Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

If you are a new or expectant mother, your health insurance should ideally cover everything, from prenatal and maternity care for you, to pediatric visits and immunizations for your baby.

The process associated with child birth can easily result in one of a couple's single highest medical bill. To avoid being caught off-guard, you have to know your coverage prior to making your first obstetrician or midwife visit. Be aware of the terms and conditions of your health insurance coverage and how to maintain your coverage in case you lose or quit your job. Ask information from your company's benefits department or directly from your health insurance plan's customer service hotline.

Here are some questions that you need to ask:

1) Does your plan cover prenatal and maternity care?
2) Will your medical insurance provider need preauthorization for any of your prenatal or maternity care?
3) Will you need to contact your health insurance company upon admission to the hospital for labor and delivery?
4) To see an obstetrician, is a referral from your primary care doctor necessary?
5) Will medical insurance cover the cost of prenatal tests such as ultrasound and amniocentesis?
6) Is there a limit to your hospital stay after delivery? Will the plan cover for an extended stay if medically necessary?
7) Does the plan have an annual reimbursement limit?

If you want to use a certified nurse midwife to deliver your baby or want to deliver your baby in a birth center or at home, find out what coverage your plan provides in these situations. Insurance coverage varies so it will be prudent to check first before making any of these birthing arrangements.

With the birth of a new baby comes an increase in medical bills these fees arise from your pediatrician, the nursery (in case you have opted to deliver in a hospital), and in some cases, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In fact, the first piece of mail your baby will receive with his or her name on it is a medical bill statement. So, be sure to ask your health insurance provider these questions prior to your baby's arrival:

1) How can you include your new baby under your insurance coverage? How much will it cost you?

2) In the event that your child will need to stay at the NICU, will your plan cover for this expense?

3) Does your plan cover well-child care? Your newborn needs visits to the pediatrician and standard vaccinations that need to be covered by your insurance plan.

Looking to opt for a medical insurance policy? If you are, then it is extremely important for you to compare several different policies before you make the final purchasing decision. Medical insurance comparison is really important because it can help an individual choose the right plan that is suitable for his needs. These days, there are many different medical insurance providers available and they all offer different types of plans at different costs. Comparing different policies will also help the individual find something that is affordable.

But, you must also know which aspects of the insurance policy you must compare in order to get the best deal. Given below are some of the things that you need to consider and compare at the time of choosing a medical insurance policy.

Monthly Premiums and Deductibles

The major cost of your insurance policy will be the yearly deductibles and the monthly premiums. So the first thing that you must do is compare the amounts that you will be paying as premiums and deductibles. Find out which health insurance provider offers the lowest rate and which one offers the highest rate. It is not a good idea to go with the highest amounts if you are looking for something affordable and it is definitely not worth going for the cheapest because you will not get enough coverage.

The best bet is to choose something that is in the middle. Look for the policies which have costs that is not too high and not too low.

Prescription Deductibles

This is also something that needs to be compared. There are certain plans that include separate prescription deductibles. It is quite important to compare the cost of deductibles because this will greatly affect the amount you pay for your policy. There will be several amounts that you may choose from and you must see which policy offers the best prescription deductibles.

Mental Health Deductibles

Most of the health insurance companies today charge an additional deductible for mental health care. These are separate deductibles for which you will be required to pay additional amounts. There are also some companies and policies which do not offer coverage for mental health. If you think you will need mental health care, make sure that you compare between the companies which provide this coverage. Make sure to compare the costs and the type of coverage you will get.

Co-Payments For Medical Check-ups

The type of policy you choose will determine the type of coverage you will get. Your plan may cover a fixed number of visits for a co-payment. The amount of co-payment you make will depend on the policy you have taken. Compare between the policies to find out which one has a lower co-payment rate and also which one is suitable for your needs.

Additional Coverage

Most people require additional coverage such as optical, dental and maternity care. These may be included in some plans and may not be included in some. Compare the different health insurance plans to see which ones provide coverage for these services and at what rate.

No matter where you go in Asia, Singapore is renowned for having some of the best medical care in the world. If you happen to get sick or become injured while you are in Singapore you can be sure that you will receive top-notch care.

Basically, you ca not go wrong in any of the hospitals in Singapore. This country boasts one of the world's longest longevity rates as well as one of the lowest infant mortality rates. There are both government and private hospitals. All are of good quality, but the government hospitals are less expensive. The downside is you are more likely to have to wait for treatment. Although the private hospitals are more expensive, you will be treated quickly and efficiently.

I would like to give a brief overview of some of the better hospitals in Singapore.

National University Hospital is one of the most famous and largest hospitals in Singapore. It is connected with the University of Singapore and ranked among the top six in the world in 2000 by WHO. Its current strengths are in the fields of cardiology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. You will find NUH on 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road. NUH has a whole department, the International Patient Liaison Centre which caters to foreigners seeking treatment at their hospital. Their 24-hour help line is (65)6779 2777.

Changi General Hospital serves the eastern part of Singapore. In June 2005, this hospital received Joint Commission International accreditation. At CGH, you will find an International Medical Services team that is trained to assist you in getting the treatment you need.

Mount Alvernia is another good choice, founded in 1961 by an order of Franciscan nuns. Today the hospital is still not-for-profit. This hospital specializes in mother and child care. Mount Alvernia has a 24-hour walk-in clinic and emergency room. If finances are an issue this might be the hospital for you to consider.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital was founded in 1844 through the philanthropy of Mr. Tan Tock Seng. It is the second largest hospital in Singapore. Due to its central location its accident and emergency room is the busiest in the country. It is also accredited by the Joint Commission International for keeping up with high medical standards. It is also a member of the National Healthcare Group. It may not be terribly user friendly for the foreigner.

Singapore General Hospital is the oldest (founded in 1821) and largest hospital in Singapore, located on the grounds of the Outram Park. This hospital is a government run hospital which means the costs are kept low. This does not mean that quality suffers; the nursing staff recently received the distinctive Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Thomson Medical is best known for its high quality maternity care. They also have a department devoted to caring for the International patient. In addition, they have a Korean Service department dedicated to the needs of the Korean expatriate community.

Gleneagles Hospital is one of several excellent private hospitals managed by Parkway Health in Singapore and other parts of Asia. Gleneagles focuses on providing user-friendly services, along with quality care, specialists' expertise and modern technology; it is conveniently located near the Botanic Gardens and not far from the US embassy. Another Parkway Health hospital is Mount Elizabeth Hospital which specializes in cardiac surgery and neurosurgery.

You may want to consider Raffles Hospital another private hospital which especially caters the Japanese community. You can expect five star treatment and accommodations as well as a five-star price. This hospital gained notoriety for its landmark surgery in separating Siamese twins. Raffles makes available traditional Chinese medicine for those seeking that type of treatment.

I hope you do not have to use this information, but you never know when knowing where to find a good hospital will come in handy.

When you think about the length of time that you wear maternity clothes, not just for the length of your pregnancy but also the time after your pregnancy before you return to your normal weight, you will probably need your maternity clothes for nine months at the very least. and you will probably wear your maternity coat for even longer. So make sure when you choose your maternity you go for something that is not only going to look great this season, but is going to look great and keep you warm throughout the year.

The most common mistake pregnant women make when choosing maternity coats is to just buy a standard coat in a bigger size. However, by doing this, you are buying a bigger size over your entire body which can make you look bigger than you actually are and will do nothing to flatter your changing shape. The shape of a good maternity coat actually incorporates your expanding tummy so that you have the space to grow where you need it but is tailored in at other points to actually flatter your shape and keep you looking trim.

For a traditional and very versatile style, opt for a long length trench coat design. Choose one with detail either in the collar area or under the bust and look out for darts and tailoring in the back which will draw the back of your coat in to provide a flattering silhouette and a great shape to your body. Deep dark colours are great for versatility and wearing with any outfit for any occasion, and if you find you need to brighten your coat up, just add a light flowery scarf and you will see the style of your coat transform.

This seasons most popular style is again the puffa jacket. It is soft and comfortable and ideal for wearing all year round. Take care to choose your pre pregnancy size to get a good fit, unless you are carrying twins or have gained more than the standard 30 pounds, at which point you will probably need to go up a dress size. The key with a good puffa jacket is to make sure you get the length just right. A maternity style will be cut a little longer to incorporate your bump as it grows so that the jacket does not ride up and miss the bottom of your back, but there are also puffa coats which cost about the same and can be incredibly flattering for a pregnant physique.

To get the very best value for money, make sure that you shop around for all your maternity clothes. Use internet comparison sites to buy your clothes to make sure you are getting the best value for money and look out for sites which give special offers and voucher codes for discount at major maternity wear retailers.

Whether you opt for your traditional style or try to mix things up when you are pregnant, a good maternity coat is going to complete any maternity outfit and is going to make you look great and keep warm throughout your pregnancy, so start considering your coat today and make sure it is a good one!

In the midst of ever changing maternity care, it is vital, now more than ever, to know how to increase your odds of a safe delivery. So, what makes for a positive, healthy birth experience?

Minimal pain?

The latest in technology?

Most parents have had both minimal pain and the latest technology and yet the majority still tell their "horror birth story" and come away with negative side effects from interventions that can impact them, spiritually and physically, for weeks or even years.

Obviously, that's not where the answer lies.

Why Childbirth Classes?

The birth of a baby represents the birth of a family; therefore, it's only logical that there's more to having a satisfying birth than merely the physical experience. The mental, emotional and social spiritual aspects of birth are as equally important as the physical. There is more to a healthy outcome than the survival of the mother and baby. If the intangible needs are met for parents-to-be, they will better meet the needs of their babies, much more so than the "experts" can.

Studies show that a positive, healthy birth is not measured by how much pain a woman experiences, but by how well informed she felt, how in control of the decision making she was, and the quality of her labor support. In order to achieve a high level knowledge, informed decision making, and skilled labor support, education is essential. The way to attain the highest quality childbirth education in the limited time that pregnancy offers is to seek out experienced, well-informed childbirth education classes.

How do you know if the classes you've chosen are the best offered? Here are a few questions you can ask to help you make your decision...

Is the provider of the childbirth classes independent or contracted?

Independent means that no hospital or care provider is paying them. They are not censored in teaching or have vested interest in "selling" you any procedure because of someone else's policies.

What is the class length?

You obviously receive and retain more information and skills in a 8 week or more class series than a weekend or 2 week "crash course."

What is the training, experience, and philosophy of the class provider?

Look for an educator that stays well informed of current findings, is well read, attends conferences, and teaches from a view point that supports your goals; i.e. if your goal is a natural, unmedicated birth it makes sense to seek classes that emphasize normal, healthy birth and provides in depth comfort techniques and coping measures.

Making the effort to become well-informed of childbirth itself, and typical birth practices and options, is truly an investment with lifelong rewards of better health and memories that will stay with you forever.

Don't be left with the feeling, "If only I had known more or made different choices, would my birth have been more satisfying or healthy?"

Take responsibility and provide yourself and baby with the best possible experience by seeking out quality childbirth education classes.

Why Can't I Find Maternity Insurance?

Unless you happen to live in one of the five guaranteed issue health insurance states (NY, NH, MA, VT and ME) or you currently have a group health insurance plan, finding maternity insurance coverage will be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Most major carriers have eliminated the option to add maternity coverage. Those that did not eliminate this feature, charge $200 to $300 a month extra for this add-on. Plus, there is a waiting period before you can become pregnant of up to 12 months.

To add insult to injury, the plans still have out of pocket deductibles and coinsurance. A few plans make you think they have a maternity option and charge you a nominal amount for it (around $100) but you later find that the benefit was extremely limited and you are generally getting back what you paid them or less. Hold on, I am not through with my ranting yet.

If you have had a prior c-section or a complication to pregnancy, they will not sell you the maternity rider at any price.

Does It Pay To Have Maternity Insurance Coverage?

Once you sit down and do the math, you start to wonder if maternity coverage is worth the bother. Let us say that you buy a plan and it costs you an additional $200 a month. They tell you that you have to wait 12 months before you can become pregnant. Let us further suppose that after waiting 12 months it takes you three more months to conceive. Afterward, assuming you are human, we have another 9 months of pregnancy. There is a total of 24 months that you paid $4,800 extra for in premiums. The plan might have deductibles and coinsurance of another $2,500 to $5,000. The cost for having a baby with health insurance is $7,300 to $9,800. If it takes longer to conceive, the bill goes up.

What most people do not know is that complications to pregnancy are covered by most health insurance plans even if you do not have maternity coverage. So, the hospital portion of a c-section is covered regardless. Look at all of the restrictions maternity insurance coverage puts upon you:

• You cannot become pregnant for up to a year and if you do you forfeit the maternity coverage.


• You still pay somewhere between $7,000 and $10,000 out of pocket with the coverage.


• You have to choose one of the few companies that offer this rider. This might mean that you are paying more for your other health insurance with less coverage.

Instead of purchasing maternity insurance there are other plans available that can reduce your maternity expenses. Remember that complications to pregnancy are probably covered regardless. You can always contact the author for more information.

Advocacy Services - Over time, we have found that this service can negotiate extremely low rates for both pre-natal and delivery services, including lab fees. They do this day in and day out and have done this tens of thousands of times. This is the only alternative for someone who is already pregnant (other than group health insurance).

Limited Benefit Plans - These are guaranteed issue health insurance plans that cover maternity the same way they cover having your tonsils out. They provide a certain dollar amount for doctor visits and hospital costs. The operative word is limited. These plans are not available in all states. However, they can provide a great alternative to maternity insurance. There are a number of these plans at different price points.

Recently, we found a plan that will pay close to $7,000 for a two day hospital stay for maternity. The catch is, you must be employed when the plan begins. You do not have to remain employed, however, and your spouse can take the plan and put you on it as a dependent. It is very cost effective.

Group Health Insurance - Just about all group health insurance plans cover maternity. If you are self-employed it can be difficult to find a true group health insurance plan. We do have information for Group of One health insurance plans that are available in about 15 states. They cover maternity and, if you currently have health insurance, will cover you even if you are already pregnant.

The Maternity Insurance You Want and the Maternity Insurance You Can Get

What most of you reading this article would like to find is a plan that pays all or most of the medical costs associated with having a baby. But, unless you are fortunate enough to have a fantastic group health insurance plan, it is highly unlikely. I urge you to consider some of the techniques I described in this article.

Every healthy diet begins and ends with three components: protein, fat and carbohydrates. Every food that is eaten can be categorized into one or the other of these groups. All three are important in the diet; however, they should not be eaten in the same amounts. Your doctor or health care provider can help you to determine the best diet for you, which becomes even more important during pregnancy and afterward if you intend to breastfeed your baby. Yes, your caloric needs will increase, even if you are already overweight when you find out that you are pregnant, however, you will need to make sure that you are firstly, gaining the right amount of weight, and secondly, adding the right nutritional compounds to your diet. Not only will you be eating to help your baby grow and develop, you will also be eating to keep yourself healthy and strong. The diet type of each pregnant woman will change from trimester to trimester, with each part of the change being especially important for the growing embryo.

Protein: Before Conception to the End of the First Trimester

The average, healthy woman should be getting between.4 and.8 grams of protein per kilogram of her body weight, depending on her activity level. If she is doing light to moderate exercises two to three times per week, she can up the level to around.5 grams. On the other hand, if she is doing very intense exercise that lasts between 30-60 minutes four days a week or more, she should up the protein intake to around.8 grams. A woman who is body building, training for a marathon or a similar activity may need as much as 1.2 grams of protein. Once she becomes pregnant, her need for better nutrition, including additional protein, will increase as well.

The average woman will need a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day during her pregnancy, or more if she is carrying twins. This additional protein is needed for not only the physical growth and development of the baby, but for the development of the placenta, amniotic tissue and maternal tissues. A mother's blood volume increases by about 50%. Protein is needed to create these new blood cells as well as for circulating proteins. (Source: Medio-Consult Nutrition Services)

Women who are having problems with morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy may benefit from having a high protein, high carbohydrate diet. However, they should limit the amount of fat, especially in the form of fried foods. The carbohydrates should be complex, such as those found in vegetables and whole grain foods. (Source: Nancy E. Polatty, RNC, JS, JD, CNS, of the University of Nevada at Reno)

For women who are especially troubled by morning sickness, it might be easier to split meals into smaller portions and never go longer than two to three hours without eating. If you want to add a small snack in between meals, opting for a liquid protein supplement is a good idea.

Second Trimester

During the second trimester, the additional blood volume, as well as the expanding uterus and increased levels of the hormone estrogen, can cause edema, especially in the legs, feet and hands. One of the easiest ways to combat this is by increasing the protein intake. There is a misconception that the minute you find out that you are pregnant you need to start piling on the protein. This is simply not true - your increased needs progress slowly during the pregnancy and for different reasons. In month one through three, the need was to help establish the embryo, placenta and amniotic sac. The additional protein also worked to help combat the physical discomfort of morning sickness that plagues many women. For the rest of the pregnancy, protein needs will remain at this level so that the baby continues to develop and grow strong.

Third Trimester

Your need for protein continues during the final three months of pregnancy for a number of reasons. First, eating a diet that is high in protein, vitamins and minerals can minimize the development and appearance of any stretch marks. Second, you will need the additional protein for the energy required for labor and childbirth. By now your intake should be up to the recommended 60 grams per day, however, your own doctor might suggest a different amount based on your own nutritional needs.

Lactating New Mothers

Immediately after birth and for around six months or so afterward, you will continue to need more protein than you normally do so that your body can continue the process of repairing itself after the trauma of birth, as well as to make the breast milk that your baby will need to be healthy and strong. There is no formula that is more perfect than your own milk for your growing baby, and your protein intake will make sure that it provides all of the nutrients that he needs as well. There is no higher time of need for protein than in the first six months following birth, when the recommended daily allowance is 2.2 grams per kg of body weight. After age six months, the amount drops slightly to two grams and then slowly decreases as the child grows. Remember that not only is this the time period of the greatest protein need, it is also the time of the greatest growth of your baby as well. The baby that started his life at between 7 and 9 pounds (the average is just over 8 pounds) will enter his first year weighing twenty pounds or more.

The breastfeeding mother must make sure that she is getting around 500 extra calories per day as well as enough liquids to make sure that she is making enough milk (baby should wet six to eight diapers each day and be steadily gaining weight). In addition, mom should be getting an extra 20 grams of protein per day while she is breastfeeding.

Protein needs for mothers will slowly decrease as she loses weight, however, the doctor will give recommendations for proper nutrition for the postpartum period. Because this is a time in a mother's life that is very hectic, she may not be taking the time that she needs for proper nutrition. While getting nutrition from whole, freshly made foods it best, it may not always be possible. Using a protein supplement that is fast to consume, not loaded with a lot of additional sugar and which gives plenty of absorbable protein is a good option.

Mothers who have any special health concerns will need to be monitored by their doctor more carefully and will have different protein and nutrition needs. It is important to follow the advice of your doctor or other medical practitioner.

References

Medio-Consult Nutrition Services

Nancy E Polatty, RNC, JS, JD, CNS, University of Nevada at Reno from the book: Ask a Nurse: From Home Remedies to Hospital Care Edited by Geraldine Bednash, PhD. RN, FAAN. Simon and Schuster New York New York 2001

A happily married couple in Florida awaits the birth of their first child after 9 months of pregnancy. The attending surgeon and the Tampa Bay Midwife do an excellent job. All goes well and the child is born without complications. All accept the behavior of the "new mommy" to her husband and to her child. Symptoms of depression masked with irritability set in. Misunderstandings occur and harsh arguments follow in the ensuing weeks. What has happened to the sweet woman in a seemingly normal event such as childbirth to make her husband misunderstand? The woman has developed postpartum depression, a psychological condition that has become the subject of medical gatherings throughout the U.S. like the one in Florida called "Maternity Care Tampa Bay".

Postpartum depression needs to be understood before it can be prevented. So what is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression is essentially clinical depression that accompanies childbirth. Clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by a loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities that is coincident with low mood and low self-esteem. This loss is known as anhedonia. The disorder frequently affects women but could also affect men especially those who become new fathers. The incidence is lower in men however between 1.2% and 25.5%. After carrying their first child, women are most susceptible in the first few months following delivery. Studies reveal a female prevalence ranging between 5%-25%.

While the symptoms of postpartum depression usually occur in the first few months, they can manifest anytime in the first year following delivery. Women complain of intense sadness and fatigue in performance of daily activities. There is hopelessness, low self-esteem, guilt and even a sensation of being overwhelmed by circumstances. Disturbances have been noted in both appetite and sleep cycles. Some cases are even resistant to counseling. Mental functions like speech and writing are impaired and spells of intense anger, frustration, panic attacks and anxiety occur. The sex drive is seriously reduced.

While all the causes of postpartum depression remain elusive, a number of elements have been determined as predictors of the illness. A history of depression seriously predisposes to this illness. This also includes any depressive episode during pregnancy. General stress in life especially, when the mother is single or, if married, unsupported by her spouse is a contributory factor.

Recognizing postpartum depression as a disease entity will lead to better understanding and much needed comfort from spouses and prevent unnecessary conflict borne of misunderstanding. Smoking should be discouraged. Screening for postpartum depression, which is regular in Canada, could be carried out worldwide. This way, risk factors can be quickly identified and corrective measures can be taken. Appropriate exercise and a balanced nutrition seem to play vital roles in preventing postpartum depression in particular, and depression in general. Experts suggest the inclusion of the following in a woman's diet: Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, Vitamins especially of the B class and proper hydration. With recognition, proper dietary measures and moral support we can prevent the occurrence of postpartum depression.

Out of the 15 states that have mandated coverage of infertility in health insurance policies, only California and Texas have mandates to offer coverage in health care policies. What this means to a couple dealing with infertility is that their employer has the option to purchase health insurance that offers some coverage for infertility testing, diagnosis and treatment, but they are not required to buy such insurance.

There are many factors that go into the choice of which insurance policy or policies to purchase and offer to employees, price being one of them. If you live in California or Texas and your employer's choice of insurance coverage does not include any infertility coverage, you should talk to your human resources manager or the manager of benefits and find out if it would be possible to have the company offer additional health insurance policy options with at least one of them offering infertility coverage.

The company may not want to offer such insurance if their costs will be going up, especially if they believe that only one or two employees want such coverage. So go a little grass roots and find out if your co-workers would be willing to pay more for such coverage, and ask them all to ask for it as an option in future insurance offerings. You may be surprised at how many co-workers would like such coverage and your company may surprise you and offer additional choices in insurance coverage in the future.

That leaves us with 13 states, listed just below along with some information, that have mandates to cover. Depending on the wording of the law for each state, health insurance policies and/or HMOs that offer anything from basic coverage to maternity coverage, must also cover some infertility testing, diagnosis and treatments. Basically, a mandate to cover is just that, they must cover "something" where infertility is concerned and many of the state laws state specifically what must be covered too.

• Arkansas - HMOs and self-insurers exempt; all individual and group policies that cover maternity must cover


• Connecticut - Self-insurers and religious organizations exempt; all individual and group policies must cover


• Hawaii - Self-insurers exempt; all individual and group policies must cover


• Illinois - Self-insurers, religious employers, and companies with fewer than 25 employees exempt; all group and HMOs that cover pregnancy must cover


• Louisiana - Self-insurers exempt; cannot exclude coverage just because condition results in infertility


• Maryland - Self-insurers, religious employers, and companies with fewer than 50 employees exempt; all individual and group policies that cover pregnancy must cover


• Massachusetts - Self-insurers exempt; all insurers that cover pregnancy must cover


• Montana - Self-insurers exempt; HMOs required to cover as basic health care


• New Jersey - Self-insurers, religious employers, and companies with fewer than 50 employees exempt; group insurers and HMOs that cover pregnancy must cover


• New York - Self-insurers exempt; group policies must cover testing and diagnosis


• Ohio - Self-insurers exempt; HMOs required to cover as basic health care


• Rhode Island - Self-insurers exempt; individual and group policies and HMOs that cover pregnancy must cover


• West Virginia - Self-insurers exempt; HMOs required to cover as basic health care

A state mandate to cover means that unless a business's group, and in some cases individual, health care insurance is exempt, some form of infertility coverage must be included in the policy. On the flip side of the issue is the state mandate to offer, which only means that the insurance company has to offer for sale a policy that includes infertility coverage, but the business is not required to purchase that coverage. Knowing not only what your insurance policy states is covered, but also what your state's mandate is, can help you when navigating the world of infertility and insurance coverage.

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases in a woman's life being accompanied by many common pregnancy diseases or problems. Many women are unaware of these pregnancy diseases. A pregnant women, to start a family with her new baby, must be knowledgeable about some of the diseases in pregnancy.

Sometimes the problems are too minor ones but if they are not cured effectively then it could develop into a very major problem. These problems can affect the foetus as well as the mother to be. Therefore, if a women would love to have a healthy pregnancy, then they must have complete knowledge about the following common pregnancy diseases:

High Blood Pressure: Pregnancy with high blood pressure can develop at the time of pregnancy. During high blood pressure in pregnant women, the pressure of blood in the arteries is very high. Also a pregnant women diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to develop pre-eclampsia, which is a very serious problem as it affects the various body parts such as kidney, liver, blood vessels, etc. Thus, it is very much essential to prevent high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes: A gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy condition that can develop during pregnancy. During gestational diabetes, the mother to be has a large amount of sugar in her blood and it usually resolves after the birth of the baby. Thus one's a pregnant women had gestational diabetes; it's a good idea to have your blood sugar level tested at least once a year.

Itchy Skin: Itchy skin is also a very common problem at the time of pregnancy. A pregnant women can feel Itchiness particularly around her breasts and growing belly. The main causes of dry itchy skin during pregnancy are the hormones and the itchy skin. When a pregnant women's skin stretches out across her belly and becomes drier then she may fell some kind of itchiness. It is very necessary to skin care during pregnancy.

Fever: A fever usually arises during first trimester of pregnancy in the pregnant women's. A mild fever during early pregnancy can occur at any other time. However, a high fever during pregnancy can certainly prove harmful or can even lead to the fetal death.

Weight Gain: Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. It is important for pregnant women to gain a considerable amount of weight as it is generally considered as a sign of healthy pregnancy. This problem occurs because of increase in blood circulation in the body.

Swelling: Swelling is a most common pregnancy problem that a women can experience at the time of pregnancy. Swelling can occur on face, hands, feet, etc. Swelling occurs due to the retention of extra amount of fluid during the period of pregnancy. When a pregnant women drinks less amount of fluids then the body will retain some of the fluids in order to meet its needs. There are every chances of swelling during pregnancy if the pregnant women continues to take less amount of fluid during pregnancy period.

Backache: Backache is a very common problem during pregnancy. When a women becomes pregnant then her body goes through a lot of change largely because of the production of variety of hormones and one of these hormones is known as relaxin. Relaxin causes the pelvis and ligaments to soften and to allow the baby out through the pelvis. Backache leads to soreness, stiffness and pain the back.

Cough and Cold: Cough and cold during pregnancy is one of the most common problems that majority of the pregnant women suffer. One of the general reasons for this problem is the weakening of the immune system during the period of pregnancy. If the problem of cough is really serious then the pregnant must insure that her fetus is protected. This is because, if the pregnant women coughs hardly then there are chances of miscarriage.

You must be excited to conceive a baby. It is really delightful to watch mothers having a baby; the social research data report that a person raise little children very likely to do best at school and become experts. it doesn't mean that you are unable to do a great job if you are more younger, however the possibility of "highly effective" children parenting is better with age.

However, you will still find a small amount of potential risks that may increase due to your age related to your pregnancy. The biggest will be the increased possibility of chromosome issues such as Down syndrome symptom. For your age, the possibility of a chromosome issue is 1 in 42. By having an average level 2 ultrasound, the risk might be cut down about half, to around 1 in 80. This is exactly very safe. There are 79 in 80 probabilities that your baby is not going to born with a chromosome problem, but significantly increased when you were much younger. So, some company offers additional tests to determine and see if the newborn baby carries other chromosome problem such an amniocentesis. This has a lower risk of losing your baby (about 1 in 200), but it is important to consider the health risks as well as health benefits wisely before making a decision.

Any other potential risks depend on your overall health. Some researchers have revealed a higher health risk including growth problems, preterm labor, preeclampsia, hypertension and also diabetic issues. It is actually difficult to factor out the connection between your ages alone with the elevated risks of those health problems becoming obvious when we go through our life, which will make the pregnancy greater risk just by the diseases you have. For this reason, when you are in excellent health, the potential health risks seem to be minimally increased above normal. We currently observe much more carefully for problems. However, usually you would probably have normal treatment except if an issue found during your routine visits.

For anyone who is over 35 years old and currently pregnant, a doctor might recommend to you to be of advanced maternal age group. Many women from age 35 - 40 years old have healthy pregnancies. Mainly because the majority of women above 35 are usually have an excellent health condition. Very good prenatal care and attention and also healthy and balanced lifestyle help you minimize some specific potential risks. When issues do happen for pregnant women over 35, most of them will be successfully cured. It doesn't matter how old you are, contact your doctor before trying to have a baby

For today, simply be enthusiastic about your pregnancy. You'll discover that perhaps you may be a little more tired unlike the time you were twenty year old that you'll have more pains and aches, and then there will probably be days and nights you ask yourself the reason why you did this. But the good news is, you're going to be the mature stable mom each and every child needs to have.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed several new laws that are geared to expand consumer protection for consumers shopping for California health insurance. The census data indicates that almost one in five Californians need health care coverage. With the new health care laws ready to be implemented, they are predicting that these laws could make 2012 a memorable year.

New California Health Insurance Law For Women

In 2012, women will gain more protection whether they choose to get coverage through employer-provided health insurance plans or buy an individual healthcare plan. Brown signed three bills into law in order to provide maternity services for pregnant women and new mothers. According to Brown, this is will give children the "best possible start."

Another date women should watch for in the next year will be on the 1st of July. SB 222 requires individual California health insurance plans to provide maternity services. Also beginning July 1, AB 210 will provide maternity services to group health care plans. Employers will be required to pay for coverage under group health plans for women on maternity leave under SB 29.

Are Small Businesses Affected Too?

According to the chief executive of the advocacy group Small Business Majority, small business firms with employees less than 50 will find that healthcare coverage is more affordable under the new laws in California. That is very significant because approximately 718,220 small employers in California make up 99.2 percent of California's employers in 2006, as stated by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce: Bureau of the Census.

Whether Californians get coverage through their employer or buy individual policies, they could be eligible for "rebates" next year. To comply with federal reform, SB 51 requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of premiums from individuals and small firms on health care for members. As for group policies, 85 percent of premiums must be spent on members' health care.

Blue Shield Of California Will Distribute Rebates To Consumers

Just this summer, Blue Shield of California announced that it would cap its net earning at two percent of revenue and return the excess to their policy holders in the form of rebates. With more than three million California insurance plan holders, Blue Shield posted a profit margin of 3.1 percent last year. This included income derived from investments. According to a press release from Blue Shield, individual consumer credits range from $25 to $415. Businesses should receive approximately $110 to $130 per worker.

Subsidies For California Health Insurance Made Easier

Gov. Jerry Brown also signed bills that will make it easier for Californians to apply for subsidized California health coverage via the online state health insurance exchange. However, we have to wait until 2014 when it will be fully implemented. Under AB 1296, the forms and procedures needed to get subsidies through the state based exchanged are tackled.

If you find out that you, or your wife or girlfriend is pregnant, one of the first things that expecting parents are concerned about is health insurance. If the expecting mother does not have health insurance, but is ready to start a new job, or is transferring to a new company during pregnancy, there may be concern of the pregnancy being considered a "pre-existing condition", and the woman was pregnant prior to receiving the insurance. This can present a problem as insurance companies are becoming more and stricter about pre-existing conditions and denying many people the opportunity for proper health insurance and thus, proper health care.

Fortunately, thanks to the Department of Labor's HIPAA Act of 1996, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition, and thus an expecting mother cannot be denied health insurance. However, there are loopholes to this law depending on whether or not the insurance is a group or individual health plan. Group health plans tend to consider pregnancy as not being a pre-existing condition. Individual group plans will most likely not take a pregnant applicant, or the husband of a pregnant woman.

Many states offer individual health insurance plans for those who have a pre-existing condition that cannot be covered by another insurance source. If you are pregnant and cannot locate proper health insurance during and after your time of pregnancy, consider speaking with your state health department to discuss your options.

There is no reason that a pregnant women go through 9 months of stressful labor to have to worry about insurance in the end. Make sure to reach out to any and all resources or even a friend or family member to help you find the insurance for the care you need.

During the expectant mothers third trimester, which lasts from the 28th week until birth at approximately 40 weeks, her unborn child will grow and develop at a very rapid pace. As a result of this increased weight and development, the fetus' requirements for nutritional needs will have also grown. This will include the baby's needs for more calcium, more protein and more iron.

Due to the baby's greater size, the mother will often begin to experience an array of symptoms that can result in great discomfort for her. While most of the signs of late pregnancy are normal and not a threat to her health or her unborn child's health, it is important that a woman have an understanding of what to expect during the last few months. Just as there was great differentiation in experienced symptoms during the early stages of pregnancy, the same also holds true for the third trimester.

Many women will find that the nausea that they experienced in early pregnancy will return as they approach the end of their pregnancy. Pregnancy nausea in the third trimester is actually a common occurrence and is thought to be due at least in part to the fact that the baby is now placing a great deal of pressure on the mother's stomach. This added pressure often causes not only nausea but also heartburn. There is also the opinion that the nausea in the third trimester results due to the fluctuating hormone levels of the mother.

Just like the first trimester, it is common for women to feel very fatigued during the third trimester. There are several factors that most likely contribute to this fatigue. The greater size and nutritional needs of the baby place a great demand on the mother's body. Additionally, despite being tired, many women find it difficult to sleep as they near the end of their pregnancy. The pressure the baby is now placing on the mother's bladder can mean frequent interruptions to her sleep due to the need to urinate more frequently. Many women also face the problem of not being able to find a comfortable sleeping position because of their increased size.

Another symptom that can occur because of the baby's larger size is shortness of breath. As the fetus grows, there will be added pressure placed on the woman's diaphragm; this can then cause the mother to have some difficulty with breathing. Additionally the baby's larger size can also begin to affect the woman's posture, which can contribute to the back pain often experienced in the last months of pregnancy.

A condition known as edema frequently affects women in the last months of their pregnancy. Edema is caused by fluid retention and it results in a mild swelling of the feet and hands. While edema is not a concern for alarm, it should be monitored carefully to make sure that the swelling does not become marked; pronounced swelling could be indicative of the serious condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is defined as pregnancy-induced hypertension and it can place a serious risk on both mother and child. It requires the immediate attention of the woman's health care provider.

During the last trimester of pregnancy it is common for the woman to start feeling occasional, mild contractions. Some women will actually experience these contractions as early as 20 weeks. These contractions are referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are not a problem; however, if the contractions should become more regular and increase in strength, it is advisable for the mother to contact her doctor.

Some of the other side effects caused by the rapid growth of the fetus in the third trimester include spider and varicose veins, constipation, diarrhea and leg cramps. These symptoms are also a normal part of the last months of pregnancy for many women; while they can result in discomfort for the expectant mother, they are not a cause for alarm. Nevertheless, if at any time the expectant mother has either concerns or uncertainty about any symptom that she is experiencing, it is always best to consult with her health care provider.

Congratulations! You're having a baby. This is the most wonderful time of your life. Soon you will have a new child to love and take care of. Nothing beats this feeling, believe me.

Pregnancy is indeed a wonderful time, but it is also a risky time. You have a responsibility not only to yourself but also to the growing child inside of you. One of the unwholesome aspects of pregnancy is weight gain. It is only natural that you gain weight during your pregnancy; after all, you have a living baby inside of you. But gaining too much or too little can be dangerous to your health or the health of your baby. It can also leave you overweight after delivery.

How much should you gain during your pregnancy and what makes up a healthy weight gain?

Your overall weight gain is made of these elements:

1. Your baby - 6 - 8 pounds.

2. Your breast tissue - 1 pound

3. Fat deposits for breastfeeding - 7 pounds

4. Placenta - 1 pound

5. Amniotic fluid - 2 pounds

6. More Blood - 3 pounds

7. Uterus - 2 pounds

8. More fluids - 3 pounds

Overall, you should gain around 25 pounds all together. This isn't the same for every woman, of course. If you were overweight before your pregnancy, you should gain around 15 pounds, while women who were not overweight should gain 25-32 pounds.

If you are carrying more than one baby, your weight will increase by more than the figures I had written above.

You should take care of your diet throughout your pregnancy and also engage in safe exercise. Taking care of yourself is also taking care of your baby. Good luck.

A maternity nurse job is one of the most highly-paid nurse jobs around. The reason for this is the twenty-four hour workday. Maternity nurses are nurses dedicated to provide primary care and assistance, in every possible aspect, to mothers who have recently given birth and to their newborn babies as well. Apparently, such a responsibility requires them to stay with the mother and the baby at all times and all throughout the term of their service. Mostly, the service is up until the mother has fully recovered and is already able to take care of her baby completely. The duration can change based on the mother's specific condition. Some mothers may recover faster from childbirth, and some may be exhausted for longer periods. Mothers who have undergone caesarean operation also need more time to recover, and in such cases, maternity nurses play a very important role.

Maternity nurse jobs comprise a totally different area of discipline. It is not about caring for the sick. The needs of new mothers and newborn babies are different. Most of the time, maternity nurses are usually experienced nannies or registered nurses. Although it is not always considered as an area of specialization, maternity nurses require different knowledge and skills than that of practice nurses or clinical nurses. Maternity nurses are also required to invest more dedication and commitment to their charges. This is because they will be required to stay with their patients twenty-four hours a day. This is not typically required from other forms of nurse jobs.

But of course, the higher level of commitment that is required from maternity nurses is balanced with the right amount of compensation. Maternity nurses are highly paid. The compensation for being a maternity nurse depends on her level. Maternity nurses usually go through a training period, before moving on to an experienced stage. As can be expected, the experience maternity nurses get paid more than the maternity nurses under training. However, the compensation of maternity nurses, training or experienced, are quite competitive as compared to other nurse jobs. Of course, the financial benefits can also change based on the case that a maternity nurse is handling. Some maternity nurses may be assigned to a mother who just had twins. In such cases, the maternity nurse will be paid more.

The primary responsibilities of a maternity nurse if to provide care and assistance to the new mother or the mother undergoing recovery, and to take care of the baby while the mother is unable to do so. Maternity nurse jobs involve assistance while the mother learns how to breastfeed, and knowledge when it comes to bottle-feeding, bathing, handling of the baby, and other like tasks. Maternity nurses usually stay long after the birth of the baby, especially when their charges are first-time mothers. This is because mothers are usually exhausted both mentally and physically after childbirth, and are expectedly worried about the new responsibilities of child-caring that they are now faced. Having an expert at hand will surely help a lot to ease those tired nerves and to make the mothers feel assured and at ease.

Aside from providing care, the maternity nurse is also responsible for the maintenance of the primary environment of both the mother and the baby. This entails washing and sterilizing the bottles, organizing the things that belong to the baby, and preparing meals.

Maternity nurses should also be emphatic enough to understand what the mother is going through. They should be sensitive enough to handle the mother's needs, especially during the sensitive time that follows childbirth. Maternity nurse is, in every way that you look at it, a job that calls for total dedication.

If you are expecting a child or are planning on conceiving, it's a good idea to make sure you have adequate maternity health insurance. To do all you can to guarantee the birth of a healthy child you'll need regular checkups and prenatal care. If you don't have insurance the cost for going to a hospital and delivering your baby can be $10,000 or more. In addition to regular prenatal care, ultrasounds, and the birth itself, costs can rise quickly if there are any complications such as cesarean sections or premature births.

Even if you currently have health insurance you want to make sure that maternity care is covered. Some health insurance providers will not automatically cover you for this so if it's not already part of your health insurance plan you want to be sure to add any additional coverage if needed. If you don't already have health insurance it's a good idea to make sure that you have the proper coverage in place before you conceive. It's not impossible to find good maternity health insurance after conception but it may be more expensive because some health insurance providers will view this as a pre-existing condition making it more difficult or at least more expensive to get the coverage you need.

If you're looking for maternity health care coverage, whether you are already expecting or are still in the planning stages, you'll want to do some comparison shopping to find the best price for the coverage you need. There are many websites online where you can enter a bit of information and answer a few questions and quickly get back multiple quotes from a number of different insurance providers. With all the competition among the various insurance companies prices for coverage can vary greatly from one company to another. By spending a few minutes online doing some comparison shopping you can quickly and easily find the best possible price for your maternity health insurance.

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). It has many attractive and interesting natural settings and is located alongside the Congo River. In addition to its natural attractions, the city also contains some very significant educational and media institutions. In general, standard medical facilities are scarce in Democratic Republic of Congo. Even though Kinshasa houses some of the better hospitals in the country, do not expect high quality health care service at international standards from these hospitals. The facilities most of them provide are ordinary and the medical service is of average quality. This is a summary of some of the more popular hospitals in Kinshasa.

The address for Centre Medical de Kinshasa (CMK) is Avenue des Wagenias, Commune de la Gombe. This hospital is one of the leading hospitals in Kinshasa. It is properly equipped and provides good medical service in various medical fields. Its equipment includes a brand new CT, X-ray and MRI units in addition to a pharmacy, lab and multiple operating theaters. Comfortable accommodations are also available. Telephone: 243 89 895 0300.

Hospital General de Kinshasa (HGK) located at Avenue Colonel Ebeya, Kinshasa, is one of the largest public sector hospitals in DR Congo. This 2000 bed hospital employs a cumulative staff of 2250 and conducts over 3,000 consultations and 120 deliveries every day. The hospital offers complete and cost effective health care service. During the administration of Dr. William Close, the admired American missionary physician, the hospital achieved many developments including a large maternity ward. He recruited many eminent foreign doctors also. HGK has eight operating rooms, departments in the major medical specialties, intensive care units and laboratories. The hospital is a major referral center and is known to provide good, personal attention. Telephone: 00243 63070; 00243 63050.

Yolo Medical Hospital Centre of Kinshasa situated at 1263 Avenue Yolo, Kinshasa is another popular health care facility in Kinshasa. The private limited company, SPRL manages this hospital. The hospital has been offering effective medical consultations, clinical and surgical service for almost thirty years. In 1987, a new building was added to the hospital complex. The hospital now has suitably equipped operating rooms, a maternity ward and offices for administrative services. Yolo Medical Hospital has a advanced laboratory also. The emergency department of this hospital has many brand new facilities. Telephone: 00243 819995321.

The address for Sdarovia hospital is 84 bis, Avenue Masimanimba, Kinshasa. This service oriented medical facility offers cost effective medical service to those struggling with poverty. Doctor Paul Bobe Alifi Leta founded this nonprofit Christian hospital. The hospital employs 10 staff physicians and a dedicated nursing staff to assure the best personal treatment. The hospital gets generous funding from different parts of the world and uses this for purchasing state-of-the-art equipment. Sdarovia hospital conducts many medical education and research programs and has emerged as one of the best health care centers in DR Congo. The hospital offers good medical care at low price in all major departments and their pediatrics and obstetrics units are particularly satisfactory. Telephone: 0243 97862034.

Do you want to have a beautiful pregnancy? Of course you do, I mean, what woman does not want to look and feel her best all the time? But it is just so darn hard to feel pretty during pregnancy. Your body is blowing up at an unprecedented rate, your feet are swollen, you have heartburn, the list goes on and on. You are better off just putting on a pair of sweats and lying on the couch all day, right?

No way! Pregnancy is such a wonderful time in your life you should enjoy it and look and feel great during pregnancy. It is possible to have a fit, stylish, and all around pretty pregnancy. You deserve to have a beautiful pregnancy so do what it takes to feel good about your baby bump.

So many pregnant women kind of "let themselves go" during pregnancy. They maybe pamper themselves a little too much, maybe give in to their food cravings too much. They put on a lot more baby weight than necessary and go through pregnancy feeling fat and unhappy with how they look. Even worse they struggle, maybe for years, after pregnancy to lose their baby weight.

Do not let this happen to you! It isn't that hard to take care of yourself when pregnant. By following a few basic guidelines you can look and feel beautiful, and dare I say, even a little sexy while you are pregnant.

Get some some stylish maternity clothes: Why not pamper yourself a little during pregnancy, you deserve it. Get some stylish maternity clothes. When you dress nice you will feel good about yourself and it will lead to you taking better care of yourself. You do not need to spend an arm and a leg. Many of the major department stores offer great looking maternity clothes at reasonable prices.

Do not eat for two: Many women gibe into the "eating for two" excuse during pregnancy and use it as an excuse to over-indulge or give into their food cravings. Yes, you need to provide your growing baby with nourishment but you are not eating for two adults. You only need to take in about 300 extra calories per day to provide the baby with proper nourishment. Eat healthy during pregnancy.

Stay active during pregnancy: Many women think that they need to "take it easy" on themselves during pregnancy. This simply is not true. It is not only safe, but recommended to exercise during pregnancy. Unless you are under special instruction from your doctor to go easy during pregnancy you should be staying active and even following a special exercise program for expecting mothers. Staying fit during pregnancy has many health benefits for both mommy and baby and will help you to get back to pre-pregnancy safe much more quickly after baby comes.

So there you have it. Having a beautiful pregnancy is as easy as one, two, three. Follow these three easy steps and you will find yourself feeling wonderful during pregnancy and lose your baby weight quickly after the delivery.

For many pregnant women and expectant parents, the whole pregnancy phase is fraught with physical and emotional changes. Pregnancy should be the time for women to be vigilant of their health. Pregnancy complications are not uncommon and while most problems may be relatively mild and can be immediately treated, in other cases, warning signs can carry some significant health risks to the child, mother and possibly both.

Although it is generally advised for pregnant women to have frequent doctor visits, it is equally important to be aware of the possible danger signs to look out during pregnancy. These include the following signs:

o Vaginal bleeding
o Sudden weight gain
o Fever
o Chills
o Seeing Spots
o Persistent headache
o Burning sensation when urinating
o Vomiting
o Blurred and/or double vision
o Lower abdominal pain
o Thigh pains
o No baby movements for 12 hours
o Premature cramping
o Persistent lower back aches
o Nausea

Miscarriage
Bleeding during the first trimester can be a sign of possible miscarriage. According to statistics, about 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. These incidents usually occur when a woman is not aware that she is pregnant. Clots, bleeding and cramping are among the most common signs of miscarriage. In Most cases, surgery is required to remove the empty uterus in the body.

Ectopic Pregnancy
There are some cases, the fertilized egg may not reach its correct position in the uterus and the embryo grows on the fallopian tube. Since it grows on the abnormal location, it causes tear in the blood vessels and delicate structures. It is known to display the following symptoms: low back pains, nausea, lower abdominal pain, and cramping. This can require surgery to remove the nonviable embryo.

Premature Labor
One of the most common problems of pregnancy is premature labor and delivery. Babies born prematurely run the high risk of having some respiratory problems and underdeveloped lungs.

Hypertension
Elevated blood pressures are a common complication that occurs in 3 percent of the pregnancies. It can cause some adverse effects on the placenta as well as the fetus. Severe elevation of the blood pressure can cause pain in the abdomen, fluid retention , seeing spots and headaches.