Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Many women who are used to receiving regular chiropractic care find themselves questioning whether or not they should continue with this treatment once they become pregnant. There are no known complications to chiropractic care to be concerned with during your pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant and some have additional training in specific methods.

Chiropractor who use low-force or gentle techniques may be preferred by pregnant women as there is no cracking or twisting of the spine during the adjustment.

Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?

Chiropractic during pregnancy is an effective, drug free and safe treatment for both the mom and her baby. Chiropractic care can continue while you are pregnant, or you can begin a new chiropractic treatment program as early as the first month of pregnancy. Treatment will help you better deal with the many changes that are occurring with your body. Special adjustments by the chiropractor, designed for pregnancy, help balance the pelvis, reduce any nerve irritation in the spine and generally help your body feel more at ease overall.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy in order to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout the pregnancy. With a better balanced pelvis, babies enjoy a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth which can result in an easier and safer delivery for both the mother and her baby.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can lead to a healthier overall pregnancy. Other benefits include controlling nausea symptoms, relieving back, neck and joint pain, reduce the risk of possible cesarean section as well as reducing the amount of time a woman is in labor and delivery. Chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique are able to perform adjustments using this technique when babies are presenting breech. Studies have shown an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when the Webster Technique was used.

How do I get adjusted while pregnant?

Many chiropractors have either specially designed pillows or tables that allow the expectant mother to lay on her stomach, safely and comfortably during her chiropractic adjustment. Women that are uncomfortable lying this way can still be adjusted by lying on their side.

Are there benefits to Chiropractic Care Post Pregnancy?

After your delivery, your body's supply of relaxin is reduced and your bones and ligaments start to return back to their original positions. Chiropractic adjustments help this process by making sure that everything is aligned. Chiropractic is an essential part of the postpartum process and is especially helpful if you've had a difficult pregnancy or birthing experience.

Chiropractic also helps your body deal with the added stresses that occur as you hold and take care of your baby. Additional bending, lifting, stretching and rocking will become part of your daily routine. Your body will need help adjusting to these new movements and chiropractic is a great help.

As more women look to chiropractic care as a means of maintaining good health throughout pregnancy, more health care providers are referring to chiropractors within their communities. Be sure to discuss chiropractic as an option when you meet with your health care provider. If they are not aware of chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out it. Most chiropractors welcome the opportunity to partner with other health care providers to help pregnant women enjoy a positive pregnancy experience.

Over the past 10 years, working as a RMT, I have seen a huge increase in the demand for pregnancy massage. I am very excited that more and more mothers-to-be are incorporating prenatal massage into their health care regimes. Although massage therapy is very safe during your pregnancy, it is still important that you inform yourself about how massage can help, as well as how to find the right therapist. This short article will cover the musculoskeletal changes that occur throughout pregnancy, how massage therapy can help, as well as how to find a qualified Pregnancy massage RMT.

Changes that occur in the body during pregnancy

AS a mother-to-be you have probably already started to read up on what's going on with your baby, how it's growing, and how to keep it safe and happy. Unfortunately many women are so focused on the baby they forget to think of themselves as well. As the baby grows, there are many changes that need to occur in the mothers' body in order for the pregnancy to progress normally. These changes vary from temporary to, in some cases, permanent.

Hormonal changes

In the earlier stages of the pregnancy these changes are very small, and in some cases cannot even be felt by the mother. Most of the changes felt are usually hormonal, that can often cause, fatigue, irritability, nausea, and water retention. As the fetus starts to grow, the body must change in order to support it, and make room. The body allows these changes to occur with the help of a hormone which is released later in the pregnancy. This hormone is called relaxin, and its job is to circulate in the body and cause all the ligaments in the body to become a bit more relaxed. This is important because as the baby grown the ribs need to shift and flare out, and the pelvis needs to widen to make room. Although these changes are natural and necessary they can also cause mild to moderate muscle and joint discomfort. As the ligaments loosen, and the joints become more unstable there is a significant increase in stress placed on the muscles. This increase in stress can cause muscular aches and pains, which can be easily alleviated with pregnancy massage.

Postural changes

As the uterus grows, the posture of the mother to be will progressively change along with it. Normal postural changes during pregnancy are:

• An increase in the lordotic curve ( curve in the low back) This can lead to joint compression and muscular tension and the low back, causing pain and discomfort.


• The pelvis will drop forward, and widen, increasing the strain on the muscles of the legs, hips and feet.


• The ligaments along the Anterior and posterior aspect of the spine, as well as the ligaments of the pelvis will stretch out, predisposing the mother to ligaments sprains.


• The shoulders will round forward causing a tightening of the pectoral muscles, and over stretching the mid back muscles. this can cause pain between the shoulder blades, and tightness in the chest.


• The head starts to rest in a more forward position, leading to neck, and shoulder pain.


• The abdominal muscles stretch out, and in some cases separate. This causes to muscles of the back to have to work way more to stabilize the spine.

Although these changes are completely normal, and will happen to every woman throughout their pregnancy they can be uncomfortable, and in some cases quite painful. Pregnancy or prenatal massage not only helps decrease muscular tension, and pain, but can also prevent excessive changes to occur, helping you stay as straight, and stable as possible. A qualified RMT can also give you some strengthening exercises to help stabilize the body (as much as possible) in order to prevent injury, and pain.

?Fluid retention

Due to hormonal changes, increase in blood pressure, and lack of mobility fluid retention can occur throughout the pregnancy. In most cases, this presents as puffiness, in the hands and feet, and legs. This puffiness can cause mild to moderate discomfort, and in some cases can even compress nerves. This can lead to conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness in the hands, and arms. Pregnancy massage can help drain out the stagnant fluid by pushing it back towards the heart, and allowing it to be re-circulated and peed out.

How is pregnancy massage done?

Now that I have explained why pregnancy massage is extremely beneficial for most expecting mothers I will quickly explain how pregnancy massage is performed. Pregnancy massage should always be performed by a registered massage therapist qualified in prenatal massage. This ensures that your therapist will be able to safely and effectively perform the massage treatment.

In the early phases of pregnancy there are very few modifications to the treatments. The expectant mother can lie on her stomach to receive her treatment. The only modification will be a decrease in pressure in the low back, and perhaps a small bolsters placed under her shoulders to lift some pressure of her breast. (Can sometimes be tender). There are also shiatsu points in between the shoulder blades, as well as around the ankle bones that need to be avoided, as they can cause uterine contractions

As the uterus grows, the mother to be will be asked to lie on her side to receive the massage treatment. Once the back and legs have been treated she can turn onto her back, where she will be proper up on pillows to a semi-seated position. A small towel roll will be placed under her right hip in order to shift the baby off the major veins of the torso, so the mother-to-be doesn't get light headed. Most pregnancy massages include the back, legs, feet, arms, upper back, and neck, but every massage can be tailored to each individuals needs

During the pregnancy massage, or prenatal massage, pressure does not need to be modified, and can be tailored to what is more comfortable to the expectant mother. There is however some modification that needs to be made, such as no joint mobilizations or aggressive stretching. This can lead to injury because of the natural ligament laxity in the joint throughout the pregnancy.

As you can see, pregnancy massage is extremely safe and beneficial for most expectant mothers. However it is important to note that prenatal massage may not be safe for those who have complications during pregnancy. In those cases it is important to consult with your MD, OBGYN, or mid wife before booking a pregnancy massage. It is also important to note, that even if all RMT's have received basic training in pregnancy massage, not all therapists are comfortable, or experienced in the treatments, so inquire about the RMT's experience with prenatal massage.

The first tip to help you get pregnant is to understand how you body works. Your body is amazing; with observation and attention you can greatly improve you chances of getting pregnant. Monitoring changes throughout your monthly cycle will help you identify when the time is right to conceive.

The next tip is to start to watch what you eat and drink, if you are finding that you are suffering from stress then it would be wise to cut down on caffeine and sugary sodas. Drink more water and eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.

The next tip is to prepare your body nutritionally. Good health is all about balance, eating the right foods with the all the nutrition you need can be challenging. To overcome this you can supplement your diet with vitamins. One very important vitamin is vitamin B9, better known as folic acid.

The next tip relates to sexual intercourse. Sex as we all know is wonderful, however if it becomes mechanical then it can start to be a bit of a drag. This can lead to lack of drive and makes the joy of love making routine and boring. You want to conceive a child through passion and love.

When both partners are passionate and climax at the same time it actually helps deliver more sperm to the egg. This improves your chances of conception. After sex, relax, stay lying down and let good old Mother Nature do her job. If you prop up your hips then you get gravity working on your side.

In conclusion your health is everything and this applies to both you and your partner.

Pregnancy is a very special time in the life of a woman. It can also be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience. Every stage of pregnancy is both exciting and challenging. Having the support of her loved ones makes a pregnant mom comfortable and confident of herself. If you are looking for the best gifts for pregnant moms, then consider gifting her an experience rather than a material gift.

Even if she does not say it, every pregnant woman appreciates the help, care and support that her family and friends offer. Most women may find it difficult to ask for or accept help, so try to offer it even if she does not ask for it. One of the nicest things that you can do is to gift her a few hours of quality time by herself or with her partner. You can offer to take care of the household chores such as cleaning the dishes, doing the laundry and dusting the house. This simple gesture will mean more to her than a basket full of gifts.

Offer to run errands such as shopping for groceries. Pregnant mums need to eat properly and should have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. This means that they need to go to the store frequently to shop for them. Pregnancy tires out the woman's body and by ensuring that she doesn't have to stand in the queue at the grocery store and lug her shopping home, you can pamper her rather thoughtfully. You do not need to pay for the groceries; the time and effort that you spend shopping for the provisions are your gift to your friend.

You can also offer to cook dinner at her house or bring the food over. Do take the time and effort to choose dishes that she enjoys. It would be thoughtful to bring a little extra, so that she has leftovers to warm and eat the next day too. It would be nice if you washed the dishes before you left so that she does not have to bother with them.

Pregnancy is accompanied by a plethora of discomforts including backaches, headaches, leg cramps and a general feeling of fatigue. A gentle, soothing massage is just what a pregnant mum needs to alleviate her aches. There are spas that offer special massage treatment for mums-to-be.

Women with normal pregnancies can enjoy the many benefits that a prenatal massage offers. The masseur will help reduce the pressure and strain on certain body parts such as the lower back or the feet. The pampering is just what the lady needs to make her feel loved and cherished. Facial and neck massages relax the body and ease the mind, and can be the perfect gift for a pregnant mum.

Is there any earliest pregnancy symptom that can help the woman to know the answer of "am I pregnant?" even before the lab or home test? If you have the same query in your mind then you must go through the following passages to find the answer.

Certainly there are few earliest possible symptoms of pregnancy. These symptoms help the woman to determine her pregnancy even before the pregnancy test. There are women who are able to detect these earliest pregnancy symptoms, the moment conception takes place. It is because they have a fair understanding of these symptoms.

Following are the earliest pregnancy symptoms. These signs of pregnancy enable the woman to spot her pregnancy before she misses her periods.

Basal Body Temperature: There are many women who know well that the basal temperature of the body increases at the time of ovulation. But only few of them are aware, that if the body temperature stays elevated, then this could be a possible sign of pregnancy. For careful monitoring of basal body temperature the woman only requires a cheap thermometer. This thermometer enables the woman to detect even minute temperature changes.

Enlarged Breasts: The level of hormones changes drastically in the early pregnancy. The body reacts to thee changes in hormonal levels by giving different symptoms. Body is not ready for these drastic changes in hormonal levels. The most evident change as a result of increased hormones takes place in the shape and size of breasts. Soon after conception there is a feeling of tenderness or fullness. Sometimes this tenderness fades away as the body gets acquainted to new levels of hormones.

Fatigue: Another earliest pregnancy symptom is lack of energy. At times it becomes hard to distinguish between general exhaustion and pregnancy related fatigue. However health professionals believe that fatigue is also linked to new levels of hormones. These fatigue feelings become normal when the body regulates itself to new hormonal level.

There are many ways to get pregnant faster with one way to make this happen is by having trying to conceive before the female ovulates. Many think that a couple should have sex after ovulation but that is not necessarily true. Once a woman ovulates, the egg will only survive for a day. That is why some feel that having sex one to three days ahead of ovulation will increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Another way to get pregnant is not to depend on the calendar method for predicting when ovulation may occur. This is not an accurate way to measure ovulation. In addition, before you begin to try and get pregnant, talk with your gynecologist first. There are many reasons why women have a hard time getting pregnant such as having an infection, being in poor health or having a sexually transmitted disease.

It is important to note that smoking, abusing drugs or drinking alcohol also can impede a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. If you drink, smoke or use drugs, stop and talk with your physician on the methods you can safely use to stop these harmful habits.

Another tip that will help you get pregnant quicker is to enjoy having sex. Often when a couple wants to have a child they will try too hard, meaning having sex is not enjoyable but only a stressful way to produce a child.

Also, many say that having sex in the missionary position - that is when a woman is lying down and the man on top - is the best way because the angle of your pelvis will help keep the sperm in longer. In addition, some women have found success in getting pregnant by staying on their back after sex as to keep the sperm from escaping. It is believed by some to boost the chances of a sperm fertilizing the egg.

To help boost the pregnancy, talk with your partner about cutting back on alcohol and smoking. The healthier the sperm is, the better chances of a woman's egg getting fertilized. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables and taking a daily multivitamin will certainly help in the production of healthy and active sperm.

It is important to note that the chances of getting pregnant quickly are more apt to happen the younger a woman is. Women in their twenties and early thirties have a much higher chance of getting pregnant than those who want to get pregnant and are over the age of 35. To get pregnant fast is not difficult; it just requires a plan and a desire to have children.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a health disorder that more than 1/3 of the population will deal with. It is usually characterized by bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and cramping. Most irritable bowel syndrome cases are mild and are easily controlled with stress management, a healthy diet. In some cases, there is a need for the person suffering from the disorder to take prescribed medications from his/her doctor.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, irritable bowel syndrome becomes a very common issue to deal with. The condition, however, does not affect a woman's chance of getting pregnant. During the pregnancy, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are usually much more severe, which makes the pregnancy that much more stressful. The hormonal changes that a woman experiences during his pregnancy, especially if she was already suffering from irritable bowel syndrome before she got pregnant, vary during each trimester.

Usually during the first trimester, women do not feel any of the hormonal changes that are going on because they are too busy dealing with morning sickness. At this point, most cases of irritable bowel syndrome go away. Once the second trimester hits, the hormonal changes that the woman is experiencing become much more apparent and the symptoms due to irritable bowel syndrome will continue because of all of the changes that are taking place internally.

In the third trimester, the symptoms continue on and they generally increase. The most noticeable symptom in a pregnant woman is constipation. This is because the levels of progesterone during pregnancy are elevated, so the muscles throughout the body begin to relax. This causes a slow down of the digestive system. Lack of a healthy diet and exercise regime are also factors in the case of constipation.

Irritable bowel syndrome during a pregnancy can at times become very troublesome. Because of this, all women, especially those who are pregnant or looking to get pregnant should learn about all of the different treatment methods that are available today. These treatments are used to help relieve the symptoms brought about by irritable bowel syndrome in pregnancy. Pregnant women should find ways to do safe and regular pregnancy exercises as well as drink lots of water daily to help relieve these symptoms.

Pregnant women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome should also consider taking soluble fiber supplements. It is also important to get a lot of sleep and rest. If your symptoms are extremely severe, there are medications that can help you. Diclectin is known to help with morning sickness. Bentyl also helps to prevent muscle spasms that occur within the stomach as well as in the bladder. With relaxed muscles, your symptoms won't be as severe and you can focus on other things during your pregnancy.

In any case, the best way to cure these symptoms is to visit your doctor. Here, your doctor can assess your condition and determine what kind of treatment is best for you and the condition you are dealing with.

Bed rest is a common practice designed to help stabilize a variety of complications that may crop up during your pregnancy. Most times the period of rest is short, and you may resume normal activities such as working. In some cases, the period of inactivity may be much longer and may require hospitalization. Below are a few tips to make this time more affordable so you can relax more and worry less. Stress can worsen any health issue. Don't let financial worry get in your way.

Your gynecologist may prescribe bed rest to improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Common medical reasons precipitating rest at home include: high blood pressure from pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, cervical changes, vaginal bleeding, pre-term labor, high order multiples, diabetes, and placenta disorders such as placenta previa, and placenta abbrevia. Your period of inactivity may last a week, a month, or in rare cases the entire length of your pregnancy. In more severe cases you may be admitted to the hospital for monitoring.

If you have a full-time job a prescription for bed rest may create some unexpected financial concerns such as: how long will I get paid, will I be able to keep my job, and how do I cut my expenses. Finding good answers to these questions can dial back some of the financial pressures. Don't ignore the advice of your doctor because you can't afford getting the rest you and your baby need.

Replacing Your Income

Many couples rely on both incomes to make ends meet in their family budget, and leave little financial cushion. Often an extended period of time away from work may translate into lost income. Check on your number of accumulated sick days, and look into any short term disability insurance coverage you might have. Most policies will cover complications of pregnancy, provided that your coverage started prior to conception. Check to see what your monthly benefit amount might be: some policies will cover up to 璽?色€?of your salary. Five states have mandated programs that can help: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
Keeping Your Job

Missing a few days here or there rarely results in job loss. But when months of work are missed, your employer may consider hiring a replacement. The Federal Family Medical Leave Act provides for up to twelve weeks of job protected leave. If your combined bed rest along with your maternity leave after delivery exceed the twelve weeks, you may be at the mercy of your employer. Not all employees or employers are bound by this legislation, so make sure you meet the qualifying criteria. Ten states have laws which the amount of leave and/or populations covered. Check to see if these apply.

Cutting Your Costs

Your bed rest may also translate into added expenses - which may come at a time when you can least afford them. You may need special medical monitoring equipment, extra doctor visits, or home adaptations. Many insurance plans come with co pays that add up quickly. A hospital indemnity plan may fill the biggest gap: a stay in the hospital. Check your policy for admission benefits, daily benefit amounts, and policy language surrounding re-admission for the same or similar medical condition. Keep track of all your medical expenses as these are tax deductible. Use your employer's flexible spending account whenever possible as your tax savings will almost always be highest using this vehicle. When your baby is born, you can increase your annual election, as this is a qualifying life event.

For years Medicaid was the only option for women who became pregnant but had no health insurance coverage. Medicaid is designed for low-income workers, so many women find that their income is too high to qualify for this benefit. Health care reform has created another option, but like Medicaid it's not for everyone. But when you need adequate coverage to ensure the health of you and your baby, something is better than nothing.

With passage of the Healthcare Reform Act pregnant women without insurance have a new option: the high risk pool. The act calls for each state to set up a temporary insurance plan for people with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months. The plans will remain in place until December 31, 2013, when a new more permanent option will become available.

These high risk pools do not come with income limits as does Medicaid. Medicaid has income qualifications for categorically and medically needy groups. Contact your local state office for income guidelines. If you can qualify, Medicaid is your best option as it begins coverage almost immediately and will cover your prenatal care needs.

For those who do not meet the Medicaid income guidelines your state high risk pool is a new option. You must be a U.S. citizen or national or lawfully present in the United States, and you must have been without any creditable coverage for at least 6 months, and you must have a pre-existing condition. Your pregnancy is a pre-existing condition.

In most states your office visits, prenatal and maternity care, hospital care, and some certain infant formulas will be covered. This plan is administered by each state, but the plan is federally subsidized so the premium costs may be lower than what you might find elsewhere where pre-existing conditions preclude you from getting coverage.

The drawback to this plan is the six month without creditable coverage requirement. You and your baby need care right from the beginning. But if you are locked out of individual coverage because of your pre-existing condition, and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, you can at least get adequate coverage during the most critical stage of your pregnancy: your last trimester.

If you wish to help increase your chances of conception, or are suffering from infertility, you may be considering taking tablets to help you get pregnant. There are an abundance of options to choose from. The following are the most commonly available to women looking to boost their fertility.

Clomid- This medication is one of the most commonly prescribed tablets to help you get pregnant. Clomid works by stimulating the brain to release two hormones usually produced naturally- LH and FSH. Together these two hormones tell your reproductive system to ovulate, producing healthy, mature eggs ready for fertilization. This medication is commonly prescribed to couples who are experiencing diagnosed infertility, and have been unable to conceive after a year of actively trying to get pregnant.

Herbs- There are several types of herbal tablets to help you get pregnant. Herbal supplements work in a variety of ways to help increase your fertility. Among the most commonly used are:

• Evening primrose oil- Evening primrose oil works by making helping your body produce fertile cervical mucus. Cervical mucus aids the sperm in surviving its journey through the uterus and fallopian tubes, ensuring a supply are waiting to fertilize the egg after ovulation.


• Red Clover Flower- An herb that produces chemical known as isoflavones. Isoflavones are similar to estrogen, and helps to balance a woman's reproductive hormones. This herb can also be helpful for producing an environment in the womb that is more sperm friendly, by balancing the alkaline and acidity levels.


• Chasteberry- Also known by its scientific name of vitex, chasteberry helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. This herb is particularly useful for women who suffer from PCOS, or irregular periods.

Prenatal supplements- Studies show that simply taking a prenatal vitamin increases a woman's fertility. Prenatal vitamins provide you with the nutrients you and your baby need for healthy development. Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, folic acid, iron and the various b vitamins are all necessary to your baby's development. In addition, prenatal vitamins also supply nutrients that are well known for boosting your chances of conception. If you are taking prenatal tablets to help you get pregnant, make sure to look at the content label for the following: Zinc, Selenium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin A.

Specialized Fertility supplements- Many companies have formulated fertility supplements to combine the best prenatal vitamins with fertility enhancing herbs and nutrients. Common brands include Fertilaid, Fertilcm, and Fertilitea.

It is important to note that while both Clomid and traditional vitamins have FDA approval, the benefits of herbs and fertility supplements have not been fully evaluated by the US government yet. Be aware of the possibility of negative interactions with current medications or health conditions. You should always discuss any drug or supplement you take with your doctor and immediately report negative side effects. Taking tablets to help you get pregnant can be a very effective way to increase your chances of conception when used responsibly.

As your unborn baby develops and your body begins to grow, remaining comfortable on a day to day basis can become quite a challenge. There are certain essential items and items of clothing that can help you stay comfortable during your pregnancy. I have a few recommendations based on my own experiences that expectant mothers should find helpful.

Comfortable maternity clothes that fit loosely and do not restrict movement or mobility are a must. Skirts and dresses that do not bind are somewhat easy to find in maternity shops and at most major chain and department stores. You do not need to go crazy and buy a closet full of new outfits, but having a few loose fitting, dependable maternity outfits to wear when you are craving comfort is a plus. Some women use maternity belts for support while pregnant, but I prefer maternity tights. Maternity tights provide support, look somewhat fashionable if that is important to you, and can keep you warmer during the Fall and Winter months.

Comfortable shoes are at the top of my list for must have items as well. Forget heels or any shoes that are not flat and cushiony. Getting around is difficult enough and ill fitting or high heeled shoes can lead to major discomfort and even dangerous consequences such as falling down while pregnant.

Your breasts are likely to increase by one cup size or more so be prepared to go bra shopping once or twice while pregnant. Finding a good bra that fits well and is comfortable can be tough, but the staff in maternity stores or bra shops can be helpful.

Heartburn and acne are somewhat common during pregnancy and both can cause you some discomfort. Heartburn is easily remedied with Rolaids and the like, but speak with your doctor before taking anything while pregnant. The acne is often the result of hormonal changes, not dirt, so don't overdo it with the acne treatments and talk to your doctor before using any acne remedy, even the over the counter or all natural ones.

My final recommendation for staying comfortable while pregnant is more pillows. Getting a good night's sleep is next to impossible if you can't get comfortable. With a growing baby and expanding belly, sleeping poorly is not uncommon. The large body pillows are great for snuggling up to or even just having an extra pillow or two can make a huge difference.

When you're pregnant, staying comfortable is important, but it becomes more difficult as your delivery date approaches. With just a few simple, moderately priced items available just about anywhere, you can make your pregnancy a lot more comfortable.

In the termite kingdom the queen is the most valued, loved and respected, if you watch them you will observe that everybody seem to be working to feed the queen because they understand that the queen is the mother of them all. In our own human kingdom, the story is different when we look at it from general global perspective. In the culture where I grew up women were treated like slaves and even when they are pregnant, they are still expected to do the necessary job of serving their husbands in all things. In this type of culture I can say, let us learn from the termite kingdom. Thanks to civilization, things are changing very fast to the benefits of our women.

I want to use this medium to encourage every husband to show real love and care to their spouses. the greater the love that you show, the more the impact of it is felt by your baby. Our pregnant wives deserve love and respect, they deserve our attention and care. They are carrying in their womb our future generation of human being who will continue to represent us on planet earth. We need to help them, in so many ways, and in this write up I am just going to mention three points I believe every husband and father should take note in showing love and affection to their pregnant wives.

The first point is that you should make her happy and glad, it is time to communicate with her, stay with her, ask her questions, and make her feel loved and accepted by you. Making a woman happy is not limited to buying things for her, it get to the point of taking her out and making her see the genuineness of your love and concern. Many husbands have failed in their responsibilities as husband due to the fact that they did not understand the simple rule of communication which is very vital to the success of every relationship on planet earth. The truth is that even our relationship with God can not fare well in the absence of good communication. As the man, the role you are to play during your wife's pregnancy can determine the health of both mother and child in the days to come.

The second point is that you should help her in household chores, help her to make the bed, get some things in the kitchen, make some food. You will really do well to constantly surprise her with prepared table. You may even decide to take her outside for lunch and so on. This is a very crucial point and should be given due consideration for the good health of your soon to come baby. In my culture, the woman is made to do all the work even during the advanced stages of her pregnancy and most of the times she must do some very tedious and hard work that is not healthy for a woman at that stage of pregnancy, no wonder such cultures have a very high rate of infant and maternal mortality. Please help your wife and do not allow this evil come upon her and your un-born baby, you are responsible for helping to keep both the mother and the child well and alive.

The third point is that you should show a lot of concern about her health. Be really interested in her medical results, check the scan results, ask questions, be excited about the sex of the baby no matter which sex you are expecting. Make it an habit to always pray together, eat together and be ready always to give her a helping hand. When she is not happy or discouraged, you should help her, assure her that all will be well with her and the baby. This will go a long way to heal her and strengthen her to face the huddles and be able to deliver safely without much problems. May the good Lord help you to be faithful.

Are there any very early symptoms of pregnancy that can help the women to detect the conception before pregnancy test and missed period? Certainly YES; as there are some women who are able to detect it the moment conception takes place. These women are able to do so as they have a fair knowledge of signs of pregnancy.

Below are mentioned 3 very early symptoms of pregnancy. These signs enable the women to detect her conception before missing the periods.

Basal Body Temperature: Women are generally aware that basal body temperature rises during ovulation. However, only few know that if this temperature stays elevated after ovulation then this is a sure indicator of pregnancy. The woman only needs a basal thermometer for monitoring changes in the body temperature.

Enlarged and Tender Breasts: Hormonal level rises drastically in early pregnancy. These increased levels of hormone give different signals. In the early days the body is not prepared for these hormonal changes. The obvious reaction of these hormonal levels is the change in the size and shape of the breasts. The breasts start giving a fuller feeling soon after conception. Though some women feel tenderness in their breasts just before menstrual periods; however in pregnancy the tenderness in breasts is an exaggerated version of PMS.

Tiredness: Another earliest sign of being pregnant is tiredness. At times it becomes difficult to distinguish between general exhaustion and pregnancy fatigue. Doctors believe that tiredness is also linked to the changed hormonal level. This feeling fades away when the body gets familiar to new levels of hormones.

A Pregnancy Diet Plan is one of the first things that should cross your mind as you look at the meter and see a positive reading on your pregnancy test.

Only a women that has been pregnant before knows the feelings of joy that you feel as you see the results of your pregnancy test are positive. You gently rub your stomach as you hope that the precious child you carry inside you will be able to know you are there.

You are going to experience 9 months that are going to be an exciting time in yours and your baby's life. You will have a life inside of you that grows as each day goes by. As they move around inside you, you will feel them.

Your baby will start out as an egg and sperm and turn into a bundle of joy that you will not be able to resist kissing over and over. It really is a miraculous process. Now is the time for you to realize you are taking care of another life inside you and it is vital that you eat properly.

Your first trimester can be most difficult as far as nutrition is concerned because of morning sickness and food cravings. Believe it or not there are some women that do not experience much movement during pregnancy and therefore do not have much morning sickness. These women will have a better opportunity to eat with nutrition in mind from the very start.

Eating nutritious meals will lay a solid foundation for healthy growth for your baby You can not live on junk food and expect your baby to have the nutrition necessary to help with the development of organs and even bones. Nutrition is critical to brain development not candy bars.

You and your new baby need vitamins and calcium to ensure that you achieve proper development. If you want your baby to be healthy and able to handle solid foods after birth then eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is important.

Did you know that a part of your diet will get into your baby's amniotic fluid through the placenta? This means your baby could taste what you are eating. Your baby will swallow this amniotic fluid and the flavors you eat will be picked up by your baby as their taste buds have developed enough to taste.

Physicians are under the assumption that women who eat fruits and vegetables during pregnancy will give birth to babies that will not be picky eaters later. By eating fruits and vegetables during pregnancy you are laying the foundation for your child to always eat properly.

Physicians are also convinced that women that drink lots of milk during their pregnancy will have babies that are easily weaned from formula or breast milk. That is an important benefit but a more important benefit is the calcium you will provide for your babies bone development. Most physicians agree you should consume at least one 8 ounce glass of fat free milk a day.

Even though you won't see your baby's teeth for a few months, the calcium you take in by drinking milk during pregnancy is critical to the development of not only bones but teeth also.

The purpose of this writing is not to convince you that you can not ever have anything sweet and you must live on fruits and vegetables. You are going to have cravings and there is nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while. You just need to remember that moderation is a key component.

You should never use pregnancy as an excuse to go on a nine month eating binge. If you look at it like that you will find you and your baby will pay the price. Become a responsible parent and adopt a pregnancy diet plan.

Pregnancy is a time for great joy, hope, and dreams. However, if you are pregnant, unfortunately chances are you have been or will be constipated. Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy. Therefore, if you suffer from constipation during pregnancy, you are not alone. More than half of all pregnant women admit to having trouble with bowel movements on and off throughout their pregnancy. 

Why do so many pregnant women risk to be constipated? What causes constipation during pregnancy? In general, there are many causes of constipation: worry, anxiety, minimal physical exercise, and a low-fiber diet may cause constipation. Whatever causes they are, the fact that pregnant women are easy to have constipation is not good news. If you are constipated during pregnancy, looking for remedies are really good for you and good for baby. Here are a few things that you can do to help preventconstipation from occurring or treat it if you are already experiencing it: 

First and foremost, eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.

Secondly, drink plenty of water, as much water as you like, at least six to eight glasses a day. Because if there is not enough liquid in the diet, the process of digestion will slow down, the intestine can't do its job. A good supplement can be tea, a little coffee or a glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.

Thirdly, do exercise regularly. Exercise can gently stimulate the bowel, which leads to improved digestion. During pregnancy, walking or swimming for about 20 to 30 minutes, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga three times a week will help digestion. It will also enhance general well being and fitness in preparation for the actual delivery.

Taking proper care after pregnancy can never be overemphasized. In the postpartum period, which begins immediately after delivery and ends with your body getting back to your pre-pregnancy state, mothers go through a plethora of emotions, adjustments, responsibilities, etc. In the hectic pace of new life, they even forget to take proper care of themselves.

The first most priority of every new mother after the pregnancy period is over should be to take good post pregnancy care of her self. Therefore, for the first six to eight weeks, you should focus on taking complete rest, eating a balanced diet, and getting others to help you out with the newborn baby.

Rest

A child usually wakes up after every three hours and needs to be fed, changed, and comforted. This means that it would be a while till you get your uninterrupted eight hours' sleep. Meanwhile, you will have to catch sleep whenever you can. It is best to sleep when your child is sleeping. Have your child near you during night so that you do not have any problem feeding him/her.

Nutrition

During pregnancy, your body will go through lots of changes. Therefore, your first priority should be to allow your body to heal. Taking a proper balanced and nutritious diet will help a lot in taking care after pregnancy. Your diet should consist of whole grain foods, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, milk and milk products, lean meat, lentils, beans, and of course plenty of water. Avoid taking caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and sugars. Read a good book on nutrition after pregnancy to get an idea about what and how much to eat. You can even talk to your doctor about proper post pregnancy diet for you.

Helping Hands

A new baby is a lot of work and one can never be too prepared for the task ahead. So if it is possible have someone to help you around with household chores so that you and your partner can focus on the baby. You can depend on friends, family members, or paid caretaker providers for the task. With lesser pressure on you, your chances of fast recovery increase.

Taking care after pregnancy also means making all efforts to look good after pregnancy. So first of all you will have to lose all or almost all of your weight gain during pregnancy. This means your going on an exercising program. Do light exercises initially. As your body recovers you can take up strenuous exercises. Talk to your doctor or a fitness trainer about the best exercise regime for your body.

One can never actually completely prepare for motherhood, but reading books, checking out websites related to pregnancy, etc. will give an idea as to what to expect. This knowledge will help you in taking proper care after pregnancy of your body and also of your child- the most precious person for you.

One of the most common concerns is whether women are allowed to do exercise after birth. Not only are they allowed but also they are encouraged to exercise to help you lose weight after pregnancy. After all, your muscles did get stale, so you need to get them back in shape.

Here are some of the most popular and effective exercise for weight loss after pregnancy.

You can start with simple walk. This will be sufficient for the beginning. In addition, you will need to move onto faster walking. But the main reason you start light is so you joints can get use to the new weight and the walk. Many women start to exercise few weeks after they have their baby, and they suffer a lot in pain.

Later, one of the great things that you can do is swimming. Of course if you have an access to a pool or water. It works wonders with you entire body as it work on all of your muscles.

In addition, many new moms have discovered the ultimate solution is yoga practice. It is a great exercise that is together combined with relaxation, which all the moms need.

Now if you do not have an access to the outdoors, or cannot seem to find any time, or for those that prefer to practice at home there are some great elliptical trainers as well as treadmills!

However, the biggest excuse for not starting to exercise in the early months after your child is born, is the time. Many women will wonder how they can find any spare time for their daily training, but the point is that they don't have to do it at once. Take some time to recuperate, to recover your strength back. Usually this period will last up to four month after birth. It is crucial that you spend these month taking care of your baby, since that is when your child needs you the most.

But here are some tips to finding time to exercise. Number one, you can always ask one of your friends to baby-sit, your sister, neighbor, best friend, anyone. Create a back up crew. If you have friends who are already moms or some who are to be moms in the future, ask of them to help you and when they require the similar favor, do the same for them.

It is a well-known fact that we are what we eat. This is particularly true in the case of pregnancy foods. During pregnancy, a good diet is essential to ensure the well-being of your baby and to ensure optimum energy levels. However, if you inquire from most women, you will find that generally a chronic kind of fatigue sets in during the first or even the third trimester of their pregnancy. They feel sapped out and just feel like sleeping the entire day for no apparent reason.

Pregnancy means that you are nursing a growing life inside you. Your body has to take care of the wellbeing of the baby as well as sustain itself too. If you do not eat the right pregnancy foods, your body will try to sustain the baby at the cost of its own well-being. That is the natural law. Your heart rate increases, your metabolism rate increases to process food and nutrients faster for the baby. Obviously your body is hard at work during pregnancy which is the basic cause of your tiredness. However, a slight tweaking of your eating habits can help in preventing this onset of fatigue and tiredness.

People would often tell you to eat for two. However, you do not need to really gorge on huge portion sizes because that will just give you more digestive troubles. The idea is to eat frequently and eat small. If you eat heavy meals, most of your energy will be utilized in digesting the pregnancy foods, which will leave you with little or no energy and cause fatigue. Splitting your three meals of the day into six small meals can help you to satisfy your hunger, keep a check on your weight, and have optimum energy levels.

Morning sickness is a common occurrence amongst most moms. Due to this, the majority of pregnant women skip breakfast in the morning and prefer just coffee and toast. Coffee and toast are not the right kind of pregnancy foods since they will mask your hunger and prevent the assimilation of the right nutrients. The word "breakfast" means breaking your fast after about six hours of eating nothing. If you skip on breakfast, you will suffer from low energy levels and your blood sugar levels will dip which can cause problems for your baby. If you do not like to eat much in the morning, you can try a banana and some of your favourite cereal. It will assist you in keeping fit and maintaining high energy levels.

It is the same in the case with lunch. Do not skip lunch since you will then be tempted to gorge on a huge dinner. This will lead to all sorts of stomach problems in the night that will prevent a good night's sleep and leave you tossing and turning. Your lunch should have a balanced combination of all nutrients.

Choosing the right pregnancy foods is essential to ensure you and your baby's health. Pregnancy nutrition plays a vital role in making your baby a winner in his life!

Being pregnant may be good news for you and your spouse but of course, along with the excitement of finally having a baby are the many beauty issues that come along with pregnancy. You may be thinking about stretch marks, sagging breasts, pregnancy acne and weight gain. But of course, you can be pregnant and beautiful at the same time.

Here are some tips to help you deal with the many changes of your body during pregnancy and remain beautiful even after giving birth.

Preventing and reducing stretch marks

Stretch marks are a nightmare to pregnant women. However, you can find some ways to help you prevent your skin from developing stretch marks or reduce their occurrence after giving birth. One of the ways to help you prevent or, if not, reduce the occurrence of stretch marks is to keep your skin moisturized from the start of your pregnancy. You can use cocoa butter or other creams and oils that will make your skin supple especially as you begin to gain weight.

It is also helpful to drink plenty of water to help moisturize your skin and make your skin smooth as well. Keeping yourself hydrated also helps your body function well. It is important to take care of your skin as well after giving birth, especially if you begin to lose weight as stretch marks can appear at this time as well.

Getting rid of pregnancy acne

Due to hormonal changes in your body, you can be prone to developing acne also during pregnancy. One thing you can do to be pregnant and beautiful and the same time is to exfoliate and use moisturizers if you are also dealing with dry skin. However, it is also important to keep away from harsh ingredients and products such as salicylic acid, which is common in treating acne. If you are not sure about the products that are safe for your pregnancy, you have to consult your doctor for some advice on which is safe.

Dealing with skin blemishes, dark spots and melasma

Dark spots and blemishes may also occur during pregnancy but one thing that you can do to fight these is to maintain proper nutrition during pregnancy. Always consider having healthy and nutritious diet to help you have clear and healthy skin. Although some dark spots may disappear after pregnancy, you can help reduce its occurrence and prevent it from worsening by protecting and avoiding exposure to the sunlight. You can wear sunscreen but you can also simply avoid sun exposure.

Drinking lots of water will also help eliminate toxins from your body, makes your body function well and helps you avoid skin discoloration during pregnancy.

Varicose veins

Having varicose veins is also another problem that you may encounter during pregnancy. To help you avoid these spider veins, avoid crossing your legs while sitting. Avoid standing for long hours as well. Although varicose veins may disappear after your pregnancy, you can supplement your diet with lots of Vitamin C to help you deal with this.

Of course, one major issue that you may face after giving birth is weight gain, thus you have to find ways to shed off those extra pounds after you have given birth.

Do you believe you can regain your pre-pregnancy body? I mean do you really believe? I ask this question because most of the women that subscribe to my weekly newsletter say they believe they can slim down however when you ask these same women if they really believe, the answers you get back are quite surprising.

Many feel that while they are confident they can lose some of the baby weight they gained during their pregnancy, a large number of them honestly don't think they can drop more than 15 pounds.

So, here is my question for you. If you have a person that is not convinced that they can achieve a goal, how hard do you think they will work toward it? The biggest obstacle I see is in the quality of the internal questions these ladies are asking themselves.

Question #1 - How Come I Can Never Lose Weight?

This level of question is not only unproductive but is very destructive. It forces your mind to come up with every reason why you can't lose weight. Every negative belief you have about yourself or your genetic makeup comes to your remembrance to give you ample ammunition as to why you are a sloppy pig.

You reflect on these ideas and you feel sad and depressed and of course if you are like most, you turn to food as your comfort. A better question is our second question.

Question #2 - How Can I Lose Weight?

This question is a higher caliber question than question number one however it is not the best question. Rather than focus our minds on what is wrong, this question challenges our minds to come up with a solution.

The problem is that the answer to this question is almost as painful as the answer to question number one. Take a moment and answer question number two silently to yourself.

All done?

Great, well if you are like most people you had two thoughts diet and exercise. Now, do either of those ideas sound like fun? They sure don't to me and I teach this stuff.

So, while this question is does pull our mind in the right direction, it still does not motivate us to take action to improve our fitness condition. Keep reading to discover the best question that we can ask ourselves.

Question #3 - How Can I Lose Weight and Enjoy The Process?

This is our highest level question but it can be challenging as well. The reason for this is because the answer may not be as easily obtained as the answers to the first two questions were. This question may actually require you to spend some time thinking and rethinking until you are able to come up with a few really good responses.

As an example if you thought a post pregnancy workout was unappealing, what if in your answer to question number three, you said to yourself, "you know I really always loved playing racquet ball or some other sport or activity that requires physical effort. In these cases, soon you'll be losing weight and enjoying the process.

Perhaps it is not a sport per se but an action that involves your baby in the workout itself. The key is simple, if you ask a better question; you will most certainly get a better answer.