Acupuncture & Pregnancy: Its Use Before, During, and After

Acupuncture & Pregnancy: Its Use Before, During, and After

Acupuncture has long been used to help with fertility and pregnancy.

While many may have heard of using acupuncture for pain relief, acupuncture for fertility and pregnancy support is not as well known or utilized in the United States. However, as more potential patients and primary healthcare providers become educated on the issues and conditions that acupuncture can treat, it would reason that more individuals would turn to acupuncture for their pregnancy needs. This is especially true as acupuncture can be of great assistance throughout the entire pregnancy process: from when a couple decides that they would like to become pregnant, to conception, carrying, labor and finally to postpartum support.

Why might so many patients turn to acupuncture, aside from the fact that it can be useful throughout the pregnancy process? It’s natural, safe and effective. Why rely on drugs and hormones that come with a plethora of potential adverse side effects when you can rely on the healthy functioning of your own body, prodded by acupuncture treatments? Acupuncture works because the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body help to trigger an internal, biophysiological cascade of events inside your body, in which various chemicals, neurotransmitters and hormones are released as the body moves from the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) into the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”)…

Read More

Preconception Nutrition - Guest Blog

Preconception Nutrition - Guest Blog

Hi everyone! I’m Beverly Chester.

My undergrad is in Nutrition Science, I have professional certifications in health, personal training, and youth exercise. I’m currently set to graduate in April with a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) degree. My career field is in Health Promotions, where I teach about nutrition, exercise, and weight management.

And of course, last but certainly not least, I’m a mother of two boys (ages 2 and 4 years old) and I’m a USMC spouse. I met Natalee a few years ago while living in Okinawa; we lived in the same building and we had our first babies around the same time. I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to write this post about preconception nutrition!

Read More

M is for Meal Prep

M is for Meal Prep

The end of your pregnancy is a great time to prepare meals to freeze for you to eat after your baby is born.  Not only does this task help you prepare for and lessen what needs to happen after your baby is born, but it is also a great distraction for those last few weeks or months when all you can think about is holding your new baby.  Once your baby is born you may be too exhausted to cook, or too busy with the baby to worry about cooking…

Read More

L is for Listeria

L is for Listeria

I am so excited to finally be back to blogging in my “ABCs of Pregnancy Blog” series!

Listeriosis is a very serious infection when you are pregnant.  The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes causes Listeriosis and is why you commonly hear people refer to Listeria when they are discussing Listeriosis.  Listeria is found in some animals, water, and soil which is why vegetables can be contaminated.  The infection is caused by eating contaminated food and typically affects those with a weakened immune system including older adults, newborns, and pregnant women. 

While Listeria can infect healthy people without a weakened immune system, it is not a serious disease for them—they will simply get sick.  The reason doctors take Listeria so seriously in pregnant women is that Listeriosis can be deadly for your baby.  Listeria is not killed by refrigeration or freezing; only heat can kill Listeria.  Foods need to be heated to at least 165°F to kill the bacteria.  This is why you should not eat raw sprouts or cold cut meats when you are pregnant…

Read More

Breast Pump Through Tricare at NO COST - Guest Blog

Breast Pump Through Tricare at NO COST - Guest Blog

You’ve got a to-do list that is a mile long and a deadline that looms closer with each passing day – your due date. There is so much to do before your baby comes, and your pregnancy brain is definitely not helping because this morning you spent 10 minutes looking everywhere for your phone only to realize that it was in your hand the whole time. True story, by the way. I don’t care what anyone else says, pregnancy brain is “a thing”.

With all the chaos and the intensive preparation of your baby’s arrival, from a million doctor’s appointments to shopping for baby clothes to finding the right stroller, no wonder you haven’t had a chance to think about one essential thing – your breast pump. Now you are a few weeks away from your baby’s arrival, and everything and everyone is being annoying – your husband’s loud breathing, and your mother-in-law’s daily dose of pregnancy advice, and not to mention the 100 times you’ve had to get up to go pee because your baby can’t stop pushing on your bladder. You have NO, I mean, ABSOLUTELY NO energy left in you to sit there on hold for 20 minutes with your insurance representative to figure out what breast pump and supplies you are covered for with your insurance. That’s okay, mama. We understand. We got you…

Read More

What is HypnoBirthing? - Guest Blog

What is HypnoBirthing? - Guest Blog

When I talk about the HypnoBirthing® childbirth education classes that I teach many people either don’t know what it is or think it is about giving birth in water or having a birth experience without any pain at all (which is actually true for some women. Not common, but possible.).

If you’ve ever wondered what HyponBirthing is and if it might be the right childbirth education course for you, here is a summary of what it is, what it’s not, and what’s typically covered in a 5-week class series…

Read More

2 Hearts 1 Dress - Guest Blog

2 Hearts 1 Dress - Guest Blog

My whole life I wanted to be a mom. I knew I wanted at least 2 kids--I was open to more. However, I also knew that I wanted to marry young and wait until I was in my late 20’s to have babies. I wanted to travel, I wanted to experience life.

When I was 20 my husband and I got engaged, shortly after we were told we may not be able to have children of our own, and that if doing so was important to us, we should get started right away.  I had gone to the doctor to go over the blood test results to figure out why I hadn’t had a period in almost a year, I left with a prescription for Clomid, a blotchy, tear-stained face, and a terrified fiancé.

The next few months were filled with lots of tears and disappointment. Longing stares in the grocery store at women who were visibly showing and an in depth internet search into what other options we had if this didn’t work. Things were rough, hormones were strong and our relationship was getting weaker--but a month after our wedding, we finally got those two pink lines we had been praying for. We had no idea that over the next 6 years we would be blessed with the ability to have 3 more children and 2 miscarriages without the help of fertility drugs…

Read More

Prenatal Yoga: An Instructor's Perspective - Guest Blog

Prenatal Yoga: An Instructor's Perspective - Guest Blog

It is such an honor to teach prenatal yoga! As one of my teachers always quoted, “The seat of the teacher is of service.”  In the spirit of a doula, midwife, loving doctor, the prenatal teacher offers ahimsa, the first Yama which means compassion, to her students.  My current class description reads:

“An optional (though recommended) 15-minute community time builds a supportive class atmosphere and discusses the ebbs and flows of the pregnancy journey week to week and starts a 60 minute accessible yoga class for all stages of pregnancy where moms choose the best of many options for each pose and practice.  Strength building and stability poses custom for expectant mothers are utilized to help “Mother the mother.”  Moms will also learn breathing and meditation practices for labor, postpartum, and their lifetime mothering journey.  Questions are encouraged and welcome.  Class ends with a restorative savasana.  Appropriate for all stages of pregnancy and movement levels-all are very welcome!”

Read More

Prenatal Massage Therapy is a Thing Now - Guest Blog

Prenatal Massage Therapy is a Thing Now - Guest Blog

Hi there! I invite you right now, where you are, to freeze. Just for a second, take in an intentional deep breath and close your eyes as you slowly release it. (Seriously, do it.) How are you feeling? This present moment is pretty perfect isn’t it? Great! Now we are ready to continue. Why did I ask you to do that? Because your self-care is important. Because no one else can be intentional about making sure you are alive and well. Only you can do that for yourself. It’s our own job to care for our amazing beautiful vessels…

Read More

How to Tell a Midwife from an Obstetrician - Guest Blog

How to Tell a Midwife from an Obstetrician - Guest Blog

When I came up with that title, I was tempted to have a little fun with it, wishing i had some clip art with a picture of a backwoods granny woman with a corncob pipe and a well worn black midwife bag to juxtapose against a photo of a well-groomed white male doctor in surgical scrubs, getting ready to head out to his golf game. Stereotypes aren’t the most helpful thing, although they do sometimes serve to illuminate cultural assumptions about different groups of people. Instead of going down that path—now that I’ve planted the images in your head—I’ll try and give a brief rundown of how midwives differ from obstetricians…

Read More

K is for Kegels

K is for Kegels

Kegels are exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor which supports the bladder, uterus, and bowels.  They are named after gynecologist Arnold Kegel.  Many women don’t want to do kegels during pregnancy because they believe that the exercises tighten the pelvic floor and make delivery more difficult.  But that is not actually what kegels do.  Kegels, done properly, allow you to understand how to tighten, relax, and generally control those muscles, which is extremely useful during labor and delivery.  Kegels are also said to help increase bladder control after pregnancy and decrease hemorrhoids during and after pregnancy.  Some say that doing kegels during pregnancy can shorten your labor - this is unclear, however it can’t hurt to do them for the other benefits they provide…

Read More

J is for Jacuzzi

J is for Jacuzzi

You are pregnant and sore and nothing sounds better than a soak in a Jacuzzi, hot tub, or whirlpool.  Before you jump in take a minute to read about why it may not be the best idea…

Read More

I is for Insomnia

I is for Insomnia

What is Insomnia?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines insomnia as a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep.  This can be caused by a difficulty to fall asleep, waking repeatedly overnight, difficulty falling back to sleep, or restless sleep.  During pregnancy this is most common in the first and third trimester.  Things that can contribute to lack of sleep are pregnancy hormones, increased need to pee, congestion, and heartburn.  During the first trimester nausea, breast tenderness, frequent urination, and dreams can keep you up at night.  During the third trimester the main contributor to lack of sleep can simply be your inability to get comfortable.  This can be accentuated by back pain, leg cramps, breast tenderness, and heartburn which are all common complaints at the end of pregnancy.  Anxiety or stress about the birth or motherhood can also keep you awake at night.  Insomnia is not harmful to your baby; it is a common (and annoying!) pregnancy symptom…

Read More

H is for Hospital Bag

H is for Hospital Bag

You have the nursery all together, the car seat installed, the clothes washed – but have you packed your hospital bag?  When is the best time to pack your hospital bag?  For a regular pregnancy with no complications, it is a good idea to pack your bag between 37 and 38 weeks.  If you are high risk or are having multiples, it would be a good idea to have your bag packed by 35 weeks.  If you aren’t sure what car you will be taking to the hospital, then leave it packed and by the door, if you know what car you will be taking then have it in the car.  This is where having spare chargers and travel size toiletries help, so you don’t have to worry about grabbing items at the last minute on your way out the door.

But what everyone really wants to know is, “What should I pack?!”…

Read More

G is for Glucose Tolerance Test

G is for Glucose Tolerance Test

The glucose tolerance test is used to test pregnant women for potential gestational diabetes, which is pregnancy-induced diabetes. The American Diabetes Association states that gestational diabetes occurs in as many as 9.2 percent of pregnancies according to a study conducted in 2014.   Gestational diabetes risk factors include prior pregnancies with gestational diabetes, having type 1 or 2 diabetes, a family history of diabetes, a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, and advanced maternal age…

Read More

F is for Foot Massage

F is for Foot Massage

A foot massage during pregnancy can help relieve stress and pain in the feet of a pregnant woman.  The act of having her feet rubbed can also allow her to relax, which is always beneficial.  If a pregnant woman is experiencing high levels of stress, this can cause distress in the baby.  So yes, you can still have a foot massage when pregnant, and it may provide both psychological and physiological benefits.  Massage can cause a hormone release of endorphins, which are known to lower pain and generate a feeling of euphoria…

Read More

E is for Exercise

E is for Exercise

Exercise is not only safe during a healthy pregnancy but can be the key to helping you have an easier labor!  It is always a good idea to check with your care provider to ensure that exercise is safe during your specific pregnancy.  Some rare conditions can make exercise dangerous during pregnancy, so if you think you may have risks associated with exercise, definitely make sure to check with your provider before exercising…

Read More

D is for Dehydration

D is for Dehydration

Pregnant women need more water because it is so crucial in the development of their baby and the condition of their amniotic fluid.  Water also helps the development of the placenta which is your baby’s life line.  Doctors recommend that pregnant women drink 8-12 glasses of water each day.  Avoiding caffeine can also help you stay hydrated.  During summer or regular exercise, you should try to drink closer to 12 glasses a day.  Morning sickness can also cause dehydration, so if you experience regular or intense bouts of morning sickness, you will have to work harder to stay properly hydrated…

Read More

C is for Cervix

C is for Cervix

The cervix is a narrow ring of muscle at the lower end of your uterus that is the passage through which the baby travels during birth.  During pregnancy the cervix changes position quite a few times, and it changes drastically at the end of pregnancy as you begin to labor.  Before pregnancy, your cervix is mostly closed, rigid, and approximately 3 cm long.  At about 12 days pregnant your cervix rises slightly, lengthens, and softens a little from the extra blood flowing to the area; if you are familiar with the feel, position, and texture of your cervix regularly, you will likely be able to tell when this change occurs and may even suspect your pregnancy before you take a test!  During pregnancy, the cervix thickens and becomes sealed shut with mucus referred to as the mucus plug.  This mucus plug acts as a wonderful barrier to keep germs and other infections from entering your uterus and possibly harming the baby…

Read More

B is for Braxton Hicks

B is for Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent uterine contractions that can start early on in pregnancy.  Some women never notice them, others notice them early on, and still others will not notice them until about half way through the pregnancy.  These contractions are named after Doctor John Braxton Hicks who first described them in 1872.  Braxton Hicks will likely occur more frequently the farther you progress in your pregnancy and, in your last few weeks, may even come regularly and painfully which can cause confusion with preterm labor.  Braxton Hicks at the end of your pregnancy can be very intense and frequent, but they aren’t pointless; these contractions can help efface (thin out) and possibly even dilate (open up) your cervix.  While some doctors may call this false labor, it is more aptly described as prelabor because it does actually have a purpose in preparing your cervix for labor…

Read More