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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Morning Sickness
Morning Sickness
One of the first signs to pop up during pregnancy is morning sickness. If a couple is not planning to have children at that time, this may be the first clue that a little one is on the way. The severity and timing of morning sickness varies greatly with each woman. Some have extreme bouts of it, and it begins early in pregnancy, while others barely notice it, and it doesn’t really affect them very much. If you are one of those women who has a severe case, you are probably looking for cures and advice on how to deal with it.
Morning sickness usually strikes during the first trimester of pregnancy, and is thought to be caused by the wide fluctuation of hormones in a woman’s body. Many women handle it well, while others are knocked off their feet. For the very unlucky, morning sickness lasts for the entire pregnancy. If you are looking for a cure, your best source for information is your doctor. No matter what you try, talk it over with them first. You don’t want to do anything that might harm your baby or you.
Some women handle morning sickness by watching what they eat. The tried and true method of eating crackers and drinking water when feeling sick works well for some women, and not so well for others. Morning sickness does not always occur in the morning. Some women have it all day, and late into the night. This can make life difficult, and a diet of only crackers and water is not the best for the baby.
On occasion, prenatal vitamins can make morning sickness worse. You can help alleviate this by making sure you take your vitamin on a full stomach. Take it in the middle of or after a bigger meal. That way, the vitamins aren’t sitting in an empty stomach. Whatever you do, do not stop taking your vitamins if they are making you feel unwell. Talk to your doctor about how they are making you feel, and try anything they may suggest to you.
You can find a lot of morning sickness cures online, but remember to talk to your doctor before trying any of them. Anything you put into your body is going to affect your unborn baby. Some remedies labeled as natural might not be good for you, no matter what they claim. Sometimes, the cure for morning sickness is as simple as taking it easy, remembering to get plenty of rest, and to lie down when you don’t feel well. Heavy odors and certain foods may trigger your morning sickness, so learn what to avoid.
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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Zoloft Side Effects
Don't use Zoloft During Pregnancy!
Zoloft, also known as sertraline, is an antidepressant that is in the group of antidepressants known selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Zoloft is used to treat a variety of psychological disorders including, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual disphoric disorder (PMDD). These disorders are caused by chemical imbalances within the brain, and Zoloft as well as other antidepressants in this class work to regulate the imbalance to alleviate symptoms. As with other antidepressants, side effects of Zoloft cannot be ruled out and are different in each individual patient.
Patients are encouraged to consult their prescribing physician or psychiatrist if new symptoms appear, if they become worse, or if suicidal thoughts occur at any time during treatment, which occur more often in patients under the age of 18. Since the signs and symptoms of many psychological disorders overlap, patients may be diagnosed with more than one mental illness, therefore the same precautions should be observed whether the patient has major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or any other psychological disorder. For most antidepressants in this class, the patient will not start experiencing relief from symptoms until after at least one week of therapy at the earliest. The average length of time varies, but is usually two to three weeks, and in some patients may take longer. Of course, if symptoms do not subside, possibly a dose adjustment may be in order.
According to various online references, some patients have experienced various Zoloft side effects during treatment including insomnia, agitation, panic attacks, restlessness, fatigue, impulsivity, and mania. Other symptoms may include dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or urinary retention. Zoloft should not be taken if alcoholic beverages have been consumed either. The patient should wait and take the next dose the following morning. This medication should always be taken with food or milk as well, not on an empty stomach. Patients should also avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until they have taken it long enough to know how they react to the drug. Another possible side effect of Zoloft is weight gain, which is common in some patients, as is decreased appetite in others. Zoloft should also not be taken if you are pregnant, lactating, have liver or kidney disease, or have a history of seizures or heart attack. Patients should also not abruptly stop taking this medication without being instructed by their physician or psychiatrist. Debilitating symptoms may return or become worse, which could put the patient back to square one in their treatment.
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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Aromatherapy in Pregnancy
Aromatherapy, or the uses of scents from various natural plant extracts, has been used for centuries in meditation, healing, healthcare, beauty and relaxation. The essential oils are the fragrant essences derived from flowers, leaves, barks, roots and berries. Each essential oil has its own therapeutic properties. Nowadays, aromatherapists, who are individuals essentially trained in how to combine and administer these essential oils, have emerged as complementary healers to the more traditional forms of allopathic medicine.
The appeal of aromatherapy transcends cultures and continents, chiefly because it has proven to work. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used aromatherapy in a wide range of uses – from embalming the dead to treating military soldiers injured in battle. Aromatherapy can be used to treat a wide range of ailments including first aid, stress related diseases and skin problems. Oils can be placed in aromatic baths, used in compresses, or mixed in creams, lotions or waters to help with the health of the skin.
The various uses of aromatherapy in England and the US however, have been quite recent. Over the last decade, aromatherapy has become increasingly popular among the general public, used primarily in beauty and bath care for personal uses. Lavender, tea tree oil, clove, cinnamon, and other oils have been marketed for mass appeal for their healing and relaxation properties. These have been greatly diluted so that an individual will not become sensitive to an undiluted essence.
Self-treatment with aromatherapy, however, should be exercised with caution. Properly used, essential oils are safe, but some oils present hazards that anyone using them should be aware of. I have purchased a number of oils off the shelves, only to find after further reading that these are hazardous and toxic in significantly small doses. There are no warning labels on aromatherapy oils, and if a service provider decides to sell them, people are free to buy and use them as they see fit. Babies, pregnant mothers and older adults need to be especially careful if they come in contact with essential oils.
A properly trained aromatherapist will look beyond merely the application of essential oils, and will strive to treat the whole person to help achieve balance. As essential oils work on a subtle level, the multitude of healing properties they offer differ from synthetic drugs in this respect. They are not tailored to treat a specific symptom, but strive to rectify any imbalance in the body and promote better health and well-being. Aromatherapy has been likened to the Chinese idea of Yin and Yang- a harmonizing balance that exists with opposing energies. When balance is achieved, the person is in a state of health.
I have used aromatherapy for over ten years, and have found the positive effects noteworthy. Primarily I have used oils to treat fatigue, combat stress and promote relaxation. When I travel, I often seek out essential oils that have been distilled in the country I am visiting, for these are usually of a purer and less expensive nature than ones that have been imported into the West. In Morocco, I have bought pure oils of jasmine, rose and neroli, some of the most expensive oils known. In Madagascar, I have bought ylang-ylang, clove, cinnamon, and other local oils that have excellent anti-viral and anti-bacterial oils that are perfect during travelling. Buying, experimenting and learning about aromatherapy oils are part of the enjoyment, and discovering their numerous health benefits through use is part of the reward.
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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Baby Picture Frames
Baby picture frames are very important items for any family who has children. Of course parents love to show off their little ones as much as possible and the right framing can make the difference between a good snapshot and a photographic masterpiece. There are tons of options when it comes to finding the right frame for the little tykes but one brand stands out.
Images by Ellen offers unique baby picture frames that are designed especially for baby’s first picture. By first picture, I mean the infant’s sonogram or ultrasound image that most parents receive during a checkup when the mother is about eighteen months pregnant. This is truly the infant’s first picture.
I loved the ultrasound images of my daughter. She was very active and the nurse suggested that we get a lot of sleep while we could. Our daughter squirmed around so much that the nurse had great opportunity to catch some really cute images of her while she was rolling around.
One of the images appeared to be a snapshot of our daughter waving to us. This is my absolute favorite of the ultrasound images and I wanted to frame it. Unfortunately, I looked through a vast number of baby picture frames to no avail. None were the right size or shape to suit our baby’s very first snapshots.
I decided to let my friend, the Internet, intervene and I was not disappointed. In no time at all I found Images by Ellyn. This company produces baby picture frames designed specifically for ultrasound images. After just a few clicks and one tough decision, I was on my way to receiving a keepsake that I will treasure always.
The baby picture frames are constructed of wood. They are durable and they suit any décor. The sonogram image is protected by a special backing and a glass surface on the face of the image and the opening of the frame is the perfect size for a sonogram image. You don’t need to crop or enlarge the ultrasound print to accommodate these baby picture frames.
The only thing that was difficult about the task was deciding which words to choose for the item. There are a number of sentimental statements that are available for the baby picture frames. The little note of sentiment is the perfect touch for the keepsake. I will always cherish my baby’s very first photo.
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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Temporary Health Insurance
Today, most businesses offer their employees some kind of option for permanent health insurance. Unfortunately, employees are often required to have worked for a company for a number of months, even years, before they are eligible to receive such benefits. Even when they are eligible, the insurance plans themselves often take some time to activate. Additionally, a lot of people find themselves moving from one company to another these days, quitting or being laid off long before their eligibility for benefits rolls around. For this reason, many people today rely on temporary health insurance to provide their needed coverage during these in between periods.
To find temporary health insurance, you should contact a medical insurance agent. It is helpful to know how long you will be without insurance ahead of time so you can tell the agent exactly how long you'll need your temporary plan for. The premium on a temporary health insurance plan is often much higher than normal, though asking for a higher deductible is one way to help offset this. Make sure you carefully read over the details of the plan before you sign anything, often times temporary coverage has a long list of 'exclusions' that may render the plan ineffective for your needs. It is also very important that you keep tract of all medical receipts, records, and transactions so that you can file any claims you make more effectively.
Unlike more permanent plans, temporary health insurance usually allows you to see any doctor, or go to any clinic or hospital for treatment. However, temporary plans rarely will cover preexisting conditions, or health costs related to pregnancy and childbirth. Many short term insurance plans do not cover prescriptions, but offer such coverage at an additional fee. Because of the high cost of medication, and their wide spread use to treat a variety of conditions, it is usually recommended to pay any extra costs to have them covered.
Though they have their drawbacks, temporary health insurance plans are the only ways to ensure your coverage during periods in which your permanent plan is inactive. Short-term programs can include coverage for your spouse and dependents, and can usually be extended without very much hassle if needed. If you have recently lost medical coverage, or are waiting for new medical coverage to begin, it is recommended that you sign up for a temporary health insurance plan as soon as possible.
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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~Prenatal Vitamins
Pre-natal vitamins are an extremely important part of health care during a pregnancy. While they don’t guarantee that you’re baby will be 100 percent healthy, pre-natal vitamins significantly decrease the chances of defects and generally promote big healthy babies. Any health care professional that you see during a pregnancy will practically shove pre-natal vitamins down your throat, as they all know how much of a difference they can make.
Life is a pretty amazing thing, and the process of life development within a womb is beautifully intricate and complicated. Unfortunately, this means that there are a lot of things that can go wrong as well, especially if you are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. While being just mildly deficient in some vitamins and minerals normally doesn’t have a very drastic consequence, when you’re pregnant such mild deficiencies can have significant effects on your child, which is why health care professionals always recommend pre-natal vitamins.
The good news is that it’s really easy to make sure you aren’t deficient in any vitamins or minerals during your pregnancy. First of all, listen to your cravings. If you are pregnant or ever have been pregnant, you know what I’m referring to. If you find yourself with an insurmountable desire to eat a hamburger, then eat a hamburger. During pregnancy, your body is many times more sensitive to its needs than normal, and what you crave in your diet is a direct reflection of what you need.
As a sort of back up measure, take pre-natal vitamins daily to ensure that you’re not missing out on things your body doesn’t even know how to crave. When all you have to do is take a pill once or twice a day to ensure that your baby is getting what it needs, there is really no argument against taking pre-natal vitamins. If they make you queasy, take them on a full stomach. If you are prone to forgetting, set an alarm on your cell phone to go off daily.
If you think you may be pregnant you should see a doctor as soon as possible, and while you’re there ask him or her about pre-natal vitamins. He or she will probably have some good pre-natal vitamins to recommend, and can help further explain why its so important that you take them. The time between conception and birth is the time for laying a strong and healthy foundation for your child to grow from. A strong healthy baby is much more likely to be healthy throughout life.
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