Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Health care can be very expensive these days, and getting health insurance has become a potential solution to this problem. However, as anyone who has ever applied for health insurance knows, it is not as simple as filling out some forms. In some cases, people can be denied coverage altogether. What follows is an overview of the process of application for health insurance, how you can be denied, and in case you are, the possible courses of action.

Screening

Before receiving health insurance coverage, insurance policy providers will have you undergo a screening to determine how risky a client you are. Part of this screening involves a physical examination during which you may be made to undergo tests for various forms of cancer, sexually transmitted diseases and other disorders. This screening will also look into your family's medical history. You may not have cancer right now, but if your family?s medical history shows that your family is predisposed to it, then you are at risk of acquiring it in the future.

Reasons for rejection

If you present a case to the policy provider which is extremely risky, chances are you will either be asked to pay an extremely high monthly premium, or be denied coverage outright. If your family medical history shows that your father's line is particularly susceptible to testicular cancer, rejection can potentially occur. Even if your family's medical history is clear, you can still be denied if your profession is particularly hazardous. If you are a firefighter who would prefer individual health insurance, you may have some difficulty in getting it.

Possible solutions

Ask your employer about health insurance coverage for your company. Most companies choose to give a group health insurance package for all its employees called group insurance coverage. This can be the remedy to your problems if you think you will not be considered eligible for individual health insurance.

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It effects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist.We have spent most of the time in this series discussing the conventional and Chinese medicine in treating fertility. I believe, it is the best time to change the subject by discussing how licorice effects women fertility.

I. Definition
It has been used in traditional medicine in treating liver disease and respiratory tract problem.

II. How licorice effects women fertility
1. Digestive system
Licorice is said to improve the digestive system in absorbing vital vitamins and minerals, thereby decreasing the risks of nutrients deficiency and unexplained infertility.

2. Blow flow
It also helps to improve the blood flow in the body by inhibiting the levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels resulting in reducing the risks of blood stagnation in the abdominal region and increasing the chance to get pregnant.

3. Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin helps to stimulate the activity of the adrenal glands in regulating the levels of cortisol, resulting in lessening the risks of over production of serotonin that cause hormone imbalance.

4. Phytoestrogen
It contains phytoestrogen which is important in regulating the levels of estrogen during menstrual cycle and hormone balancing, resulting in increasing the chance of regular menstrual cycle and the chance to conceive.

5. Vitamin E
As an antioxidant, it helps to improve the immune system in fighting against foreign invasion, thereby, lessening the risks of infection and inflammation to the reproductive organ and increasing the chance of fertility.

6. Lecithin
Lecithin is a fat like substance called a phospholipid, it helps to protects cells from oxidation surrounding the brain, thereby preventing the abnormal function of the brain cells in information transmitting, reducing the nervous tension such as stress, anxiety and depression and damping the chance of fertility.

III. Risks and side effects if overdose
1. It may raise blood pressure as the heart must work harder.

2. It may increase the risk heart diseases and headache as resulting of over stimulating the blood flow to the body and the brain accordingly.

3. It may be toxins and damage the liver and kidney

There are thousands of individual and group health insurance plans available to you, choosing the most appropriate one for you is more important than you may think! There is a reason Blue Cross has many different plans available, each one is designed for a specific type of person. I work as an insurance agent in Orange County, CA and come across plans far too often people have enrolled in years ago that are not right for them. I often find people paying for something they are not using, for example, it does not make sense for a single male to be on a health insurance plan that offers maternity benefits when he will not use them; why not choose a no maternity plan that may be less expensive.

Every insurance company whether it be Blue Cross, PacifiCare, Aetna, Blue Shield or Kaiser have plans designed specifically for you. If you rarely go to the doctor and you are just looking for a plan that covers you just in case they have plans available to fit that need. If you are someone who wants to get annual checkups and pay very little when you go to the doctor, they have a plan for you! My point is you need to make sure you fully understand all plans available and get the input from an unbiased insurance agency.

Also make sure you are up-to-date with your plan. It becomes very advantageous to work with someone who can inform you when there are updated plans available. If you are enrolled in the same plan you were in several years ago, chances are there is a updated plan available which may be less expensive and/or increased benefit!

Working with an Insurance Agency can be very beneficial. Most Insurance Agencies do not charge excess commissions, they get compensated directly from the carrier (Blue Cross, Kaiser, etc.) the monthly insurance premiums do not affect the consumer whether they go to an Insurance Agency or direct to the carrier.

For a FREE complete review of your current Group OR Individual insurance plan, or for a quote, please contact our California offices.

Choosing a personal health insurance plan can be difficult with all of the different insurance companies and policies that are available. Sorting through the various optional benefits available can make it even more challenging. These optional benefits are sometimes referred to as "riders" and can be added to your basic health insurance policy for an additional premium. Let's look at some of the common options available and some of the advantages and disadvantages:

1. Dental insurance - Most dental insurance riders usually include preventative care for check-ups and cleanings, basic restorative services such as fillings and simple extractions and major services such as crowns and root canals.

Advantages - Preventative care is usually covered immediately and covers most of the cost without a deductible if a network dentist is used.

Disadvantages - Restorative and major services generally have waiting periods of 6-18 months before benefits begin. Most plans do not cover orthodontics.

2. Maternity insurance - Covers routine pregnancy as any other medical expense.

Advantages - Most personal policies provide no coverage for maternity related expenses unless this rider is added. Virginia law does require insurance companies to cover complications of pregnancy even without the rider.

Disadvantages - Most plans have a 9-month waiting period before a pregnancy can begin and the rider can be expensive.

3. Life insurance - Provides each family member with term life insurance coverage should one of the insureds die.

Advantages - Generally does not require a medical exam and small amounts of coverage can be purchased at reasonable rates.

Disadvantages - You generally must maintain the health insurance plan in order to keep the life insurance coverage. Larger amounts of coverage can generally be purchased on a stand-alone policy and can be less expensive if you submit to a medical exam.

4. Supplemental Accident Protection - Provides first dollar coverage without a deductible for accidents and injuries.

Advantages - Covering the small mishaps on a first dollar basis is important for families with children or those involved in sports. Especially helpful if you have a high deductible on your health insurance.

Disadvantages - Could be costly and may not be necessary if you are not accident prone.

5. Preventative care and immunizations - Provides coverage for well baby, well child and adult routine preventative care such as routine physicals, immunizations, vision and hearing screenings.

Advantages - Preventative care can be expensive and this particular rider would encourage routine check-ups which could result in early detection of a serious health issue.

Disadvantages - Many major insurers are beginning to cover preventative care at no additional cost, therefore, the rider may not be necessary.

6. Multi-year rate guarantee - Locks in your rates for one or more years with a guarantee that it will not increase during the guarantee period.

Advantages - Health insurance rates have been increasing dramatically in some instances and this rider would help you budget for a certain premium amount during the guarantee period.

Disadvantages - You pay more for the rate guarantee and it may be for a period of time longer than you may need or want the coverage. Rate increases at the end of the guarantee period may be dramatic.

IUI is a form of artificial insemination and there are a few factors that play into the IUI cost procedure. The fertility of both partners can have a large part as well as the overall health of the mother and the father. Another aspect is the needs of the partners and in many cases pure luck. The cost of this procedure can be hard to estimate especially when there are various factors that play into the cost. Your doctor is going to have you undergo a physical or medical exam to ensure you are in good health.

Number of Cycles

One of the biggest factors is the number of attempts you try before you actually become pregnant. Based on you and your partner's health as well as fertility of parents, the rate of success can range between 10% and 20%. This means you may need anywhere from 5 to 10 different cycles before your procedure results in pregnancy. Based on the clinic you choose to go to, you can expect to pay about $300 to $500 per cycle. Therefore, you can expect to spend about $1500 to as high as $5000 to become pregnant.

IUI

Intrauterine insemination is what many couples turn to when infertility gets the best of them. This method can be chosen over IVF. This procedure is going to consist of taking a man's sperm and inserting it into a woman's fallopian tubes. This procedure involves doctor "sperm washing" which is how they separate the sperm from the semen. This method is something that is a little more costly and can run you an extra $100 per cycle. However, one good thing about this procedure is that your rate of success can be better and greater, and there are not going to be as many cycles needed.

Insurance

If you have health insurance, you may want to look into what they cover as some companies will cover the cost or partial amounts of an IUI or artificial insemination. You need to have a case of being infertile or insurance may not cover it. If your insurance is not going to pay, they will tell a reason and if there are any ways to get some of the cost covered.

Decreasing Your IUI Cost

For those who do not have insurance coverage, you may be looking for ways to make this process a little cheaper and affordable, and some of the ways to do just that can include:

• The IRS may help pay for up to 1/3 of the total cost
• Having some type of supplemental insurance that is going to refund your money once a baby is born

The IRS

Any cost that you pay or charges that are incurred by this procedure are going to be tax-deductible. If you offset the amount you saved, you can help decrease your cost. A flexible spending account can help people get access to savings on taxes and therefore using it for their IUI procedure.

Supplemental Insurance

With this type of procedure, your chance of getting pregnant is often times very good. Before you begin undergoing this type of procedure, you should check into getting supplemental insurance. This insurance is going to help protect you from any complications you may have during or after your pregnancy such as premature birth and any labor or delivery complications.

A COBRA extension can typically be granted if you have "qualifying life events" such as a birth, death, marriage, or divorce. However, at some point, your COBRA benefits will inevitably have to expire, as they approach the expiration dates as mandated by government law.

In that case, your only recourse would be to find your own health insurance. After all, the sole purpose of COBRA is to help you "bridge the gap" between the coverage offered by your former employer and finding new health insurance coverage for yourself.

Is it more cost effective to seek a COBRA extension or to buy your own health insurance? As you know, COBRA requires you to pay for 100% of your own medical insurance premiums, whereas your employer was paying a significant percentage of your premiums for you, on your behalf. Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to find a better deal if you buy your own health insurance than if you maintain your COBRA coverage.

When comparing health insurance plan, you have the freedom and flexibility to choose how much you want to pay for your premium for whatever the coverage you desire. Under COBRA you really only had one or two choices. There is a much wider array of options out there when you shop for private health insurance.

How much deductible do you want to pay? How much you can you afford to pay in premiums? Or do you prefer your expenses to be variable and pay a higher deductible instead? Do you need maternity coverage or prescription drug coverage? You have greater flexibility to choose the type of plan that specifically suits your needs as well as your budget.

So you need to weigh your options: Are you really better off seeking a COBRA extension?

What are Section 125 Plans?

One type of group insurance benefits that may be offered by an employer are Section 125 Plans. These Section 125 Plans are also known as cafeteria plans, flexible benefit plans or mini-flex plans. The Internal Revenue Code Section 125 outlining these plans first appeared in the tax code in 1978, but didn't gain popularity until tax laws changed in 1986 and gave employees greater tax advantages.

The purpose of the code was to allow employers to have a separate written plan for their employees that provided them with an opportunity to receive certain fringe benefits on a pretax basis. All plans are strictly regulated by the IRS and must meet specific requirements and regulations that can and do change. The written plan must specifically describe all benefits and establish rules for eligibility and elections. Because of the stringent guidelines, many employers offering these plans have them administrated by an outside source.

How do Flexible Benefit Plans Work?

Each payroll through a deduction from their paycheck, the participant contributes money to a Spending Account. This money is not taxed. The participant is then reimbursed from this account by their employer (or outside Administrator) for those health care expenses not covered under a health insurance policy or by a health care provider.

The participant's expenses are reimbursed in full up to the maximum amount of their annual election at the time the claim is submitted. The expenses must be incurred during the plan year while they are covered by the plan. Any funds left in the Spending Account at the end of the plan year will be lost.

These plans run for a year at a time. At the beginning of the plan year, the participant chooses how much they are going to contribute - called the annual election. A participant can have two Spending Accounts; one for themselves (called the Health Care Account) and one for their dependents (called the Dependent Care Account). The Health Care Account and the Dependent Care Account are treated separately and so funds from one account cannot be transferred to the other account.

In deciding what the annual election should be, a participant should look at their health insurance deductibles and copayments, as well as uninsured medical, dental, vision care and hearing care expenses. The uninsured expenses covered must be "medically necessary" as determined by a doctor or healthcare service provider.

You may see some generalized expense categories listed when people talk about what expenses are covered. These may include things like:

> Non-reimbursed medical expenses resulting from charges due to hospital, physician, dental, orthodontia, vision, and prescription drug expenses incurred.

> Deductibles and copayments resulting from charges due to hospital, physician, dental, orthodontia, vision, and prescription drug expenses incurred.

> Rehabilitation services over a long-term period to include drug and alcohol addiction.

> Health care expenses that meet medical expense requirements for federal income tax purposes.

There is actually a lot more to the eligible expenses. Please see the detailed list at the end of this article for this year's eligible expenses.

Why are Flexible Benefit Plans Good?

From the employer's point of view, you are offering your employees an added benefit and helping them to save money on their taxes.

From an employee's point of view, you save taxes and you pay for health care expenses not covered under a health insurance policy or by a health care provider with money that has been set aside for you through payroll deductions. Thus, when these expenses come due, you don't have to pay for them from your daily cash flow.

Without a 125 Plan, you have no pre-tax deductions for premiums, child/dependent care or other out-of-pocket medical expenses.

So say you made $26,000 a year. Without the pre-tax deductions allowed by a 125 Plan, you would be taxed on the full $26,000. At a Federal Income Tax Rate 15%, a State Income Tax Rate of 3% and a Social Security Tax of 7.65%, you would be taxed a total of $6,669.00 on your income of $26,000 if you didn't have a 125 Plan.

If you had a 125 Plan and paid $1,000 for premiums, $5,000 for child/dependent care and $500 for out-of-pocket medical expenses for a total of $6,500 you would be taxed on $19,500 instead of the full $26,000.

At the same tax rates mentioned above, you would be taxed a total of $5,002.00 if you did have a 125 Plan.

And don't forget without a 125 Plan that you would still have those premium, child/dependent care or other out-of-pocket medical expenses of $6,500 to pay.

So what does that all mean to your net take-home pay?

Without the 125 Plan:

$26,000 = $12,831

With the 125 Plan:

$26,000 = $14,498

By participating in a 125 Plan, you would bring home an extra $1,667.

Finally, as promised, here is a list of this year's eligible expenses:

Acupuncture

Alcoholism treatment

Ambulance service

Artificial limbs

Artificial teeth

Body Scan

Braces

Birth control pills

Braille books and magazines

Car expenses for the installation of special hand controls or other special equipment for the use of a person with a disability

Chiropractor

Christian Science Practitioner

Contact lenses, solutions and insurance

Coinsurance

Corrective surgery to improve a deformity arising from or directly related to a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma or a disfiguring disease

Crutches

Deductibles

Dental fees

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment

Eye exams

Eyeglasses

Eye Surgery when performed to correct visual acuity; (example: laser vision correction)

Guide dog or other animal trained to assist persons with physical disabilities

Hair transplants as a result of a medical condition

Hearing devices and batteries

HMO copayments

Home improvement or special equipment installed in the home for the main purpose of medical care

Hospital bills

Immunizations

Inpatient confinement for mental or physical illness or injury

Insulin and glucose testing equipment and supplies

Laboratory fees

Lead-based paint removal from walls to prevent lead poisoning

Lifetime care fee for medical care only in a retirement home

Lodging expenses when primarily for and essential to medical care

Medical doctor fees

Medical information plan

Medical supplies prescribed for treatment of a medical condition

Medicines prescribed by a medical doctor, osteopath, dentist, chiropractor and/or optometrist

Mentally handicapped persons' cost of special home

Nurses fees

Nursing home medical care fees

Obstetrical expenses

Operations

Orthodontia

Orthopedic shoes

Osteopath

Over-the-counter medications such as allergy medicines, pain relievers and cold medicines, etc.

Oxygen

Podiatrist

Prescriptions (see Medicines)

Prosthesis

Psychiatrist

Psychologist

Smoking cessation program participation and prescribed medication only

Special schools and education for a mentally or physically impaired person

Special telephone and television equipment for a hearing-impaired person

Surgical fees

Therapy treatments for a medical condition

Transplant expenses including payments for surgical, hospital, laboratory and transportation expenses for a donor or a possible donor of a kidney or other organ

Transportation expenses primarily for and essential to medical care

Tuition at a special school for the handicapped

Walker

Weight loss program if prescribed by a physician (excluding the cost of food and/or supplements)

Well-baby and well-child examinations

Wheelchair

Wigs required as a result of a medical condition

X-rays

You should also be aware of the ineligible expenses:

Cosmetic surgery and dental expenses incurred for the general improvement of appearance including face-lifts, hair transplants, hair removal (electrolysis), liposuction, teeth whitening (bleaching)

Custodial care in an institution

Funeral expenses

Health club dues, fitness centers, YMCA membership, spas, massages, etc. for general health improvement

Household and domestic help

Illegal operations, treatment or drugs

Insurance premiums for Life, Accident and Long Term Care coverage

Maternity clothes, diaper service, etc.

Over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements purchased for overall good health.

Rogaine, unless prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure

Social activities such as dance lessons or classes (even though recommended by a physician for general health improvement)

Special school for a problem child for anticipated benefits child may receive from the course of study and disciplinary methods

Uniforms

Section 125 Plans are definitely a good benefit for employers to offer their employees and a good benefit for those employees to take advantage of.

Four Steps to Help You Get the Most from Your Health insurance Coverage Finding, buying, and understanding health insurance coverage options aren't always easy tasks. Here are some easy tips to follow on how to start your journey through all of the online healthcare madness.

Step One - Make a list of your current health conditions, medications, and any other current health related issues. You'll also want to make a note of your primary concerns and questions about choosing adequate health insurance.

Step Two - Get information from several health insurance providers. Not all health care plans are the same. It's well worth the time and effort to review more than once health insurance policy. It can save you time, money, and improve the quality of your healthcare in the future.

Some of the big names in Health insurance may be a great place to start your comparisons such as: Golden Rule Insurance, Celtic Insurance, American Medical Security Insurance, Time Insurance, UNICARE Insurance, Humana Insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Insurance just to name a few.

Those of you looking for Michigan Medicaid and Medicare help must first meet the requirements for qualifications. Each county may have different requirements such as income and more. Check with your local health department for more information.

Step Three - Review each health insurance plan making notes of benefits provided for these basic coverage sections: physical exams, specialists' care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, emergency care Ob-Gyn care, preventative care, and alternative care coverage. Remember to evaluate using the notes you made in step one.

Pay careful attention to co-pays, spending limits, and deductible amounts in each section for each health insurance plan you're reviewing. The goal is to do what's called "comparison shopping." As you go through this process, most likely one or two health care policies will seem to meet your needs better than the others.

Step Four - Once you've picked out two or three possible health insurance plans, make notes of questions and concerns about each. Now it's time to get your questions answered and make your decision.

It's important to make sure you're speaking with a qualified, licensed health insurance agent. Don't hesitate to continue to ask questions until you feel you have all the information you need to make a good choice.

Other Helpful Information

Compare Health insurance Plans Online and Save Time

Take your time to find what you need at a price you can afford. What is great about looking for Health insurance options online is you can compare plans and benefits first on your own, without talking to different representatives. Most Health insurance companies offer FREE online services and FREE online instant rate quotes. All that is required is for you to quickly fill out a secured application. In the matter of minutes you should have your results in front of you. Just in case you have questions these companies have licensed Health insurance professionals waiting for your call.

Keep it Going! Who Can Benefit From Temporary Health insurance?

Temporary health insurance or short-term medical insurance is also available in Michigan and will allow you to have coverage for a temporary amount of time. This type of insurance isn't right for everyone. Inquiries of this form of health care usually comes from those who are between jobs, seasonal employees, laid-off and can even benefit young adults recently coming off of their parents' health plan. Plans tend to last somewhere between six months but some have been known to go twelve months.

Temporary Health insurance forms are much more simple than permanent insurance. Coverage on a short-term plan can begin as quickly as twenty-four hours. This insurance caters to unseen accidents and illness. Because it is temporary, they do not typically cover preventive care, vision, dental or pre-existing conditions. For pre-existing conditions you may want to check your COBRA benefits. There Are Other Ways to Keep Your Health insurance after Losing Your Job

Don't let recent un-employment keep you from the care that you need! For instance if a loved one is expecting, the last thing you want is to lose your maternity insurance. There is another alternative called consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act or COBRA. This type of insurance normally last longer than temporary or short-term insurance but it is still a type of temporary insurance. Normally COBRA policies can last for approximately eighteen months. For more detailed information on COBRA's extended policy plans talk to your employer about their specific Health insurance carrier's plan. Many people don't know about temporary Health insurance coverage. In fact, people take chances between coverage all the time because of lack of knowledge. The advantage of temporary Health insurance coverage is to fill a gap in coverage. Although this is temporary coverage is great to have, it does not replace permanent coverage. Michigan HIPAA Laws and How They Could Effect You

If you currently have pre-existing conditions and are looking into short-term Health insurance coverage WAIT! You may be buying health coverage that will not cover you and then make you ineligible for the care that you need. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA plans are mainly for those who have pre-existing conditions and may have trouble getting health insurance. These plans can be extremely expensive. The HIPAA Federal law gives a person immediate access to comparable coverage when leaving employment that provided coverage.

Get familiar with your rights and consult your benefits advisor to discuss the best options for you. You can take back your health with Health insurance companies where there is a plan to fit everyone's need. Reading up and doing your homework on plans that pertain to your needs can help eliminate useless information and help you find the right Health insurance plan much faster.

Copyright 2006 Lisa Ip

Great American humorist, Kin Hubbard once said, "The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket."  But when RV living is your way of life, saving every penny may not be as easy as you might expect. The following RV tips are sure to help you save, and even earn, money while enjoying the RV way of life.

Ways to save money

1. Get more bank for your tank. Enjoy better gas mileage by practicing these simple driving tips:

• Slow down - The faster you drive, the lower your fuel economy will be


• Inflate - Proper tire inflation is a sure way to improve your gas mileage


• Lighten your load - Eliminating excess RV weight increases your fuel efficiency

2. Stop and shop. Forget about stocking up on everything you need for your entire trip by buying in bulk beforehand. Instead, shop often and locally. You'll not only reduce the weight of your RV and get better fuel economy, but also save money by skipping the national chains and shopping for produce, meat, dairy and other items at local discount and dollar stores.

3. Eating in is in. Skip the restaurants and eat in. Your meals not only will be more affordable, but also they will be healthier than those bought at the fast food restaurants and old-fashioned diners along the highway.

4. Go green. Use plastic, not paper. Although paper products are easy to use, and even easier to throw away, why not go green while on the road? While the initial investment of purchasing a set of washable and reusable dishes may cost more upfront, not having to continually purchase paper plates, cups and utensils will save in the long run.

5. Try "boondocking." According to Jack and Julee Meltzer, authors of The Smart RVers Guide to Saving Money: Have More Fun RVing For Less Money, boondocking, or "dry-camping," usually entails staying somewhere that offers no hook-ups (water and sewer) at little or no cost. Whether it's a parking lot or in the desert on public land, some RVers only boondock. Most RVers, however, stay at a campground every few days in order to empty their tanks, do laundry and fill up on fresh water.

6. Make house calls. If boondocking isn't your style, why not turn your RV road trip into an opportunity to visit with family and friends? Be sure to be respectful and always ask before showing up; however, most close friends and family would be delighted for an impromptu visit that doesn't involve clean sheets and extra towels. Parking your RV in the driveway shouldn't be a problem; just make sure to ask if there are any city ordinances requiring parking permits in the neighborhood.

7. Join the club. RV membership clubs like The Good Sam Club, KOA, Passport America, Camp Club USA, Happy Camper and Escapees offer a wide range of benefits to their members, including substantial discounts on campground fees. Do your research before embarking on your journey to see what deals and discounts you can find for the road.

8. Get online. RV forums can be found on numerous websites. And while you're surfing, try finding online coupons, codes and discounts for all of your other necessary RV purchases.

9. Save money on storage by selling your stuff. Save that monthly storage unit fee and make some money at the same time. Before embarking on your road trip, hold a sale and eliminate all of your unused belongings, then donate whatever is left to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. In addition to a little extra income, you'll receive a deduction on your taxes.

10. Investigate your policies. Research your insurance policies to ensure you are getting what you need at a price you can afford. Whether you're looking at your RV insurance options or trying to find discount RV insurance coverage for your vehicle, sometimes changing your provider or premiums can save you money.

The RV lifestyle is one of the most affordable ways to travel and experience all that the country has to offer. Utilize these helpful tips for RVing on a budget, and make every dollar stretch for miles.

Single embryo transfer has become a hot topic for couples trying to conceive, and presents a challenging set of questions to consider before completing an IVF cycle. There are many factors to consider, and money often plays a big role. With an uncertain outcome, financial considerations hinge on probabilities. This article considers three possible outcomes and examines financial considerations for each: single transfer success, multiple single transfer attempts, and the hidden costs of multiple-birth.

Single Embryo Transfer Success

Single embryo transfer for IVF works best for couples with at least one healthy embryo, and a high probability of achieving life birth. Single embryo transfers greatly reduce the chances of multiple-birth as only one embryo is implanted. Multiple pregnancies are often high risk, and multiple-birth is associated with a greater chance of pre-term delivery, cerebral palsy, and other birth related conditions.

But transferring a single embryo may increase the costs need to get pregnant. For couples with insurance that covers In Vitro Fertilization there are often limits on the number of cycles that might be covered. The majority of couples have insurance plans with no IVF coverage at all, and they must pay all costs out-of-pocket. So extra IVF cycles drives up the costs of getting pregnant.

The surest way to drive down IVF costs is to minimize the number of cycles needed to get pregnant. Transferring multiple embryos increases the odds of conception, and lowers the cost of conception for couples who must pay out-of-pocket.

So why transfer just one embryo? The cost of getting pregnant is not the whole story. When the cost and probability of multiple-birth are taken into consideration, a far different picture emerges. Couples with at least one health embryo and a high probability of success may find single embryo transfer a very cost-effective alternative.

Multiple Transfer Attempts

The immediate downside from a cost standpoint to single transfers is the greater need for additional cycles. Each cycle needed to get pregnant increases costs. Two healthy embryos have a greater chance of conception than one health embryo. These costs are very visible and come at the beginning of the process. The costs of multiple-pregnancy are hidden, very uncertain, and occur sometime in the future, making the single/multiple embryo transfer question a very difficult choice.

Hidden Costs of Multiple Pregnancy

Most couples are unaware of the hidden costs of multiple-pregnancy, and are unprepared as a result. Compounding the problem, many couples exhaust savings and/or take on debt to pay for the infertility treatments needed to get pregnant. When these hidden costs arise, they find themselves in a financial bind. Some hidden costs include but are not limited to: lost income prior to delivery, extra hospital bills for a NICU stay, lost income after delivery to care for premature infants after hospital discharge, and un-reimbursed medical expenses to diagnose developmental delays.

Single embryo transfer helps minimize these hidden costs.

Each hospital or birthing centre varies in what equipment it provides for your comfort during birthing. It is important to find out before your birthing day, exactly what equipment your hospital provides so you can be prepared. The more prepared you are for your birthing day, the more time you have to commence relaxation and Hypnobirthing techniques once your labour starts.

Below is a packing checklist to assist with labour and post birth comfort for you, your birthing companion and your baby.

Check List

Medical details - Government Medicare card and or private health insurance card.

Administration - Hypnobirthing birth plan and any hospital paperwork.

Beauty products - Lip balm, moisturiser, facial cleansing wipes, hair bands (x 3), hair brush, face washers (x 3), shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tooth brush, tooth paste, any make up (remember the days after the birth and leaving the hospital) and breath mints.

Comfort - Massage oil (to assist with your light touch massage), birthing ball (if not already provided by your hospital), Ural (assists with reducing the sting in your urine post birth), ear plugs and your own pillow.

Technology - Mobile phone, phone charger, camera, camera charger. It is important to note many hospitals no longer allow video cameras (check with your hospital's own policy in advance to avoid disappointment should you intend to film your birth).

Music - IPOD or CD with Hypnobirthing recordings. Speakers or IPOD docking station if one is not available at the hospital. General relaxation music.

Hypnobirthing - All Hypnobirthing handouts required for the labour (particularly the balloon trip script, rainbow relaxation, birth companion's guide and birthing prompts handouts).

Hydration and Nutrition - Iceblocks, water bottle, sports drinks or coconut water and light nutritional snacks (muesli bars, fruit juice boxes, clear soups etc).

Hygiene - Face washers, thongs or flip flops (for the shower), maternity pads (available from the pharmacy - do bring your own as the hospital ones tend to be bulky, uncomfortable and matronly) plastic bags for dirty clothes.

Clothing - Loose singlets or night dresses, swimmers (if you are modest when showering or in the tub relaxing), socks, spare clothes for you and your birthing partner (remember a nice set for leaving the hospital and potential photo moments). Black men's underpants (these are to wear after birth with maternity pads). Loose pyjamas or night gown's for easy access for breast feeding. Maternity bra's and nursing pads, dressing gown, slippers, loose comfortable clothing (you will loose weight immediately after giving birth but you will not loose all of it -the size of clothing you should bring should be what you were wearing at approximately 6 months pregnant).

Entertainment - 3 x Books - (one stimulating light hearted book for you, one breast feeding book and one book for your birthing partner).

Money - Small change is always handy in hospitals (should you want a snack from the vending machine, make a phone call or buy a cup of coffee).

Baby Equipment and Clothing - Nappies (cloth or disposable), 3 x singlets, 3 x romper suits, (000 and 0000 depending on what size they come out) beanies, bunny rugs, muslin baby wrap, socks, large tub of baby wipes, disposable nappy bags and pacifier.

For travel after birth - Remember your baby will need to leave the hospital in a correctly installed baby capsule that passes the required safety standards for your country. It is a good idea to have this fitted a week or two before your estimated due date to avoid the last minute rush.

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It affects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of an unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from a professional specialist. Nutritional supplements pay a vital role in treating all kinds of disease, in this article, we will discuss how selenium effects fertility.

I. How selenium effects fertility

1. Antioxidant

It is one of antioxidants that helps to strengthen the immune system system, thus guarding our body against the bacteria and virus invasion and preventing the immune system abnormal function in recognizing sperm as foreigner and in producing antibody antigen to attack them.

2. Miscarriage and birth defects

Selenium is proven to prevent chromosome breakage that causes miscarriages.

3. Reproductive enhancer in men

Good levels of selenium are also essential to maximize sperm formation. A study conducted at the University of Padua in Italy shows that selenium helps to prevent oxidation of sperm cell , thus increasing the sperm quality and quantity.

4. working synergistic with vitamin E

Study shows that selenium works together with vitamins E not only can prevent the forming of free radicals but also increase it' s effectiveness in preventing and inhibiting the development of breast cancer.

5. Hypothyroidism

Selenium is essential for maintaining the thyroid glands in secreting thyroid hormone. Deficiency of selenium causes hypothyroidism, leading to abnormal weight gain that increases the risk of insulin fluctuation, leading to poor egg and sperm quality.

6. Intra cranial pressure symptoms

Intra cranial pressure is the pressure in the cranium, selenium helps to maintain the right levels of pressure exerts on the brain's intra cranial blood circulation vessels, thereby decreasing the intra-cranial pressure symptoms such as headaches, nausea, speech disorders, Jacksonian seizures, etc. thus reducing the risk of the nervous system causes of infertility.

II. Side effects and risks

1. It is toxic, if overdose
2. If over dose. it causes
a) Gastrointestinal disorders
b) Hair loss, sloughing of nails
c) nervous tension such as fatigue and irritability
d) Neurological damage.

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It effects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist.We have spent most of the time in this series discussing the conventional and Chinese medicine in treating fertility. I believe, it is the best time to change the subject by discussing how red raspberry effects women fertility.

I. Definition

Red raspberry also known as raspberry or rubus ideaus, is a edible fruit species belongs to genus Rubus. It has been used in many cultures in assisting pregnancy due to it's antioxidant properties.

II. How Red Raspberry effects fertility

1. Antioxidant

Red raspberry contains high amount of anthocyanin pigments which is one of many powerful antioxidant existed in the fruit. Beside helping to fight against infection and inflammation caused by foreign invasion, it also helps to improve immune function in regulating cell growth as well as fighting against the forming of it's antibody antigent that reduce the risk of abnormal immune function in attacking it's own tissues, including sperm.

2. Fiber

Fiber is important for the regulating the blood levels in our body. Without or not enough of it may cause fluctuation of insulin, leading to food craving, symptoms of irregular menstrual cycle that increase the risk of infertility.

3. Vitamins and minerals

Red raspberry contains high levels of important vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, B complex, folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron which is not only vitals for maintaining maintaining the regular function of our body's organs, but also helps to improve the regular menstrual cycle by providing the necessary blood flow to the reproductive organs, resulting in enhancing the chance of fertility.

4. Quercetin

Quercetin besides is a powerful natural antioxidant by inhibiting enzymes, such as lipoxygenase which cause inflammation in our body, it also helps to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood stream, leading to increasing the blood flow to the reproductive organ that are important for a regular menstrual cycle.

5. Gallic acid

Gallic acid is a colourless crystalline aromatic compound, Beside helping to fight against cell oxidate damage, it also has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that is essential for maintaining a healthy reproductive system against infection.

6. Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins is also one of the flavonoids, besides helping to strengthen the immune system, it also helps to regulate the DNA duplication of cell in the body resulting in lessoning the risk of irregular cell growth in the abdominal region.

7. Cyanidins

Study shows that cyanidins inhibit development of obesity and diabetes, thereby decreasing the risk of fertility caused by symptoms of diabetes ( fluctuation of insulin and decreasing blopd flow to the reproductive organs) and overweight ( hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone and premenstrual syndrome)

III. Risks and Side effects

There is no known risk and side effect, if not overdosed.

You've been counting the days and you're happy since your chance to meet the baby is getting closer and closer. Yet, you are still obliged to work. There are some projects to be done before the due date.

You complain. You get tired easily and you suffer from your back pain. But, you've still got jobs to do.

How to cope with your third trimester of pregnancy and work yet still can be as healthy as possible?

To keep fit, try these tips:

o Watch your posture. For example, if you need to pick something up from the ground, instead of crouch down, why don't you bend at the knees and keep your back straight.

o No heavy lifting. Never ever lift anything heavy up.

o Don't stand to long. If your job requires you to, try to sit once in a while.

o Don't travel. It is better not to travel for such a long period during this last trimester.

o Don't drive too much. If you really need to, do it, just make sure you don't overdo it.

o Sit carefully. Sit in chairs with good back support. You can place a small pillow behind your lower back for extra support. Also keep a space between your belly and the desk. Don't sit too long. Take a moment to walk around the room once in a while.

o Try light exercises. You can walk around with your husband in a nice morning or evening.

o Before taking leaves, get everything done. Or, hand it over to your colleagues. If you are asked to find someone to replace you during your maternity leaves, do it very early.

o Always have your pregnancy record inside your bag. Who knows, you might get the contraction while working on your last days at the office.

Actually working during your last trimester is good to keep you moving so that it might ease the delivery process.

It is very important that we all buy the right health protection for our health care challenges. Also, it is very important that pregnant women have the right medical insurance service. This is very important since many things can go wrong (or get better if properly handled) with the health of pregnant women. At this point, the importance of a regular check up for these women can not be over emphasized. This will help keep both mother and child in the right health condition thereby avoiding complications during and after pregnancy.

Sadly though, it is true that a lot of pregnant women do not have medical insurance protection and this has be proven to be a main cause of babies having low birth weight and higher rates of death. Now, considering the high cost of health care insurance in the United States today, it is so difficult for people to afford the right health care service; this also applies to women with babies in their wombs. It is estimated that about 13 percent of these women in the U.S are without health care coverage and this proffers a very serious risk for them and their unborn babies.

Prenatal examinations are usually very expensive, then having to add it up to hospital and child delivery fees which could eventually sum over $10,000. Also, if complications arise and there's going to be a premature delivery or a cesarean section, the costs will soar even more. This makes it so very important for pregnant women to find the right medical insurance that will give them full quality medical care protection at the most affordable price.

Do you need quality health insurance for pregnant women? Let us connect you with the agents on our network. This will make it easier for you to compare different plan and their prices, and choose your ideal health insurance plan.

Where To Get and Compare Free Quotes On Pregnant Women's Health Insurance From Leading Health Insurance Companies Nationwide?

When couples can't produce children they have to ponder over the phenomenon of looking into the cost of having surrogate mother. Such issues have vast and extensive details. The prices of people's demand and scenarios and situations always vary - making it impossible to give exact figures of the cost of a surrogate mother. However, we can review the common costs which proceed to surrogate pregnancy with accumulating a few additional expenses.

Like we said, the fee which surrogate mothers charge varies according to circumstances. However, average costs include a sum of USD 18,000. Other women may do this for a lesser price; whereas women who are qualified surrogate mothers, or experienced, call them what you may - might charge more. Please note that the standard fee stated above does not include any medical fee or the cost of food and vitamins the couples are bound to provide.

The other thing is that if a surrogate mother finds out, through ultra sound that there are multiple babies within her womb - an additional cost of USD 5,000 will increase. This can only be found out after 12 weeks when the ultra scans are performed over the mother.

Both parties have to sign a mutual contract - which means when both the parties sign up these contracts, there will be an additional fee to pay the lawyers. The standard legal fee usually rounds up to an approximate USD 5,000. Then the surrogate mother requires psychological evaluation: these costs are just about USD 5,000.

Once the surrogate mother becomes pregnant, her body expands, which means she'll need new clothes. These clothes include bigger clothes as well as maternity clothing. The cost of such clothing is around USD 750. Traditional insemination for a traditional sort of surrogacy costs USD 500.

Then are factors which the couple need to take care of - for example when the mother drives to the doctor or use public transport in order to do so - the bus fares or gas charges add up to an approximate figure of USD 50.

If there are additional invasive methods like DNC, Cerclage, FUC or amniocentesis - then there will be more extra expenses worth USD 500. If you opt to choose gestational surrogacy, the transfer will cost you around USD 750.

In case the surrogate mother grows multiple fetuses while pregnancy, selective reduction can be an option. The procedure consists of removing other fetuses with only one remaining. The fee of such an operation costs around USD 2,000.

If any point in time the mutual parties decide to abort the baby - the fee consists if USD 2000. In case a section C is involved, the amount will add up to another USD 1,500.

If you deploy a surrogate mother through an agency they will charge you a commission worth USD 12,000 - and if your client is a foreigner you will have to pay an additional USD 1,000.

There are other little payments included in the process of breeding a child within a surrogate mother's womb. And they vary from circumstance to circumstance. But to sum up all the costs on average, the total digit piles up to USD 40,000. The figures stated above are general and should be taken as a guide and not an accurate means of calculation. The procedure of contract details and negotiations with surrogate mothers could be extensive. The article however is to give you a general idea about the cost of a surrogate mother in general terms.

Do You Lack Health Insurance?

If you are an American, and you lack health insurance, you are not alone. In late 2009, it was estimated that almost 46 million people in the US do not have a health plan. Recent high unemployment figures have not made this figure any lower.

Some of these people lost their group health plans when they lost their job. Others are self employed or work for a company that does not offer group health. There are alternative private health plans on the market, but many people just cannot afford them, or they cannot get accepted by one. While politicians haggle over the issues, sick people are having trouble getting treatment.

Are You Sick or Healthy?

If you are very healthy, or if you already have a health issue, you should seek coverage. It will be, of course, a lot easier to find affordable private health insurance if you are healthy. This way you can be prepared in case you do get sick or get hurt in an accident. Even a simple trip to an emergency room for a broken bone can cost thousands of dollars.

If you have already are hurt or ill, it will be tough to get it covered by private plans now. But even people who are already sick should be able to find some help. I hope to present some options for you.

COBRA

Under federal law, some companies must extend their group medical plan to terminated employees. This can be a good option for those who are between jobs. The only issue with it is the cost. Instead of just paying your employee contribution, now you will probably also have to pay the whole premium amount. Many ex-employees are very surprised when they learn how much this is.

Individual Health Insurance

If you lack major medical, and you are fairly healthy, you may find that a private medical plan is pretty affordable. It is actually a misconception that group benefits are always cheaper than individual plans. Because insurers can underwrite each applicant, they may actually be able to offer lower rates for healthier people.

If you have an option to extend your group benefits (i.e. COBRA) or buy private coverage, just make sure the new plan will accept you, and that it will cover services you need. It is tough, for instance, to get individual plans that cover normal maternity. But if you are accepted, which most people in reasonably good health should be, and the plan satisfies your needs, you may be vary happy with carrying your own health plan.

State Risk Pools

Every US state has some sort of health plan for people who have a pre-existing health problem that gets them declined for other coverage. In some states, these plans can be very expensive though. This is a good option if you do have income or savings, but just do not have health insurance.

Paying For Prescriptions

If you cannot afford your prescription medicine, consult the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARX). Their website is PPARX.org. This organization offers a point of access to hundreds of private and public assistance programs. Their website says they have helped millions of Americans get help, and they may be able to help you.

Low Cost Health Clinics

You can find some lower cost health clinics. Many offer health services on a sliding scale. The PPARX website we mentioned about also has a handy search feature. You can enter your zip code and see if you can find a nearby locations. I entered my own zip code for a test, and I was surprised to see that there were several of these clinics within a short drive of my house. I had not been aware that there were any before.

Financial Aid For Health Problems

If you have a serious illness, you may be able to get support from a financial assistance program. These are usually non-profits, and sometimes they are called co-pay programs. Again, PPARX has information on many of these organizations.

County Health Systems

Try searching for a county or public health system in your own area. They should provide reduced fee services for patients. You will probably be locked into using their hospitals, doctors, etc., but you should have access to care.

Public Health Insurance Programs

If you have a very low income, and few assets, you may qualify for Medicaid. This is the federal and state program to insure the poor. Moderate income families should look at the Childrens Health Insurance (CHIPS) plan for their state. Income guidelines to cover kids are higher than those for adults, and these plans may also cover pregnant women.

What To Do If You Have No Health Insurance

I would tell anybody to figure out how they can obtain health insurance as quickly as possible. For instance, you should try to apply for a private policy when you are healthy! You are probably not going to find coverage from a private company after you are already sick or hurt. If you do find a plan that accepts you, it will probably be much more expensive That is how insurance works.

It is always better to plan ahead. Of course, this is not always possible.. If you have a current health issue, and no health plan, you should look at some of the alternatives we listed.

All women experience irregular periods sometimes during their child bearing years, before menopause. While Western medication has never viewed that irregular menstruation is a problem of women reproductive system, traditional Chinese medicine looks at this problem seriously, if untreated, it will disharmonize the women ecosystem, leading to nervous tension and other health problems, including infertility.

Damp heat is defined as a condition of fluid accumulated in the body tissues over a prolong period of time. It can become damp heat as a result of intake of hot spicy hot, infection and inflammation. Chinese herbs used to treat damp heat include

1. Long dan cao (Gentian)
Besides it is used to treat liver heat caused by dampness accumulation due to spleen' inability in materials absorption, It also enhances the liver and the gallbladder function in draining damp heat in the body through kidney urinary secretion.

2. Huang qin (Scullcap)
Huang qin is important to enhance the lung function by moistening the qi, thus reducing the risk of fever, irritability, thirst, cough. It also improves the stomach function in absorbing vital vitamins and minerals by clearing the heat caused extreme dampness that causes diarrhea and thirst with no desire to drink.

3. Zhi zi (Gardenia)
It improves the circulatory function by clearing the liver heat due to constrained liver and heat caused by infection or inflammation as a result of fluids accumulated in body for a prolong period of time.

4. Mu tong (Akebia)
Mu tong besides increases the kidney in clearing dampness through urinary secretion, it also enhances the blood function by draining the blood heat caused by blood stagnation.

5. Che qian cao (Plaintain root)
Che qian cao has a vital function by eliminating the toxin accumulated in the body and promoting damp heat expelling through urinary secretion.

6. Chai hu (Buplerum)
Chai hu enhances the spleen and stomach in qi and materials digestion, thereby reducing damp heat in the abdominal region caused by liver blood stagnation, resulting in lessening the menstrual cramps and pain and pain caused lung qi stagnation due to spleen abnormal function in qi transportation.

7. Gan cao (licorice root)
Gan cao reduces damp heat accumulated in the body in many different ways:

a) It moistens the lung, thus reducing the lung dryness causing symptoms of coughing and promoting the smooth qi movement.
b) It reduces the heat caused by toxins in the body by eliminating them through urinary secretion.
c) It enhances the heart in regulating the movement of blood by strengthening the blood that stop the irregular pulse.
d) It increases the liver function in regulating the abdominal muscles, thus reducing the menstrual cramps and pain.

Something I frequently discover working in the insurance world is other insurance brokers trying to convince all of their term life insurance clients to add on the return of premium rider. However, while the prospect of getting every penny of your cash back seems wonderful, is adding the return of premium rider suitable for you? This rider, or additional policy benefit, raises the policy holder's price, although at the completion of the term, if the insured has not died, the policy owner receives back every dime he has paid in premiums. This extra benefit can elevate the premium anywhere from 30% to 200% of the level term with no rider added. There are two schools of thought here: Some figure, "Why should I mind paying double the premium, since it will all end up in my pocket one day?" Other folks, however, want to pencil out the details and tally whether or not adding the extra benefit is a wise financial decision for them. The answer, of course, is that it depends on some variables, which we'll discuss.

But first, let's address life insurance with the ROP benefit acting like an investment. Specifically, it's not, to be exact, but here's how some investment-savvy folks see it. To appraise what sort of dollar benefit, or return on investment, you'll derive from return of premium, begin by taking note of what the cost of the rider is. Now, if I were to invest that amount in a traditional investment, how much would I have to gain to end up being equivalent to the total premium I'll have returned to me at the termination of my policy?

For example, if your return of premium policy costs $500 more per year than your regular term policy, and 20 years down the line, your return of premium policy will pay you back $25,000, then you can do some quick math on a financial calculator and find that if you were to take that $500 and invest it elsewhere, you'd have to earn about 9% in that investment for it to grow to $25,000. Well that's a slam dunk in my book. I'll settle for 8 or 9 percent any day of the week, especially knowing it's guaranteed money.

It won't be so clear-cut for everyone, though. Health and age are the primary factors that will affect how attractive your internal rate of return is, with the length of term and amount of face value being factors as well. If you're between the age of eighteen and thirty-five, in super condition, you'll most likely get an internal rate of return approaching double-digits. You might only get a 5-7% internal rate of return, however, if you're in your 40's or 50's. Again, health plays a factor too. Next, you'll want to go with a twenty or thirty year term, as those have the best return on investment.

One excellent feature of Return of Premium Life Insurance is that currently, the taxes you'll pay on your return of premium are 0! Uncle Sam can't tax it because you don't get back a dime more than you put in, meaning you didn't actually "earn" any interest. So even if your internal rate of return is just 6%, that's still a terrific net rate.

One more thing before we wrap this up: Don't buy ROP unless you're committed for the long haul. Let your policy lapse half way through the term, and you might get back 20% of your premiums in surrender value. Hold it until the end of the term, and get back 100%. Be smart and plan to hold on to this policy. Last, even if you're not the perfect candidate to purchase term life insurance with return of premium, I'm not condemning its purchase. No matter how expensive it is, it actually costs nothing more than the time value of money, since you it's all reimbursed, and that's one insurance payment we can all feel comfortable paying.

If your sweetheart snores you have a problem. A good night sleep is essential to good health and a healthy marriage. If your husband or wife snores, you might have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. All you need is love...and a good night's sleep.

If your snoring partner is keeping you awake, you have a couple choices. Either your partner can take some steps to stop snoring or you can learn to adapt. Lets look solutions which fit into both categories.

The snorer often isn't aware of the problem. Snoring might just be annoying, but it can also be a sign of sleep apnea. If a person has sleep apnea they may stop breathing for a few moments while they sleep and the snoring is a response. Here are a few steps to stop the snoring.

1. Sleep Apnea - Have you spouse see a doctor and be assessed for sleep apnea. If he or she is diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment will follow.

2. Overweight - Snoring can be caused by obesity. If your partner is overweight dieting and exercising may reduce the night time serenades.

3. Eliminate common causes of snoring - Drinking and smoking can cause or increasing snoring. Reducing or eliminating these activities may help. Also try to avoid eating heavy meals just before sleep.

4. Over the counter remedies - There are several remedies available at your drug store. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for suggestions.

5. Sleep on side and not back - Try encouraging your partner to sleep on his or her side. Check out a maternity body pillow to help your spouse stay sideways.

If the snoring continues, you might choose to change some of your behaviors. Remember, marriages are happier when partners aren't exhausted.

6. Earplugs or white noise - You can try earplugs or playing some sort of music or recorded sounds to lull you into sleep. If you focus on the sounds of your choice you might be able to relax into sleep.

7. Different rooms - This might sound like a drastic solution, but having a good night sleep could help, not hinder your marriage.