Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

When to Call Your Physician or Midwife

Painful menstrual-like cramps.

Dull ache in the lower back(If you have had a dull backache throughout the pregnancy, then this symptom is only a danger sign if it is different from the backache you've had before.)

Pain or pressure above the pubic bone(in the area of the pubic hair.)

Sensation of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic region.

Increase in vaginal secretions, including loss of the mucous plug.

Change in the type of vaginal secretion(for example, from thick to thin or watery.)

Bloody discharge from the vagina.

Diarrhea.

Uterine contractions occurring 10 minutes apart or more frequently for more than 1 hour; even if they are not painful(a contraction is palpated when the top of your uterus-the fundus-gets hard, softens, and hardens again). If these disappear when you lie down, they are probably not labor:

Symptoms of urinary tract infection-pain or burning on urination, especially at the end of urination; urgency-an unusually strong feel of the need to urinate, especially if you actually urinate very small amounts; frequency-needing to urinate very often(although this may be difficult for pregnant women to differentiate from the usual increased frequency of late pregnancy).

Any leakage of fluid from the vagina.This can be a big gush or a continuous dripping of watery fluid. This may indicate rupture of the membranes.

If your work involves heavy physical labor, rotating or night shifts, long periods of standing, or makes you excessively tired, consider changing or reducing your workload. Unfortunately, women in the United States are not uniformly guaranteed paid maternity leave.

As sexually transmitted infections may be implicated in premature rupture of the membranes and preterm labor, you should use a condom if you are at risk for such an infection. Being at risk means that either you or your partner has more than one sexual partner. If you have any doubt about whether this is the case for your partner, or you have had a pre term birth, you should use condoms. In fact, because semen contains prostaglandins-body chemicals that cause uterine contractions-use of a condom from midpregnancy to 37 weeks gestation is a good idea for any woman who has had a previous preterm birth. The condoms provide a barrier between your body and your partner's semen.

If you have a history of pre term labor or signs of preterm labor, avoid nipple or breast stimulation in the third trimester, before 37 weeks gestation, as this initiates uterine contractions. Abstain from orgasm if there is any question of threatened preterm labor, as it can lead to contractions.
There is some evidence, although not conclusive, that calcium supplementation may help prevent preterm labor. Routine calcium supplementation is not currently advised in pregnancy, but you should certainly maintain an adequate dietary intake of calcium sources. Except for sometimes causing constipation, a calcium supplement is not dangerous in pregnancy. If you have had a preterm birth, discuss with your physician or midwife whether or not they advise calcium supplementation as a possible preventive measure.

In the 1980s, some promising studies showed that preterm birth might be prevented with frequent prenatal visits and vaginal examinations for women at risk for preterm labor. A number of "Prevention of Preterm" birth programs were funded by various governmental and private agencies. Unfortunately, these did not demonstrate that such measures were uniformly valuable in preventing preterm birth. Whether or not to do weekly or biweekly vaginal examinations or ultrasounds to check the cervix in the third trimester for women with a previous preterm birth remains controversial.

Travelling while pregnant can be a bit of a gamble. "When should be your cut off date? What kinds of travel are worse than others for heavily pregnant mothers? Should you risk it if the destination isn't prepared for or can't or won't offer maternity care?" The last worry you would want on top of this is "how much will it cost?" We take a look at the world of travel and pregnancy and see how having travel insurance on holiday is very important when pregnant.

When can and should you travel?

Experts differ as to when you should stop all travel if you are pregnant. To an extent it depends on the type of transport you are taking. Driving isn't usually a problem, nor is walking unless you are trekking along very strenuous trails (though doing almost anything close to the due date may induce labour). Travelling by ship or train are, similarly, not huge problems. The main type of travel that is unsafe while pregnant is flying. The pressurised environment is arguably bad for the baby the closer to term a woman gets, and may cause complications and possible premature births.

Most airlines, for example British Airways, don't allow pregnant women past 28 weeks to travel. Others allow you to fly after that with a doctor's certificate up to 36 weeks and not at all after that, but that can be pushing the limit.

Will my usual travel insurance cover me?

Many companies offer travel insurance up until 28 weeks, depending on the company and the individual case. Most standard travel insurance policies don't cover pregnancy as a medical condition, and therefore it's best to check with your holiday insurance provider before you go. Many standard and cheap travel insurance companies will offer top-up pregnancy travel insurance policies, and it's best to invest in one of those even just for the peace of mind it will bring. It's also best to check the facilities of the country you are travelling to and what documentation you might need - better to be prepared than be caught short while abroad where there's little you can do.

Do I only need travel insurance if going by plane?

No. When pregnant you will want to have the extra travel insurance in place even if you are going by train, ship, car or any other transport. This is because the main point of travel insurance whilst you are pregnant is to literally ensure that you can be pregnant and give birth in another country if necessary. Most countries have no national health provision, and health care is paid for on insurance or billed to your account when your procedure is over. Some go as far as not treating you if you are unable to pay for the treatment there and then. The last thing that you want when going into labour is to have someone questioning your financial situation. To make sure that you are covered for any foreign medical expenses, always check that you have travel insurance before booking your holiday.

Pregnancy is a nine months process and requires care and precautions. It is the dream of all the women to become pregnant and enjoy the pleasure of motherhood. Though the pregnant women are always under the consultation and guidance of professional gynecologists, they might face various complications in the process. Abortions are considered as a crime and the government has strictly banned the process but in case of severe complications that might cause a threat to the life of a woman, the doctors suggest to go for this process. When the complications come up late in pregnancy, you must consider an abortion clinic that offers outstanding services and carries out the surgical process in an effective manner. In order to ensure your safety it is necessary that you select a reputed Abortion clinic and get over the late pregnancy complications under the consultation of an expert doctor.

This article deals with some important things that should be considered in order to find a reputed late-term abortion clinic.

Extensive Experience

Late-term abortion is risky and can be fatal and hence it is necessary to get it done under the guidance of an experienced surgeon. The untrained and inexperienced doctors can enhance the risk. Therefore, it is essential that you get in touch with a clinic that offers outstanding medical care services. The doctors of the clinic should be experienced in performing the operation and have an access to modern surgical and medical equipments. In addition to this the staff of the health center should be friendly and compassionate with the patient and provide proper medical care.

Counseling and consultation

The professional doctors of the health center should be able to provide proper consultation and information about the risks and benefits associated with the late-term pregnancy. Providing clear information and understanding of the process is the best way to allow the patient to make a decision.

Emotional and medical support after the process

An abortion clinic should not only provide proper consultation and surgery to the patient but also take proper care of the patient before and after the surgical treatment. Proper post abortion care involves medication administration, emotional support and providing a friendly environment for the patient. Regular inspection of the patient is also necessary in order to make sure that there are no complications after the procedure is over. A good health center takes care of all the facilities and makes sure that the patient feels comfortable.

There are few Late Term Abortion clinics and hence it is necessary that you consider all the above discussed things before making your selection. It is you who have to undergo the treatment and considering a clinic that offers all the facilities according to your needs is the best. Take your time to inquire and research about the clinics located in your locality or nearby areas. Collect all the relevant information regarding the quality of the services offered by the center is the best way to get in contact with a reputed late-term abortion clinic and undergo abortion.

An ancient method of improving the body's health and functions is acupuncture. With the growing popularity of acupuncture techniques, no wonder it is also being used to induce labor. Many acupuncture specialists will assist expectant mothers when their pregnancy is at full term and past due. Acupuncture is the practice of using thin needles on specific points throughout the body, encouraging labor. The fact is acupressure is just as effective, without the use of needles. Acupressure is a method of applying pressure to these same points on the body with just your fingertips. The acupressure technique is so simple it can be done in the comfort of your home!

Acupressure techniques have been around maybe even longer that acupuncture. Maternity acupressure method is proven safe and effective for inducing labor, unlike many other natural labor inducing remedies or medications that can cause a more painful labor and could be risky for both the mother and child.

Maternity Acupressure is both natural and effective. It has been shown to, not only to induce labor, but it makes giving birth easier and helps remove much of the pain associated with childbirth. Using drugs or pharmaceuticals to induce labor is very common; however it has a high degree of risk. This is a safe and natural way to induce labor without the complications and effects of medications. Acupressure for labor has been used by thousands of birthing women and is safe, effective, and doesn't carry risky side effects.

In fact, many labor health care workers and professionals are recognizing the advantages that labor acupressure techniques offer and are encouraging women who are past their due dates to utilize the benefits of acupressure before agreeing to induce labor with pharmaceuticals.

A recent controlled study shows that women who were given labor acupressure treatments after they were past their due dates experienced a natural onset of labor significantly more often than those women whose acupressure points for labor were not treated (Complement Ther. Med. 2005). This study shows how those who use labor and delivery acupressure methods see better results as opposed to those who don't use acupressure methods.

Studies prove that acupressure helps to encourage the onset of labor while reducing the pain that accompanies it. The women who used this simple holistic method found it either extremely helpful or very helpful in inducing labor at home and/or giving relief from labor pains. In addition, labor partners stated the technique made them feel more helpful during childbirth. The frustration of not being able to help the birthing mother is common among fathers and other supporting care-givers, and thus this hands-on method gave them a way to actively be part of the unique life event. In addition, several women expressed how impressed they were by their labor partners; the maternity acupressure techniques were easy for them to learn and they were able to help control labor pains making their partners comfortable.

Being pregnant has many misconceptions that often affect the women who undergo this. Pregnancy does not make a woman weak (unless the doctor says so!) and neither does it make her an invalid. The key to a successful pregnancy is to take care of yourself and be aware of what may put you or your baby at risk.

Food

Eating is a given for most pregnant women especially after the first trimester has passed. Pregnancy is a valid reason for gaining weight especially for women who are underweight to begin with. Gaining weight means that the baby is growing well in this pregnancy and that the mother is taking in the right foods that the baby needs to grow well and healthily. Doctors usually have weight gain allowances for most mothers and they usually warn when the mother is gaining too little or too much.

Pregnancy does not give you the warrant to eat unhealthy foods. Too much fatty, salty or sugary food can compromise the pregnancy and cause some complications. Many conditions appear in a woman when she is pregnant due partly to her food intake. One of these conditions is gestational diabetes which can be dangerous to both mother and child. There is also some danger regarding eating spoilt or disagreeable foods that may cause stomach cramps since these can prematurely set off contractions.

Exercise

Pregnancy does not mean that you can eat all you want and not do anything to keep fit. Pregnant women have less strenuous forms of exercises from which they can benefit from. Walking instead of running is often recommended by doctors. The briskness of the walk is modulated according to how far pregnant the woman is. Yoga specifically prepared for pregnancy is a popular exercise to keep fit and limber. The reason for keeping up exercising even during pregnancy is to keep the woman better able to deal with the rigors of childbirth. Even swimming can be done with the right supervision and caution of not exerting too much. Exerting too much or straining can induce contractions which can be dangerous.

Both food and exercise are crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Food gives nourishment to both mother and child while exercises help to prepare the mother and child for the birthing process. It is wise to note, though, that too much of both can also be dangerous for the pregnancy. Food and exercise in moderation with the comfort of the mother in mind are advisable.

The phrase, a good Samaritan is from the famous Bible story, and it has come to mean a generous person who is ready to provide aid to people in distress. A Good Samaritan hospital is thus a non-profit, value=driven regional hospital that provides quality care to the patients. Health care in these Good Samaritan hospitals is provided by the physicians who are members of medical staff assisted by allied health professionals.

Good Samaritan hospitals now operate in many cities with the sole aim of providing high quality health care especially to the needy and disadvantaged. These hospitals welcome patients from all religion, races, creed, gender or age. In these hospitals, patients are taken care of with compassion consistent with the values of the organization.

Good Samaritan hospitals take special care of women's health care. The health services for women include maternity care, breast care and fitness centers. Special programs and classes are conducted to educate women about their well being. Other health care services include alcohol and drug treatments, senior health care programs and trauma services. These hospitals are committed to provide excellent cancer care to the patients. The cancer care services include diagnostic imaging, surgical options and chemotherapy. The heart institutes in various Good Samaritan hospitals have won international acclaim for their services, research and quality patient care.

Some of the nation's finest cardiologists offer innovative treatment to heart patients in these hospitals. The other departments in a Good Samaritan hospital consist of radiology, ENT, ophthalmology, urology and orthopedics. Not only the physical health, but the mental and emotional well being of the patients is also taken care of in these hospitals. These hospitals also offer the expertise of psychiatrists, psychology technicians, marriage and family therapists, social workers and chemical dependency counselors. Good Samaritan hospitals provide a variety of services that are tailored to the specific need of the prevailing social conditions.

Congratulations on your second pregnancy! So you are going to be a mother again! Motherhood is a wonderful feeling indeed. You must be wondering, in what ways your experience is going to differ from your first one. Also, since your body is older than the first time around, you might also be anxious about possible complications. Here are a few things to expect during your second pregnancy period, and some cautions that you need to take, to ensure that everything is smooth sailing.

Changes In Your Body Different From Your First Pregnancy:

Emotional Adjustments For Yourself And Your Family:

Complications That Might Arise

So all you second-time moms, hope your first experience makes you less anxious than before. You are now better aware of the diets you need to follow, the exercises you need to do in order to ensure that you experience a risk-free second pregnancy. Consult your OB, try and stay updated about any new tests or medications that may have been introduced. Consider joining a Lamaze class again, now that you may have forgotten much of the exercise routine. Discussing your experiences with other second-time mothers in your friend circle will further ease your tensions. So sit back, relax, enjoy your motherhood, and welcome the new baby in this earth cheerfully.

From back pain to heartburn to insomnia, the physical discomforts associated with pregnancy plague many expectant women. Because pregnant women experience increased blood volume and weight gain, they're prone to developing varicose and spider veins. Fortunately, there's a simple, inexpensive, easy solution to pregnancy varicose veins: Maternity stockings.

What are they?

This type of supportive legwear squeezes the leg veins and helps blood flow more easily in the lower extremities. As a result, pregnant women are less likely to develop bulging masses of swollen veins known as varicose veins. The legs are not the only place these itchy, painful bulges occur. For example, when the veins in the rectal area bulge and swell, they're known as hemorrhoids.

Some pregnant women are at increased risk for developing varicose problems, especially women who are overweight or obese, who are carrying a multiple pregnancy, or who have family members who suffer from varicose veins.

What brand should I choose?

There are many brands of maternity compression socks for pregnant women, even those who want to look fashionable in their maternity clothes. There are several popular retailers that make patterned, colored maternity compression stockings that are perfect for wearing with skirts or professional attire.

Where do I get them?

Drugstores, pharmacies, and medical supply stores all carry stockings that pregnant women can use. Maternity support hose comes in different levels of tightness, or compression. The higher the level of compression, the more the stockings squeeze your leg veins. Depending on your risk factors and history of varicose veins, your health care provider may suggest supportive legwear that requires a prescription.

Many people are finding themselves in situations where it is difficult to obtain affordable health insurance.  If you are one of these people, don't lose hope.   There are ways that you can find low cost health insurance, even when it may seem impossible.

Here are a few scenarios that I have recently run into with clients.  Maybe the advice I gave them will be helpful to you as well.

1.  I just lost my job...should I take the COBRA coverage?

This is a tough situation to be in, and unfortunately, has become more and more common lately.  If your employer has recently let you go, or you've been told that your job will be eliminated soon, you need to decide what to do about your health insurance.  You have to option of staying on the employer sponsored plan under the COBRA rules, which began in 1986.  You have 60 days from the date of your termination to decide if you're going to elect for COBRA continuation coverage.  Part of the stimulus package recently signed by the President included a temporary reduction in premiums that certain people have to pay for COBRA coverage.  If you were involuntarily let go from your job between 9/1/08 and 12/31/09, and you elect COBRA, you qualify for this reduction.  You only have to pay 35% of the COBRA premium for up to 9 months, and the government will pick up the rest.

If you do not qualify for this stimulus plan premium reduction, then you may want to shop around to see if you can find some better low cost health insurance on your own.  Many employer sponsored health insurance plans can be very expensive because they are required by law to include coverage for things you may not want or need.  For example, most states require that employer sponsored health insurance plans include coverage for maternity care.  This increases the cost of the plan dramatically.  If you are not planning on having children, you can have much lower premiums by customizing your own policy through an independent agent.

2.  My employer offers health insurance, but it's too expensive!

Many health insurance plans offered by employers include all the bells and whistles and are very costly.  In addition, employers are trying to save money by cutting back on how much they contribute to the premiums for you, so you end up paying the difference.  You may be able customize your own low cost health insurance plan for much less.  Again, working with an independent agent who represents many different companies could save you a lot of money.

3.  I've been declined by insurance companies already, or it's just too expensive...Now what?

This scenario is all too common today.  More and more people are getting turned down for health insurance due to medical conditions and/or history.  If this applies to you, you should consider a limited benefit health insurance plan that has guaranteed issuance.  This means that they don't ask any medical questions, and everyone pays the same premium no matter how old you are.  These plans are much better than having nothing at all, and they are very affordable.  But you want to make sure it's real HIPPA certified insurance, not just a discount plan.  Again, check with an independent agent who represents many insurers so that you can find the best health insurance available.

Since the days of Florence Nightingale, the profession of nursing has been viewed as a career consisting of self sacrificing individuals who, with caring and compassion have devoted their lives to easing the pain and suffering of those in need. Such noble and honorable individuals would surely never strike for what ever reason, right? Wrong! So, what has happened over the centuries to the profession of nursing?

To begin to understand what has taken place in the arena of nursing, one needs to understand what the nurses of today are faced with in the hospital settings. First, many nurses are required to care for more patients than they can handle safely. This is to say that a patient care load of seven on a medical surgical unit can go up to eleven during the afternoon and midnight shift.

Depending on the acuity (level of care needed) of the clients, the nurse may not be able to safely attend to all of the clients needs, and need to forego certain aspects of care just to be able to get the majority of their responsibilities completed by the next shift. This situation of patient overload can result in very serious health consequences for the patient and ultimately, death.

The direct consequence of patient neglect for the nurse involved would usually entail a law suite being filed by the family naming the nurse and the hospital as well. Patient overload is just one of the many reasons that nurses have sought to form a coalition and be represented by their own organizations. Another reason for nurses to organize is due to the policy of pulling nurses to other floors where the patient acuity care process requires specific knowledge to be able to practice safely as a nurse. An example would be a maternity floor nurse being pulled to a medical surgical floor and being assigned a patient load consisting of newly admitted pre-operative patients and others that require suctioning and vent care.

The maternity floor nurse would not only be unsafe to work on the medical surgical floor, but could also put patient's lives in jeopardy due to her inexperience. So, what is that nurse supposed to do if they decide to decline being pulled to another floor? Many nurses feel that they may be reprimanded by the shift supervisor and perhaps written up for insubordination. But are they not in fact, declining for a valid reason? Also, shouldn't quality patient care be the utmost priority as well as patient safety? The answer to both of these questions is of course a resounding, YES!

However, many nurses are faced with these dilemmas day in and day out. They leave at the end of the day feeling as if they haven't been able to give proper nursing care. They would be correct. It is an unsafe practice to float nurses that are unfamiliar with a particular floor to work there. The fact is, that it is done on a regular basis. Would this be a sufficient reason to strike? Many nurses think so. The list could go on and on. How safe would you feel with a nurse caring for a loved one who was on the sixteenth hour of a double shift? Not very, right? Approximately 60% of nurse in practice are providing care in hospitals (Work-Place issues, 2005)

In 1946, the American Nurses Association's House of Delegates unanimously approved a resolution that opened the doors to nurses to engage in collective bargaining. Then about thirty years later the legal precedent that determined that state nursing associations are qualified under labor law to be labor organizations is the 1979 Sierra Vista decision. The important consequence that affected nurse was that they were free to organize themselves and not be organized by existing unions. Currently, it is the American Nurses Association that is in the forefront of establishing coalitions and bargaining for nurses nation.

Pregnancy is an exciting stage in a woman's life. It is the time when a woman undertakes a big responsibility to care for a new life that grows inside her. This whole journey lasts for 40 weeks, thus every woman should know the top twenty things about pregnancy. Whether it is your first time to get pregnant or you have been pregnant, it is a must that you know these things because these will greatly influence your ability to bring about the best for your baby.

Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

If you are pregnant, you will experience some of these pregnancy signs and symptoms: nausea or morning sickness, headaches, dizziness and fainting spells, mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, tender or swollen breasts, and missed period.

Pregnancy Test

Once you have experienced those signs and symptoms, you can undergo a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can do this yourself since various pregnancy test kits are available over-the-counter or you can go to a clinic that offers this test.

Prenatal Visit

After you confirmed that you are pregnant, you can schedule an appointment with your preferred obstetrician. During your first prenatal visit, information like the first day of your last menstrual period and your expected date of delivery will be given to you. Pregnancy vitamins will also be prescribed and you will be scheduled for a monthly prenatal visit to monitor your baby's development.

Other Tests and Procedures

Aside from the pregnancy test, you will also have to undergo other tests and procedures like urine test, complete blood count, blood type, Rh factor, and antibody screening, hepatitis B testing, ultrasound, and fetal monitoring.

Pregnancy Stages

There are actually three stages that you will have to go through during the entire course of your pregnancy: the first trimester, the second trimester, and the third trimester. In each stage, you will notice some changes in your body as your baby develops inside and you will even experience pregnancy discomforts.

Nutritional Needs

As a pregnant woman, you have to know your nutritional needs. Take note that birth complications and abnormalities can arise from pregnancy malnutrition. So, you should eat a well-balanced diet and make sure that you take the vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

Family Medical History

It is also important that you know your family medical history to enhance preparedness. This can help you prepare for the possible illnesses and birth abnormalities that your baby can be at risk of. This can also help you determine if there is a chance for you to conceive twins or triplets.

Present Medical Conditions

You should also discuss your present medical conditions to your doctor like high blood pressure and diabetes. This can help you prevent pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy Hazards

If you are exposed to environmental hazards at work or at home, this can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and deformities in your baby. So, make sure that you are not exposed to any of these like paint vapor during your pregnancy.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is expected during pregnancy because of your baby's development. However, it is not advisable that you exceed the recommended weight gain because being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes and hypertension.

Pregnancy Discomforts

You will experience pregnancy discomforts all throughout your pregnancy. These however, vary from woman to woman, so make sure that you are aware of these and know their corresponding remedies.

Potential Problems and their Symptoms

Although most women have normal pregnancies with minor discomforts and no complications, it is important that you know the symptoms for potential problems like vaginal bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, swelling of the hands and feet, and no fetal movement. These symptoms could lead to miscarriage, ecclampsia, and stillbirth if ignored.

Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts

The do's and don'ts are different for each woman and each pregnancy. It is best that you discuss this with your doctor.

Exercise

Exercise during pregnancy is recommended for most women, but only at a moderate speed. Walking, in particular, is highly recommended because this can help your body withstand the rigors of labor and delivery more easily.

Birthing Class

Birthing class, which is considered a ritual of modern pregnancy, gives you and your spouse a chance to prepare together for the big day of labor.

Birthing Option and Place

Prior to your due date, you should discuss your birthing option, whether vaginal or caesarean delivery, to your obstetrician. You should also check the place where you will deliver your baby and see if it will be comfortable for you.

Labor

As your due date draws near, you would want to know exactly when labor will start. It would be best that you understand the whole process of labor and its different stages.

Baby's Name

Before the arrival of your baby, perhaps you already have a name in mind. If you still don't have, you can check books or online for babies names or ask your relatives and friends for suggestions.

Baby Things

During your pregnancy, you can keep yourself busy by preparing all the baby things that you need. Shopping for these items with your husband would be better because this would be a great bonding time for both of you.

Basic Childcare

While taking care of the unborn child is important during pregnancy, this time also gives you the best opportunity to learn about basic childcare. You should know beforehand the best possible care and nutrition that you can give to your baby.

Pregnancy is indeed a challenging stage characterized by both anxiety and excitement. However, by learning these top twenty things that you should know about pregnancy, you can have the best of this journey and be on your way to a fruitful motherhood.

At this point in my life, I have had the honor of helping many women have happy, healthy pregnancies. Good maternity care is essential, but sometimes pregnancy itself acts like a crystal ball.

Okay. This may sound a bit like voodoo, but please hear me out.

Scientists have known for some time that high blood pressure in some pregnancies can be a predictor of future heart issues in certain women. Now it seems that gestational diabetes can also be an indicator of who will get the full blown diabetes disease later in life.

Best of all, if it can be predicted... we may be able to avert the onset of this terrible disease.

Is it possible that those unique nine months of unprecedented nausea, hormonal changes, and emotional roller coaster rides, will hold even more clues to help save women's lives? Think about this as you kiss and hug your newborn as a new mother... or as you watch your own mother play with her grandchildren, hopefully as a still-vibrant and healthy senior. It goes without saying that the health of mothers is incredibly vital to the health and well being of their offspring.

What is Gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is defined as any type of glucose impairment that is initially detected during pregnancy. The incidence of Gestational Diabetes in the United States is about 4% and rates are increasing over the last few years. High risk factors for the development of the condition include:

What are the risk factors for Gestational diabetes?

• Age over 25 years


• Obesity


• Family history of diabetes


• Previous history of gestational diabetes


• Certain ethnic groups (Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, African-American)

What are the screening recommendations for Gestational diabetes?

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes. The most common diagnostic test is the 50 gram 1-hour glucose challenge test that is given between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. An abnormal result is defined as blood glucose of 130 mg/dl or greater or 140 mg/dl or greater, depending upon the criteria used. If abnormal, the patient then undergoes a 100 g 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test in which 2 or more abnormal values confirm the diagnoses.

What are the treatment options for Gestational diabetes?

Various treatments during pregnancy including dietary modifications directed by a certified nutritionist who specializes in diabetes, physical activity and possibly medications, depending upon the level of severity. The medications may include oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, depending upon the glucose values obtained as the pregnancy progresses. Increased resistance to insulin occurs as pregnancy progresses, stressing the pancreas and making more demands on the pancreas to manufacture insulin.

Why is it advisable to treat gestational diabetics?

Controlling glucose levels in pregnancy reduces the risk of congenital anomalies, miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, macrosomia (large babies), polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid), stillbirth, Cesarean sections, difficult or traumatic delivery, and infections postpartum.

Immediately after delivery, miraculously the diabetes disappears!!! Resistance to insulin resolves within hours and patients often return to their pre-pregnancy normal state.

Does the end of pregnancy close the chapter on Gestational diabetes?

Some women, whose diabetes was not diagnosed prior to the pregnancy, have been found to have long standing diabetes that was uncovered with the routine screening that is performed during pregnancy. Even if it is a new onset of disease, detected during pregnancy, it is a known fact that women who have had gestational diabetes are at major risk for developing Type II diabetes later on in life. Some articles (Callaghan, 4/10) report that approximately one-third of women with gestational diabetes continue to have evidence of diabetes immediately postpartum. Other estimates range at about 50% chance of developing diabetes in the ten years following the pregnancy.

How should these women be followed after their pregnancy ends?

1. All women who have had gestational diabetes should have a repeat oral glucose tolerance test (75 gm 2 hour test) at their 6 to 12 week postpartum visit or after breast feeding has been discontinued.


2. Even if the values are normal, annual screening with a fasting glucose and/or HbA1C blood test has been suggested. However, at minimum, screening at least every 3 years is advisable.


3. Encourage diabetes prevention education by encouraging exercise, weight loss, and proper diet.


4. Women with pre-diabetes should consider medication regimens and lifestyle changes that prevent the chances of progression of their disease.

In Summary

Women have a distinct advantage of having a unique "window in time" in their life during pregnancy when potentially later in life disease complications might appear which the stress of pregnancy can unmask. If taken seriously, this can serve as an early marker of future disease and with proper monitoring and intervention can allow for possible opportunities for reversal.

Now that you are pregnant, you must take care of your body, including your skin, more than ever before.

One of the things you have to watch out for during pregnancy is acne. Acne can be due to several things, but stress is a major contributor. This disease can make you feel very uncomfortable; therefore, it is important that you know how to deal with it. Since stress may cause or worsen acne breakouts, one treatment of choice should focus on reducing stress. Like, for instance, you may want to engage in natural stress-reducing activities such as yoga, breathing exercises, or anything else that enables you to relax.

You may also be worried of stretch marks on the stomach. These usually appear during the latter stage of your pregnancy when your tummy begins to grow.

Other skin problems you are likely to deal with during pregnancy dryness and peeling. It's good to know that these problems may be resolved by eating right and by using the appropriate skin care products. Remember, though, that you cannot just apply any medication to treat acne or any skin problem for that matter. You see, pregnancy is a very delicate stage for you and your baby; anything you put in your body eventually gets transmitted to your baby, and you know that skin care products that are chemically formulated contain harsh ingredients that can result to birth problems.

It is therefore very important that you choose carefully the kinds of skin care products to use. As much as possible, go natural in your choice of creams, lotions and anything else. Natural products do not contain harmful chemicals that can affect your baby, so they are safe to use.

To help you deal with skin care problems during pregnancy, drink lots of water. Drinking water keeps you hydrated and your skin well moisturized so you get to have healthy, beautiful skin all throughout your pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a wondrous moment. It is the time when women are excited to be called moms. It is a great opportunity to learn about child's growth and development. But sometimes it can be the other way around. Pregnancy is not always such a happy experience for some. Pregnancy can also be a time for worry. It can also be a moment of confusion.

A woman's decision to begin a pregnancy carries with it the acceptance of the lifelong responsibility to be a parent. Ideally, effective parenting begins even before the moment of conception, when the woman confirms her desire to have a child and is physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

However, most women go through a lot of changes during pregnancy that sometimes, it is causing them stress as well as numerous emotional and physical changes. As a result, many pregnant women develop depression during their pregnancies.

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder, so it's a commonly encountered pre-existing condition during pregnancy. Depression has both physiological as well a sociological causes. It is actually caused by a number of different factors. But, it is most likely to be linked to a change in the levels of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals govern our moods, and when they become disrupted, it can lead to depression.

During pregnancy, the rapid change in a woman's body's hormones can trigger a change in the levels of these chemicals, resulting in depression. Interestingly though, women have it twice as often as men, and among women, there is an increased tendency toward it during the reproductive years.

It has been proven that the rapid rise in hormone levels during pregnancy is actually a very common trigger for depression. At least 20% of pregnant women experience some depressive symptoms during their pregnancies, while 10% of pregnant women develop full-blown clinical depression. Depression during pregnancy is actually much more common then many people realize. At one time, health care professionals thought that pregnant women couldn't suffer from depression because of their pregnancy hormones. It was believed that these hormones protected against mood disorders like depression.

Any pregnant woman can be dealing with depression at any point throughout her pregnancy. There are several causes of it during pregnancy, some of which are the following:

∑ having a personal or family history of depression
∑ relationship or marital conflict
∑ age at time of pregnancy
∑ unplanned pregnancy
∑ living alone
∑ limited social support
∑ previous miscarriage
∑ pregnancy confusions and complications
∑ history of emotional, physical or sexual abuse

Dealing with depression can often drain a woman's desire and energy, pregnant women with the disorder may not seek appropriate prenatal care. Depression during pregnancy may also increase the likelihood that a pregnant woman will abuse alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs during pregnancy. When it is most severe, clinically diagnosed depression can be a psychiatric emergency. Because a woman is in a very difficult period of adjustment and less likely to climb out of her despair, hopelessness, and suffering, she poses a danger to herself and her new baby.

Pregnancy is a particularly active field for depression to either start anew or worsen if already a problem. The extra physical, financial, marital, and sexual stresses come whether one is ready or not. On top of that, any new feelings of poor self-image can reinforce depression's already negative self-image problems.

Preparing for a new baby is a lot of hard work, but a woman's health should come first. A pregnant woman should resist the urge to get everything done, she should limit her activities and do things that will help her relax. Talking about things that concern a pregnant woman is also very important during these difficult times. A pregnant woman should ask for support, which most often than not, she will get. Remember that taking care oneself is an essential part of taking care of the unborn child.

By this time you should be on the home stretch to finishing nursing school. Obstetric (OB) clinicals are usually the last major clinical rotation a student will have to master. During this rotation, nursing students will education patients about maternity, labor and delivery, and infant care. Students will experience patients that are pregnant and about to deliver, postpartum, and women with obstetric issues.

OB nursing process and theories will be applied to maternity patients. Selected women's

health issues will also be examined. Some patients will be admitted for hysterectomy, myomectomy, and other obstetrical surgery procedures Application of the nursing process to assist in the health of high risk pregnant women and their families.

The tools needed for OB clinicals are mostly the same as adult health and pediatric clinicals. OB classes are held at the same time as clinicals so students will have already have talked about how to perform assessments, nursing diagnosis and care plans, and how to care for a patient in labor. Some schools have a lab where students can practice on manikins before clinicals. This would be a good time to get used to teaching and performing breast exams, measuring the fundus, how to read a fetal monitor strip, and what to teach the mother for postpartum care.

Students should keep an open mind during this clinical rotation. Different cultures should be taken into account when asking the patient questions and doing an assessment. Also be aware that some women have given birth but the fetus may be ill or not have survived. There is nothing more embarrassing than coming into a room and saying congratulations when you don't know the facts. The most important aspects of OB clinicals are knowing how to perform an assessment, the phases of labor, medications given during labor and delivery, and care plans. Some institutions will not let nursing students give medications to pregnant patients due to the high risk of harming the mom and fetus. Due to this fact, there will be a lot of observations on the student's behalf. This will be a good time to see a vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and breast feeding. Below is and example of a sample care plan for a patient who is in labor:

Nursing Diagnosis /Related to Altered urinary elimination r/t compression of bladder.

Pathophysiology: Pressure from an enlarging uterus and increase in blood volume causes a large volume of urine to be held causing urinary stasis. Urinary frequency also occurs from the pressure of the bladder and its displacement.

Nursing Activities (NIC)

1. Monitor blood glucose levels in infant.
2. Observe for signs of hypoglycemia.
3. Institute early feeding of breast or bottle milk.

Rationale (from nursing references)

1. To assess and detect early onset and prevent complications.
2. To assess and detect early onset and prevent complications.
3. This prevents or treats early hypoglycemia.

Even if you have a very healthy family with hardly any serious health problems, it is wise to have a Health Insurance policy for the entire family. You will never know when the symptoms will start or if the disease is silently progressing. You wouldn't want to settle for a cheaper treatment just because you don't have the money to pay for it. Get a good Family Health Insurance done and ensure that your family gets the best.

Family Health Insurance Plans that cover everything

The Insurance Plans of different companies will vary and one should compare the rates and conditions before opting for one. Some plans cover even preventive care. This is most important among children who need to be regularly checked, immunized and vaccinated. While it is a must for children, regular check ups should be done for adults as well. Hospitalization and other expenses will also be paid for by the insurance company which will come in very helpful when unexpected injuries take place.

Foresight is important

If you have a hereditary disease in the family, family Health Insurance will be all the more important for you. If you are just married or are planning to have more children, opt for Family Health Insurances offer that cover maternity care as well. Little children tend to fall sick or injure themselves and having good Family Health Insurance Plans will help you financially. Getting your insurance done online will be very convenient as payment etc can be easily done. It is very efficient and the transactions can be done even in the comfort of your house.

Affordable

Including the entire family under one Family Health Insurance Plan is a great way to save and it is more affordable especially for those with big families. Some companies allow you to include the family within the individual insurance too. You will also have income tax benefits on the amount spent on the premium. The amount spent for dependent children and parents who are senior citizens is also accountable for income tax deductions.

While the actual recommended amount of protein might vary from doctor to doctor, all health care providers agree protein is a vital component of a healthy pregnancy diet. Protein supports a wide variety of important body functions for expectant mothers, while providing the raw materials necessary to build a healthy new human life.

Daily Recommendations for Pregnant Women

The recommendation of protein as part of a daily diet for a pregnant woman fluctuates. These fluctuations are reflection of the ever-changing food pyramid recommended by the USDA, the care provider's personal leanings and the latest medical research.

Some providers recommend as little as 40-50 grams of protein daily, while others bombard women with a minimum recommended amount of 90+ grams daily as part of a healthy pregnancy diet.

Most doctors recommend moderation, which splits the difference between these high and low numbers landing at 60 grams of protein daily. This amount stays steady as part of diet during first trimester pregnancy as well as every subsequent trimester. Protein needs to be high priority from pregnancy's beginning to its end.

Getting adequate protein is of such vital importance that some doctors even go so far as to advise against a vegetarian diet in pregnancy.

The body uses protein in many ways. During pregnancy, the multi-tasking elements of protein's nutritive powers are pushed to the limit.

Waste Removal Systems Have Added Strain for Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, mom's waste removal systems kick into over drive. This means the kidneys, liver, blood stream and all other body components used to scour toxic substances from the body need extra support.

Protein is a key player in waste removal. As protein digests, it is broken into small pieces. The smallest of these elements are indigestible sponge-like molecules. The body uses these protein sponges to soak up and remove waste particles from the blood stream.

Without adequate proteins, wastes build up resulting in fatigue, swelling and potentially the life-threatening complication, toxemia. Research in this aspect of protein's benefits is still ongoing.

Fetal Development and Protein

Proteins are made of long strands of amino acids as well as vital fatty acids like omega-3. Both nutrients play important roles for mother and baby.

Amino acids are the basic building blocks of life. Trying to develop a healthy baby without amino acids would be like trying to build a log cabin without logs.

Maintain Steady Blood Sugars with Protein

Proteins also help mom's body to maintain normal blood sugar levels. This helps with mood swings, energy levels, appetite control and even reduces or eliminates morning sickness.

As you can see, protein is a vital part of a healthy pregnancy diet for both mother and child.

The use of X-rays is very common to determine problems in the human body. X-rays have their pros and cons. In this article, we will look at their effects on an unborn child -effects during a pregnancy. Generally, it is believed that having an X-ray during a pregnancy is very harmful to a fetus. This is true to a certain extent.

Simply put, exposures of over 10 rads (absorbed radiation measurement units) to an unborn child could be very harmful and can increase the chances of eye and learning disabilities.

Understanding Rad

One rad is equal to 1000 millirads. An estimated exposure through a chest X-ray is 60 millirads and for an abdominal X-ray, it is 290 millirads. To produce an adverse affect on an unborn child, 10,000 millirads are required. Now you must have understood how many rads are required to affect a fetus and whether X-rays are harmful during a pregnancy.

Unless it is recommended by an expert or physician, then there is no need to worry about it as the amount of radiation your baby will receive is well within the safe zone.

Extra Care

In every laboratory, radiologic technologists are properly trained for quality patient care. These are the people who conduct examinations. The radiologic technologists are supposed to ask you whether opr not you are pregnant., If for some reason they do not ask, you should tell them that you are a pregnant or expecting pregnancy so that they will know to take special precautions.

X-rays Alternatives

An ultrasound could be the best replacement of an X-ray. In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can also be used after the first trimester of your pregnancy.

Just because your employer doesn’t offer health insurance coverage in your benefits package doesn’t mean that you don’t need it, unfortunately if just means that you will have to find and purchase your policy on your own. If you live in Georgia, you have many health insurance providers to choose from, and it can all be a bit confusing, so it is important that you learn what you should lookout for, or pay special attention to, when purchasing your Georgia health insurance coverage.

The first thing you will need to do is learn the difference between managed care plans, and indemnity plans. If you choose the wrong one, you could end up in a bad situation. You see, managed care plans are your typical health insurance plans, with deductibles and co-pays, so all you have to worry about is paying your premium, and your co-pay each time you visit a covered Georgia healthcare provider. With the indemnity plans, you are required to pay all of your medical costs up front, and then file a claim with the insurance provider, who will at some point, reimburse you the covered portion of your expense. For people who are on a tight budget, this could make things very difficult for them, and could result in them not getting the healthcare they need.

Don’t just look at the cost of the policy; look at what you will be getting for that cost. Think about your current healthcare needs, and anything that could come up in the future. You really should make certain that your Georgia health insurance policy offers prescription drug coverage, in-patient hospital fees, medically necessary surgeries, preventative healthcare, maternity care, and maybe even vision/dental care.

Be careful to not only look at your premiums, but also the extra costs that you may have to pay, such as co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance costs. You want to keep your out of pocket spending to a minimum, while still being able to get the healthcare that you need.

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During childbirth, the vaginal muscles undergo tremendous stress, getting stretched and pulled to allow your baby to slip out smoothly, on account of which the vagina tears. However, the doctor stitches it up and the wound takes a little over a week or so to heal.

During the initial weeks after childbirth, the vaginal muscles are loose and weakened. Air slips in easily and gets trapped in there. Whenever you happen to move about, especially forwards, wherein your lower abdomen gets pressed, the trapped air pushes itself out with a low noise that can be clearly heard by people sitting near you, causing great embarrassment, as you are unable to control it.

Trapped vaginal air feels more like air bubbles inside you and can come out when you least expect it. It is extremely frustrating to feel that there is nothing you can do to control it. They usually tend to sort itself out on its own, after your vaginal muscle heal and gets back its old elasticity, within a few weeks or so after childbirth. However, vaginal air can be prevented if adequate care is taken by a new mother during the postpartum period.

In India, a new mother in ancient times had to undergo the traditional postpartum confinement period that lasted for 40 days, wherein she was put through a special diet to enhance lactation, had hot oil massages, baths and a long period of rest and sleep. During this time, a new mother was confined to her room with her baby, spending the duration of postpartum nursing her baby and strengthening the mother-baby bond. A new mother was kept happy and well looked after by a horde of loving relatives, which is so important for alleviating postnatal depression and anxiety.

Expert advice from elderly women of the household about dealing with several postpartum issues like contractions, blood clots, sore vagina, bowel movements, painful breastfeeding, hair loss, stretch marks and vaginal air, were adhered to and proper methods were used to tackle them. The methods were tried and tested and withstood the test of time, as the women then, rarely suffered from postpartum issues and continued to lead a long healthy life despite having borne several children.

Fast forward to the present era where a new mother quickly gets back to her old routine after childbirth, as if eager to prove her ability to meet the demands and challenges of motherhood, resulting in postnatal issues, especially vaginal gas, after childbirth. Her body is denied proper rest and sleep that it deserves and has to pay for neglect and lackadaisical attitude. It cannot be stressed enough that a new mother must take preventive measures to prevent vaginal gas and harmoniously balance her five body elements such as earth, water, fire, air and ether.

You can know more about the preventive measures that are needed to prevent vaginal gas through my blog http://yourkidandyou.blogspot.in/ and a host of other postnatal problems faced by a new mother, and their simple remedies.