Pregnancy Health & Wellness Articles

Special thanks to Natural Family Online and some individual authors for allowing the use of their articles or exerpts. All content is copyrighted and may not be used without the written permission of the author.

Meditating Mamas (opens to new window)
If we want to enjoy our daily lives, it is exceptionally helpful to slow down for part of the day and focus on your breath. Research has shown that periods of meditation — of focusing on your breath — helps us transcend worries, lowers our anxiety, diminishes depression and increases clarity. Meditation balances our moods and enhances our ability to connect fully with who we are.

Keep Your Cool This Summer (opens to new window)
When the heat is on, life can become very hard when you are pregnant. Instead of looking forward to those long, hot August days, you may find yourself dreaming of igloos and frozen ice-caps, so try out these tricks to help you keep your cool when the temperature rises.

5 Tips to Control Weight Gain for Moms-to-Be (opens to new window)
So you need to gain weight but don't want to gain too much weight during your pregnancy, right? There are many things that you can do to improve your diet and ensure that you gain a minimal but healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. Choosing the right foods is important because you will be able to lose weight more quickly after delivery if you manage your diet during pregnancy. So here is what you need to do during pregnancy to ensure weight loss success afterwards.

What is a '"green" prenatal vitamin? (opens to new window)
If you go to the health food store and compare multi-vitamins, you'll see two kinds. One is your standard vitamin, like prescription prenatals or other over-the-counter varieties like Centrum brand, which is made from the individual chemical ingredients (retinal palmitate, ascorbic acid and so on). Then you have another type that is actual dried foods/herbs containing those vitamins/minerals. The theory is that bodies are made to absorb nutrients from foods, so the nutrients in food form are better. I don’t personally adhere to this line of thinking. Your body is going to absorb the Vitamin C it needs and dump the rest, whether it come from in a pill or a pitcher of orange juice.

Pregnancy, Diabetes and Your Feet (opens to new window)
In most circumstances, this flattening and widening of the foot is benign, and no problems result. In the diabetic, this change in foot size is important to recognize. Despite the increase in foot size, many moms continue to wear the same size shoes. As a diabetic, properly fitting shoes are of utmost importance. Increased pressure on the foot can cause areas of rub or irritation and potentially result in ulceration. Once there is an ulceration, one is at risk for infection, delayed healing and further diabetic foot complications.

Prenatal Yoga: More Than Relaxation (opens to new window)
Prenatal yoga helps you during birth but even moreso before and after birth. During pregnancy, the breathing and body awareness help you stay connected to your changing body. The gentle stretches and poses develop strength and readiness for giving birth as well as improving your current physical health. Finally, the relaxation is so needed in our harried and stressful world.

Can You Color Your Hair While You’re Pregnant? (opens to new window)
You’re three months pregnant, and you haven’t been to the salon since you saw the double pink line. You have two-inch dark roots and you are desperate to freshen up your look. But is it safe to color your hair while pregnant?

I just found out that I am pregnant. Can I still practice yoga during my pregnancy? (opens to new window)
Yoga is an excellent exercise option in pregnancy. Prenatal yoga classes focus on stretching and strengthening muscles that will be used in labor and delivery, alleviating common pregnancy discomforts and teaching proper breathing and relaxation techniques.

Nine Homeopathic Months: Pregnancy (opens to new window)
With the changes your body will go through over the next several months, homeopathy is a gentle and effective means of supporting a healthy pregnancy. Herbal and nutritional protocols may be used, in addition.

Herbal Allies for Pregnant Women (opens to new window)
Pregnancy is a special time, one that brings joys and pains. Many minor but distressing health complaints can accompany pregnancy....

Smoking and pregnancy - Is It Ok to Smoke When You’re Pregnant? (opens to new window)
Since a mother and her fetus have connected blood systems, cancer-causing chemicals such as tobacco can pass through the placenta, the tissue and blood vessels that nourish your baby. As a result, it can then travel through the umbilical cord and into the body of your developing baby.