity leave pay by purchasing supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant.

Rhode Island Maternity Leave

Rhode Island is one of only five states with mandated short term disability insurance for people who work in the state. The state disability program replaces "4.62% of the wages paid to you in the highest quarter of your base period." Put in order words, about 60% income replacement. There is also a weekly cap of $694 per week. A woman earning $60,146 per year or more will hit the cap, meaning the pay cut with be higher than 40%.

How Much Work Will You Miss?

The standard maternity leave is six weeks for a vaginal birth and eight weeks for a c-section delivery. While not ideal, a 60% income replacement is very nice to have. But consider that 25% of pregnancies encounter complications, often requiring mom to miss work before her delivery. Also a significant percentage of women encounter postpartum disorders that translate into additional time away from work. Biological disorders such as post operative infections will be covered by the Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance. But a more common malady, postpartum depression, is not because it is not biologically based.

Also, 12% of babies are born premature and may spend significant time in the neonatal intensive care unit. After being discharged from the hospital these babies often require extended care at home from mom; meaning even more time away from the job. But in this case, because baby is sick and not mom, the Rhode Island disability program will not pay any benefits. Unlike other states with mandated disability, Rhode Island does not yet have paid family leave benefits.

Make Pregnancy and Maternity More Affordable

When you consider all the circumstances noted above, there are many holes in the Rhode Island program. Its better than 45 other states with no coverage at all, but by no means is the coverage comprehensive. Consider purchasing supplemental short term disability insurance before getting pregnant to fill some of the holes noted above. When purchased preconception, supplemental short term disability insurance can help you increase maternity leave income. Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceed the premium you pay. Plus, you are covered for pregnancy complications, delivery complications, accidents and illnesses.

Use the additional maternity leave income to offset you many other new expenses associated with your healthy new baby. But most importantly, rest assured that the extra income will be needed in case you miss additional time from work for pregnancy complications, delivery complications, postpartum depression, or to take care of a sick or prematurely born infant.