4 Options for Navigating Depression in Pregnancy
While pregnancy is typically thought of as a time for celebration and “basking in the glow of new life,” many women struggle through this period of their lives. Up to 16% of pregnant women meet the...
View ArticleWorking out on crutches…
I finally had the perfect fitness routine going – alternating jogs and circuit training in the mornings, cross-country skiing on the weekend, and a weekly date with my new roller derby team. Then, as I...
View ArticleTylenol in pregnancy: why you will want to limit your use
Tylenol/acetaminophen is used by over 50% of pregnant women in the US. Most care-providers presume that Tylenol is safe in pregnancy, but it is not completely without harm. Tylenol use in pregnancy is...
View ArticleWeight training in pregnancy: why you’ll want to include it
Exercising during pregnancy produces a host of benefits, from reducing symptoms of depression to shortening the amount of time spent in labour, as well as decreasing the risks of pre-eclampsia and...
View ArticleNausea and vomiting in pregnancy: why Vitamin B6 is a great option
74% of pregnant women will experience nausea or vomiting during their pregnancy, most commonly during the first trimester. While ginger is a well known remedy for nausea and vomiting, Vitamin B6 is a...
View ArticleInsomnia during pregnancy: how magnesium can help
54% of women will experience insomnia during their pregnancy, either as “sleep-onset” insomnia (trouble falling asleep) or “sleep-maintenance” insomnia (trouble staying asleep). An inability to get...
View ArticleHow probiotics during pregnancy can prevent infant eczema
The more we study the human microbiome, the more we have come to appreciate the vital role these microorganisms play in human health, from digestion to immune function and even in mental health. In...
View ArticleHow much caffeine is safe is pregnancy?
Caffeine is one the most commonly consumed stimulants worldwide, and something that many pregnant women have difficulty giving up once they become pregnant. Given that excess caffeine consumption has...
View ArticleWhat can you safely take for a cold in pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your immune system naturally becomes less robust to make your body more able to tolerate your growing baby and not reject it. This is pretty amazing! However, this “immunosuppression”...
View ArticleMTHFR: what the heck is it and why does it matter in your pregnancy?
MTHFR is a hot topic right now, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, or still can’t quite wrap your head around it (other than to know that it makes a good science joke), this post will hopefully...
View ArticleHeartburn relief during pregnancy
If you are pregnant, odds are you will experience heartburn at some point during your pregnancy, with 80% of pregnant women reporting heartburn by the end of the third trimester. This is mainly due to...
View ArticleThinking ahead to your birth? Consider a doula!
May is International Doula Month, so what better time to talk about the benefits of bringing a doula onto your birth team! Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional...
View ArticleA simple trick to decrease nausea during your pregnancy
A few months back I posted this pregnancy tip on using Vitamin B6 to decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. I have been getting lots questions about nausea during my webinars, and the Nausea...
View ArticleSunscreen during pregnancy: what to choose
Now that the sun is coming back out, many of you will be wondering which sunscreens are safe and effective during your pregnancy. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released their 2017 Guide to...
View ArticleAre you pregnant and exhausted? Check your ferritin!
It’s no surprise that pregnant women experience fatigue during their pregnancies – their bodies are performing an incredible feat of growing a new human being! However, sometimes there are other...
View ArticleArtificially sweetened beverages: why you’ll want to avoid them in pregnancy
With all of the research out there on the importance of reducing sugar intake during pregnancy, many women are turning to artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) as a “healthy alternative” to...
View ArticleAntiobiotics in pregnancy: what to choose
As a BC-licensed Naturopathic Physician with full prescribing rights, my scope of practice allows for treating naturally with acupuncture, nutrition/supplements and herbal medicine, while also...
View ArticleTaking ginger for nausea in pregnancy: how much is safe?
In previous weeks I’ve talked about the use of acupressure at PC-6, and Vitamin B6, for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Another great option is ginger, which has been shown in clinical...
View ArticleHow much caffeine is safe is pregnancy?
Caffeine is one the most commonly consumed stimulants worldwide, and something that many pregnant women have difficulty giving up once they become pregnant. Given that excess caffeine consumption has...
View ArticleAnother reason to get to bed early: preventing gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy) is a growing concern around the world. It’s something my patients and participants in my online pregnancy program are motivated...
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