Are you a woman who has just recently had a baby?  If you are, congratulations!  The birth of a new child is a fun, adventurous, and memorable experience.  Although work may be the farthest thing from your mind right now, it is something that you may want to take the time to think about.  After having a baby, a large number of women wonder whether or not they should return to work.

When it comes to determining if you should return to work after having a baby, there are a number of important factors that you will want to take into consideration. For many women, money is an issue.  How is your current financial situation?  Before your baby was born, were you relying on one or two incomes?  This simple question may play an important role in your decision.  Many women are able to stay at home with their children if they have another source of income, like a regular paycheck from their spouse or live in partner.

Although money may be an issue for you, when determining if you should return to work after the birth of your child, it is also important to examine the money that you may save. As a parent, you likely wouldn’t send your child to just any daycare center.  Unfortunately, daycare providers that come highly rated and recommend often have high fees.  It is not uncommon for parents to pay one hundred dollars or more a week in childcare expenses, just for one child.  It is also important to examine the reduction in work purchased snacks and drinks, as well as gasoline to and from work.  After this comparison, you may find that staying home with your child, after their birth, is actually a cost effective solution.

When determining if you should return to work after the birth of your child, you are also urged to examine the benefits of staying home.  From birth to the toddler age, children are at an important stage in their life.  Many experts have stated that close contact between parents and their children can help improve their relationship, as well as improve their developmental skills, as someone is working with them at all times. These are just important factors to take into consideration.

Of course, it is also important to remember that you don’t just have to be a stay-at-home mom.  There are a large number of mothers in the United States who are considered work-at-home moms. With a computer and internet access, there are a number of work-at-home jobs or home-based business opportunities that can allow you to stay at home with your new baby, as well as bring in a source of income.  If you have yet to return to work, working from home is something that you may at least want to take into consideration.

The above mentioned points are mostly centered on the benefits of staying at home with your child, after their birth.  While there are a number of benefits to doing so, you should also know that there are a number of benefits to sending your child to daycare, as long as that daycare comes highly rated and recommended. Perhaps, the greatest benefit is the social interaction that your child will likely receive by being around other children.  It is also important to mention your own needs. Working from home or staying at home with kids is a large task, one that can occasionally be stressful.  That is why many mothers make the decision to return to the workforce after having a child, for their own sanity.

As you likely already know, the decision as to whether or not you want to return to work after the birth of your baby is your decision to make, but the above mentioned points are ones that you may want to keep in mind.  Regardless of whether you decide to return to work or stay at home with your child, your and your child will likely have a long and healthy relationship with each other for years and years to come.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 6,000 years ago that deals with the human body and the flow of natural energy within the body. Acupressure treats the body as an energy system and works to relieve a persons individual symptoms by releasing blocked energy centres in the body. These centres are called acupoints and are found on energy pathways called meridians.

Acupressure is somewhat similar to acupuncture, only it uses fingers and thumbs to stimulate specific points instead of needles. Acupressure is actually considered to be the mother of acupuncture, as it was used long before needles came into the equation.

Acupressure is usually applied by hand, but can also be applied by elbow or by various hand-held devices. By using deep but gentle finger pressure on specific acupoints the blocked energy starts to release, allowing the body and mind to relax.

Acupressure is known to help in a number of positive ways – by reducing stress and tension, increasing blood circulation, aiding in the removal of toxic wastes, providing relief from head, neck and shoulder aches, increasing energy levels, stimulating speedy healing of injuries, increasing general well-being and last but not least – helping pregnant women to have a normal and safe birthing experience.

The latter is also called maternity acupressure or labor acupressure.

How can maternity or labor acupressure help pregnant women?

Maternity or labor acupressure is a holistic method that can have a remarkably beneficial effect in preparing the mother and the baby for the birth. It helps to induce labor naturally and is very effective in giving relief from labor pains without drugs and medications. During childbirth, it can be used to strengthen contractions, help the cervix to dilate and help to relax and stay calm.

A large number of pregnant women are using labor acupressure technique to induce labor naturally, if the pregnancy is overdue. Using acupressure to induce labor is as simple as locating sensitive spots on your skin and stimulating them by pressing the points with your thumb. Labor acupressure uses only application of pressure on specific spots on the skin, so it can be safely used at home with basic instructions. Labor acupressure is a very simple hands-on technique and extremely safe to use.

Studies show that over 80% of pregnant mothers using acupressure to induce labor naturally experience a normal and natural childbirth with significantly less complications than others who are not familiar with this technique. The use of labor acupressure also significantly shorten the total labor time. Women who have used acupressure during pregnancy and childbirth have been incredibly satisfied with the results of this method.

Author:

To learn how to use acupressure to induce labor and to get more information about maternity acupressure click here

In addition to this, I also found some good information (the benefit) of pregnancy massage from the net. I am sure that you may interested to read so I will post it here:

  

Pregnancy Massage May reduce The risk of premature births

Pregnancy massage long has been known to help expectant mothers feel better, and a new study shows it may well provide an even more important benefit – reducing the risk of premature births.

According to the study’s findings, body massage for pregnant women by their “significant others” led to reduced levels of stress hormones in the mother and thereby increased the likelihood of a successful full-term pregnancy. The Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., the National Institute of Mental Health and the March of Dimes supported the study.

The research found that in addition to relaxing the mother, massage might bring into better balance stress hormones including cortisol and norepinephrine. Elevated stress hormones can lead to complications during pregnancy including low birth weight and even miscarriage.

The study, conducted by the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine and Duke University Medical School’s Department of Pharmacology, focused on massage during the second trimester of pregnancy. While other studies have reported beneficial findings in pregnancy massage by trained therapists, the new study keyed on massage by the partner in the relationship, providing for a cost-effective, at-home way for couples to improve the outcome of pregnancy for mother and baby.

Massage by their partners helps women “feel more comfortable and less stressed during pregnancy and therefore they can expect a better outcome,” said Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of Touch Research Institutes, co-author of the study and advisor to the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C.

“Our core mission at the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is to improve the health and well-being of mothers and babies. When something as simple as massage during pregnancy can do that, it makes the research invaluable and directly beneficial,” said Owen Rankin, president of the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C.

In addition to playing a positive role in reducing a pregnant woman’s stress, massage also alleviates aches, pains and swelling for the mother, improves her sleep and eases depression, the study reported.

And, added Field, massage by partners produces yet another benefit: “It gives them a better bond. It’s good for their relationship.”

For more information and educational materials on touch therapy and maternal and infant care, please visit www.jjpi.com.

 

 

Labor and birth of the baby is the effect of dilatation of the cervix, and contractions of the uterus and abdominal muscles. Dilation is the first stage of labor. In the second stage, strong expulsive efforts cause the advance and birth of the baby.

During your pregnancy, changes happen in your body to prepare for these events. The ligaments of your pelvis loosen to permit your pelvis to relax and allow your baby to come out. Other changes occur to adapt your body to accommodate childbirth. Despite these changes and modern medicine, it is unrealistic to aim for a childbirth without any discomforts.

Labor is said to begin when your uterus starts to contract regularly. In the days before the onset of labor, you may experience minor contractions that feel like tightening, and cause discomfort rather than pain. These contractions are important in aligning and positioning the baby for birth.

The first labor pains are grinding, scattered and irregular. Many women describe it as bad menstrual pains. The first labor pains are usually felt in the front site of the pelvis and groin. Pain is mainly caused by pressure on the abdominal and pelvic area due to powerful uterine contractions and stretching of the cervix, vagina and perineum. During labor, contractions increase in frequency and intensity and can become painful.

As labor proceeds, the pains start to appear in the abdomen. The cervix has to stretch to allow your baby to eventually pass through your birth canal. When the opening to the cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor – during which your baby is born – starts. As the baby’s head advances further, pains are commonly felt at the back, hip and groin area. When the baby’s birth is near, stretching of the perineum causes burning sensations. At this stage many women feel like they are going to burst. Majority of them, however, suffer only minor tears, if any, especially if good laboring positions and movement have been used to help the baby to rotate and find the easiest way out.

The baby passes through your birth canal and is born by a combination of the continuing contractions of your uterus, and your conscious effort to push your baby out by using the abdominal muscles. The physical and mental relief after vigorous laboring, and the ecstasy of getting your baby in your arms, are such a victory and pleasure that the last stage of labor – which is the birth of the placenta – is often unnoticed by the mother. As the placenta is much smaller than the baby is, and the birth canal is open, the uterine contractions push the placenta out easily.

We are so conditioned to expect pains in labor that its significance as part of the birth process is discounted. There is no need to automatically opt for epidural or — on the other hand — to give birth in severe pains without any labor pain relief. Unmanageable pain during labor and delivery is not normal or needed. Labor pains, when they are correctly managed, have an important part in assisting and guiding your body to give birth to a baby.

Author:

Lena Leino, author of Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth, created an At-Home Labor Contraction Follow-up Chart so that you could easily document and see the progress of your labor. Now you can get this useful tool at http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com/labor-contraction-chart.html

Waterbirth is typically practiced by an experienced midwife, who, over time, gets plenty of practical, hands on birthing experience with many women. Midwives have the skills to make you feel comfortable and to help you with some minor medical situations. And if they aren’t comfortable helping you, they usually are very quick to refer you to a local hospital or doctor. In some complex situations, like giving birth to twins, midwives don’t do the delivery without a doctor.

Throughout the whole birthing process, waterbirth is very gentle on the mother’s body, as well as the baby’s. The warm water tends to help moms calm down and relax. And water supports the mom’s weight and provides a lack of gravity which helps mom feel more at ease. The large tub and freedom of movement helps the mother change positions quickly to allow faster descent of the baby. In many instances, waterbirth can lower the need for drugs both for pain control and for labor stimulation.

Babies who have just spent the last nine months in water, can be perfectly at ease in their new out of body environment. It is recommended that once the baby is born, you bring it to the surface quickly. Many babies don’t actually begin to breathe until they feel their bodies in an air environment.

Typically, you will have check-ups throughout your pregnancy. Sometimes the midwife will come to your home making it very convenient for you. You can also get the midwife’s contact information, so they can be reached quickly, especially in emergency situations.

If you are opposed to waterbirth, then so be it. Otherwise, if you’ve ever felt a lack of care, attention, or time from your medical or hospital support, then you really should consider the waterbirth option. It is a very safe and nurturing option. Many times the empowerment and strength you feel from a natural, safe waterbirth will greatly enhance your birthing experience. You may never want to try birthing any other way!