In todays world of modern technology where computers do not simply have keyboards, but in addition to that they also have the option of installing software that can actually produce the written word when it hears the spoken word, its perhaps difficult to believe that there is still a need for typists. However experienced typists are very much wanted and needed.

If you have the ability to type, and have taken a typing proficiency test online to find out what level your skills are at, you may like to consider the following options as potential venues to aquire typing employment:

1. Professionals in your community. Above all doctors, dentists, and attorneys. These businesses use audio to record their case notes but some smaller practices that do not desire to spend money hiring someone full time will frequently outsource their transcription work to a fast and precise typist. If you do not have transcription equipment, it might be a good investment. Owning this equipment will let you transcribe digital and physical files. Many professionals will send their files to you by digital format since this is the easiest method of transferring the material back and forth. Though, there are a few who will still be using Dictaphone and mini-cassettes as a result you’ll either have to choose one or the other, or purchase equipment for both types of audio.

2. Students. Despite the fact that lots of students are capable of typing their own papers, there are a few who prefer to pay a professional to do it for them. Advertise your services in community colleges by pinning a notice on the notice-board that provides a price rate per A4 page double spaced. Senior college students may also pay to have their resume typed up professionally for when they enter the job market.

3. Writers. As weird as it may seem, there are actually several authors most often older ones who just dont want to type. They believe it thwarts their creativity. These potential employers will prefer to either handwrite or dictate their material and have you type it for them.

Although this list is not complete, it demonstrates that instead of being unnecessary, typists mainly those who are skilled and dependable are even now still very much needed in business today.

Elise Fisher enjoys writing articles for Chris Dunn. Chris is the manager of a medical transcription business that sponsors Free-Typing-Test.com.

Trust is at an all-time low in America organizations. It’s no wonder when you consider how little respect employees get from above. When I visit organizations, staff members tell me about problems. More interestingly, they tell me their innovative ideas to fix the problems. “What a great idea,” I say. “Have you shared your thoughts with your boss?”

Their response typically is: “Oh, he never listens to me.” Or: “Yes, but she hasn’t done anything about it; she never does.” When that happens a few times, people stop sharing their ideas.

The most successful organizations make sure people listen…to employees, to customers, to outside opinion leaders, to critics. Listening builds trust and respect. Listening solves problems.

But listening is not easy You’ve had a lifetime of not listening well. And you are just like most of the rest of the world.

It is no wonder we aren’t better listeners:

• It is not taught in school.
• No one ever listened to us when we were kids, for the most part. We have no role models we can emulate.
• The most typical responses we get when we are frustrated, hurt or angry are non-acceptance. Others tell us we shouldn’t feel that way because it really is not that important. (This response tells us our feelings have no validity to the other person.)

Here is one effective way to remember to be a good listener. Create an imaginary new tool for your communication toolbox. It is a piece of cloth about six-inches long and one-inch wide. A zipper goes down the middle, but it doesn’t open. On the back is an adhesive that allows you to stick it on other surfaces. Where do you think you should put it?

That’s right. Across your lips. I call this the ZIP-IT tool. This passive listening tip works wonders when you remember to use it. But to be even more effective when listening, occasionally feed back a very brief summary of what you heard - paraphrase. Or simply repeat the last word or two someone says. They will usually keep right on talking.

Avoid the temptation to change the subject or take over the conversation. It is natural when talking with others to want to tell them what you are thinking. Most of us are much more interested in what we have to say than what someone else is saying. While listening, our brains are constantly thinking of images, sounds and feelings related to what we have heard. Our brains race along at about 4-5 times the speed of the words we are hearing. It is hard to pay attention.

I have been very fortunate in life because I learned active listening beginning when my first child was a year old. That was 36 years ago - and I’ve worked many years to get better at it. I wanted to be a better father than mine. I wanted to build a relationship with my son, which I didn’t enjoy with my dad. (I had to wait till I was grown before my dad and I learned to love each other and share our feelings.)

The magic of listening When I teach managers and leaders listening skills, magic starts to happen.

• An insurance company manager said he had had the longest conversation ever with his teen-age daughter. They talked for over an hour after she told him he wasn’t listening and he remembered his training. He was overjoyed and so was she.
• A school superintendent told me that phones in principal’s offices were ringing less often after his staff had begun to listen before jumping into problem solving.
• Managers say problems between different parts of the organization get solved. People begin to understand the viewpoints and needs of others.

Make listening a daily goal until it becomes a habit. Teach others to do it. You will reap many benefits. And people will love you for it. You will begin to build trust!

Jack Pyle, Fellow, Public Relations Society of America, is president and janitor of Face-to-Face Matters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a communication consultant and provides leadership communication training to corporate, government and nonprofit managers. He speaks frequently at state, national and international conferences. Book Jack, an energetic and informative speaker for your next event or get more ‘Tips for Action-Oriented Leaders’ by visiting http://www.FaceToFaceMatters.com

There are available insurance schemes covering the loss of personalised number plates , but are they a worthwhile expenditure? Let us look at the potential circumstances which could result in a claim.
The first would be the theft of the registration number on it’s own.To do this the criminal would nee your vehicle documents ( V5C log book,m.o.t and tax disc ) he would also have to forge your signature and change the address on your V5C.Unless you keep you V5C in the glovebox this is a low risk scenario.

Second would be the theft of the car with the number on it.Once again the thief would need your vehicle documents to be able to transfer the registration.It is no longer possible to obtain a duplicate log book as if someone other than you applies the DVLA will write to you immediately.If the car is not recovered you can get your registration number back through normal DVLA procedures although you will have to wait 12 months.Having insurance will not alter this rule.

Total loss is next.Assuming the car is a write off following an accident it should be easy enough to put the number on retention before you settle with the insurance company , do not part with the V5C until you have done this.

Failure to transfer the registration number before selling or trading the car is the last possible scenario.Registration numbers go with the car ( or more accurately the V5C ) sq it is recommended to always put the number on retention before you even advertise the car.Should the personalised number plate be lost through failure to do this it would amount to negligence on your part and it is unlikely to be covered by insurance.

In summary it seems , in our opinion , that insuring your personalised number plate may not be as worthwhile as it might appear as there are already procedures in place to protect you. In any event the DVLA know where all cars and registration numbers are and can therefore trace them and a personalised number plate is of no use to anyone outside the uk so what would a thief do with it?

Visit us at :-
Number Plates

You just stayed up for six nights, sweating over your resume for a great new opportunity you just heard about. You tweaked each sentence, added each bullet-point, and rewrote each accomplishment, until you could see wisps of smoke wafting out of your laptop. Or, even better, you just paid your hard-earned dollars to a top-notch resume writer who created a shiny new resume from your scribbled notes and best recollections. Only one

problem, somebody put it in your head to go with a “functional” resume, an oxymoron if there ever was one.

Functional resumes have been offered since the 1970s as a “sure cure” for those who have changed careers a few too many times, for older job candidates trying to hide their age, or for jobseekers who have mysterious, inexplicable gaps in their employment histories. Ever since then, from the 1980s until today, functional resumes have been touted by resume book authors, career professionals, and even some resume writers.

Let me take this opportunity to drive a nail or two into the coffin of the functional resume. My general distaste for them centers on one very important truth… When an accomplishment occurred is often just as important as that it occurred. If a broker is attempting to sell you a mutual fund, the fact that it performed well in the distant past is simply not going to persuade you to buy it now. You want to see exactly when and where it excelled, and how it is currently performing.

Imagine that you are a very busy employer… You have dozens of resumes on your desk. In between meetings and deadlines, you must choose a few resumes that are the most viable candidates. As is the norm these days, you are going to take anywhere from an initial 12 to possibly 40 seconds reviewing each resume. The first resume (Combination Format Resume), features a summary section near the top, documents each job (beginning with the most recent), and clearly and concisely outlines the responsibilities, competencies, and descriptions for each position. Also, right there, next to each job item, significant accomplishments, awards, and results that the candidate earned or achieved are

highlighted.

The second resume (Functional Resume), also includes a summary section near the top. But then it shows various sections touting the candidate’s capabilities and accomplishments, often in no discernible chronological order. Areas of expertise, awards, and successes are highlighted, but they do not show the job to which they apply. At some point

within the resume, there is also a chronological listing of the candidate’s positions with little or no description.

So, which resume do you think gives you the information you need with the least work, and which resume stands out? To me it’s a no-brainer. You want to know what the candidates did, how well they did it, and exactly when they achieved their accomplishments.

Employers have an understandable preference for recent accomplishments. By preparing and submitting a functional resume, they are forced into the fairly arduous and time-consuming task of trying to identify each accomplishment statement, looking at

the position listing (often on another page), and attempting to match the two the best they can. “Oh, it looks like the bulleted item, “Ranked #1 in District with $1.3 million in sales,” was not during either of her previous two positions, it was 12 years

ago at Xerox.” It may be wonderful that a job candidate won a sales award 12 years ago, and as a resume writer I will probably include that, but I won’t make you work to find out when and with whom it was earned.

Of course, as a resume writing professional, I have clients who had magnificent accomplishments years ago, and sometimes, for reasons beyond their control, they have much less to say about their more recent achievements. That this is exactly where my

role as a resume writer comes in. Rather than trying to take the easy road with a functional resume that simply confuses or hides when and where their accomplishments were achieved, I try to probe more deeply and capitalize on those aspects of the recent

job experience in a manner that can reflect positively on the candidate. If not written properly, a resume can infer that a candidate’s recent accomplishments are less important than her previous experience, whether true or not. Even if true, I try my best, within the limits of accuracy and credibility, to make the case that her current or more recent experience is just as weighty as positions held before.

Since there are exceptions to every rule, there are some limited cases where I believe it could conceivably be advisable to use a functional resume. However, I can think of only a few instances over the past several years when I “went functional.” Here are a few

examples:

* A multi-millionaire applying for an honorary position with a White House fundraising committee * A candidate with extreme gaps in employment who had been incarcerated for the previous six years * A banking professional who absolutely insisted on a functional resume because he “heard it was the best way to go”

Everything is a tradeoff, and a functional resume surely takes the focus off of a recent career downturn. But my two cents worth is that the functional resume, with the time-consuming gymnastics it requires of employers to try to match accomplishments with

each position, turns off far more employers than it attracts, harms more jobseekers than it helps, and is probably not worth the high-priced resume stock paper it is written on.

Grant Cooper is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer, author of numerous career-related articles published in journals, newspapers and online, and is the founder and president of Strategic Resumes, professional resume writers providing the best in resume writing services.

For more information visit http://www.strategicresumes.com.

Question #1 - How many years of experience do you have as a full-time resume writer?

While tons of experience by no means guarantees that a resume writer has the “write stuff,” significant lack of experience (two years or less) generally indicates a lack of breadth in the types of knowledge that you would want to see in someone summarizing your career into a polished document. A less experienced writer who works closely with a more experienced mentor, however, should be just fine.

Question #2 - Are you a Certified Resume Writer?

There are at least four major organizations that certify resume writers. If a resume writer claims to be certified, you can confirm their status by visiting the websites of those credentialing organizations. The four main organizations are:

-Career Directors International (CDI)

-Career Masters Institute (CMI)

-Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC)

-National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA)

A resume certification means several things, all of which should be important to you as a potential client. First, it means the writer took the time, energy, and resources necessary to join a professional organization. That is, they see themselves as professionals and are serious about their craft. Second, they have passed an examination, submitted samples of their work, and passed the scrutiny of their peers. Many attend annual conferences where they are updated on the latest and most effective techniques in resume writing (ask your writer if he/she has attended a conference recently).

Are all Certified Resume Writers going to be excellent? No, just as all accountants or doctors are not at the top of their profession. But your search should definitely begin with verifying certification. Also, most credentialing organizations have a “mediation” process in the event you have a serious dispute with your writer.

Question #3 - Do you have experience in writing resumes for my field?

Since you are obviously an expert in your own profession, it should be fairly easy to engage the writer in a conversation that will reveal his or her knowledge. Unless your field is completely unusual, any good resume writer should be able to “talk the talk” and know much of the lingo of your profession. For example, if you are a medical office manager, the writer should be telling you they have experience in writing for clients who understand HIPAA compliance, ICD-9 and CPT codes, and Medicare / private insurance billing procedures. Writers are most effective when they have experience in the specific field involved in the resume.

Question #4 - How much will my resume cost?

First, you should distinguish between resume “typists,” who simply type and format the wording that you provide… and resume “writers,” who gather information from you and other sources, creating a unique, compelling resume that is likely to generate interest by decision-makers. Also, there are “resume mills” on the Internet that charge very low prices (kind of like getting your car painted “like new” for $99). A reputable firm with experienced, certified writers will generally charge anywhere from $200-$500 per resume, depending upon your career level and other factors. If the price is significant below or above this range, alarm bells should go off.

Question #5 - Do you have a guarantee? If so, what is it?

Most resume writing organizations I have checked out offer, at the very minimum, a “rewrite” guarantee. That means that if you are dissatisfied with the first draft, they will take input from you on your concerns, and generate at least one rewrite. Some writers “guarantee” that your new resume will generate interviews, but again, their remedy is to rewrite your resume. If you can find one of the few resume firms that offer an unconditional money back guarantee in case of dissatisfaction, that is the best you can do. Some writers will maintain that they are so good or so professional, that no guarantee is necessary. If that is the case, you should make your own decision on how to proceed.

Question #6 - When will my order be completed?

Unless your background is extremely complex (I’m thinking of an internationally renowned scientific consultant who has made presentations on three continents and published 20 scientific papers, etc.), your resume should be ready in a week or less, preferably two to three days. Any longer than a week is generally not a good sign. I have seen resume writers who are great at taking in orders, only to let them gather dust and finally “crank them out” when pressed by the client. Of course, the timeline for completion only begins once you have furnished all of the information requested.

Grant Cooper is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer, author of numerous career-related articles published in journals, newspapers and online, and is the founder and president of Strategic Resumes, professional resume writers providing the best in resume writing services.

For more information visit http://www.strategicresumes.com.

Health care costs are sky high, and consequently so are health insurance rates. So how can you get a cheap health insurance quote? Here’s how …

Cheap Health Insurance Plans

The cheapest health insurance plans are Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Point-of-Service plans (PPOs).

HMOs

HMOs are the least expensive of the health insurance plans. They provide health care through a network of doctors and hospitals.

With most plans you pay a small fee known as a copayment for each doctor visit. You don’t have to fill out a bunch of forms as you would with a traditional plan, and there are no deductibles to pay.

When you’re ill you must consult your primary doctor, also known as a gatekeeper, who will either treat you or refer you to a specialist. You are not covered if you choose to go to a doctor who is not part of your network.

PPOs

PPOs cost slightly more than than HMOs, and are the most popular health insurance plans because they provide more flexibility than HMOs. They too provide health care through a network of health providers.

Your copayment for each doctor’s visit is about the same as an HMOs, and there are no forms to fill out and no deductibles to pay. There are no gatekeepers with a PPO so you can see a specialist without first seeing your primary care physician.

POSs

POS plans cost more than HMOs and PPOs, but provide the most flexibility of the three health insurance plans. They provide health care through a health provider network, but you also have the option of seeing a doctor of your choice.

Copayments for doctor visits within the network are about the same as they are for HMOs and PPOs, and you will be reimbursed up to 80% for your out-of-network doctor visits after you pay a deductible.

Cheap Health Insurance Quotes

The best way to get cheap health insurance quotes is to go to an insurance comparison website. Here you can get quotes from health insurance companies so you can compare rates. Some sites even have an insurance expert on call so you can chat with him or her online and get answers to all your questions. (See link below.)

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get cheap health insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more health insurance tips by checking out their “Articles” section.

The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written a number of articles on how to get cheap health insurance quotes.

When I first began my career as a professional resume writer in 1994, I noticed a difference in how male and female clients related their backgrounds and accomplishments. At first, I just chalked it up to a minor variation in how the genders viewed themselves and their work.

On one hand, I routinely interviewed male clients who would exaggerate or embellish their career highlights and accomplishments, while on the other hand, my female clients would generally understate or minimize their roles and contributions.

For example, my client Brad had filled in for his boss for a 6-week period during his job, and insisted that I elaborate on his duties and accomplishments as “acting general manager.” When I questioned Brad as to specifics, he said that the company basically ran on “autopilot” and that he mainly functioned as he had prior to his boss’s absence.

Susan, my client who had served as director for her firm for nearly a year, stated, “Well, it really wasn’t my job, I was just filling in.” After querying her further, I learned that Susan spearheaded an initiative that landed her firm’s biggest client and introduced several successful cost-cutting measures that resulted in a banner year of profitability.

Year after year, I have seen this trend remain constant and I continue to assist women clients who undervalue their careers and fail to adequately note their accomplishments in their resumes. Not being a sociologist or research scientist, I cannot say with any certainty as to why this is the case. Perhaps women are raised in our society to be self-deprecating and not “brag” or “boast,” while men are raised to take credit wherever possible and actually inflate their contributions. Or perhaps there may be some innate gender forces at work.

Although I am certainly not qualified to understand the root causes of the “gender gap” in terms of “tooting one’s own horn,” I am fully qualified as a resume writer, and I can state unequivocally that minimizing one’s accomplishments is a sure path to short-circuiting a competitive job search. As I conduct the client information-gathering session that is part of the resume creation process, I now probe much more deeply with my female clients and end up uncovering a wealth of skills, accomplishments, and career-related highlights that might have remained hidden, and that qualitatively improve their resumes.

Perhaps as a side-benefit of this process, I receive ongoing feedback from my women clients that they have gained enhanced self-esteem and a renewed sense of confidence by having a professional tell them that it’s perfectly O.K. and even crucial to “brag” and to “toot their own horns” on their resumes.

Grant Cooper is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer, author of numerous career-related articles published in journals, newspapers and online, and is the founder and president of Strategic Resumes, professional resume writers providing the best in resume writing services.

For more information visit http://www.strategicresumes.com.

The thing I love to do most on a guitar is to play old-time fiddle tunes with a flatpick. It was not until after I had played guitar for about ten years that I took a few lessons Mick Martin, an incredibly fast and articulate flatpicker in Pittsburgh. Mick set me on the right path toward getting those fiddle tunes to flow and to really ring out crisply and cleanly on a guitar. These principles are applicable to not only bluegrass or fiddle tunes, but to all kinds of acoustic guitar music played with a flatpick.

Let’s start with your picking hand. If you want to play fiddle tunes or do lead guitar breaks in a bluegrass band, the first thing you need to do is start with a pick that is thick enough! Use at least a medium pick-usually about .73-.81mm. This may seem difficult at first, but it is absolutely necessary, so that you’ll get strong, snappy notes that really make a statement.

Next, be sure to grip the pick firmly so that your thumb and index finger cover most of the area of the pick. I use a standard Fender 351 Medium pick (or something comparable). Instead of holding it lengthwise, I hold the pick so that the top (that is, the shortest side) of the pick is lined up over the top of my thumbnail, so that the edge of the top of the pick is hitting the strings. This may or may not be best for you, but, in any case, choke up on that pick! You don’t want to play little wimpy licks!

Last, but not least, DO NOT rest the palm or wrist of your picking hand on the bridge or on the top of your guitar. Your hand needs to float freely so that you can keep the edge of the pick at pretty much a 90 degree angle from the strings. Keep your pinky or ring finger (or both) stiff so that one of these fingers glides LOOSELY over the top as a reference. This will definitely seem awkward if you are not used to it, but it is a must if you’re going to be a good acoustic guitar picker!

So, we have looked at some techniques for the picking hand (the right hand, assuming you are right-handed). Now let’s consider the question: What should the left hand be doing?

As to good left-hand technique, here is the first rule (which should be obvious): Keep those fingernails trimmed well! You need to be able to press the strings down with the least amount of effort in order to be a good picker-and long fingernails throw a monkey wrench into the works.

Now, let’s start at the very beginning-at the first position. The first position simply refers to musical pieces that are played, for the most part, using the first four frets. Thankfully, the kinds of picking I like to do (bluegrass licks and fiddle tunes) are often in the first position. This allows for lots of open strings to be hit often so that the tunes are “anchored” by the drone of the open strings. This gives the guitar a full sound even when you play all by yourself!

Now, when you pick out guitar lead parts in the first position, the index finger will cover the notes played at the first fret. The second finger will cover notes in the second fret. The third finger will finger the notes in the third fret. And, “Mr. Pinkie” will finger the notes played on the fourth fret.

Now, as with most things in life, there are exceptions. The above principle should be regarded primarily as a guideline. From time to time, you will find it necessary to break this rule. Many chords, for instance, simply cannot be played unless the “one finger per fret” rule is violated. Certain licks will be played more speedily and cleanly by straying from the principle. But as a general rule, it is best to discipline yourself to abide by the precept of “every finger has its fret and every fret has its finger.” Make exceptions only when there is a definite purpose in doing so.

Disciplining yourself to play within these guidelines may seem awkward and difficult at first (especially in situations that require the use of “Mr. Pinkie”). But the long term results of speed and precision will make it all worthwhile!

If you are new to picking, get started out the right way. If you’ve been playing for years, but it doesn’t seem to be happening for you, then “unlearn” your old ways and learn the way that works. You won’t regret it!

Copyright © 2007 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lee Griffith is an avid acoustic guitar player and a vintage instrument enthusiast. He invites you to receive a FREE REPORT on a revolutionary acoustic guitar lesson kit, along with his weekly newsletter via email. just click on http://optin.flatpickpost.com Check out Lee’s blog, “The Flatpick Post” at http://flatpickpost.com

As a professional resume writer, I regularly receive compliments from clients, generally stating how ecstatic they are about getting that great new job or promotion they were seeking, how many interview requests they have received since using their new resume, or how the interviewer was highly impressed with their resume.

However, I have rarely received a compliment or testimonial quite like the one I received from Tara, a resume client living in a semi-rural area who contacted me through our website (name changed to protect client privacy… all other details accurate).

Dear Grant,

Just call me one more employed, happy customer. The resume you did for me took me from a $10 an hour job to a six-digit income! I’m not joking. I was expecting good results, but nothing like this. If you would like to use me as a reference, please feel free to do so.

Sincerely,

Tara

When I first interviewed Tara to gather information for her new resume, she warned me that she “didn’t have much to work with,” that she had been a stay-at-home mom, that she had not had many “normal” jobs, and that she felt at a disadvantage in rejoining the workforce in competing with younger, more corporate jobseekers.

At first glance, Tara’s background and situation, though non-traditional, were not all that rare, particularly for many female clients who have been out of the workforce for a period of time. Tara was basically a stay-at-home housewife who had earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education many years prior and had not had a traditional job history, primarily due to raising 2 young children.

Her previous jobs consisted of a couple of retail sales positions prior to attending college, working as a student teacher during the completion of her university studies, and later serving as a substitute teacher for several years, with a few long-term substitute teaching assignments. Tara was currently tutoring a young child with autism, a position she took more for love than money, earning $10 per hour.

In other endeavors, Tara had sold kitchenware through a company that targeted school and non-profit fundraising promotions, and had served for two years as fundraising chairperson for a local animal welfare organization. I also highlighted Tara’s many volunteer activities for her children’s schools and several area civic organizations.

My big surprise in interviewing Tara was to discover that she had recently helped her husband in his (unsuccessful) write-in campaign to run for Congress, something that she was reluctant to even mention, saying that “it’s not important.” I dug deeper and asked her if she was her husband’s campaign manager. She laughed and said, “I suppose so.” I found out that she was the one who arranged press conferences and wrote press releases, deposited donations, wrote checks for expenses, submitted the campaign finance reports, and handled all other aspects of campaign administration.

I was able to weave a creative non-traditional resume based upon her various activities, previous jobs, and her “campaign manager” experience. The result was an attractive, compelling document targeting non-profit positions, something she agreed she would enjoy. After submitting her resume to area non-profit agencies and organizations within a 1-hour commute, Tara landed a six-figure position as director of an advocacy organization. Tara explained to me that they were attracted by her background in fundraising, campaign management, and community involvement. Of course, Tara felt that she “aced” her interview” and “connected” with the search committee members who interviewed with her… But, as she says, it was her creative resume that opened the door.

Grant Cooper is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer, author of numerous career-related articles published in journals, newspapers and online, and is the founder and president of Strategic Resumes, professional resume writers providing the best in resume writing services.

For more information visit http://www.strategicresumes.com.

The nine months of pregnancy is a crucial period for both the mother and the fetus. It is over this period of time that a fertilized egg develops into a fully formed newborn. The pregnancy period can be broken up typically into three stages called trimesters. Each of these trimesters spans over a period of roughly three months or thirteen weeks. Though there are no hard and fast rules regarding the demarcation of the periods yet the changes that take place over the months are better described with distinctions being made between the trimesters. The mom-to-be ought to learn up certain things about the stages of pregnancy and the adequate care thereof.

Care during first trimester

The first trimester is the period when the developing embryo becomes implanted into the endometrial lining of a woman’s uterus. The period is characterized by morning sickness as is observable with most women in their first trimester. Besides, changes in the size of the breasts and body mass, vomiting and nausea may also be observed. There may even be experienced excessive urination. This is the period which concludes with the fetus growing to a hazelnut’s size and starts showing signs of life. Since most miscarriages occur during this period considerable caution needs to be observed. Intensive and regular medical checkups are a must during this period to take care of the health of both the fetus and the mother. It is important to keep monitoring the health during this time lest any more than usual pregnancy related symptoms can be seen. A nutritious diet and light physical exercise routine need to be followed at such time.

The second trimester concerns

During the second trimester most women start feeling more energized and start putting on weight. The morning sickness subsides and soon is no more experienced. The developments and first movements of the fetus start getting felt within. The protrusion of the belly also starts getting more prominent at this time. Though weight gain is common during this period rapid and considerable weight gain will be an indication of multiple births. However, excess weight gain could also mean problems and it is advisable to consult a physician during this period.

Care to be taken while the third trimester commences

With the onset of the third trimester the final weight gain takes place and the fetus shows signs of regular movement. This may be an uncomfortable period for the mother and symptoms of weak bladder control and back ache can be seen. Leg cramps can also be felt. These may result in sleep disturbances and can aggravate the cranky feeling characteristic of the stage.

This period may also be looked upon as the ‘preparation time’ for childbirth. So, would-be moms ought to start taking breastfeeding and childbirth exercises to make them better prepared for managing delivery and post natal concerns.

The would-be mother usually gets screened for group B streptococcus (GBS) during the third trimester. Though the GBS bacterium is harmless in case of adults the babies becoming infected with it can become critically ill. So, this checking should importantly de done. Besides, vaginal examinations need to be taken up to check out the baby’s position and detect cervical changes.

***You may use this article on your website as long as the two URLs are hyperlinked.

Tania Penwell provides information on pregnancy stages and other information for Pregnancy & Baby