Pregnancy

What a joyful and exciting time to be pregnant! When I am pregnant, the first thing I do is start planning and preparing. My favourite things to do during my pregnancy are to nourish my body and baby and to exercise physically, emotionally, and spiritually—my inner self and my body. Listed below are some helpful hints to help others on this journey to better health and wellness in pregnancy, to make this a wondrous time of growth and well-being.

Drink herb teas

In particular, drink red raspberry leaf/nettle tea and/or red raspberry/alfalfa/comfrey tea. They nourish your body and your baby throughout the pregnancy. I drink a pot of red raspberry leaf/nettle tea each day from the day I find out I am pregnant. Towards the end, there are more herbs you can take to further prime your uterus form birthing.I add a heaping tablespoon of each herb to the pot and it makes about 6 cups of tea.

Exercise

I practice hatha yoga and I walk. Walking is such wonderful exercise to prepare for labour and to keep fit and strong. Yoga is strengthening and it can be of enormous help in stretching and lengthening your muscles. After a beautiful morning session of 10-20 asanas, I feel energised and prepared to face the day.

Relaxation

Very important. You need to find a time every day to relax. And this isn't including sleep. Take 20-30 minutes to relax, utilising a relaxation tape or music devoid of words—soft, gentle music...nothing harsh or heavy.

Water

Drink lots of it. Distilled is best, but purified, not tap water. Enjoy it! Bathe in it! Shower in it! Play in it! All of the time!

Bonding

Talk to your baby, read to your baby, listen to your baby. Your baby will talk to you. Your baby will listen to you. This is very important. And don't be afraid to discuss your birth options and desires with your baby. During labour, your baby is a vital part of that labouring process and the more you communicate, the more you can create a wonderful, spiritual experience beneficial to both of you!

Pregnancy Happenings

When you are pregnant, you can experience some of the following:

Morning sickness

Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Drink RRL tea, avoid sugar, avoid spicy foods, drink lemon.

Braxton Hicks

Walk lots :) They are an indication that your uterus is getting ready to help your baby get born. They can begin any time in your pregnancy, and will generally increase in frequency towards the end.

Ligament Stretching

Make sure you are getting enough calcium.

Fatigue

Sleep whenever the mood hits you. When you are tired, your body is letting you know that it needs rest to help grow your babe.

Dizziness

Get up slowly. Make sure you are getting adequate nutrition. Do your relaxation.

Nutrition in Pregnancy

This is so important. I am a vegetarian, but one needn't be a vegetarian to be very healthy during pregnancy. It is vital that you get lots of healthy vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein and vital nutrients...Eat organically to get the best benefit from your food. Eliminate sugar from your diet. For protein, eat beans, brown rice and tofu. Eat leafy green vegetables. If you need to take a supplement, make sure it is from as pure a source as possible. Pharmacy brands do not generally fall into this category. If you want to give your baby the best start in life you will make sure that the food you put into your mouth is the very best available to you. Junk food, processed food, and refined sugar does not meet such requirements. Packaged food, for the most part does not meet this requirement either. Eat fresh food as much as possible, and eat raw food as much as possible. Do not overcook your food. Millet is wonderfully healthy all of the time, and even more so in pregnancy.

Involving your Family

When I say this, I mostly mean your immediate family. You can involve as many people in your pregnancy and birth as you want, but the less who are intimately involved, the better it can be for you and your soon-to-be born baby. I personally feel that the husband's support and involvement are extremely valuable. Do not underestimate your husband's ability to be a terrific support and help! My husband was my rock. I have only one child, so my experience with older children in pregnancy is limited, but I remember that when my mother was pregnant with her different babies, I didn't feel terribly knowledgeable or involved and I found that when she brought the baby home from the hospital, I didn't feel very connected. Sure I loved my baby sibling, but it took awhile to develop a connectedness. Involve your family, they will be blessed for it in the long run.

Spiritual Preparation

I will expound on this in another area, as it needs a spot all its own!