Bringing a child into the world is a wonderful experience and blessing.  Since you are carrying for your health and the health of the baby, it is important to ensure your best health at this time.  The best way to ensure your optimal health during this time is to eat well, exercise moderately, think positively, and plan check ups with your health care practitioner at each trimester.

When carrying a child, that child becomes an extension of you and your environment.  That’s why it’s important to ensure the health of yourself and your environment.  This includes your nutrition and physical health, as well as your stress levels and mental-emotional health.  Below are some tips regarding optimising your baby’s environment



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• Nutrition - Protein levels should double and caloric intake should increase by 300-400 more calories.  Foods should be rich in colours and flavours, including dark leafy greens, whole grains, lean meats, red/orange/yellow fruits/veggies, legumes, seeds, and certain oils (flax, avocado, grapeseed, and coconut).  Stimulants, food dyes, processed foods, over the counter medications, and alcohol should be avoided. 

• Movement – Exercise (at least 30 minutes of activity a day) is helpful for increasing circulation, improving metabolism, ensuring hormonal metabolism, and boosting mood.  Gentle exercise such as walking, yoga, swimming and moderate weight lifting and/or cardio are recommended.  It’s important to keep hydrated while exercise, either with regular water or lemon or coconut water to replenish electrolytes.

• Stress reduction and mood elevation – Carrying and having a child can put stress on the mind and body.  Although some levels of stress can be healthy, too much stress can put a strain on a mom’s immune system and energy levels.  Stress reducing techniques include meditation, guided imagery, calming music, exercising, breathing, hypnosis, and anything creative.  Stress can also tax a person’s adrenal glands, which can affect their mood and energy levels.  To protect against post partum depression, it is important to support the adrenal glands using herbs (such as lemon balm), nutrients (vitamins C and E), acupuncture, and/or homeopathics. 

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​​What Can Dr. Nicole Do To Help?

• Address your nutrition to see if you are eating enough macronutrients, and make suggestions regarding what foods to eat/make in order to receive the proper nutrients
• Suggest the proper pregnancy safe supplements and herbs to aid with your and your babies health.  Nutritive teas can be made in house to address overall pregnancy health.
• Acupuncture fo
• Perform detailed intake to address the health of your environment and determine whether there are any imbalances that are leading to certain symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, constipation, headaches, etc.) or make you susceptible to certain symptoms
• muscle aches/pains, low energy, and induction if the baby is overdue
• Help naturally with inducing labour and/or post natal after care to address physiological and mental emotional changes after giving birth.
• Most importantly help balance and restore a mother's adrenal system to aid in prevention of lowered mood or anxiety after pregnancy.

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Remember, your baby's health begins in utero (so in you).  Their first 9 months are a direct result of your environment, hence the best way to optimize their health is to ensure yours!