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.
Health and wellness fads often come and go, but one worth considering has stuck around: probiotics. Over the past decades many have studied the potential benefits of probiotics, healthy bacteria that advantage your body. Your Read More
Struggling with fertility is one of the most heartbreaking things a couple can experience. There are lots of reasons women struggle with infertility, from lifestyle choices to hormone imbalances and even genetics. One of the Read More
From the glow of pregnancy to the beauty and bonding of breastfeeding your newborn, many women enter motherhood with an idealized image of what their experience will be. When reality crashes in, many mothers feel Read More
Childbirth is one of the most profound experiences in life, yet it often comes with sensations that may feel difficult to manage. Many individuals are turning to natural pain management techniques for labor to cultivate Read More
According to the CDC, 12 percent of women and 10 percent of men ages 15 to 44 have reproduction issues. Fertility is a women’s health issue as well as a men’s health issue. As a Read More
Millions of couples experience difficulties when trying to become pregnant. For 15 percent of these couples, infertility cannot be traced to a specific diagnosis or condition. In addition to lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, fertility Read More
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
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
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
The journey to parenthood can be an emotional and exciting time for many couples. However, the process of trying to conceive can also be challenging and stressful. In fact, research has shown that stress can 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.
