Pregnancy discrimination can occur in multiple forms and can happen in a variety of instances of employment. Many women have suffered through pregnancy discrimination while being hired or promoted - or their employer terminates them, takes away their benefits, or changes their maternity leave. Some women who experience pregnancy discrimination feel that their bosses are in the right, but that’s not always true.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination?
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was passed as an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It states that "women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment­related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work." It also states that an employer is not required to cover health insurance for an abortion, but that’s a different story.
(Please note that this law is in effect only for employers with 15 or more employers.)

What are Some Pregnancy Discrimination Scenarios?
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act can be difficult to understand so let’s examine a couple of different scenarios.

• If you are pregnant and going on interviews for a job, the employer cannot refuse to hire you if you can perform the major functions and requirements of the job. They may not refuse to hire you because of prejudices against pregnant workers. (In fact a potential employer cannot ask you if you are pregnant or planning to have children. If you are still in your first trimester of pregnancy and not showing, you may choose to keep the pregnancy quiet.)
• Your employer must allow you to work as long as you are able to perform your job. If you are temporarily unable to do your required tasks, your boss must treat you as any other disabled employee.
• If you have a pregnancy related disability, your employer must give you the same accrual
  and crediting of seniority, vacation calculation, pay increases
  and temporary disability benefits, as if you were a temporary disabled employee.

The Family and Medical Leave Act, another law, can give you additional protection. If your health care provider says that you are unable to work during your pregnancy, you may be eligible to receive up to 12 weeks off of work without pay. Under this law you must also be allowed to take time off for childbirth, as well as adoption of a child or care of a sick child/family member.

What do You do if You Experience Pregnancy Discrimination?
If you find that you are suffering from pregnancy discrimination, it’s best to follow these steps.

• Document anything that occurs, noting the date, time and place of occurance.

• If you are employed through a union, speak to a union representative.
• Check any employee handbook you were given when you were hired for procedures. If you have none, speak to your employer or human resources department to find out how to file a complaint.
• Continue to work at the level of your job discription and keep detailed notes of your completed tasks, hours, and job evaulations.
• File a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Just because you’re now pregnant, does not mean that the sex has to stop. But there are precautions and techniques to be aware of.

Is it Okay to Have Sex When I’m Pregnant?
It is safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy as long as you are not having any complications. The mucus plug that seals the cervix protects against any infections, as does the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

Speak to your physician or midwife if you are having any contractions after sex, bleeding, or if you are at high risk for your pregnancy. They can give you specifics as to whether or not you should continue having sex.

Is it Possible to Lose Your Sex Drive During Pregnancy?
Many women experience changes in their desire to have sex while pregnant. During the first trimester many women are experiencing morning sickness or hormonal changes, and may not want to have sex at all. During the second trimester, many women experience a surge in their sex drive as they start to feel normal and begin to enjoy their pregnancy. The third trimester can go either way - some women have a high sex drive, while others have less sexual urges than before.

What if Sex Becomes Uncomfortable During Pregnancy?
As your belly gets bigger, it may become more difficult to find a position that is comfortable. You can experiment with other positions and techniques, or feign a headache and go to bed!

How Soon After Giving Birth Can I Have Sex?
Traditionally you should wait six weeks to have sex after you give birth, but you should take into consideration your comfort level. If you are emotionally or physically not ready to have sex, don’t rush into it.

One of the toughest things to do is maintain a healthy diet while you are pregnant.  In the beginning you may be nauseous or have strange food aversions or cravings.  Toward the middle you might be hungry for everything in sight!  And during the last trimester you may have aches and pains and feel like there is no room in your stomach for food. 

With all of the body changes just try to remember that you are trying to form a healthy baby and need to follow a healthy diet!  Here are some general guidelines to help you.

300 calories ! 

Pregnancy only requires an extra 300 calories a day for the baby.  That’s not very much when you realize that a candy bar has more than 300 calories!  So don’t feel that just because you’re pregnant you can eat anything and not gain weight.

Food Pyramid

Following the food pyramid will help to ensure you’re meeting all of your proper nutritional needs.  You’ll want 3-4 servings of dairy, 6-11 servings of grains/bread, 3-4 servings of meat/protein, 2-4 servings of fruit, and 3-5 servings of vegetables. 

Protein

Protein is very important to eat while pregnant.  The amino acids that make up protein help your baby to grow.  In fact, low protein diets can cause low birthweight babies.  You’ll want to shoot for a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day.

Prenatal Vitamins

Most doctors will suggest that you take a prenatal vitamin to increase the vitamins and minerals important to you and your baby during pregnancy.  Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid, calcium and iron than a regular multivitamin.

Tags: healthy eating, pregnancy health

Glucose test screening checks for gestational diabetes, a short-term form of diabetes that develops in some women during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes occurs in 1 - 3% of pregnancies and can cause health problems for the baby.

When can the Glucose Test be Administered?

The glucose test is typically administered around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

How does the Glucose Test Work?

You will drink a sugar drink and have your blood drawn an hour later and the glucose level is checked.  If the reading is high, you’ll have a glucose tolerance test.  During that test you will drink a glucose solution on an empty stomach and have your blood drawn once every hour for 3 hours.

What do the Glucose Test Results Mean?

If your glucose tolerance test comes back positive, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Most women can control their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise. You will probably need to monitor your glucose levels at home. In a small percentage of women, insulin injections are required. In most cases, diabetes disappears soon after giving birth.

Women with gestational diabetes usually do not have an increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect. However, some studies suggest that if your gestational diabetes is severe enough to require treatment with insulin, your baby may be at increased risk of birth defects.

Tags: gestational diabetes, glucose test, prenatal test

Jamie Lynn Spears had her baby shower today. Among the guests - her big sis Britney, her mom Jeanne, and her mother-in-law-to-be!!

“Jamie Lynn opened every gift,” a source tells PEOPLE magazine. “We all sat in a circle and she opened gifts and thanked every person. It was just a good old fashioned baby shower.”

Source: ETOnline

Tags: jamie lynn spears

Here are the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women:

If you are normal weight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8-26.0):

Gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are overweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 26.0 or more): Gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are underweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8 or less): Gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight).

If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): Speak to your health care provider. You will need to gain more weight during pregnancy depending on the number of babies you are carrying.

Most women typically gain 3 pounds in the first 3 months, and then 1 pound a week until giving birth. 

An approximate breakdown of the weight is:

• Blood: 3-4 pounds

• Breasts: 1-2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Baby: 6-8 pounds
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds
• Amniotic Fluid: 2 pounds
• Fat: 7 pounds
• Water: 4 pounds

Tags: pregnancy, pregnancy weight, pregnancy weight gain

The answer is based on a couple of factors, mostly your knowledge of your own menstrual cycle!

If You Know Your Ovulation Date and Luteal Phase

If you know your ovulation date and your luteal phase length, you can test the day after your luteal phase is over. For instance, if you ovulated on January 15th and your luteal phase is normally 13 days, you can test on January 29th.

If You Know Your Ovulation Date but Not Your Luteal Phase

If you know your ovulation date but have no idea your average luteal phase, you can assume it is the average of four teen days and test on the fifteenth date after your ovulation. For example, if you ovulated on January 15th, you can test on January 30th.

If You Know Your Average Cycle Length

If you know your average cycle length, you can test the day after that cycle is over. For instance, if your average cycle length is 30 days and your last period started on January 1st, you can test on January 31st.

If You Know Nothing About Your Cycle

Assume it is the average of 28 days and test on the 29th day after your last period. For example, if your last period started on January 1st, you can test on January 29th.

Tags: pregnancy test

Exercise is extremely important in promoting health and well-being during your pregnancy. Women who exercise during pregnancy have reduced weight gain, improved moods, improved sleep patterns and most experience a more rapid weight loss after pregnancy!  It also will help you to prepare for the physical stress of your labor and delivery.

There are some guidelines to follow when you choose to exercise during your pregnancy:

Tags: exercise pregnancy, pregnancy

The last few weeks of your pregnancy can certainly drag by, especially if you feel uncomfortable or are lacking in sleep!  You’ll be excited to meet your new baby and anxious to induce labor and delivery.  So what can you do naturally to help bring labor on? 

Natural Ways to Induce Labor - Walking:

Walking helps regulate your contractions and the natural movement of your hips helps to bring the baby into proper alignment.  By being upright you are also using gravity to bring your baby downward.  Just don’t exhaust yourself TOO early!

Natural Ways to Induce Labor - Sex:

Tags: induce labor, labor

The following tests are routine prenatal tests for each visit to your obgyn or midwife:

Blood Pressure:

At each prenatal visit your blood pressure will be tested by armband. A spike in blood pressure can be an indication of preeclampsia - which can cause the placenta to separate from the wall of the uterus.

Urine:

At each prenatal visit your urine will be tested for protein, sugar, blood and bacteria.  Protein is another sign of preeclampsia, sugar can signal gestational diabetes and blood or bacteria can signal a urinary-tract infection. 

Weight:

Tags: prenatal, Prenatal Tests