Condition Spotlight
The decisions a woman and her partner make during preconception, pregnancy, and childbirth will shape the life of their child. As alternative medicine increases in popularity, future parents and caregivers are looking toward natural therapies such as nutritional supplementation, homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage, and aromatherapy in order to give birth to a healthier child.
It is important to the health of both mother and fetus that the mother eats a well-balanced and varied diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, and fish are essential. Limit refined sugars, processed foods, and saturated fats. Organically grown produce, meats, and poultry are preferable.
When new mothers complain that all those sleepless nights caring for their newborns are taking years off their life, they just might be right, UCLA research published this summer in the journal Sleep Health suggests. Scientists studied Read More
There are so many different elements that can impact a couple’s fertility that, to get a clear picture of the issue, often many tests are necessary. This can be incredibly overwhelming for the couple, who Read More
Whether a pregnancy is planned or not, the act of bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful thing but the journey to get there is not always an easy one. Sure, the Read More
A woman’s physical and emotional comfort with her pregnancy determine her sexual attitudes and enjoyment at this time. Her feelings are often influenced by her partner’s attitude to her appearance. This issue is complex and Read More
A new study by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC indicates that a sugar called fructose is passed from mother to infant through breast milk. The proof-of-concept study involving 25 mothers and Read More
Pregnant women made only modest dietary changes after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Women with gestational diabetes are generally advised to reduce their Read More
If you are 35 or over, you might wonder if you will struggle to conceive a baby. While it is true that your ovarian reserve may have reduced now you have entered your mid-thirties, you Read More
Pregnancy might seem like the perfect time to sit back and relax. You likely feel more tired than usual, and your back might ache from carrying extra weight. But unless you’re experiencing complications, sitting around Read More
Vitamin D is a critical nutrient and has many important functions in the body. A mother’s vitamin D supply is passed to her baby in utero and helps regulate processes including brain development. A study Read More
Most women know it’s best to be in good physical health before getting pregnant. For women with Crohn’s disease, that means more than eating right and exercising. Crohn’s disease , along with ulcerative colitis, are conditions of Read More
There are many available choices surrounding pregnancy and childbirth—a hospital birth is no longer seen as the only safe option for delivery. Many couples are opting to have their babies at home or in birth centers that offer the kind of care that is tailored to each couple’s needs. Currently, holistic practitioners in the field of childbirth are addressing the need for dietary changes, abstinence from harmful substances, childbirth classes, and emotional support during the birth. Other options range from the modern technology of a hospital birth to water birth in the home; obstetric care to midwifery and doula care; and medical drug intervention to labor-inducing herbs.
Although each individual responds to pregnancy differently, and there is no such thing as a perfect pregnancy, there are many ways to contribute to a healthy one. Probably most important is that the woman realizes the physiological impact carrying a child has on her health and that she listens to her body’s needs. Adequate rest, including naps, ‘mental’ breaks, and sufficient sleep, is essential. Maintaining a positive outlook and keeping stress to a minimum are beneficial to both mother and baby. Comfortably paced, regular, non-jarring exercise, such as low-impact aerobics, walking, yoga, and swimming, can increase stamina for labor, strengthen muscles used during delivery, and may enhance the ability to cope better with labor.
