may assist in reducing stress, minimizing physical discomfort and joint pain, while improving overall life quality for mom and baby.”
Support Along the Way A healthy pregnancy includes assistance. In the U.S., most women choose an OB-GYN, with just over 9 percent of 2017 births incorporating a midwife to support the mother before, during and sometimes aſter birth. A midwife is medically trained and, depending on state law, may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling and prescriptions. On her own or as an assistant to a doctor, she coaches the mother during labor and assists with the delivery, which may be in a home, birthing center or hospital. Te American College of Nurse-Midwives, in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a midwife locator. Another option is engaging a doula that focuses on emotional support for mom,
her partner and the family during pregnancy and birth. During labor, she may offer massage, encouragement and breathing coaching. While doulas only provide non- medical care, they can offer evidence-based resources to inform decision-making. Tere is a database to find one at
DoulaMatch.net. There are also books and apps to provide week-to-week details on pregnancy.
Genevieve Howland, a childbirth educator in Destin, Florida, and author of Te Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, offers a weekly article at
MamaNatural.com about what’s going on with the developing baby and mother. “Being a holistic mom is about connecting the mind, body and spirit, and approaching
wellness with all three in mind,” adds Peplinsky. “Te more we listen to our instincts and our needs, the more our health improves during childbearing and aſterwards.”
Julie Peterson writes about health and wellness. Reach out at
JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
Pregnancy Apps
Tracking exercise, nutrition, baby bump images, the joys of the journey and the baby’s development are available options in a variety of apps. Tere are even apps for dads.
Ovia has many features that expand based on the data entered. It answers questions about food safety and medications, and even has a community feature to connect with other moms.
Hello Belly offers practical tips and a good dose of silliness with pregnancy jokes and memes. There are also yoga videos.
Glow Nurture can be customized, has community spaces, symptom trackers, reminders for appointments and a boatload of articles.
Expectful Pregnancy gives reminders to focus on joy by taking a moment to breathe or meditate. With guided sessions for pregnancy, moms- to-be can put regular meditation practices in place.
Sprout Pregnancy has a pregnancy timeline, weight tracker and journal. Te 3-D images showing development of the baby are really cool, as well.
Who’s Your Daddy gives Dad a to-do list, weekly updates, a development timeline, suggestions for taking care of Mom and helps him pick baby names.
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