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.

Why Preconception Health Matters

Preconception health refers to the state of a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. It means understanding a woman’s health condition, her risk factors, and how they could affect her, and her unborn baby should Read More

Planning A Pregnancy Diet

Pregnancy can be so overwhelming for so many reasons and one of the biggest hurdles to jump is the diet changes. Managing food while you are pregnant is so important to get you and your Read More

Intimacy During Pregnancy

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

4 Misconceptions About Home Births (and the Truth)

If you’re expecting a baby, you’ve likely encountered countless opinions about childbirth options. Among these, home births are often the subject of debate. Unfortunately, there are many common misconceptions about home births that deter expectant Read More

Winter Park Pregnancy Tips

You are expectant, and you are excited about the idea of welcoming your new baby. But even before you start thinking of how you will be taking care of your baby, you should start thinking Read More

1 2

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.