Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Maternity fashion has come a long way in recent years - gone are the pinafores, smocks, and gigantic dresses. These days' maternity clothes are figure hugging and flattering to show off your gorgeous belly and suit your mummy curves.

The basics of maternity clothes include the following:

1. Maternity tops and t-shirts. Designed with a good fit across your shoulders and stretch over your bump, generally slightly longer in length than standard pre-pregnancy t-shirts. Many designs are also suitable to be used as nursing tops when baby is born. Look for maternity clothing in easy care fabrics.

2. Maternity tunics are very practical, as they can easily accommodate your shape. These go great with leggings and boots. Team them up with maternity tights - these are specially designed with a wider belly gusset and don't gut across the top of your bump.

3. Maternity jeans and pants, and summer shorts: these clothing items are designed with either a stretchy waistband or extendable elastic. Maternity pants with stretchy waistbands are so functional! You can wear the waistband pulled up over your belly which is a great way to bridge any skin gap that might be showing below your t-shirt, and it also provides gentle support. Alternatively you can fold the waistband lower and wear it over your hips. This functionality ensures that the pants can last you throughout your entire pregnancy.

Maternity jeans with extendable elastic - these are made with elastic that you can access in the waistband and you can pull tight or loosen, and fasten through a specially placed button at the fly opening. This means that you can adjust your pants as your belly grows.

4. Maternity skirts are popular - wear with tights and boots in winter, or sandals in summer. These are generally also made with stretchy waistbands that you can roll up or wear down. Bright bold patterns are a great way to feel fantastic.

5. Maternity dresses are great for special occasions such as attending a summer wedding. Maternity dresses usually have a fitted effect across your belly.

Even if you are a larger plus size women - wearing fitted maternity clothing is more flattering than wearing looser garments which will tend to exaggerate your size.

The one piece of crucial advice to remember when it comes to buying maternity clothes is DO NOT wear your partner's t-shirts. They won't be flattering at all, and you need to cherish your new body shape rather than hiding under his baggy t-shirts!!

Are you planning to breast feed your newborn infant? If so, there is a designation given to hospitals that you may want to be aware of: Baby Friendly.

In 1991 The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched. This initiative is an international program sponsored by UNICEF and the World Health Organization to encourage maternity care centers and hospitals to become fully supportive of breastfeeding. The BFHI gives special recognition i.e. a Baby Friendly Designation to facilities that provide a certain level of breast feeding support and meet certain criterion. Baby-Friendly USA oversees the United State's BFHI.

The ten steps to receive the Baby Friendly Designation are:

1. Maintain a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
6. Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming in-- allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding.
9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic

There are some facilities that may advertise a certificate of intent. It is important to distinguish between a facility that has received the full Baby Friendly designation versus one that has simply received a Certificate of Intent. According to BFHI: "Certificates of Intent are given out on an honor system... Receiving the Certificate of Intent is not equivalent to receiving the Baby-Friendly designation, but rather recognizes those US hospitals and birthing centers that are working toward applying the Ten Steps."

As of December 2009, there were 86 Facilities in the United States with the Baby Friendly designation. Most people already know that there are many benefits to breast feeding. Research also shows that there are many benefits received from using Baby Friendly Hospitals. To learn more about the benefits, and to see if the hospital where you plan to birth has been given the Baby Friendly Designation visit the BFHI official website: http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

It is estimated that most of neonate birth are affected by a disease of one kind or another. These diseases can arise due to various reasons, some of them being: premature birth, lack of lactation, jaundice and other major diseases.

Today, about 80% of the pre-term and 50% of term babies get affected by Neonatal Jaundice as there are numerous bloods cells present in the body that forms huge amount of bilirubin. Babies born before 37 weeks, weight less than 2500 gms, blood type compatible with mothers are some of the other reasons to get affected by the disease. Some years ago, the major problem was the Polio, which is now decreased to some level by giving proper medications.

However, the main reason that causes neonatal death is improper neonatal care. That's why the born babies are kept in hospital at least 2 days, which mean 48 hours, in neonatal care center.

Neonatal Death Rates:

All over the world, major changes are taking place in both maternal and neonatal. The results prove that about 4 million babies die during the first 4 weeks of life and 3 million deaths in the early neonatal period.

The risk of death is 6 times greater in developing countries compared to the developed countries. And this is primarily because the developing countries do not have proper awareness about the neonatal care.

Steps taken for Neonatal Care:

Compared to the elders or grown children, neonatal require more care. They tend to catch up any disease easily, esp. during the early months.

Organizations all over world including WHO are more concerned about the neonatal care today. They give recommendations to the medical institutions about the maternal and neonatal care. The training is given to improve the health and survival of both the mother and their babies. In fact, the medical staff working in every hospital is given special training to take care of neonates.

Neonatal Care Equipments:

Special neonatal care equipments are arranged in every hospital. Some of the equipments include maternal care, neonatal phototherapy, open care infant warmer, infant radiant warmer and more.

The most important equipment used for neonatal care is the phototherapy unit. The phototherapy unit includes Neonatal phototherapy unit, neonatal phototherapy unit (blue) and LED phototherapy.

How Phototherapy Unit can help?

Phototherapy is considered to be one of the best treatments for curing infants jaundice.

Phototherapy units are generally used for PUVA therapy. The phototherapy unit is used in the treatment of various skin conditions using ultraviolet lights.

The neonatal phototherapy units are well designed that provide neonatal hyper-bilirubinaemiacare. Some of the features include blue light, compact design, easy to operate, separate white lamps, specially designed heat vents, phoenix infant bassinet, noise-free operation and low energy consumption.

The LED phototherapy system is designed based on the fiber-optic based technology that is used for the treatment of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in newborns. One such phototherapy unit that features increased surfaced area, high spectral radiance and LED light is Phototherapy Units by Medicaid, India.

The Medicaid Photo-therapy Units, LED NEO BILI-300 and CFL PT-22 are simple, energy efficient and easy to use. Their LED light based phototherapy unit is very useful in the treatment of newborn jaundice. With a compact design, high performance and energy efficient phototherapy unit, these models have the arrangement of LED lights to allow illumination of the whole surface area and noise free operation.

Phototherapy Units are essentials for any medical facility. If the proper Neonatal Care is done, lots of neonatal death can be avoided every year worldwide.

There are many things you need to take care of when you are pregnant like diet, exercise, maternity clothing, being happy, meditating, and looking after your self in general. This article deals with the importance of maternity clothes for an expectant mother and what she should look for.

Maternity clothes are today being made by many young and fashionable people who understand the need of mixing fashion and sensible and practical maternity clothes. Who says pregnant women can't be fashionable? You can today indulge in the latest trends in maternity wear and rock the natural glow that is associated with pregnancy.

Mommies to be often ask why it is important to wear maternity clothes. Why can't they just wear their old ones in larger sizes the answers are here:

Change in Size

Most maternity clothes can be bought in the same size as your normal clothing. It is just that maternity clothes are cut in the same way as normal clothes, with the difference being that the belly area is cut in a different way.

You will need Expandable Waistbands

Today you get many different types of waistbands like scoop under the belly, V belly under, over the belly, flat front or fold over instead of the traditional big rib pouch. As your waist expands with the progress of the baby you can't wear your old pants and jeans. You get stylish maternity jeans which look very stylish and smart.

Comfort

Every pregnant women needs to be as comfortable as possible. Pregnancy is not all easy as there are times when you are overtly emotional, or there are days when you are feeling unwell, you feel bloated and swollen. In such cases you need comfortable maternity clothing which allows you the movement and freedom of space that you need. It is important that you don't buy tight maternity clothes as they will only get tighter and won't allow your skin to breathe.

Maternity Bras

Your breast size will change after the 3rd month and you will require a maternity bra from the 5th-6th month. You need the extra support that only maternity bras can give you. Some even are cross back. Some ladies even need to wear bras to keep their breast pads in place as there can be pain and discomfort in the region of the breast and these pads offer a cool relief. Women after delivery especially need to wear maternity bras of breast feeding bras for convenience and easy access.

Feel Good About Your Self

It is very important to know that you are a gorgeous women who is responsible for bringing a new life into this world. And what better way to celebrate this than to show off to people with smart and attractive maternity wear. There is nothing like a pretty dress and compliments that follow to boost your morale and ego, so why not indulge in the best maternity clothes you can find?

If you are interested in some great maternity wear in Brisbane then you could consider the name Maternity Revolution. For more info please click here www.maternityrevolution.com.au.

I guess you already know that it is a lot easier to find health insurance well before you get pregnant. A typical job related group policy should cover maternity very well. If you can obtain group medical coverage from an employer, HIPAA laws may protect your access to the plan even if you are pregnant. If you already have a job, and did not take the insurance, call your HR department to find out what your options are. If you need to find a new job with group benefits, this situation will get a lot more sticky. While employers should not discriminate, trying to get hired while pregnant is not an ideal situation. Of course, a spouse with an employer based group medical plan that covers maternity would work too.

Keep in mind that not everybody qualifies for this HIPAA protection. For one thing, you usually have to be able to prove you had prior coverage within a certain time limit. The laws were intended to protect people, but not to allow people to just run out and get insurance when they needed it. This is not how insurance works. You do not buy car insurance after you have an accident.

If a group policy is out of the question, individual insurers will not be likely to insure pregnant women. In fact, in many cases, they will not even insure anybody in the household where a woman is pregnant.

If you have bee recently terminated, pregnancy is one good reason to keep your COBRA benefits as long as you can. If your old employer had maternity coverage in their group plan, and you can extend those benefits for several months, this may be your best option. COBRA benefits are not cheap though, so this is not always affordable for every unemployed person.

Public Health Insurance Options

If your family meets the income guidelines, consider applying for Medicaid or CHIPS. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for very poor people with few assets. CHIPS is the federal and state children's health insurance program for low to moderate income families. This children's insurance program has been extended to also include pregnant women. You can search the internet for local contact information.

Your county hospital system may also provide low cost clinics and deliveries on a sliding scale based upon income. There are also private foundations and charities that provide financial aid. The PPARX.org website is a good resource to find local financial aid and resources.

What If Your Income is Too High For Public Insurance?

Your family could make too much money to qualify for any public programs, but you could still have trouble paying for everything out of your pocket. A normal maternity could cost a few thousand dollars. Any complications, like a C section, could run up much higher bills.

In this case, you can search for payment programs. I have seen hospital and doctor's programs which allow you to make payments for routine care and deliveries. You would simply pay out the cost of office visits, tests, and your delivery in the same way you make car payments.

Maternity Health Care Is Important

The important thing now is to focus on the health of the mother and child. Some people may feel to proud to apply for public health programs, but I think these feelings should be put aside for now. In the long run, if you get proper care so you can have a good chance to have a healthy mother deliver a healthy child, you will be doing the most good for society.

In spite of all the advertising touting "home-like" birthing rooms in hospitals, for most women, a hospital birth will be nothing like a home birth. Interventions are routine in the hospitals in my state. Every laboring woman will be hooked up for some period of time to an electronic fetal monitor, given vaginal exams, and be told where and in what position she must give birth. If her membranes are ruptured, she will be required to deliver her baby within a certain time period. If her labor is moving too slowly, she will be given pitocin to augment it or have her water artificially ruptured. She will be told how many companions she may have with her. If she has other children she may or may not include them at the birth. How long she is kept in the hospital will vary depending on her physician and the particular hospital. How soon her baby will be released also will depend on the baby's pediatrician and hospital policy. Some of the more common interventions that take place during hospital births are discussed below.

AMNIOTOMY

Artificially breaking the amniotic sac is done routinely at many hospitals to speed labor up, get labor going, to test the fluid or to get it out of the way so that an internal monitor can be screwed into the baby's head. It was believed that breaking the water would speed up labor by 30 to 60 minutes but the only randomized control trial done disproved this. This procedure causes cord prolapse, a serious complication for the baby and increases the chances of an infection. With less amniotic fluid in the uterus during labor, the baby has a greater risk of cord compression problems leading to fetal distress and malpositions of the head. 1, 2

DRUGS & EPIDURALS

Nearly every woman giving birth in a hospital will receive a drug at some point during her stay. Pitocin is frequently used to induce or augment labor. Because it causes abnormally strong contractions, many women receive a pain-relieving drug such as a narcotic. Unfortunately, narcotics also are received by the baby and can affect the condition of the baby at birth and for years after. Some of these side effects are respiratory problems, impaired muscular, visual and neural development in the first week of life and in the following years, lower reading and spelling scores, difficulty in solving problems or performing tasks when they pose a challenge.

The new drug of choice at many hospitals is the epidural. It must be administered by an anesthesiologist and requires the mother to remain in bed afterward. She must be flushed with an IV fluid prior to getting it to keep her blood pressure up. A needle is inserted into the woman's back and small catheter is left in place where the medication is injected. It numbs the woman's body from the ribs to the toes. Many women ask for this drug because they do not want to deal with the pain of childbirth and believe it is safe for themselves and their babies because the physician who administered it, their obstetrician and the labor and delivery nurses all encourage the use of it and give no information regarding side effects.

The known complications are many ranging from requiring EFM, IV, immobility, urinary catheterization. An epidural also may allow no sensation of labor or the pushing urge, lower blood pressure, abnormally relax the pelvic muscles which may encourage the baby to adopt malpositions of the head, may decrease the production of oxytocin at critical times, and increase the need for forceps and cesarean section. Epidurals cause some serious complications such as heart attack, spinal damage, and spinal headache. After the birth, chronic backache is a common complaint as well as backache.
The baby may be exposed to narcotic drugs given to enhance the effect of the epidural and which if given alone can compromise the baby's respiratory efforts as well as require the newborn to metabolize the drugs. We do not know the short or long term effects of the epidural or other drugs on the baby. Some claim that the baby is unaffected unless the mother becomes hypotensive.
Some non-interventionist birth attendants recognize that occasionally epidurals may be useful for certain situations. Some examples when an epidural may permit a normal birth are for maternal exhaustion, severe back labor, certain malpresentations or psychological dystocia.
Although the FDA approves drugs as safe or unsafe, they have no definition of safe and do not guarantee safety of drugs. Many who work with brain damaged children, wonder if the disability is due to obstetric drug use. They also question if women would make the drug choice if they were given complete information about side effects. The American Academy of Pediatricians discourages the routine use of obstetric drugs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

ENEMAS

This procedure is still done routinely at many hospitals, although no research proves any benefits for the mother or baby. Home birth and natural birth advocates recognize that for the vast majority of women, the process of labor will empty the bowels. 8, 9

EPISIOTOMY

Although many believe that an ep[isiotomy is necessary to have a baby to prevent damage to the baby's head, prevent trauma to the mother's perineum and the cut will heal faster and prevent 3rd and 4th degree tears, no research supports these myths. Shiela Kitzinger writes that 9 out of 10 American women will have an episiotomy with her first baby although in Holland, only 2 or 3 out of 10 will. The facts are that episiotomy is a cultural phenomena. Research shows that episiotomy is done because the doctor was trained to do it, not because it was a necessary procedure. It can be avoided by using more physiologic positions to give birth (not lithotomy), pushing only when mom feels need to, giving birth gently, slowly to the head, preparing for the birth by doing perineal massage and Kegel exercise, avoiding forceps delivery. 10

FORCEPS & VACUUM EXTRACTOR

Forceps are obstetrical tools which are shaped like large spoons have been in use since the 1500's. Years ago, forceps were used for many problems which are now handled by cesarean section. Today, most forceps deliveries are low forceps, which means they are applied when the babies head is low in the pelvis and birth is imminent. According to Henci Goer, "There is no research to support the elective use of forceps."

The risks to the mother are perineal trauma, extensive episiotomy, possible extension tearing from episiotomy, hematoma and nerve damage. Lasting effects of forceps or vacuum extraction to the mother may be anal incontinence in spite of a repaired third degree tear.
The baby may have damage to the head, eyes, the nerves that lead to the face and neck and arms. However, an article written by a physician which appeared in Parents magazine claims, "Medical studies comparing outlet forceps deliveries with spontaneous (no forceps) deliveries have shown that there is no difference in risk to the baby." (Emphasis mine)

Vacuum extraction is a newer technology that sometimes takes the place of forceps. As with low forceps, the baby's head must be very low in the pelvis before the suction cup can be attached. It has the benefit of not requiring an episiotomy and maternal perineal trauma is less than with forceps, but the baby still has the possibility of trauma to the head and face.
Chiropractors also recognize that pulling a baby out by the head changes the spinal alignment, although this is not recognized in any medical texts. 6, 11, 12

IMMOBILITY

Along with the lithotomy position comes immobility. It is impossible to move around when you are flat on your back. It's even more difficult if you have internal and external fetal monitors attached to your body, an IV running into your arm and after a narcotic drug was given to "take the edge off." It goes without saying, that if you had an epidural, you would not be going anywhere at all as your legs would have no feeling.

Some hospitals encourage walking and moving around. Others do not like you to be out of your room, which may be quite small and loaded with equipment, making any real walking about nearly impossible. Studies have shown that moving about and being upright can shorten labor as well as changing positions. 13

INDUCTION

According statistics from the health department in Wisconsin, one-third of all births in that state are the result of induction, the artificial starting of labor. Most inductions are accomplished using pitocin in an intravenous solution or artificially rupturing the amniotic sac. The reasons for doing this are many. One of the most common for healthy full-term women, is fear of going too far past the "due date" and having a baby with postmature syndrome or meconium staining. Another reason is fear of having a big baby.

Benefits of inducing would seem to be avoiding postmature syndrome, attempting to deliver a baby that had grown too big for the mother and bypassing meconium staining. However, studies fail to confirm this line of thought. The actual amount of time needed for a baby to grow to term varies and figuring an exact due date for each baby has not yet been done. Ultrasounds have at best a 10 day window of error if done in the first trimester. The phenomenon of postdates, is poorly understood. Macrosomia occurs prior to postdates as does"postmature syndrome." (p. 181) The entity of postmature syndrome is based on a single physicians "subjective evaluation of 37 babies." Research seems to indicate that watchful waiting is the more prudent course of action for healthy women. 14

IV

At a great many U.S. institutions, one of the first items of care to be rendered to the obstetric patient will be her IV, "just in case." Just in case she needs drugs or surgery or her veins collapse making insertion of an IV impossible. Nancy Wainer Cohen and Lois Estner interviewed many labor and delivery nurses to find out how frequently a laboring woman's veins collapsed. They learned that this does not happen. This is not the way birth happens in other nations, where a laboring woman is permitted to eat and drink lightly. This cultural warping began in the 1940's when anesthesia was being given to nearly all birthing women by mask and vomiting and food aspiration were risks associated with this. Eliminating food and drink, they felt would eliminate this risk. Today, however, anesthesia methods have improved and this is no longer the problem it once way. Improved intubation techniques make this problem virtually a thing of the past. Doris Haire, a maternity care writer, in looking at 20 years of medical literature on aspiration during surgery found that the cause was not eating or drinking prior to the surgery, but caused by incompetence of the anesthesiologist.

General anesthesia is given to approximately 4% of those who undergo cesarean section. Approximately 0.3% cesarean surgeries will require intubation that will be difficult to do yet not all women who require intubation will aspirate. This translates into denying all laboring women food and drink because 1 cesarean sectioned woman out of 10,000 may aspirate.

Although IV's are supposed to keep the stomach empty, a glucose IV actually works to slow down the emptying of the stomach. It also may encourage tissues to swell so that it makes it more difficult to intubate, if that becomes necessary. IV fluid accumulates in the bladder and that may slow down labor. Some women may have sensitivities to the IV and have a reaction from one. It restricts the woman's mobility. The needle in the arm is painful and inhibits free movement. The baby also may suffer from the mother's IV, as studies are being done to determine if the excessive sugar administered through a glucose IV may harm the baby. 14, 15, 16

LITHOTOMY

This used to be the position of choice for physicians doing hospital births. The mother lies flat on her back with her knees in the air. It is a most unphysiologic position for mom and baby, but it does give the physician a good view of the mother's perineum. While in this position, the mother must push the baby out uphill. It is known to cause fetal distress due to the baby lying on the mother's arteries and veins. Most women will not choose this position if given alternatives.

Dr. Roberto Caldeyro-Barcia is considered an expert on this position for labor and delivery. He and his researchers found that this lithotomy or supine position is the worst one for laboring women because it adversely affects every facet of birth: makes labor more painful, reduces uterine activity, and can dangerously lower blood pressure. He says, "Except for being hanged by the feet, the supine position is the worst conceivable position for labor and delivery." 17, 18

MONITORING

Electronic fetal monitoring is required at nearly every hospital for at least a short time. When it was first available, it was used only for the most high risk situations. However, it is now used for everyone regardless of risk status. A large reason why EFM is used so extensively is that staff is in short supply and this technology allows for fewer care-givers.

There are two kinds of monitors: external and internal. The external monitors are attached to a heavy elastic band that is strapped across the mother's abdomen. She must lie quietly so the monitors do not slip. The baby's heart beat is recorded on a machine that documents the moment to moment heart rate on graph paper along with the mother's contractions. The internal monitor does the same things, but it is attached directly into the baby's head by a metal screw. The uterine contractions are monitored by a probe that is inserted into the uterus. Some feel that this is a more accurate reading.
During most labors and deliveries, no other method of monitoring the baby's heart rate will be used. However, EFM does not reduce infant deaths, improve outcomes or give information that permits potentially bad situations to be corrected or avoided. The strips are frequently mis-read. One study found that 71-95 % of babies diagnosed by EFM as distressed were not. Additionally, studies have shown that most causes of brain damage are not related to actual distress during the birth process but rather due to distress prior to labor. In spite of near universal use of EFM, little evidence exists that any change has taken place in the numbers of brain damaged babies being born.

Auscultation with a fetascope, stethoscope, pinard horn and other low-tech devices for listening to the baby have been found to be as effective for monitoring most laboring women.

The risks of using EFM are well known: higher intervention rate of all kinds due to misinterpretation of strips leading to a misdiagnosis of fetal distress. The use of EFM may increase the risk of cerebral palsy by increasing the risk of infection. More babies have abnormal fetal heart rate patterns when monitored by EFM than by auscultation, and it may be that this finding is caused by EFM rather than simply being detected by it. Mothers may report not remembering parts of their labors due to anxiety that was created by using the monitors.

One of the greatest risks to the baby who receives an internal monitorying electrode is that of infection at the insertion site. The woman with a history of herpes may be wise to forego internal monitoring our of concern of passing this disease on to her baby via the scalp electrode.

191. Cohen & Estner, Silent Knife, page 168.

2. Korte & Scaer, A Good Birth, A Safe Birth, pages 108-109.

3. Korte & Scaer, pages 119-124.

4. Birth Gazette, "On Epidurals: Pros and Cons", Vol. 9, No. 1, Winter 1992, pages 19, 21.

5. Davis-Floyd, Robbie, Birth as an American Rite of Passage, 1992, pages 113-116.

6. Hillard, Paula Adams, "As they Grow Pregnancy and Birth, Forceps Delivery," Parents magazine, July 1990, pages 94, 97.

7. Gross & Ito, "All about Anesthesia," Parents, Vol. 65, April 1990, pages 213, 218, 221.

8. Cohen & Estner, page 162.

9. Korte & Scaer, page 108.

10. Korte & Scaer, pages 127-128.

11. Korte & Scaer, page 129.

12. Sultan, A.H., "Third degree obstetric and sphincter tears: risk factors and outcome of primary repair," as abstracted in the Journal of the AMA, May 25, 1994, Vol. 217, page 15520.

13. Korte & Scaer, pages 105-106.

14. Goer, Henci, Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities, page 179-202.

15. Cohen & Estner, pages 162-168.

16. Korte & Scaer, pages 106-107.

17. Goer, page 109.

18. Cohen & Estner, pages 158-159.

19. Goer, pages 131-153.

20. Korte & Scaer, pages 1, 38-39, 64, 77, 83, 90, 109-113, 134, 150, 156, 164, 187, 199-200.

With a Mediterranean climate marked by dry summers, cool winters and modest rainfall Tripoli, Libya is a desirable destination for travelers. Those travelling for pleasure may be attracted by the historical significance of the city, while those travelling for businesses would most likely be drawn by the business bustle surrounding the port of Tripoli.

The Tripoli Clinic at Airport High Way Road, near Briqa Oil Company is a modern clinic that offers treatment for both general and complicated medical problems. You can visit the hospital with any health related issue and expect prompt and reliable services. The doctors at the hospital are equipped to deal with all kind of surgical problems. Additional facilities include latest diagnostic facilities, four operating theatres, X-ray departments, intensive care units and physiotherapy facilities. The clinic provides road and air ambulances for any kind of medical emergency 24/7.

Tripoli Medical Centre (TMC) is a public hospital that offers high level service at affordable prices. The large size of the hospital and a big team of doctors allow it to serve a large clientele. This health giant aims to bring the best doctors and medical intelligence to the country. The hospital specializes in orthopedic and cancer related problems. Additionally, it offers acute care, emergency care, general medicine services and maternity care.

Saint James Hospital at Tripoli is a member of a larger hospital with units in Malta and Hungary. This hospital is dedicated to providing high level, reliable medical care. The hospital offers emergency services, and is equipped with dedicated surgical theatres, a round the clock in patients' facility, state-of-art laboratory facilities, a radiology clinic and a team of doctors for a wide range of specialties. They also have resident expatriate medical officers who take care of the needs of foreign nationals. The hospital address is Wesayet El Bderi, Noufleen, Tripoli, Libya.

The Libyan British Medical Center (LBMC) is offers both expert medical advice and the latest diagnostic facilities. They have regular visiting doctors from the U.K. and facilities such as a fully equipped laboratory, radiology unit and dental services apart other medical services.

The Brothers Clinic is a leading inpatient facility with highly qualified doctors who have graduated from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Germany. The clinic is hygienic and comfortable and provides service to a large number of embassies, oil companies and banks. They comply with the International Standard for quality management systems according to ISO 9001:2000. The hospital provides many medical services and offers 24 hours emergency services

Al-Afia Clinic is a medical care facility offering a wide range of treatments and services at par with international standards. The staff is fluent in Arabic and English making communication unproblematic. Patients are often referred from other hospitals to this clinic due to its modern infrastructure and competent staff. The address for the clinic is Gasser Benghashir, Tripoli, Libya

Did you know that many women in the United States do not have insurance for pregnancy? This is mainly because pregnancy is considered a pre-existing health condition and when you are pregnant, you will be turned down for health coverage. It is costly to have this rider added to your insurance policy before you become pregnant and most companies have a qualifying period of three months to a year after you purchase a policy for maternity coverage to take effect.

However, there are ways in which you can get the insurance for pregnancy that you need. Medicaid is a federally sponsored program for low income families. Pregnancy is not considered to be a pre-existing medical condition for this program, which is available to those earning less than $30,000 per year, but requirements vary from state to state. Once you are accepted for this program, the costs of medical treatments you receive are paid directly to the health care provider and the hospital. In California there is a program called Medic-al that also accepts pregnant women.

Having a Maternity Card, while this is not insurance for pregnancy, will help deter some of the major expenses associated with having a baby. You not only have to look at the cost of having your baby in a hospital, but there are costs associated with pre-natal visits, lab tests and ultrasounds during the pregnancy. When you have this card, you have a comprehensive medical plan to cover you for all your medical needs, and not just those connected with being pregnant.

Ameriplan is one of the insurance companies that do offer low cost insurance for pregnancy. You will find that the premiums for such health insurance providers are far cheaper than other policies and cover you for all health problems. Even if you are already pregnant, you can purchase a comprehensive policy with no limits on the services you receive.

All medical conditions are accepted and you can choose from over 400,000 physicians in the network. However, this insurance coverage is not available in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont or Alaska. In Florida, you cannot have Ameriplan insurance, but you can still enjoy discounts on the medical services you receive.

With insurance for pregnancy through Ameriplan, you do not have to pay a deductible and there are various health plans to choose from. In addition to having maternity coverage you can also enjoy vision, dental and chiropractic coverage.

It will take you some time to search for insurance for pregnancy to find a policy that meets your financial needs. It is advisable to plan ahead, not necessarily to plan a pregnancy, but to plan for the event of a pregnancy so that you have the coverage in place when it does happen. If you have health coverage under your employer's plan you should inquire whether it has maternity coverage. It may be cheaper for you to buy into extra coverage under this plan than it is to take out private health insurance for this purpose.

In order to determine how much insurance for pregnancy you will need, you should check out the costs of having a baby in your state. This will give you an idea of what you would have to pay without such coverage and make you realize how vital this insurance is for the finances of your family.

What is Health Insurance? Why Do You Need It?

To put it simple, health insurance provides coverage for medical costs incurred from illnesses or injuries. Mediclaim insurance also gives you peace of mind when in times of stress incurred from hospitalization of a loved one. However, it is vital to choose the right kind of insurance as policies provide coverage for a wide range of health needs which may or may not benefit you. In some cases, even a primary Mediclaim insurance will not cover certain illnesses. Hence, choosing the best health insurance is a careful process.

Why Do You Need A Good Mediclaim Insurance?

A good healthcare insurance protects you from medical expenses you can't afford on your own. It also covers a variety of medical expenses including doctor fees, outpatient treatment, hospitalization expenses, prescription medicines, emergency ambulance services, and diagnostics. Mediclaim policies not only provides you with better access to health care, but also reduces your out-of-pocket expenses.

Choosing and Buying A Good Health Insurance

Today, medical expenses are increasing considerably and so are the health risks. Therefore, it is essential to have a Mediclaim policies that not only covers your basic health care expenses, but also miscellaneous expenses. With a wide array of insurance policies, the task of choosing a good medical insurance policy for your needs can be a daunting task. Comparing health policies of different insurance companies will give you a better perspective in finding a good policy. Moreover, there are many insurance companies that offer you policies at affordable rates. Choosing a good Mediclaim insurance policy can help you stay covered from unexpected eventualities.

Here are some things to consider while choosing a good insurance policy:

• Which healthcare insurance plan best suits the needs of you and your family?
• What are the coverage options available?
• Does the health insurance policy cover disabilities and other critical illnesses?
• Does the policy provide extra health covers that could benefit you?
• Are there any pre-existing clauses that you should know?
• Most importantly, is your health insurance policy affordable?

While many companies who provide coverage dental and eye care as part of their plan, maternity expenses are covered with a waiting period that differs. Nowadays, even ayurvedic treatments are being covered, making health care, an affordable amenity. A good insurance plan also covers miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses incurred during or after hospitalization.

Buying Health Insurance Online

Online purchase of insurance is becoming a staple process due to the hassle-free and time-saving processes it includes. The use of an online health insurance calculator is also necessary as it accurately tells you how much you should insure for. Insurance companies also offer a variety of plans that can be easily purchased and renewed online.

"Hey. Take special care of your health during pregnancy." "Don't eat this. Don't eat that." "It would be good for the baby's health." A number of such advices start pouring in when you and your dear ones get to know that you are expecting a baby. For a pregnant woman it is really difficult to understand whom she should follow and what she should do.

Whatever the circumstances are and whoever the advisor is, the prime concern is your health during pregnancy. A sound mind lives in a sound body and so does a healthy baby. If you are not physically and mentally fit, you cannot expect a healthy baby. So, you should not only eat nutritious food but also need to follow a regular exercising routine.

Here are some Dos and Don'ts that you can follow to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy.

Dos For Your Health During Pregnancy:

If you live in Massachusetts, health insurance is now mandatory. If you are without health insurance and are not covered by a group plan or state assisted plan you are required to purchase your own individual health insurance. As a consumer, it is important to understand the difference in Masshealth plans to know which is best for you.

So what does guarantee issue mean? Massachusetts Insurance companies are guarantee issue, insurance companies can not deny coverage to any individual or charge higher premiums on the basis of their current health. They also do not have the right to raise insurance premiums based on an individuals age or if their health has declined. An insurance company can not cancel a policy on this basis.

First, Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law was written so health insurance companies could not deny your Masshealth coverage due to your health or illness For you, this has provided a safeguard that people in other parts of the country do not have. Providers for Masshealth insurance plans include: Some of the most popular plans include: Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee (The Alliance For Affordable Services), Mega Life Insurance Compant (the National Association for the Self Employed, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Fallon Health.

When deciding on an individual MassHealth Individual Insurance plan, please be aware that most masshealth plans do not include dental insurance coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the more complete plans offering a high percentage of your vision coverage is included in the health care plan.

For a woman, purchasing individual health insurance, coverage for pregnancy may be very critical if you are of child bearing age. Generally Masshealth programs treat gynecological examinations similar to their vision examination coverages, where a woman can receive a limited number of examinations over a certain time period. Maternity care is treated with very specific rules and increased rates for coverage. When considering coverage for your family and especially your children you will find there are Masshealth plans to fit most any need. When selecting a good masshealth program for you and your family be aware that the coverages increase and decrease in relation to the cost of the coverage and variations in amount of the deductibles.

Mass Health Regulations for Penalty for Uninsured Residents is due to increase in 2008. The Reform Law has had recent regulation changes, which will have an increased penalty for those residents of Massachusetts who are uninsured. Increased penalties of up to $912.00 per person can be charged for those who fail to purchase health insurance coverage on time. The state of Massachusettes is increasing this penalty to try to enforce more residents to purchase the new mandated masshealth coverage plans.

Consumers would be advised to secure expert assistance in selecting their medical coverage plans. As experts in the MassHealth State Law, we can help you sort through the plans and find the best policy fit for you. We, at Business Health Insurance experts have already done the research for you. We can easily assist you in finding the right customized insurance quote. We listen to your needs and work within your budget. Securing you a quote that is affordable and fills your specific needs is our priority.

When you are researching your online Masshealth insurance options you will find there are a many plans available in a wide range of prices and coverage options. You may find that you would like to have expert assistance in explaining the many options and plans in an easy to understand manner.

Everything that is present in an adult human is now present in the small healthy embryo. The ears are continuing to form externally and internally. The bones are also beginning to form. The embryo is about 1 inch long and is approximately the size of a bean in the 8th week of pregnancy. Some pregnancy complications include bloating and indigestion. So, your pregnancy diet should include eating small, frequent nutritive meals. A few healthy tips to follow include good protein and calcium like cottage cheese - also fiber in oatmeal.

Other healthy tips during pregnancy are avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. Eat healthy meals and avoid excessive coffee. Following a well thought out pregnancy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, milk, protein and calcium will help the development of the baby and at the same time counteract pregnancy complications. Most often, nausea will abate after the 8th week of pregnancy, but not always. Fatigue, hormonal changes in your body may give you a persistent feeling of being run down and very drowsy.

Your body is continuing to grow and develop at a very fast pace. As pregnancy is such a joyous occasion, we often tend to ignore the possible pregnancy complications that may arise and harm an otherwise healthy baby. Learn what the symptoms are of the complications and attend to them. A few healthy tips include eating vegetables, fruits and doing a few simple exercises. A pregnancy diet that has plenty of protein, calcium and milk is a good way of maintaining your health.

Your waistline is likely to have expanded a bit by the end of the 8th week, but the changes are gradual. You may have indigestion and feel bloated. Follow a few healthy tips in order to ensure that you keep to a pregnancy diet - this means eating small, meals at frequent intervals. Keeping yourself healthy is important, so check your weight, blood pressure and have a physical examination to avoid any pregnancy complications. Take care of yourself and the baby inside you, and most of all, enjoy your pregnancy.

Ah, it starts slowly, doesn't it? You used to get up, shower, dress for work and then head out the door. A coworker would compliment your shoes, a man at lunch would glance over and then pretend he wasn't just checking you out, and in general you felt like you had it together.

And then one day, you saw those magic lines on the pregnancy test, which is where it all began. And then the baby was born. And then life became a bit more challenging. And then, one day you looked in the mirror and were a bit, um, surprised.

When did this happen?

It happens to the best of us. For me, that first trimester was enough to make me forget caring about makeup or looking nice at all. If I felt this bad, who cared what I looked like? Of course I only became worse when my daughter was born. When you aren't sleeping, and you are covered in spit up, how can you possibly care about looking cute? I just wanted to survive.

Four and a half years after it all began, I find myself recognizing the person in the mirror again. I may have had two kids, but I still feel pretty good about myself when I walk out the door. It's been a long road to get to this point though, and I've learned a lot along the way.

Here are 21 simple ways, from pregnancy on, that you can look and feel like you again - not just "a mom."

1. If you're having a rough first trimester, remember that taking care of yourself will help you feel better. Even if you are sick as a dog in the beginning, try to take a shower and put on some makeup. Yes, if you had the flu you would lay around in sweats and forget about washing your hair. But this is a flu that won't go away in a few days, so do what you can to hang in there. Even if you don't feel like yourself, looking like yourself (instead of the sick, worn out version of you) will help.

2. Don't be too cheap when it comes to maternity clothes. Don't get me wrong - I love a good deal. I also love borrowing clothes from girlfriends, and I'll lend my maternity collection to my friends gladly. What I mean is that you should not be cheap in the sense that you just stop caring. If you need to buy clothes, don't feel guilty about buying something nice instead of the funky stuff on the clearance rack. Yes, you'll wear it for a shorter time than your regular clothes, but it's important over the next few months that you still feel good about yourself. Enough is changing; don't let your style change drastically as well.

3. Pedicures are awesome. You can't reach your feet anyways, so go ahead and waddle on down to the salon. If you prefer to save a buck, I suggest Wal-Mart. The pedicures I've gotten there have been awesome, and they are a fraction of the price you'd pay at your haircutter.

4. Do not chop off your hair. Yes, pixie cuts are in style, but wait until after the baby is born if you really want one. Remember that pregnant women tend to be emotional, so avoid making drastic decisions like cutting your hair short while you are pregnant. Your body is changing every day, so keeping your hair the same may help you feel more in touch with your old self. Now is not the time for a big change - you have one coming on your due date.

5. Highlight the great parts of pregnancy. Along with pregnancy comes thicker hair, nails that grow faster, and the need for a bigger bra. Highlight your best features and focus on the things that are nice little side effects, rather than dwelling on your ever increasing belly or your swollen ankles.

6. Try to keep good posture. I don't mean to sound like your mother here, but it's worth the risk. You'll be tempted to lean over, slouch, etc. With a huge baby belly, it's only natural. Sitting up straight will do you a world of good and will not only make you look better, but it will help you feel more confident and attractive.

7. Stay active while you are pregnant. Don't exercise because you want to somehow slow your weight gain, but do it to feel good. Try prenatal yoga, prenatal Pilates, or walking. Some of you may be exercise buffs who still jog around the block when you're nine months pregnant, but I know that I struggled with staying fit when I was pregnant. I didn't want to do very much physically, but when I did manage to exercise I felt great. Even if I looked the same to the rest of the world, I felt much more like myself after a good brisk walk.

8. Take advantage of the fact that most people find pregnant women adorable. The cards are already stacked in your favor, believe it or not. Even if you feel like a planet, most people think you're cute as a button. Remember this, and feel encouraged.

9. Once the baby is born, invest in attractive nursing bras. Gone are the days when nursing bras were these huge, white, scary looking contraptions that made husbands run away screaming. Plenty of stores carry nursing bras in black or in various patterns (leopard, polka dots, etc.).

10. Just because you are still carrying baby weight doesn't mean you have to give up. Don't say to yourself, "I'll get some new clothes when I lose the weight... these sweats will do for now." I was tempted to do that, but I felt so down about my post-baby body that I wanted to do something to feel stylish again. Hit the clearance racks, or borrow clothes from a friend if nothing else fits. Dressing like "you" again will help encourage you to get back to your normal self, rather than getting stuck in a post-partum rut.

11. Don't feel bad if you still need to wear your maternity clothes. A lot of women I talk to feel embarrassed about wearing maternity clothes after their baby is born. Don't be. It's part of life, and everyone has been there. I was in maternity clothes for what felt like forever after my second daughter was born. If the choice is between maternity jeans and pajama bottoms when you're leaving the house, just put your jeans on. If your shirt is long enough, no one will even notice that they're maternity clothes.

12. Shower every day. Even if it's hard, find the time somewhere. It is way too easy to say, "I'll shower tomorrow," and then tomorrow stretches into an embarrassing amount of time. I know that being up all night with a baby makes the days blur into each other, but getting a shower each day will help you stay sane.

13. Enjoy wearing jewelry before your baby learns to grab it. Wearing earrings or a cute necklace is an easy way to look like you took some time getting ready, even if it only took an extra ten seconds to throw it on.

14. If you can swing it, get highlights in your hair. When my second daughter was about six weeks old, my husband took her for a couple of hours so I could go and get my hair highlighted. I didn't do anything drastic, but some warm brown tones in my hair made me feel like I had lost ten pounds.

15. Go for walks. I felt ridiculously frumpy after my second delivery. I still had a "baby belly" (minus the baby inside), my clothes weren't even close to fitting me, and I felt too exhausted to shower most days. Going for long walks with my neighbor several times a week was the absolute best thing I could have done. I was out of the house, getting fresh air and exercise, and forced to take a shower afterwards.

16. Make sure you have at least one friend who does not have kids. This may seem very random, but it's good for perspective. Going out for dessert or drinks with a girlfriend who is in a different stage of life than you will remind you of the wide world around you, and it helps to keep you balanced.

17. It's just as easy to slip on casual heels or cute flats as it is to wear flip-flops. I wore my favorite wedge heels to a pediatrician appointment the other day, and the nurse noted that I was "dressed up" for a stay-at-home-mom. Her compliment made my day, and it also surprised me a bit. Honestly, I was rushing out the door that morning, and slipping on my wedge heels was faster than having to tie sneakers!

18. Try wearing your hair a different way each day to vary it up a bit. I don't mean anything fancy or time consuming, either. My hairdresser fusses at me when I confess that I've been wearing my hair in a ponytail for a month, so I try to limit my ponytail days (although I have my hair in a ponytail as I'm writing this). The key is to feel like you have some sort of variety in your life. I tend to rotate between wearing my hair down, half back with a clip, or in a ponytail. All three are effortless, but doing something different each day makes me feel like I look more stylish for some reason.

19. Keep a travel-sized perfume in your purse or diaper bag. My favorite is "Amazing Grace" by Philosophy, and I keep a tiny little bottle of the eau de toilette in my purse. It's so easy to just spray it on before I head to a friend's house, dinner with my husband, or even a trip to Target. Why not smell nice if it's easy enough?

20. Dress your age. I see plenty of women out there who are either dressing too young for their age, or too old for their age. Remember that even though you're a mom, you (a) don't have to prove anything to anyone regarding "looking young," and (b) you don't need to throw in the towel and dress like "a mom" should dress. I'm 28, so I dress like I'm 28.

21. Find an exercise routine you enjoy, and stick with it. Even if you've lost the baby weight, it's still important to find something to do for yourself that keeps you feeling good. I'm a big fan of Pilates, and I always feel stronger, lighter, and more confident afterwards. When your days are spent taking care of other people, remember that it's important to find the time to take care of yourself as well.

Being a mom is awesome. I absolutely love it, and wouldn't trade it for the world. It can certainly be rough though, and one of the tough things about it is feeling like you've lost yourself. Just a few of these simple tips could make a world of difference between feeling like yourself again, and feeling like you're "just a mom." Trust me, it feels good to look at your reflection in the mirror and recognize yourself again.

Types of Health Insurance

As the cost of health care is rising, it is important for everyone to obtain health insurance. The two different types of health insurance plans are: 1)A reimbursement plan and 2)a managed care plan. Reimbursement plans are also referred to as indemnity plans. Managed care plans are mainly referred to as PPOs, POS, or HMOs.

With indemnity health insurance, you choose your own doctors. The plan pays for your medical bills partially, completely, or up to a specified amount for a specified number of days. A managed care health insurance plan covers the complete cost, minus a co-pay, and generally has more extensive coverage. However, you must use a doctor that is "in network". These companies make agreements with specific doctors that you must use if you want the company's health coverage.

In choosing a health insurance plan, be sure to check for coverages that apply to your individual situation. Hospital expenses should include room, board, and any other expenses that you may incur during your stay. If you require surgery, full surgeon's fees and all surgical expenses should be covered. Also, expenses for doctor visits, whether at the doctor's office or in the hospital, should be covered.
Lastly, the majority of health insurance plans cover all major illness or injury fees.

There may be additional coverages that you may want, such as preventative care, maternity care, prescription medication, mental health care, vision care, and even a dental plan. You will want to check with various insurance providers and see if the options you want are offered.

Shopping for a health insurance provider requires a lot of consideration. You must ask yourself if a particular plan covers all the benefits you require. Does it cover needs that are specific to you, such as maternity care or dental care? Are you able to choose your own doctor or are you restricted to using an "in network" doctor? Will the plan cover only yourself or your whole family as well? What is the policy on pre-existing conditions? What about deductibles and co-pays? What is the company's co-insurance policy? Most importantly, what is the reputation of the insurance company within the industry. These are all questions that require solid and specific answers before you can make your final decision on the health insurance company that is right for you.

Since health insurance is a large investment, there are many factors to consider when choosing between managed and indemnity plans. Each insurance company is unique and requires that you study the many options and plans available before deciding which insurance company is best for your needs. Of course the best company will offer you the greatest coverage and flexibility for the lowest cost. Bear in mind, it is wise to confirm the financial solvency of the company so you know they can afford to pay out when necessary.

So, you live in Utah and you're looking to expand your family and you don't have coverage through an employer. You need to know what your options are and how you are going to afford to have this child but also not break the bank paying the premiums. We are going to cover what you can do to make sure that this baby has the best possible insurance for the least amount of dollars. One of the things to remember as we go through your options is that because Intermountain Healthcare facilities only take SelectHealth on an in network basis, if you choose a doctor that only has privileges at a IHC facility, your only real option is SelectHealth insurance unless you choose a different doctor.

The next thing we need to talk about which carriers cover maternity here in Utah and how they cover it. First we'll deal with who doesn't. Currently, HumanaOne does not cover maternity at all. The only real option with them is to use one of their HSA option plans and combine that with a hospital indemnity plan (which we will discuss later). Otherwise, they will not cover anything other than complications with the delivery.

SelectHealth will cover the pregnancy and delivery but only after a separate $6,500 deductible for maternity. But obviously with the amount of doctors in network for them and since their parent company, Intermountain Healthcare (IHC), is the largest health provider in the state, they always have to be looked at. They too will always cover complications as part of their regular health coverage. The one thing to remember with SelectHealth is that they will also only cover maternity in their own Intermountain Healthcare hospitals on an in-network basis. So, they will cover you in network at American Fork Hospital but not at St Marks in Millcreek.

Assurant will have the best coverage as far as deductible is concerned here. They have as low as a $1,000 maternity deductible. That means that after you pay $1,000 towards maternity care, your coverage will then kick in. Now, the only real problem is that your premiums are going to be very high since they know that with that low of a deductible that you are definitely going to use the coverage. Since the birth of a baby can cost anywhere between $6,000 to over $10,000 depending on complications or C-section, you can see that if the premiums weren't more, the insurance companies would go broke trying to cover it all. Same thing goes for Assurant, but opposite of SelectHealth. Their coverage is good at non-Intermountain Healthcare hospitals, like St Marks or Orem Community, but not at the IHC facilities like Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield has a $5,000 deductible for maternity coverage and also has a great network of doctors to go to. They also follow the networks of Assurant, so make sure you doctor hospital privileges aren't at a IHC facility.

Altius also offers coverage, but they have the highest deductible at $7,500.

Hospital indemnity plans are also an option. Since your health plan make not kick in until a certain deductible, how can you get covered without breaking the bank. That is where these types of plans come in handy. These plans will help cover the costs you incur while admitted to the hospital for child birth. That way, to help meet your maternity deductible on your health plan, the indemnity plan pays it for you. So, you will still incur the OB/GYN visits during pregnancy, but the real expensive ones on the hospital get covered. So, as an example of how this type of coverage would work, let's use it in conjunction with a SelectHealth plan. You get pregnant and you start your prenatal visits with your OB/Gyn. These visits will come out of your pocket, but will count towards your deductible. The ultrasounds and lab work will also be paid out of pocket and then count towards deductible as well. Then labor strikes and you are admitted to Utah Valley. The indemnity plan then would kick in and cover the charges incurred while you were there, but at the same time, the costs paid by that plan would also go toward your SelectHealth deductible. Once you reached $6,500 in expenses paid, your SelectHealth plan would kick in and cover the rest of the charges. Sounds pretty easy right? There is more to it than that, so do speak to an expert so they can walk you through what to do.

Now, what can you do if you can't afford any of the options? In the state of Utah, they have a great Medicaid program that will help cover all of the costs you incur. And with some flexible options to qualifying, it is always an option to look into. Utah's Medicaid covers everything from the prenatal visits to labor and delivery to even C-sections if needed all the way to the follow up visits with a pediatrician.

The most important thing to do is to speak to an independent health insurance agent in Utah to help you sort through all of the confusion in what might be the right plan for you. Because they specialize in only health insurance in Utah, they know what carrier and plan options will fit your situation. They will help you find out if your doctors privileges are at a Mountainstar hospital, an IHC facility or even an independent facility like University of Utah Medical Center. And best thing is that they don't cost you one extra penny to help.

Whatever you choose, good luck with the family expansion. It may be a slightly stressful time, but it is definitely worth it.

Pregnancy can induce acne breakouts or make pre-existing adult acne even worse; however some women who have acne-prone skin claim a decrease in outbreaks of acne during pregnancy. Increased levels of androgens are at least partially responsible for breakouts because they cause the sebaceous glands (found in the inner layer of the epidermis) to become bigger; and this boosts production of oily substances, called sebum.

This added sebum, combined with shedding skin cells lining the hair follicles, block your pores, thus creating an environment where bacteria can rapidly proliferate. All this can potentially lead to the irritation, inflammation and eruptions of acne.

Usually, the spike in hormones occur during the very first trimester, so if you do not develop acne in these first three months, it is unlikely that you'll have breakout issues during the succeeding trimesters. Fortunately, thus subsides once hormone ranges come back to normal.

There is no way to avoid this problem, but there are some general interventions that may help:

• Do not pop, rub, or squeeze your pimples (this aggravates the problem and can lead to scarring).

• Gently wash with a mild cleanser or soap twice a day.

• Instead of rubbing your skin, it is more advisable to pat it dry.

• Do not use a washcloth to scrub your face, because that can cause further skin irritation. Use your hands instead to gently clean up your face.

• If you wear makeup or use moisturizers, use water-based products rather than oil-based ones. It should also be labeled "non-acnegenic" or "non-comedogenic" meaning, they will not clog up your pores and trigger breakouts. Make sure you wash your makeup off completely before going to sleep, too.

• Refrain from resting your face on your hands because this can trap sweat and oil.

• Eat colorful organic fruits and vegetables.

• Choose whole grains and cut back on refined grains and sugar. Small portions of dark chocolate is allowed (darker varieties are better).

• Do not consume saturated fats. Eat skin-boosting healthy fats such as almonds, walnuts, salmon, and avocado.

• Increase your dietary consumption of vitamin A (i.e. milk, carrots, eggs, and fish). But avoid vitamin A supplements because its excess has been proven to result in birth defects.

Consult with your health care provider before using medicated lotions or gels. What you apply on your skin is absorbed into your body's bloodstream. Hence, even topical medications are potentially harmful to your baby. Generally speaking, you should stay away from all medications that you do not absolutely need throughout the course of pregnancy. This includes seemingly harmless OTC (over-the-counter) medications as well as chemical spot therapies. Topical acne medications are still safer when compared to oral acne medications though, because only about 5% of the topical ointment or cream is absorbed into your body.

Two commonly prescribed topical medications are azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea) and erythromycin (Erygel).

Over-the-counter drugs containing glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide are often an alternative choice, but quite a few topical products have not been thoroughly studied when used by pregnant women, so make sure you consult your health care provider before initiating any acne treatment. A few medications, such as tretinoin, isotretinoin, oral tetracyclines, tazarotene, adapalene, salicylic acid specifically, have a potentially high risk of causing birth defects to both the developing fetus and a baby which is being breastfed.

Remember that being pregnant is not all bad for the skin. Even though you may need to endure some new blemishes of acne during pregnancy, once you retain more water and circulate more blood, you may discover that your complexion has become more radiant than in the past.

Individual health policies are for those who are responsible for their own health insurance expenses. My best recommendation is that you have a Health Insurance Broker licensed in your state assist you make the best decision. The coverage you should choose is determined by your particular needs and those of your family.

Examples of specific considerations:

-Maternity

If your family is young and growing, you will want to consider a policy that includes maternity care from the onset.

-Prescription Plans

Some plans have prescription plans that only cover generic drugs while most do cover preferred brands. It is just good to know what you are going to get.

-Doctor Networks

Check and see if your doctor is included. Typically PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans provide the most freedom of choice and greater flexibility as compare to HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

-Preventative Care Packages

If you can opt for a plan that includes a preventative plan without having to first meet a deductible. Preventative Care usually includes Annual Physical, OB/GYN Exams, Mammograms, PSA screening and well child care.

-Dental and Vision are pretty important but do not allow these to disproportionately affect your Major Medical plan decision. If need be get them separately and focus on a health plan that is solid and that meets your needs.

VALUE NOT PRICE

Be diligent, compare plans and comb through the outlines of coverage. My little rule is that the better insurance companies have simple and easy to understand plans as opposed to those that present you volumes of literature and very little coverage.

REGIONS

DC- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PLANS

Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield probably offers the most coverage for the best price in DC. The savings are pretty substantial.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA PLANS

Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield both serve Northern Virginia but their territories do not overlap. They both offer very comprehensive and competitively priced plans. Most Plans include a nice preventative package - Contact your broker to determine which side of the fence you are on. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts the biggest PPO network in the DC metro area.

Kaiser Permanente (HMO) offer very inclusive and competitive plans in this area too. This company's plans almost always include maternity for no extra cost.

Golden Rule (United Healthcare) also offers Health Plans in some Northern VA zip codes. Great PPO and HSA plans offered.

MARYLAND PLANS

Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield offers very comprehensive and competitively priced plans. The majority of the Plans include the important preventative package. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts the biggest PPO network in the DC metro area. Do Consider the Blue Preferred Plan.

Kaiser Permanente (HMO) offer very inclusive and competitive plans in this area too. This company's plans almost always include maternity for no extra cost. This is indeed a popular company in this state.

Golden Rule (United Healthcare) also offers Health Plans in Maryland. These plans are very competitive and the Network is large. Great PPO and HSA plans offered.

Tips

-Blue Cross Blue Shield Families may realize substantial savings by submitting separate applications for each individual as opposed to a family application. The savings seem to be greatest for a two parent (adult)-one child family especially when there is a notable age difference between the parents (adult)

-Blue Cross will accept domestic partner family applications.

-For BlueCross and Kaiser Permanente Quotes go to RxMom.com

-For Golden Rule Quotes go to GoldenHealthInsurance.com

A sad reality confronted the entire world after the reports coming from US regarding teen pregnancy. It has been reported that 17 teenagers from a school in Massachusetts are pregnant and many of them are less than 16 years of age. The whole idea about being a teen mother is not out of compulsion but fancy. The hormonal growth of a teen is much higher as compared to adult women, which makes a young girl more active and energetic. Nonetheless, this increased fertility rates and strong body metabolism are not enough to cope up with the emotional and physiological stress during pregnancy. The large number of pregnant teens not only adds to population growth but pose a threat to entire mankind.

This situation arises more due to peer pressure, or increasing sexual experimentation at a tender age. The recent report shows that teenage pregnancy in US is relatively higher than any other developed or developing nations. The number is expected to cross the shocking figure of 1 million each year, according to a news report. The prime concern about being a mother is responsibility. Becoming a mother in an adolescent age leaves the teen perplexed about handling the entire situation. Moreover, such unwanted pregnancy usually creates major health concerns. This article is more focused on looking at the health risks attached behind teen pregnancy.

Risk to Fetus

The body metabolism of a teen mother is such that it cannot nourish the fetus adequately, which might result in a low -weight babies. It is also possible that certain body organs of the child is under developed leading to childhood disorder and higher infant mortality rates. Owing to the body shape and size, it is difficult for a teenage mother to deliver a baby normally, whereas the caesarian method might be dangerous. It could lead to physical complications like excessive bleeding.

Negligence of teenage mother

Often the teen age moms-to-be are not responsible enough to take care of their health and their babies health as well. Random eating habits and mal nutrition due to increased rate of smoking, excessive alcohol intake, or taking drugs during pregnancy may put both the mother and infant in a great danger.

Prenatal Care

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), newborn babies who do not get sufficient prenatal care are under higher risk and are more likely to die before the age of 1 year.

Social Negligence

Not only the increased health risks but the added pressure from the society comes as a serious shock for the teenage mothers. It is usually hard to get a social acceptance for such babies. It may hamper the psychological balance of a teenage mom, resulting in suicide in extreme case.

Other Consequences

Apart from facing a rejection from the society, factors like running a family and low annual income of the child's teenage parents may pose a serious trouble to carry out day to day functioning. According to reports, In the United States, the annual cost of teen pregnancies from lost tax revenues, public assistance, child health care, foster care, and involvement with the criminal justice system is estimated to be about $7 billion.

By no means, being a mother is an easy task. It takes lots of planning, sleepless nights, hair - tearing episodes, firm decision, and proper financial support before you opt to be mother. And that too, it is never advisable to get pregnant at a tender age. Never let your sexual adventures and other such experiments spoil for health, career and your future.

Pregnancy can be a tough time for the fashion conscious. You suddenly realise how small the maternity section you've been ignoring your whole life really is, and the temptation to dress in frumpy plus size tops, jogging bottoms and men's shirts is greater than ever before. Even if you crave style and class, the choice on offer in high street shops is limited, and the rails rarely extend to smart outfits for work or elegant evening wear.

But 700,000 women in Britain are expecting a baby every year - there must be some way to look stylish. Well, there is! You simply need to change your old habits.
Change your shopping routine!

The key to looking great during the pregnancy and nursing stages is to change your shopping habits. You're going to have your favourite brands right now, but if their maternity ranges aren't up to scratch (and very few high street brands are), steer clear until you're back to your pre pregnancy shape.

If you do most of your clothes shopping on the high street, now is the time to consider online shopping. The maternity section in clothing stores tends to be limited to say the least, often with just one small section pushed to the back of the store. Online maternity and nursing boutiques offer a much wider choice, with everything from comfortable lounge and night wear to glamorous maternity feeding tops, couture winter coats and even stunning wedding dresses.

Don't stand by your old favourite designers; boutique maternity brands are much more experienced at creating practical clothes to flatter your bump. Look for Mothers en Vogue, Annee Matthew and Milker for quality maternity feeding tops and knitwear with concealed openings for nursing. Breastfeeding tops are a great way to make the most of your maternity wardrobe because they can be worn during and after pregnancy -look for stretchy yet breathable materials which change shape with your bump.

For something a little more special, try Sweet Belly's couture range. Online boutiques stock all of these brands - and many more - in one easy place. This is your chance to enjoy a whole new fashion world!

Dress for your new shape

It sounds obvious that you need to dress for your new shape; that's why you're buying new clothes, after all. But your new shape isn't bigger. There's no excuse to simply buy a couple of sizes up; these clothes will swamp your shape and make you look big, rather than pregnant.

Wrap and empire line dresses and breastfeeding tops are your new best friends! They'll pull you in at the waist, flattering your bump while making you appear slimmer.

Many women find they don't need to shop for pregnancy clothing until the third or fourth month, although the time to switch is different for everyone. Buy your maternity and nursing wear whenever you feel comfortable - most are stretchy enough to flatter your figure even pre or post bump, so are ideal for getting your money's worth!

Comfort is now key

Pregnancy can make your skin sensitive, and your body temperature may be higher than usual. The key to dressing for comfort is to make sure your wardrobe staples are made from natural breathable materials like cotton.

Maternity feeding tops and plus size nursing tops made from these materials offer extra comfort when feeding. Their completely concealed openings are an ingenious way of having extra privacy when nursing your baby.

1. Spider Veins -One of the very early symptoms of the pregnancy would be visual aspect of veins surrounding chest and upper arms. Almost all the women consider this situation as the most hatred and fret over. Nevertheless, there is nothing to worry about such sign as it is the positive signal for the pregnancy and it result from the high blood flow in the body and being transmitted to the rest of the vital organs in the body.

2. Nasal Congestion -Another common sign of the pregnancy would be the nose get clogged and become impaired. At this point of time you may feel quite vexations same as you had during influenza. On certain occasion bleeding occurs in nose even if the weather is without any blemish or indication of cold. Get advice from doctor to find out positive reading of pregnancy.

3. Metallic Taste -Metallic taste is the often sign during the pregnancy.. Metallic taste comes about due to the changes of hormones in the body and that is the overriding reason why it is considered as the unusual readings of pregnancy.

4. Flatulence - Flatulence or pompously embellished language is the most unenviable sign of early pregnancy. To correct such soreness, alter your diet chart with the help of a specialist.

5. Production of Excessive Saliva -Most of the expectant women senses surplus of saliva in their mouth. Furthermore, the superfluous saliva products result in early nausea and create more uncomfortable situation for pregnant mothers that is very hard to confront. Your mouth will dribble even though you are in deed sleep.

6. Cramping in legs -If you arise from sleep even in the midnight with pains in your legs, you should consider this among early pregnancy indications as well that is not very usual.

7. Facial Hair And Pigmentation -During the course of pregnancy women will experience a rapid increase in facial hair along with facial pigmentation even though they spend pretty amounts for facial hair removal works. These are the very common unusual early pregnancy symptoms. Hence, seek the advice of an erudite doctor to facilitate these problems, instead of get into chemical usages.