Gooey Almond and Coconut Chex Mix

Growing up, Sunday night meant something my family called junk-a-thon where all the forbidden sweets from the week became available to us. I think it is for this reason that I love anything snack-y that I can nibble on when it's Sunday night and I'm hanging out with my family. Last night my husband and I tried a new recipe and it instantly became a hit!

Now, I don't know about you but I am a coconut fiend. I mean really, my family calls me a "coco" nut and it's true, so this recipe was right up my alley. It's super easy too so in just fifteen minutes your house smells amazing and everyone wants to bow at your feet and bring you gifts . . .

Okay, so no gifts or bowing but some pretty good hugs and kisses!

Ingredients:

1 (14 oz-17 oz) box of Rice OR Corn Chex cereal
7 ounce bag of sweetened coconut
5 ounce bag of almonds (about 1 1/3 cup)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) margarine or butter
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup (like Karo syrup)
Dash of salt

Directions:
Spray a LARGE (you know, the one in your house that proves you are a woman) bowl with non-stick cooking spray. Pour in the box of Chex cereal, coconut, and almonds. Gently mix together so that you don't crush the cereal; it's better if it's whole.  

Mix together the sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and dash of salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a full boil, turn heat down to medium, and cook for three minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over the cereal mixture in the big bowl and stir evenly. Again, move quickly so it coats the cereal evenly but try not to crush the Chex in the process.  

Spread cereal evenly on wax paper and let cool (or don't and just eat it warm!) 

When it's cooled you can bag it up in cellophane bags and share (you know, if it actually makes it out your door). Airtight containers work as well.

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How to Upgrade a Rental Apartment

Let’s face it. College years (and often beyond) are the renting years. You live in a place that someone else owns and sometimes it can be hard to make a rented apartment or house feel like your space. Lately I've been feeling the renter’s blues and I've been going crazy trying to add personal touches in a non-permanent way. I've found that there is quite a bit that I can do to make a standard apartment feel homier. As such, I thought I would share five tips to spruce up your rental.

1. Replace Your Hardware. Changing wall plates, knobs on drawers or cabinets, or even replacing the kitchen sink faucet are easy ways to add your own personal touches without any permanent changes. We just changed over our wall plates in the front room and I love them! I had fun looking through Lowe's website and thinking about what would work best in the room. Then, when we went to go pick up the wall plates my husband found the dimmer switches and we bought one to install over the dining room table. I love it! Have you ever had the problem where the light on is not romantic and when you just light candles you can’t see what you are eating? Us too. So, he wired in our dimmer switch (turn the power off!!) and now we can have a romantic dinner by candlelight and see our food simply by turning down the light over the table until it’s just right. When we move out we will just switch our hardware with the original and take it with us.
2. Add Comfort. Nothing makes a cold renter’s apartment homier faster than some quick throw pillows or a blanket thrown over the top of the sofa. Add some cushy touches that match other important pieces in the room. Do you have a painting that you love that has a fabulous streak of orange? Add orange throw pillows that will pick up on the painting and pull the room together. We have a large area rug that is red and blue. I love decorating with various hues of red and blue. Add textures too. Fluffy or fuzzy break up harsh lines and make you just want to snuggle up.
3. Use Smoke and Mirrors. Or just mirrors. Too many affordable apartments are in dingy basements, are smaller than a shoe box, or have small windows. Invest in a large mirror (IKEA is a good option here) to cover a portion of the wall where sunlight will hit it throughout the day. Not only will it make your apartment feel and look bigger, it will bring sunlight into the room and help the room not be so dark. It’s my favorite magic trick, plus when you move it goes with you and so your investment will pay out—big time.
4. Find Good Temporary Wallpaper. That’s right, wallpaper can be temporary. I've done a lot of research on this since we’re thinking of adding a border to the top of our bedroom, and there are many companies that sell good peel and stick, or removable paper. Sherwin William’s EasyChange Wallpaper is a popular way to go. There is no glue you have to buy, no special tools, and they have a variety of darling patterns. Then, when you are ready to leave just take it down and use an old sponge to get any remaining marks off the wall. It might be a bit of a hassle for someone who isn't planning on staying very long, but if you know you are going to rent for a while it might be the perfect thing to spruce up your space. Consider doing one wall or even a hallway. It will add interest without breaking the bank. If wallpapering scares you consider the wide variety of wall decals and prints. These just peel and stick!
5. Get A Little Crafty. A few weeks ago I was unhappy with our bedroom.  It was just so drab and there was just so little I could think of to fix it. I started looking around and after reading about a million blogs I decided I was going to make us a headboard for our bed. It was an easy project and we've had fun picking out fabric, some finishing touches, and creating a shape that we are both happy with. Just last night, we finished it! I so love the finished product! It adds a lot of color, style, and the room feels more like ours already. I decided I’m going to make curtains using the same fabric next and pull it all together (Originally I bought white curtains for our bedroom. White? What a mistake! The whole room is white! Now I’m going color, albeit a soft one, all the way.) There are tons of blogs, pictures, and people around you that can lend a helping hand when you decide you want to try. Don’t let your lack of experience stop you. I had never made a headboard before, but now I have and I can say it wasn't that bad.

   

   Here it is in all it's glory. Not too shabby if I may say so myself.

Switching up your space is easier and more do-able than you think. Look around the room and figure out what bugs you the most and then do what you can to change it. Don’t let the fact that you rent stop you from being the stylish woman that you are.    ADSENSE HERE

Healthy Snacks On-the-Go

We all know that the life of a college student is crazy busy! It can be hard to think of easy, quick snacking options that are also healthy. Snacks are important because they help us consume all of our needed nutrients for the day. Snacks also help prevent overeating in the evening. Here are thirty-five ideas for healthy snacks that can be thrown into your purse or backpack at the last minute. For these types of snacks, Ziploc bags and Tupperware containers are a great investment.

• A banana—just throw it in your backpack
• Whole or sliced apple—take some peanut butter or almond butter in a small Tupperware for dipping.
• Peanut butter and jelly/ honey sandwich—use whole wheat bread to add fiber and more protein.
• Washed strawberries—place in Ziploc (or Tupperware if they might get squished).
• Cut cantaloupe—in Ziploc or Tupperware, bring a plastic fork. 
• Washed grapes—buy a bag and rip off bunches to stick in Ziplocs.
• Fruit (peaches, pears—can use canned) and cottage cheese in a Tupperware. Don't forget a spoon.
• Raw nuts—almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts.
• Lettuce wrap—stick low-sodium deli meat, cheese, and tomato slices inside a large piece of lettuce, roll or wrap and stick in a Ziploc.
• Organic or raw fruit/nut bars (such as Larabar). 
• KIND bars—nut based and a great source of protein.
• Low fat chocolate milk—buy in to-go sized bottles. This is a good way to get in some of your daily dairy and are a great source of protein and energy.
• Prepared nutrition shakes (such as Carnation Breakfast Essentials)—great snacks for an energy boost, contain lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Also more calorie dense than other snack options
• Cheese sticks
• Whole grain crackers with soft cheese or regular sliced cheese.
• Whole wheat/bran/flax muffins- these are a great source of fiber, protein and energy. Homemade are better because store bought may have a lot of added sugar.
• Yogurt- a great option if eaten within a few hours (5-6) of being removed from the fridge. Greek yogurt has even more protein than regular and is also a great choice. Don't forget a spoon. 
• Dry roasted edamame beans- sold ready to be eaten. Put some in a Ziploc and throw it in your backpack for a high protein, high fiber, low calorie snack. 
• Fruit puree pouches (like the ones made by Peter Rabbit Organics)- these don't contain as much fiber as whole fruit, but are super easy for on-the-go. Pick options with little to no added sugar.
• Whole wheat tortilla and hummus—spread hummus on tortilla, fold or roll and stick in a Ziploc. 
• Brown rice cake.
• Whole wheat or bran cereal—in a Ziploc. 
• Make-ahead salad—make a salad for dinner the night before and stick the leftovers in a Tupperware for tomorrow. Bring another small Tupperware with dressing or buy individual sized dressing packets (sold on Amazon). 
• Salted tomato slices—in a Ziploc or Tupperware. 
• Popcorn—a great source of fiber! Pre-pop and place in a Ziploc or Tupperware. Take fat and salt content into account. 
• Classic carrot and celery sticks—bring dressing or hummus for dipping. 
• Low-sodium, low-fat beef jerky- a great source of protein.
• Dried fruit- source of lots of vitamins and minerals and fiber.
• Homemade apricot bars. Recipe: http://www.wholeliving.com/172998/chocolate-apricot-nut-bars?czone=e&center=136761&gallery=136112&slide=172998.
• Snap peas- eat the pod and all!
• Roasted pumpkin seeds—especially great around Halloween time. Save seeds from Jack-O-Lanterns and remove all of the pumpkin pulp. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick sprays and spread the seeds onto it. Brush tops of seeds with olive or vegetable oil. Sprinkle desired spices on top (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc). Cook for 1 hour at 250 F. (Can also purchase pre-made at the grocery store)
• Sliced cucumber—in a Ziploc.
• Broccoli and cauliflower bites—buy whole in produce department or pre-cut. Take dressing for dipping. 
• Half a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese—half of a large bagel is equal to 1 serving of grains.
• Apple sauce cups—pre-portioned or in a Tupperware. Little to no added sugar is best.   

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World's Best Banana Cream Pie

You know what I love? I love those recipes that you take to a party that everyone asks you about. You know what I'm talking about—that one potluck when you just knew that you were the hit of the night and you grin all the way home knowing that it was the easiest recipe ever and you still killed it.

Since Summer is all about potlucks, I thought I'd share one of my best potluck winners: the world's best banana cream pie. It takes twenty minutes for two whole pies and it's sure to please even the pickiest crowd.

This recipe comes from the blog Our Best Bites.

I've had people moan over this one. It's such a satisfying sound.

Ready? You are going to want to write this one down!

1 4-oz. serving box of instant chocolate or vanilla pudding (Chocolate is delicious but it doesn't taste quite like a real banana cream pie. I usually go with the vanilla.)

1 cup cold water

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

2 cookie pie crusts. (You can use any kind but my favorite is the store bought graham cracker crust.)

2–4 bananas

1 pint whipping cream

1/3 cup powdered sugar

In a medium bowl, combine the pudding pix, cold water, and the sweetened condensed milk. Mix well and place in the refrigerator to chill for a few minutes. In another bowl, whip 1 cup of the whipping cream until soft peaks form. I like to use my stand mixer for this. It's super fast and you can use the same bowl and beater twice without washing!

Slice the bananas and layer them on the bottom of the pie crusts. Be sure and save the plastic domes that come with the pie crusts so you can use them later. Set aside.

Remove pudding from the fridge and gently dollop the whipped cream on top of the pudding. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until well-combined.

Divide the mixture between the two pies.

Prepare sweetened whipped cream with the remaining cream and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar (use the same bowl as before!) and spread it on top of the two pies. Place the clear plastic shells back on the pies and chill for several hours. Seriously, it's worth the wait —it gets all banana-y and creamy.

The best part of this recipe (besides the fact that it takes all of twenty minutes to make) is that you get TWO pies so you can take one to the party and leave one in the fridge for yourself later. Talk about a delicious indulgence!

Head over to the Our Best Bites website to see lots of other wonderful and easy recipes.

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Do you hate Mother’s Day?

Some love the holiday and some hate it. Last weekend I had an opportunity to be home with my own mother for the holiday—an opportunity that I quickly seized. It was a quiet but nice day. We went to church, cooked a nice dinner, and played two games of Yahtzee that I lost miserably. While it was a pleasant day, I couldn't help but think of all the women who find Mother’s Day so painful or terrible and I wondered how it could be worked out so that my little family could enjoy our day celebrating the joys and sacrifices my mother has given us without causing so much hurt to so many.

As I sat in church I thought about the women who would never have children in this life. How terrible it must be, I thought, that year after year there is a whole day dedicated to that painful reality. Then I thought about the children of mothers who were or are still abusive, manipulative, sadistic, and plain and simple bad mothers. How cheated and broken this day must make them feel. Then I thought about the women who have lost children or children who have lost mothers, and the hurt that comes from what once was and cannot be in this life.

I read a blog post recently in which a woman stated that she hated Mother’s Day because she didn't like insinuating that women with children were more important than women without children. I guess I never thought about it like that. Mother’s Day was founded by a woman named Anna Jarvis who wanted to honor the sacrifices that women made for their families. I don’t think you have to have children to fall into that category. I make sacrifices for my parents, my sisters, my grandparents, and my husband all the time. In many ways I mother them from time to time. Most women (and men for that matter) make similar sacrifices. Have we changed the meaning of Mother’s Day to a point that not having children of your own exempts you from being important or loved?

Please understand that I am not trying to pass judgment. If you hate Mother’s Day there is undoubtedly a good reason for it. I just want to start a conversation. If you hate Mother’s Day I want to ask what people could do around you to make it a little more bearable. What do you need so that I can have a quiet day honoring my mother without making you feel sad? Is that even possible? 

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On Grey's Anatomy, Surgeons, and Moms

My mom and me

*Author's Note: It's a long one today! Once I started writing I realized I had some passionate feelings about the topic, and they all came out right here. I hope you will read to the end!

**Another Author's Note: For the sake of a productive discussion, I am not going to dwell on those families which require a working mother. I think most of us agree that in some cases a woman does not have much of a choice. My focus here is on those women who do have a choice.

Today I watched an episode of Grey's Anatomy, and part of the story related directly to a close friend's request for a blog post about working mothers and stay-at-home moms. I won't bore you with all the gory details of the show, but in this episode one main character struggles to balance life as a surgeon with life as a mother. Every time she gets to hold her daughter, she's called into surgery. Every time she comes out of surgery, she has to track her daughter down and find out who's watching her. Then the cycle begins again.

There's one scene, when she drops her daughter off at a friend's house (so she can go back to the hospital), and she gets this regretful look in her eyes. But the friend says sharply, "No! Don't do that! Let her see you work! Let her see you achieve!"

Throughout the show, I found myself reflecting on the virtues of both motherhood and work outside the home. Some people in the world look down on women who choose to stay at home; others criticize women who seek to establish their own careers. It seems you cannot make a choice without facing severe disapproval from at least one side.

The LDS faith teaches that motherhood is a divine calling. I definitely believe this; however, I do not believe the matter is as simple as many would have us think.

I have recently encountered a number of people who—in the name of staunchly defending family values—suggest that any woman who aspires to anything more than motherhood does not truly understand her role in God's plan. Now, I understand the viewpoint that marriage and family are the be-all and end-all pursuits of the Gospel. I agree that we should each strive to form our own families and should not devalue motherhood as a sacred work.

Yet I take issue with the condemnation of any woman who aspires to do more in life than be a mother. I have often heard the argument that there is no pursuit more honorable than motherhood and thus, we cannot possibly aspire to more than that. I see three clear problems with using this argument against women who seek careers:

1. That argument disregards the validity of a woman's longings for achievement and recognition. Yes, you may say that motherhood is a huge achievement, and I totally agree. Mothers are awesome! But how much recognition do we actually give to these women? Does motherhood always feel rewarding? Does successful parenting receive the same publicity and attention that other careers do? If we're honest, the answer is probably no. So it's understandable that many women feel inclined to seek that recognition elsewhere.
2. My desire to be a mother does not automatically negate any other passion or desire I hold in life. We all have things we love to do; I love to write and edit literature. I aim to do it professionally one day. Luckily, that's one skill that can be adapted to a freelance career without much trouble. Working from home, in between other parenting duties, will not be impossible. Other women—those who wish to practice medicine or teach history, for example—do not always have it so easy. Are we really so terrible for enjoying things and wanting to do them on a daily basis? Even if you believe a woman should only ever be a stay-at-home mom and never work outside the home, you cannot blame her for having more desires than that of motherhood.
3. An argument like that also devalues women who are trying their best to reach a final goal of marriage and motherhood, but have been unlucky in love or are unable to have children. A stay-at-home mom, while certainly admirable, ranks no higher in the mind of our Heavenly Father than a wife who just can't seem to get pregnant or a single woman working to support herself. By knocking down career-seeking women, we are also knocking down these women who want nothing more than to devote themselves to a family. To be honest, although I understand the mostly good intentions of people who say these things, I myself have felt that sting. Sure, I'm only twenty-one. But in the LDS culture, there is a lot of pressure to get married and start a family as soon as possible. I haven't had that opportunity; I'm looking into grad school instead of looking at rings. I'm nurturing a career instead of nurturing a child. And I sometimes feel lower on the hierarchy in our family-oriented faith. Not because that's how God feels, but because it's how others make me feel.

If I have the chance to become a mother someday, I will probably follow my own mother's pattern. She worked through a lot of my upbringing, but she was always home when I returned from school, and I knew I could count on that. I could see how hard she worked (at her job and at home and at her callings) and I admired her for it. I still do. I appreciate that she pursued her interests while helping to support the family; on top of that, she cooked dinner every night! For me, an arrangement like that seems like the ideal model.

However, plenty of people would disagree. I have friends whose situations differed, and it worked well for their families. Maybe a woman wants to work more hours. Maybe her husband loves to cook and she doesn't. Or maybe she wants to spend most of her time at home and as little time as possible working in an office. So be it!

Do what keeps you sane as long as you are providing your children with the attention and care they need. Be less judgmental of those in different circumstances. Focus not on others but on you and your own situation. How can you make your family a priority while also pursuing personal goals and interests? The answer will vary depending on your personality, your economic situation, and other factors. And that's okay!

Kelsey Allan is a senior studying English and editing.

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Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth: Breastfeeding Basics

Breastfeeding is a potentially sensitive and extensive topic to try to cover in one post, so I have just included the very, very basic information available. Please, seek out and read other resources on breastfeeding as well as reading this simplified post. Additionally, I highly recommend taking a breastfeeding class. I was able to attend one at UVRMC that was taught by a certified lactation consultant and I learned a ton even though I had already done a lot of research on the topic. I feel much better prepared to make educated decisions about breastfeeding now that I have that foundation.

Breastfeeding, Formula-feeding, or Both?

Deciding whether to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or some combination of both is another important personal decision to make before having your baby. Just like any other aspect of pregnancy or parenthood, we advocate that women educate themselves as much as possible on the topic, then make the decision that they feel is the best for themselves, their baby, and their family. Both breastfeeding and formula-feeding offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Some mothers prefer to breastfeed exclusively without introducing a bottle, some mothers prefer to pump and then bottle-feed with breast milk, some mothers prefer to breastfeed and supplement with formula, and some mothers prefer to exclusively bottle-feed using formula. As long as your baby is getting adequate nutrition, all these choices are great! However, there are some unique benefits to breastfeeding that stand out enough that they necessitate extra discussion.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life due to the immediate and long-term benefits for the baby. Exclusively breastfeeding means that you offer no other form of food/drink to your baby other than breast milk (no water, no formula, no foods). Even if you are not able to breastfeed from the breast for the first six months (for example, if you have to go back to work or school, or if your baby rejects the breast at any point during those first six months), you can still express breast milk by using a pump and feed it to your baby using a bottle. If you want to feed using both the breast and the bottle, most lactation consultants recommend that you exclusively feed from the breast for at least the first four weeks to avoid nipple confusion; then slowly introduce the bottle (using a slow-flow nipple).

Did you know that your breast milk is perfectly tailored to suit the individual needs of your baby? Breast milk contains all the vitamins and nutrients that your baby needs in those first vital months of life. Additionally, it passes on substances that help supplement their delicate, developing immune systems and helps them fight bacteria and disease. Research has shown that breastfed babies are typically less susceptible to certain diseases (including some cancers) later in life. In addition to the numerous benefits that breastfeeding has for your baby, it also has lots of benefits for you too, mommy! Breastfeeding has shown to reduce stress, reduce occurrence of postpartum depression, facilitate bonding between mommy and baby, reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and help mom return to a healthy weight quicker after delivery. I could probably do a whole post on the benefits of breastfeeding, but for more information on this topic, visit the La Leche League website.

How to Get Started

Is breastfeeding a natural process? Yes. But, it is also a learning process. It's something that you and your baby will have to learn together in order to be successful. Learning as much about breastfeeding as you can before your baby is born is a great way to prepare yourself for this transition. I highly recommend taking a breastfeeding class from your local hospital or independent lactation consultant before you give birth. Once you have delivered your baby, the best time to try to breastfeed is within the first hour after birth when baby is most alert. If your baby is healthy, you may even attempt to begin breastfeeding right in the recovery room. If you want to breastfeed as soon as you can after birth, make sure to tell your doctor and nursing team so they can help and encourage you.

The key to successful breastfeeding is to get the right latch. There are certain ways that you can position your baby, regardless of the kind of hold you use, that will facilitate a better latch than others. Make sure you bring your baby in to latch when their mouth is wide open (it may look like they are yawning), not when they are just opening up slightly. You want them to get as much of the breast as possible; if they just have the nipple in their mouth, you are going to end up with sore, bleeding, and cracked nipples. Again, getting just the right latch is key! This brings me to a hugely important point: Talk to a lactation consultant while you are in the hospital. Most hospitals these days will have a certified lactation consultant on staff that will visit each mom and baby during their recovery time. If you want/need help before they come to you, go ahead and ask that they visit you sooner. Also, most nurses will be able to assist in breastfeeding support while you are learning. Let your lactation consultant offer tips and observe your methods so she can help you avoid common mistakes and set you up for successful breastfeeding.

Seek Help Early if you Struggle

Some women feel ashamed if they are having a hard time with breastfeeding. They may feel like they should already know how to do it without help or they may feel embarrassed about having someone help them because it requires a relative stranger to see an exposed breast. If you feel like the first, don't be ashamed that you aren't magically endowed with amazing nursing skills. You are just learning something new, so it is okay to have a learning curve and ask for advice. If you feel like the second, it's understandable to feel a sense of unease, but remember that you are dealing with a trained professional that is there to help you, not to make you feel uncomfortable or exposed. One of the biggest issues that lactation consultants see is women who are coming to them when they are at the end of their rope. What they really hope to see is a mother coming for help at the first sign of difficulty. If you are experiencing pain, if your breasts are becoming inflamed or engorged, if you see signs of a blocked duct, if you worry that your baby isn't getting enough to eat, then call or visit a lactation consultant for help right away rather than waiting until you want to give up.

What if I Can't Breastfeed?

For several unknown reasons, there are some women that cannot physiologically breastfeed. Sometimes their milk doesn't come in or it doesn't come in with a strong enough supply to adequately meet baby's needs. If this happens to you, first, visit with a lactation consultant to see if there is anything you can do to pinpoint and alleviate the problem. If you find yourself still unable to breastfeed, you have to be easy on yourself.  Don't think that you are a bad mother or an incomplete woman if you struggle! You still love your baby and will provide the best you can for your baby in terms of meeting his/her needs. Seek out support from other moms that have experienced similar issues. Talk openly with a trusted friend or family member about your feelings or seek out a professional counselor to help you through the transition. It's perfectly normal and understandable to feel disappointed, sad, angry, confused, helpless, whatever it is that you are feeling. Do the best you can, and if it doesn't work out for you, your baby will still be healthy and happy with the proper nutrition from other sources. Get help and support, then give yourself permission to let it go and move forward.

For more information about breastfeeding, visit http://www.babycenter.com/breastfeeding-basics

Disclaimer: The Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth blog series is meant as a source of general information only. Its intended use is to encourage women to further consider and discuss reproductive and birthing decisions themselves, with their partners, and with their medical care providers. Information included in this series is not intended to be professional medical advice or a substitution for a relationship with a licensed physician or practitioner. Any serious questions or concerns about reproductive, prenatal, and/or perinatal health should be directed to your primary care physician or other licensed specialist. Women's Services and Resources does not promote any particular brand, medical provider, birthing location, or any other specific birthing decisions. We strongly encourage women to become as educated about their choices as possible so they are empowered to make educated decisions for themselves and their babies.

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Holiday Baking Fun!

One of the wonderful things about the holidays is the time you can spend with family! I love spending time in the kitchen with my family. Around this time of year I also start craving sugar cookies! This is a fun activity to do for date night, with your kiddos, or with your own parents and siblings. Most people think making sugar cookies is hard, but it is actually quite simple. Here is a how-to-video!

Decorate the cookies however you would like! This is a fun time to talk and laugh together all while your creative juices are flowing! What better way to enjoy your hard work than to enjoy sugar cookies and milk! Sugar cookies also make a nice thoughtful gift for the neighbors, since they are more personalized than other cookies. Whatever your traditions may be, enjoy yummy food and love with your family and friends this holiday season. 

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Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth: Finances and Baby Costs

One of the most important things to consider pre-pregnancy, and consistently during your pregnancy, is the estimated cost of having a baby. The following is a list of baby-related expenses that you should plan into your budget for your pregnancy, delivery, and then after you welcome your sweet baby into the world!

1. Prenatal Care: This will be one of the first big costs associated with your baby.  In 2007, the average cost of prenatal care, uncomplicated delivery, and 3 months postnatal care was about $10,652. If you can, thoroughly read over your insurance plan to determine what kind of coverage your plan offers for maternity care before you get pregnant. Some plans may not come with maternity coverage (like individual policies), so you may end up paying the entire cost of a pregnancy if you aren't aware of that in advance. If you don't have maternity coverage, you may be able to add a maternity rider to your coverage before you get pregnant (some require you be covered under that maternity coverage for a certain amount of time pre-pregnancy in order for coverage to apply; usually 6-12 months), but if you are already pregnant, it counts as a "preexisting condition" in the eyes of most insurance companies and you can be denied coverage. If you are already pregnant, don't have insurance, and are at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, you can qualify for Medicaid. If you are pregnant, uninsured, and don't qualify for Medicaid, call around to different maternity care providers in the area and see if any of them offer special discounts to women that have to pay out of pocket.

If you already have maternity coverage under your health insurance plan, check to see if there is a separate maternity deductible on top of your regular yearly deductible. If you have a relatively cheap health plan (low monthly rates), you're more likely to have really high deductibles (some maternity deductibles I have researched are upwards of $7,500; meaning you would pay that much money before your coverage would even kick in, potentially paying almost the entire cost of your pregnancy and delivery before your benefits apply). After you've determined what your deductible is, check to see how much your insurance covers vs. how much you pay for coinsurance/copays. Most plans will cover 70-80% of the costs for covered providers, leaving you to pay the remaining 20-30%. Make sure that you choose a healthcare provider and delivery location that is covered by your insurance company (go on to your insurance company's website and search their list of covered providers before choosing your doctor).  If you choose a provider that is not within their approved network, you could end up paying a lot higher percentage of the costs (50%+). 20-30% may not sound like a lot that you are paying, but if your doctor charges $4,000 for your prenatal care, cost of delivery, and 6 week follow-up appointment, you are still paying $800 (20%)-$1,200 (30%) just for your doctor's costs.  Hospital costs will be billed separately from your doctor's costs.

2. Cost of Delivery: If you choose to give birth in a hospital, the cost of your delivery can range from $6,000 for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, to upwards of $25,000 for a c-section. Again, if you don't have insurance, this can be an incredible financial burden. Talk to your local hospital about payment options several months before you deliver. Some may even let you start paying in advance rather than paying it all after the birth. Also, discuss if the hospital offers any discounts for uninsured women. If you are insured, again, thoroughly check your plan so you know in advance what the plan covers vs. what you will pay. Remember, you will be billed separately for your baby's costs (between $1,500-$4,000), so remember to add baby to your insurance plan within the time limit in order for his/her costs to be covered by your insurance as a dependent (you will have to pay the additional premiums when you add a dependent to your plan before coverage will kick in). In addition to separate costs for your baby, if you have pain medication delivered by an anesthesiologist, you will be billed for that separately as well (around $2,500 without insurance).

3. Baby Essentials: This area will differ for every individual family, so I found a very cool little tool called the Baby Cost Calculator. All you have to do is customize the different areas for what you will and will not be using after your baby is born (think childcare, diapers, feeding, college savings, healthcare, and one-time costs like car seats and cribs). After you've put in all that information, you'll get an estimate of how much your baby's first year will cost you. I put in my information based on the costs of the items that I have selected, savings plan, health care costs, etc., and it totaled about $3,992. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, however. There are several ways that you can reduce the cost of baby essentials.  If you need to do daycare, see if there is someone in your area that you can "baby swap" with, meaning you babysit for each other to "pay" for babysitting services. When it comes to baby supplies, there are certain items that you should never buy secondhand due to use and safety standards (like car seats and cribs). Otherwise, see if you can get hand-me-downs from mommy friends and relatives, look on craigslist (shop safely when buying directly from unknown sellers), and look at stores that sell gently used kids clothing and toys (like the D.I. or Kid to Kid). Don't go too crazy with all the bells and whistles that companies tell you that you NEED when having a baby. For example, when building your baby registry, put only real essentials like diapers, bottles, car seat, crib, etc., instead of filling it with toys and adorable outfits that your child will grow out of in a matter of months.

So, with all of the costs I've mentioned above, we can approximate the cost of pregnancy, delivery, and baby's first year. For prenatal care, an uncomplicated and non-medicated vaginal delivery covered by insurance with a 20% coinsurance, low baby hospital costs, and a modest baby's first year, mom and dad could end up paying around $7,500. Worst case scenario, uninsured prenatal care and c-section delivery, high baby care costs (like having a baby in the NICU) and a modest baby's first year, mom and dad could be stuck paying around $40,000+.

The best thing you can do is to sit down with your partner and get a good idea of what your finances look like well before you get pregnant. If you haven't already had this important discussion and you are already pregnant, it's even more important to talk about money and budgeting together. Having a realistic idea of what your baby will cost you in advance will save you from a lot of unpleasant financial surprises and hopefully prepare you to pay the bills associated with your pregnancy, birth, and baby without getting deep into debt trouble.  

Disclaimer: The "Pregnancy, Babies, and Birth" blog series is meant as a source of general information only. Its intended use is to encourage women to further consider and discuss reproductive and birthing decisions themselves, with their partners, and with their medical care providers.  Information included in this series is not intended to be professional medical advice or a substitution for a relationship with a licensed physician or practitioner. Any serious questions or concerns about reproductive, prenatal, and/or perinatal health should be directed to your primary care physician or other licensed specialist. Women's Services and Resources does not promote any particular brand, medical provider, birthing location, or any other specific birthing decisions. We strongly encourage women to become as educated about their choices as possible so they are empowered to make educated decisions for themselves and their babies.

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