I am nearing the end of pregnancy, and I’m really
excited to get to hold my little guy! This pregnancy has definitely been
a little more difficult than my first as I’ve had to chase an active
two year old,
http://www.thankyourbody.com/pregnancy-essentials/deal with the summer heat, prepare our family to move
(still not sure if the baby will come before or after moving day… that’s
how soon we’re moving. Yikes!) and continue working from home.
Despite feeling a little more “pooped” I still have been blessed with
a great pregnancy. Part of that is luck and part of that is
preparation. And that’s why today I want to share some of my favorite
natural approaches to pregnancy.
Of course, every pregnancy is different… and every woman is
different. What works for me may not be the best for you. And I’m sure
there are things missing on this list that are a
must
for others. But if you are newly pregnant, trying to conceive, or just
stashing info away for “someday” I hope this guide will help you
navigate your way through pregnancy with ease and power.
My favorite things for a healthy, natural pregnancy
Real food nourishment/Supplements
In my opinion, nutrition and movement are two of the most critical
aspects of a healthy pregnancy… and healthy baby. And while we can’t
control every outcome or guarantee that there will be no issues, getting
the nourishment your body (and baby) needs during those nine months
(and before) is essential.
What to eat and why: Rather than give a whole list of foods to consume (although my list would definitely include things like
Cod Liver Oil,
Raw Milk,
and Pastured Eggs, I’d suggest picking up one of these two books to
give you a really good foundation of what your body needs to nourish
your baby and why:If you’ve been around my blog before you know that I
don’t subscribe to any one particular diet. I personally believe that
getting the right kind of nourishment requires diligence and specific
nutrients that may not align with your nutritional beliefs. So whether
you take these recommendations or not, be sure to be smart with what
goes in your body for the sake of your baby.
Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-feeding, and Baby’s First Foods by Kristen Michaelis
Nourished Baby by Heather Dessinger
Supplements
While I believe the best nutrition comes from whole
foods, I do think there is a time and place for supplements, as long as
those supplements are of good quality. GMOs, synthetic vitamins, and
other additives in many supplements make them useless at best and
dangerous at worst. When I’m looking for a supplement I choose organic,
whole food supplements. I also check the “other” ingredient list
carefully.
I also make sure that I’m getting folate instead of folic acid for the reasons lists here.
I have found two prenatal supplements that I really like and I’ll get which ever one is on sale. You can see my favorite
here and
here. These are also the supplements I take while nursing.
Mineral Drops
Leg cramps are a common issue for many during
pregnancy, and I started to experience them about half-way through this
one. Thankfully my midwife recommended
these mineral drops. Not only do they provide essential nutrition to our body, but my leg cramps went away within a matter of days. (
You can find them here.) They are something I will continue to use beyond pregnancy for sure.
Exercise/Prenatal Fitness
I believe in the power of movement. I especially believe that when we
are regularly active that it makes for a much easier birth and
recovery. And I admit, this time around I am no where near as diligent
as I was during my first pregnancy (which, hello… I wasn’t working and
didn’t have a toddler… so yeah). But still, I make an effort to keep my
body active.
For me, prenatal yoga was my favorite type of exercise. It
strengthens the body, prepares your mind, focuses on breath (which is
huge for labor), and opens the body. Here are a few recommendations:
This is my
favorite pre-natal DVD ever. Although, if you are new to yoga it may be a
little difficult. For those who practice somewhat regularly, though,
this DVD set it gold. Lots of different workouts to fit your schedule and they are good. (
Find it online here.)
Other great prenatal yoga DVDs:
Element: Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond
I also highly recommend getting an exercise ball if you don’t already
have one. Sitting on it while doing subtle adjustments and weight
shifts helps strengthen the pelvic floor. Lying down with your upper
back supported by the ball helps open the chest and keep the spine
happy. (
Find one online here.)
And remember, you don’t have to spend money to be active. Walking,
stretching, weight training (if you know what you are doing), and
swimming are just some of the other options available to you. The point
is: Keep moving and do what feels good.
Good Reads
I don’t think there is a time in my life when I submerged myself more
into reading than during my first pregnancy. In fact, I may have gone a
little overboard and filled my head with so many ideas and ideals that I
lost a little of my own intuition. (Not something I recommend). BUT, I
do believe that preparing yourself for the changes that lie ahead
through pregnancy, labor, and birth is a good idea. Here are just some
of my favorite prenatal reads:
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
I love, love, LOVE this book. The birth stories alone are worth the
price. Nothing else made me feel more aware of the process of labor
while at the same time give me some insight into how different each
experience can be than this book. Read it.
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
What can I say? I love Ina May. I did take a breastfeeding class
before giving birth, but it was nothing compared to what I learned from
this book. I especially loved how this book helped me relax a little
during the nursing process (which can be really hard at first).
Other books I enjoyed:
And while this isn’t really a “pregnancy” book, it’s a great one for anyone interested in their own fertility:
Toxic-free living
One of the most important things I think mothers can do to better
ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth is to rid their homes and lives of
unnecessary toxins. The developing fetus is both a powerful miracle and
vulnerable person. Making sure we aren’t loading our bodies with toxins
is critical. Here are some ideas to help you:
Learn how to
improve your indoor air quality and
reduce toxins by 60% with these simple ideas.
Replace your cleaning and beauty products with diy all natural ones. (
Check out my free recipes here.)
Upgrade your food to organic to avoid pesticides.
And if you are ready to completely change your home, check out my e-book
Toxic Free. With over 70 recipes you can eliminate all toxic products in your home and save money by doing it! (
Learn more here.)
Support and Comfort
Finally, let’s not forget that pregnancy can get a little…
uncomfortable. This is an area where individual preferences will differ,
but here are a few little gems that can help with some of the aches and
pains of growing a human being.
Coobie Comfort Bra
One of the first signs of pregnancy is tender breasts. And that’s
just the beginning. From that first few weeks of pregnancy until your
little one begins to wean, you’ll notice that “the girls” will get
larger and more sensitive. That’s why I love my coobie bras. For
starters it’s not a specific sized bra so it can adjust to the “growing”
factor. And underwire bras are not good for nursing (or your lymphatic
system in general). These bras are inexpensive, comfortable, and
supportive. (Of course,
I’d read the reviews thoroughly
before making a purcahse. I’m pretty small chested and if you are
“better endowed” it might not be the best fit for you.) You can find
them online
here.
A pregnancy pillow
I’ll be honest, I haven’t used a pregnancy pillow myself… mostly
because I’m cheap and I already own a bajillion pillows that I
coordinate to do the same thing. But if I were just starting out again,
I’d invest in
one of these.
Less hassle, and more specifically designed to support you belly and
help you get the sleep you need (until you start peeing all night long,
of course.)
Support Band
Again, this is something I haven’t used… for which I’m grateful. I
think the best way to stay supported is to stay active and do prenatal
yoga to enhance your own natural muscular support. However, if you
experience back pain then
this little guy might be a really good investment to keep your centered and feeling good.
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Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth