Having a Healthy Pregnancy Take prenatal yoga. “Prenatal yoga not only promotes long, lean and supple muscles, it also helps with breathing, which is important during labor and delivery,” counsels Rothman. Yoga also helps open the hip and pelvic joints and eases the aches and pains of pregnancy. The cat-cow pose, in particular, benefits the lower back, promotes circulation and even helps move the baby into the proper birth position.
Limit exposure to toxins. Examine the labels of products you regularly use—especially skincare and cleaning prod- ucts—and banish anything that contains a toxic soup of chemicals; if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s prob- ably not good for you or your growing baby. Research from leading institutions such as the University of California– Berkeley and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, devel- opmental and reproductive disorders and cancer. There are now plenty of easy-to-find, toxin-free product alternatives. Green cleaners are available at most grocery stores and
CosmeticsDatabase.com offers helpful guidance on safe beauty products suggested by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
Research alternative therapies. Taking drugs for common medical problems such as headaches, colds and muscle pain isn’t always the best approach. Speak with your midwife or obstetrician about options like acupuncture, massage and homeopathy. According to a study published in Acta Ob- stetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Swedish research- ers found acupuncture to be effective in relieving back and pelvic pain during pregnancy; of the 1,500 pregnant partici- pants, 60 percent of those who tried acupuncture reported substantial pain relief.
Natural Mothering Strategies Breast is best. Although breast-feeding isn’t super easy, it’s the healthiest option. “Human milk is meant for human babies, so it’s exactly formulated to be just what babies need and what they can easily digest,” notes Rothman. Breast- feeding gives babies an immunity boost, so that they tend to get sick less often and receive just the right nutrition; it also provides a sense of comfort, warmth and security that bottle feeding can’t match.
Use natural remedies for illness. Aromatherapy and homeopathy remedies work to reduce mothers’ and babies’ exposure to over-the-counter drugs. For instance, eucalyptus makes a good natural decongestant; simply add a few drops into the bath, a diffuser or even onto a cotton ball that can be placed on a bedside table, for a soothing scent. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any natural measures that you are taking to support family health.
Jessica Iclisoy, a holistic mother and founder of California Baby natural baby care products, writes about natural living from Beverly Hills, CA. Connect at
Jessica@CaliforniaBaby.com.
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