Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Short term disability insurance is a great program for pregnant women to have. It covers mom's normal labor and delivery helping to create maternity leave pay, allowing mom to stay at home bonding with baby without worrying as much about how to pay all those bills. It also covers leave due to pregnancy complications. In this article we will explore the significance of recurrent disability language as it applies to pregnancy and maternity.

Every insurance policy contains important definitions inside the policy and/or in the outline of coverage that your agent will present at time of application. Most short term disability insurance policies will contain language describing a recurrent disability - something that pops up very often for women during pregnancy and maternity situations.

Recurrent Disability Definition

A recurrent disability describes situations where a person is disabled temporarily, returns to work, and then becomes disabled again shortly thereafter for the same or a related condition. This may arise if your doctor orders you to take bed rest early on in your pregnancy, and then allows you to return to work before giving birth. Should this situation arise you will need to know how your insurer handles a recurrent disability.

A recurrent disability will either be treated as a new or a continuation. If it is classified as new you will have to meet a new elimination period, but would reset the clock on your entire benefit period. If it is classified as a continuation, the poles are reversed: there is no new elimination period, but the previous disability would eat into your benefit period.

You policy might have language such as "A recurrent disability will be treated as a continuation of the previous disability, not a new disability, if you have returned to work for less than six months."

Let's look at two examples to clarify how this works. Suppose you have a policy with a two week elimination period, a $3,000 monthly benefit, and a 12 month elimination period. In both examples we look at a bed rest pregnancy disability that last two months due to complications, followed by a c-section delivery. The most important difference is the timing.

Pregnancy Complications With Elimination Period Reset

In scenario one, your doctor orders bed rest for complications at the end of month one of your pregnancy, and you return to work at the end of month three. In scenario two you leave work at month six, return to work at month eight. In both cases you give birth a few days past month nine via c-section which qualifies you for an eight week maternity benefit - less the elimination period.

In scenario one, your first leave ended more than six months before you give birth. Your two week elimination period would be invoked twice rather than just once. Your maternity leave benefit would be a net of six weeks - or $4,168. On the plus side you would still retain more than ten months of income protection in case postpartum disorders prevent your return to work.

Pregnancy Complications with Benefit Period Reset

In scenario two the gap is under six months. This will be treated as a continuation, and your maternity leave benefit will be higher: a net of eight weeks of benefit - or $5,581. On the down side, should postpartum disorders keep you out of work longer, your remaining benefit period will have shrunk to eight months.

Fish oil supplements are now highly recommended for pregnant mothers, for all but good reasons. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which all contribute to the normal development of the baby in the womb. These omega-3 fats are actually building blocks that lead to the formation of brain cells and a sound nervous system. Omega 3 fish oil EPA specifically aids in the proper development of the respiratory and cardiac systems and promotes a healthy heart. Furthermore, many research studies also confirm that increased intake of omega-3 can reduce the risk of premature delivery and enhance the visual system of the developing fetus.

The benefits of this supplement do not end when the mother gives birth to the child. As a matter of fact, even if you have not taken this supplements early on, it is not too late to enjoy the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fats do not only promote good prenatal nutrition, it may even be more important to take for women who have already given birth and/or is breastfeeding.

The fact that it helps counter depression has already been established. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to boost the levels of serotonin in the brain - those so-called happy hormones, and regulate production of chemicals that lessens anxiety and ill feelings. A new study conducted in England revealed that women who consume more seafood and thus more omega-3 during the third trimester are less likely to show major signs of postpartum depression.

There are a sheer number of research studies that provide sufficient evidence that links feelings of depression with decreased reserves of DHA and EPA omega 3 fats. The same is true in the case of postpartum anxiety. To make matters worse, a breastfeeding mother is bound to have depleting reserves of these fatty acids, which might worsen post-partum depression in already deficient mothers.

What all these reveal is that it is indeed important for the proper prevention and treatment of postpartum depression. New or expectant mothers must always prioritize their own and their baby's health so if you are interested in taking fish oil supplement to get sufficient amounts of omega-3, you must choose a supplement that does not put you at risk for mercury contamination. It is important to choose an omega-3 fish oil brand that contains pure, molecularly distilled and ultra-refined fish oil. It is also important to consult a health care provider should you find yourself having postpartum depression that is far from manageable. While there is enough evidence that links fish oil for postpartum depression, it must not be considered as a sole treatment for serious cases.

During childbirth, the delivery may not always go as smoothly as hoped. A mother can be injured during delivery when a birth accident occurs. Luckily there is a way to protect your income during this time so you can focus on your recovery without the worry. And best of all it comes with a built in incentive to apply before getting pregnant: maternity leave income for your normal delivery.

The main birth injuries and disorders that might affect you include:

• Postpartum hemorrhage - excessive bleeding after delivery that is difficult to stem


• Uterine inversion - when the placenta does not detach completely after delivery


• Uterine rupture - when the uterus ruptures during labor


• Vaginal tears and lacerations - tears in the vagina or cervix


• Postpartum infections - when wounds from tearing or c-section surgery become infected

Many working women are concerned about what might happen if they experience delivery complications and need to extend their maternity leave longer than projected. Saving up for maternity leave is difficult enough, without the extra burden of unplanned time away from the job. Plus, if you are injured during delivery, or develop a postpartum disorder, you may not be healthy enough to care for yourself. This may mean additional costs for in-home care.

Think about the consequences to you and your family if you experienced one or more of these conditions during your delivery. Could you afford the extended time away from work? Would you be able to cover the extra expense of a nurse's aide or other in home care provider?

Short Term Disability Insurance is a great way to protect your income in case delivery complications cause you to miss more than the standard six weeks of work for normal delivery. It replaces up to 2/3 of your income during the time you are unable to work for your expected and planned maternity leave. Plus, benefits may continue to be paid if your delivery complications require you to extend your maternity leave due to a medical reason.

Incentives to Protect your Income

Short Term Disability Insurance not only protects your income in case of delivery complications, it gives you an incentive to do so - it pays benefits for your normal labor and delivery - a planned event. Act at the right time, before getting pregnant, and make the policy work for you.

Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition and will not be covered if you apply for coverage after you are already pregnant. Your policy must begin before getting pregnant in order to be eligible for these benefits.

Short term disability covers a normal vaginal delivery for six weeks, and a normal c-section delivery for eight weeks. Your benefit for a normal c-section delivery may greatly exceed the premium you pay over the course of twelve months, helping you to create maternity leave income.

Example of Maternity Leave Income

Suppose you apply for short term disability insurance three months before getting pregnant. Your pregnancy goes full term, and you deliver twelve months after the policy effective date by c-section. Your benefit for normal delivery may be three times the premium you paid over the first twelve months. Use this money to fund your maternity leave.

The very same policy also pays benefits for delivery complications. So if you needed to miss additional work after delivery, you have the extra security of your short term disability policy. This is how you can you can protect your income from delivery complications, and take advantage of the built in incentive: maternity leave pay for your normal labor and delivery.

The Hellenic Republic consists of over eleven million residents with a little over five percent are immigrants. With a low population growth and death rates also low, this makes the median age quite high among the European countries. There are many health related issues with immigrants and tourists. These include diarrhea, cholera, E.Coli diarrhea, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever and a whole host of issues from bacteria, parasites and other viruses. With temperatures that reach the forties in the Celsius scale, the system of health care in Greece thus becomes an issue when in the country.

There have been many moves designed to improve the system of health care in Greece. This despite the fact that the country has been chosen as among the best systems in the world by the World Health Organization. The system of health care in Greece is a mix of both social insurance working with the Greek National Health System. This homogeny makes the overall cost of health care in Greece amongst the lowest in the European Union. The allocation of the government for health care is also low, with general focus of the disbursement of the funds in public hospitals in the highly urbanized areas of the country. The disparity of health care in the urban and rural areas create the perception of low quality, despite the modernity of the public hospital facilities in the cities.

The European Union has made inroads in upgrading the current system in Greece, through aid programs for the establishment of hospitals, creation of mobile medical facilities, improvement of emergency care systems and the use of cutting edge medical equipment not only in the urban hospitals but also in the rural hospitals. The National Health System also provides health care services at free or low cost for those individuals contributing to the social security system. The free services include free laboratory services, maternity care, installation of life saving devices and transportation for the sick and infirm. For European Union citizens visiting the country, they can also avail of these menu of services with their registration using a E111 form.

Specialists in the system of health care in Greece can be consulted directly but many experience long lines to avail of their expertise in public hospitals. Patients can go instead to private specialists and reimburse 85% of the cost from the Idrima Kinonikon Asfalisseon, the Greek National Health Care System oversight body. As for dental and eye procedures, these are free under the system. Non-essential medication and health accessories though are charged for their full cost.

Emergencies are provided free regardless of nationality or coverage. Many public hospitals have smaller outpatient clinics to assuage the congestion in the main hospitals. These also provide specific and quicker medical care than the larger facilities. As for European Union citizens, the E106 can be the lifeline for an individual while in the Greek isles. As for retirees, the Greek system allows for full benefit of state health benefits while receiving their pensions from their home country social security system.

The system of health care in Greece receives high marks for its quality while the quantity of services leaves much room for improvement. As advised in the Expat Forum, you need to understand that "expatriates who are working in Greece and pay regular contribution to social security may be entitled to full or subsidized health care benefits. In such cases, private health insurance can cover the portion of the bill that cannot be covered by the government."

It is becoming well known now that foods can help and even heal certain conditions and that is definitely true for fertility. With the rise in awareness about the effect food has on our hormone levels is it any wonder that in today's nutrient deficient menu now has thousands of women unable to fall pregnant. So if that's true, how can you fix it?

Well the first thing to remember is that old saying 'you are what you eat'. That means you need to eat foods that nourish the hormone system and increase fertility.

Many specialists are recommending that you eat and act like you are already pregnant. And that includes no alcohol, no smoking and drinking lots of water. Try and pretend that you are at a luxury health spa and eat as healthy as you would there if you were on a body cleanse program.

So that's fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish and whole grains. While that makes sense, there are also some foods your probably haven't thought about that can help promote fertility. They are:

Goji Berry

Many women also swear by taking extra nutrient rich foods such as the goji berry which contains high levels of antioxidants, essential amino acids and vitamins A and C. Many practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine also recommend the goji berry.

Floradix

Other nutrients that many women are lacking are enough iron in the diet. There have been studies that suggest that low iron is linked with infertility. So eating foods high in iron such as beans or taking an iron supplement like Floradix can help improve your iron levels and therefore increase the odds of conceiving.

Grapeseed Oil

Women trying to get pregnant should cook with oil that has essential fatty acids as these are well known to balance hormonal levels. Grapeseed oil is a good oil to choose and it tastes delicious as well.

Wheatgrass

Folic acid is important for preventing birth defects like spina bifida and it also can help you produce healthy eggs. One of the most nutrient dense ways of getting your folic acid requirements is by taking a wheatgrass shot.

Maca Root

And finally another important ingredient for conception is maca root which has very high levels of zinc. While maca root can be hard to find (it's grown in the Peruvian mountains but you can probably find supplements in your local health food store) it can be worth it, as studies are suggesting it's a potent fertility booster.

So there you go, some of the secret fertility foods that you may not have thought of.

While mummy will play the star of the show, the supporting actor will be equally important. Here's a list of ways dad can help out during labor and delivery.

Pregnancy

Lifestyle Changes

You can support your mummy-to-be by sharing in the lifestyle changes. Give up alcohol, drink more fluids, cut down on coffee and don't smoke.

Accompany Her

Visit the Doctor for prenatal-care appointment together. Don't miss the chance to get a glimpse of your baby during an ultrasound.

Be an Active Observer

Let your wife know you're enjoying seeing her belly grow and feeling the baby kick.

Attend the Prenatal Classes

Practice breathing with her so that you could help her with labour. Be ready to embrace her, hold her hands, soothe her.

Nurture Her

Make sure she is eating a good diet of healthy food. Make sure she gets plenty of rest. Make sure she is comfortable. Maybe offer her a pillow or to massage her feet. Take on more of the household duties like cooking, cleaning, mopping, dishes and laundry.

Prepare Your Home

Welcome the new family member by getting things like baby furniture, readying the house, preparing extra meals.

Make Decisions Together

About the kind of labor and delivery you want, what to name the child, whether your child should be circumcised.

Labour

Cheer Her On

Keep her focused. She shouldn't give up, and she shouldn't panic. If she starts acting restless or agitated during a contraction, make eye contact with her and encourage her to take a deep breath. Hold her hand and tell her she's doing great.

Physically support her

Hold her hand and hold her in position if she opts for an epidural. Clutch her legs and thighs during pushing.

Be at Her Beck and Call

If she wants some ice, get her some. Pronto. If she wants a back rub, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Take it Like A Man

Don't take your wife's comments personally. Smile, nod, and know she will not appreciate a sarcastic response - no matter how witty you may deem it to be!

Snap Pictures

Capture the moment by taking out appropriate pictures.

Catch the baby

If you're up for it, ask your doctor if you can "catch" the baby, that is, support him as he emerges from the birth canal and cut the umbilical cord.

Post Labour

Call friends and family

You will be communication central for telling friends and family that you're a new dad!

Take initiative

Change diapers, help with feedings and baths. Allow your wife to nap while you take care of the baby.

Time off

Do whatever you can to take some time off from work when the baby arrives. This will help you establish your own close relationship with your child right from the start.

What dads should NOT to do during labor

* Don't chat on the phone with friends

* Don't return work calls

* Don't check stocks, surf the net or check emails

* Don't chew gum or blow bubbles

* Don't hoard the remote!

* Don't flirt with the nurses

* Don't let your mother in unless your wife says it's okay

* Don't socialise with other fathers

* Don't take inappropriate pictures

Love-making or sexual union is vital to man-woman relationship. It is elemental and occurs in accordance with the law of nature. Thus one is bound to feel attracted towards opposite sex and desire for a sexual union, for nature has created him or her in that way. Sexual union deepens the emotional bond between man and woman, for a woman usually considers her body as pure as the abode of God, and when she offers that very body to a man, she actually offers him her entire existence. This realization causes her to love her man from the core of her heart, and also causes her man to respond to her love emotionally.

However sexual dysfunction of either man or woman erodes the enjoyment expected out of sex. The enjoyment derived from sexual union touches the zenith when both partners participate in it actively, or else embarrassment and frustration would seep in, making the relationship tumultuous. This is why various pharmaceutical companies have launched in enhancement products to rejuvenate sexual life and help distressed couples.

Drop in libido or desire for sex is a dysfunction which many women experience as they progress in age. Perimenopause, menopausal and post-natal periods are phases when this problem acquires immense dimension. This leads to poor sexual response of woman during sexual encounters. At the root of the problem lies, the declining levels of female sex hormones in her body.

The other causes of poor female libido may be stress and depression, hostile relationship between sexual partners or aversion towards partner, fatigue arising out of child care or management of household chores, trauma related to previous history of sexual abuse, poor body image and lack of sexual confidence, any surgery in or injury to genital tract, fear of painful sex which actually occurs due to vaginal dryness, tightening, infections or atrophy in vulva or vagina, diseases like arthritis, diabetes, neurological disorders, cardiovascular problems, alcohol dependence, drug dependence, smoking, medications like birth control pills, antidepressants, appetite-suppressors, mood stabilizers or tranquilizers etc.

Poor female libido can be managed through lifestyle changes, increased water intake, intake of healthy diet rich in estrogenic elements like soy, potato, wheat, rice, cherries, apple etc, practicing yoga, meditation and other stress relieving methods. Hormone replacement therapy or HRT is another way of tackling poor female libido. Also luckily there are plenty of libido enhancers available in market which a woman can try out. If one opts for herbal female libido enhancers, one can go totally worry-less, because herbal products exclude the adverse side-effects of synthetic drugs.

HerSolution pills are one such purely herbal female libido enhancement pills. The potent natural ingredients of the product increase a female's sexual appetite, improve sexual sensations, and give highly intense orgasms. Intake of the pill would give a massive blow to the woman's fire of passion that had come down to flickers only, and it would definitely burst in to flames once more. The pills enjoy the approval of sex therapist and would have no negative impact on the woman's body. If a woman takes HerSolution pills, her man would discover her anew in bed. Apart from enhancing libido, the pills bring back natural lubrication in vagina, increase the anticipations of sex, quicken sexual arousal, enhance sensitivity in clitoris and bring back intense sensations in genital areas by elevating blood supply to the area. Thus the product retrieves the lost magic in a woman's sexual life. One has to take one pill a day.

The ingredients of the pill include Gingko Biloba, Niacin, Epimedium Sagittatum, Melatonin, Hops extracts, Tribulus Terrestrial, Mucuna Pruriens, Dehydroepiandrosdterone etc. These natural ingredients are in perfect blend and work together to promote female sexual response and revitalize a female's love life.

Childbirth can be a stressful time and for some women it can result in a temporary hair loss condition called postpartum alopecia (also known as postnatal alopecia). The condition usually starts around two to three months after childbirth, gradually worsening for up to three months then recovering over the next three months until hair starts to re-grow. Postpartum alopecia is characterized as a general thinning (also known as diffuse thinning) over the whole scalp. This is unlike male pattern hair loss where the hairline recedes and a completely bald patch appears on the top of the scalp. Postpartum Alopecia can affect up to 90% of all mothers and the extent of hair loss can vary considerably from mild to excessive shedding.

Why does it occur?

The exact cause of postpartum alopecia is still not fully understood but it is linked to the hormonal changes that occur during childbirth. During pregnancy there are increased levels of estrogen in the body which keeps the hair in the anagen growing phase resulting in temporarily thicker hair. After childbirth a withdrawal of estrogen switches off the extended growing phase and switches the hair to the catagen shedding phase resulting in the sudden excessive hair loss. It has been suggested that modern lifestyles and poor nutrition are a major factor for postpartum alopecia, but research has shown that these factors do not play a part in this condition.

Can it be treated?

Since postpartum alopecia is a temporary condition where the hair fully recovers there are few effective treatments available. You can consult with you local GP for advice but you will probably be advised that there is nothing to worry about due to it being part of the natural postpartum process. The best that can be done is to try not to exacerbate the condition so that no more hair loss than necessary occurs. To help maintain your hair during this period you should try and avoid hair styles with plaits, pigtails, braids and using tight hair rollers that tend to pull the hair. Also avoid using hot blow dryers and heated hair strengtheners as these can also put excessive stress on the hair. After washing always try to pat the hair dry with a good quality bath towel, hair is always more fragile when wet so try not to rub the hair vigorously.

Eating a healthy diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables can also play an important part in trying to maintain the hair. Fruit and vegetables contain flavonoids which are thought to encourage stronger hair growth by strengthening the small blood vessels supplying the hair follicles. Diet supplements are also known to help with hair growth and these can be used to help treat postpartum alopecia. The most effective vitamin supplements are Biotin, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc and these are readily available in multivitamin capsules. Finally there are a range of hair loss shampoos that may help to reduce hair loss in some cases but these are not generally guaranteed to help with postpartum alopecia.

The most important thing to remember about postpartum alopecia is try not to worry too much, it is only a temporary condition and it will eventually stop.

Please visit our web site for more information about the causes of alopecia

Developing stretch marks is almost inevitable during pregnancy. Actually, about 90% of pregnant females get them. Nevertheless, there are tips and tricks you can learn to prevent stretch marks.

An easy way to explain what stretch marks are, is that they are depressed streaks or tears in the skin that form due to rapid expansion during a short period of time. The elastic tissue beneath your skin breaks, which is essentially why we get stretch marks.

Avoid Before they Form

As soon as you get pregnant, you'll quit the bad habits of smoking, drinking and doing anything else that can harm your baby. What most don't know is that your skin care routine can be quite harmful too. It's essential to quit using products that contain chemical ingredients. The side effects of chemical ingredients aren't 100% known, but there are some that have been proven to cause birth defects. Keep to natural skin care products to avoid any awful side effects for both you and your unborn child.

Eating healthy isn't just good for you, but also for your baby. It's also one of the most important tactics to prevent stretch marks. Have a balanced diet of wholesome foods. This will lead to a healthy skin and bodily functions. Keep in mind that over-eating isn't good for you; it will only cause rapid weight gain which can lead to the development tears in the skin.

Start adding vitamins to your daily habits. This can improve your overall health and skin flexibility and hydration. Improving these help to avoid overstretching and remember that the healthier you are, the healthier your baby will be.

Exercising is also a really good advice. This will prevent rapid weight gain that can otherwise lead to stretch marks. Talk to your doctor and ask which exercises you can do without harming your baby. But don't overdo it, if you feel dizzy or other symptoms, stop exercising immediately.

Moisturizing is also a good tip. Use a natural skin care cream since creams that contain chemicals aren't the best choice for you during pregnancy. Do it at least twice a day to keep your skin moisturized and flexible.

Some areas like your stomach, sides, hips, upper legs, breasts and buttocks are at high-risk areas of developing marks. A great way to avoid is to massage the high-risk areas. Massaging is a natural and healthy way to prevent the skin from tearing.

Everyone wants to have beautiful, resilient, soft, and supple skin. Unfortunately, when many of us look in the mirror, we are quite dismayed to see that our skin is actually rather dry, grayish and pale. Some of us are even suffering from severe skin conditions like eczema, flaky, itchy skin, or rosacea, which make our skin feel and look even worse. Skin that is healthy usually functions properly, which means that it feels moist, resilient, soft, and supple. However, our health is also reflected by our skin, and if we are not healthy, it becomes apparent by the feel and look of our skin. Our skin even shows when we are not eating properly, are feeling under the weather or are stressed. We can actually improve both our emotional state and our overall healthy by ensuring that our skin is in the best possible condition and healthy. By following the 3 steps mentioned below, we can improve both our general health and our physical appearance, and get baby soft skin effortlessly.

Step 1: Eating moisturizing foods

Fats are capable of moisturizing our skin from the inside out, and that is why it is necessary for us to include fats in our diet if we want to have glowing and supple, baby soft skin. While there are both good and bad fats, but if you want to improve the health of your skin, you should focus on eating good fats. These fats belong to a subcategory of polyunsaturated fats and are known as EFAs or Essential-Fatty Acids. Flax seeds, freshwater fish, green vegetables, nuts, and oily fish are rich in Omega 3, which especially ideal for healthy skin. An oil blend containing Omega 3s like linseed/flax seed or fish oils are also good if you are suffering from skin disorders or if your skin is dry. You can also improve the condition of skin, nails and hair by consuming Omega-6 fatty acids because they are impressive acid neutralizers. They improve skin moisture and decrease inflammations. Fish, flax seeds, nuts like walnuts and leafy greens are rich in Omega 6s.

Step 2: Keeping your body hydrated

If you want to become healthy and stay that way for the rest of your life, then you must drink plenty of water every day. One of the key things to have a healthy, moist and soft skin is to keep the body hydrated properly. If you drink far too less water every day, then your body and skin will get easily dehydrated. Once your body gets dehydrated, you will start noticing that your skin will become dry, flaky and itchy. You are generally recommended to drink at least 2 to 4 liters of water every day. In fact, you should be drinking pure, alkaline water with a pH level of about 9.5 if your skin to be healthy and baby soft. You can add "pH alkalizing drops" to the water you drink to achieve this easily. "pH alkalizing drops" make the water more alkaline by restructuring it and drinking it will hydrate your skin quite effectively. Acids will be gently removed from your body if drink moderate amounts of alkaline water along with a proper diet.

Step 3: Alkalizing and shower baths

Alkalizing baths: An alkalizing bath will prove to be quite rewarding for you and your skin, and is especially ideal if you do not have the money or time to spend an entire day at the spa. Your skin's natural oils will be stimulated, and your skin will be cleansed by the alkaline concentrated bath, and your skin will become baby soft. You should take an alkaline bath for at least 20 minutes.

Shower baths: Taking shower baths will fantastically revitalize your body, softening your skin and making it firmer. Taking a warm shower first thing in the morning can is excellent for the skin. Take a shower in cold water at the end. Wrap yourself in a towel and rest for about 10 minutes. Your immune system will become awakened and strengthened by such a shower bath.

If you consistently follow these steps for a few months, you start to notice that your skin is becoming softer, until it becomes perfectly baby soft. There are other ways you can get baby soft skin effortlessly, such as removing excess hair, exfoliating, applying oil and lotion regularly.