How Your HSA/FSA Benefits Can Help You Have An Awesome Birth & Postpartum

 

If you're expecting a baby and have any Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account benefits available, you're in luck: there are a ton of birth and postpartum extras that are covered by those dollars. From doulas to classes to baby gear, see what your HSA/FSA can provide to help you have an awesome experience!

Guide to Using This List

Most of the items on this list are directly covered by your FSA or HSA with no hoops to jump through. If the item or service is in bold, a letter of recommendation from your healthcare provider may be required as documentation. If the item or service is italicized, a prescription is required.

Pregnancy and Birth Resources Covered by FSA/HSA

When you're growing a bundle of joy and need to save some money, if you have HSA or FSA spending available through your work, you need to check out what you can spend it on! These are some resources for your pregnancy and birth that are covered.

• Acupressure & Acupuncture

• Belly Support Belt

• Birth Doula Support

• Childbirth Classes

• Compression Socks

• Fetal Doppler

• Morning Sickness Bands

• Pregnancy & Birth-Related Books

• Prenatal Chiropractor

• Prenatal & Delivery Healthcare – home or hospital, midwife or OBGYN

• Prenatal Massage

• Prenatal Vitamins

• Prenatal Yoga

• TENS Therapy Unit

• Ultrasounds

Postpartum Resources Covered by FSA/HSA

Once your sweet baby is here, the fun just begins! Here are some supplies and services covered by HSA and FSA to make your postpartum and parenting journey as smooth as possible.

• Breastfeeding Classes

• Breast Pads

• Breast Pump

• Cord Blood Banking

• Depends Underwear

• Lactation Consultant Services  

• Lanolin

• Mental Health Therapy

• Milk Storage Supplies

• NICU Healthcare

• Pads

• Placenta Encapsulation Services

• Postpartum Doula Care

• Sitz Bath

Baby Resources Covered by FSA/HSA

Your baby or toddler can benefit from products and services covered by HSA/FSA as well.

• Colic Relief

• Diaper Rash Ointment

• Formula

• Nasal Aspirator and other First Aid Supplies

• Owlette Baby Breathing Monitor

• Pull-ups

• Sunscreen

• Thermometers

• Vitamins

• Well-Child Exams

How Do I Redeem My FSA or HSA Benefits for My Birth and Postpartum?

In most cases, you will have a “credit card” with a certain spending limit, and you will be able to choose what you spend it on and just swipe the card. The resources listed above in bold may require a doctor's recommendation, so be sure to have that on hand just in case you're asked for documentation later. Or, you may pay up front and submit documentation in order to receive reimbursement.

For a product, you can visit www.fsastore.com to shop for your prenatal, breastfeeding, and infant care-related supplies. They have so many great products to choose from! For a service, check with your service provider to ensure they are approved to receive these payments, then simply pay with credit card (or ask them for receipts to send in for reimbursement).

Halloween Recipes for Kentuckiana Kids

Photo provided by Wooden Earth. Product can be found here

Boys and ghouls we have the snacks for you.

Halloween is almost here and it's a good a time as ever to unleash some spooky snacks to help the kids fuel up before a night of trick or treating. 

From sweet to savory and cute to scary, there's nothing like a fun snack to get you in the Halloween spirit.

Whether you're sneaking some of these treats into a lunchbox or laying them out for a big Halloween party, these themed recipes are sure to be your family's next fall favorite. 

Pumpkin Toaster Pastries 

Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 package refrigerated pie crust
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and egg.  Unroll pie crusts, cut the edges off to make a large square, then cut the pie crust into three equal rectangles (about 2″ x 3″).  Spoon a small amount of pumpkin mixture into the center of one of the rectangles, taking care to not let the filling ooze near the edges.  Use a small paring knife to carve jack-o-lantern faces into a second rectangle.  Gently lay the carved piece over the pumpkin filling, then press the edges firmly together with a fork.  Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges of the poptart begin to turn golden brown.

In a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla.  Drizzle glaze over hot pumpkin poptarts.  Allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Coconut Cocoa with Ghost Whip

Ingredients

1. Grab 2 mugs.

2. Add to each mug:
1 cup soy milk
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 heaping spoonful of cacao powder – or cocoa powder
1 Tbsp agave or maple syrup

3. Heat well (sauce pan or microwave). Stir well.

4. Top with Coconut Ghost whip. See below.

Coconut Ghost Whip
Swirl of coconut whip*
ghost eyes (mini dark chocolate chips)

*if you don’t have your own whipped cream frother, use any store-bought whipped topping (for dairy-free try rice or soy whip)
If you do have your own frother, use chilled coconut milk as the base + 2 Tbsp confectioners sugar

Tentacle Pot Pies

Filling:

Chicken and stock ingredients:

• 1 (3 1/2 pound) frying chicken

• 1 carrot

• 1 celery stalk

• 1 small onion, halved

• 2 teaspoons salt

• A bowl and a plate for each diner

• Two boxes of puff pastry, or two tubes of Pillsbury Crescent Seamless Dough Sheets

• A pizza cutter

• Clean kitchen shears

Directions

Using the pizza cutter cut eight strips into your dough that are about 1.5 inches wide, then cut each of those strips diagonally. If you’re using puff pastry sheets cut two sheets into eight equal strips then use the a third sheet to cut out four circles. If you’re using crescent dough you’ll have enough left over in each sheet to also cut two rounds to top the pot pie, as shown above. Do the same for the second sheet of crescent dough.

Since the tentacles will cook and brown fairly quickly make sure your pot pie filling is hot before spooning into the bowls. Fill the bowls about 3/4ths full. Place the bowls onto plates, these will go into the oven together.

First position the tentacles. Pick them up by the wide end and drape them by lowering the narrow end down to the the plate first, then up the edge of the bowl and over the lip of the bowl. If the wide end of the tentacle extends further than an inch in towards the center of the bowl simply trim it with kitchen scissors before letting it go. Why are we doing this? If we have too many overlapping layers of dough in the center they won’t cook through and it’s pretty icky, trust me, I learned this the hard way. We’re draping the end of the tentacle onto the plate because in my trials when the dough simply hung over the edges of the bowl the tentacles gave way to gravity and fell off while cooking. Besides, they look extra spooky spreading out onto the plate.

Now just plop your circle of dough on top of the pot pie, covering the wide ends of the tentacles. Place two, or more if you’d like, sliced black olives on top as eyes.

Bake in a 325 degree oven until the dough is golden brown. Be sure to warn your diners that the plates will be hot.

Cinnamon Sugared Pumpkin Donut Holes

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar
4 1-inch thick slices pumpkin bread
6 pumpkin candies or something similar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions:

1. In a small bowl whisk the cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar until completely combined. Set out a second bowl with melted butter, and a third bowl of the cinnamon sugar.

2. Break the pumpkin bread into small pieces and add it to a large bowl. Add the cream cheese mixture and stir everything together with a wooden spoon. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll it between your palms to form a large ball the size of a golf ball. Nestle a candy in the center and smooth the dough with your fingertips.

3. Place the ball in the bowl of melted butter and roll it around so it is completely coated. Then immediately dip it in the cinnamon sugar and roll it around so it is completely coated. Be generous with the rolling so there are a few coats of cinnamon-sugar on top. Serve immediately!

Baby's First Halloween Costume

Halloween is one of the best holidays of the year. 

You have the opportunity to dress up as anything you can think of and whether you're choosing something spooky or something silly, Halloween is all about the costume. With a tiny trick-or-treater on your hands, you have to choose the best costume for baby's first Halloween.

If your little one is still too small to collect treats, they can still scoot around in their stroller in a fun and creative costume! 

Costumes for Baby 

Puppy Dog

Halloween can get a little chilly and this fluffy costume can keep your infant snuggly and warm on Halloween night. How cute is this?!

Skunk

Check out this adorable costume for your little stinker! It's warm and cuddly and you can bundle up baby underneath for the chilly trick or treat trail.

Baby Burrito

Now that you've got your swaddle skills, you can show them off with this cute burrito blanket! This is a particularly good choice for those fussy babies that don't want to be costumed. Swaddle them up in this deliciously cute wrap!

Viking

I mean look at this baby's beard. Need we say more?

Stay Puft Marshmallow Baby

Now your baby can be dressed up as the iconic stay puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters. Only this version will be significantly smaller and a whole lot cuter.

Gnome

We still can't get enough of the babies in beards idea. It's just too cute. 

Shark

This spooky shark has a cute hood with plenty of pearly whites. We like that this one has leg holes that won't create any trick or treat trip hazards. 

Golfer

If you're a family of golf fans, this tiny golfer is a must. Not to mention it's hilarious to dress your littles up to look like miniature adults. 

The Perks of Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta is powerful. 

The placenta is the source of your baby's nutrition, fresh oxygen and removes wastes from amniotic fluid to keep them healthy during pregnancy. Placenta is also full of hormones, vitamins and minerals that women lose or imbalance during birth. 

Placenta encapsulation processes the placenta to help new moms get their postpartum recovery on track. These powerful placenta capsules are rich in iron and encourages the body to flush hormones that aid in the healing process after birth. 

What is placenta encapsulation?

Encapsulating placenta is the process of steaming, dehydrating, and grinding the placenta then placing the product into a vegetable-based capsule or shell. These are taken shortly after birth in the first few weeks postpartum, during menstruation or later during menopause. 

What are some of the notable benefits of placenta encapsulation?

While everyone's body is different, many women find a placenta regimen to significantly improve postpartum recovery symptoms. Some of the benefits include increases in oxytocin, improved milk production, and increases in stress-relieving hormones. While these benefits differ in everyone, the low risk regimen makes it a good option for mothers looking to take control of their recovery and feel more confident as they embark on the next part of their journey.

Is placenta encapsulation safe?

While placenta encapsulation, tinctures and regimens have been around for centuries, there's still limited research about the benefits of encapsulation for the modern parent. Risks are most directly linked to improper and unsafe handling of the placenta to and from the hospital. The placenta is a perishable item and should be handled accordingly. When improper handling is a factor, the finished product is at risk for cross contamination and harmful bacteria. 

Leave it to the Pros. 

A professional Postpartum Placenta Specialist is certified in proper handling and uses as many single use materials as possible to keep the work space sterile. In home placenta encapsulation is the leading standard of specialists and this keeps the placenta in the hands of it's owners from start to finish. Safer encapsulation processes are the standard for a reason and this is definitely one project you don't want to DIY. 

Educate Yourself on Placenta Power!

If you're interested in more information about how encapsulation can improve your postpartum recovery, you've got specialists in your own back yard! Doulas of Kentuckiana are trained in placenta encapsulation and can help your family learn more information about the process to see if an encapsulation routine is right for your family. 

Mourning the Loss

A new pregnancy is an incredible emotional journey for any parent. 

When parents lose a pregnancy or infant, they must navigate more uncertainties and discomfort than they ever thought possible. The loss of any child is heartbreaking and it's normal to feel every emotion under imaginable. 

From anger and grief to a crippling sadness, parents are often unsure how to manage daily life after their loss and how to find the courage and support they need. Mourning isn't an easy journey, and everyone is different in the way they process the loss of a loved one. 

It is the loss of a loved one, even if you have never met.

You are right to feel the way you do and you are worthy of mourning this in the way that helps you feel whole again. We are identifying the different ways parents can begin this process and reassure families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss that there is no wrong way to grieve. 

It's not your fault.

Pregnancy complications and loss can happen to anyone, even the picture perfect pregnancies. It's important to realize that you have done all you can to keep you and your family safe and healthy and blaming yourself will be a challenging road block in allowing yourself to feel the range of emotions in mourning infant loss with your family. Grief is normal and though you wonder if you could have done more, you did everything the best you could and letting that comfort you is a good place to start. Be patient and compassionate with yourself. 

Give yourself time. 

Time really does heal. Give yourself the time you need to recover from the shock of loss and be sympathetic with your body as it heals. Mourning takes time and if you need to take time off work, time away from the house, away from friends or even need time to be alone, give yourself this opportunity. You and your partner will require space in different ways and they may need more or less time than you to manage the flow of emotions to come. It won't get any easier but you will become more sure of your self worth. 

Don't isolate yourself from people who care about you.

You'll need time alone and you deserve that, but you can't do this alone. It will be difficult, but embrace the compassion of others. You aren't hurting for you, but they're hurting for you, your baby and your family. Friends, family and even coworkers want to offer support and even if they don't always say the right thing, it's important to know they're trying. Sometimes they don't know what to say, think they know what to say and it just comes out wrong. 

Even if it's hard to do, embrace the support around you in the different ways it manifests. Should you need to talk, having the support by your side will truly make a difference in your journey ahead. You know what's best for you. 

Help Encourage the Emotions

• Your baby has a name. Encourage people to use their name as it helps bring you closer to closure.
• You have needs too. Sometimes you need to just feel happy again, don't feel guilty if you want to go to a movie or just try to encourage yourself to laugh again. You're not a bad parent if you're seeking happiness, you need that. 
• Be a team. Your partner needs you too, but don't assume they will handle things the same way. Don't interpret this as coldness or inconsideration, they may be internalizing their hurt.
• Being around your baby's things is allowed to be a part of your healing process. If you need to spend a few nights in the nursery, you should. 

Finding Community Support

For some parents, the best way to begin the process is to find families in your community that have experienced the same thing. At Freedman Lake Park, the Walk to Remember offers families an opportunity to heal, grieve, and stand with your community to raise awareness to grief counselling and support for Kentucky families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss.

This year's walk will take place on October 15th at 6:15 in the evening. Families are encouraged to bring balloons to release and wear customized t-shirts with designs that represent their journey. The walk intersects with the nation's moment of silence for the children we have lost but not forgotten. If you are a Kentucky family experiencing a past or recent loss, join our community for this evening of solidarity, healing and awareness.