prenatal info

Pre-Natal Support part 1

Congratulations! You are going to start preparing to create a tiny human! Pre-natal preparation is important to ensure healthy conception, pregnancy and future of the little one.

Preparation for both Male and Female partners:

Both maternal and sperm health are important. To maximize the health of both I recommend just doing a general check in with the health of each partner. By treating any symptoms or conditions that currently exist it will make it that much easier for you body to produce high quality “products.” Additionally by getting your health on track before the arrival of the new born will allow you to have more time and energy to focus on the new arrival!

Nutrition

  • A diet rich in leafy greens and colourful veggies that cover half your plate, high-fibre foods, good oils (olive, flax, coconut, high quality organic butter) and whole and unprocessed foods as much as possible
  • Check out the new Canadian food guide for a great example of a healthy plate!
  • Refer to Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists for vegetables that contain the highest and lowest amounts of pesticides and which things you should try to buy organic
  • Check in with digestion – bloating, constipation, loose stools, heartburn are all signs that you need some digestive support to get all those nutrients in!

Stress management

Conception and pregnancy are hormone based processes. There is one hormone that is really good at taking control in the body and that hormone is Cortisol – our stress hormone.  Good stress management will decrease cortisol production and allow our bodies to have optimal production of our sex hormones. We can support stress management through herbs and supplements as well as lifestyle changes.

  • A good B complex supports a healthy stress response and improves energy in most people
  • If you feel overwhelmed, stress, anxious etc getting a custom tincture herbal blend and can be very helpful
  • Lifestyle management of stress – write down the large stressors in your life and identify ways to improve them. Also write down the things that bring you joy in your life so you can increase them!
  • Incorporate daily/weekly activities to support the parasympathetic (anti-stress) response. Well studied and prove ways to do this include deep breathing, yoga, meditation, moderate exercise including walking, spending time out side, sit down meals with good company etc.

 

For specific male and female support see Part 2!