How to increase a chance to have a baby Girl?

If you are not interested in genetic engineering or artificial insemination, there is no certain way of conceiving one gender versus the other. There are, however, various theories about how to increase your chances of a specific gender. Selecting Gender According to surveys more than 90% of expectant parents have a preference in regard to their unborn child’s gender. The reasons behind the preferences are varied, and when parents don’t get their wish, they adapt and are overjoyed to welcome any new baby to their home. But if you are ready for a girl and want to try to tip the scales, here’s how:  The Shettles Method Doctor Shettles penned the most popular method designed to increase the chances of a female. Before beginning the method, you must understand the rationale behind it. Women produce an egg every month during ovulation. The egg is always carrying an X chromosome. Two Xs make a girl and one X (the egg) plus one Y make a boy. Men are responsible for the second X or Y. Each sperm is assigned one chromosome. When a male ejaculates, he sends 200-400 million sperm into the vagina that immediately begin searching for the released egg. Out of those millions, only one sperm gets the prize, and the chromosome of that one unites with the X of the egg, and the miracle has begun. The Shettles method offers instruction on how to get more X-carrying sperm to the egg and beat out the Ys.  Conceiving a Girl To actively work at conceiving a girl, you must know your cycle. Chart your cycle for a couple of months to see what day you begin your period and what day you are ovulating. You can do this using an ovulation kit or basal temperature. Then, once you know the day you will ovulate, begin having sex immediately following the end of your period. Have sex at least once a day until two or three days before ovulation. Then stop. (Sorry, guys.) Y-carrying sperm swim faster than X-carrying sperm. The boy-makers also tend to die out more quickly. By stopping three days before ovulation, you are ensuring the only sperm left waiting around for the released egg are the longer-lasting, slow-swimming X-carriers. (Sperm can live up to 5-7 days inside a woman’s body.) When the remaining sperm meet up with the egg, it is far more likely an X sperm will get the honors.  Doctor Shettles also suggests having sex in the missionary position to deposit sperm as close to the entrance of the vagina as possible. He also suggests the woman not orgasm during sex (Sorry, girls.) An orgasm can make the vaginal environment alkaline which can kill off sperm more quickly preventing any pregnancy. Written By: Rebecca

Health exchange could cost up to $34 million in Ohio; Kentucky still biding its time -- until after the election?

As 27 states, including Kentucky, bide their time in setting up a health care exchange — a key component of the federal health-reform law — Ohio officials have said setting one up in their state will cost $19 million to $34 million.

The undertaking could cost $8 million a year just for staff salaries, with 170 employees needed to run the exchange, reports Cliff Peale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Marketing could cost $5 million a year, said a health-care consultant at Milliman Inc., an actuarial and consulting firm.

"Ideally, we want to see Obamacare repealed," said Susan Verble, deputy chief of staff for Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who also directs the Ohio Department of Insurance. "Whether it's a state or federal-run exchange, it's going to be costly for taxpayers."

Starting in January 2014, "the law will require all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty and require companies with more than 50 workers to offer benefits or pay a penalty," Peale reports. Ohio and Kentucky have each received $1 million from the federal government to research how to start an exchange.

Kentucky has not decided whether it will operate an exchange. Officials with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said last month Kentucky is still awaiting guidance from the federal government, but didn't respond directly when asked if the impending election for governor was also a factor. (Read more)

Tonight, acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia narrowly won a special election for the remainder of an unexpired term, after losing a big lead. The final television commercial from the Republican Governors Association was an attack that Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear may be trying to avoid: A link between a Democratic governor and the unpopular Democratic president's health-care law, passed with only Democratic votes. --Al Cross, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues

State senator says U of L doctors used Medicaid funds to pay themselves $4.8 million in bonuses, seeks more oversight

State Sen. Tim Shaughnessy has questioned a $30 million transfer of surplus Medicaid funds to Passport Health Plan board members in 2008 and 2009. Shaughnessy, a Louisville Democrat, says doctors at the University of Louisville medical school paid bonuses to themselves using about $4.8 million intended for indigent care and used another $5.2 million to purchase an electronic records system, making them eligible for more bonuses from the federal government, Deborah Yetter of The Courier-Journal reported.

Since Attorney General Jack Conway ruled the transfer illegal, some groups have elected to repay. University Physicians Associates will repay $9 million over five years; U of L, University Medical Center and local hospitals that provided capital to start Passport have agreed to repay, but on different terms. Conway did not indicate whether the $4.8 million in compensation was bonuses or salaries, Conway spokeswoman Shelley Johnson told Yetter.

Shaughnessy said repayment is not sufficient to address the real problem — "that U of L's board wasn't involved in major financial transactions involving groups with which it is affiliated, including Passport, University Physicians Associates and the U of L medical center," Yetter reports. "We need to know how this happened, and we need to make sure it doesn't happen again," Shaughnessy said in an interview.

Shaughnessy is working on legislation for the 2012 General Assembly requiring public university boards to apply more oversight to groups like Passport. He has also written letters to Passport chairman Dr. Gerard Rabalais and U of L President James Ramsey. (Read more) To read Shaughnessy's letter to The Courier-Journal, click here.

How to Tighten Pelvic Floor Muscles After Childbirth?

Pregnancy and childbirth are almost sure to weaken that oh-so-important muscle group, the pelvic floor. The weight of a growing baby puts pressure on it, and with a vaginal delivery, you can experience bruising, stretching, and tears of the delicate tissues. The end result? Slack tone, and possibly, incontinence! No need to worry, though, because it's fairly easy to regain lost tone.   Step1 Everyone has heard of the Kegel exercise. It is the single most important thing you can do for your pelvic floor. You can do them before birth (it might even make delivery easier!) You can, and should, do them immediately after delivery. Because the tissues are so traumatized, you may have difficulty, or you may not be able to feel what you're doing. That's ok- do them anyway. If you have never done Kegels before, find the correct muscles by stopping and starting the flow of urine. Once you know what you're supposed to be contracting, do slow contractions several times a day. You may only be able to hold it for a few seconds at first, but as the muscles become stronger, you'll be able to hold the contraction longer. The biggest obstacle for most women is remembering to do them! Don't worry, no one will be able to tell you're Kegeling- do them in the car, at work, and while watching TV.  Step2 The Gyneflex is a device used to provide resistance while you're Kegeling. It is similar to the difference between doing a pushup, and doing a pushup while someone sits on your back! Using a Gyneflex can get you back to your old self (or better) much faster than simply doing Kegels. Choose the appropriate resistance ("light" is probably best immediately post-partum) and lubricate the device with KY Jelly or a similar lubricant. Proceed with your Kegel exercises as usual. Step3 Ben wa balls are weighted balls that can also be used to strengthen the pelvic floor. Lubricate and insert, then wear them around the house while you putter around. Wear a panti-liner (the lubricant can be messy). Just like when you wear a tampon, your vagina will contract to hold the balls in place. Eventually, you will be able to hold the balls inside all day, if you like! Step4 Another fun exercise can be done during intercourse. Squeeze the penis as tightly as possible with the vaginal muscles, then relax. Repeat and enjoy! Vary the depth and angle of penetration to ensure all the vaginal muscles get a good workout. Some women are able to bring their man to climax with just these contractions, no thrusting necessary! Step5 Don't stop exercising your pelvic floor once you achieve the desired tone. Like any muscle, it can atrophy with disuse.