Pregnancy is no doubt a life changing experience, filled with moments of joy and anticipation, but also worry and uncertainty. As your body goes through profound changes, it’s natural to seek out care for yourself and your baby. Most women do receive traditional prenatal care, but may find that there are gaps in their care or desire more frequent check-ins throughout their pregnancy. If this is your past or current experience, you might want to consider seeing a naturopathic doctor to complement your prenatal care.
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare, combining traditional healing methods with modern science. Naturopathic doctors aim to treat the whole person and address the root cause of illness, rather than just alleviating symptoms. They utilize a variety of natural modalities, such as diet and lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, nutritional supplementation, cupping, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Using these principles and therapies, naturopathic doctors can offer well rounded prenatal care.
Here are five reasons why you should consider seeing a naturopathic doctor during your pregnancy:
1. Ample Time to Ask Questions
When you’re pregnant, there are often countless questions running through your mind. From diet and exercise to understanding the changes happening in your body, it can be overwhelming. One of the benefits of seeing a naturopathic doctor is the time they spend with you during each appointment. Unlike conventional visits that may feel rushed, naturopathic consultations typically last longer, allowing for an in-depth discussion of your health concerns and questions.
Naturopathic doctors focus on building a strong relationship with their patients, which means they take the time to listen, educate and guide you through your pregnancy. Whether you’re unsure about certain medical interventions or procedures, curious about natural treatments or just need advice on how to manage your stress during this time, your naturopathic doctor will be there to provide thoughtful answers to your questions. This time to connect and receive clear guidance can help reduce any anxieties you may have, making you feel more confident and empowered throughout your pregnancy.
2. Support with Supplements
During pregnancy, your body requires additional nutrients to support your growing baby and to maintain your own health. Many women find themselves uncertain about which supplements they should take or whether they are taking the right amount, especially with the vast amount of information that can be found online. A naturopathic doctor can offer evidence informed guidance to make sure the supplements you are taking are indicated for you and safe to take. Sometimes the amount of certain vitamins and minerals in prenatal supplements may not be enough for you so running blood work to check for any nutrient deficiencies, like iron and vitamin D, can be helpful to ensure that you are getting the appropriate dose of nutrients. Certain forms of minerals may also worsen nausea in the first trimester or further exacerbate constipation in pregnancy. A naturopathic doctor can help to recommend supplements in forms that are more absorbable to reduce the incidence of these common concerns from occurring.
3. Natural Solutions for Common Ailments in Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it a variety of symptoms and conditions that can be challenging to manage. While these discomforts are often considered a normal part of pregnancy, naturopathic doctors offer natural and effective solutions to address these issues so that your pregnancy can be as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Common pregnancy complaints like morning sickness, heartburn, leg cramps, constipation and catching the cold or flu can be alleviated through natural therapies. For example:
- Morning sickness: Naturopathic doctors educate patients on how to prevent nausea by eating small frequent meals before they get too hungry. They may also recommend ginger and perform acupuncture for further support.
- Heartburn: Dietary changes, like avoiding certain foods and eating smaller meals, and the use of herbs can help to soothe your digestive system. Acupuncture may be another useful tool to help with acid reflux.
- Leg cramps: Stretching, staying hydrated, warm foot baths and supplementing with calcium and magnesium can help alleviate leg cramps that may occur in pregnancy.
- Constipation: A naturopathic doctor may recommend adding more dietary fiber and increasing water intake to promote regular bowel movements.
- Cold/Flus: Some of the common cold and flu medications that people normally take when they are sick are not safe to use in pregnancy. Naturopathic doctors may recommend certain herbs, like echinacea and ginger, along with vitamin C and D to help reduce the length of illness and severity of symptoms.
By trying natural solutions for these common concerns, you may be able to experience some relief instead of just living with these symptoms during your pregnancy.
4. Helping You Have a Healthy Pregnancy
The ultimate goal of naturopathic prenatal care is to ensure a healthy baby is carried to term and to prevent any negative maternal health outcomes. Working with a naturopathic doctor before you start trying can help to set a foundation for a healthy pregnancy and can help to address any pre-existing health conditions that may have a negative impact on your own health or your baby’s. At your first visit, your naturopathic doctor will go through your health history, your past pregnancies if any, as well as your current diet and lifestyle habits. If no recent blood work has been run or further assessment is needed, blood tests may be ordered to rule out any nutrient deficiencies or elevated metabolic markers, like fasting glucose and lipids, which can increase your risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes or gestational hypertension. To prevent these negative outcomes from happening, individualized dietary recommendations will be given. This may include education and practical tips on how to eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fiber, healthy fats and protein, along with a reduction in processed sugars and refined carbohydrates. Your naturopathic doctor may also encourage you to have consistent physical activity that is appropriate for you during your pregnancy. Additional herbal and nutritional supplements may be given depending on the results of your blood work and health history. By addressing risk factors early on or instilling good habits in healthy individuals, naturopathic care can minimize the risk of negative health outcomes in both mom and baby to achieve a healthy pregnancy.
5. Labour and Birth Preparation
As you near the end of your pregnancy, naturopathic care can help safely prepare you physically, mentally and emotionally for labour. Acupuncture, starting at 36 weeks until delivery, can help bring on labour naturally, decreasing the need for medical induction and other interventions during delivery. It can help to reduce labour pains and cause the uterus to contract more efficiently. You may also be shown some acupuncture points that your partner can apply pressure to during labour to help with reducing pain and nausea. If your baby is in breech, acupuncture can also help to turn the baby into a more optimal position for birth. Acupuncture can also help to calm the mind in preparation for birth. Other natural herbs and remedies may be prescribed, like red raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil and castor oil, which can help to ripen the cervix to bring on labour. Nutritional counseling and herbs may also be given to support lactation and milk supply after birth.
Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time and the support you receive during this journey is crucial to ensuring a positive experience for both you and your baby. Naturopathic doctors offer an invaluable, patient-centered approach to prenatal care that complements traditional medicinal practices. If you’re looking for a dedicated partner in your pregnancy journey, consider booking an initial appointment today with our naturopathic doctor, Dr. Beatrice, or a 15 minute free discovery call to learn more. Take the next step in ensuring that you and your baby have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Book your consultation now and start experiencing the benefits of naturopathic care!
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is for general information and educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a licensed health care practitioner before starting any natural health products or natural attempts to promote labour.
