Pregnancy & Birth

Pregnancy Matters

Did you know that your health during pregnancy can greatly influence the health of your baby? This is called 'foetal programming', and is an area of research that is continuing to expand. For example a link has been found between nutrition during pregnancy, your baby's birth weight and his or her health as an adult.

Pregnancy Nutrition

During pregnancy there is a greater demand for nutrients, particularly those used in skeletal development and blood building. Nutritional demands differ with each trimester and I can assist you obtain optimal nutrition during each phase. In particular, I can help you sift through the many myths about diet and pregnancy and give you the confidence to make wise choices. To assist you with your changing nutritional needs I recommend an appointment during early pregnancy, then at weeks 14, 24 and 34.

Pregnancy Health

Though pregnancy is different for each and every woman, there are some common experiences such as morning sickness (or all day sickness!). Morning sickness, heartburn, sluggish digestion and fluid retention can all be improved with wise food choices and/or carefully selected nutritional supplements. If you've had a previous miscarriage, early pregnancy may be a nervous time for you. There are many reasons why miscarriage can occur and though some may be beyond your control, there are ways to reduce your risk.

Preparation for Birth

Herbal medicine has a long tradition of use in the last trimester of pregnancy to promote a more comfortable birth. During your visit at week 34, we'll talk about how to prepare your body for labour and breastfeeding.