My Natural Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a great time to reevaluate your heath and the source of it. It's encouraging how many women who otherwise don't focus on natural health suddenly reduce their intake of pharmaceuticals and chemicals and begin paying attention to their nutrition. It's not uncommon to hear of a woman planning a completely natural, drug-free birth even though she typically uses things like Tylenol. The instant the news of a child is on the table people replace household cleaners with white vinegar and white pasta with brown rice. And best of all, tons of these women discover a new found love of organic food.



I've realized for myself that even after birth, I should probably stick with this new pregnancy diet (all that's really changed is the total abstinence from wine, reduction to less than a cup of coffee a week, and eating more often for the sake of blood sugar stability.) Sleeping more might be a permanent change too.

So what can you do to make your pregnancy more natural, and therefore healthier?
- Give up the bad stuff: alcohol, caffeine, smoking and drugs (that includes prescription but make an informed decision about that) need to be off the table
- Give up the equally bad stuff: there shouldn't be a lot of room in your diet for white sugar, soda (especially diet - artificial sweeteners are doing nothing for your baby's heath), staying up too late and laziness
- Pump up your nutrition: your body needs the vitamins and minerals from loads of vegetables and fruit, whole grains with tons of fibre, then of course iron, calcium and protein wherever you'd like to get it (if you're attempting a vegan pregnancy you will need to take out a loan to buy kale, quinoa and pinto beans)
- Look into natural remedies: I used ginger pastilles for morning sickness and plan to take EZ Birth (a homeopathic blend of Arnia, Actaea Racemosa, Pulsatilla and Sepia) for the more unpleasant parts of childbirth such as bruising, pain and fear
- Find a midwife: These pregnancy, birth & postnatal care experts will help through every stage, focusing on your preferences, but make sure to call early
If you're in London like I am:
Womancare: http://www.midwives.on.ca/
Thames Valley Midwives: http://tvm.on.ca/
Talbot Creek, in St. Thomas: http://talbotcreekmidwives.com/
I'm on the waiting list for all three but I can't wait to get a call!
- And lastly, ask me! My credentials are in nutrition only at this point but I am currently upgrading my education in natural health so I've got at least the basics of how to lead a healthy, natural life even beyond nutrition (I hope you see that from my blog)

Most importantly, enjoy this time.