The recent Gallup Organization survey notes that women are putting off both pregnancy and gynecological exams due to financial constraints and money concerns.

According to coverage of this issue in the Chicago Tribune, “Women who were in a relationship but not married were most concerned about an unintended pregnancy, at 33 percent. Almost one in ten married women said the economy was a factor in their decision to postpone a planned pregnancy.”

Postponing a pregnancy is one thing; dire consequences won’t come of avoiding a pregnancy, but skipping gynecological exams due to economics is quite another issues. Women need to have a basic gynecological exam on a schedule. Some experts recommend annually, others bi-annually, but no matter the schedule, skipping health care due to costs is something that may create problems, especially if you’re planning on having children later on. Pelvic exams, pap smears and mammograms (if you’re the right age) can help prevent major illnesses by catching issues early. Regular gynecological exams also mean healthier babies later on. Most exam appointments screen for STDs. Many STDs if gone undetected can create fertility problems later on.

However, it’s all good and well to preach about the benefits of gynecological exams, but if you can’t afford one, you can’t. So, if you’re in this boat, how can you get the health care you need?

Resources for free or low-cost health care for women:

AHIRC.org: An up-to-date, comprehensive and unbiased database of health care resources for artists, performers, freelancers and the self-employed.

Planned Parenthood exists in most cities and offers sliding scale and low-cost health care for women, including full gynecological exams, pregnancy testing, birth control, STD testing, and so much more. Plus they’re not snotty. Everyone I know who has ever visited a Planned Parenthood has claimed that the experience was a good one.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, helps low-income, uninsured and under-served women gain access to early detection programs for breast and cervical cancers. Services like pap tests and mammograms are provided free-of-charge or on a sliding scale based on your income. Call: 1-800-CDC-INFO to learn more.

If you are pregnant and uninsured find out how you can get free or low-cost coverage.

Foundation for Health Coverage Education: At this website you can connect with the Health Coverage Eligibility Quiz, State by State Applications, and more.

Find guides to health insurance coverage for your state at CoverTheUninsured.org.

Another idea is to check with your local college. Even if you don’t currently attend, many college campuses, especially those with health programs, offer lower cost health care visits and plans.

Do you have any tips for finding the women’s health care you need?

[image via stock.xchng]

USA Today just ran a good piece about how to extend your health care coverage if you’ve been laid off, a piece, that sadly, many of the workers in the U.S. can use right now. Most of us have heard of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which allows you to extend your health care coverage, but it’s always been hyper expensive to do so, which makes little sense, since the last thing people without work need is way higher health care costs.

The USA Today piece points out that now the new economic stimulus package enacted this year seeks is addressing this issue by helping to lower costs. The catch; many may be ineligible for this subsidy or need to take extra steps to prove they qualify.

KEY POINTS:

• “The stimulus package subsidizes 65% of COBRA premiums for up to nine months for individuals who were laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and the end of this year.“
• You may be ineligible for reasons such as being fired for gross misconduct, if your employer canceled group coverage, and for a number of other reasons.
• State and national COBRA laws differ to a point, so you’ll need to research COBRA both at a national and state level to learn if it can help your family.
• If you’re denied COBRA coverage, you can appeal.

LINKS THAT CAN HELP:

• Fact Sheet: Job Loss - Important Information Workers Need To Know To Protect Their Health Coverage and Retirement Benefits
• Protecting Pension and Health Care Benefits after Job Loss

[image via stock.xchng]

Did you know that nearly one out of every 10 children in the US has asthma?  Asthma can be overwhelming and scary for a child.  It is important for parents to talk to their children about asthma and how to properly manage the condition.

Schering-Plough has partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop Breathless Bethany Buttercup, a cute and colorful children’s storybook that uses a little girl’s story about her experience with asthma to provide information about asthma management.  It’s designed to help parents talk with their kids about the importance of properly managing the condition.

You can order the book for FREE at asthmastorybook.com.

Turkey Butt has been very sick with the stomach flu. Her doctor gave her a prescription for anti-nausea that has helped but we are still trying to get Gatorade and Pedialite down her. Her favorite drink is strawberry milk and I can’t let her have that on such a queezy stomach until she is better. Our doctor says if she isn’t better by tomorrow, then she iwll have to be hospitalized. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.

So here is what I am trying and I hope it will help you as well to be mindful of keeping fluids in your sick kids:
* Use Pedialite freezer pops. Turkey Butt thinks they are ice pops and I am hoping she will eat them.
* Find a favorite color. Of course, I let Turkey Butt pick out her Gatorade and she picked pink. I’m trying everything.
* My LEAST FAVE IDEA - I let her go to bed with a cup of ice water. I will take any fluid any time I can get it down her.
* Use fun straws and cups they aren’t normally allowed to drink out of.
* Take them shopping for a new cup or water bottle.
* If they like pop cycles, then freeze their favorite juice in ice trays, cover with saran wrap and stick a toothpick in it.
* Make a smoothie with ice instead of milk and add fruit to the juice. This is very healthy and full of water.
* Let her pick out a fun kind of drink package like the healthy juice boxes and bags. Not the best thing to do to your pocket book, but it is very fun for them.
* Save a fun bottle and mix tang. My aunt does this and we call it special juice. My daughter will drink it like it is going out of style because of the packaging. This works great in the summer time for Turkey Butt.
* If they aren’t stomach sick, just not drinking, offer strawberry or chocolate flavoring to their milk. At least it’s fluid down the tummy.

I hope these ideas help you keep your kids hydrated during the summer and when they are sick. I am trying just about all of them right now. Wish us luck! Will update you tomorrow wither from home or the hospital.

Recently I was sent a bag of Weight Watcher’s newest desert, Pecan Crowns.  They are 1 point and absolutely delicious.  I usually don’t like deserts, just ask Karen, but these are really good.  They are like those wonderful pecan turtles minus the guilt.  The chocolate melts in your mouth and I would wholeheartedly recommend eating them for a guilt free desert.

I hate it when Turkey Butt is sick.  I take full advantage of the snuggle time,. but I hate it when she runs a fever and is nauseated.  It’s just never any fun.   Remember the good old days when we could feel comforted as parents knowing the cold medicine we were giving our kids was helping?!?!?!?!?!  Now I just feel helpless.

I am not meaning to be disrespectful but I was watching a show on Discovery Health about freebirthing.  Freebirthing is when you give birth without the assistance of even a midwife.  I am all for home births.  My girlfriend had her third child at home and it was beautiful!  But she had a midwife present in case she needed anything.  I have seen a good friend almost have a SERIOUS situation upon the birth of her son.  So I am all for not havign a baby in the hospital.  But one of the ladies had a low lying placenta.  She is risking her life and the life of the baby.  Help me understand!  I am all for saving money, but this is a little extreme.  And yes, I do know they aren’t doing it to save the money.

If you’re looking to go light this Thanksgiving, or even if you want to justify that extra piece of pecan pie, then try these recipes courtesy of Cooking Light.

Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic-Fig Dressing

Roast Turkey with Onion and Cranberry Chutney

Wild Rice Pilaf with Sausage, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Celery

Brussels Sprouts with Currants and Pine Nuts

Gratin of Cauliflower with Gruyère

Bakery Dinner Rolls

Pear Pie with Streusel Topping and Caramel Sauce

photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner, courtesy of Cooking Light

I have always wanted to loose weight and get into shape but I refuse to pay for a gym membership.  So I started looking around my home to see what we could use to exercise with and found some really easy ideas to exercise for free.

1. Arms and shoulders- I play “superbaby” with my son and lift him above my head with repetitions.
2. Shoulders - Shake out your shirts and pants several times before you put them in your dryer while they are still wet (for extra weight).
3. Forearms - Fill an empty milk jug with water and hold it out straight to strengthen your forearm and wrists.
4. Abs - Play horse with your kids by placing them on your legs and lift them while pulling your stomach in.
5. Abs - Have your kids sit on your feet and play peak-a-boo as you do a sit up and hide from them when you go down and BOO them when you come up.
6. Butt - Peak - a -Boo is a great game here too as you can do squats behind the couch or counter to play with them.
7. Thighs - Walk up your stairs several times while carrying your kids.
8. Calves - Have your kids ride on your shoulders as you lift up on your toes.
9. Legs and Butt - Do lunges around a corner to surprise your kids and hear them laugh.  Little Man loves this game.
10. Walk/Bike ride - Just get out and play with your kids.  They will remember the time, not that you were exercising.

We as a society need to be more active and including our kids in this is how to teach them without them realizing you are exercising.  And I love the free part.

Funny title?!?!  I was just thinking that if I didn’t have insurance, I would really be broke.  My family has been to the doctor every week since July 1st.  I added that up and our copays through next week will be a grand total of  $240.  That does not count whatever copay we will have to fork out for Little Man’s surgery on Friday.  I can’t imagine what we would do without insurance.  Oh, wait … we’d be broke!  Next week will be hopefully the end for a while.  Now I know why I strive to save money everywhere we can.  I have to shell it out elsewhere.