Waiting for the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time. New moms enjoy preparing the nursery, buying clothes and stocking up on supplies. But most importantly, you should be focusing on you and the health of your new baby by considering what changes you need to make in order to bring your baby into a sensitive, responsive and loving environment. Whether you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, these are some steps you can take to prepare for your baby.
An extremely high-stress lifestyle isn't conducive to conceiving or carrying a baby to term, or to getting a baby off to a good start. Studies have shown that women who were at risk of premature labor showed that they all had either a high level of stress in their lives, a high level of fear or anxiety about the birth, or many unrealistic demands placed on them with little support. Start thinking about how you can rearrange your other priorities around this one. Consider reducing your workload or cutting back on the obligations that may have accumulated outside your work. Start taking time out of your day to take care of yourself. This self-care will become even more important when you're pregnant and after your baby is born.
Research shows that women have the best labor experience when they feel safe and cared for. Start to educate yourself about the resources that are available in your community for pregnancy, birth, and child rearing. Is it important to you to live near relatives once you start a family? Or do you have close friends nearby who are like family? Maybe you want to make sure you're in a community where alternative medical practitioners are readily available. Or perhaps you want to be near a university hospital, big city, church group, or spiritual community once you have children. Check out our Schedule of Events or call us to learn how you can get to know other expecting moms at The Healing Path.
Nutrition during pregnancy is serious business. Giving up cigarettes, caffeine, and alcohol and managing your overall nutrition all play a role in balancing your body and creating a healthy environment for your fetus. It isn't how much you eat that's so important but what you eat. Did you know that typically, a pregnant mom only needs to increase her calorie intake by 300 calories a day during the second and third trimester? Learn what nutrients are most important for your developing fetus and how to best take care of yourself during this exciting time.
Maintaining your energy level is important to the health of your baby and you. Consider meeting with our acupuncturist to learn how acupuncture can help you with your pregnancy and sustaining your energy levels by alleviating many of the tiring difficulties pregnant women face including morning sickness, abdominal pain, threatened or habitual miscarriage, edema, anxiety, dizziness, convulsions, feeling of suffocation, coughing, painful urination syndrome, retention of urine, and constipation. Although massage is not recommended during the first trimester, it can help you relax prior to conception and also help you sustain your energy level through your second & third trimesters. Learn more about the benefits of massage through our prenatal massage workshops.
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