Pregnancy + Postpartum Resources
PREGNANCY EDUCATION
I’ve taken three birth e-courses (a different one for each pregnancy) and this one was the MOST comprehensive, clear, and effective: Joy Within Birth taught by a certified doula. Topics include nutrition, mental/emotional health, labor stages, interventions, natural remedies, postpartum, lactation. I recommend beginning this course even before you become pregnant, if you want a headstart on feeling prepared for pregnancy—but it’s never too late to take it!
PAIN RELIEF DURING PREGNANCY
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists have been some of the most educational, caring, and effective help I received during pregnancy. I learned muscular massages and stretches that I was able to implement daily to reduce round ligament pain, nerve pain and more. I also grew more confident about my ability to have an unmedicated birth, even after I experienced a c-section for my first, and a medicated VBAC delivery with complications and a tailbone injury in my second birth.
Acupuncturists are also extremely knowledgeable in both Western and Eastern medicine and if you find a great one, they will sit with you to really understand your pain points, concerns, etc. They can also help you understand the way our muscles work together and how we can help our bodies recover from injuries or stress that occurs during/after pregnancy.
Chiropractors who are Webster Certified can be a WEALTH of knowledge for pregnancy-related topics and care.
MEDICAL TESTS DURING PREGNANCY
In my first pregnancy I tested positive for gestational diabetes, second pregnancy positive for GBS, third pregnancy I had no diabetes and no GBS. I attribute this positive change to the diet and lifestyle changes I made plus the addition of probiotics in my diet.
Gestational diabetes: Begin eating clean and exercising as soon as you possibly can. Sugars, processed foods, etc. can negatively impact your health and possibly cause you to test positive for diabetes.
- The down side of GD: A positive GD test can result in major inconveniences in your pregnancy such as having to prick your finger after each meal to test blood sugar levels (no fun, trust me!).
- Also, beginning your pregnancy at a healthy weight and BMI can help prevent issues like preeclampsia, early term delivery, pain and injury. Recovery will also be faster if you maintain healthy lifestyle habits during pregnancy!
GBS: Many providers told me it’s not possible to prevent GBS. While this may be true, I can tell you that after a history of GBS, I was able to test negative this pregnancy. I am not the only one!
- Beginning at 34 weeks pregnant, I put 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water once a day. I also took Life9 probiotics (though I did this less frequently than ACV). These additions have the ability to change your gut flora for the better and reduce the likelihood of GBS growing in your system. Worth a shot! The down side of GBS: You may have to take antibiotics during pregnancy (not ideal for you or baby’s gut flora) and upon arriving to deliver your baby, you will immediately be hooked up to an IV that will deliver antibiotics to you. This was an unwanted intervention during my second pregnancy but I had no choice. If you test positive you will have to go to hospital as soon as your water breaks vs being able to labor at home longer if that’s what you desire.
LABOR EXERCISES (Youtube & Instagram Videos)
I began practicing these exercises and breathing techniques around 33 weeks. This gave me ample time to feel confident and prepared when labor came.
I began sitting on my birth ball daily around 33 weeks–I even used it as a chair most of my day because it relieved so much of the lower back and leg pain I was having. I also believe sitting on this birth ball so often helped soften my cervix and contributed to me not tearing even though this was my largest baby yet!
Turning Baby From Sunny Side Up
How To Get Into Active Labor: Miles Circuit
6 Tips for Smoother, Faster Labor
Social Media Accounts For Helpful and Encouraging Pregnancy Tips
Hailey Aliff - Conception to Birth Educator
Jessica Pumple- Pregnancy & Postpartum Exercise Specialist
May these few tidbits make a positive difference in your pregnancy and postpartum! You can do this!
*Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always check with you OBGYN or Midwife!