The Many Benefits of Fish Oil For Pregnant Women By Kathryn Lane

Fish oil for pregnant women is one of the most important supplements, for both mothers-to-be and their developing babies. Omega 3's in fish oil help to prevent the postpartum depression that can make like difficult for new mothers, and are vital to the fast-developing brain and eyes of the baby, both before and after birth.

The omega 3's are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). They are called essential fatty acids, because our bodies can't make them and they are needed for good health. They're found in richer supply in fatty fish than any other food.

Thousands of published research studies have shown that DHA, especially, and to a lesser extent EPA, are extremely important. DHA makes up a third of the brain, and the brain cells will take up DHA in food or supplements in preference to any other fatty acid. A third omega 3 called DPA (for docosapentaenoic acid) is also found in fish oil. The function of DPA isn't known. It may have unique benefits, and some research is being done on it, but no one knows for sure.

DHA has powerful benefits for your emotional health. It's a powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient, which appears to explain many of its health benefits -- besides the fact that you and your baby both have brains that are 60 percent fat, and half of that is DHA! There appears to be a strong link between lack of omega 3's and postpartum depression -- the "baby blues" that are quite common after childbirth, that make it so hard for a new mother to enjoy her life and her baby.

As far as your baby is concerned, fish oil has been found to protect against symptoms of asthma, hay fever and allergies. A lack of omega 3's has also been linked to Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia -- which can make it very difficult for children to learn to read.

If you plan to breast-feed your baby, you can assure the baby of lots of DHA in your breast milk by supplementing with a good omega 3 oil -- there is no effective vegetable substitute, despite what you may hear.

Three concerns about omega 3's are especially important when you consider fish oil for pregnant women -- freshness, purity and the amount of DHA you're getting for your money.

The best omega 3 oils will tell you, in plain English, how well they meet all three of these concerns. The average omega 3 oil on the shelf at the drugstore or market will not even mention molecular distillation, the most important step in purity, simply because they are NOT molecularly distilled -- and most will contain only 12 percent DHA, not enough for best nutrition for either you or your baby. So check the label!

Kathryn Lane is a longtime health and nutrition researcher. The best fish oil supplements she has found have never been the most expensive or the most-advertised. Her websites recommend only products with a no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee: http://www.quality-omega-3.com/

Paying Attention - The Art of Keeping Your Attention on the Subject! By John Rakestraw

Our need to communicate makes us all reach out and vie for the attention of anyone near us. Everything we do in life requires communication with others. Just try to not communicate with people and you will see where that leads you.

Exchange of ideas is a two-way road. It is an activity, something we need to act upon, not a one way street. The honest listener's role is as central to the communication process as the speaker's role. Honest communication and honest connections occur when the listener plus the speaker pay attention to each other.

Since paying attention is as important as speaking in the honest listening process, if you want to improve your skills, you will need to BE THERE!

We are the product of our upbringing, culture, life experiences and anything and everything that makes us who we are. Our individuality can sometimes be a barrier to paying attention. As we honestly listen, we need to remain open to what is being said. Become aware of what your triggers are in the communication process and what shuts you down from paying attention.

Monitor your own and other peoples listening routines. Remember how it felt when someone took their time to listen to you and when they didn't. Take a moment to list the behaviors that you find annoying in the listening habits of other people and then scrutinize your own behaviors. See if you just might be exhibiting the same behaviors you find annoying. Create an inventory of the habits you want to amend. Making sure you take the time to salute yourself for honest listening habits you have that do work. Once you spot and diminish habits that get in the way of your ability to pay attention, you'll increase your usefulness as a listener.

Honestly take the time to listen to the speaker without jumping in with a quick response. That way you can hear everything that is being said, taking note of the entire points and then answer. I know the appeal of jumping in at the natural breathing pauses with your own thoughts. But filling that pause with your own reflections will take you out of the current conversation and make you lose your attention to the speaker's main talking points.

Have empathy. Empathy is clearing out the mind and honestly listening with your the whole heart. This is a respectful way of understanding what others are experiencing. Giving your attention over fully to them is the best gift we as honest listeners can bestow.

Create an environment for honest listening to occur. Remove distractions. If you don't give the time or space to be an honest listener the speaker will feel stressed. Plus you won't be available to pay attention to what the speaker is saying. Let the speaker know that you will honestly listen and be fully present for the conversation in mind, body and soul.

Expectant mothers and birth allies need to explore the whole world of childbirth together. There's a lot out there to read, watch and to discuss. The best way to help you work together is to keep the lines of communication open. Most of us have two ears, two eyes and one mouth. Which means we should all listen and read twice as much as we talk! Please join us as my wife and I work towards more people finding the joy of home birth at http://www.organic-birth.com

NOW when you sign-up for our Homebirth newsletter The Pea Pod, you get Four FREE... that's right... four FREE documents! We here at Organic-birth.com want to reward you with our great information in our e-zine! Plus, four wonderful downloads...a Regular Birth Plan, our very comprehensive Birth Supplies List, learn to be an Honest Listener with our 16 page booklet and then How to Interview a Midwife, where you learn how to find that person who best suits you and your birth! Remember it's all FREE...All you have to do is sign-up at http://www.organic-birth.com

John Rakestraw, My wife, Toni, and I have 8 wonderful children. We've had 4 home births and would love to help more families realize this dream!