How To Stay Healthy Naturally During Pregnancy
Of course eating healthy, taking vitamins, not smoking, and not drinking alcohol are pretty common answers when asking this question, but how else can you stay healthy naturally during pregnancy? Here are some good tips to remember:
1. Natural Health Care. Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: one of your best options to care for yourself and your growing baby is by seeking regular natural health care while pregnant. Chiropractic care is a completely safe method of making your pregnancy more manageable, by adjusting your spine as your body evolves to grow the baby. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help prepare your pelvic floor muscles for labour and also prevent potential issues that can arise after delivery as well. Acupuncture can not only help prevent miscarriage (so is a great tool in the first trimester), but can help with other concerns along the way such as nausea, swelling, back aches and so on. Massage therapy and osteopathy are fantastic for making you feel more comfortable during this (sometimes) long nine months.
2. Sleep. If you’re not already a side-sleeper do try to become one, at least while you’re pregnant. It’s probably going to become the most comfortable position as the baby grows, plus it makes it easier for blood to get pumped to your baby; lying on your back can put pressure on the large blood vessels to and from your feet and legs. Try also to get enough rest - if you’re tired during the day take naps wherever you can, or if you’re not a “napper,” try to just meditate. Studies show that a few minutes of meditation can help your mind and body recover in ways similar to deep sleep.
3. Exercise. It’s not recommended that you start an exercise regimen once you’re pregnant, but your health care provider is likely to suggest that maintaining what you’ve been doing is probably okay. Be sure not to do any exercise that involves too much bouncing, falling down, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) exercise with large variations, any exercise in excessively hot or cold weather, or exercise that is too exhaustive. There are also exercises such as the squat, that can potentially help prepare your body for labour. Be sure to ask your health care professional about what is safe, and what is not safe to try.
4. Food Hygiene. Being careful around food is always a good idea, but when you have a second person inside you it may be even more important. Be sure to wash your hands more often, and especially before handling any food you’re going to eat or cook. Also make sure that any dishes and utensils you’re using are well cleaned. Finally, be sure to avoid some foods that are prone to carry listeria bacteria, as an infection of this sort can be harmful to your baby. These foods include pate of any kind, raw or not fully cooked meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, and any soft or blue-veined cheese. For more thorough nutritional advice, seek the advice of our naturopathic doctor.
If you’d like some more information, would like to book a free consultation or would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment at Yellow Gazebo, please give us a call at 416-909-2334, email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com, or use the online booking link below. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way to optimum health.
