Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Did you know that thyroid disease can cause unexplained weight gain and fatigue? It can also cause depression, hair loss, anxiety, dry skin and poor memory. When tested randomly, at least 10% of adults are found to have thyroid disease.

The funny thing is, many with typical symptoms of a thyroid disorder are tested and found to have 'normal' thyroid function. Furthermore many being treated for thyroid disease still have many of the symptoms remain.

Why is it that so many people who have symptoms are not diagnosed? And why are many individuals who are diagnosed with thyroid disease and receiving treatment not feeling better?

Simply put, the shortcoming is in the "normal range" numbers of the thyroid tests that most doctors rely on. Laboratory ranges can be determined by consensus of experts or by simply averaging scores.

For blood sugar levels, for example, panels of researchers review glucose levels in people who have become diabetic and compared it to what their blood sugar levels were in the years preceding their diagnosis. Those whose morning fasting blood sugar levels are under 99 were found to have lower rates of becoming diabetic. Therefore 99 is considered the upper limit of the "normal range".

For thyroid disease the ranges are simply averages. What this means is that a lab will review 10,000 scores from a thyroid test and create a high and low range based on this group. The low range is the lowest 2.5% of scores and high range is the highest 2.5%.

The problem with this method is that these normal values are only reflective of whomever is being tested. Who gets a thyroid test done? Primarily two groups: those known to have thyroid disease and those suspected of having it. These two groups should not be expected to have the same thyroid blood levels as those with optimal thyroid function, yet this is the assumption inherent in the normal ranges.

So what is the solution? If you or someone you love has symptoms of thyroid disease, such as weight they can't lose or unexplained fatigue and depression, don't give up when the family doctor runs a test, then says everything is fine. Push harder and work with a doctor who will listen and understands the shortcomings of relying only on test reference ranges.

Whether you have thyroid disease or not, here are a few easy steps everyone can take to improve your thyroid function:

1. Get the Right Amount of Iodine. This is easy, you know the little girl with the umbrella on your salt? You want iodized salt for use at home. Sea salt can also be found in iodized forms. All the extra salt we get in processed foods and at restaurants has no iodine. Eat seafood, any kind helps. Have some seaweed every now and then like Nori found on sushi. Take a multi that contains about 100 mcg of iodine. Avoid very high doses of iodine found in kelp and iodine supplements. Too much is as bad or worse than too little.

2. Minimize Mercury. Seafood is great but be aware of high-mercury seafood. The biggest no-no is don't eat tuna daily. The most complete current data is from the FDA: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html Avoid mercury amalgams. Getting new fillings? Get porcelain or ceramic. Got old ones that the dentist says should go? Get them out and ask us about ways to detox.

3. Avoid Perchlorate. This is a toxic by product from rocket and jet fuels. It also forms spontaneously in the arid Southwest soil and ends up in our water. We absorb it from our skin and intestines. Once in our bodies it prevents our thyroid glands from absorbing iodine. Solutions: drink purified water only, not tap water. Ideally use a filter for your shower also.

In the case of suspected thyroid disease or any other symptom, never assume that you need to suffer. Educate yourself and take action. You deserve to feel your best!

(c) 2009 - Integrative Health Care, PC

The topic of DHA during pregnancy has recently become an area of great interest for scientists and doctors. DHA, as you might know, is a type of omega 3 fatty acid that is commonly found in fish oil. DHA is also found within every cell in our body and is crucial for the proper functioning and development of the eyes, brains and the central nervous system.

When it was discovered exactly how vital a role DHA plays in the physical and cognitive development of infants, scientists soon asked the question of whether supplementing the mother's diet with DHA during pregnancy would help the baby in any way. Research conducted in this area revealed not only that taking DHA while pregnant was essential for the healthy development of the infant, but also that most pregnant women do not get the recommended amount.

Other studies and articles published in Pediatrics journals show that children whose mothers took supplements of DHA while pregnant score higher on intelligence test compared to children whose mothers did not. They also displayed longer attention spans, better cognitive and motor skills and IQs of up to 10 points higher than other children.

Deficiencies of DHA during pregnancy can inhibit the cognitive development of your fetus, leading to visual impairment and numerous other health complications. From the mother's perspective, lack of DHA consumption while pregnant can also increase the risk of premature delivery and postpartum depression.

If you are an expecting mother, including a supplement of DHA during pregnancy will help both you and your baby. In order to make sure that your baby is getting adequate amounts of DHA without being exposed to toxic contaminants, taking a good fish oil supplement with your diet is a much better idea than eating actual fish. All fish contain trace levels of mercury and other toxic metals which can severely damage your health if the fish is improperly cleaned or under-cooked. Fish oil supplements are a much safer choice as manufacturers have to follow a rigorous process of cleaning the fish and distilling and purifying the oil before it can be sold on the market. As a result, fish oil supplements are the safest and easiest source of DHA during pregnancy.

Now it's time to start putting these facts in to practice. Giving your baby the best start possible is as simple as supplementing your diet with a good quality fish oil supplement.

Are you exhausted from trying to rock or jiggle your baby to sleep? Only to have them wake the minute you lay them down. Parents are told that you can't spoil a newborn. This depends on your definition of the word spoil. I believe parents are constantly training their babies whether they realize it or not. It is possible to teach your newborn baby to fall asleep easily on their own with very little help from Mom and Dad.

As a certified infant specialist I am called on to help exhausted parents solve their baby's sleep issues. Many times these babies are 3 months of age or older. Most infant sleep issues could be easily avoided if parents understood the three necessary steps a baby passes through on their way to a sound sleep.

The most important thing you can do to help your baby learn healthy sleep habits is to lay them down while sleepy but awake. Rocking and holding your baby to sleep is something that even a newborn will quickly get used to. You are teaching them that they need this to be able to fall asleep. It is much better to reserve holding and rocking for when your baby is awake and alert.

There are three very definite stages that a baby passes through on the way to sleep. Understanding and recognizing these stages is critical in the success of sleep training your child.

1. The Wiggle Waggle Squirm Stage: This is the point where your baby is still awake and possibly fussy. They may grunt, squirm and fight the swaddle. Many parents tell me their baby hates the swaddle because they seem to fight it. This is actually a normal part of the learned process of falling asleep. This stage will last longer if you choose not to swaddle, as baby will startle and flail. The result will be a baby who takes longer to pass through the first stage of this process. Allow your baby at least 10 to 15 minutes to settle and move on to step two. Make sure that you have white noise playing loudly nearby. The white noise allows the babies nervous system to calm down and relax. If your baby is crying the white noise should be as loud as baby's cries.

2. The Five-Mile Stare: Once baby has passed through the fussy stage, they will get very still and stare into the distance. I call this the five-mile stare. Baby may lay quietly, looking into space for up to 15 minutes. If a noise startles baby when they are in this stage, they will most likely move back to stage one and squirm and fuss for a bit. It is very important that you do not pick baby up at this point. As long as they are not crying loudly for more than five minutes allow them to cycle back through to the five-mile stare. You can jiggle the baby in their swaddle and loudly shush in their ear, but try not to pick them up. This is a crucial step in baby learning to self soothe.

3. Sweet Sleep: Babies eyelids will begin to slowly close. They may yawn or slowly open and close their eyes several times. This is a sure sign that your baby is well on the way to sleeping peacefully.

Most parents do not realize that falling asleep on their own is a learned behavior. It is a very important and necessary skill that can be taught from the earliest days home from the hospital. Laying baby down while sleepy but awake and allowing them to fall asleep naturally is the most important first step. Understanding the normal stages that a baby passes through on their way to a deep sleep will help you be successful in sleep training your new baby.

If you are about to have your first baby, life as confinement lady may seem scary, depression, or even undesirable. Or, you could be like many other women who simply don't know what it will be like as a confinement lady. Put your fears to rest! While there are some struggles and obstacles that you will have to go through as a confinement lady and your life will definitely change, with the right nanny you will come out of it happier than ever.

Emotional Changes

A lot of the struggles that you will go through as a confinement lady come from the hormonal fluctuations and changes that occur after having a baby. You know your hormones spiked and went wild while you were pregnant, so it only makes sense that after you have the baby those hormone levels will need to normalize. This takes some time, which makes the confinement period a rather emotional time.

Some women breeze through the hormonal fluctuations as if they aren't occurring at all, while others have a lot of mood swings and some very emotional days. You never know what experience you will have until you are officially a confinement lady with that beautiful baby at home. Just realizing that your hormones will need to normalize and that your crazy emotional states or mood swings are attributed to that will help. You know you aren't going crazy and the hormones will die down eventually.

Lifestyle Changes

Some women imagine their life as a confinement lady as if they will become a shut-in who never gets out of the house. This is unrealistic, especially if you plan to hire a confinement nanny. As soon as your body heals from having the baby and you are feeling strong enough to move around a lot safely, there is no reason you shouldn't get out of the house.

In fact, getting out of the house and resuming at least some activities of your former lifestyle will help prevent or overcome postpartum depression!

It is much easier to have a life and start developing your new lifestyle as a mother if you hire a confinement nanny. They will make your life as a confinement lady much easier, since you have someone safe to care for your baby while you run out to the market, get some exercise, or visit friends.
There will be a lot that has to change as you work the new baby into your lifestyle, but you don't have to give up life altogether as a confinement lady.

The Baby

Having the baby in your home depending on you for every little need is the biggest change you will experience as a confinement lady. There is a lot of responsibility caring for a small baby, but there are also tender moments as you begin to bond with your baby and feel the overwhelming amount of love and pride that all mothers find with their babies.

Again, life as confinement lady will be a lot more comfortable and much easier if you have a confinement nanny helping you. They will share the responsibility of caring for your baby while giving you more opportunities to sleep, eat, get out of the house, and just spend bonding time with your new baby.

Life as a confinement lady will be different than life before the baby. It just isn't going to be as depressing and scary as many women believe going into it.

Taking care of a small child, no matter how fulfilling it may be, is still quite a difficult task. Everything that is concerned with this feat should be done correctly - down to the smallest details possible, especially newborn baby feeding.

Feeding a baby is one of the first things that both the mother and child should learn how to do. It may sound simple, but experience will prove otherwise. Usually, a female in her postpartum period will immediately lactate and produce breast milk two to six days after the baby is born, but this does not guarantee that she will instantly know how to properly nurse her babe.

You see, newborn baby feeding is a tricky job and mistakes can be very costly. Being a crucial stage in parenthood, a mother should really know the very details of how to feed her young. And as the little one still doesn't have the ability to tell you what he wants or needs, you will have to figure them out yourself. To do that, however, here are some tips that you may find handy.

1. Learn the basic information on nursing your young. Knowledge on the very basic items on how your child needs food can be very helpful, especially for new mothers. Knowing that breast milk is always best for babies; that newborns usually need to breast feed for about eight to twelve times daily; and that the mother's lifestyle can also affect the supply of breast milk are just some of the first information that will come in handy in becoming a parent.

2. Feed only on demand, but make sure to really breastfeed regularly. By feeding on demand, your body will be able to better understand your child's feeding patterns. This will also help the mother learn whether something is wrong with the child and help her avoid pain through conditions like breast engorgement.

3. Learn your baby's cues. Not every cry means that your child is hungry, so be on the lookout for other cues that will help you tell whether he needs feeding or when he's already full.

4. Learn when weaning is already necessary. Sure, breast milk is still the best form of food for babies, but sooner or later, you will need to introduce him to other food as well. Make sure you know, however, when to do this and how to do it right so you can avoid any complications that may even put your child in danger. Taking the stand versus formula may be a good idea at first, but soon, it would already be something very handy.

5. Look at other signs of health. If you're worried that your child may not be getting enough food, you can easily use other ways to assess his health. If your child is gaining weight steadily, has good skin tone and showing signs of alertness and contentment when feeding, then you're on the right track.

Remember, with enough knowledge, newborn baby feeding shouldn't be that much of a handful.

I began my career in a cancer center. I worked in the Medical Oncology Unit, otherwise known as Med/Onc. Prior to working with individuals with a cancer diagnosis, I worked with seniors and had a great deal of experience with death and dying. At the end of the day, I was able to put my work aside and go home and not deal with any of the sadness and human suffering I encountered on a day to day basis. I thought that working with the elderly population would prepare me for my work with oncology patients.

As a young social worker, I thought I had it all together. I thought I knew how to juggle all of the balls that were being thrown my way. I would go to work on a daily basis, meet all of the demands of the day, and make sure all of my patient's needs were taken care of. I came face to face with real human suffering. I came face to face with mothers losing their children, children losing their parents and the unfairness called "cancer". Despite all that I encountered, I thought I was able to handle it as I did in the past, I thought I could come face to face with death and put it aside at the end of the day.

I was very proud of the work that I did and to be a part of such an amazing organization. As proud as I was and as much as I enjoyed the work that I did, I always carried with me an overwhelming feeling of dread. This was something that I could not shake. I did a pretty good job of masking my feelings, so good in fact, that I hid them from myself. My superwoman complex kept me from being truly real with myself. I was too proud to admit the truth...I was sinking into a depression. I did not realize it because it was insidious and I had lived with the symptoms for so long that I just thought this was the way I was supposed to feel when encountering human suffering. I never talked about it with anyone, because I could not put my feelings into words. No amount of education and past experience prepared me for what I was facing. It was not until one day that I went to see a movie with a close friend that I finally had some insight into my situation. We went to see a romantic comedy called "the rolling stone". I always avoided dramatic or sad movies because I did not want to feel sad when I was home. It was a defense mechanism I used in order to keep my wall of denial up and my defenses safe. (**spoiler alert**) There was a part in the movie where one of the main characters was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently dies. I immediately began sobbing uncontrollably. It was such an exaggerated response and as me and my friend sat alone in the movie theater, I was ashamed of myself and my emotional response. The following week I had a meeting with my immediate supervisor, where I informed her of what happened during the weekend. She was so supportive and gave me some invaluable insight...I was suffering from caregiver stress.

Caregiver Stress is stress caregivers experience when providing care to another person suffering from some type of illness. Caregiver stress is not limited to individuals caring for a loved one. This definition can also include medical professionals and others working in a medical field providing hands on care and counseling to individuals.

This was the first time where I put my pride to the side and really began to take a long, hard look in the mirror. For so long I thought that expressing my true feelings would make me appear weak or somehow undermine my clinical training. When I finally put my guard down, I was able to take active steps in addressing all of my symptoms. As a clinician it is so much easier to have empathy for others and to assess situations and provide good clinical counseling. In order for me to be a better clinician I had to be real with my own insecurities, inadequacies and emotional struggles. I had to be real in how jaded the job was making me. In my time alone, I would often time struggle with God and question why good people have to suffer and be honest with my own physical symptoms of depression.

I began my journey to healing. I began to really look at caregiver stress and its effects. I saw that I was experiencing classic symptoms.

As I understood some of my own personal feelings, I was better able to cope with all of the human suffering around me. I was kinder to myself and as a result, I was better able to provide good clinical interventions. As the feelings of caregiver stress multiplied I was exceedingly overwhelmed and not truly able to give the individuals I was working with the best of me. As I increased self care and made positive steps to address my own inadequacies and sadness about what I encountered on a daily basis, I was able to provide better patient care.

This new found awareness also continued in my personal life. While working I became pregnant with twin daughters. Of course my husband and I were delighted but no one could have prepared us for life after twins. Needless to say, the first 6 months were very difficult and I found myself overwhelmed, sleep deprived, anxious and so forth. Not to mention, I also experienced some postpartum depression. My past experience with caregiver stress gave me tremendous insight into my condition. I applied some of the same techniques and as a first time mother. It's hard when you are in the "thick of it" to put words to your feelings. We often times have more empathy to those around us and don't cut ourselves enough slack.

So often we may consider taking time for ourselves as being "selfish" and we do not make the time. I say to you, make the time. If you do not care for yourself, then you cannot care for others in the best way. Even the best intentioned people can "loose it" when they are overwhelmed and exhausted. Be just as kind to yourself as you are to others.

No matter which trimester you are in, it is never reassuring to experience abdominal pains during pregnancy. In contradiction to general belief, the fact that you have pains around your abdominal area is not necessarily indicative of a looming negative issue - it does not mean that there is something wrong with your baby. Abdominal pain can occur as a result of heartburn, gas, your baby's position or constipation among other things. It is always recommended that you alert your health care provider concerning any unusual sensations you may feel. Nevertheless, you should also help yourself by discovering ways in which you can help alleviate these abdominal pains. This article will expose 6 ways you can avoid pregnancy pains.

1. Pay attention to triggers. Pains don't just happen, they are your body's reaction to discomfort or some other issue. One of the most effective ways to avoid these pregnancy pains is to develop the ability of accurately determining what may be the most probably cause of such pain in the first place. For example; if you discover that your abdominal pains occur mostly after meals, you should try to examine what you eat so that you can determine how your body is reacting towards it. You may be surprised that what you are eating may actually be responsible for those pains due to the fact that it is causing you heartburn or gas. You should modify your diet if you discover that it is responsible for the pain.

2. To relieve the pain, you could attempt to bend your body towards the area where the pain is most intense. Doing so could help release a knot of gas that has built up in an area. You will often times be able to ease the pain by doing something as simple as shifting towards the pain or area of discomfort.

3. Staying fit and performing regular exercise routines is a common way to lessen the intensity of pregnancy pains. You should endeavor to engage your body in moderate exercises while you are pregnant. You could also take light walks and so on. Ensure that your health care provider is notified about any exercise routine you intend to undertake so that you can be sure that will be appropriate for you and your baby.

4. Something as simple as your choice of clothes can cause you to experience pains during pregnancy. You should try to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid tight-fitting clothes as they have been reported by many pregnant women to trigger pregnancy pains. You should consider putting on loose-fitting clothes especially when you are going to bed.

5. You could also apply moderate heat to the area. You could utilize a heating pad and apply it directly onto the area where the pain is occurring. This should help ease the pain and get you comfortable again. Ensure that the heat is warm and only apply it for intervals of a few minutes.

6. Sit down. When you are attempting to ease your abdominal pain, you should try and take a seat; this is really easy to do particularly if the pain occurs while you are on your feet. After a few minutes the pain should pass allowing you to continue what you were doing.

Menopause is a disease associated with biological factors. It occurs in every woman as they grow old. This makes it difficult to deal with it. There are many beliefs associated with menopause depression. Some people associate menopause with depression. Some believe that menopause and depression occur simultaneously. The symptoms of menopause and depressions are similar. They include hot flashes, irritability, sleep disorders, anxiety, change in food habits, and lack of interest in any activity. Women are more prone to depression during menopause than men.

The visible depression symptoms and menopause symptoms in women are dejection, feeling extremely sad, melancholy, and worthlessness. This is caused by the less secretion of the hormone 'serotonin' in the body which is responsible for the mood fluctuations. They also experience extreme sadness and confusion. It may also trigger the feeling of suicidal tendencies in them. These things are quite normal in women. Care should be taken to handle this situation otherwise it would lead to severe health problems.

The first step that should be considered is that you should clearly understand the problem. Women, most susceptible to the disease, are those women, who had undergone some surgery, smoking, had managed many children, or had a stressful life. Apart from these, women with premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression are also highly vulnerable to depression. Depression during menopause can be effectively treated with the help of doctor's treatment.

Some physical problems are also associated with depression during menopause. They include stressful relationships, divorce, and anxiety about the life when you grow old.
Tips for managing menopause depression are enlisted below:

Basically, there is no cure for menopause. Some doctors recommend hormonal therapy as a treatment. We can undertake some simple steps as a strategy to cope depression during menopause. They are enlisted below:

Undergo regular medical examination. It would help you to keep a track all the changes taking place in the body and take necessary precautions:

- Regular exercise and right nutrition
- Relax using meditation and yoga
- Opt for other herbal medicines and therapies that help you to curb its effects
- There are many tests available online that can be utilized to find out whether you are depressed or not
- Adopt changes in lifestyle that will foster the treatment of depression
- Join social groups wherein you can share and discuss your problem. It would help you to control your anger and frustration
- You can also bring out your feelings by jotting them down in a dairy. This would help you to overcome the mood swings
- Family members could support the patient by giving him/her a hearing to his/her problems and also helping him/her to overcome the depression
- Make a trip to a nearby garden or tourist place. Take a break from the stressful life
- Counseling sessions of psychologist may also help to overcome it

The most common symptoms of menopause are depression and frequent bouts of anger. Fighting depression is possible when proper care and support is provided to women during menopause. You can adopt different coping strategies and bring down the effect of depression. There is another option available of using antidepressants for depression treatment for women.

The most common mistake made by women is they consider menopause as a normal thing in the process of aging and don't treat them or even consult a doctor. Misconceptions related to depression during menopause should be removed and by adopting simple techniques you could easily cope up with depression. You should also change your attitude towards these bodily changes. It would assist you to deal with its effects and also bring you out of depression.

Did you know that an herb called Stinging Nettles is very beneficial for women's health? It is so nourishing for women of all ages that they can drink and use the infusion on a daily basis. For the young teenage woman, the young pregnant woman, the woman working outside the home in the hectic world and the working woman inside the hectic home, as well as the menopausal woman, nettles have been used by all of us for thousands of years.

Nettle infusion taken daily or at least several times a week restores health and re-energizes us. It builds our blood, expands our cells to metabolize nutrients more effectively and nourishes our reproductive and hormonal systems. It nourishes us from the inside out, and the outside in. You can even use the infusions on your skin and hair! A hair rinse and skin wash tones the hair, gets rid of fungal and bacterial infections and acne.

For teenagers, nettle can ease the pre-menstrual symptoms and provide nourishment to all the glands and organs. There's plenty of calcium, magnesium, trace minerals and other nutrients for the whole body. And they can make their own hair rinses, skin washes and herbal baths for health, beauty and self-confidence.

For pregnancy, nettle is rich in vitamin K and iron, exactly what a pregnant woman needs, especially during her last trimester. This plant has a reputation for reducing the hemorrhage and serious effects from postpartum hemorrhage. Nettle improves quality and quantity of breast milk. It provides calcium and other minerals essential to you and your body to make your milk nutrient-dense!

For the working women nettle nourishes your adrenals. Adrenal exhaustion creeps in during this stage because we take care of everyone around us instead of ourselves. Now is the time to take care of ourselves, nourish the adrenal glands back to health and check any conditions that are becoming chronic.

For menopause nettle can help stabilize our hormones and our energy. It helps ease those night sweats and soothe our nerves when we become irritable. Nettles nourish us as we settle into a new stage of our life.

Nettle is a safe and gentle herb. Our ancestors relied on nettle and we can bring it back into our lives today for our health and beauty.

©2009 Shanna Ohmes

I'm asked quite often by moms-to-be what they should be eating during pregnancy. I love talking to women about this because it brings up really good memories of just feeling fantastic about what I was putting in my body everyday! I loved how I ate during both pregnancies. In fact, when I get stuck in a "food rut", or I know I've been getting off track, I basically go back to preparing my favorite foods from pregnancy.

My 12 favorite power foods were, and still are:

1) Avocados: they're loaded with mono-unsaturated fats, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, lutein and protein. I especially enjoyed these in my first pregnancy when I was following a vegetarian lifestyle.

2) Beans and legumes: great source of fiber, zinc and protein. They strengthen the kidneys and adrenals and therefore promote physical growth and development. I LOVE beans! I thought for sure that at least one of my babies would come out looking like a chickpea, black bean or green pea! I just couldn't get enough of them!

3) Berries: nature's source of antioxidants, vitamins and phytonutrients. God's candy! Look for organic, fresh and seasonal whenever possible.

4) Dark leafy greens: Vitamins A and C, folic acid, fiber, antioxidants and CALCIUM.

5) Eggs: protein, vitamin A, iron. If you purchase omega-3 or DHA enhanced eggs, you also benefit from the essential fatty acids content, Many grocers now carry organic, free-range eggs... worth the price and effort to decrease your toxicity and increase your purity during this important time of growing a human being inside you!

6) Green veggies: broccoli & asparagus, especially. Yum. It's no wonder my daughter asked for broccoli on her 2nd Christmas... she came by it naturally! These two power veggies are loaded with calcium (broccoli has almost as much as whole milk and it's better absorbed), vitamin C, E and A, selenium, zinc, B-complex and potassium. Asparagus in particular is the food highest in glutathione - a critical anticarcinogen.

7) Sprouts: contain protein, enzymes, vitamin C and some B vitamins.

8) Fatty fish or Non-toxic fish oil supplement: Provides essential fatty acids for your chemical/emotional balance as well as your baby's brain and neurological development.

I kept trying... but I just can't stand fish! Instead, I guzzled TONS of pure fish oil throughout both pregnancies... even more during post-partum. You have to make sure it's NON-toxic, ultra-refined, pharmaceutical grade... whatever your preferred brand calls it to make sure there is NO MERCURY in it. You get what you pay for with this one. Spend a little more to invest in the safest brain building nutrient you could possibly provide for you and your baby.

9) Raw nuts: great source of vitamin E, magnesium, mono-unsaturated fats. Almonds are like the King of Nuts! They are anticarcinogenic, lower cholesterol, alkalinize the entire system, while supporting the digestive and nervous systems. They are a very good source of protein, several B vitamins, CALCIUM, iron, potassium and phosphorus.

10) Organic, grass-fed or hormone & antibiotic free bison and chicken. My two meats of choice... get a clean source of your favorites. Excellent protein, iron and zinc source.

11) Sweet potatoes: great source of vitamins A and E.

12) Organic kefir and yogurt: provide beneficial probiotic bacteria, calcium and protein.

My nutritional focus during pregnancy and postpartum was to get enough pure protein, greens and omega-3, DHA in particular. On the days I wasn't too sure if my food would achieve those 3 goals, I'd mix a smoothie with my favorite protein (Dream Protein - see my favorite links for free samples), Greens First (ditto) and Innate Choice fish oil. All bases were covered!

By the time you've reached your third trimester, you've likely conquered many of the challenges of eating during pregnancy. During your first trimester, you made changes to your diet, such as cutting back on caffeine and sugar, to make a healthier lifestyle for both you and your baby. You also conquered the nausea of morning sickness.

During your second trimester, you learned how to eat protein with every meal and handle your cravings in a sensible manner. So when you reach your third trimester, your problems are less about how you eat than how to deal with the discomforts and special issues that arise during the last three months of your pregnancy. In this article, we will cover these special issues one by one.

The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You've probably been taking Omega-3 fatty acids throughout your pregnancy, at a rate of 1200mg per day. But it's especially important to keep your fatty acid intake high during the last trimester. The proper amount of Omega-3 fatty acids can provide a wealth of benefits to both mother and child, such as:

• Decreased incidence of postpartum depression;
• Suggested easier birth and labor;
• Lower risk of premature birth;
• Babies tend to sleep through the night earlier.

Your pregnancy nutritionist can help you find a high quality fish oil supplement that will give you the DHA you need for your own health as well as your baby's development. You can also boost your consumption of fatty acids by eating foods like walnuts, flaxseed oil, organic eggs, and wild salmon.

Dealing with Indigestion

Indigestion and heartburn become major issues during the last trimester of pregnancy, as hormonal changes in your body cause your muscles to relax in preparation for labor. This also causes the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach to relax, allowing stomach acid to back up into your throat.

There is no cure for indigestion caused by pregnancy, and most of the over-the-counter medications that ease the pain of indigestion are not safe to take while pregnant.

You should eliminate foods that aggravate this issue, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, and foods with a vinegar base. Try eating foods that neutralize stomach acid, such as papaya. You can also deal with the symptoms of indigestion by eating smaller meals more frequently, and by sleeping in an upright position.

Handling Fatigue with Ease

You may start feeling very tired during your third trimester. This is common as you might find it difficult to get comfortable for sleep, or find that the baby moves too often for you to get a good night's sleep. A body pillow might be helpful, as it cushions your baby bump and can help you get into a comfortable enough position for sleep. Try "setting the stage" for sleep, too-a practice recommended by sleep experts.

Don't watch television or stare at your computer screen for a few hours before bed, as this can interfere with your body's natural melatonin production. Instead, dim the lights and play relaxing music. Take a long bath or shower and read an enjoyable book. You might try a cup of herbal tea. These preparations alert your body that it's time for bed, and can help you get more restful sleep through the night.

Getting Your Exercise In

You may be tempted to give up exercise during this last stage of pregnancy, but it's crucial to stay in shape for your upcoming labor. Try low or no impact forms of exercise that are easier on your body. Yoga, swimming, and walking are all excellent ways to stay fit without getting exhausted during pregnancy.

Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress. It can also help promote restful sleep. So make sure you are getting at least 15 minutes of gentle movement per day. It will make all the difference to your pregnancy.

Losing a spouse is perhaps one of the most emotionally grueling experiences an adult can go through in their lifetime. The deafening emptiness of your home without your partner, the realization of dependency on your spouse, and the loss of everything that you once shared with-companionship, a friend, a person to turn to for advice-these are hard pills to swallow. For women, especially mothers, this is an unbelievably difficult change in their lives. Being suddenly left to raise the children alone and having to be the sole breadwinner for her now incomplete family is a hurdle many cannot fathom.

As you grieve, however, you realize that this time in your life will not be forever. Things can be done to improve your life and to move you forward out of your grief. Allow yourself time to grieve and mourn the loss of your loved one, but once the tears start to become less, acknowledge the fact that it is time to move forward. The power of positive thinking can do wonders in helping you to get out of your hole and can push you forward to begin your brand new life alone. Here are some ways to get you off the ground:

1. Understand that the pain will not easily go away. Do not be frustrated or fall into a deeper depression if you feel as if your grief is taking a long time. The loss of a spouse is a heavy burden and it will take time before you start to feel normal again. Think positively and know that this time will pass as well and eventually, you will feel better about life.

2. Acknowledge the power of choice. Do not feel guilty about realizing that you want to begin your new life. This means your time of grief is over. Think of the good things to come.

3. Do not think that you are forgetting your spouse. Just because your pain is slowly fading and you are starting to feel better, it doesn't mean you are forgetting your spouse. Believe that they would have wanted you to be happy and fulfilled even when they are gone.

4. Channel your love and affection in other ways. Think positively and realize that you still have a lot of love to give. If you are looking for someone to care for, focus more attention on the children, or get a pet to take you through those solitary rough moments. Pets are great joy bringers, delivering comfort and happiness with just their mere presence. Not only that, believe that you can still find love, and that this is not the end of life for you as we know it.

5. Realize that death is just the beginning. Death is inevitable and by thinking positively, you'll see what the good side of death is. It isn't the end of life but a mere beginning.

Employ some positive thinking to help get your through your situation. See the brighter side of things and not just what's depressing and heartbreaking. There's always a flipside and that is what you must realize.

Carl Mathis, author of Life is what you make it - seven steps to moving forward
For more from Carl go to http://www.carlmathis.com

Being pregnant is definitely a thrilling and fantastic time. On the other hand, with all the bodily and hormonal modifications that take place, it may also be a time of soreness. Several expecting females endure fatigue, nausea, backache along with other problems which are regarded as a "normal" component of being pregnant. Acupuncture is a safe, mild and successful method to tackle these ailments, particularly given that Western medicines cannot be utilized throughout this time.

Normal acupuncture in the course of being pregnant sets the basis for a wholesome mom and child. Furthermore, ladies who utulize acupuncture through pregnancy typically experience a less difficult pregnancy than females who do not use acupuncture. Research done in Europe concluded that "women of all ages who obtained acupuncture every week through the final month of being pregnant had considerably shorter labor than ladies who didn't acquire any acupuncture."

A few of the ailments that acupuncture can deal with are:

Nausea, Vomiting,
Insomnia
Decreased Energy Levels
Anemia
Anxiety/depression
constipation
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Substantial blood stress (pre-eclampsia)
PUPPs & other pregnancy-related skin problems
Pre-term labor
Delayed labor
Labor discomfort
Lactation complications
Postpartum depression

Prenatal acupuncture has been employed for thousands of years to help sufferers ease into and through pregnancy, and to have an uncomplicated delivery. An Australian study conducted by Adelaide University in 2002 found that acupuncture throughout being pregnant had no adverse effects and was completely safe when provided by a trained acupuncturist.

You may well have heard that some acupuncture points are forbidden for the duration of being pregnant. This is true - certain points on the body are to be avoided for the duration of the pregnancy as they might stimulate uterine contractions. Nonetheless, a trained specialist in acupuncture will know specifically which points are unsafe to utilize during various treatments.

Acupuncture in the course of the first trimester focuses on setting the basis for a wholesome, safe, and uncomplicated pregnancy. Therapies are provided to prevent miscarriage and to tackle any early problems, such as nausea and fatigue. For optimum results, the recommended frequency of acupuncture throughout the first trimester is once per week.

Acupuncture throughout the second trimester aims to maintain balance and offer relief from numerous problems and ailments that arise during this time. The recommended frequency of therapies for that second trimester is evaluated for each individual. Sufferers may possibly come one to two times per month if the pregnancy is uncomplicated and there are no complaints. If addressing a certain issue, sufferers may perhaps need to come more often.

Acupuncture in the course of the third trimester prepares the body for labor and delivery. Treatment for labor induction can and should be offered anytime after the thirty-ninth week if there are no complications present. For the duration of the third trimester, sufferers are encouraged to seek weekly treatment to ensure a smooth labor and delivery. Research show that women of all ages who acquire normal acupuncture in the course of the third trimester generally have smaller and more productive labor.

In most cases postpartum acupuncture is continued in order to return the body to a state of organic balance and optimal health. Not many mothers in this day and age have the luxury of retiring to the bedroom for months after the pregnancy to heal and rejuvenate, because of this acupuncture is a great method to help stimulate growth and speed up the healing process.

On Becoming Babywise has proven to be successful in helping parents settle their babies, by offering a flexible, yet effective routine for parents with infants.

The Babywise book, written by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam provides a management plan to help babies synchronize feeding, playtime and night sleep cycles, thus giving your baby the best possible chance to distinguish night from day, and be able to sleep continually through the night moving from one sleep cycle to the next without fully waking.

The book not only provides a plan for parents to manage their babies feeding and sleeping schedules, but provides scenarios of when these schedules may not work, why, and problem solving to rectify the situation and get the schedule back on track. The first principle is for the mother to create a stable milk production, the book gives a guideline on how often you should be feeding in the early days, and when an infant can start sleeping through the night.

Schedules in the Babywise book are dependent on your baby's age, the schedule will change slightly as your baby gets older, with daytime naps decreasing, and daytime wakefulness increases.

The Babywise books are written in a series, with the first one On Becoming Babywise offering a flexible routine to establish feeding, wakefulness and night time sleeping. The second On Becoming Babywise II is parenting your pretoddler for ages 5 to 15 months and focuses highchair manners, waketime activities and baby sign language.

The Babywise books adapt as your child grows, the other books include:

On Becoming Childwise for 8 - 12 years, and On Becoming Teenwise for 13 - 19 years.

It is important for parents to be able to provide some structure in their childrens lives, and that structure should be flexible not rigid. The Babywise books offer a flexible and effective routine which parents can easily adopt.

This is the most serious form of depression in terms of number of symptoms and severity of symptoms. It is a medical illness that involves the mind and the body and affects how a person thinks and behaves. Although suicidal thoughts or gestures are part of major depression, a person does not have to be suicidal to be clinically depressed; you may not be able to go about your usual daily activities, and depression may make you feel as if life just isn't worth living anymore. Although some people experience only one episode of depression, most have repeated episodes of depression symptoms throughout their life.

Symptoms of major depression

• Loss of interest in normal daily activities
• Feeling sad or down
• Feeling hopeless
• Crying spells for no apparent reason
• Problems sleeping
• Trouble focusing or concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Unintentional weight gain or loss
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Being easily annoyed
• Feeling fatigued or weak
• Feeling worthless
• Loss of interest in sex
• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

The severity of symptoms differ from person to person. In some people, the symptoms are obvious to those around us, even if we don't recognize them in ourselves. Sometimes, a depressed person may just feel miserable or unhappy without knowing why.

What causes major depression?

It isn't known exactly what causes depression, but it is felt to be a combination of factors.

Biochemical: It is felt that naturally occurring chemical uptake to the brain (called neurotransmitters) may be interrupted or faulty. These affect mood and thought and are felt to play a part in depression. Hormonal imbalance can also be a factor.

Genetic: Some studies show that depression is more common in family groups and therefore is hereditary to some degree.

Environment: Life events can trigger depression. Loss of a loved one, financial problems, periods of high stress and marital issues are some of the major environmental factors in depression.

Risk factors for depression

Although the exact causes or triggers for depression aren't known, there are certain factors and life events that seem to increase the risk of developing depression. Being aware of these triggers can help you identify your own depression.

• Having other biological relatives with depression
• Having family members who have taken their own life
• Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
• Having a depressed mood as a youngster
• Illness, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS
• Long-term use of certain medications, such as some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills or, occasionally, birth control pills
• Certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
• Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse
• Having recently given birth
• Being in a lower socioeconomic group

Seeking medical advice

Many people don't recognize their own depression and therefore don't seek help. If you recognize yourself in any of the above, you are taking a step in the right direction. Once you recognize the symptoms, you can then also recognize that you don't have to live like this.

It's normal to occasionally upset or unhappy with situations in your life. With depression, however, these feelings hang onto you for a long period of time. Your friends and family may tell you to "get over it," but you find yourself unable to do that. These feelings are more intense than just "feeling blue," and interfere with your life, work and enjoyment of daily living.

If you are feeling suicidal or having thoughts that life just isn't worth living, seek medical attention immediately. If you are having suicidal feelings right now, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This is a free service.

If you don't want to or are unable to for some reason, you have other choices for reaching out for help, such as contacting family members or friends, a doctor or mental or health care provider, a spiritual leader, or someone in your circle with whom you feel a strong connection. You can also go to your local emergency room or call a crisis center or hotline.

Helping a loved one

You may be visiting HandlingDepression.com because you feel someone you love is suffering from depression and you wonder what you could be doing for them.

Have an open and honest discussion with them. As stated above, many times people don't realize they're depressed. For them, depression is "normal," and they don't recognize the severity of their condition. They believe that everyone feels the way they do. You may not be able to force someone to get professional help, but you can be supportive and offer encouragement.

Sometimes, someone who is depressed just needs someone to demonstrate to them that their presence in the world does matter, that there are people who care about them enough to help them make the first step in the right direction. It can be very helpful to them if you get a referral for them to get professional help, assist them in making the appointment and getting to it. Even these simple tasks can be daunting to someone who is severely depressed. Often, they require assistance in getting the help they desperately need because they are incapable of taking care of the things the rest of us take for granted.

If your loved one is suicidal, do not attempt to help them on your own. That is not to say don't help them - just don't try to handle it without professional help. Take them to the emergency room or call for emergency help.

Alopecia is the term given for the condition of losing hair in one or more areas of the scalp and body. It affects both male and female, having a preference towards children, teenagers and young adults more than the older generation.

Heredity does play a role in its development. Having a relative with Alopecia increases a person's risk of having it as well. It is also caused by an over active immune system where the body develops cells that act on the hair follicles making them stop hair production. The cause of this autoimmune dysfunction is still unknown. Association with other autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and vitiligo have been noted. It has also been linked to emotional stress.

According to surveys, 2% of the general population have Alopecia. However, it is not a disease that causes deterioration to the system. In fact most of those who have Alopecia are healthy individuals who can perform their daily activities just like everyone else. When Alopecia occurred at an early age that person may also become bald early. There are cases where one or more bald spots would appeared and then the hair re-grew normally again for sometime only to go bold again later causing more hair loss. For them, it is an on and off condition. For others, the bald spots remain and eventually progress to make them bald all over.

There are many types of Alopecia. By consulting a specialist for hair loss, they can determine the type by a close inspection of the scalp looking for exclamation point hairs. Sometimes a scalp biopsy is needed for diagnosis.

The most common type is Alopecia Areata. It is characterized by a round or an oval bald spot or spots on the scalp varying in sizes. Alopecia Areata usually occurring on one side of the head and may resolve itself within a year even without treatment. However, some people worry about their Alopecia Areata spots because the, spots to some, can look unsightly and stay for long periods of time. Alopecia Diffusa is when the round, bald spots are distributed evenly all over the scalp and not just on one side as occurs with Alopecia Areata.

It is called Alopecia Areata Monocularis if only one single bald spot is seen and Alopecia Areata Multicularis if there is more than one bald spots seen on the scalp.

Another common type of Alopecia is Alopecia Totalis. This is the loss of all hair on the scalp and face causing complete baldness. And then there is, Alopecia Universalis where there is loss of hair on all parts of the body including hairs in the axilla, groin and nose area.

Other types of Alopecia include Alopecia Barbae this is when the bald spot or spots appear on the beard. Alopecia Postpartum temporarily happens after a woman has given birth.

It is thought the same disease mechanism applies to all of these types of Alopecia. Most people affected with Alopecia have tried different treatments. Many of the treatments don't work and almost always have some kind of adverse side effects to the body.

So you want to be a doula. A Savvy one at that. I'd like to offer you 5 tips to help you be taken seriously as a business owner:

1. Make the decision and say to yourself "I own a doula business". Does it feel different to say that as opposed to "I am a doula". As doulas, we are nurturing, caring, creative and passionate about birth. We hold energetic space for a woman. We use our intuition often. It's a boldly feminine role. On the other hand, running a business is more masculine in nature. It must have its own structure and operate within bigger structures (as in state and federal government structures). We operate the business according to systems we put in place for ourselves, we put ourselves in the public eye through marketing and advertising efforts, and we hold our clients within a framework of expectations. Being a business owner takes recognizing not only who you are as a doula, but acknowledging the fact that you own and must manage the day-to-day tasks of a small business. Both sides of the coin must be balanced.

2. Create a plan for your practice. Business planning helps you to set goals, find out about your competition, determine what your clients want and see what money-making potential your business has in store for you. If you are the sole owner of your business and you are not planning to go into business with others or need outside funding, you don't necessarily need to create a full-fledged formal business plan. Karyn Greenstreet, one of the business coaches I like, wrote an article highlighting the points you should explore when creating a plan. Visit the articles section on passionforbusiness.com

3. Maintain a professional presence. You don't need to wear a suit when meeting with other professionals and clients, but you should dress professionally. Communicate via email without shouting (typing in all caps), the use of slang, emoticons or acronyms (ie: LOL, IMHO, etc) and by all means, use your spell check. Be on time for your appointments and have an agenda to follow for your interviews, prenatals and postpartum visits.

4. Get some business cards. Business cards help to communicate who you are, what you do, and how to reach you. It's much more professional than giving someone the same information scrawled onto a napkin. Business cards can range from free to fancy. I'd discourage the use of cards printed on perforated business card stock because the perforations are visible and don't look very good. A variety of cards can be created inexpensively on VistaPrint using their free templates, or you can upload or create your own card using your logo and branding.

5. Create and have your clients sign a contract. Whether you charge for your services or not, you need to have a contract. Contracts help you define your policies and the boundaries you choose to work within and helps you to communicate those with your clients. It is also advisable to have an attorney look over your contract. If cost is an issue for you, see if there is an attorney referral hotline and ask if there are any attorneys who offer pro bono services. Some SBA offices may also be able to refer you to resources for reasonable or free legal services.

Be proud of yourself. You are a doula. You own a doula business. There are many other factors that make a business owner and a business, but the five tips I've given you will help you be perceived as a professional and will help you to increase your confidence.

I'm going to show you how to get skinny after pregnancy. If you're struggling with pregnancy weight gain, relax... it's not as touch as you'd think to get rid of. Here are 4 simple rules to follow. Following them will get you skinny.

First, I'd like to congratulate you on the birth of your baby. Now however, it's time for me to show you how to get skinny.

Rule #1: Move around more

Yeah, it's boring when said like that. But do this. Get a mini-trampoline ($25 at Wal-Mart) and jump on it for 2 minutes at a time. If you watch tv, do it during commercials. Did you know each 1 hour tv show has about 22 minutes of commercials. So there's 22 minutes of working out without making you more busy or forcing you to block out 30-60 minutes to workout. You get 2 things done at once. Make it three... you also get skinny.

Rule #2: Eat more meals, just smaller meals

This helps speed up your metabolism while making your digestive system way more efficient in pulling out important nutrients for you and expelling the useless wastes. Like the rule above, it accomplishes 2 things at once. It'll also cut down on your cravings since you won't have fluctuating blood sugar levels due to big meals.

Rule #3: Eat a big breakfast

Oh, wait... didn't I just say to eat small meals above? Yes I did. And you can still eat a small breakfast if you want, but if you're to eat a big meal, make sure it's at breakfast time so you have time to burn off all the calories later in the day.

Also, by having your big meal in the morning, you're "front loading" your calories. This helps you to eat less and snack less later in the day. The best choice for breakfast would be 3-4 scrambled eggs with 1/2 a can of black beans.

It's high in fiber and protein... which is exactly what you need for breakfast.

Rule #4: Snack strategically

With my clients, I've found that their snacking seems to hurt their weight loss efforts more than their meals. So let's take care of this right now for you as well. For snacks, I want you to eat only the following foods... low calorie yogurt, baby food puree, apples, grapefruit, 10 black olives, a slice of cheese wrapped around a dill pickle, string cheese, or red grapes. That's it!

If you're serious about losing your pregnancy pounds, then that's how to get skinny after pregnancy. Nothing complicated. So do it and thank me later.

Hypothyroidism happens if you have low levels of thyroid hormones. It is a serious problem and affects a great number of people today. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can be dangerously fatal. Normally, your thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that help maintain and keep your system healthy and balanced. In addition, these same hormones regulate your metabolism. Whenever your thyroid gland is not functioning properly, low thyroid symptoms start occurring and a condition like hypothyroidism happens. Most of the time, this problem occurs in women over 50 years old.

Knowing the Low Thyroid Symptoms

Some of the more common low thyroid symptoms that happen can sometimes go undetected for years and years because of its subtlety. Most of them are common symptoms that we encounter once in a while so it leaves us thinking that it is normal and harmless. However, if not taken care of right away, these low thyroid symptoms can cause even more deadly problems. Two of the most prominent symptoms that people experience are fatigue and low energy levels. Other symptoms also include constipation, depression, muscle weakness, dry skin, puffiness, hoarseness, abnormal sensitivity to the cold, joint stiffness, weight gain, and higher cholesterol levels. It could also cause menstrual irregularities in women that suffer from this problem. You will notice that these low thyroid symptoms are quite common. Therefore, without having yourself checked, it might be difficult to detect that you have low thyroid problems.

Living with Low Thyroid Problems

People who suffer from low thyroid symptoms will attest to the fact that this can pose as a big challenge to everyday activities. You need to follow thyroid-specific medications to help minimize the effects of your low thyroid problems in your usual activities. One of them is of course for you to have a healthy diet. Find time to get some exercise, get plenty of sleep and rest as well as time off to relax. Low thyroid symptoms should be taken seriously. When detected, make sure to seek professional help to find the cause of the symptoms. This helps in preventing the problem from worsening and gives you a good chance to prevent further complications from developing.

Do your ADHD symptoms get worse during certain parts of the month? Do you get organized and efficient after your period, and forgetful the week before your period starts? Experts on ADHD noticed that there seems to be a relation between hormonal fluctuations and the severity of ADHD symptoms. Hormones' influence on ADHD doesn't just happen every cycle; they can last over an entire lifetime. In fact, the average age a female adult gets diagnosed for ADHD is between ages 36 to 38.

Doctors who evaluate women with ADHD rarely factor in hormonal fluctuations when they construct a treatment plan. But an increased awareness of ADHD and the effect of hormones are starting to change this. Here are the four major stages of a woman's life, the hormonal changes that occur at these periods, and the best ways to manage symptoms.

Adolescence

During puberty, the female body produces higher levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. These "raging hormones" often lead to risky behavior, rebellion, and increased impulsivity. During their early teen years, girls with ADHD are more likely to experience academic problems, experiment with drugs, and display aggressive behavior. You can help your daughter by keeping an eye out for signs of worsening symptoms. When you notice this happening, encourage her to accomplish tasks, study for a big test, or write a paper a week in advance. Identify her strengths and skills, and emphasizing these during the emotional lows of her cycle. Try to patient with her if she begins to get argumentative; instead of yelling, show her a better way to handle the situation.

The reproductive years

During the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise. This hormone is responsible for the release of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, and can explain why women are better at managing their ADHD symptoms at this point of the cycle. At the third and fourth week, progesterone levels increase and start canceling out the benefits of estrogen. Experts believe that women with ADHD are more likely to experience severe pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) than women who do not. The good news is that proper ADHD management gets rid of PMS too.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Pregnancy is a period of hormonal change. Not only does the placenta produce more hormones; it stimulates the thyroid and adrenal glands to increase hormonal production as well. During the first few months of pregnancy, expectant moms with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, mood swings, and fatigue. The good news is that these symptoms improve as the pregnancy progresses. After childbirth, hormone levels drop and can cause postpartum depression or mood swings. Make sure that any ADHD treatment you are taking is safe while pregnant or nursing.

Menopause

During menopause, or the last period, your estrogen levels would have dropped by 65%. This drop in hormones does not occur immediately; rather, it is a gradual decrease that takes place during perimenopause, or the ten years before menopause. Women with ADHD going through perimenopause tend to experience fatigue, memory lapses, irritability, and moodiness more than women without. Look for natural ways to stabilize your hormone levels, such as eating food with phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Get a lot of exercise as well. While it might be tempting to seek hormone replacement therapy, this may actually cause a hormonal imbalance that will aggravate the effects of perimenopause and contribute to your ADHD symptoms.