Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Back pain, especially lower back pain, is exremely common during pregnancy due to the sheer number of physical changes that occur. Added weight means that the back has to support a larger load, especially if the woman was already overweight before the pregnancy. There is also a change in the woman's center of gravity triggers, pelvic changes, loose joints caused by pregnancy hormones, poor posture, and stress. All of these changes happen to the body rapidly causing pain and discomfort for many women.

However, it doesn't have to be this way. There are lifestyle changes and natural treatment options that can help women feel more comfortable while they are pregnant.

1. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise allows the back to stretch and relax, and stimulates circulation. This can be especially effective for a woman whose back pain is primarily caused by stress. There are even exercises that are geared towards pregnant woman. An added benefit is that regular exercise can also help your body prepare for child birth. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

2. Wear flat, comfortable shoes

An obvious solution to back pain triggered by poor posture and standing for long periods of time is making sure to wear proper shoes. Shoes should support the arch of the foot and be low-heeled and comfortable. Often, pregnant women even have to go up a shoe size because of the swelling caused by the increase of blood and fluids in the body.

3. Do not sleep on your back

Sleeping on your back puts unnatural pressure on your spine because the added weight leans directly on the problem area. Sleeping on your side takes the pressure off your back. Ideally you should also place a pillow or cushion between your knees to give your body extra support while you sleep. It will make a tremendous difference the next day.

4. Pay attention to your posture

Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain for anyone. During pregnancy, women are prone to poor posture because of the extra weight they now carry in front of their body. Their body must adjust to its new form, and women should be particularly careful to keep their shoulders back and head up.

5. Acupressure

Acupressure is a form of alternative medicine, and a pregnant woman who chooses accupressure treatment should only be treated by a professional practitioner that specialized in dealing with pregnancy. The practitioner will know how to apply pressure to specific points on the woman's body to relieve her back pain. Used incorrectly, acupressure can put a woman into labor. Used properly, it can provide the ultimate pain relief.

6. Massage therapy

Massage therapy for pregnant women is growing increasingly popular. An experienced massage therapist will know precisely how to position a woman's growing body safely for the massage. The massage therapist can utilize special techniques to reduce swelling, stress, and back pain. Gentle massage can be performed by anyone but it is best to see a professional to get the most relief for back pain.

7. Chiropractic care

In addition to typical back adjustments, a chiropractor can offer professional advice for stretching exercises and posture techniques that a woman can practice at home. The chiropractor can also advise on proper support gear, and provide manipulation to massage muscles and "pop" the joints in place. A a doctor of chiropractic that has experience with pregnant women can provide relief for many pregnancy-related aches and pains. An experienced doctor will know how to take precautions to prevent unnecessary pressure on the abdominal area, while attaining maximum relief.

For women who want to get pregnant fast but are having problems doing so, but still want to stay away from artificial means if at all possible, there exist some natural remedies that can help you. Of course, you should be doing the basics first like watching your weight, taking the right vitamins, and tracking your ovulation cycle. But if you still can't get pregnant, these remedies just might work for you.

Vitex or Chasteberry are known to stimulate ovulation and could help your chances of getting pregnant. What these herbs do is build up hormonal levels and can help women ovulate. The herbs also stabilize your body's levels of progesterone and also estrogen. By doing this it helps you get pregnant fast. The chasteberry in particular is good with helping in having more regular menstrual cycles.

If you have used sunscreen, you are probably familiar with PABA as it is a popular ingredient. But it can also help women who are having trouble conceiving. The beneficial effects of PABA have been documented. The results of one trial were that out of sixteen women who were infertile, twelve were able to get pregnant after taking PABA for several months, so it is worth looking into.

Another herbal option if you want to get pregnant fast is called red clover. What it does is increase estrogen levels while at the same time strengthening the uterus. Sometimes the alkaline and acid balance of the vagina can be abnormal, and red clover has been known to return this to a more normal level so that it is much easier to conceive a child.

Another simple, and delicious, way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is green tea. By drinking a cup or more of green tea per day, some women have reported that it actually repairs damage done by the aging process and some women have reported that their chances of conceiving have actually doubled.

Although the herbal remedies that we've discussed have been known to increase women's chances of conceiving and getting pregnant fast, you need to keep in mind several things. First of all, talk to your doctor. There could be other issues such as an infection, fibroid tumor, or other problem that your doctor can fix. And if you are taking infertility drugs to help you conceive, you need to tell your doctor first before taking any herbal remedies to make sure that they will not interfere with your doctor's plan.

During pregnancy, comfort is of extreme importance. As one's body changes and one's baby bump grows, having clothing that fits well ensures one's comfort all day long. When clothing is too tight, too loose, or pinches in all the wrong places, even the simplest of tasks can seem bothersome. This same mantra holds true after one's baby is born, as one is in the full swing of nursing and starting to get back to one's pre-baby weight. In order to ensure their comfort, many women spend a great deal of time finding the perfect nursing tops and pants. While this is very important, they tend to overlook one important aspect: the undergarment. Well-designed and perfectly fitting bras and panties are of the utmost importance during maternity and nursing, as one wears them every single day and they are the first thing one feels touching one's skin. Bravado, known around the world for their well-made nursing and maternity tanks, bras, and panties, is a designer who truly understands the woman's body during and after pregnancy, and whose designs ensure one's comfort throughout the day.

Having some essential tanks in one's maternity and nursing wardrobe is a good idea, as they can be mixed and matched with a variety of outfits. Bravado's Nursing Bra Tank is THE ultimate tank, as it is designed for nursing but can be worn during maternity and postpartum as well. Super stylish, it makes mom's feel great both inside and out. It's V-neck has a slimming effect, and the ruching at the bust adds a dainty feminine detail. The soft cotton and spandex fabric has flexible sizing, so that it molds beautifully to one's changing shape. As functional as it is fashionable, the tank has a seamless molded bra that provides excellent bust support. Its thin and cushioned straps are adjustable so that it can be fitted perfectly to one's changing shape and the subtle nursing clips provide full easy and discreet nursing access. This tank is a smart buy as one truly gets one's money's worth. With such great construction, it can be worn simply hanging around the house or dressed up for heading out. Pair it with your favorite boot-cut jeans and blazer, and an instant stylish outfit is created. Comfortable and stylish, the Nursing Bra Tank is an essential in every mother's wardrobe.

Having a well-fitting and extremely well-designed nursing bra is a must, as it will make one's daily life much easier. Bravado has perfected several great nursing bras, each designed with the mother's comfort in mind. Their Original Nursing Bra is a fabulous choice, as it is comfortable and supportive. Oftentimes certain bras work well only for certain bust sizes, but this one is designed in three different versions so that small, medium, and large bust sizes are accommodated. Each version is designed especially for different sizes, but they all have some of the same important features. Made out of cotton and spandex, there is superb breathability and stretch which allows it to mold to one's changing breast shape. Non-irritating seams and wide under-elastic provides excellent bust support while ensuring that the bra does not slip. Flat-laying clips allow for full nursing access. No matter one's size, this bra makes nursing much easier. Another gorgeous option is the Sublime Nursing Bra, which is feminine and sexy while still providing great nursing access. The beautiful lace detailing in the Black Cherry or French Vanilla color is accented by a dainty black bow at the bust. Functional as well, the double cup size and flexible fabric adjust to one's changing bust size and flat-lying nursing clips are easy to use. For a glammed up feel while still maintaining the highest level of comfort, Bravado's Sublime Nursing Bra is an excellent choice.

As one's body changes during pregnancy, having panties that fit well and make you feel great is a must. As they are something one wears every day, investing in some great pairs makes a lot of sense. Bravado's Original Bikini Panty is great for maternity and nursing. With a full seat that stays put and wide leg openings that don't creep up, comfort is guaranteed all day long. For those who want to make sure to avoid any underwear lines, the Original Thong is a good choice. For long-lasting comfort designed specifically for one's changing body, Bravado's underwear designs meet the criteria.

From tanks to bras to panties, Bravado creates garments that are comfortable, stylish, and sure to make one feel great throughout the day.

Radix Glycyrrhiza or in Chinese pronouns it as 'Gancao' is the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fishch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from rootlet, dried in the sun.

The woody rootstock is wrinkled and brown on the outside, yellow on the inside, and tastes sweet. The stem, which is round on the lower part and angular higher up, bears alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with 3-7 pairs of ovate, dark green leaflets. Axillary racemes of yellowish or purplish 3-foot-long spikes of flowers appear from June to August, depending on location..

The pregnant question always ask is this herb helps pregnancy rate? The answer is 'YES'. It has been proven thousand of years by the Chinese to use 'Gancao' to strengthen body immune system and reinforce the function of the spleen and replenish qi, removing heat and counteract toxicity, to dispel phlegm and relieve cough, to alleviate spasmodic pain, and to moderate drug actions. It also strengthens woman body and ovaries preparing for pregnancy.

Also I would recommend doing acupuncture on woman seeking higher chance of pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy

The origin of 'Gancao' is from China, where you can get it from Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang.

Recipes of Medicated Diet preparing for pregnant woman:
1. Licorice root and lettuce gruel

[Ingredients]: 6g licorice root; 15g lettuce; 100g polished round-grained rice

[Preparation]: Boil the smashed lettuce and licorice root with 200ml water until there is only 100ml water left. Extract the liquid and strain and strain the dregs. Put the liquid, polished round-grained rice and some water into a pot to boil. The porridge is done when the rice become soft and edible.

[Effect and Indications]: This recipe benefits Qi for promoting lactation and for those that seeking pregnancy. Lettuce is the dried seed of lettuce, It is bitter in taste and cold nature. It can promote lactation and relieve the syndrome of urinary stoppage. The polished round-grained rice is entitled to "the best tonic in the world", The combination of the three is a very good recipe for promoting lactation.

I'm really passionate and looking forward to help older women to conceive naturally, and I'd like to share with you more benefits and ways on pregnancy. I haven't had time to sit down personally with you and talk about details of getting pregnant at an advanced maternal age, but I would recommend you to read more and one of the books that I recommend at Pregnancy Miracle Guide.

Finding out that you are expecting a baby can be a very exciting time. There is planning to do and baby items to buy. However, in the midst of all this preparation, there is still the reality of responsibilities and bills. Being pregnant isn't always conducive to holding down a regular job. This is the perfect time to look into jobs working from home. As technology has advanced, many companies have discovered the advantages of subcontracting with at-home workers. In addition, entire new industries have sprung up, with opportunities for making money attached. There is no reason that you can't enjoy your pregnancy, and still make a decent income working from home.

The first thing you need to determine is what you need from jobs working from home. If you have never been pregnant before, you may be unsure of how you will deal with the situation. If you know that you experience severe morning sickness, for example, you will be looking at different jobs than if you make it through those early months with little incident. Some jobs working from home require that you keep a consistent schedule. While you do have some advantages to not having to travel, you will still have much of the restrictions that accompany a regular nine-to-five job. These positions are usually in customer service and involved taking or making phone calls. For pregnant women, they aren't really the most ideal choice.

There are two types of jobs that offer the most flexibility for a pregnant woman. First, writers are needed to contribute online content to various sites on the Internet. Almost all of these jobs working from home allow you to set your own hours, and work at your own pace. However, in order to make a consistent income, you will need to dedicate several hours every day to keep up. With writing, you are paid on a piece-rate basis, and most companies do not offer residual income to their staff.

Residual income is where you perform a task once, and continue to get paid for that work. For a pregnant woman, jobs working from home that use a residual income model are the best option. The easiest and most lucrative residual income jobs are in affiliate marketing. Because of the amount of traffic that is on the Internet, companies are willing to pay for leads and ads that promote their product. They often don't, however, really have the time to perform these simple tasks themselves. Instead, they work with a network of partners whose main job is to promote their product or service. Affiliate marketing is an easy work at home job, has flexible hours, and continues to pay for the same work. This is one of the most ideal jobs working from home for a pregnant woman. You can work when you are feeling well, and still have the income stream during your down days.

Being a working mother is hard enough; being a working pregnant mother can be extremely difficult. As you never know what your day will be like, and how you will feel, you need jobs working from home that have the maximum earning potential, while still allowing for flexibility. Residual income positions, such as affiliate marketing, are probably the most useful jobs for the pregnant woman. Be sure that you understand the program that you are using for the best results.

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful processes a woman can go through not only for the wonderful journey that accompanies the status also for the significance which marks the beginning of life. However the whole topic about pregnancy stirs up feeling of unhappiness to some women. Many people think that getting pregnant is quite simple but to some women it is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish. Generally women are engineered differently biologically and while it may be effortless for some to get pregnant other women have to go through lengths to achieve the status. If you are on the bandwagon of women who have to go through lengths to get pregnant; all you have to do is to locate a good pregnancy miracle review offering tips on how to get pregnant.

The internet offers a wide resource of information about pregnancy and on how to get heavy with child. It is however wise to approach the tips offered with caution. There are tips which steer women towards piling their bodies up with pills which consequently results in long term detrimental effects to their health and no baby to validate what the women have to go through. Other tips have women take part in questionable rituals which border occult practices and may also involve ingesting substances which may similarly affect a woman's health. The best tips are those which advocate for natural ways of getting pregnant.

The whole science of bearing a child relates to natural biological processes without chemical aid. A woman's overall health directly relates to her readiness and ability to bear a child. The body may be subject to health limitations which decrease a woman's ability to bear a child. However every woman can get bear children as long as they take good care of their health. One of the tips advocated as a natural way of bearing children is staying positive. While many people may out right dismiss this tip, it does hold some significant relevance in the process of trying to bear children.

A woman who believes that she will get heavy with child is likely to maintain good health than a woman who may fall victim to negativity and eventually end up suffering from depression. A depressed person generally suffers from increased health problems which ultimately limit their ability to procreate. The age old method that women have been advised to use in a bid to increase their ability to procreate is to have lots of sex. While this may seem like a primitive approach to procreation the truth is that getting heavy with child begins with copulation. However copulation is approached from the stance of keenly noting a woman's ovulation periods and taking the opportunity to copulate during those periods to increase the chances of getting heavy with child.

There are quite a number of other pregnancy miracle review tips advancing for natural ways on how to get pregnant online.

One of the most common questions I see asked is, "How can I get pregnant?" Infertility affects ten percent of the reproductive population in the United States according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Many couples can overcome the challenge of trying to conceive through lifestyle changes.

Infertility affects both men and women. In approximately 40% of couples, male infertility contributes to or is the sole cause of their infertility. Lifestyle changes can have a dramatic impact on fertility. These tips will help both women and men increase their chances of getting pregnant.

For women...

* Use an ovulation prediction kit. This will let you know 24-48 hours before you ovulate so you can time your trying to conceive appropriately. When the test shows positive, you and your partner should have sex that day and the day after.

* Chart your basal body temperature. This provides you with a record of what is going on with your cycle. Not only will you be able to tell the day you ovulated, but charting your BBT can also identify potential problems such as low progesterone and luteal phase defects. You can download a free BBT chart from my website in either Celsius and Fahrenheit format. BBT Monthly Cycle Charts

* Take prenatal vitamins. This is essential for both your health and your baby's health. Taking folate at least one month before conception can decrease your baby's chances of having neural tube defects by 70%. The daily intake of vitamin C can help you grow a strong placenta that will last through a full term pregnancy.

For men...

* Limit or eliminate caffeine intake. Drink no more than one or two cups of coffee a day. Eliminate caffeine entirely if possible. Drinking an entire coffee pot full can be detrimental to your fertility.

* Keep cool and avoid excessive heat to your scrotum. Wear boxers instead of briefs, stay away from saunas and hot tubs, take cool showers, and avoid bike riding or over exercising.

* Take vitamins. At minimum, take a good daily multivitamin. Some important vitamins for sperm health are B12, C (500 mg daily), E (400 IUS daily), Arginine, L-Carnitine, Zinc (20 mg daily), Selenium (200 mcgs daily), and Coenzyme Q10. Folic acid is also recommended for men (400 mcgs daily). Get approval from your family doctor before taking any vitamins.

* Abstain from sex for short periods. Abstaining can increase the volume and potency of sperm, but abstaining for too long can leave too many older less motile sperm. Do not abstain for more than 3 to 6 six days.

* Be careful with medications. Some medications are known to cause fertility issues. Medications to avoid include anabolic steroids, some antibiotics (nitrofurans and macrolides), sulfasalazine (anti-diarrheal), and ketoconazole (anti-fungal).

For both of you...

* Have sex every other day throughout your fertile period. While having sex at the right time is one of the most important things you can do, some couples overlook this. A woman's egg is viable for just under 24 hours. Most sperm live 2-3 days, with some living up to five days. This means your fertile period begins approximately five days before ovulation and ends one day after.

* Exercise regularly. Exercise three or four days a week for at least 20 minutes per day. If you have not exercised in the past, then walking is a great way to get your exercise. If you have access to a place to swim, it is great exercise that is easy to get into. Remember for men that you should not over-exercise, which can create too much heat.

* Avoid toxins such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. Do not take any medications not approved by the ObGyn or your family doctor. Men and women both need to make sure their doctor is aware they are trying to conceive when they are prescribing medications.

* Do not smoke. This is worth repeating. Smoking can have a profoundly negative affect on your fertility. Smoking is also detrimental to the health of both you and your baby. If you are a smoker, stop smoking now.

* Eat healthy. Eat whole, natural foods. For instance, eat an orange instead of drinking orange juice. Avoid processed foods. This means for the most part sticking to the outside aisles at the grocery store where the whole foods are and staying away from the packaged foods on the inside. For bread, check the label. If it says enriched, then it is processed. Look for unprocessed whole grain breads. For oats, eat steel cut oats rather than instant.

* Get to a healthy weight. Thin men may have a low sperm count, while obese men may have their hormones out of whack - too much estrogen and not enough testosterone. Thin women do not have enough estrogen and may not ovulate, while obese women have too much estrogen to get pregnant.

* Be sure and get plenty of anti-oxidants in your diet. This includes drinking tea, eating fruit snacks like blueberries, cherries, black plums, prunes, and apples, and eating vegetables such as dark green leafy (kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, etc.), tomatoes, peppers and parsley.

* Drink water and lots of it. A man should drink half his weight in ounces of water per day. If he weighs 200 pounds, he should drink 100 ounces of water. A woman should drink a minimum of 100 ounces of water per day.

* Avoid stress. This can be hard to do, especially during the two week wait, but it is essential for your reproductive health. Relax and enjoy this time with each other.

* Avoid toxins. Do not take any medications unless approved by your ObGyn and your family doctor. Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and recreation drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

* Avoid environmental hazards such as pesticides, lead, heavy metals, and radiation.

Following these lifestyle change tips can help many couples improve their chances of getting pregnant. Some changes will provide almost immediate improvement, and some take longer. Keep in mind that it takes three months for a man to grow sperm, so if things like smoking or excessive heat have hurt or killed his sperm, it can take that long for the lifestyle changes to take affect.

According to Psychologist Laura M. Glynn of Chapman University, "Pregnancy is a critical period for central nervous development in mothers." Psychologically speaking, the incorporation of a stranger in your body and future life is the main challenge presented before a pregnant woman and her husband.

There is a tremendous change in the hormonal secretions during pregnancy. This is the only time in the life of a woman when she faces massive hormonal fluctuations. The upheaval of pregnancy makes nearly all women emotionally fragile and sensitive. Research has suggested that the reproductive hormones prepare a woman's brain for the demands and tasks of impending motherhood.

Self- Image

The changing size and shape of body may make some women feel awkward about them. They may think that they are no more attractive in the eyes of their partners. In many societies pregnancy is still associated with social stigmas. A pregnant woman is not deemed fit to work.

A pregnant woman is treated differently outside and in the work place. If you are in your late trimester, then your colleagues may show anxiousness towards your well -being, in turn affecting your work efficiency.

Mood Swings

Thanks to the hormones, you will feel an emotional turmoil building within you. The changes during pregnancy make all women feel emotionally fragile, prone to crying and feelings of panic. Even in the healthiest of pregnancies, the pregnant woman feels some confusion and extreme mood swings.

Feelings about Your Partner

The emotional upheaval brings many changes for you and your partner as a couple. There are a lot of demands on your relationship and you expect a lot and at times, unrealistically from your partner. The reality of approaching parenthood sometimes causes tension. Strengthening the bond while coming to terms with pregnancy in the initial stages of pregnancy may prove claustrophobic and there may be a lot of friction and conflict between the mother and the father.

Special Anxieties

There are a lot of anxieties related to your baby during pregnancy. The first trimester is marked with an apprehension of losing your baby, or a miscarriage. The second trimester is a trimester of general well -being and health. The third term brings with itself anxieties towards delivery and labor. You start nurturing anxieties as to whether your baby will have any kind of abnormalities, whether you will be a capable parent, or whether you will be able to cope with the day to day care. If there has been a previous infertility, then the anxiety of pregnancy assumes a different meaning altogether.

Dreams during pregnancy may be disturbing or even have a purpose of their own. You may dream about losing the baby, or dropping your baby, or a baby that is stillborn. These dreams represent a perfectly legitimate fear that you have at the back of your mind. Sometimes you even dream of hurting yourself and in turn your baby as well.

Dreams may be considered as a release for your anxieties. It is a healthy symptom of wanting to do the best for your baby. Every pregnant woman at some stage worries about something being wrong with the baby, and these dreams are part of an understandable concern for the baby's well-being.

There are concerns about labor as well. Anxiety related to behavior, the ability to bear pain, and losing control are normal human concerns.

What to Do about These Psychological Changes

-Believe in yourself and your image.

-Try to be positive.

-Involve your-self in some pleasurable aspect of preparing for the baby's arrival.

-Talk to your partner. Be generous towards your partner.

-Encourage yourself to take a general interest in looking good, eating healthy and keeping fit.

-You can also go for pregnancy support counseling.

-Discuss your issues with a psychologist, friend, colleague, partner and other parents.

There are definitive findings on the effect of the prenatal environment on the baby. There is full correlation between life inside the uterus and life outside. There are evidences that maternal anxiety early in gestation takes its toll on the baby's cognitive development, and high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy also enhance it.

There is new scientific evidence that the way a mother affects her fetus, in a similar way the fetus affects its mother!

Pregnancy is a time of both excitement and anticipation. As you await the birth of your child, you will have many physical changes. Your body will stretch as your baby grows within you and along with this, you will experience new aches and pains.

It seems that pregnancy affects women in different ways. Some women are hardly bothered by their changing bodies while others seem to be sick and feel awkward from the very beginning. Although it is great to have the support of others, do not become frustrated if your symptoms are unique when compared to others. We all have different bodies and therefore, pregnancy is going to affect different women in different ways.

One thing that is normally a problem during pregnancy is sleep. You will likely be taking naps and feeling quite fatigued during the first part of your pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, however, you will find it harder and harder to find a comfortable position to sleep in. In fact, it's not even usual to have insomnia in the last few months, lying awake in bed for hours upon end. Thankfully, there are several ergonomic products available to help you get comfortable so you can rest and sleep.

A cradle sleeping pillow is specially engineered to help you relax and get comfortable enough to get to sleep and stay asleep. These pillows are made of various densities and heights so you can get exactly what you need for a good night's rest. Providing extra support to the shoulders, neck and arms, you will wake up refreshed and rejuvenated after a night's rest with a cradle pillow. A neck roll is another product that some pregnant women find helpful. Not as large as the sleeping pillow, the neck roll fits right under the neck, providing support and rest. In order to accommodate your needs, the neck rolls are available in various sizes.

A sleeping bean is another great product for pregnant women. These full length pillows make it easy for anyone to get more comfortable, especially women who are pregnant. Not only will you find support for your legs, back and hips, but you will also find that it will bend flex to any position that you need to find the comfort you need. With the sleeping bean, you will be able to take the pressure off of painful or uncomfortable body parts and get the sleep you need. Most women wrap their bodies around the bean and are able to get comfortable enough to get to sleep.

Another type of cradle pillow that many women find helpful is one that fits right under your belly as you sleep. You will then be able to sleep on your side, which is what most doctors recommend for pregnant women. Another great thing about this cradle pillow is that you can use it later when you nurse or are recovering from your pregnancy. It's a pillow that you will want to keep around for many uses.

So, there are many products available to help a pregnant woman get some rest and sleep through the night in the most comfortable positions. However, being pregnant does not mean sleeping all the time. Nearly half of all women in the United States alone will continue to work while they are pregnant, up until the time of their delivery. So, there are health issues at work and home that can be helped with ergonomic products also.

One complaint of pregnancy is the swelling of legs, feet and ankles while walking or standing for long periods of time. During pregnancy, women tend to retain water and if too much swelling occurs, there can be other problems that can be risky for both mother and baby. An ergonomic product that might be able to help with this is an adjustable foot rest. A foot rest that is adjustable will allow you to raise your feet and legs to a comfortable position where they will receive adequate blood flow and also prevent strain to your back and legs.

You will definitely want to consider buying a lumbar back support if you are going to be working at a desk chair. These supports will give your back comfort to help you get your work done. Most lumbar supports will fit in any type of chair, even the car, so you can have support while traveling or working. Of course, a spine wedge for the bottom of your chair will also help with circulation and take the strain off of your back, legs and hips. These can also be used at night for support between the knees.

These are just a few of the ergonomic products that can help during pregnancy. Other products that can be helpful to pregnant women are an ergonomic office desk, anti-fatigue mats and lumbar cushions. Depending upon your needs, your discomfort, your pregnancy and what type of work you do, there are ergonomic products out there to help give you the support you need during this exciting time in your life.

Women commonly experience back pain in pregnancy. So, what are some of the reasons for this physical condition? When a woman gets pregnant, some of the hormones in her body known as the pregnancy hormones start to soften the ligaments. This movement further causes the joints to move around more than usual. This is the time when pregnant women start to feel pain in their back. Some women can even experience strained ligaments. Apart from the hormones, another cause is the postural problems that are caused by the growing uterus. Also, the position of the baby is another reason. Towards the end of pregnancy, the baby settles in a position that compresses the nerves causing the pain.

In dealing with back pain in pregnancy, women need to learn how to understand their body changes. They need to be flexible enough, so they can right away adjust to their present condition. It might be a little difficult, but they must try to learn how to establish a good posture. One way is to put a rolled up towel or lumbar cushion right behind the lower part of your back. You can also make use of pillows in order to prevent yourself from slouching.

Other ways of having good posture includes keeping your chin up, keeping your shoulders slightly up and back, keeping your head centered over the shoulders, keeping the knees slightly bent, and exercising with the focus on the abdominal muscles. Avoiding wearing high heel shoes can also help you prevent back pain in pregnancy.

You need to concentrate on exercising. By just walking for 20 to 30 minutes day, you can really prevent yourself from experiencing excessive back pain. Women, who don't know when and how to start the exercise, should consult their midwife or physician regarding the most appropriate abdominal exercises in pregnancy. They can also ask a professional instructor.

Having a good amount of rest is very important for pregnant women. You need more rest towards the end of your pregnancy. Pregnant women should sleep on their side at night. Putting a pillow between the knees or using a body pillow will help. There are so many other techniques that could reduce or prevent back pain in pregnancy. However, these techniques will be ineffective without a good amount of self discipline. Women need to understand themselves first and develop the needed self discipline, before they proceed to applying some procedures that could keep them away from feeling pain at their back.

Every woman longs to be pregnant someday, but not all women know what it takes to be safely pregnant for between thirty seven to forty weeks. It does not matter whether you are pregnant for the first or second time or several times before, this article aims to let you into some of the information that may have eluded you until now.

Pregnancy can manifest same signs and symptoms such as headaches, fainting spells, dizziness and mood swings, nausea, fatigue, food cravings associated with other Health conditions, but if all or any of those were preceded or followed by morning sickness and tender or swollen breasts, then you might be really pregnant.

The need for a pregnancy test

Most women who have had the above symptoms have not cared or thought it necessary to go for a pregnancy test. A lot of them have self-medicated, took malaria drugs that harmed their fetus. If you feel any of the above symptoms while sexually active, go take a pregnancy test at your nearest clinic or get a pregnancy test kit at your neighborhood pharmacy and do it yourself at home.

The Importance of Regular Prenatal Clinic

Obstetricians are specially trained pregnancy and babies' doctors who are your best friends while pregnant. Do not forget to schedule a meeting with your obstetrician for registration, several other tests, and to provide you with information in respect of your due delivery date and schedule of monthly prenatal visits for the care of your baby.

If you have any health issues, you will be given drugs to remedy it. If not, you will be given gestation vitamins and advice on proper diet and exercise. Prenatal visits are very important for a successful pregnancy and safe delivery, but most pregnant women neglect it.

The three trimesters of Pregnancy and their problems.

1. The first trimester - first 12 weeks of gestation - will give rise to increased levels of progesterone, your ability to absorb food into your body will be compromised, and morning sickness, constipation, flatulence and heartburn will set in.

2. The second trimester - from the 13th to the 27th week of gestation - brings with it a welcome lessening of your morning sickness, but your waistline, increase in belly size and more varicose veins etc may make you uncomfortable.

3. The third trimester - 28th week of gestation - is the period when you begin to notice the movement of the child in you. You will begin to feel more fatigue; your legs may become swollen and weakened. Your baby's activities may begin to hamper your movement. You may develop skin rashes, generally feel very uncomfortable, and waddle. Regular prenatal visits will help you deal with all those pregnancy problems with care and advice from your prenatal clinic.

Inform your Doctor about the Medical History of your family.

It is crucial that you inform your doctor about your family medical history, so that you can be well examined against genetic illnesses or birth abnormalities that may happen to your baby if adequate medical care and attention is not given to it.

Inform your doctor about your current medical conditions.

It is very important that your doctor is informed about your current medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, cardiac disease etc., so that he or she can help you with precautions against pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy is one of the most bright and rewarding things in the world, and there are those women who attempt for a long while before they can finally conceive. The woman's inner clock continues ticking while making the attempt. Women can go through hell every time a pregnancy test turns negative. While trying to conceive, it is essential to maintain an ideally healthy vagina. This means you need to use the suitable lubricants if you are experiencing vaginal dryness and avoid using any products that can create an unfriendly surroundings for sperm.

Health for the Vagina

You see it on TV all the time commercials promoting feminine wipes and washes to keep you feeling fresh. But are you sure these are okay for you to use while you are attempting to conceive? But you're wrong; these products are not helpful for you, especially at this time. The vagina doesn't need any help at all, as it cleans itself daily. We think that the fluids that the vagina secretes are unpleasant when in reality; it just shows that the vagina is healthy and normal. Your vagina's normal PH balance is disturbed when you make use of vaginal products such as cleansers, wipes, or douches.

Use of Lubricants

Frustrations and tensions are always there when trying to conceive a baby. Attempting to get pregnant means having sex at set schedules. Sometimes this means not being stimulated enough to try, and so you should use some products that can help you. Use of lubrication is advised to keep sex more pleasurable. Most lubricants are harmful for the sperm resulting them to being damaged and of no use if you are attempting to get pregnant. Most lubricants are in fact lethal to sperm because of the products they are made with. This is not commonly known because the lubricants' manufacturers are not required to show this warning on the product package.

Pre-Seed is a lubricator that was manufactured to help aid couples who need help with lubrication when trying to conceive. It contains the proper ingredients without toxic, as well as the appropriate PH balance needed by the sperm to reach the egg without any distress coming to it. Pre-Seed also includes an applicator for the lubricant to be put near the cervix of the vagina to aid the course of the sperm. Pre-Seed is an impersonation of the quality of the cervical fluids.

And always remember, this is about having a baby and it should be fun and loving experience. Enjoy yourself during this time of conceiving because the more relaxed you are the easier it will be.

Pregnancy and panic attacks seems to be a common issue that is discussed among pregnant mothers these days. If you are looking for some answers on how to deal with panic attacks during pregnancy, then you will want to read this article.

First, ask yourself a question. Am I suffering from anxiety and panic disorder?

If this is your first baby then chances are you are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. While most pregnant mothers can easily overcome this situation after first delivery but trust me, you are not alone in this world to face this endemic disease.

First of all, what you really need is to manage your stress levels.

Anything that stresses you out, also stresses out the unborn baby. Stress can affect your pregnancy only if you let it. You must remember is that your unborn child is the most precious person in your life. Try to control your stresses. Talk to your friend. Go for a short walk or watch tv. There are many ways and skills that you can learn to manage your stress levels. Some techniques really help us to remain calm in high pressure situations. You can consult your doctor and he will guide you accordingly.

Breathing techniques can help you to prevent panic attacks. Breathing control will not only help you during your pregnancy but it will also help you to improve your physical and mental conditions. There are two basic breathing control techniques which you can easily practice in your spare time.

Abdominal breathing

- Place one hand on your stomach

- Breathe in slowly and deeply into your bottom of your lungs. You should be able to feel and your stomach expand while you shoulders and chest move very little

- Pause for a moment, and then breathe out slowly. As you breathe out, allow your body to relax

- Repeat at least 10 times to keep your breathing smooth and regular. After 5 minutes of abdominal breathing, you will notice that you are much less anxious.

This exercise should be practiced at least once in a day.

Slow breathing

- Breathe in slowly, counting silently to yourself 1..2...3...4..5

- Hold your breathe for a moment

- Breathe out slowly, counting silently to yourself 1..2...3..4...5

As you breathe out, say the word relax quietly.

This exercise is very effective when used at the first signs of panic attack. It needs to be continued for around four minutes to allow the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide to return to normal.

Keep yourself busy. It will really help to get tired and sleep well in the night. Do not just sit around at home watching tv or reading novels. You really need to involve yourself in hard work. Continue with your daily routine work as you always used to do before pregnancy. Are you self employed? Are you involved in 9.00 to 5.00 office job? Then, consider this as a blessing for you because you constantly keeping your mind engaged with something which will help you stop anxiety and panic attacks.

Think positive. Although, most women do not go through easy pregnancies but always keep looking at the joy in life and pray not to lose self confidence. Just keep your thoughts on having a beautiful healthy baby a true gift from God and the rest will take care of itself. Start thinking from now that everything will go smooth with you and your baby, nothing to worry, I can handle any situations and you will be good to go.

Being pregnant is very exciting, knowing you have something great to look forward at will always help you keep your mind off of your anxiety. Although your self consciousness and willingness greatly matters to overcome anxiety and panic attacks but it is always recommended to discuss all your problems with a doctor straightforwardly.

The Webster Technique is known after Dr. Larry Webster, who developed this technique in 1978. Dr. Webster was a renowned pediatrician and chiropractor who founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, or ICPA. The Webster Technique is one of the most popular of all the chiropractic pediatric treatments. It is a well known technique that has been featured on various Television shows like The Learning Channel. It has also been featured in magazines like Mothering and Midwife Today. The Webster technique addresses the causes of 'intrauterine constraint' which is defined as any external force hampering the development of the fetus by constraining its natural movement. Adopting this technique may help to relieve mental and physical stress on the mother and the unborn child. It helps to convert breech pregnancies to cephalic presentation. American medical practitioners have been using the technique for more than thirty years and it has proven to be very successful.

Intrauterine constraint results in abnormal development of the fetus because it prevents the head-down position which may present complications during birth of the child. The Webster Technique deals with the complications at the outset thus making the birthing and labor process easier for the mother and child. The chiropractor will help to prevent to the potential birth defects which will allow the child to lead a healthy life.

Although the Webster Technique has been successful, it still has its critics. These critics are against using any type of chiropractic care for pregnant women or the unborn child, because they feel that it is detrimental to their growth. Doubts have been raised whether this method actually helps to remove intrauterine constraints during pregnancy. Chiropractic care for newborns aims to correct misalignments in the spine by light pushing of the affected part. It is a gentle way of correcting misalignments that might have occurred during the childbirth. This may prove helpful to prevent scoliosis and other problems of the nervous system occurring in later life. Breech delivery is not something an expectant mother wants and therefore the Webster Technique may prove to be helpful to avoid such type of complications.

It is advisable for the mother-to-be to consult with her gynecologist before deciding to take chiropractic care. Moreover, chiropractic care during pregnancy may not be suitable for all pregnant women because not all criticisms of the technique are unfounded. Some of the concerns raised by the critics are genuine. There may be different positions the fetus may take which may create complications during the later stages of pregnancy and require immediate medical attention. Since the Webster Technique can be used for breech pregnancies only, if other complications arise, it is advisable to proceed with alternate methods of treatment as per the doctor's suggestions.

As mothers, the welfare of your baby solely lies in your hands and how well you are able to take care of yourself before pregnancy, while pregnant and of course after pregnancy. These three stages are very important for all expectant mothers and, therefore, require certain diets. While diets for the first stage will help prepare your body for conception, diets for the second stage will help retain conception till birth and keep both mother and child healthy, then diets for the third stage will help both the mother and baby adapt to changes after the first and second stages.

For all mothers, especially if this is your first time, the following tips will guide you through selecting a healthy diet for pregnancy especially before conception, during pregnancy and after child-birth.

Pre-pregnancy Diets

Eat Folic Acid-Friendly Foods: studies prove that the earlier you start taking foods rich in folic acid before conception, the lower the chances that your baby will develop neutral tube effects. Most whole grains and leafy green vegetables are naturally rich in folic acids.

Drop Junk Foods: this includes refined sugars, Danish, cakes, doughnuts, and refined white flour. A high intake of junk foods will increase the risk of vomiting and severe pregnancy nausea.

Increase Your Intake Of Pregnancy Friendly Foods: increase your intake of foods that will create a healthy environment for your baby. Foods like green veggies, nutritious yellow carrots, papaya, mango and apricots, heart-friendly whole grains, brown rice, oatmeal and low-fat dairy.

Diets While Pregnant

During the first three months of being pregnant, eat foods that are rich in protein, this will provide your baby with building blocks for cells and is critical since your unborn child develops its organ during the first three months of your pregnancy.

Mothers who are non-vegetarians can take turkey, tuna, chicken and beef; these foods are high in protein and will supply you and your baby with an adequate amount of protein when you take just one ounce. Fruits like almonds, papaya, apricots and cinnamon are packed with pregnancy-friendly vitamins and minerals. Mothers who are vegetarians can get an amazing supply of protein from beans, eggs and peanut butters and can also take fruits to supplement the supply of other necessary nutrients.

Post Pregnancy Diets

Meals taken after pregnancy are usually for three reasons, the first is to help the body adapt to changes after child-birth; the second reason is to help the body provide the baby with all the necessary nutritional needs, while the third reason is to help the mother stay in shape physically.

A good post pregnancy diet is one that has the right mix of protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrate and takes into account the calorie needs of the mother keeping in mind that the baby will be breast-fed. After pregnancy, the metabolic rate of a woman may fall temporarily, so it is advisable to maintain diets low in fats and carbohydrates.

Any pregnant woman can confirm the fact that pregnancy brings in a lot of changes in the body. As the baby increases in size and grows, the body of the pregnant woman changes. The belly becomes bigger and the back gets into a curve so as to strike a balance in the change in the weight. The pelvis gets widened to prepare and be ready for the birth procedure. At times, it so happens that the body does not handle so much of physical stress very well. The nervous system of the pregnant woman can get injured from all the stress. This might result in many problems. Chiropractic care can help in pregnancy.

Back pain and misalignment are the common problems that happen due to pregnancy. This is the reason why many pregnant women are turning to chiropractic care for relief. There are many different methods by which chiropractors help to correct these problems. Chiropractors are trained to handle these type of problem and hence can realign the spine and take the pressure and stress off the spine and at the same time cause no harm to the body. It is a very safe method. There are chiropractors who specifically handle peri-natal and pre-natal care. This type of care helps women during pregnancy as well as after it. There are many ways and techniques that are used at different stages of pregnancy. In order to ensure healthy pregnancy and prevent back pain, chiropractors teach postural and stretching exercises.

There are many advantages of getting this type of treatment and care and hence once a woman learns that she is pregnant, she should go for it. This will make sure that the pregnancy and the delivery both are healthy. Neck pain and back pain can be avoided with this. This type of treatment can help in reducing the changes of undergoing c-section. At times, the body of the woman might not be able to cope up with the stress that labor puts on them. This interferes with the child birth as the bodies tend to tense up and block the passage of the baby through the birth canal. Chiropractic treatment can help by providing proper alignment. There are many other advantages that chiropractic treatment provides for a woman who is pregnant or in labor. It is completely a safe option as it is natural and does not have any type of side effects.

In the realm of natural and organic supplements, there are currently vitamins that can help with fertility but none that directly address it. Medications that claim to increase the chances of pregnancy often use invasive hormonal methods in order to do so. Vitamins and supplements, on the other hand, enhance the body's functions in a natural way, increasing the conditions that might facilitate pregnancy. There is a big difference between the two.

If you are having troubles with fertility, it is a good idea to pinpoint any physical or hormonal problems that might be inhibiting your chances. There will most likely be a supplement or vitamin that can help your body in a gentle and natural way. Here are some of the fertility vitamins that can help facilitate pregnancy without harming the body' normal functions.

Proper zinc levels are essential for fertility in both men and women. Zinc helps to balance the production of estrogen and progesterone, allowing the fetus to develop and grow in a healthy environment. Hormonal imbalances can decrease fertility levels while simultaneously increasing the likelihood of miscarriage. In men, zinc is directly tied to the quality and amount of sperm that is produced. If a man decreases his zinc intake, the likelihood of him developing subpar and effective sperm drastically increases. It is therefore very important that both women and men take zinc supplements when attempting to get pregnant.

Folic acid is important not only for fertility but also for fetal development. It helps with the production of genetic chromosomes that can ward off diseases like spina bifida and Down's syndrome. Furthermore, it keeps the genetic codes in your baby intact, ensuring a healthy and trouble-free pregnancy.

When it comes to fertility, men can benefit from vitamins just as much as women. Vitamin C helps with the development of high quality and fully functioning sperm. It does this by improving the genetic integrity of the sperm, reducing the chances of chromosomal damage during conception. The healthier the sperm is, the better the fetus will develop and grow. It also helps that vitamin C enhances the sperm's mobility, increasing the chances of conception.

When it comes to fertility vitamins, the three most effective ones are zinc, folic acid, and vitamin C. While there are other supplements that can also help with conception, these three are the foundation for any healthy pregnancy. Adding a few supplements on top of the three basic ones can ensure that your baby develops and grows to its full potential.

Nausea during pregnancy is quite common. Though a lot of women experience it during the first trimester, there are many who experience nausea during the entire term. There are also a fortunate few who never experience nausea during pregnancy. You should know that are a few things that will help overcome the unpleasantness of this condition.

Firstly, having a full stomach at all times can alleviate nausea. This can be achieved by frequent snacking throughout the day rather than having 3 large meals. Granted, eating is not so pleasant when you are feeling sick and it may be the last thing on your mind. However, not eating causes your body's sugar levels to drop significantly, which can prolong the nausea. Instead of simple carbohydrates, sugar and refined foods, try and consume complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and protein which will stay in your stomach for a longer time and keep your blood sugar level constant.

Secondly, drink plenty of fluids to prevent nausea throughout your pregnancy. Hydration is extremely important during your pregnancy. Dehydration is often the cause of nausea and can worsen the feeling of nausiosness you are already experiencing. Also, stay away from coffee, sodas, and juices and limit yourself to caffeine free teas, unsweetened juices, and good old water.

There is no doubt of the stress and anxiety present in Pregnant mothers. Trying to calm your nerves can help relieve your nausea. Sharing your feelings and worries with your spouse, other mothers, and friends often alleviates the feeling of isolation which leads to anxiety and nausea during your pregnancy. It is quite common to be worried about the pending labor and delivery and it often helps to read and educate yourself about the birthing process. This will cause you to be less anxious throughout the pregnancy.

Prenatal massage can also help with nausea. Whether from a professional or your spouse, a massage has been known to help pregnant women relax and calm their nerves.

Another common cause of nausea is exhaustion and lack of sleep. Try and get as much rest and sleep whenever possible. A restful sleep has been known to magically alleviate nausea and help you feel better overall.

Hopefully the above steps will relieve most of your nausea throughout pregnancy. Just know that you are not alone, nausea during pregnancy affects most pregnant women at some point and the important thing is that you follow the above tips to bring you some relief. However, please remember that if your nausea persists and causes extreme discomfort, do not hesitate to seek the care of your family doctor or physician, there is no substitute for a trained professional.

Pregnancy. A time of intense hormones, unpredictable moods, rapid bodily changes, and high stress. Not exactly the ideal time to have relationship problems, especially with the future parent of your child. So how do you deal with it? In this article I will explain not only that, but how to keep yourself from falling into the pitfalls and traps of an intense or unhealthy relationship while pregnant.

Ideally, if you are experiencing a "planned pregnancy", you have discussed and worked on many of your relationship issues already. These could include but aren't limited to; communication, intimacy, trust, financial, and sexual problems. In this article, I would like to focus on only one, communication.

Obviously, if this issue was present before your pregnancy, it is going to be present and more troublesome during your pregnancy. With that said, how do you deal with this issue while pregnant, even if it is present to a lesser degree?

First of all, there are what I call "predictable" , and "unpredictable" pregnancy symptom triggered behaviors in relationships. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not making excuses by saying that behaviors and actions are "pregnancy symptom" triggered, I am just explaining the facts. When you are pregnant you will generally experience, (although each woman is different), the following; morning sickness, low energy, sore back and joints, variable moods like increased sensitivity, loss of short term memory, increased/decreased sex drive, low self-esteem, strange food cravings, sore breasts, weight gain, irritable bowels, and an increased desire to sleep. These negative symptoms, will obviously effect how you interact and communicate with others. I suppose this was how the "moody" pregnant woman stereotype came into effect.

So, if you know for sure that these symptoms are going to happen, then you can better prepare for their effect on your psyche, and thus how you will choose to project their effects onto others (specifically your partner).

For example; if I feel a loss of energy coming on or like I just want to take a nap, I know for sure that I will not have much patience to make serious decisions. So instead of coming home and telling my husband, "Hey honey I'm ready to discuss the financial part of that remodel that you want in the kitchen." I say something like; "Honey, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not 100% today, it has been a rough pregnancy day, and I would really appreciate it if I could just go to bed. Could you make yourself something to eat?" What this does is avoid a "predictable" argument that would be the result from my "lack of energy and patience", during our discussion. Basically, the idea is that you are thinking ahead of the game. Planning for the worse. Sound pessimistic? Let me explain.

What if an "unpredictable" pregnancy symptom like spontaneous crying happens? What am I talking about? Well, sometimes pregnant woman get a sudden unpredictable urge to cry because they feel emotional. It could be triggered by something as stupid as a beer commercial, or as unrelated as a cool breeze. How do we deal with that? What if your partner is sitting on the couch as you start to cry? Let's say they don't comfort you at just the right moment, and in response you say something like; "You just aren't there for me, I have to do everything; carry this child, clean the house, and handle the bills!" Your partner begins to feel rejected and angry and the interaction spirals downward from there.

How could an "unpredictable" and "spontaneous" situation like that be avoided? Well, by doing what I call a mind, body, and soul check in. First of all when you are pregnant you need to take responsibility for your emotions and behaviors by constantly checking in with yourself. Ask yourself where you are at emotionally and psychologically. Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten. One being that you are feeling; tired, emotional, or insecure. Ten being that you feel; energized, happy, or excited about your pregnancy. Since you can go up and down daily in your pregnancy moods, you need to monitor yourself several times throughout the day. This way, when an "unpredictable" pregnancy symptom like constipation creeps up on you, you know that you are not going to be able to handle much on your plate. Your best decision in that instance, would be to avoid over stressing yourself. For example, limit the amount of things you do that day, get extra sleep, and avoid stressful discussions with your spouse.

There are other things in addition to monitoring yourself, in order to decrease your pregnancy symptoms like; exercise, naps, eating nutritional snacks, pampering yourself with a pedicure, or reading yourself positive affirmations.

In addition, it is really important to communicate with your partner and utilize him/her as a support. For example, ask him/her for a foot massage, words of encouragement, or if he/she could do one of your house hold chores for the day. If you don't ask, you won't get your needs met. Many pregnant women try to be Super Heroes and do everything themselves. It is just not reality. You are functioning on low gas in your tank, don't ride on empty it will not benefit you in the end!

Lastly, how you support your partner will make a difference in how you survive your relationship during pregnancy as well. Utilize "I" statements and "reflective listening". Your partner's needs will be different then yours during pregnancy. Remember, they don't "feel" the same as you do during your pregnancy-although people say they do experience some similar pregnancy symptoms. Your partner might be going through a whirl win of different emotions and feelings like; nervousness, uncertainty about being a parent, fear, worry and concern for you, financial stress, insomnia, eating disturbance , weight gain, and loss of previous identity. If you communicate with him/her and find out where he/she is coming from, it might help you support him/her better. This in turn will lessen the overall stress within your relationship and make your pregnancy a more positive experience.

Here is a quick communication exercise to practice with your partner. Sit next to each other and look into each others' eyes. Now pretend that you have switched bodies and you are the non-pregnant person, and they are the pregnant person. Take about a minute to answer the following questions as "the other person." Tell me about your pregnancy thus far; how many weeks along you are, how do you feel, what is partner feeling during your pregnancy? You will find this interesting being in the "other person's shoes", for a bit. After you complete the exercise, check in with each other. Were you accurate about each other's feelings and thoughts? If the answer is no, then you know that you have to work more on your communication.

Remember, pregnancy is supposed to be a beautiful time for a couple, but it can put a lot of strain on a a relationship. Working on your communication as a couple before you decide to get pregnant, is your best bet. But if you can't, start today, heck start yesterday! Good luck and remember, when in doubt and in the middle of what seems impossible argument, laugh! Have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

-by Andrea Guzman, LMFT

Pregnancy Acupressure has been in use for centuries. It allows you to begin labor at home, safely and naturally, easing yourself into the contractions and dilation that will result in the birth of your baby. But the time you get to the hospital, your labor will already be half over. This leads to shorter delivery times, and an much easier birthing process. Maternity acupressure techniques also help increase blood flow, eliminate pain, and reduce stress on the mom-to-be, while at the same time aiding in contractions, dilation, and providing extra oxygen to the baby. All of these benefits to reflexology for pregnancy have made it increasingly popular in delivery rooms across the world.

Massage during labor includes using the body's various pressure points to stimulate other parts of the body. Learning how to do maternity acupressure is easy, and requires no prior experience. It consists of gentle pressure applied with fingertips, the ball of the thumb, and sometimes the palm or elbow. These pregnancy massage therapy techniques are both safe and natural, and can be used even after childbirth for continued stress and pain-relief benefits. However, these points should not be used during the developing stages of pregnancy - on a pregnant woman this type of acupressure to induce labor should be reserved for helping to start contractions and for aiding in childbirth only.

* Hand (to aid with contractions) - Place your own thumb on the meaty web between your partner's forefinger and thumb. Close your middle two or three fingers upward to rest in her palm, and begin gently squeezing, concentrating on applying downward pressure with the ball of your thumb. This pressure point is important in pregnancy reflexology in that it can be used to aid in strengthening contractions. By timing your pressure with each contraction you can help the baby descend, pushing along with mom to move the child through the birth canal.

* Palm (to release endorphins for pain) - Look at your partner's hand. In the center of the topmost crease on the palm, there's an acupressure point that can be used to force the body to release it's natural painkillers: endorphins. Gentle pressure to this region will produce anesthetizing feelings in the brain, but overly pressing it can cause pain so be careful how much pressure you use. If you have trouble finding this spot, tell your partner to close her fingers until the tips of each finger are touching the palm, almost like a half-fist. The place right below where her fingers are touching is where you want to apply pressure.

* Foot (to release tension and relax the body) - Beneath the ball of the foot is a depression just as the arch of the foot begins. By placing your thumb here and wrapping your fingers around the top of the foot for counter pressure, you can begin pushing gently inward and upward, rolling your thumb toward the big toe. Reflexology and pregnancy go hand in hand, and this massage will have the effect of soothing and calming your partner. With the right pressure, and the right direction, you can use this technique well into childbirth to relax and keep your partner free from excess anxiety. It also makes a great technique to use months and years afterward, any time you or your partner both need to relieve stress.

* Hip (for pain, and to promote contractions) - Your partner will need to be on her side for this one. Find the top of the buttocks crease, then move in a perpendicular line toward her hipbone. When you've gone about two-thirds this distance, press gently inwardly and upward toward the spine. This acupressure pregnancy point should be immediately felt, and it should feel pretty good. Pressing and rolling this point will accomplish both pain relief and the inducing/strengthening of contractions. You can use this to both induce labor, and to aid in contractions once the onset of labor has occurred. After childbirth, you can use this point at any time to help break up trapped pelvic stress and relax the lower body.

* Lower back (to release endorphins for pain) - For this acupressure point, your partner will need to be pressing back against a firm object. Find the halfway point between the spine and the dimples of your partner's gluteus. Pressing downward with a slight twisting motion, do some probing until you find the spot where your partner feels a very pleasant sensation of relief. This spot works wonders for pregnancy pain, and it can also dissipate pent-up stress in the lower back and gluteus muscles.

* Shoulder (to stimulate contractions) -Find the bump at the base of your partner's neck - this is her C7 vertebrae. Now trace a line to the other bump at the end of her shoulder. Right in between these two areas is another pressure point on the shoulder muscle itself, and applying pressure to this one can help greatly with uterine contractions (and it can later be used to stimulate milk production as well). Stimulate this point during initial stages of labor to help begin and promote these contractions.

These are the six most popular techniques of acupressure during labor, but note that most of them can be very useful beyond childbirth. Pregnancy massage therapy methodology has been proven to have radical benefits in the delivery room and beyond. Massage during labor itself can dramatically decrease the chances of unwanted medical intervention or C-section during the birthing process. Learn these techniques for a safer, faster delivery... and then use them on each other in the years to come to relieve stress, pain, and pent-up tension in the body.