Nurturing the mother: my journey through pregnancy through a naturopathic lens.
Pregnancy was a intense journey filled with anticipation, excitement, and transformation. I feel grateful to have a plethora of knowledge under my belt from years of research for myself and expectant mamas. Diving into this journey I really found there was so much left to learn and each journey is so different not just from person to person, but from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Here’s some of the things that really helped me and some practices I found supportive for a vibrant(ish) journey through pregnancy.
Mindful Nutrition: Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. I opted for lots of nutrient-dense, whole foods to provide essential vitamins and minerals crucial for fetal development. I actually spent a good amount of time cooking making things I craved from scratch, I feel lucky to have the time to do this but found I had an extra motivator knowing that all this food is going towards bub as well. It is really a journey of listening in and depending on what crops up through pregnancy (for me it was reflux) will depend on what you bring in and omit from your diet. A personalized dietary plan takes into account the unique needs of each expectant mother, supporting her physical and emotional well-being. I highly recommend reading Lily Nichols “Real food for prengnacy”, theres a lot of pressure put on what we can’t eat and this dispells some of that. In a nutshell I went for wholefoods, and organic if possible.
Herbal Support: Herbal remedies can play a valuable role in promoting a healthy pregnancy. This doesn't mean you have to have those nasty herbs we give you it can come in many forms. Already I have used herbs in tea form, in my food, in my body butter and oils and as a herbal tincture. There are many areas that herbs can help assist; energy. digestion, nausea, birth preperation for the uterus, mineral balance, stress and post partum support. Ensure you use these herbs under the guidance of a qualified naturopath, as many can be contraindicated in pregnancy causing harm to bub and may interact with any medications. I used reishi and rhodiola throughout. Reishi is safe for pregnancy and can be used from day one, it assists sleep, mood and immune system. Look into reishi babies as well, sets your babies nervous system up for a calm, but alert baby. Rhodiola helped me as I removed caffeine completely throughout pregnancy. It helped give me a boost when I needed it as turns out creating a baby from scratch is tiring. ALWAYS check with a practitioner for interactions and if these herbs are appropriate for you.
Stress Management: Pregnancy can bring about various stressors, both physical and emotional. I recall the early stages of pregnancy the weight of the decision really starting to play on my mind. The reality of it all processing was A LOT! You're life is changing FOREVER. A calm and centered mindset contributes positively to both maternal and fetal well-being. This is easier said that done and actively telling yourself to stop stressing DOES NOT WORK. I applied many little practices to signal to my body we are safe and everything is ok. Our mental wellbeing really needs a team. It also requires processing so we have to make sure we let these stresses out in some way; journaling, talking to someone (a professional or a friend) or yelling into a pillow works. Intergrating exercise (yoga, walking & resistance training), time in nature, community, medtiation, cooking and naps were so important for me. Whatever works for you for stress management bring it in, this can be listening to music, going for a drive riding a bike, dancing just add little bits in every day to help shift the stress. Again reishi was a magic for this. Other herbs & nutritional can be incorporated if you feel the anxiety and stress is overwhelming.
Holistic Bodywork: Gentle bodywork modalities, such as prenatal massage and chiropractic care, can be integral components of naturopathic pregnancy support. These therapies aim to alleviate physical discomfort, improve circulation, and optimize the body's alignment, creating an optimal environment for the baby's growth and development. Plus, helping bub be able to move throughout the birth space to get into correct positioning. There is so much pain that can exist throughout pregnancy. From sore wrists to pelvic girdle pain getting consistent massage and chiropractic really helped me not only ease my pain but helped me drop into relaxation a lot more. Pro tip: nap before you go so you don't fall asleep in the massage.
Acupuncture - This deserves its own dot number. From conception to post partum acucpuncture as the ability to help throughout. Stress, nausea, miscarriages, pain, reflux, induction and warming the post partum body this was such a massive part of my pregnancy journey. Would highly recommend using acupuncture throughout your pregnancy. If you don’t have access or are afraid of needles you can opt for other styles of Chinese medicine e.g. tui na.
Education and Empowerment: A naturopathic approach to pregnancy includes empowering expectant mothers with knowledge. Education on nutrition, exercise, and stress management empowers women to make informed choices that align with their individual needs, fostering a sense of control and confidence during this transformative time. This is so crucial it can feel like you aren't in control of your body and there is so much information about what is an isn't safe. All the pressure is on you. It's about deciding what you want and what feels right for you. Listen in to what you and your baby want first and then learn and read about it. It's not a one size fits all process.
Naps - this was my saviour in the third trimester I was taking a nap a day. This isn’t possible for everyone but if you can take the pressure off yourself to wake up early, get everything done at night etc. Its all just practice for not getting it done when the baby comes.
Postpartum Support: I set myself up for success and filled my freezer with so much food! It ended up lasting me about 2 months! I asked for food as presents and didn't buy too much knowing that I can get it if I truly need it. I have lots of support close by, but you can get support by hiring a doula, telling a friend or a partner how they can support you or bringing in some boundaries. The first two weeks I didn't leave my bedroom and friends and family visited me there.
It’s a massive undertaking growing a human. The best thing you can do is be kind to yourself and value the work that you are doing for your baby and family.
