Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

"Awakening" (In Chopin C. "Awakening and Other Stories" Random House, New York, NY: 2000) involves issues of feminism whereby Edna Pontellier, the center of the American Creole/New Orleans story, often and perplexedly reflects on her role of mother-of-two who is married to a well-off and often traveling (for business or pleasure) brokerage-business husband (Leonce Pontellier). The book garnered a lot of controversy for many decades after it was written in 1899, but eventually became and has endured as Kate Chopin's most famous work.

The community views Leonce as the epitome of the ideal husband, for Leonce greatly adores and provides for wife and children, he is quite consistently concerned about the welfare and happiness of his household. Yet Edna does not look at Leonce as her choice of husband, she says their marriage was accidental, that as she was growing up there are particular men that came around her that she would have wished to take her hand. Leonce is disciplined, insistent and low-toned, often dissatisfied about Edna's attention to the children and other household issues, more so because he is often away on business and Edna has a lot of help, Leonce sometimes causes Edna to walk off and cry.

Perhaps Edna was the precursor of the modern era American woman...one who is prevalently independent (or at least longs to be), one who has more power in making decisions about what she prefers, one whose identity is not predominantly defined by wealth, looks, family, husband, or children. In her state of psychological disillusionment ("An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with vague anguish" [179]), Edna's love for the two boys she gave birth to is uncharacteristically distant, the mother's instinct seemingly weak, the kids have more fondness for their father. "If one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble whilst at play, he was not apt to rush crying to his mother's arms for comfort....Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman..." (181).

The author Chopin hence paints a picture of a soul plagued by a mixture of feminist and psychological issues. It is to be remembered, that even in this age of feminist liberation, providing men who love and care for their wives and children are still held in high esteem and are still in high demand. Chopin implicitly displays that female emancipation and longing can be of numerous forms. Further, Chopin often compares and contrasts main characters in terms of their beauty and body textures/ forms, illustrating that this issue has been strong in the United States for centuries.

"[Edna] was rather handsome than beautiful...face...captivating by reason of a certain frankness of expression and a contradictory subtle play of features" (174). Chopin writes of Edna's companion and friend Adele Rattignolle (as somewhat contrasted with Edna) that, "...her beauty was all there, flaming and apparent...two lips that pouted...the grace of every step, pose, gesture... (182). Many writers have noted that Kate Chopin was not a suffragist and did not join any feminist movements; and indeed, many feminist writers reduce the value of the aesthetic features and comparisons of women, aspects that can remind of Hollywood vagueness.

Eventually, Edna wants to leave her family big house and settle "...in a four-room house along the corner" (294). A woman who had great difficulty at learning how to swim, one who is still sophomoric at it, Edna will ultimately find disturbing comfort in introspectively walking alone to the sea, in taking off all her clothing, reflecting on her life and swim into and allow herself to be swallowed by the sea, a fatal blow to the self-possession and psychological emancipation that she sought. Edna was born a reserved child, she was miserable and felt stifled, her marriage and sketches did not reach the standards she wanted them, there was something lacking in her "ideal, loving family; her comfort and big house," the lustful affair with the lad Robert the conspicuous and philandering son of Madame Lebrun the property owner was full of gaping holes and would not last. Edna did not fit in the conventional mode of the beginning of the 20th Century American dream woman. She instead provides a window into what the woman, over the numerous decades to come, would perhaps evolve into as the individualist and the emancipated female.

In "Awakening," Edna Pontellier is supposed to be one of the most fortunate women in the world. She has a present, fidel, hardworking and earning, capable, loving husband, who sired with her two male kids, she does not have to go outside of home to work. Yet, she is dissatisfied with her status quo, a rich homely situation that many women crave to be in. The narrator is telling us that women are complex persons, each of individual personality, one size does not fit all; needs and interests, and ambitions of each woman vary. Edna is horrifyingly distant from the two boys she gave birth to. "If one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble whilst at play, he was not apt to rush crying to his mother's arms for comfort....Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman..." (181). But indeed women (and female animals) have been known to neglect and even kill their children, reasons for which vary from psychological to dislike for tending to offspring. Women have been known to chase down and drown their children in bathtubs (Andrea Pia Yates, in 2002, drowned all five offspring in a bathtub; she has had a history of post-partum depression and psychosis), or let a car-full of their children roll into a river and get them drowned (Susan Smith, in 1994 did this to her two sons).

Edna Pontellier had two sons, she drowns herself in the end. Women have been known to leave their enviable husbands and children in a comfortable life, and fall for top-notch criminals who are locked up in prison. Edna mentions wanting to leave her comfortable home and enviable family, and living in a smaller habitation down the street "...in a four-room house along the corner" (294). Post-partum depression has been mentioned about women, and in Edna's case it seems to have become indefinite. Many women, even in the contemporary times long for biological or at least adoptive motherhood. Still, there are those who opine their biologically begetting children as one of the most unfair ways a woman is exploited as a painstaking residence of a baby during gestation. Human gestation is a trying experience, compared to that of most other species (consider squirrels and rabbits). Human fetuses comparatively have many defects, miscarriages are common. At the same time the man does not have the burden of carrying the child to childbirth and keeping a sleep-ridden eye on the child. The fathers of the child sometimes wander away, abandoning their offspring.

Edna portrays that a woman can want much more than a family of children and a husband, perhaps she was a lesbian who had not discovered herself as one. She was at least discontented with her husband Leonce who comes off as conventional, disciplined, and inflexible. This discontentment is understandable...it happens. But why the distance from her offspring, and then the lustful interest in the young man Robert, eventually adultery? Edna will always be an enigma! Perhaps Edna suffered from multiple-personality disorder, something psychological irked her. Perhaps she longed to be the independent free woman, one who had the freedom to love or have sex with her choice of person, the precursor of the 20th and 21st Century independent and upstanding woman free to express her sexuality and stick to her preferences. Edna, many times in subtle ways, brings forth into question, feminism in the context of individuality, sexuality, marriage, freedom and choice, reproduction and child-rearing, spousal attachment and power, and the context and role of marriage in a woman's life. Edna brings it out that each female is of unique individuality, of personal talent and likes that beg to be fully uncovered so she need not be comfortable with how society compartmentalizes women, more so as wives, mothers, home-makers, and as cherished articles of beauty and ownership.

Woman's most obvious advantage over man is pregnancy. This is because the male gender cannot share in this nature's most awesome and intriguing miasma. So you can image the crazy joy when a woman delivers her baby safely and can now be introduced to her child face-to-face for the first time in months! It is arguably the most joyous periods in a woman's life but this joy can become marred when panic attacks begin to occur after pregnancy. This is especially scary if you did not experience these attacks before or during you pregnancy term.

Having panic attacks after pregnancy, while not an unusual occurrence, can be extremely dangerous if not handled quickly. These attacks are an offshoot of protracted stress and anxiety which you had to undergo during your pregnancy. The major reason for this condition is anticipated fear. This is actually good news because it means that there is nothing physically wrong with you. This article will reveal some steps you can take to make panic attacks after pregnancy a thing of the past.

1. Try to ensure that you get and take a lot of time to sleep. "Curing Illness by means of Sleeping" is a research that reveals the effectiveness of sleeping as a means of curing conditions that are brought about by stress; panic happens to be one of them. The fact is that there is no healing technique or method anywhere that can compete with the natural healing process of the body. Sleeping is one of the ways the body rejuvenates itself.

2. Make it a point of duty to consciously eat a healthy balanced diet that consists of foods that are high in nutrients. Although your baby is out of you, that is no excuse to go back to your poor eating habits. To help eradicate these attacks, your body needs foods that it can draw strength from; foods like cereals, fruits and fibres, eggs, milk, oatmeal cookies, vegetables, fish etc. All of these foods are essential to your health while also necessary for keeping panic at bay.

3. You should also learn and practice breathing exercises daily. Once you learn these exercises, you should automatically switch to them in the event that you begin to experience an attack. These exercises will help reduce your stress and worry levels so that you can concentrate on actually taking care of your new born baby.

4. Maintaining balance in your life is nonnegotiable. If you must avoid panic attacks after pregnancy, you must behave in a very balanced manner; thinks positive thoughts, control your emotions, abstain from eating foods or taking drinks that consists of harmful substances like; cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and so on. Maintaining a balanced emotional attitude is very important and will aid you in combating post pregnancy panic attacks.

Hormones are major links in the mind body connection. They are chemical the chemical messengers that can turn on and off a variety of genes in every cell in your body-including your brain! All known hormonal imbalances may manifest as psychiatric disorders, such as depression, mania, anxiety, ADD, memory disturbances, dementia and even psychosis. On the other hand, bearing the burden of any of these disorders, over time, will affect your hormonal function as well. Hormonal imbalances also mimic the side effects of anti-depressants by causing weight gain, brain fog, sexual problems, and depleted energy levels. It is clear then, that hormonal problems go hand-in-hand with depression, and sorting out "hormone triggered" depression from clinical depression is not always easy. Most patients have a mixture of the two. For this reason, in the practice of Whole Psychiatry, a detailed assessment of the hormonal systems should be a routine part of every psychiatric evaluation.

A hormone called cortisol (made by your adrenal gland) is part of the body's shock absorber system. We all drive down the road of life. and we hit real or imagined pot holes. If our shock absorbers are functioning well, its like we are driving a Cadillac. We feel the pothole, but only briefly and then we make a quick recovery. If we have poor shock absorbers, we feel like we are driving an old pick-up truck over a dirt road. We hit a pot hole, are stunned by it, and may even veer off the road.

What determines how our shock absorbers work? Some of it is genetic, and some of it is set by the time we are 11 or 12 weeks of age! In addition, chronic stress, nutritional and chemical factors, social environments, attitudes, perceived sense of control, spiritual orientation, and interpretation of the meaning of events play an important role.

Your body's glands take their cues from your brain. When an event is perceived, a meaning is assigned to the event, and a hormonal response appropriate to the assigned meaning occurs. Thus your brain determines the exact timing and amount of cortisol that is released into your blood stream: too much cortisol at night, and you can't fall sleep, too little cortisol in the morning, and you can barely peel yourself out of bed!

By the same token, your brain then gets a message from your adrenal glands via the cortisol in your blood stream, which provides a status update on hormone production and release. The constant relay of information between your brain and your adrenal glands keeps your brain, immune system and stress response functioning normally.

But this system's equilibrium can be upset when you take a blow from, say, depression, manic depression, anxiety, chronic stress (such as a divorce or chronic illness), chronic pain, or recurrent bouts of low blood sugar. In fact any of a number of hormonal imbalances (e.g., adrenal, thyroid, reproductive hormones) are one of the major reasons that many anti-depressant treatments don't work, or why patients with bipolar disorder are not stabilized.

In summary, if you have a mood disorder, check into your hormonal status, looking at adrenal function, thyroid function (check a TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, body temperature), blood sugar regulation, reproductive hormones, and melatonin.

Give the wide variety and effect of pesticides and hormone interrupters in our world, I strongly advocate for organically grown foods. Aside from the superior nutritional content, and health benefits seen in experimental animals, there is growing concern that the chemicals we accept in our environment cause significant hormonal problems in the population at large, by mimicking or blocking the functions of our own hormonal systems.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, often referred to as SPD for short, is a pain in the ar*e. Well actually it is a pain in the groin, hips, back, stomach and ar*e. It is caused during pregnancy by the production in the body of the hormone Relaxin which softens the ligaments in your pelvis in order to make your baby's passage through your pelvis as easy as possible. Although it is unsure why, some women produce too much of this hormone. This causes the ligaments to soften too much which allows for increased movement in the pelvis. This can lead to a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Symptoms

* Pain in the pubic area and groin (the pubis symphysis) is the most common symptom.

* Many women also suffer from lower back (sacroiliac joints) pain, pain in buttock area (posterior pelvic pain), lower abdomen and hip pain. It can also radiate down the inner thigh.

* It is common to feel a grinding or clicking in the pubic area when walking.

* The pain is often made worse by separating your legs, walking, getting in or out of a car, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed.

Diagnosis

Fortunately more GP's, midwives and obstetricians are recognising and diagnosing SPD. It is usually diagnosed from your own description of your symptoms. They may also exam you to look at the stability, movement and pain in your pelvic area. Once diagnosed you should be immediately referred to a physiotherapist who has experience dealing with SPD.

Some women do find it a struggle to be taken seriously but it is important you persevere. If your GP or midwife is unhelpful ask to see someone else. Take along information on SPD and explain your symptoms in detail. It is vital you get a fast diagnosis so treatment can start as soon as possible.

Treatment

During pregnancy the influence of hormones and the weight of the growing baby pressing down means a 'cure' is often not possible, however much can be done to ease the pain. It is important that the first thing that happens is that the alignment of your pelvis is checked and manipulated if necessary. A physiotherapist can do this but make sure it is one with experience of SPD. Exercises can be given to strengthen the muscles around the joints to offer better support. A support belt can help hold the pelvis together and in more extreme cases crutches or even a wheelchair is necessary to limit painful activities.

Painkillers can be prescribed if the pain is bad but they are limited during pregnancy. A GP will find a suitable medication for the particular patient. Other treatments such as TENS and acupuncture have been found to be beneficial.

Long term surgery is sometimes offered in extreme cases but this doesn't always bring a positive outcome and should be discussed at length with health professionals.

There are many things that can be done to help ease the symptoms by the individual. SPD is not a condition it is recommended you push so it is important sufferers know there limits and get help where necessary. Other helpful suggestions include:

* Plan the day to avoid unnecessary trips up/down the stairs. Use a backpack to carry things down in the morning needed for the day.

* Online shopping might be hard work at first but saves so much time and effort in the long run.

* Have a baby changing station upstairs and downstairs to avoid frequent trips up and down stairs with a baby.

* A cordless phone or extension means you can keep the phone close by.

* Cleaning can be difficult. Accept offers of help and allow your standards to adapt to your SPD - the house doesn't need to be spotless!

* A perching stool in the kitchen can make cooking easier.

* Keep snacks and flasks of drinks upstairs to avoid unnecessary trips.

* Try not to sit in one position for too long as this can cause stiffness and discomfort. Take regular short walks (even just round the room).

* Get a seat you are comfortable in and surround it with all the things you need for the day (phone, book, remote control etc).

* Sitting in bed with your legs straight can put extra pressure on the Symphysis Pubis. A chair is better.

* In bed: Get into bed carefully, sit on the edge of the bed and keeping you knees together, and lay on your side. Then keeping your knees and legs inline roll onto your back/ side. Keep you knees together at all times (a dressing gown cord can help insure this in your sleep.

* Satin or Silk Pyjamas make turning over in bed so much easier.

* A folded towel or cushion between the legs can help make sure the pelvis is properly in line. A V shaped cushion can be used to support your growing bump at the same time.

* When dressing sit down to avoid standing on one leg. Slip on shoes reduce the amount of bending you have to do.

* Using a shower to wash may be easier to avoid climbing into the bath. A shower seat will make showering easier.

* If you do use the bath, sit on the edge and swing your legs over together if you can, or step over carefully holding onto something to avoid putting weight on one leg. Use your arms to take a lot of your body weight when coming out of the bath. Try to bath when someone else is in the house so you can get help if you find it difficult getting out.

Labour

A birth plan can help you during labour. Write one before hand explaining briefly what SPD is and how it affects you. (i.e. SPD is pain in the joints of the pelvis caused by pregnancy. I cannot lie on my back or walk without crutches). Measure your pain free gap (taken by lying on your back with your knees bent and measuring how far you can open your legs without pain) this distance should not be exceeded during delivery and should be considered particularly during an epidural or instrumental delivery when you may not have control over your legs. Include your wishes for pain relief both during labour and postnatally.

Different positions for labour and internal examinations should be considered to avoid hip abduction (legs opened too far). These include all fours, lying on left side, or kneeling. If stitching is required the midwife may be able to do this without putting legs into stirrups (lithotomy position). If the lithotomy position is used ensure both legs are moved together and are up for as short a time as possible.

Talk it all through with your partner before hard so he can help remind people of your needs.

Once Baby is here

A lot of women notice a difference to the symptoms almost straight away but don't expect miracles. It takes a long time for your body to get back to normal after having a baby and the pregnancy hormones are floating around up to 6 months after baby is born. Carry on the exercises even if you are feeling better and get as much help as possible.

There is a common misconception that breastfeeding increases the recovery time for SPD but there is no evidence based research to back this up. Many women find it a wonderful way to bond with their baby and is a way to be involved even if mobility is restricted.

If you are bottle feeding plan ahead and make up bottle in advance. I night and day feeding system or even just a travel kettle and jug upstairs to heat bottles can reduce night time trips up and down stairs to collect bottles.

Some women find when there periods return the SPD symptoms recur. This is due to the hormonal changes and pain killers and limiting painful activities can help ease this time.

Many women with SPD also experience Post-natal Depression (PND) because of the physical problems suffered postnatally combined with the changes involved with a new baby. Around 1 in 10 women experience PND and women who have had difficult pregnancies or deliveries are more likely to experience it. It is important to seek help early as it is treatable.

If you have had SPD in one pregnancy it is lively, although not inevitable, that it will recur in subsequent pregnancies. If left untreated the symptoms can appear earlier and be more painful so it is important to start actively treating SPD from the start with physiotherapy. It is best to leave further pregnancies until your body has recovered and a gap of 2 - 3 years is usually recommended to reduce likelihood of the SPD flaring up again.

If you have had SPD it can appear that everyone has an opinion on whether you should have another baby but the decision is yours and your partners only. Having a baby is not just about pregnancy, birth and the early months and most women with SPD eventually regain their mobility. The memories of the pain and problems subside but the joy of the child remains.

Doula [Doo-la], comes from ancient Greek (doule)

A Doula is a trained woman empowering other women through emotional and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Doulas work alongside physicians, midwives, nurses, and birth partners, and are endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

What can a Doula do for you?

The work of a doula begins during pregnancy. On prenatal visits and during phone or email consultations, your doula will get to know you, understand what is your desired birth and what are your concerns. A doula will be able to answer non-medical questions and will help you get prepared for the most memorable event of your life. She will give you reassurance and continuous support along your way to birth.

Once labour has started, a doula can help guide you through the process. She is experienced in comfort techniques and will offer a calm presence. Your doula will stay with you throughout your labour to make sure all your needs are met. Your doula can also help explain medical procedures and assist you in evaluating all your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.

After the birth, a doula can help you caring for your baby, from giving a bath to feeding. A doula can assist you with breastfeeding preparation and beginnings.

How do Doulas differ from midwifes?

Doulas do not provide clinical tasks. Doulas provide a constant nurturing, helpful and objective support as well as first-hand knowledge and understanding of what the labouring mother is going through. This benefits both the mother and father-to-be. Unlike most medical professionals, doulas are with you the entire time of your birth.

What about your partner?

A Doula will never replace your husband/partner. On the contrary! A doula can help your partner enjoy the birth experience more fully. She will be a resource for him. She can guide him and suggest comfort techniques during the birth time. She will also ease his anxiety in this unfamiliar territory, allowing him to be fully present for you.

You are a very private person; won't a doula be distracting?

Doula- supported birth is usually a more intimate experience. Early labour can take place comfortably in your home. Dim lighting, soothing music, warm water, and relaxation: all are encouraged by your doula. The emotional bond and sense of connection between mother and partner is important, and the doula knows when to stay in the background when the couple is doing well, and when to jump in and offer guidance, such as position changes and breathing variations, as labour progresses. Once at the hospital, your doula can help assure your privacy is protected by creating a buffer between you and those entering your room. She will know your preferences and work to make sure they are respected.

Studies show...

50% reduction in caesarean rates

25% reduction in length of labour

40% reduction in the use of forceps

40% reduction in the use of pitocin

30% reduction in the need for pain medication

60% reduction in request for an epidural anesthesia

Kennel, et al, JAMA, May 1, 1991, Vol. 265, No. 17.

"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it."

- Dr. Marshall Klaus -

Attachment is fundamental to healthy development, normal personality, and the capacity to form healthy and authentic emotional relationships. How can you determine whether your child has attachment issues that require attention? What is normal behavior, and what are the signs of attachment issues? If you've adopted an infant, when will you see attachment problems develop? These and other related questions are often at the forefront of adoptive parents' minds. In this article I will help you understand what to look for and how to identify concerns.

Let's begin with an explanation of attachment. Attachment is the base of emotional health, social relationships, and one's worldview. The ability to trust and form reciprocal relationships will affect the emotional health, security, and safety of the child, as well as the child's development and future inter-personal relationships. The ability to regulate emotions, have a conscience, and experience empathy all require secure attachment. Healthy brain development is built on a secure attachment relationship.

Children who are adopted after the age of 6 months are at risk for attachment problems. Healthy and secure attachment develops during the child's first few years of life. Problems with the mother-child relationship during that time, orphanage experience, or breaks in the consistent caregiver-child relationship interfere with the normal development of attachment. There are a wide range of attachment problems that result in varying degrees of emotional disturbance in the child. One thing is certain; if an infant's needs are not met consistently, in a loving, nurturing way, the patterns of attachment that develop will be problematic.

When the first-year-of-life attachment-cycle is undermined and the child's needs are not met, and normal socializing shame is not resolved, mistrust begins to define the perspective of the child and attachment problems result. The cycle can become undermined or broken for many reasons:

* Multiple disruptions in care giving
* Post-partum depression causing an emotionally unavailable mother
* Hospitalization of the child causing separation from the parent and/or unrelieved pain
* Parents who are attachment disordered, leading to neglect, abuse (physical/sexual/verbal), or inappropriate parental responses not leading to a secure/predictable relation¬ship
* Genetic factors.
* Pervasive developmental disorders
* Caregivers whose attachment needs are not met, leading to overload and lack of awareness of the infants needs

The child may develop mistrust, impeding effective attachment behavior. The developmental stages following these first years continue to be distorted and/or retarded, and common symptoms emerge:

* Superficially engaging and charming behavior, phoniness
* Avoidance of eye contact.
* Indiscriminate affection with strangers.
* Lack of affection on parental terms.
* Destructiveness to self, others, and material things.
* Cruelty to animals.
* Primary process lying (lying in the face of the obvious*)
* Low impulse control.
* Learning lags.
* Lack of cause/effect thinking.
* Lack of conscience.
* Abnormal eating patterns.
* Poor peer relationships.
* Preoccupation with fire and/or gore.
* Persistent nonsense questions and chatter.
* Inappropriate clinginess and demandingness.
* Abnormal speech patterns.
* Inappropriate sexuality.

So how does one distinguish the difference between a child who "looks" attached and a child who really is making a healthy, secure attach¬ment? This question becomes important for adoptive families because some adopted children will form an almost immediate dependency bond to their adoptive parents. To mistake this as secure and healthy attachment can lead to many problems down the road. Just because a child calls someone ''Mom'' or "Dad," snuggles, cuddles, and says, ''I love you," does not mean that the child is attached or even attaching. Saying, "I love you", and knowing what that really feels like, can be two different things. Attachment is a process. It takes time. The key to its formation is trust, and trust becomes secure only after repeated testing. Generally attachment develops during the first few years of life. The child learns that the child is loved and can love in return. The parents give love and learn that the child loves them. The child learns to trust that the child's needs will be met in a consistent and nurturing manner. The child learns that the child "belongs" to his family and they to the child. It is through these elements that a child learns how to love, and how to accept love. This is how a child develops a secure sense of self.

Older adopted children need time to make adjustments to their new surroundings. They need to become familiar with their caregivers, friends, relatives, neighbors, teachers, and others with whom they will have repeated contact. They need to learn the ins and outs of new household routines and adapt to living in a new physical environment. Some children have cultural or language hurdles to over¬come. Until most of these tasks have been accomplished, they may not be able to relax enough to allow the work of attachment to begin. In the meantime, behavioral problems related to insecurity and lack of attachment, as well as to other events in the child's past, may start to surface. Some start to get labels, like "manipulative," "super¬ficial," or "sneaky". On the inside, this child is filled with anxiety, fear, grief, loss, and often a profound sense of being bad, defective, and unlovable. The child has not developed the self-esteem that comes with feeling like a valued, contri¬buting, member of a family. The child cares little about pleasing others since his relationships with them are quite superficial.

When are problems first apparent?
Children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse, physical or psychological neglect, or orphanage life will begin to show difficulties as young as six-months of age. For example, the signs of difficulties for an infant include the following:

* Weak crying response or rageful and/or constant whining; inability to be comforted
* Tactile defensiveness
* Poor clinging and extreme resistance to cuddling: seems stiff as a board
* Poor sucking response
* Poor eye contact, lack of tracking
* No reciprocal smile response
* Indifference to others
* Failure to respond with recognition to parents.
* Delayed physical motor skill development milestones (creeping, crawling, sitting, etc.,)
* Flaccid

WHAT ARE THE SUBTLE SIGNS OF ATTACHMENT PROBLEMS?
Gail tells her seven-year-old daughter, Sally, to pick up the napkin Sally has dropped. As Sally crosses her arms a sad and angry pout darkens her face. Gail says, "Sally, I told you to pick up the napkin and throw it away." Sally stomps over to the napkin, picks it up, and throws it away. Crying and whining, Sally stands with her back to Gail. Sally, angry and unhappy, is exhibiting one of the subtle signs of attachment sensitivity that nearly all children adopted after six-months demonstrate.

Attachment is an interpersonal, interactive process that results in a child feeling safe, secure, and able to develop healthy, emotionally meaningful relationships. The process requires a sensitive, responsive parent who is capable of emotional engagement and participation in contingent collaborative communication (responsive communication) at nonverbal and verbal levels. The parent's ability to respond to the child's emotional state is what will prevent attachment sensitivities from becoming problems of a more severe nature.

What are the subtle signs of attachment issues?
1. Sensitivity to rejection and to disruptions in the normally attuned connection between mother and child.
2. Avoiding comfort when the child's feelings are hurt, although the child will turn to the parent for comfort when physically hurt.
3. Difficulty discussing angry feelings or hurt feelings.
4. Over valuing looks, appearances, and clothes.
5. Sleep disturbances. Not wanting to sleep alone.
6. Precocious independence. A level of independence that is more frequently seen in slightly older children.
7. Reticence and anxiety about changes.
8. Picking a scabs and sores.

Internationally adopted children experience at least two significant changes during the first few months of life that can have a profound impact on later development and security. Birth mother to orphanage or foster care and then orphanage to adoptive home are two transitions. We know from extensive research that prenatal, post-natal, and subsequent experiences create lasting impressions on a child. During the first few minutes, days, and weeks of life, the infant clearly recognizes the birth mother's voice, smell, and taste. Changes in caregivers are disruptive. The new caregivers look different, smell different, sound different, taste different. In the orphanage there are often many care givers but no one special caregiver. Adoption brings with it a whole new, strange, and initially frightening world. These moves and disruptions have profound effects on a child's emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, and behavioral development. The longer a child is in alternate care, the more these subtle signs become pervasive.

There are effective ways for a parent to help his or her child.
Parents and the right parenting are vital to preventing subtle signs from becoming anything more than sensitivities. Parenting consistently with clear and firm limits is essential. Discipline should be enforced with an attitude of sensitive and responsive empathy, acceptance, curiosity, love, and playfulness. This provides the most healing and protective way to correct a child.

As Sally walks away to pout, Gail comes up behind her, scoops her up, and begins rocking her gently while crooning in Sally's ear. Gail sings songs and tells Sally she loves her and understands Sally is angry at being told what to do. Gail expresses sadness that Sally is so unhappy. At first Sally resists a bit, but she soon calms down and listens as Gail tells her how much she loves Sally. Sally is sensitive to feelings of rejection and abandonment that are evoked by her mother's displeasure, so Gail brings Sally closer to reassure Sally nonverbally. It is by experience that the subtle signs are addressed and managed. Nonverbal experience is much more powerful than verbal experience since most of the subtle signs have their origin in nonverbal experience and nonverbal memory. Finally, Sally eventually did what she was asked to do and praised for doing what was expected. In this manner, Sally experiences acceptance of who she is while becoming socialized.

These sensitivities do not constitute a mental illness or Reactive Attachment Disorder. They are subtle signs of attachment sensitivities. So, what can you do?

First, bringing the child in close is better than allowing the child to be alone or isolate him or her self.

Second, talk for the child. Put words to what the child is feeling. This allows the child to feel understood by you, maintains a connection, and helps assuage the fear of rejection and abandonment. It also helps the child become self-aware, models verbal behavior, and facilitates a sense of emotional attunement between parent and child.

Third, don't make food a battle. A child who steals food or hoards food usually has sound emotional reasons for this. Providing the child with food so that your child experiences you as provider is often the solution. Put a bowl of fruit in the child's room. (Be sure to keep if filled. It does not good if you provide and then leave an empty bowl!) In some instances, I've recommended that the parents provide the child with a fanny pack and keep it stocked with snacks. This usually quickly ends hoarding and stealing of food.

Fourth, for the child who is overly independent, doing for the child and not encouraging precocious independence is helpful. So, making a game of brushing your six-year old's teeth, dressing your seven-year-old, or playing at feeding a nine-year-old, are all ways to demonstrate that you will care for the child. Keeping it playful and light, allows the child to experience what the child needs and helps eliminate hurtful battles.

In conclusion, these subtle signs are important reminders that our children have ongoing sensitivities that as parents we must address. Responsive and sensitive communication is essential. Attachment is a function of reciprocal communication; attachment does not reside in the child alone. It is very important for the parent to manage and facilitate this attuned connection within a framework of clear limits and boundaries, natural consequences, and firm loving discipline.

The early signs of postpartum depression, range from gentle irritation, to feelings of loneliness. These can be followed by a heightened feeling of frustration and inadequacy. As the abjection worsens, the patient does not at all want to get out of bed, and ends up disturbing her sleep, and feasting on routine as well.

Nearly all accepted signs of postpartum depression begin practically right after childbirth. These worsen, as the patient shows curtailment of matter in the baby, or even bad feelings towards the baby. The patient feels anxious about the baby. Alternatively, the patient could lose concern in the self also. There is a loss of pleasure, motivation and energy. The patient starts feeling good-for-nothing and guilty about non-existent issues.

There are changes in appetite and hunger also. Disorder in the sleep cycle can be followed by thoughts of committing suicide. Some women might experience a delayed onset of postnatal depression. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), is a screening tool that detects postpartum depression. It requires filling out a form on the basis of your effects that you can subsequently discuss with your doctor.

If postpartum depression is not at all treated, it can get into postpartum psychosis. This is a rare, but very serious problem that can start right after childbirth. It includes disconnection from reality, and includes a high possibility for both infanticide and suicide. Hospitalization is required. Postpartum psychosis could manifest suddenly in the first two weeks after having given birth. The signs contain hallucinations, delusions, critical anxiety, confusion and disorientation. Increasing mood swings occur in both postnatal depression, and postpartum psychosis.

Women who have some history of any bipolar disturbances have an expanded possibility of advancing into postpartum depression, or psychosis. Nearly all new mothers dismiss slight feelings of dullness and mood swings, as passing 'baby blues', but these signs ought to not at all be taken lightly.

Conventional medicinal system depends on antidepressants and muscle relaxants, to cure the signs of postpartum depression. Drugs have side symptoms. Additional psychotherapy might not be of much use either. What is required is a holistic approach to treat the signs of postnatal depression with natural and herbal cures that are safe. Some of the best natural cures when joined with a holistic approach, could perform wonders. A careful alteration in diet, adopting of a suitable exercise regime, and counseling, would help treat this condition permanently.

Family support is vital in not only recognizing the signs of postnatal depression, but in helping treat it correctly. Ironically, some new fathers might also face postpartum depression, though their percentage is quite low, as compared to women. Would-be parents who are aware of the effects of postpartum depression can work together to handle the signs perfectly, and effectively even before the despondency sets in.

If you are pregnant, or trying to be, you should read up on postpartum depression.

You can read more about womens health issues at my blog:

Please visit: http://www.womens-health-blog.natural-health-cureguides.com

Be Well.

Steve Stanley

What is post natal depression?

There is no doubt that the introduction of a baby into your life, no matter how loved and wanted, can cause a lot of emotional and physical stress if you are not prepared.

In our western culture, support for new mothers can be lacking because relatives often live far away and our friends may not be our immediate neighbours. Also, when your friends and family are with you, you may find that their expectations about how you should be feeling are not necessarily the same as yours. Alternatively, your feelings may not be as intense as you expect them to be immediately after birth and for some women, it can take some time before the feelings of love for the new baby develops.

For many women the pregnancy may have been a difficult one and the baby may not have been planned. Many things can influence the way that you initially feel about your new baby. These emotional stresses combined with a less than optimal level of nutrition and the obvious hormone changes that you will be experiencing post birth with perhaps a poor sleep pattern due to the babies demands can lead to post natal depression, and it is very common.

There are ways to both prevent and treat depressive thinking effectively without resorting to drugs.

So what are the symptoms of post natal depression?

Well it is no different from the symptoms of general depression, these can include:

o A lack of motivation

o Vivid dreaming

o Waking early feeling exhausted (this may be a normal part of early life with your baby of course, especially if he or she is not a good sleeper)

o A lack of pleasure in usually pleasurable activities

o Anxiety

o Black and white thinking (everything bad happens to me, everything good to others etc)

o Negative introspection and worrying

o Excessive guilt

o A loss of appetite

o Lethargy

o Reducing pleasurable activities

o A loss of libido

So how can you help prevent post natal depression?

The first thing to state is that most women don't actually get full depression but they tend to classify feeling weepy and a bit low as depression. This is quite normal and will pass after a few weeks so don't get too concerned if you do have mood swings or if you don't feel your usual self. It is probably due to the hormones changes that occur after birth as your body begins returning to normal, and remember you have been sharing your body with your baby for nine months and many women express a feeling akin to grief at this parting. So this is normal and will pass.

If you are concerned or you have suffered from depression in the past and want be prepared what can you do?

Well the good news is that relaxation and can be very effective at de-conditioning the emotional arousal that happens during depression. So planning time to practice active relaxation and using the techniques on the Second Nature Birth Programme will certainly be beneficial and will help you to prepare mentally for the birth.
Practicing the techniques will make it easier to relax after the birth and will be a powerful aid to de-stressing. We are far more able to cope with stress if we have a tool or method to help us relax.

Keep up some form of physical exercise. For example, if you are practicing yoga, do not give it up after birth. Go for long walks with your baby as soon as you feel comfortable enough and strong enough to do so. This would usually be at least three weeks after the birth and longer if you have had a caesarean. (consult your midwife for advice if you are unsure)

Join a local support network prior to the birth of your baby. A mother and toddlers group may offer exactly the support and shared experience that you need after the birth and a group like the National Childbirth Trust in the UK would be ideal.

Nutrition.

Remember your diet is as important if you are breast feeding as it is when you are pregnant. The following is especially pertinent to maintaining mental health through diet:

a. Supplement vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, particularly calcium, magnesium and zinc.

b. Eat a lot of oily fish, herring mackerel, sardines salmon and tuna are all good.

c. Supplement omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

d. Eat a lot of raw fruit and vegetables (organic if possible) and seeds.

e. Make up this mixture and use on breakfast cereal and in soups, one tablespoon a day. Make up equal quantities of sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and then three times the amount of flax (linseeds) together in a blender. Grind them until they are granulated and store the mixture in the fridge.

f. If you are constipated you may wish to use a few more flax seeds during the day separately as these will aid the digestion.

What else can you do?

Talk to your partner. Friends and family and discuss any concerns that you have before they arise. Do not wait for issues to sort themselves out as they have a habit of hanging around.

Plan for the birth. This may seem obvious, but what we mean are the less obvious aspects like:

Find out who among your family and friends will be willing to baby sit or offer you support you in other way. Knowing this will be very reassuring.

When you cook, double the quantities. This means that you will only need to cook half the time.

Talk to other mums and learn from them about what they did to cope with a new baby.

Book your nursery place well in advance if you are planning a return to work. If you are not then you will want to plan intellectual stimulation when you are at home with your baby especially if you have had a challenging career.

Treating post natal depression.

Most post natal depression disappears after a few weeks or months, but you will want to avoid unnecessary suffering, so seek help early. As psychotherapists, we see people with depression every day and know how effectively to help. So seeing a brief solution focused therapist may be the answer for you. Visit our site http://www.naturalchildbirth.co.uk
for more information.

Steve Griffiths DHyp Psych GHR HA. HB Prac. Steve is a brief solution focused psychotherapist working in Brighton and Hove

Article © 2005 Sussex Natural Childbirth. All rights reserved

Brought to you by http://www.naturalchildbirth.co.uk

So you are bringing your child home from the hospital. What should you do to get ready? You should understand what it is your wife or girlfriend just went through. The birthing process may be a beautiful event in your and the mother's life, but it is also a traumatic experience for both you and the mother. As a soldier and as a firefighter I was taught to press through emotional issues for the good of the mission. In this case your job is to ensure that the mother is comfortable and able to focus on recovery and childcare. The next month will set the tone. The mother should not have to worry about laundry, dishes, or other trivial things. This is your time to shine.

You might notice some emotional issues. The mother might have what are called the "Baby Blues." The mother has gone through the equivalent of an ecstasy trip and is now in for the "letdown." When the mother is pregnant there are a whole host of chemical changes that result in emotional changes. After birth the emotional roller-coaster will start to turn south. It is your job to ensure that the mother is able to handle the emotional changes. If this is her first child, she might feel inadequate whenever something goes wrong. Make sure to encourage her and not point out mistakes in any judgmental ways. If she wants to cry, be there for her and support her. Remember that this is not as much an emotional thing as it is a hormonal thing. She is not sad necessarily because of anything that happened. She is simply sad. She might even say that she doesn't know why. This is natural. The key is to avoid having the blues turn into postpartum depression. PPD is an actual medical issue that needs treatment. Going without treatment can lead to long term depression and all the things associated with it. Because it may be hard to distinguish between the blues and Postpartum Depression, I will lay out the differences and some signs to look for then determining whether your wife or girlfriend has the blues or Postpartum Depression.

Postpartum Blues or "Baby Blues" usually last for a week or two after the birth of your child. The characteristic emotional symptoms can be mood swings, irritability, and insomnia. She may feel overwhelmed and might say things indicating such. The peak of the postpartum symptoms is usually four days after the birth, and usually subsides after two weeks. More than half of women report feeling the blues shortly after giving birth. Make sure to report any blue feelings she may have to a doctor. Most of all, use common sense, Use encouraging words to help her get through it. Tell her she is doing great and don't point out little errors that may be insignificant. Although you may be in a relationship where little jokes are normal, please watch what you say during this period. Things she normally might think is funny could make her feel devastated.

Postpartum Depression is a totally different issue. It is a medical condition that needs monitoring. The symptoms are essentially the same as the blues, except it doesn't go away. It seems to slowly build up over the next few months and peak about 3 to 4 months after birth. The mother can experience hopelessness, or suffer from anxiety. She might feel empty inside. Things she used to love to do might not interest her anymore. She might feel guilty or worthless with no real cause. As you can tell, the feelings just seem to get worse. Make sure you do not ignore mention of suicide or thoughts of harming the baby. Please consult a physician if you suspect the mother is suffering from Postpartum Depression. PPD is a treatable condition and there is no need to feel as if it is hopeless.

Post-partum depression is incomprehensible, but it is natural since the mother understands that she has completely lost her freedom. Maternity is a big responsibility that frightens any woman who analyzes this matter, especially if she is inexperienced or afraid of repeating bad experiences she experienced or learned about through someone else.

Before the baby's arrival, the mother is only worried about its health, about how it will be born, the preparations for the new life, etc. She has many illusions and dreams. However, when the child is born and she suddenly understands that she is completely responsible for this new life, only then does she understand her real responsibility...

The baby is crying. She has to see what is happening and calm it down. The baby cries again. She has to do the same as before, no matter how tired she may be, and this is only the beginning. She cannot go anywhere: who will take care of the baby? It is too little, she cannot leave it with anyone and it cannot go to school and leave her alone for a while. The baby is totally dependent on her for everything.

She is young and wants to live her life. She wants to be a mother, not a slave. However, she starts feeling like a slave with everything she has to do for the baby.

When she thinks about the future, she imagines herself slaving like this for many years, only taking care of the kid...

This is how post-partum depression begins. It can turn into a neurosis and lead the affected mother even to commit suicide, which is a common event in our society.

What happens in this case is that the anti-conscience (wild conscience) starts influencing her thoughts and frightening her.

If you are a future mother or a young depressed mother, here are my tips to help you overcome your depression and continue triumphant in your journey of life:

1. Don't think that only you are the only one who has to raise your kid. Others will help you a lot in this mission and with gratitude because you'll give them this pleasure, since they'll love your kid as much as you do. Let the baby's grandmother and grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends help; in particular, let the baby's father... Let everyone help you raise your kid and stop imagining that only you will be the absolute person responsible for its life: you are not alone.

2. If for any reason you are alone and you don't have anyone's support, things are really difficult for you. However, you should not lose hope because if you are right and love your child, enduring all the suffering in the beginning, God will help you and you will find many ways to raise your child, receiving help from people that you never imagined would ever care for you and your baby. You only have to believe in God and try to be a good mother, waiting for the support that will surely come.

3. If you don't believe in God, start believing because many scientific proofs of His existence have been found through dream interpretation, biology, astronomy, physics and many other fields of research. You need faith, especially in this period of your life.

4. The beginning is always difficult, but with time you will feel comfortable in your new role as a mother and you'll immensely love your baby. The satisfaction you will receive when admiring your child will be the best reward you could ever ask for in life, even though you may be tired and you cannot feel anything past your depression when you look at the baby and you think about your life being responsible for everything in the baby's life.

5. You'll learn many important lessons as a mother! First of all, you'll go back in time and remember your own childhood. You'll learn again the meaning of life through your baby.

6. Some day your child will make you proud, help you in many ways and will be the most precious person in this world for you! Now you cannot see its personality, he or she is not yet a grown-up person. The baby is only a sapling. Later, you'll discover the continuation of yourself in this kid and this feeling will give you peace and satisfaction!

Is there specifically a "diet" for blocked arteries? The answer would be NO. Are there certain things you should and should not do to prevent your arteries from becoming blocked? That answer is YES!
 
Blocked arteries, hardening of the arteries, clogged arteries, and any other terminology you may use is all common language for the medical terms atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Both mean hardening of the arteries; one just encompasses the other. Arteriosclerosis is a general term for any hardening/loss of elasticity of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries caused by a specific plaque (ie. cholesterol or triglycerides). So, atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis. All of this seems rather complicated, but the bottom line is, whichever "sclerosis" you are talking about, having either one isn't a good thing. Both cause clots to form in the arteries, build-up and fatty residue sticking to the walls as well; leading to coronary artery disease, further leading to stroke or even myocardial infarction, a heart attack. A hospital run is inevitable if you do not control this life threatening disease.
 
This complex, silent disease may not show itself for years, even decades. It usually begins in adolescence, remains asymptomatic, taking years to become detectable. The plaque build-up, artery damage, and ultimately the narrowing of the arteries from all these years of damage can show some signs, if the person is willing to test for it. A cardiac stress test is non-invasive and can detect blood flow limitations, which would give reason to do further testing. Some patients, once diagnosed, usually report having severe headaches and numbness, not thinking they were related to any blockage at the time. 
 
Some causes of atherosclerosis are controllable and some are not. Some of the controllable causes are:
 
Diet
Lifestyle (sedentary vs. active)
Stress or depression
High Cholesterol and/or Triglycerides
High Blood Pressure (increases risk up to 60%)
Cigarette Smoking (can increase risk up to 200%)
Obesity (particularly central obesity, or abdominal obesity)
 
Some of the uncontrollable causes are:
 
Advanced age
Male sex
Familial Link--Having a close relative that has had some complication of atherosclerosis (coronary    heart disease or stroke)
 
So, to combat this deadly disease, your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes and/or medication. These may include eating a healthy diet, implementing some form of physical activity, and weight management. 
 
1. In more detail, you should limit your saturated fats to less that 7% of your daily intake, and your overall fat intake should be around 25%. The fat source should come from mono- and poly-unsaturated sources, including omega-3 fatty acids. Some food sources that have omega-3's are salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Your fiber intake should be at least 25 g a day, and you should have less than 200 mg a day of cholesterol. To do this, increase your vegetable, fruit, legume and whole grain intake. You will not only increase your fiber intake, but also lower cholesterol as well. Lastly, you should limit your alcohol and sodium (salt) intake at all times. Too much alcohol raises your blood pressure and triglycerides; and too much sodium raises blood pressure as well. 
 
2. Maintain a healthy weight by increasing exercise. Cardiovascular and strength training are a must when implementing an exercise program. Both burn calories/fat and add lean tissue. It also increases the "good" cholesterol (HDL) that will help to clean out the arteries of the plaque and fatty deposits.
 
3. QUIT SMOKING!! Need I say more?
 
4. Reduce your stress in healthy ways. Don't do it by eating, drinking or smoking. Use exercise, breathing, reading, or any other way that is relaxing to you to de-stress yourself.
 
In conclusion, most of the causes for atherosclerosis, or blocked arteries, are preventable. Having the knowledge and the ability to prevent a catastrophic event from ruining or ending you life is powerful. Take control of your destiny, and do something to stop this silent killer from sneaking up on you.

"There are a number of causes of postnatal depression, but being a 'bad mother' is not one of them."
~Kylie Woolcock

Depression is a far more common phenomenon than most of the non-depressed world is readily aware of. And of the particular nuances of this black dog, postnatal depression seems just as common as overall depression is.

One in six Australian mothers experience depression postnatally.

Like all depressed people, postnatally depressed women cry out from within themselves for support and guidance to get through the troubled days of dark uncertainty.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?

There are the reasons of isolation, of a lack of anticipation, preparedness and awareness (who could adequately prepare for every eventuality for such a significant life change as the coming of a baby?), of self-doubting, as well as the core deficits of self-concept. Deficits of attachment are also linked.

But it is more useful to look at some of the myths surrounding the prevalence of postnatal depression, and to dispel them.

DISPELLING 3 MYTHS OF POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

MYTH: Women who suffer from postnatal depression are bad mothers.

Women who suffer from postnatal depression are not bad mothers. The trouble with depression is the doubting involved compounds, and thoughts of failing our babies and our families start in unfounded ways. But the more we doubt, and the more we entertain ourselves as failures, the more we block out signs of our positive self-concept, only to invite evidence of negativity - of seeing the failures in bright lights.

We should listen to the positive sources of encouragement in our lives and believe them.

MYTH: Being depressed will harm the baby.

Being depressed does not necessarily harm the baby. Especially when we admit our weakness, and we draw upon strength from trusted others, with help also from psychotherapy, we offset most of the possible negative effects on the baby. Getting our support is vital, as is journeying with our doctors regarding medications where they are required.

MYTH: Being depressed lasts a long time.

Depressed mothers do not necessarily remain depressed over the long term. The quicker we get treatment in any form of depression, or in any mental illness for that matter, the quicker our response of recovery. While some people will be prone to longer term symptoms, most react well to available treatments.

***

Postnatal or postpartum depression is as common as overall depression is. Many more women are affected than we often realise. There is no shame in any depression. The quicker we ask for help and get the treatment we need, the quicker we recover, generally.

穢 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Further Reading: Kylie Woolcock, "Postnatal Depression" in Counselling in Practice, vol. 30:9 - September 2011.

Are you currently pregnant and discouraged about getting back into shape after having your baby? Or maybe you're a new Mom who is exhausted and getting to the gym is the last thing on your mind! Either way, I hope the following tips help you lose that baby weight.

I don't have any fancy initials behind my name, I'm just a Mom of 4 kids. I've been able to get into my favorite Gap jeans fairly quickly after my babies, and I've observed that women who do the same have a few things in common. Here are my tips for losing the weight postpartum:

1) Don't use pregnancy as an excuse to binge.
Pregnancy is the time to get strict about nutrition. Eating junk food will produce a small baby and a big Momma. Make your pregnancy a time to turn over a new leaf if you are a junk food junkie. You'll be developing habits that will serve you well as you teach your children about nutrition.

At the same time, don't obsess about weight gain. I gained between 35-50 pounds for each of my pregnancies, and still didn't have trouble getting back into my old clothes within a few months postpartum. Focus on good nutrition, stay as active as you can, and you won't go wrong.

2) Breastfeed your baby.
Breastfeeding burns around 500-700 calories a day. Wow- that's not bad for sitting around relaxing on the couch! Your body puts on 9 pounds during your pregnancy specifically for the purpose of lactation. The extra weight is laid down on your thighs to make sure you will have enough fat to burn to make milk for baby. Call it "famine insurance" if you will. If you don't breastfeed, guess what? That 9 pounds stays.

Several studies show that nursing Moms return to their prepregnancy weight more quickly. Nursing also helps your uterus contract back to its prepregnancy size faster. Plus you'll have a nicer decolletage to boot!

3) Talk a walk every day
Walking is probably the perfect exercise for new Moms. It's not stressful on your joints (which are still loosey-goosey from the pregnancy hormones for a while after you give birth). It's free and doesn't require a babysitter or any special equipment. It gets you out in the sun, which helps regulates your sleep/wake cycle, causing you and baby to sleep better at night and possibly helping prevent postpartum depression. And you can do it with a friend. If you're sleep deprived and can't bear the thoughts of exercise, call up a buddy and make a date with her to walk several mornings a week. Then you can treat yourselves to Starbucks and gossip afterwards.

4) "Wear" your baby
In addition to the many other benefits, using a baby sling or other soft cloth carrier and wearing your baby will burn lots of calories during the day as you do your household chores or care for other children. It also makes it easier for you to be active. You'll be less tempted to sit around. Throwing on a sling and sitting baby inside it is much easier than lugging out and setting up a heavy stroller.

5) Curb those cravings
Postpartum Moms have cravings for several reasons. One is because serotonin levels are dropping, leading to cravings for sugar. Substitute snacking with another, health producing activity, like getting together with your buddy and going for a walk.

Another cause of cravings may be low blood sugar due to inadequate nutrition (eating too infrequently or eating too much refined sugar). Keep your blood sugar in control by eating frequent small meals that are balanced in nutrients. Keep snacks handy that you can grab quickly before you feed the baby. You need fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Things like dried fruit and nuts, granola, full fat yogurt (buy the plain kind and mix in all-fruit jelly. Most yogurt has way too much sugar otherwise), kefir, vegetables sliced ahead of time and served with dips, hummus, whole grain pita bread, fruit smoothies, etc will keep your blood sugar constant and provide good nutrition. And keep taking your prenatal multivitamin to help prevent deficiencies that may cause cravings.

6) Avoid excessive caffeine
Drinking too much caffeine leads to insulin surges which cause your blood sugar to drop. When this happens most people head straight for the refined carbs to quickly bring their blood sugar back up. That's no good.

7) Get enough rest
Easier said than done for a new Mom, to be sure! But if at all possible, nap with your baby. When you are terribly sleep deprived, you tend to gain weight. Consider bringing baby to bed with you if you are nursing. You will sleep better, baby will sleep better, and Daddy will sleep better (making it more likely that he will take baby for a walk and let you nap some afternoons!). Women all over the world have been doing it for thousands of years. As long as you are not morbidly obese, using sleeping pills or inebriated, cosleeping is safe.

8) Focus on good nutrition
This is also a challenge for a new, stressed out Mom. Check out books like "The One Armed Cook" for ideas on how to prepare healthy meals with a baby in arms. Visit a La Leche League meeting and ask other Moms how they manage to eat well with kids in the kitchen. Some Moms who were former junk food junkies have done well with the following technique. Before feeding themselves a particular food, they ask: "Would I feed this to my baby?" If the answer is no, they don't eat it.

9) And lastly, give it time
Be realistic- don't expect yourself to be back into your favorite jeans within a few weeks of delivery. In the meantime, appreciate your new, womanly curves (especially the cleavage that breastfeeding gives you!). I noticed that my clothing style changes somewhat after I have a baby. My normal tailored, classic look gives way to a soft, feminine style that flatters my postpartum body more.

Rejoice in your body that can do such awesome things as give birth and nourish a new life! Likely, your partner is much more forgiving of your changing body than you are. Just the other day as I was feeling embarrassed about my still stretched-out postpartum belly, my husband commented on how sexy my belly was, "because that's where my babies grew".

Enjoy your new baby!

Sleepless nights are one of the joys of pregnancy! Between tossing and turning to find a comfortable position for your pump; being kicked ferociously by the baby who has slept all day but must now wake up and make his/her presence known; and the bazillion trips to the loo because you know your bladder is simply going to burst...only to have three drops in the end; is it any wonder we have PND (postnatal depression) and the like? It is not just sleep deprivation from a new baby, but the cumulative effects of months without a decent nights sleep.

Although there is no guarantee of a solution, below are a few basic suggestions which may help a bit:

1) Do you have a bedtime routine? If not then slight alterations such as bathing/showering, reading or listening to soothing music may help to signal your body that it is time to wind down. The same things we try on our children can be used effectively on us.

2) Pillows...Placing large or numerous pillows under our legs, our backs and/or our bumps can help us to find a more comfortable position to sleep. It may also help by relieving the almost overwhelming pressure on our bladders or nerves in our backs or legs.

3) Sleeping on your side...is often most comfortable and safest for you and the baby. This is because lying on our backs causes the major blood vessels carrying blood to and from our legs to be compressed.

4) Sleeping in a semi-upright position...may help especially if you suffer from heartburn or have difficulty breathing. This positions prevents food from irritating the esophogus and takes some pressure off the diaphragm.

5) A cup of tea or hot chocolate...before retiring may help you to relax and sleep better. Although you should read the labels carefully to make certain they are appropriate for use in pregnancy, herbal teas such as chamomile are wonderful.

6) Exercising several hours before bed...can help you to rest better. Of course, walking, swimming and yoga are best in pregnancy. And always be certain to exercise at least two to three hours before bedtime as exercising immediately before releases endorphins which may make it more difficult to sleep.

6) Heavy blinds and/or ear plugs...because light and sounds which may not bother us at other times can be difficult to overcome when returning to bed after the third or tenth trip of the night to the loo.

Of course there is no magic solution as medications prescribed to assist and induce sleep are not recommended for use in pregnant women. But don't forget one perk of being pregnant is the excuse for an afternoon nap...to catch up on that lost sleep. You will need it soon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the fourth leading cause of disability and is affecting about 121 million people from across the globe. It can affect persons of all races, ages, and genders.

Depression Definition

Depression refers to an array of abnormal variation in the mood of a person. It is a condition that involves the chemicals in the brain. Depression is more than just a feeling of being sad or blue. A person who is depressed usually shows feelings of guilt, loss of pleasure or interest, depressed mood, low self worth, loss of appetite, and low energy.

The Different Types of Depression

Here are the several types or forms of depressive disorder and their corresponding depression definition:

* Major depression disorder. Major depressive disorder is also called as major depression. This form of depression is characterized by a group of symptoms that intervene with an individual's study, sleep, work, activity, and relationship with others. This form of depression is disabling and usually affects the person's normal functioning.

* Dysthymic disorder. Dysthymic disorder, or otherwise known as dysthymia, is characterized by less severe symptoms that may not be disabling to a person but can prevent him or her from feeling well or functioning normally. This type of depression usually affects an individual for two years or more. People who are affected with this type of depression may also experience one or more episodes of major depression at some point of their lives.

* Psychotic depression. This is the type of depression that occurs together with a psychosis. A person with psychotic depression experiences delusions and hallucinations.

* Postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can be found in some women who just gave birth. This is common within a month after delivery, although not all women experience postpartum depression. Approximately 10-15% of women who just gave birth experience this type of depression.

* Seasonal affective disorder or SAD. From the term it self, this type of disorder only occurs in a certain season, usually during winter, when there is lesser sunlight. During summer and spring, the depression usually subsides. Usual treatment for this type of depression is light therapy. However, in some cases, psychotherapy and antidepressant medications are needed since not all people respond light therapy.

* Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is previously termed as manic depression. This disorder is characterized by alternating periods of extremely elevated mood (mania) and depressed mood.

Knowing the types and the different depression definitions is not enough to stop depression. For you want to live a normal life again that is free from the harmful effects of depression, you should look for the right treatment which is 100% safe to use, fast acting, and of course, with permanent effects that can cure all these forms of depression listed above. Natural cures for depression are said to contain all these properties. Also, from the word natural, you don't have to worry about the side effects because you are sure that they are made from natural ingredients.

While most would prefer life to just be about the positives, life does come with many disappointments. Regardless of age, interests, career and family, disappointment is something that everyone must deal with at one point or another. Some are able to take it relatively well, while others never seem to be able to take it well at all. As much as everyone would like things to go as they plan, life has this way of throwing something unexpected at an individual, just when they thought they had everything lined up perfectly for they path they had chosen. When this happens, this individual will often be left with two choices; the first being to dust themselves off and try another route, or to deny that something is not going to work and try to go the same path with the hope that it will still work out.

It all really depends on what it is that has caused someone their disappointment. If it is something that was not overly important to the individual, then the upset can be relatively small and will pass in a very short time. If, however, it was something that the person had been looking forward to for a long time, it can be something that stays in their mind for a long time. Both of these instances are fairly common and are eventually forgotten. For those who suffer constant disappointment, however, the more they suffer, the more difficult it can become to try and let it go. Constant disappointment is often experienced by those with a parent or loved one who is suffering from a drug abuse, who will promise they can change but never do. It will also often be experienced by those with others, a parent, sibling or significant other, who just never seem able to keep the promises they make. These two general situations are probably the most common, though there are other ways people can constantly find themselves feeling disappointment in their self or their life, especially if they have high expectations or standards for themselves and their future.

Disappointment is a part of life, and something that most have to accept as something that will happen. Life is hardly predictable, despite any efforts to make it so. However, constant disappointment is not normal and something that no one can handle large amounts of. It can lead to stress, depression, lack of trust and a breakdown of relationships if not dealt with. Disappointment is usually a result of something that has happened, something that the individual may have thought should not have happened. Speaking with an online therapist or an online counselor about what is causing such constant disappointment can help a person change their life. The online therapy can help a person determine what they can do in order to change or deal with whatever is causing it. If it is another person or problem, then the online counseling may be able to help a person deal with that other person or problem. Disappointment is a resulting emotion, so the cause will have to be addressed in order to move forward.

How does childbirth affect sex life? When is it safe to resume sex, what to expect and how to reconnect with her will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

How Soon Can You Have Sex Again

This is the first question that probably most guys have in their minds - how soon or when is it safe to have sex after childbirth. Because having babies is so natural and common, many guys have difficulty appreciating just how dramatically a woman's body changes during the postnatal recovery period. This lack of awareness may be due to the male tendency of ignoring those problems we cannot solve and also to the lack of sufficient knowledge about this aspect of female sexuality.

Although individual circumstances vary, the typical medical recommendation is for a 6-week no-sex period after childbirth for her body to recover whether by normal delivery or by C-section. For some women, it can be even longer if there are some more complications or they are suffering from postnatal depression. It is therefore very important for couples to have a frank discussion about their expectations and to reach an agreement on a time when they can start to have sex again.

How Does Childbirth Affect The New Mother And Her Sex Drive

Tiredness is the first thing affecting every new mother. Looking after a baby can be very exhausting both physically and emotionally, so that when you get to bed you just want to sleep. At the same time (the 1st few weeks after childbirth) her body is in a recovery mode - to give chances for the wound to heal and the stitches to dissolve. The hormonal changes that happen during this period can cause vaginal dryness, making sex very uncomfortable.

Generally, women are able to regain their desire within a couple of months after delivery. If her libido does not return or if she shows symptoms of postnatal depression, she should either see a doctor or get some counseling from an expert in sexual problems.

How Does Childbirth Affect The Couple's Sex Life

As she is busy with the baby and her body still recovering from childbirth, sex is the last thing in her mind. During this time, a man can feel neglected and view her wife's lack of interest in sex as rejection. These feelings of being neglected and rejected are hard for guys to acknowledge because this can make them look immature and selfish.

Guys can overcome this by being reminded how important they are to their spouses. It is therefore important for women to be aware of this and to reassure their men that they are still desirable through small gestures such as pampering the guys with some favorite dishes or writing some nice and sweet notes. Empathy is needed to re-establish the emotional closeness in the relationship. Guys also need to understand that sex requires emotional as well as physical readiness.

After watching a partner through pregnancy and birth, some men gain a new respect for the female body. These guys are able to articulate their feelings easily about the new phase of their relationship and can become more considerate of their partner's changing needs.

But some men who have witnessed the whole child delivery process are quite distressed by what they have seen. They feel so guilty at the pain their partner has gone through that they are unable to even consider the idea of making love with her again. This is usually a temporary phase, but not always. If the guy continues to be troubled by this feeling, he should seek help from a counselor to discuss his feelings.

Perhaps the first priority for you as a couple is to give each other as much emotional support as possible. Words and cuddles can do much to convey affection and emotion. Both of you will benefit from this closeness. On the physical side, sex does not have to mean full penetration as the stimulation from touching each other can be highly pleasurable.

Today I'm looking into the future of depression, and so far it doesn't look that good.

Depression will become a second major cause of all deaths after a heart disease by 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) prognosis. These days depression affects all ages -toddlers, teenagers, young generation, middle-aged people and our elders.

The symptoms of depression, I truly believe, weaken the whole body, and it becomes a vicious circle: the more you're depressed the more you're ill, the more you're ill - the more you're depressed. In fact, there is some research looking into the connection between the inflammatory disorders (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, hay fever, atherosclerosis) and depression, especially bipolar disorder. The thought is to try and see if immunotherapy will help in both cases.

So, what lies ahead for the future of depression treatment?

- The scientists are researching the gene behind the depression. The idea is simple - to try new medications first and adjust the dose on this gene, instead of going through months of different antidepressants in hope that one of them will work for the patient.

- ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy or shock therapy), which is given to the patients with severe depression. What happens is that you are anesthetised, then electric currents released for 40 seconds into your brain, which causes mini seizures, which in turn help releasing a lot of neurotransmitters into your brain (among those serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline that improve our mood). Of course, there are side effects as well, and one of those like with all seizures is a short memory loss. The researchers now experiment with narrowing the electric waveform to improve the results.

- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) works a bit like ECT stimulating the release of neurotransmitters into the brain with the help of magnetic impulses similar to those in MRI scan. It still mostly in experimental stage, and I heard that the treatment costs about $ 6,000(!) requiring daily sessions for 4-6 weeks. There are mostly no side effects apart from sense of discomfort and occasional headache. Let's hope with more research the treatment will become more affordable.

- Obviously, the antidepressant drugs are here for a long run as well. There will be more new pills, hopefully with less side effects.

This is all I could find. If anyone knows of more research into the future of depression treatment, please, share.

Acupressure is one of the three main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is similar to acupuncture except that here the therapist applies pressure to specific pressure points in the body with natural means rather than needles. Acupressure is often confused with massage, which is quite simplistic by comparison.

A growing number of data and scientific studies show why and how acupuncture and acupressure are efficient, and more and more studies explain and validate the efficiency of this natural healing art.

Acupressure is particularly suitable for women, so much in its essence (for women, body and mind, physical and psychological/emotional spheres are strongly intertwined), than in its modality (soft, non-invasive technique, received fully-clothed). Acupressure is a fit answer to women's specific needs.

General health:

PMS, cramps, mood swings, menstrual cycle disorders, fertility, ovarian cyst, cystitis, hyperthyroidism, endometritis, breast mascosis, pelvic inflammation, bladder and vaginal infections, eating disorders, anemia, are common women ailments. Acupressure is an efficient complementary treatment that regulates the female genito-urinary system, and is a powerful tool to balance emotions.

Maternity Acupressure:

Acupressure helps dealing with the changes, risks and specific ailments related to pregnancy, from conception to delivery, and then during the delicate post-partum time.

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  Prenatal: relaxes, releases stress and tension, balances mood and feelings, strengthens the bond with child, relieves physical symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as bloating, water retention, muscular cramps, pain in the neck, the back, the hips, sciatica, headaches, nausea, blood pressure, bloodstream.


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  Delivery: induces a late delivery, eases the expulsion process, relieves pain.


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  Postnatal: strengthens the natural ability of the body to heal after a vaginal or abdominal delivery. Many women suffer from tension in the neck and shoulders, stress and fatigue, postnatal depression, lactation issues, genital disorders. Acupressure treatment after delivery helps decreasing those symptoms naturally.

Menopausal symptoms are the visible part of the hormonal storm that rages in the woman's body. Because acupressure works on balancing, it helps calming the tornado, and supports the woman during this period.

Emotional release:

For many reasons, including biological, women are in close contact with their emotions, and need to manage and process them regularly. If verbalization is not possible, women can find in acupressure an efficient mean to rebalance their daily life emotional turmoil.

Low spirits, depression, suffering:

Statistics all over the world show that amongst people suffering from depression, there are twice as many women as there are men... Furthermore, women are more prone than men to atypical forms of depression, such as bulimia, hypersomnia, and compulsive buying. Of course, depression can be triggered by hormones (baby blues, menopause, winter...), but the experts agree that hormones do not explain everything. They think that women are not more prone to depression than men, it's just that they express it more. It is true that women consult therapists, and generally express themselves more easily than men, but one has to admit that they also are subjected to heavy pressure and duties. It is a proven fact that stress affects the "hormones of happiness" - melatonin, noradrenalin, serotonin, endorphins - that regulate mood and well-being. Acupressure helps stimulate them, and resist.

Violence & harassment:

Violence, be it physical (assault, sexual abuse) or verbal (harassment, humiliation, emotional blackmail), leaves deep scars in tthe body and the mind. Acupressure, coupled with verbal therapies (psychotherapy), and practiced in a context of trust and compassion, proves a precious help on the long and difficult path to healing.

Most people experience a break up at some point in their lives. The feelings of sadness and loss can be very significant and effect many areas of life and functioning. Sometimes, symptoms persist and can become full blown depression. Lingering sadness, anxiety, lethargy, loss of joy in activities, changes in sleep and eating habits - these can be symptoms of depression that should be addressed. It is very important to take good care of yourself during this difficult time. Here are 5 strategies to help you get over the depression of a break up:

1. Eat well and healthy. Steer clear of junk foods and processed sugars, and eat mostly fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. If you have trouble with your appetite, try carrying around healthy snack foods to eat throughout the day. If the opposite is true and you overeat, try limiting your intake to meals, and be sure you aren't eating while distracted, like in front of the TV. Set a time to stop eating in the evening.

2. Try taking supplements. It is always advisable to consult your health care provider before trying new supplements. A food based multivitamin is a good start, as well as calcium if you need additional calcium, and fish oil. Fish oil has many physical benefits including the promotion of healthy brain function. L-theanine is a good anti-anxiety natural supplement, and 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is a helpful natural antidepressant that increases serotonin, a mood regulating brain neurotransmitter.

3. Exercise regularly. Consult your physician to determine the appropriate level of physical activity for you, then adopt a regular cardiovascular-focused plan. This type of exercise releases endorphins into the body through the sustained elevation of heart rate. Try working up to 45 minutes 5 times a week. Not only will you feel better emotionally, but your physical health and body image will improve.

4. See a counselor to talk things out. Spend time with friends and family who can be supportive as well. A professional ear can be valuable and the feedback very beneficial. It may be helpful to have someone to help you sort out what went wrong in your relationship and how to avoid repeating future negative patterns in relationships.

5. Practice self care on a daily basis. Make a list of small things you enjoy dong and cross one off every day when you've completed it. Make new lists once old ones are exhausted.