Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Bleeding is a common occurrence during pregnancy even though most people do not know this fact. Also, contrary to popular belief, vaginal bleeding does not always indicate that there is a complication with your pregnancy. Nevertheless, consulting your health care giver is recommended whenever you notice any kind of bleeding as this rules out any potential problems that might arise. This article will look at bleeding during early pregnancy in general.

1. Implantation bleeding is one of the most common causes of bleeding during early pregnancy. Implantation bleeding is characterized by the implanting of the embryo into the walls of the uterus. It usually resembles a simple blood spotting and the flow is usually very light. It usually lasts for a day but can flow for up to four days. This kind of bleeding occurs 6 - 12 days after the egg has been fertilized; what this implies is that you may still be ignorant about your new pregnancy when implantation bleeding occurs.

2. Cervical changes and irritation is also another reason why you may experience bleeding. This is due to the fact that blood flow to the cervix increases during your pregnancy. Therefore if your cervix comes in contact with something it usually causes bleeding; this may occur after an instance of vigorous sexual activity or after a pelvic examination. It may also occur if you have an infected cervix.

3. In more severe circumstances, bleeding may occur as a result of an impending miscarriage, or due to an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur when implantation of the embryo occurs outside the uterus, mostly within the fallopian tube. You should deal with this as a serious issue because it is; it is potentially life threatening. Seek out immediate medical assistance once you notice this.

4. Bleeding can also be indicative of cervical issues like inflammation and/or infections. It could also point to early dilation of the cervix which is one of the more common causes of pre-term labor. Bleeding can also be as a result of the placenta growing to cover the birth canal; this condition is referred to as placenta previa.

5. Contrary to general assumptions, the volume of bleeding is not indicative of the gravity or seriousness or severity of the condition causing it. As much as heavy bleeding during pregnancy is abnormal and can cause you to be seriously concerned, light flows can also be a forerunner of more serious issues; for example, although moderate to heavy bleeding can indicate the presence of placental abruption, scanty bleeding can also precede this condition.

Whatever the case may be, you should ensure that you take bleeding during early pregnancy serious and notify your health care provider early enough, in fact try as much as possible to keep him or her in the loop always.

What Happens During Pregnancy?

Back Pain During Pregnancy is mainly due the changes that the woman's body will undergo. When a women becomes pregnant, a lot of physical changes and alterations in the endocrine system occur, which prepare her body for the growing foetus.

These changes can also lead to joint and spine problems, due to the dramatic change in the pregnant woman's posture. There are pelvic changes, the protruding abdomen and increased Lumbar curve together with the increased weight gain, put pressure on the pregnant woman's skeletal structure.

All of these factors can make pregnant women more prone to spine and pelvic misalignment, leading to back pain, lower back pain or even sciatic pain.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic is a manual therapy, which primarily works on the spine and pelvis of the body. Either through accident or injury, poor posture, or postural changes during pregnancy, the body can become misaligned,(a misalignment is when a joint of the body has moved slightly out of its correct natural alignment.).

As the spine protects the spinal cord, misalignment here, or in the pelvis can have a direct effect on the nerves, which may become pinched or trapped and therefore cause back pain.

Chiropractic through specific adjustments maintains the correct alignment of the body, spine and pelvis. This in turn helps to ensure that the body's nerve supply works efficiently, freeing the patient from back pain, or any discomfort caused by misalignment.

Chiropractic care is suitable for many individuals, including infants and children and even pregnant women are reaping the benefits. Once the mum to be is in the second trimester of her pregnancy, i.e., anytime after the first three months, Chiropractic care is safe.

Mc Timoney Chiropractic.

Mc Timoney Chiropractors are trained to deal with pregnant patients and adjust their equipment as necessary to suit the pregnant lady's requirements. The Mc Timoney Technique is a very gentle Holistic process, which makes it particularly suitable for women in this special and delicate state. Also the technique is easily adapted to allow the patient to reap the full benefit of treatment while avoiding any unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.

Treating Symptoms.

Regular visits to a Mc Timoney Chiropractor will keep the Mum to Be in correct skeletal alignment, while the Chiropractor will also give her plenty of advice on posture, lifting and bending during pregnancy.

This treatment is gentle and effective and will ensure that the Pregnant Woman will maintain correct spinal and pelvic alignment and flexibility. This will enable the woman to have a comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy free from back pain and discomfort, while it also ensures that the pelvis maintains correct alignment for an easier delivery.

Mc Timoney Chiropractic care during pregnancy can eliminate many problems such as sciatica, low back pain, headaches, and mid-back and rib pain.

Roma Burke DC AMC MMCAI

Deer Park Chiropractic & Massage Clinic.

A 3D ultrasound is able to achieve remarkably clear images by utilising the same sound waves used in a 2D ultrasound but bending them in different angles. The clarity of the images available offers many advantages over 2D ultrasounds, but it also comes with some disadvantages.

Pro

A 3D Ultrasound provides a more detailed image of the baby than a traditional 2D Ultrasound. The images are more lifelike and give a great indication of what your baby's physical features will look like. A 3D ultrasound is able to give a very clear image of the babys facial features after the fifth month.

Unlike a traditional 2D Ultrasound it is not necessary to have a full bladder in order to obtain a clear image. Needless to say this is a great relief to expectant mothers.

Con

The remarkably clear images can provide a false sense of reassurance that there are no underlying physical problems with the unborn baby. Mothers to be may decide that getting a 3D ultrasound is the cheap alternative to a more substantial prenatal care program and may discontinue this prenatal care under the assumption "everything is ok." While a good tool for determining the physical condition of an unborn baby. 3D ultrasound should never completely replace all other prenatal care options.

Can give a false indication of the health of the baby i.e. does not always accurately represent physical deformities. These "false positives" can become more of an issue with an inexperienced ultrasound technician. For example; harmless fetal cysts detected by 3D ultrasounds, may lead to further and more invasive tests can contribute to additional anxiety by the mother. There is also the possibility of "scanning artifacts" such as duplicated body parts, holes and unusual clefts, which usually go away after the ultrasound probe has been moved slightly. An inexperienced technician might be guilty of making this error. Again this can cause undue stress and anxiety to the mother.

Ultimately the decision to go for 2D or 3D ultrasound is influenced by the level of information the expected mother wishes to receive. Sometimes too much information is not a good thing, however, and it can lull you into a false sense of security. Sometimes it is exactly what you need. In the end the choice is yours.

Health Insurance - Catastrophic Health Insurance Coverage

There are healthy people who rarely need any medical care whatsoever and to pay high monthly premiums for health insurance does not seem to make sense for these people, for it seems like throwing away money in some ways. These are the cases where catastrophic insurance coverage comes into play. Catastrophic insurance coverage is for those people who are in overall good health and rarely need to see the doctor for any health concerns. This type of health insurance coverage only covers catastrophic events such as hospital stays or surgery.

This type of insurance is only for those who are truly in optimal health, typically young and single people but not always. This type of insurance coverage is a good idea for healthy people because they are able to lower the monthly premium to a very low rate in exchange for quite a high deductible. By simply keeping a savings account with the deductible amount, or close to it, people who choose this type of insurance coverage can be prepared yet save money at the same time.

The things that catastrophic coverage will not cover are things such as:

regular doctor appointments- these must be paid for out of pocket, but this is not often a high price tag as doctors and insurance companies already have agreements about fees in place,

prescription medications- an overall healthy person will rarely need prescriptions

mental health situations- if health changes, physically or mentally, a different plan might be in order if possible

maternity care- if couples plan to have a baby, a different health care plan is called for in order for those medical care costs for both mother and baby to be covered by health insurance.

Pre-existing conditions will often result in the catastrophic insurance application being denied, for this type of insurance is not suitable for people with risks of needing medical care. Conditions such as:

heart disease
diabetes
hiv/aids
cancer
and asthma

While this list is not exhaustive, it does show that in order to purchase a catastrophic insurance plan, the consumer should have no chronic conditions that need frequent doctor visits, regular medical treatment or prescription medications. Catastrophic health insurance coverage is a low cost way of being prepared for any big health events such as surgery or hospitalization, which are the things catastrophic insurance does cover.

The eyes and ears with which we see and hear life are not the same from when we are born to when we grow older. Human perception plays a large part in our personalities and behavior. Because this perception is constantly changing, our psychological and emotional lives are always in flux. The study of developmental psychology is the scientific study that deals with these changes over the course of our lives.

Developmental psychology is often thought of in terms of having the greatest impact within three spheres of influence: social context, cultural context, and socioeconomic context. This is in contrast to the theory that most psychological and behavioral patterns in humans are innate, and that we are born with them. It is the classic nature versus nurture approach, and while one hundred per cent of emphasis should never go each way, it has been a major breakthrough in how we understand ourselves since developmental psychology has become more common place, not only in theory, but also in practical applications as well.

Many career training programs these days incorporate developmental psychology as part of their coursework. Faculties dealing with community studies are one example, with programs preparing students for careers in childcare, human resources, social services and educational assistants. Healthcare faculties also have many programs that teach developmental psychology. For example, someone attending a school of nursing will attend classes focusing on the theories of personality growth through developmental psychology.

What are some ways an aspiring nurse can actually take advantage of developmental psychology theory?

- Working in pre-natal maternity care, a nurse can assist a soon-to-be mother in preparing the right kind of household environment that will not only be healthy and safe, but will foster a positive and happy environment.

- Neo-natal care, where nurses may have to treat the baby for physical illness and injury, and where knowing the root cause of the problem may involve more than a physical mishap, but be related to the baby's attempting to grasp their reality in their environments.

- Early childhood and youth care, it is important for a nurse to be aware of influences outside the direct sphere of the parents and household, for this is a time when the cause of problems may not be fully understood by the patient or their caregivers. This actually becomes even more the case in adolescents and teenagers as well.

- Old age, here nurses are often working with patients who will constantly need assistance for the rest of their lives. Dealing with the psychological impact of palliative care and death can have major consequences on the health and comfort of the patient in these years.

Nursing is an extremely complicated and multi-faceted profession that works with every aspect of the individual's mental and physical life, and in every stage from birth to death. Getting a strong knowledge of developmental psychology from a nursing school can round off any technical and medical expertise to make a good practitioner also an intelligent and caring person.

In the United States, there are currently approximately 41 million people who are uninsured. Throughout the health care debate, you have likely heard the statistics. Of this group, roughly 13 percent are women who are pregnant and due to either not having insurance or being under-insured, even, many will not get adequate prenatal care. Many insurance plans consider being pregnant a Prue-existing condition, and Medicaid only excepts pregnant women who meet certain income criteria, and this causes a great number to fall through the cracks. These women may make over the income guidelines and this causes a problem because pregnancy care is expensive- the average birth free of complications usually will cost around six to eight thousand dollars, alone. That's to say nothing of the extremely high cost of a high risk situation. A cesarean birth usually runs around $10,638. Though under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, it is not technically a pre-existing condition, there may be some exceptions that cause a pregnant woman to be declined coverage. This is also only if the plan already includes maternity care, so, make sure that you're clear on exactly where you stand with your insurer or with a prospective insurer.

If you are a pregnant woman who is uninsured, there may be options available to you. Firstly, make sure that you are ineligible for Medicaid- some people believe that they may not be eligible, when they actually are. Also, on a state by state basis you may find that there are other options available to you by checking with your state's health department. There are also many health care discount programs out there that can help- doing some research on line and with your health care provider may help you to find those programs which can help you.

Another thing to consider as an option is a birthing center rather than a hospital. Many birthing centers will accept a non-complicated pregnancy on a sliding scale at a much lower cost than a hospital. Check around in your area to find out where the birthing centers closest to you are, and find out if perhaps you are able to utilize that option. Some hospitals actually also have a sliding scale program and if you speak to someone in the account office, and are willing to work out a payment plan for self pay patients.

These are just a few of the options you may be able to find if you are pregnant and uninsured. However, you may want to check with a few insurance providers before you decide that you cannot get coverage- not all insurance providers will consider you completely insurable, and some may offer insurance at perhaps a higher premium with some stipulations. You may also wish to ask about stand alone plans for pregnancy- some offer this and not too many people are aware that such options exist, so, when in doubt, make sure that you are asking about the coverage you need before you decide that you won't get it.

What Is Pregnancy Calculator

When will my baby arrive? That is a common question asked by pregnant mums and is excited to know their baby's due date. Pregnancy calculator is a simple tool for those who wish to confirm whether they are pregnant or not. This is based on your menstrual period, symptoms that you have and the tests that you have done. Pregnancy normally lasts from 37-42 weeks from the first day of your last period. This is also used to figure out the due date and compute the likely conception date. This tool can also determine the end of the first and second trimesters, determine the weeks you've been pregnant, estimate foetal age, determine the weeks you are pregnant over a given date, estimate which date you'll be pregnant the particular number of weeks, and figure out the possible conception date when you realize the birthday or due date.

The Uses Of This Pregnancy Tool

An important use of pregnancy calculator is usually to figure out the due date and compute the likely conception date. This tool can compute the end of the first and second trimesters, determine the weeks you've been pregnant, estimate foetal age, determine the weeks you're pregnant using a given date, estimate which date you'll be pregnant the specified number of weeks, and figure out the probable conception date when you recognize the birthday or due date. Despite the uses of this tool, it is ideal to consult your health care provider as soon as you think you are pregnant. This kind of tool is fantastic to utilize together with an in depth week by week pregnancy calendar.

How To Calculate Your Due Date

Ovulation and fertilization occur on day 14 of a 28 day menstrual cycle. This is equal to 280 days since the start of the last period, before allowing for cycle length adjustments. A manual pregnancy calculator is based on the original formula observed by Franz Naegele, an obstetrician and German professor in the 19th century. The formula shows that it should work back three months from the day of a woman's last period and add a year. A more accurate pregnancy calculator can be gained by the use of ultrasound scans. The ultrasound is non-invasive and it is used to check the baby's condition. The radiographer measure the size of the growing embryo to predict the likely birth.

Additional Tips:

A normal pregnancy usually goes to full term that normally lasts from between 38 and 42 weeks. However, you should bear in mind that the average month is for weeks and several days long, not precisely four weeks. For this reason, your health care provider compute how many weeks pregnant you are, as measuring pregnancy by weeks is a far more accurate means to determine length of pregnancy.

Most calculators are based on a gestational period of 40 weeks from the first day of a woman's last menstrual flow. This is estimated by a woman's ovulation and conceives approximately 2 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual flow and carries the baby for 38 weeks.

If you're currently unemployed and without health insurance or you have a job that does not provide you with health insurance coverage, you may need to consider getting yourself a catastrophic health insurance coverage plan. Catastrophic health insurance is setup to cover major health problems and normally has high deductibles and low monthly premiums.

With a catastrophic coverage health plan, you will normally have to pay out of pocket for doctor office visits and prescription drugs, but major expenses are covered. These types of expenses may include hospital stays, surgery, intensive care, lab tests and X-Rays. You will rarely find pregnancy and maternity care covered on these types of plans.

Catastrophic coverage may be purchased individually or as group plans. You will have to pass pre-existing medical condition screenings. This means coverage for conditions you had prior to getting coverage wouldn't be covered. A few examples might include diabetes, emphysema, heart disease and cancer (but there are countless more possibilities).

Normally, catastrophic medical insurance coverage is purchased by healthier people in their 20's and sometimes for people nearing the retirement age (50-65 years of age). It is also a popular alternative for self-employed individuals who don't have a health insurance plan.

Should you get a catastrophic health insurance plan? That depends. If you are healthy with no pre-existing conditions and you do not have access to another health plan, you may be a good candidate for a catastrophic coverage plan. Also, if you are an older adult with no health problems and you just need piece of mind insurance coverage to protect your for major catastrophes (like heart attacks, cancer, etc.), then this type of coverage could be right for you. If you don't fit these criteria, you might consider other options.

What should you look for in a catastrophic coverage plan? Consider the following when comparing catastrophic policies from different insurance providers:

• The cost of the premiums


• The cost of the deductibles and your maximum out of pocket expense


• The level of coverage


• Whether or not you can afford to pay for prescriptions and office co-payments


• Do you have pre-existing conditions?


• Do you get sick often?

Health insurance plans are probably one of the hottest topics of the 21st century. It's the one thing families can't afford to be without, especially those with children, of child-bearing age, the elderly, or anyone with a chronic medical condition or a family history of serious illness looming overhead. And yet, for many families, it is the one thing they also can't afford financially.

If you're self-employed, you need to find your own health insurance. If you work for a small employer, it may not be offered to you. But even if you do work for an employer that offers it, many employer plans are extremely limited and do not provide the kind of coverage you really need for your family.

There are, however, many affordable health insurance options available on the open market today. But as a consumer, you need to do your homework. All health insurance plans are not created equal.

Often health insurance plans are available as single coverage, married coverage, single plus one, family coverage, or single plus two. But the differences between the various plans may incorporate more than just the number of people covered. For instance, many policies do not cover prenatal or maternity care or the delivery of a child. If you and your spouse are in your 60s and can't have any more children, that may be fine, but if you are of child bearing age and planning to have children, you need to make sure any health insurance you consider includes that coverage or you could have a whopping bill to pay on your own if you discover you're going to have a child.

Even if you aren't planning to have more children, if you have a minor daughter in her teen years, it's a good idea to be sure any plans you look at cover maternity expenses. Many a parent has been surprised to learn their daughter would soon be expecting a baby, though the pregnancy may not have been planned.

When comparing plans for health insurance, it's also important to look at wellness coverage, such as immunizations, annual exams, pap smears, mammograms, and physicals. These should be considered for coverage, in addition to the co-pay for prescriptions, doctor visits, walk-in care, emergency care, outpatient surgery, and in-hospital stays. The amount of the individual deductible and family deductible per year is also an important consideration.

Yes, good health insurance plans that meet the needs of your family are available, but you have to look for them, and you have to be sure you are comparing apples to apples when you look at plans from different providers. It's also a good idea to consider the reputation of the company or provider, because health insurance is no longer a luxury. It really is a necessity, and you need to know you can count on your provider when medical needs arise, without any unanticipated surprises. Always read the fine print and ask questions before purchasing a policy for you and your family.

If you are planning to breastfeed, birthing your baby in a hospital with a Baby Friendly designation can be beneficial when compared to birthing in a hospital that is not Baby Friendly. In spite of the benefits of Baby Friendly, however, it is important to realize that this designation gives you no information about a hospital's labor and delivery practices. Many families unfortunately get lured into thinking Baby Friendly somehow translates into Mother Friendly. The truth is it doesn't. Baby Friendly does NOT mean Mother Friendly.

The focus of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is to promote BREAST FEEDING. Nothing in the steps to becoming a Baby Friendly hospital say anything about labor or birth. Fortunately, in 1996, the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) along with 31 individuals and 26 organizations ratified the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI). The CIMS "mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs."

The MFCI has identified ten steps that make maternity care Mother Friendly and promotes normal birth. These ten steps include, among other things, offering all birthing mothers unrestricted access to the birth companions of her choice; access to professional midwifery care; and the freedom to walk, move about, and assume the positions of her choice during labor and birth (unless restriction is specifically required to correct a complication).

Additionally, to be Mother Friendly, a facility would avoid routinely using practices and procedures that are unsupported by scientific evidence; they would educate staff in non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, and they do not promote the use of analgesia or anesthesia unless required to correct a complication. These are just a few of the steps, to learn more about what makes a birth center, a hospital, and/or a practitioner, Mother Friendly visit CIMS at http://www.motherfriendly.org.

It's important to recognize that even with a hospital designation of Mother or Baby Friendly, your specific birth attendant may not agree with or practice in accordance with the designation. For this reason, if you truly want care that is compassionate, caring, and safest for you and your infant, seek out a provider that is Mother Friendly and values your input and wishes. Your birthing experience depends on it.

Essential Tips for Travel During Pregnancy

General Pregnancy and Travel Factors to Think About

• How many weeks pregnant will you be when you travel?


• Where will you travel to?


• How will you travel during pregnancy?


• Is your pregnancy considered to be 'high/higher-risk'?

There may well be other factors that your doctor will need to consider during your consultation about travel during pregnancy.

Let's explore each of the factors highlighted above:

How many weeks pregnant will you be when you plan to travel?

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the safest time for combining pregnancy and travel is during the second trimester (that's 18-24 weeks) because that's when you feel most well and the risk of complications is least. In the second trimester, any morning sickness should be over and the fatigue of the third trimester should not have set in yet!

Your second trimester is probably the best time to plan travel during pregnancy!

Where will you travel to?

#1 question here is 'Are you planning to holiday at home or abroad?'. Foreign travel is fantastic... I'm a huge fan, however, when you're planning to travel during pregnancy you do need to consider some extra travel risks carefully...

• Will you need vaccinations to travel to your destination?


• Is your destination a malaria-endemic area?
  


• What are the health-care standards in the country / countries you will visit?


• 
  Is the water safe to drink and could the food upset your tummy? Dehydration as a result of vomiting and / or diarrhoea is a very real problem for pregnant women.


• Is your destination at an altitude higher than 3,658 meters or 12,000 feet?

How will you travel?

Pregnant Traveller: On Land

Bus, car and train journeys are generally considered to be safe options for pregnant travelers... but do try to limit journey time to 5-6 hours at the most. On long journeys keep your seatbelt fastened, airbag switched on and remember to take regular breaks to keep your circulation going

Trains offer the chance to move around, which is generally safe... but do remember to hold onto seatbacks or rails when walking around. Trains often have loos which is great when traveling during pregnancy... but boy can they be small and unhygienic! Have your own supply of wipes to hand! (It's great practice for being a mom!)

Coaches worry me the most with regards to pregnancy and travel! You often can't adjust the seats which tend to be small, as are the aisles and there are no seatbelts. My recommendation is to remain seated at all times when a bus / coach is moving

Pregnant Traveller: By Air

Air travel during pregnancy is generally considered to be safe until the eighth month. As a general rule, you may be able to fly up to 36 weeks on short-haul routes and between 32-35 weeks for long-haul flights, with appropriate certification from your doctor. You will need to check with the airline you plan to fly with what their terms and conditions relating to air travel during pregnancy are... before you book!

Pregnant Traveller: On Water

Sea travel is generally safe and a cruise can be a wonderfully relaxing and romantic holiday during pregnancy. Don't forget to pack some acupressure sea-bands in case or motion sickness or morning sickness.

Is your pregnancy considered to be 'high/higher-risk'?

I'm not a doctor! You need to speak to your medical professional about any travel plans you have... and if you're aware that your pregnancy is 'high/higher-risk' make that call today!

Wherever you go... whatever you do... have a wonderful, safe honeymoon.

When the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, approved Accutane they knew the potential side effects for pregnant women. Products containing Accutane or retinoic acid were placed on the category X list for pregnancies. According the category description, under no circumstances should products listed as category X be used during pregnancy. Among the list of known side effects are hydrocephaly, microcephaly, mental retardation, ear deformities, cleft lip or palate, missing ears, defects of the heart, deformities of the face and lowered IQ.

Most often, women who find out they are pregnant are already 5 to 7 weeks into the pregnancy before testing positive. The effects of Accutane and retinoic acid often occur in the first 3 to 5 weeks. For this reason, women who are able to conceive should think twice about using Accutane or retinoic acid products even if they are not trying to conceive. Retinoic acid is the active ingredient in Accutane acne treatment.

The risk of birth defect is listed at 25 to 35%, but this percentage does not include children born with learning disabilities or lowered IQ. It is estimated that between 1982 and 1987, nearly 10,000 fetuses were affected by Accutane or retinoic acid. Of these, up to 8,000 fetuses were aborted either spontaneously or electively due to Accutane exposure.

Most dermatologists will require a woman take a pregnancy test before taking Accutane and pregnancy tests throughout the course of care. Women who are prescribed Accutane but discontinue dermatology care, may be at increased risk of fetal Accutane exposure. Accutane should be a last resort medication for women of childbearing age due to the significant risk of fetal birth defects.

Alternatives to Accutane do exist. Though no woman wants to live her life with severe acne, antibiotics, natural skin care products, and acne gels can? be prescribed by a dermatologist. When Accutane is the only medication that clears skin, it can be hard to stop taking for nearly a year - or more if breast-feeding.

Anyone considering abortion should be able to make an informed decision and know the facts about abortion. Based on statistics, 1,287,000 abortions were performed in 2003. Since 1976, the abortions performed each year have continually been over 1 million and closer to 1.5 million. Most women (93%) abort their baby for social reasons. Many women don't feel ready to have a child because of age, finances, or other issues. However, before you even realize you are pregnant there is a baby inside with your genes who is breathing and developing.

Once conception occurs, a baby starts to grow inside. Already, the baby has all the DNA and characteristics set at conception. The baby begins to attach to the uterus wall and within 7-13 days your body may be recognizing a pregnancy and sending a hormone to stop the menstrual cycle. On day 21 the baby's heart starts beating. By the time you may realize you are pregnant, the baby's body has started to grow and have an identifiable form. Between weeks 40 to 45, the baby has identifiable arms and legs and displays measurable brain waves. Usually surgical abortions are not performed before seven weeks, or 49 days. Between weeks seven and ten, when the majority of abortions take place, fingers and genitals become visible and the child's face is recognizably human.

As soon as conception occurs, there is a baby who needs to come out - either in pieces by an abortion or whole and alive through a birth. Although you may be fearful and apprehensive about carrying a baby to full term because it can disturb your lifestyle, there are over 3000 pregnancy clinics throughout the United States that are available to lend a hand. There are many resources available to you through adoption services and pregnancy clinics, including pregnancy tests, counseling, housing, maternity clothes, legal assistance, information about adoption, and medical care. These centers are usually staffed by volunteers and women ready to help you face an unplanned pregnancy. These counselors do not have a financial interest in your decision (unlike abortion clinics), and are genuinely committed to standing by you through this often difficult time, and providing you with not only information, but the support you need. These centers have helped thousands of women realize that they don't have to choose between their own lives and the lives of their unborn babies.

A normal pregnancy lasts only 40 weeks, a relatively short amount of time in your average lifespan. Carrying your baby to term and then placing your baby for adoption could turn an unexpected "mistake" into a joyful event for a waiting, loving family. Today adoption is sensitive to the mother's needs. In an open adoption, you can have continual contact with your child and the adoptive parents. Most women choose this option; those who do usually have the healthiest emotional healing after giving the baby up for adoption.

When considering adoption instead of abortion, remember what Mother Teresa said, "The greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion, which is war against the child. The mother doesn't learn to love, but kills to solve her own problems. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want."

By choosing adoption you are choosing to give you and your baby options to live a full and happy life. By giving your baby up for adoption, you will be free to pursue your education and your dreams without being financially or socially tied down, as well as having memories of your child's innocent face and being able to know that you made a couple's dream come true of having a child to love.

C sections are taken so lightly these days but for a variety of reasons they are needed and you will receive some fantastic c section after care in the hospital.

But what happens when you leave hospital?

Unfortunately there is little information available about what your c section after care should be and most Moms come home from the hospital with a vague idea about what they should and shouldn't do. Some Moms recover quickly, some have pain for a long time and some even end up back in hospital with complications from their surgery.

Here are 5 tips for your c section after care to make sure that you make a speedy, full and complication free recovery from your surgery.

Rest - As with any new Mom, rest is ohh, so important. But the difference with you is that you have also just had major abdominal surgery. Your c section after care should reflect this, so get plenty of physical rest.

No straining - Because your stomach muscles have all been cut it will take about 6 weeks for them to knit together enough for you to lift anything. The general rule in c section after care is to lift nothing heavier than your baby for the first six weeks.

No stretching - Do little stretching of the abdominal area for the same reasons - especially in the first couple of weeks. Not only are your muscles healing but so is your skin and the nerves, so any over stretching could at best affect the way that your scar looks, at worst you could even open your wound up. This is why things like vacuuming and hanging out washing are not recommended as part of your c section after care.

Eat - The fourth c section after care tip is to eat. I know that you may not feel that well, you will be tired, sore and swollen, but your body actually needs more of the right foods now to help you to feed baby and heal quickly.

Exercise - Our final c section after care tip may seem contradictory, but you do need to incorporate some form of exercise into your recovery. This means just gentle walking or movement. Not a lot - just enough to get the blood and nutrients moving to all the places that need them - like your wound and your feet.

Many women find that their feet swell up like balloons after their c section thanks to all the fluid build up, so the sooner that you are able to get moving, the sooner the fluid will be reabsorbed.

There are specific exercises that you can do right from day one that will help to speed up your recovery and reduce your pain significantly.

Health is wealth. This is one side of the coin. The other side is that you need wealth to recover from bad health.
No one can foresee an illness and sudden medical emergencies. A person finds himself/herself in deep waters when such a contingency arises. This is because medical bills are exorbitant and paying them without insurance is next to impossible for most people. Prescription drugs, hospital bills, maternity care, etc involve considerable monetary expenditures. Many people who did not take insurance for a rainy day have landed in debt due to improper health care management. Uninsured medical care can not only be financially taxing but may also spell doom in a family.
This is the reason why more and more people are opting for the protective cover of health insurance to ensure health and financial security. Health insurance helps to provide protection against the possible health problems that could happen in the future. The insured person needs to pay a 'premium' periodically.

The process of availing health insurance requires filling up of an application form. You need to provide some documentation about your finances. You can cover the health insurance needs of the entire family, including dental care, eye care, doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions, etc.

Health insurance costs are rising day by day. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to afford health insurance. However, it is not possible to forgo it. There are some affordable solutions. People with low income can qualify for a Medicaid program. They need to visit the local Division of Family Services office to get an application.

How to avail a cheap health insurance?

The costs of health insurance plans vary. So, a thorough research is essential before you choose a particular plan. It is a smart idea to find out how long the insurance company has been in business. Make sure that the company yo select is licensed in your state.

The medium of Internet provides a good platform to search for cheap insurance plans. You can compare numerous plans before you select one for you.

Becoming a mother is a wonderful moment for a woman. The same can be said for men also; but for women the feelings of being pregnant and becoming a mother are inexpressible. The period of pregnancy is a very vital moment. During these nine months she has to take full care of herself and her baby. As the time passes from first month to ninth month, there are several changes that can be seen in a woman. Some changes are normal which are seen mostly in all pregnant women i.e., may be 95%. Some are serious changes. Whatever may be, but consulting good doctors and remaining under routine check up during these nine months is advisable for every pregnant women. Here are some of the fundamentals about pregnancy, which if a women knows can understand the structure of pregnancy and then consulting doctor when needed would be easier.

Some normal changes during pregnancy which can be seen especially during first two to three months in a woman can be solved in home treatment after consulting doctor. These are not very serious.

1. Morning sickness-it occurs in the morning during the first three months of pregnancy. It is a condition in which there is a vomiting tendency felt I the morning. It is not out of indigestion so food is not vomited. This vomiting is accompanied by watery fluids from the stomach. It may also result in vomiting nothing; just a tendency to vomit. It is caused by hormones released by a woman's body during pregnancy. Some special care may reduce this morning sickness.

繚 Care should be taken that small amount of food is always there in the stomach. Empty stomach enhances vomiting.

繚 Drinking plenty of fluids, preferably water because sweet drinks may generate vomiting.

繚 Increased intake of protein and reduce fat consumption.

繚 Care should be taken that there is no smell of food in the morning and the women having sound sleep and sufficient rest.

2. Heartburn-sometimes a pregnant woman may feel a sensation of burning behind the breast bone especially after eating. It is a very normal change in a pregnant woman and can be reduced by taking medicines as per doctor's instruction. Eating plenty of fluids may also reduce the heartburn.

3. Constipation-if a pregnant women does not drink sufficient fluids and fiber food then may suffer from constipation. Sometimes due to constipation medicines need to be taken to clear out the bowels. Constipation may also lead to blood discharge during bowel. It can be reduced by drinking sufficient fluids and fiber food and also by taking medicines.

4. Sleep problem-often a pregnant women may face insufficient sleep. It may be due to excitement or restlessness or hip pain. In such cases very soft care need to be taken and comfort should be provided to the women.

5. Gestational Diabetes-this type of diabetes occurs during the second half of pregnancy. Sometimes if it is very high insulin need to be taken. But nothing to be afraid of as the diabetes is temporary and can be cured by consulting doctor. Three things should be taken care of during this time.

繚 The food habit should be proper. Too much sweet consumption should be avoided.

繚 Doing exercise every day. Not very strenuous one but simple one. Can consult doctor regarding the type of exercises.

繚 Having a routine checkup of blood sugar levels.

6. Cold or flu can be very frequently seen a pregnant women. It is very normal and simple medicines may work. May consult doctor if needed as taking too much drugs during pregnancy is not good.

Apart from these very normal problems here are very serious problems also.

1) Bleeding in pregnancy-Bleeding during pregnancy mayor may not be serious. Bleeding before and after 20 weeks may have different implications.

* Bleeding may occur during the first three months due to

- Miscarriage

- Pregnancy in fallopian tube

- Gestational trophoblastic disease may be cancerous in which a grape like mass of foetal and placental tissue develops.

- Implantation of placenta in the uterus

- Infection

* Bleeding after 20 weeks

- Placenta is near or covers the cervical opening

- Placental abruption

- Some unknown causes.

2) Hemorrhoids-It is commonly also known as piles. It is a situation in which bleeding occurs every time that the woman goes to the toilet. It is also accompanied by pain. It actually happens because during pregnancy the pregnancy hormones relax resulting in a swollen type of thing at the back. Piles can be treated in the following ways:

繚 Drinking plenty of water so that the bowels become clear. Constipation may enhance the problem.

繚 Eating fiber food so that the food is collected in the stomach.

繚 Exercising

繚 Avoiding stress and especially standing for a long time.

繚 Cloth wet with water or ice bag if put on the back may give relief to the swollen part.

繚 Sleep with foot of the bed raised on bricks so that the lower part of the body is raised.

繚 Consulting doctor if they can suggest some other methods to reduce the pain and also the swollen part.

3) Anemia-sometimes a pregnant woman suffers from extreme tiredness, headache, and breathlessness. This happens normally when the women is suffering from anemia, though it is not always so. It is a condition in which the body is running short of red blood cells. As the developing baby also shares with the mother the red blood cells so there is sometimes shortness in the production. But the red blood cells increase with the increase in the month of pregnancy but what happens is that the plasma sometimes become more than the RBCs. Anemia may also happen because of the deficiency in iron. VitaminB12 or folic acids as these are very essential for the production of red blood cells. Anemia can be avoided to some extent by the following ways:

繚 Eating food rich in iron like leafy vegetables, cereals, breads, eggs etc.

繚 Eating food rich in vitamin and vitamin B12 like citrus fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, cereals.

繚 Folic acid is very important to minimize the chances of anemia. It also reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Moreover as vomiting is a natural symptom at this time, folic acid will also improve the health of the mother.

繚 All types of vitamins and minerals are advisable. Moreover drinks like tea and coffee should be avoided as they absorb iron leaving the body deficient of iron.

4) Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia-pre-eclampsia is a condition in which the pregnant woman suffers from high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling in hands and legs. High blood pressure may be very risky as the delivery need to happen very fast or else either the baby or the mother can survive. Proper medical treatment at this time is very important. Because if not treated properly may lead to eclampsia. If the mother suffers from eclampsia immediate oxygen and drugs need to be given. In case of pre-eclampsia no particular treatment is there and consulting doctor is the only way out.

Normal and serious problems may happen in pregnancy but it is advisable for every pregnant woman to be very cautious. Precautions are very important. If taken proper care of then these nominal and serious problems can be avoided.

1) Sex during pregnancy-sexual urge may always be felt by both men and women. In case of pregnancy the sexual urge in women tends to reduce because of the excitement of the new born baby. So it becomes very important that both husband and wife sit together and come to a mutual understanding. But above all sex if at all done should be done only by those women in whom there is no chance of miscarriage or pre-term labor. It needs doctor's consultation. During times of sex care should be taken that the husband does not blow air into the vagina as that may block the blood vessel creating danger both for the mother and the child. Also care should be taken that the opponent is safe from any sexually transmitted diseases. At this time it is better to stick to one partner.

2) Food habits-during these nine months special care should be taken towards the food habits. Only proper cooked food should be eaten as that destroys the germs and the parasites that are there in the food. Raw vegetables, meat non-pasteurized milk should be avoided. Everything i.e. utensils and vegetables should be washed properly. Toxoplasmosis is a disease that occurs from uncooked food. Not only that the disease also spreads from faeces of cats so contact with cats should be avoided.

3) Drugs-drugs taken during pregnancy should be taken only after the advice of the doctor. Too much intake of drugs during pregnancy may harm the baby and even lead to miscarriages. Drugs taken in normal times may not be suitable during pregnancy so before taking any types of drugs consult doctor.

4) Many unwanted substances are even found around the house like cleansers, paints, and printing inks. Carpet cleaners etc. these may prove hazardous for the embryo. Moreover some chemicals like lead and mercury are very dangerous for the baby as well as the mother. Water pipeline may contain small amount of lead so water should be boiled during these nine months. We are often exposed to mercury like in fish. So the raw food should wash properly and if possible wash with lukewarm water.

5) Some dangerous rays may also be hazardous though we may not be aware of it. Ray from computer screens so a pregnant women should not sit for a very long time near the computer screen or with laptop on the lap. Also some electrical appliances like micro wave emit rays. So no one and especially pregnant women should not stand in front of micro wave. The use of electric blanket should be avoided.

Last but not the least environmental impact on pregnancy can also prove dangerous. The environment always contains harmful gases like carbon mono oxide and lead particles that are hazardous for the unborn baby. Working conditions and atmosphere may not be suitable. So every bit of care should be taken that a pregnant woman gets all the amenities in her workplace: be it at home or outside. Women are the carriers of future generation so we treat then them with full respect.

Registered nurses (RN's) work to promote health, to prevent disease, and to help patients to cope with illness and disability. They are the advocates and health care educators for patients, families and communities. As providers of direct patient care they observe, assess and record the symptoms, reactions, and progress of patients. They assist physicians during examinations, treatments, and surgeries. They administer medications and assist in rehabilitation and convalescence. RN's in nurse scrubs also develop and implement nursing care plans; they instruct patients and families in proper care; and they help individuals and groups to take steps to maintain or improve their health. Most registered nurses work in hospitals, providing bedside nursing care and carrying out medical treatments. RN's may supervise licensed practical nurses (LPN's) and nursing aides.

Usually hospital nurses are assigned to one department, such as pediatrics, maternity, surgery, intensive care, emergency room, or cancer treatment. Some RN's rotate among different departments. Other registered nurses deliver outpatient care working for physicians' offices, clinics, emergency medical centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. These RN's assist with examinations, administer medications and injections, dress incisions and wounds, assist in minor surgery, and maintain patients' records. Some RN's in scrubs uniform also perform routine laboratory work and office clerical work. RN's who work in nursing care facilities manage residents' care and deal with conditions of the elderly from fractures to Alzheimer's disease.

Besides administrative tasks, these RN's assess residents' health, develop plans for treatment, supervise LPN's and nursing aides, and perform some invasive procedures such as giving intravenous fluids. RN's also work in long-term rehabilitation facilities for patients who had strokes or head injuries. Home health RN's provide patients nursing services in their homes. They assess the patients' home environments, and they instruct patients and families. Home health care nurses must be able to work on their own and to supervise home health care aides. They may care for a wide range of patients, such as childbirth, patients recovery from illnesses or accidents, or cancer patients.

Public health RN's work in private and governmental agencies including schools, clinics, retirement communities, and other community health care facilities. They work with individuals, families, and groups to improve the overall health of the community. They work with communities to plan and implement programs of education and treatment. Public health RN's instruct individuals, their families, and other groups with regard to health issues such as nutrition, preventative care, and childcare. They organize public immunizations, test blood pressure, and perform other health screening services. Occupational health RN's (industrial nurses) in scrub pants provide nursing care in the workplace for employees and customers with injuries and illnesses.

They provide emergency care, fill out accident reports, and arrange for further medical care when necessary. They offer health counseling, give inoculations, conduct examinations, and assess the work environment to identify actual or potential health problems. Registered nurses are the largest healthcare occupation, with over 2.3 million jobs. More new registered nurse jobs are expected to be created than any other occupation. Nursing job opportunities and pay are expected to be very good. The three principle educational paths to a registered nursing career are a diploma, an associate degree, and a bachelor's degree.

Medical Assistant is a degree which is achieved after taking the medical assistant course. There are a lot of medical assistant degrees courses that are available, which depends on the kind of course that you want to take. Some of the common ones include on full time and part time basis, along with a master degree in nursing. The particulars and details of each of them are given below. However, if you don't find sufficient information you should check out the website of school or the university which is offering the course.

• Full time degree courses are easily available in all the four branches of medical assistant, which includes adult, child, mental health and learning disabilities. The time span of this course is usually three years along with the practice. There are several higher education institutions and schools that are offering this course.

These courses give you academic as well as professional qualification through an incorporate study of theory that is involved in the medical assistant course as well as practical work which is the aspect that counts most. This program begins with the basic understanding of the medical assistant. The main purpose of this program is to develop your communication, caring and observational skills. This basic understanding also gives you an introduction to the entire four branches of nursing mentioned above. An additional introduction of the maternity care is also given.

Then are the medical assistant practices, which accounts for 50 % of the program. This practice is usually done in hospitals and community settings. After this practice, you are then give a choice to select a branch of nursing that you want to continue in, followed by the studies and the practice of that particular branch.

• There are also part time degree courses in all four branches of medical assistant. These courses are usually of four years. These courses also involve theory and then practice but for part time. Before taking this course you should make sure that you have the ability to cope up with other things that you are doing along with the course as this course demands high level of involvement and understanding.

• These courses also provide you with a very through study of the medical field. Practice element is the foremost aspect in it, which determines your actual grades. The course takes around for years to complete. There are several universities which are offering this course and have a requirement of their own.

After taking the degree you become academically eligible to work with professionals and several big names. The salary package that is offered to you is attractive, along with the incentives that are given to you.

However if you have taken some medical assistant courses and training or have a practical experience, the degree can be shorten down to a few months, depending on the course and training that you have taken.the mapping is done by the process known as accreditation of prior learning in which your previous history is been eyed and if approved, exempts some of your degree courses that you have to take.

Serious birth injuries can have long-term effects on a child, and therefore it is important that if your baby suffered an injury at birth that you understand the causes and the long-term implications. This article seeks to provide a basic overview; for more information it is always better to speak to a qualified doctor or nurse.

An unusually large infant, premature birth and breech delivery are all risk factors which could lead to birth trauma. A skilled doctor or midwife will obviously reduce the risk of these problems translating into a birth injury, however instances of medical negligence are also a major cause of serious injuries during birth. Common birth injuries to the baby include:

• Skull injuries: can be caused by cuts and abrasions and bleeding between the skull and scalp.
• Brachial plexus injuries: which occurs when the baby's anterior shoulder becomes trapped during birth (also known as shoulder dystocia).
• Injuries to the Cranial Nerve: potentially resulting in facial paralysis, eye paralysis and breathing difficulties.
• Fractures: often affecting the arm and leg bones as a result of problems during birth.

Many common birth injuries can be avoided if mother and baby are provided with good medical and maternity care. Unfortunately, instances of clinical negligence do occur, in which a doctor or nurse's behaviour or misdiagnosis is directly responsible for a serious birth injury and long term medical issues on the part of the baby.

Clinical Negligence

If your baby suffered a birth injury and you suspect that a doctor or midwife behaved negligently, whether this negligence caused a serious injury to the cranial nerve, a scalpel cut or an abrasion, it is recommended that you contact a solicitor to discuss making a medical negligence compensation claim.

Financial compensation is often awarded to parents in this situation, and is intended to help them cover the costs of ongoing medical care and rehabilitation costs. The team of clinical negligence specialists at Pannone LLP can provide all the legal advice and guidance you require to make an informed decision regarding the potential of your clinical negligence claim.

For more information, visit the Pannone website at: http://www.pannone.com/solicitors-for-you/clinical-negligence.asp

Though the physical and emotional aspects of being pregnant can be overwhelming, with all the changes that are happening to you and to your relationship with your partner, there are a number of practical decisions to make too: what type of antenatal care would you like? What sort of birth?

It makes sense to think about these and other practicalities as early as possible so that you have ample time to investigate your options.

You can choose to have your baby at home or in hospital (not necessarily the closest to your home), and you have a right to maternity care, whatever you choose to do. Take the time to look into the choices with your partner, with a midwife and with your GP Ask other mothers in your area where they had their babies, and what sort of care they received.

Some women feel more comfortable in a hospital where emergency equipment is to hand, others are happiest in their own home, where they are able to feel in control. It is up to you.

Giving birth in hospital

Depending on where you live and where your health authority has contracts for its deliveries, you may be able to choose between different local hospitals, all within reasonably easy reach of your home.

Most women today have the majority of their antenatal care with their GP or community midwife and you may only visit the hospital once or twice during your pregnancy. It is becoming more common for the 'booking in' appointment - the first antenatal appointment that 'books' you a place for delivery - to he done at home. You are likely to have most of your care at the hospital if there is any problem with your pregnancy, since you may need to see a consultant obstetrician regularly; if a problem develops while you are pregnant, you will also probably he asked to see the consultant too.

The majority of babies - even if they are born in hospitals - are delivered by midwives. Normally doctors only intervene if forceps are needed or if a cesarean is necessary.

There are a number of issues which might affect your choice of hospital or decision to choose home rather than a hospital. All hospitals now say that they treat every mother and baby as individuals and they are anxious to get away from the idea that procedures take precedence over a mother's wishes.

You may however, want to ask specific questions to reassure yourself that you will be welcome to express your preferences.