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Being pregnant should be a happy and exciting time but issues such as nausea, fatigue and back pain are also part and parcel of the experience.
There are a number of natural methods of dealing with some of these, which may be well worth trying.
Midwife Nicky Snedden of Rodney Coast Midwives, who has a regular clinic in Orewa, says that engaging a midwife in the first trimester means that she can provide advice when it comes to things such as morning sickness and assess whether additional iron or particular vitamins are needed early on in pregnancy.
When it comes to morning sickness, Nicky says it’s important to stay hydrated, especially if vomiting, and that eating small amounts often, rather than three main meals, can help with nausea. Food or drinks that contain ginger can ease the digestive system.
Anything that reduces stress is also a good idea in pregnancy – this can mean cutting back on work if possible, getting more rest and eating healthily – it’s wise to seek advice about additional nutrition needs during pregnancy.
“If you have swollen ankles and no other associated medical problems, such as high blood pressure, it could be because you’re not eating enough protein,” Nicky says. “Babies use lots of protein to grow and the expectant mother can become deficient.”
Nicky says she encourages women to stay active in pregnancy. However, if a woman is used to exercising at an intense level, it’s important to be aware that the core body temperature shouldn’t get too high when pregnant – so ease off if getting hot during a workout. Pregnant women should seek professional advice regarding any exercise regime.
Therapies such as massage, acupuncture or naturopathy are also options.
Acupuncturist Leesa Jackson of Clinic 38 in Orewa says that acupuncture is used to help women from the early stages of pregnancy right through to labour.
She says a series of acupuncture treatments, which are gentle and supportive, can be of immense help in pregnancy, including resetting the body’s balance to help with issues such as morning sickness.
It is important to let any therapist know that you are pregnant before starting any treatment regime.
