Natural Pregnancy: Get the Glow

Photo courtesy of Arwen Abendstern

Your guide to a natural pregnancy: From holistic prenatal care to a healthy diet for pregnancy to natural remedies and much more…

There is no better time than pregnancy to adopt a more natural, healthy and holistic way of life. With rising rates of birth defects, preterm birth and chronic disease in children, it's critical to examine what we put in and on our bodies and how we approach pregnancy and the birth process.

So what does a natural pregnancy look like?

While it's normal to have some ups and downs, it's natural to overall feel vibrant, healthy and, yes, glowing during pregnancy! It's natural to be happy and confident, looking forward to the experience of giving birth and expecting it to go well!

We've gotten it backwards as a culture. It's considered natural and expected to feel tired, sick and uncomfortable during pregnancy. Women are regularly monitored and tested to look for things gone wrong. Our birth practices are governed by fear and a disease-based model of care.

A focus on natural pregnancy and birth is an empowering way to shift away from negativity and fear and create a new legacy of health for the next generation. The following links will guide you in a holistic journey to your best pregnancy and birth:

Healthy Diet for Pregnancy

You (and your baby!) really are what you eat, so a natural pregnancy has to begin with a natural pregnancy diet. With so much conflicting nutritional advice out there, most women are confused about what to eat to stay well and grow a healthy baby. Click the above link for guidance on eating healthy during pregnancy.

Exercise & Yoga for Pregnancy

Working out during pregnancy will keep you fit and healthy as well as help you build stamina for the work of labor. No need to do anything fancy- just pick one or two activities and do them regularly, building your strength and endurance gradually. Walking and yoga are the best forms of pregnancy exercise. Targeted pregnancy exercises, like Kegels, squatting and pelvic rocking will tone and condition the specific muscles used for giving birth.

Prenatal yoga is a holistic practice that benefits the body, mind and spirit. It cultivates physical strength, alignment and flexibility. And in addition to being a great form of exercise, you will also enhance mental clarity, emotional awareness and spiritual connection to guide your natural pregnancy and birth experience.

Holistic Prenatal Care

Those you invite into your inner circle during pregnancy and especially when giving birth will make a big difference in the experience you will have. Chosen consciously and carefully, your prenatal care providers can help set you up for the experience of a lifetime.

Midwife and doula care, childbirth education and chiropractic during pregnancy should make up your core prenatal care services. Click the above link to find out the many benefits of using these and other holistic care providers.

Natural Remedies During Pregnancy

When discomforts and illness do occur, natural remedies are always worthwhile as a first or complementary course of action. One reason is because they are more natural and gentle to the body, often without risks or side effects. Natural remedies also tend to treat the cause or imbalance underlying the problem, rather than simply treating or masking symptoms.

Click on the link above for reasons to avoid medications during pregnancy and to find effective natural remedies for common pregnancy complaints and complications.

Organic Body Care During Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, you are just naturally more mindful of what you put in and on your body. Gravitating toward organic body care options just reflects that intuitive awareness. Click the link above for tips and products you can use to clean up your internal environment and reducing toxin exposure to both you and the baby.

Organic Pregnancy Tips

An organic pregnancy has so many benefits for both mother and baby. To learn the best tips for natural home and body care, diet and more, I asked an expert with 20 years experience in the natural health field, Jodi Barnett. Click on the link above to read her interview.

Natural Childbirth Tips

A glorious natural birth is the logical conclusion to a natural pregnancy. You have spent nine months mindfully creating the safest and healthiest environment for your growing baby. It is just as important when giving birth, if not more so, to continue protecting your baby from the effects of medications and medical interventions.

If you've built a healthy foundation and adopted the holistic perspective suggested here, your natural birth will simply be the piece de resistance of your gratifying and transformative journey. Click the above link for tips on how to achieve a natural birth.

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