pregnancy

6 Self-Care Rituals to Try When You Find Out You're Pregnant

Sarah Winfrey — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 08:00:11 +0000

Congratulations, you're pregnant! Even if this is exactly what you wanted, finding out you're pregnant can be stressful. After all, a new baby changes your life forever. You may need to rearrange your home, move, buy a new vehicle, and more. And even if you have all of that in place already, a new baby will completely transform your daily routine. Here's how to make room for these big changes and lower your stress at the same time. (See also: 8 Money Moves to Make When You Find Out You're Pregnant)

1. Assess your needs

Maybe you need more alone time. Maybe you need some time out with friends. Maybe you need to take regular naps, or meditate a few times each week. Take the time to figure out what you need. Think about your life, and write down what you think would help make your pregnancy more comfortable and how you can incorporate more of that into your routine. Then do it. (See also: 14 Smartphone Apps That Make Self-Care a Snap)

2. Avoid Google

Pregnancy can be a time of high anxiety because you don't want to do anything that will hurt your baby. It comes with all sorts of new physical sensations and experiences. When something feels different, or you have a question, it's natural to want immediate resolution by finding the answer yourself.

The problem with the internet, though, is that you hear about a lot of worst-case scenarios, and you expose yourself to a lot of untested information. This can cause anything from annoyance to outright panic. Instead of going to Dr. Google, find a real doctor, midwife, or doula you can trust. When questions pop up, call them instead.

3. Get more rest

Due to hormonal changes, most women feel more tired than usual, especially during the early days of their pregnancy. Instead of pushing through this, take it as in indication of what your body needs: more rest. By prioritizing rest, you'll not only give your body the energy to grow a baby, but you'll also put yourself in the best possible place to be able to approach your pregnancy with a calm and clear mind. (See also: Treat Yourself With These 7 Free Self-Care Routines)

4. Find or create a calming space

Is there a place that instantly puts you at ease? This can be anywhere from your bedroom or garden, to the local library or the spa. Wherever this place is, spend as much time there as possible while you're pregnant. You can even create a cozy space by adding your favorite books, candles, and lots of warm blankets and pillows.

Even if you can't actually go to your peaceful place because of work or other daily responsibilities, take some time regularly to visualize yourself there. Visualization can be a powerful tool, and can change the way we perceive reality. While you may not reap all the benefits of actually being somewhere relaxing, you might find yourself less stressed. (See also: 5 Ways Self Care Can Actually Save You Money)

5. Take a hike

Exercise is always good for lowering stress, and it can be especially helpful when you're pregnant. Make sure that you consult your doctor about any exercise routines you haven't yet tried but, unless you're on bedrest, taking a walk is almost never a bad idea. And 30-60 minutes of walking each day can help release endorphins in your brain, which will make you feel happier, more relaxed, and able to tackle any challenges that come your way. (See also: 6 Simple Ways to Get More Exercise Without Working Out)

6. Take time to enjoy your pregnancy

If you're feeling nervous or your pregnancy has brought up a lot of unknowns about your future, it can be hard to feel anything but dread. Set aside some time each day to remember why being pregnant is worth whatever you're going through in the moment. Soon, you'll have a child to love and nurture, and you'll get to watch them grow up. You should also keep in mind that your body is doing something truly incredible while you're going about your day. You're creating a life inside your body. That's amazing. And there are women all over the world who have gone through it, and are going through it now — so you can find comfort in knowing you're not alone in this process.

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This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Prepare for Unpaid Maternity Leave

Emily Guy Birken — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:00:10 +0000

Back in 2008, when my husband and I were newlyweds just starting to think about having children, I was still working as a high school English teacher. Another teacher in my department had a baby that year, and I was horrified to discover that our school district did not offer paid maternity leave. Instead, my friend had to save up all her sick days and personal days to equal the amount of time she wanted to take off.

Fast forward to 2010, when I was pregnant with our first child. I found it was exceedingly difficult to save up sick time and personal time, what with all of the prenatal appointments I needed to go to, only some of which I was able to schedule for after school.

Though it's been eight years since I had my first baby, the options available for paid maternity leave are no better than they were a decade ago. Women are still stuck either returning to work long before they have fully physically recovered, or they must take unpaid time off after their babies are born.

While it's a crying shame that new parents are in this tough situation in the United States, it's still on individual mothers to figure out a way to pay for maternity leave. Here is what you need to know about preparing for unpaid maternity leave. (See also: 5 Financial Reasons Paid Parental Leave Is Essential for Moms and Dads)

Understanding FMLA

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 offers new parents (mothers and fathers) up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child. FMLA also allows caregivers to take the same amount of time off to help out with aging parents or other family members with a medical need.

What this law does is ensure that your job or an equivalent job will be held for you during your time away to care for a new baby. However, ensuring that you will not be fired for taking maternity leave is the barest minimum of job protection — and fewer people are covered by FMLA than you might realize.

Workers only qualify for FMLA leave if they have worked for the company for more than 12 months, have logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year, and are employed at a location where their company has 50 or more staffers within 75 miles. Only 60 percent of employees meet the criteria and eligibility for leave under FMLA regulations.

Expecting mothers need to make sure they understand whether or not they can even take FMLA leave based on these criteria. Your human resources department can help you determine whether or not your leave will be covered by FMLA.

Even if you are not covered by FMLA, there is no need to panic. Many employers will be happy to let you take the time you need and hold your job for you, even if you are not covered by FMLA. Talk with your employer so you know what to expect. (See also: The 29 Companies With the Best Maternity Benefits)

Paying for maternity leave

Few people can afford to take 12 weeks off work without pay, so planning ahead for an extended leave can mean the difference between having time to bond with your baby and having to get back to work before you're ready. Here are a few ways you can afford your maternity leave. (See also: 8 Money Moves to Make When You Find Out You're Pregnant)

1. Short-term disability insurance

If you know that you plan to get pregnant within the next couple of years, short-term disability insurance can provide you with the financial cushion you need during your maternity leave. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery are common "disabilities" that can be covered by such insurance. Of course, the catch with this kind of insurance is the fact that you have to sign up for it before you get pregnant, which can make this option a non-starter for anyone who has an unplanned pregnancy.

If you are able to take advantage of short-term disability insurance, you can typically expect your disability payments to begin as of the day you deliver, although you may have to wait for a short period of time (known as the elimination period) before receiving payments. The insurance will generally cover between six and eight weeks of pay at some portion of your regular salary.

You will have to pay the premiums for your short-term disability policy, so factor that in to your pre-baby budget.

2. Save up your paid time off

If your employer allows you to roll over sick days, personal days, and vacation days from one year to the next, saving up your paid time off can be one of the best ways to ensure that you keep your regular paycheck coming while you're at home with the baby.

For instance, if you receive 15 vacation days, five sick days, and two personal days each year, saving them up for two years can provide you with 44 paid days off — or the equivalent of nearly nine weeks.

One important caveat to this plan is the fact that you will want to save some sick days or vacation days for after the baby arrives. There will be times when your little one is too sick to go to day care, and you will have to use a sick day or take an unpaid day off to stay home with baby.

3. Take as much overtime as you can

If your employer offers overtime, you can try to volunteer for as much as you can while you're preparing for the baby. You can either bank the extra money in a savings account you'll live off while you are on maternity leave, or you can ask to use the overtime as flex time, so that your extra hours now will give you paid time off later.

4. Reduce your retirement contributions

Though saving money for retirement is very important, it's better to reduce (or eliminate) your retirement contributions in order to pay for your maternity leave than tap your retirement accounts if you run out of money. For this strategy, either reduce or eliminate the amount of money you send to your retirement fund each paycheck, and instead put that money aside in a savings account to use for living expenses while you are on leave. Once you get back to work, however, make sure you put your retirement contributions back to their previous level. (See also: 5 Times It's Okay to Delay Retirement Savings)

5. Take out a small personal loan

If you have good credit and feel comfortable taking on a little more debt, taking out a personal loan could be a way to bridge the income gap while you are on maternity leave. Such a loan could replace your income while you are on leave, and you could plan to repay the loan once you have returned to work.

This is a potentially risky option, however, if there is any possibility your employer will not hold your job for you while you are on leave. In addition, make sure the repayment plan is one you can easily afford once you are back to work. You would hate to have the stress of paying off your loan on top of the other stresses of new parenthood. (See also: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Taking Out a Personal Loan)

Making time for maternal bonding

Until our society as a whole decides to provide maternity leave across the board, it will be up to individual families to find the money to afford time off work for recovery and bonding. Though it can be an uphill battle to figure out how to afford your maternity leave, it is possible for new moms to find the money they need to afford their leave.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Smart Ways to Save on Maternity Clothes

Ashley Eneriz — Thu, 19 May 2016 09:00:05 +0000

It is so exciting to watch your baby bump continue to grow throughout pregnancy. However, the ever expanding size of your waist can make fitting into regular clothes harder. If you shop smart, you don't have to let the cost of new maternity clothes flatten your budget.

1. Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, and Consignment Sales

Shopping second-hand is a great place to start your maternity wardrobe search. In my experience, you will find maternity clothes in either excellent condition or in very worn condition. This is because a pregnant woman will usually only wear out her favorite pieces, while only wearing a certain dress or blouse a few times.

The thrift store can have very outdated items (think Motherhood Maternity circa 1980s). However, I have personally scored great maternity pieces at yard sales and a semi-annual kids' consignment sale. Look for yard sale listings that advertise maternity clothing or baby items. Many women are grateful to sell their maternity clothes for very little or even give them to you because they are sick of wearing them. When shopping a consignment sale, wait for the half off days to score an even bigger discount. Also, shopping yard sales with a large, pregnant belly has gotten me a bigger discount, but your mileage may vary. (See also: 6 Ways to Save on Pregnancy Expenses)

2. DIY Maternity Pieces

If you have even a hint of sewing skills, you can pull off a handmade belly band, maternity pants conversion, and nursing tops. These DIY maternity wear projects are easy:

Maternity jeans (Use an old or thrifted pair of jeans and $2 worth of elastic)
Jersey knit pencil skirt (Uses about $8 worth of knit fabric)
Ruffled belly band
Transforming a regular shirt into a maternity shirt
Nursing bra
Nursing tank and belly band

3. Invest in Basics

Chances are you will want to spend most of your time in leggings, tanks, and flowy t-shirts. No need to pay a premium for these items at the maternity store. Instead, just buy inexpensive brands (i.e. Forever 21 and Ross) in a size or two up. Expect that you will not be able to wear them after you lose the baby weight, since your bump will stretch out your pieces, making them hang oddly.

4. Extend Your Clothes

A bra extender and belly band (purchased or DIY) will allow you to fit into your clothes for a little bit longer without damaging your current wardrobe. A bra extender costs $3.50 to $7 on Amazon, and a belly band can cost $10 to $20. The bra extender is the best buy, since buying new bras, on top of buying nursing bras, is costly.

5. Share With a Friend

If you have friends that have recently had a baby or will have their baby months before you, then ask if you can borrow their maternity wear. You don't even have to be the same exact size, since maternity clothes sizing is quite forgivable.

6. Buy in a Lot

One thing I did to score a great deal on maternity clothes was to buy them in a lot. I was able to get a whole wardrobe for about $80. This lot included about 20 pieces, and at the end of my pregnancy, I even sold a few pieces on eBay, earning my money back. I ended up getting my maternity clothes for about $4 a piece, and even if I sold all of them for $1 a piece at a yard sale, I would have earned ¼ of my investment back. This is not too bad considering maternity clothes can be hard to resell, especially for how much they can cost.

7. Shop Clearance

Don't forget to check out the clearance racks of your favorite maternity store, as well as other stores that do not specialize in maternity. Stores like Ross, Marshalls, Target, and Old Navy can have great deals on their maternity clothes. Look for a coupon or Target Cartwheel offer to save even more. (See also: 5 Surprising Ways to Save Money During Your Pregnancy)

Remember that your maternity clothes will only be worn for a few months, so think wisely before spending several hundred dollars on fashionable maternity pieces.

How did you save money on maternity clothes?

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Money Moves to Make When You Find Out You're Pregnant

Damian Davila — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:00:03 +0000

In the U.S., we welcome close to four million babies every year. These little bundles of joy rock our worlds and, often, our budgets as well. As a parent of three wonderful boys, I tried to prepare as much as I could before for their arrival.

Between deciding what car seat to buy and picking out the perfect name, take the time to plan ahead for the financial wellbeing of your baby, your family, and yourself. Here are the top eight money moves to make when you find out you're pregnant.

1. Figure Out Parental Leave

Unlike other industrialized countries, the United States is the only nation without paid parental leave required by law. Under the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act, employers with 50 or more workers are required to let their employees take unpaid, job-protected leave for 12 weeks after the birth of a child, while keeping their group health insurance coverage.

However, about 13% of Americans do have access to some form of paid leave. So, inquire with your employer your options:

Find out if the size of your company affects policy (e.g. businesses in Hawaii with 100 or more employees are subject to the Hawaii Family Leave Law);
Ask your employer whether or not they offer temporary disability insurance (TDI) under its health insurance plan, what percentage of your salary that TDI pays, and whether or not you qualify for TDI;
Figure out if TDI is affected by method of delivery (usually six weeks for a normal vaginal delivery and eight weeks for an uncomplicated cesarean delivery); and
Discuss with your manager about the type of leave you'd like to take.

2. Discuss Flexible Work Arrangement

Whether you're the primary caregiver, or a spouse or partner that wants to be more involved during baby's first months, talk with your employer about a flexible work arrangement. Times are changing and more and more companies are willing to work with their employees to create flexible arrangements.

Dads, don't shy away from asking your employer about a flexible work plan. According to the Professional Women Report survey by Citi, when asked about their biggest career regrets, 17% of men would have spent less time at work and more time with their families or on personal pursuits. Not spending enough time with their children was ranked within the top five career regrets by men. It's worth a shot because 14% of fathers receive some amount of replacement pay for paternity leave.

3. Choose a Health Insurance Plan

Another important move is to decide to whose health insurance plan you'll add your baby. Ask your HR department to detail your available options if you were to add children or your spouse to your plan. Ask your partner to do the same with their employer. Then, compare the available options and choose the plan that better serves your needs.

Don't forget to consider if some doctors that you currently visit, or will visit in the future, will be within the network of those plans. A plan may offer attractive coverages, but those benefits may be cancelled out by paying higher copays for visiting doctors outside the network.

4. Get a Breast Pump

Most health insurance plans must provide breastfeeding support, counseling, and equipment for the duration of breastfeeding. Contact your insurance plan for more details about applicable benefits.

Of special attention is the coverage of a breast pump, which could be a rental or for you to keep, manual or electric, or available before or after birth. Depending on your plan, it may cover even some of the premium breast pump models, some of which retail for close to $300. Your plan must cover the entire cost of the breast pump!

Depending on the retailer and your plan, you may only be able to redeem your breast pump by visiting in-person authorized retailers or by calling a centralized redemption center.

5. Look for Hand-Me-Downs and Secondhand Stores

Take it from a dad of three boys: You will get so many clothes and toys, that many of them will go unused. For my third boy, my wife and I barely bought him clothes because he inherited all of his brothers' (some even still in their original packaging).

Many of your friends and relatives have been waiting for the opportunity to share their baby clothes with you. This is a great free way to determine whether or not a onesie, burp cloth, or toy is worth the purchase. If you and your baby enjoy an item so much that it wears out in a few months, then purchasing that item brand new is definitely worth it.

Also, find out through social media and search engines about secondhand stores for baby items in your area. Secondhand stores are very useful for exchanging unwanted gifts that have no receipt for items that you or your baby really need.

6. Join Amazon Family

Formerly known as Amazon Mom, Amazon Family is a variation of the Amazon Prime program, focusing on parents and caretakers with family-oriented offers. This includes 20% off diaper subscriptions, free two-day shipping, and a 15% baby registry completion discount.

To maximize your savings, look for a free trial opportunity (which range from 30 to 90 days), test it out, and then decide if you would like to keep your Amazon Family subscription ($99 per year). During the trial period, look for high-ticket items, including strollers and cribs, that may be cheaper at Amazon than at local retailers. In my case, I saved about $200 on a crib and close to $150 on a stroller.

7. Research Babysitting and Preschool Options

Now is the time to start looking for babysitters and preschools. It may sound a bit extreme, but many preschools have waiting lists that go back one to two years. Your future self will thank you that you took the time to do this in advance and you don't have to settle for subpar alternatives.

8. Research Custodial Investment Accounts and 529 College-Saving Plans

Imagine if somebody offered you an extra 20 years to save for retirement or college — would you take it? In a heartbeat! That's why you should look into setting up a custodial investment account or 529 plan for your child.

Custodial Investment Account

Many brokerage houses allow you to set up an account to make a financial gift to a minor and help teach them about investing. With as little as $100, you can open a custodial account, have $0 maintenance fees unless you make a trade, and enjoy tax-free earnings until a specified limit. The account will be turned over to your child when he or she reaches the age of majority.

529 College-Savings Plan

The earlier that you start saving for your child's education, the less that you will have to contribute per month. Also, remember that federal taxes don't apply to earnings in a 529 plan, and 34 states offer full or partial income tax deductions.

What money moves are you taking in preparation for the arrival of your baby?

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This article is from Damian Davila of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Save on Pregnancy Expenses

Sarah Winfrey — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:15:15 +0000

Babies are expensive. But if you develop the mindset of saving money before your child is even born, it will be easier for you to raise them frugally. Here are some ideas to save you cash during your pregnancy.

1. Visit the Dollar Store

Pregnancy tests can be crazy expensive. Fortunately, you can also get them at the dollar store! Some people feel concerned about whether or not the cheaper tests will work. Luckily, the technology behind a pregnancy test is pretty basic and, as long as you don't need early detection and aren't concerned what the package looks like, the cheap ones work just as well as the regular ones — and can save you a bunch of cash.

2. Be Smart About Maternity Clothes

Instead of buying new, try hitting up your friends to see if anyone has maternity clothes you could borrow. Shop thrift stores, too (most have a small maternity section). Buy items you can still wear post-pregnancy, like shirts with empire waists, or use a Bella Band to extend the life of your regular pants. Sometimes, items in larger sizes will work just as well as maternity wear, and you will want these larger-but-regularly-cut clothes after the baby comes.

3. Add Practical Items to Baby Registries

A lot of people want to have useful things on hand when baby comes, but feel silly putting practical items, like diapers and wipes, on a gift registry. Here's the truth: You won't know if that expensive swing will work for your baby until after you have your child home, but every baby needs diapers. So put those practical things on your registry and let other people buy them for you. Gift cards are great, too.

4. Decide What You Need Based on Your Lifestyle

Instead of buying every baby item under the sun, try prioritizing based on what you already know. For instance, I love to take long walks, so I knew that I wanted to buy a really nice stroller during my first pregnancy. The point is this: You don't have to buy everything. Get what is important to you and wait on the rest. If/when you need it, you can get it then.

5. Research Pregnancy Freebies

Lots of stores, like Babies 'R Us or Amazon Mom, offer point systems. If you pick one or two of these and use them regularly, you'll be able to earn free items. Since you'll do a lot of purchasing while you're pregnant, you'll be racking up points before the baby even comes. In addition, many doctors offices and companies offer all kinds of free samples if you just ask. Try things like formula, diaper creams, lotions, and more before you buy.

6. Compare Medical Costs

There can be quite a huge discrepancy between what different medical providers charge for the same procedures. Before you choose a doctor, hospital, or provider for any prenatal testing, check out all your options. This means doing everything from making sure that you are going to a provider covered by your insurance to figuring out who will give you the best price on things like ultrasounds.

Have you saved money on pregnancy expenses? What did you do?

This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

What It Costs to Raise a Child

Aaron Crowe — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:31 +0000

Raising children can be invaluable and something a parent will cherish forever. The cost of those memories, however, is much more than time spent, diapers changed, toys picked up, and tears shed. (See also: 7 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Stay-at-Home Parent)

As any parent will tell you, there are financial costs to raising children, though they probably don't closely track them. The federal government does, however.

Average Annual Cost Per Kid

The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture [PDF] put the annual cost of raising a child from $12,290 to $14,320 in a two-child, married couple, middle-income family.

Child-rearing costs through age 17 vary by family income level. The total costs range from $212,370 to $490,830, with the average middle-income family spending $295,560 to raise a child through age 17. These expenses don't include college.

The USDA also offers a child cost calculator, which can be a fun form of birth control for would-be parents who have a few seconds to spare online. The calculator asks for the number and age of children, how many parents live in the household, where you live, and before-tax annual household income.

Zip Code Influences Kid Cost...

Some areas of the country are more expensive to live in than others, which might be an incentive to move. Child-rearing expenses were highest in the urban Northeast, followed by the urban West and urban Midwest. They were lowest in the urban South and rural areas. The costs of housing, child care, and education had the most regional differences.

...and So Does Your Kid's Age

Expenses increased as children age, the report finds, with food, transportation, clothing, and health care expenses rising the most as a child eats more and starts driving.

Where Your Kid Money Goes

Where does the money go? About where you'd expect.

Housing: 30%
Child care and education: 18%
Food: 16%
Transportation: 14%
Healthcare: 8%
Clothing: 6%

Another 8% went to miscellaneous expenditures, which can quickly drain a parent's pockets. These include:

Personal care items and services such as haircuts and toothbrushes
Entertainment such as portable media players, sports equipment, and computers
Reading materials such as nonschool books and magazines
Admission fees such as paying to go to a movie, baseball game, or amusement park

Those costs seem to add up fast during summer when a child is bored.

College Is Extra

A big expense that isn't included is the cost of sending a kid to college, although parents might be taking on that expense if they're saving for a child's college education before the child turns 18.

The USDA report cites statistics from the College Board that in 2012 the annual average tuition and fees at a four-year public college with in-state tuition was $8,244, and was $28,500 at a four-year private college. Annual room and board was $8,887 at a public college and $10,089 at a private college. That adds up to about $33,000 to attend a public college for four years, or $114,000 for four years at a private college.

Maybe those priceless pieces of school-made art from kindergarten can be sold at auction.

Kids Cost Opportunity, Too

Along with the cost of raising children, the USDA had other bad news for parents — they're likely to earn less money as they spend their time with their children instead of in the workforce. Current earnings and future career opportunities may be diminished because of job choice or reduced time in the labor force for one or both parents. If a parent has to stay home and take care of children, that parent won't earn as much money as they would otherwise.

But at least the report gets to the point of child-rearing that only parents can understand and appreciate — the rewards are priceless, no matter what the cost.

Or, as the USDA bluntly puts it, "The direct and indirect costs of raising children are considerable, absorbing a major share of the household budget. On the other hand, these costs may be outweighed by the benefits of children."

Where do your child-rearing dollars seem to go? Are you getting your money's worth?

This article is from Aaron Crowe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Paying for Pregnancy and Birth Without Health Insurance

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:48:31 +0000

Babies, whether planned or not, generally come into the world with wonder, delight, and a very high hospital bill. While it used to be that moms relied on their employer's health insurance (or that of their spouse's) to see them through with the expenses, the healthcare landscape is changing fast; no longer can you be guaranteed that baby will arrive while you're covered. (See also: Can You Afford to Have a Baby?)

Before you worry that a sudden change in employment, a venture into entrepreneurship, or a sneaky health insurance clause will have you seeing big bills, check out this list of options for moms-to-be on a budget.

Presumptive Eligibility and Medicaid

While most doctors will ask to see your insurance card, many will not deny seeing you for prenatal care, especially if you are upfront and honest about your situation. If your doctor is a Medicaid provider, they can assist you in filling out the necessary forms to apply for assistance. Even if you don't qualify for traditional Medicaid coverage due to a higher income, many pregnant moms qualify for prenatal and post-delivery care via special state and federal programs aimed at ensuring babies are born healthy.

"Presumptive eligibility" simply means that the provider chooses to provide you care even before you have completely filled out your application for assistance. They go off of the information you give them, as well as a positive pregnancy test. Once you've applied for, and been accepted to receive, health benefits, you can usually expect to see no interruption in your care routine. Most Medicaid programs will also pay bills related to your pregnancy for up to 90 days prior to your application. Keep your receipts.

Non-Profit Assistance

Many hospitals and health systems have non-profit funds that they give to lower-income patients who do not have adequate insurance and don't qualify for state or federal assistance. Usually, these funds are distributed on a sliding scale, but they can significantly cut down on your final bill and keep you from falling into medical bankruptcy or other scary situations. You should ask about any non-profit funds that may be available at the first visit when speaking with the financial counselor at your physician's office or health center.

Preexisting Coverage Plans

These plans are also administered through the government and act as bridge coverage for pregnant women until new coverage laws go into effect. To qualify, you must not have had coverage in the last six months, however. (It's important that, even while you are waiting to qualify, you don't skip doctor's appointments!)

Prepaid Plans

For moms who don't qualify for assistance or choose not to apply for it, there are discounted plans available for moms who can settle their bill prior to delivery. While there can be some surprises with any pregnancy (emergency c-sections, for example), most physicians have a standard schedule of care that they recommend, along with pricing tiers for the prenatal visits, tests, and final delivery. For moms who can pay a little at each visit, or even in full prior to be admitting to the hospital, there is usually a hefty discount — 25% or more in many cases.

Selective Diagnostics

No mom wants to skip out on essential services that can detect problems and provide a happier outcome for mom and baby, however, not all moms agree on what diagnostics are necessary.

Many moms have chosen to opt out of extra screenings, ultrasounds, or blood tests that are more informative than preventative (genetic screenings, for example). This is a very personal decision that should be made with the full understanding of what you are giving up, but it can prevent you from being charged thousands of dollars for screenings that you didn't want or need, anyway. Just be sure to discuss all extra tests with your doctor before the visit they are scheduled for. Many nurses follow a standard procedure for care and may assume you want the tests. If you are opting out of any diagnostics, ask what samples will be used for and ask to sign off on any lab work that you feel may be out of your comfort zone.

Midwifery

This increasingly popular form of prenatal care is gaining respect in the health community, especially among those with limited health coverage. While the cost can vary wildly between geographic areas, most midwives that come to your home for health care can save you 50% or more on the cost of your prenatal care. Add to that the discount received by delivering at home or in a birthing center (rather than a traditional hospital), and many happy moms have reported total bills of no more than $3-4,000 (compared to the $5-12,000 of a doctor-assisted birth).

This choice will be more suitable for those who prefer a natural birth and live close to a hospital (in case of a life-threatening emergency), but many moms have enjoyed the perks of using a midwife while paying for the services in full at the delivery.

Health Care Is Changing

Health insurance is changing all the time, especially in light of the recently passed health care legislation. Regardless of any upcoming developments, however, there are a couple of things you can do before you get pregnant to ensure that you aren't scrambling for coverage at the last minute.

Don't Assume That Your Health Insurance Covers Maternity

Many self-employed and individual plans do not cover maternity care, and those that do may require a separate rider to be purchased. Additionally, those that cover maternity care may only pay for services that are considered "emergency" and will not cover basic prenatal care and standard delivery fees.

Don't Delay the Paperwork

If you plan on becoming pregnant and are eligible for open enrollment at your work, check and double-check that everything gets filled out and turned in on time. Likewise, many employer plans require that you enroll the newborn on the company plan within 30 days of birth, or the child will not receive coverage (and your prenatal and delivery claims may be denied.) Be diligent and never assume that your work has "taken care of it."

How did you pay (or are you planning to pay) for pregnancy related health care costs?

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This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Going to Be a Mommy? Know Your Rights

Mark Britton — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:00:17 +0000

Ah, the work/life balance. For many women, this should be called the "work/mommy" balance, because after working all day and being a mommy all night, there is little else to balance. Moreover, most women find the work/mommy "balance" to be more like being drawn and quartered — painfully being pulled in opposing directions by the overwhelming demands of each role — always feeling they are failing at one or the other, if not both. Now, I don't want to paint too bleak of a picture. Parenthood is a beautiful, magical thing — but it is truly challenging for the working mom.

For some women, these challenges begin when they announce to their employer that they are pregnant. Although everyone is congratulatory and offers hugs all around, male and female managers alike will often wonder whether you securing the leading role as "mommy" will affect your performance as understudy "worker bee" on their main stage. This is a legitimate concern considering that you don't even know how this new role in an evening drama will affect you personally or professionally.

The good news is that the best of employers will make every accommodation to ensure that you are able to have a stress-free birth and recovery. Notice that I did not include "pregnancy" because, until you have your baby, most employers will not alter their expectations regarding your work. Many women work up until the day, if not the hour, of their pregnancy and barely have time to punch the time clock on their way to the hospital.

What if you have an employer that is not committed to accommodating your choice to bear children? What about an employer who assumes that you will be shortly exiting stage left and would rather give you the Sheppard's Hook long before you offer your tearful but voluntary final bow?

The good news is you have rights should you encounter a less than sympathetic employer regarding your pregnancy. The bad news is that you live in the United States. Yes, that's right: The U.S. disappoints when it comes to parental leave. The U.S., along with Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland, and Papua New Guinea (I'm not making this up) are the only countries that don't guarantee paid parental leave.

Being one to focus on the good news rather than the bad, let's have a look at the rights you do have under both federal and state law in the U.S.:

Pregnancy Discrimination Act

As its name implies, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (whose regretful acronym is "PDA") is a federal law that prohibits your employer from discriminating against you from the moment you announce you are "with child." These rights extend through childbirth and any disability resulting there from. These rights prohibit the following:

Firing you because you are pregnant or suffering from a pregnancy-related illness or disability.
Forcing you to go on parental leave. You can work as long as you are able to while pregnant, although you may not see this as a benefit.
Treating you differently from anyone else with a medical-related disability. So, if your organization has policies regarding medically-related disabilities, your employer must afford you the same modified work tasks or disability leave they offer to other disabled employees.
Terminating you while on parental leave. You must also continue to accrue the same seniority and vacation benefits.

Keep in mind that the PDA is not bullet-proof. It only applies to companies with 15 or more employees. Also, many of the rights around benefits and security only apply if your employer offers the same benefits and security to other employees. In other words, the PDA only requires that your employer treat the pregnant you equally, not specially, vis-à-vis your co-workers.

Family and Medical Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FLMA, is another, newer federal law that allows a new mother — whether through childbirth or adoption — or her partner to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in the 12 months following the birth date of their child. You can take this leave all at once or, easier on paper than in practice, in installments following the birth of your baby. Similar to the PDA, the FLMA requires your employer to reinstate you at the same or equivalent job when you return.

Unfortunately, there are even more bullet holes in the FMLA than the PDA. It only applies to companies with 50 or more employees and, typically, you need to have worked for a full year or 1250 hours before your company's FMLA obligations kick in. So, don't plan on getting hired at IBM, having a baby the next month and leading a life of 12-week luxury, albeit unpaid, while Big Blue patiently waits.

The good news is that many employers who have less than 50 employees will have employment policies that mirror or even expand the benefits mandated for larger companies under the FMLA. And once those policies are in place, you are entitled to them under the PDA and potentially other state laws.

State Pregnancy Protection Laws

The state that you live in may have its own laws offering you additional rights regarding your pregnancy and parental leave. The most common and valuable of these additional rights is Short-Term Disability coverage (another regretful acronym of "STD"). STD is designed to cover your wages (or at least a portion of them) due to some form of disability including disability resulting from pregnancy and/or childbirth.

Most states cap the amount of STD benefits, with six weeks typically being the amount of time you are covered for pregnancy. Some states go as high as 12 weeks or extend the time due to complications with your pregnancy (e.g., bed rest) or birth (e.g., a C-section). Your state will usually cover 50% to 66% of your income and you will probably be required to pay an amount from each paycheck to cover your salary (or a portion of it) during the time that you are disabled.

Your company's human resources department can educate you on your state's STD coverage and any other rights available in your state. He or she can also help you maximize your leave using a combination of parental, personal, vacation and/or disability leave.

In a nutshell, these are your various rights once you are pregnant. The key is to do your research early in your pregnancy regarding the particular facts of your employment situation. With your legal house in order, you will feel that much more comfortable when the house lights go down. You will be that much more prepared to hit the "mommy" stage with grace and aplomb.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest post by Mark Britton, Founder and CEO of Avvo. Avvo rates and profiles 90% of the lawyers in the United States and has the industry's largest Q&A forum where you can ask these lawyers legal questions regarding your employment situation — anonymously and free. For more resources from Avvo:

This article is from Mark Britton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 More Ways to Save on Maternity Clothes

Linsey Knerl — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:42:15 +0000

Recently, WC Porter shared 3 super ways to get by on a smaller budget when purchasing pregnancy duds. As someone who just gave birth to her 5^th child, I’ve gotten pretty efficient with spending less for maternity wear. Here are four clever tips you may not have known about!

Pregnancy Bands

It had only been 3 years since my last child was born, but my pregnancy jeans from that era were sadly outdated (and fit strangely…have you seen how large the caboose can be on some styles?). Instead of pulling out my credit card to buy yet another 3-4 pairs of maternity jeans, I improvised with a few different brands of maternity “bands.” These clever accessories fit over the waist of any of your regular jeans, and helps hold them up and together when you grow too large to button them. They work great for women who are too small to fit into most maternity jeans, and I was able to sport one over my baggy pairs until my 8^th month of pregnancy — saving $100 or more on jeans I didn’t have to buy. (I reviewed two of the major brands and compared the features of each.)

Dress Rental

Remember the movie 27 Dresses? The recurring joke was that the brides seemed convinced that the bridesmaid dresses could be worn again after the wedding (as if). The only thing worse than being saddled with an expensive bridesmaid dress after the event is being saddled with an expensive maternity bridesmaid dress after the wedding. As someone who was an attendant in a wedding with a significant baby bump, I’m aware of the added cost that a formal wear shop will attempt to bestow on the mom-to-be, and how I will NEVER wear my chocolate tulle elephant dress again. That’s why companies like Rent Maternity Wear are so appealing. You can rent a dress for a fraction of buying new, and you can even pay extra to be guaranteed that your dress will be brand new when you get it! (Likewise, each dress only gets rented out a few times, which means you get a pristine outfit for your next event!) Moms who aren’t sure what size they will wear can get the next size larger or smaller for no extra charge, provided they send it back if it doesn’t fit. How cool is that?

Non-Maternity Gear

Just because you feel like a house, it doesn’t mean you have to shop in the house department. Some of my most comfy maternity clothes aren’t maternity clothes at all! Long flowy dresses with drawstring waists, stretchy tees, and yoga pants with low waists kept me comfy and stylish for casual outings well into my 7^th month. If you find yourself popping out beyond the limits of even your most forgiving clothes, go ahead and buy new. But don’t confine yourself to maternity alone. A plus-sized outfit or something in a few sizes larger may look better on you than a maternity piece in your own size. Play around with it, and look for bargains in every department.

Shop Online

Some of my favorite maternity retailers also have online outlets (Motherhood Maternity, for example). The exact same pieces were sold in store as on their website, but the site was consistently sale priced at 20% less than the brick and mortar option. I would frequently visit the site, pick out a few clearance items that I could wear year-round, and then visit the actual store to get a good idea of how it fit. Then I would go home and order online for a greater discount. Paying $12 for a nice dress instead of $20 feels really good!

What about you? In addition to consignment and garage sales, asking a friend, and those tips I mention above, do you have some secrets to getting fabulous maternity clothes at a deep discount (or even free?).

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Ways to Save Money on Maternity Dresses

Carlos Portocarrero — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:00:03 +0000

When you're pregnant, getting dressed can be a real nightmare. With all the changes your body is going through, getting dressed in the morning takes on a whole new dimension. I think M (my wife) is handling it really well, but in two weeks we have a wedding to go to and finding a fancy dress for an eight-month old pregnant woman isn't easy.

Let me rephrase that: it isn't cheap. There are tons of boutiques out there with hundreds of options, but they'll likely cost you anywhere from $150 to over a thousand dollars.

The good news is you don't have to spend that kind of money.

Here's why: the women that buy these dresses almost never wear them more than once and they feel bad about it. They feel guilty about buying a dress they've only worn once and then relegated to the back of the closet. They want you to borrow them. We asked a friend if she had any dresses and half an hour later she had two dresses ready for M to try on.

When those didn't fit right, she called her neighbor and she had four dresses ready to go in an hour or so. She even let us take two of them so M could think about which one she wanted. She told us:

I'm just so glad that someone else will get use out of them — I only wore them once.

That's where you come in: all you need to do is get in touch with these women and ask to borrow their dress. Here are three ways to play the "only wore it once" game.

Friends and friends of friends

This is what we did. Just ask the people you know if they have any dresses or if their friends have dresses. Odds are someone had a wedding or other event while they were pregnant.

Join a community

Here in Chicago, we have a site called NPN, which is a fantastic community of parents and soon-to-be parents. You can find people to nanny share with, answer questions about just about anything, and discuss any topic related to having kids. Find a local equivalent and ask around.

Consignment stores

Some women will sell their dress to a consignment store and that makes them cheaper for you to buy. Not the greatest option (since you'll still be paying for a dress you'll only wear once), but better than paying hundreds of dollars it.

Asking around saved us from spending around $200 on a dress M would only wear once. That's money we're going to need for diapers, a changing tables, the college fund, etc. That's when the real fun starts.

This article is from Carlos Portocarrero of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: