But we live in a generation now that has been cut off from this age-old tradition of self-reliance. Healing and health care have become almost--the exclusive province of duly licensed physicians. While doctors and other professionals-are indeed great to have around, what is not so great is when you cannot do anything without them.

Shouldn't we be able to do something to save our health--maybe even our lives--without a doctor?

What happens when medical help is not so readily available?

What happens when doctoring simply does not work?

Some of us go to doctor after doctor, and still no help. Is that end of line?

While antibiotics have saved millions of lives, they have not really solved some resurgence of germs that are turning up in new forms that do not respond to conventional therapies.

There has been a real shift in way people think about their health. Rising health care cost is a factor in recent surge of interest in alternative medicine. Many people are attracted to alternative physicians emphasis on treating whole person--body, mind and spirit. Most importantly some physicians use intensive counseling to help patients find out whether aspects of their daily lives, such as job stress, marital problems diet or sleeping habits might be behind their symptoms.

In this age of managed care and impersonal group practices patients find this individualized approach of alternative medicine particularly appealing.

One of principal goals of natural healing is to break cycle of dependency and allow people to be more in control of their own lives.

Ruby Boyd is the owner of

Month 5: Your baby is developing a fine hair, called lanugo, which covers body. Likewise, her eyelashes and eyebrows are developing. Her fingerprints and footprints are now developed. She begins to suck and swallow and may even be found sucking her thumb. Vernix, a white lanolin-like covering, appears on baby to protect her skin. Her ears are developed as well and she may be able to hear you now. Your baby is approximately 7-8 inches long and weighs 3/4-1 pound by end of this month.

Month 6: Your baby's immune system is developing and she is beginning to create her own antibodies. She has developed a hand grip reflex and startle reflex. Her lungs are beginning to develop and alveoli are forming. She is growing and filling out. She looks more and more like person she will be when she is born. By end of this month, she is approximately 9-10 inches long and weigh in at about 1 1/2-2 1/4 pounds.

Month 7: Your baby's eyes are open and she is able to cry. She may be very active now and others may be able to see her movements. She may have hiccups which will feel like a jumpy movement. She is increasing in body fat and her bones are fully developed now. By end of this month, she is approximately 11 inches long and weighs around 3-3 1/2 pounds.

Month 8: At this point of your pregnancy, there is not a whole lot of new development. However, your baby is growing and maturing and preparing for life outside womb. Your baby sleeps most of time now and has periods of REM sleep. Baby is becoming increasingly cramped for space, but she is still very active. Your baby is approximately 13 inches long and weighs around 5-6 pounds at end of this month.

Month 9: In your 9th month, which actually extends a little further than 9 calendar months, your baby is preparing for birth. She will spend a lot of time resting, but she should still have plenty of active periods. She should be facing head down in preparation for birth. Babies weight and length vary considerably at birth, but a typical range would be between 7-8 pounds and 19-21 inches in length.