Natural Pregnancy
Complementary or alternative therapies are a growing trend with many women using them during preconception, pregnancy, labour, birth and after the baby is born. While some options are safe in pregnancy others are not, so it’s important to use complementary therapies with care and consult your midwife or doctor. Complementary therapies may help you achieve a natural pregnancy, avoiding the unnecessary use of synthetic chemicals and medication.
Complementary therapies include natural medicine products such as herbal preparations, nutritional substances, vitamin and mineral tablets and a whole range of therapies such as massage, acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractic care. Aiming to shift the balance towards health and wellbeing complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person - mind, body and spirit.
To help you achieve a natural pregnancy we’ve gathered together a range of resources on complementary therapies used during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Natural Pregnancy Articles
"The majority of women rely on health professionals, such as midwives, general practitioners (GPs) and obstetricians, during pregnancy and birth to ensure that both mother and baby are as healthy as possible. Are these the only practitioners providing care to women during this important time in their lives?" This article provides the facts about how women use complementary and alternative therapies during pregnancy.
"Relaxation during pregnancy has many benefits. It can help to relieve physical, emotional and psychological tension, assist in preparing mind and body for birth, and ultimately support better outcomes for mothers and babies." This article provides the facts and details on the benefits of relaxation during pregnancy.
When it comes to pregnancy and birth, the most ideal experience is a natural and complication-free birth, one that is peaceful, joyful and safe for all mother and baby. High quality chiropractic care can help achieve this objective.
Red raspberry leaf, otherwise known as rubus idaeus, has been used medicinally since the sixth century. Its use and reputation as an aid in pregnancy and childbirth has grown throughout the years, despite the scarcity of research into its safety and value for mothers and babies during pregnancy and birth.
In addition to its common therapeutic uses, Acupuncture has value as an artificial method of inducing post-term babies. However it is also enjoying increasing popularity as women with uncomplicated pregnancies seek to avoid conventional medical induction, the imposition of medical timeframes, and the cascade of interventions that often follows.
This guide to aromatherapy in pregnancy by Wendy Mackay, Aromatherapist from Essence of Wellbeing, includes a list of essential oils to avoid and oils that are considered safe.
For women suffering with morning sickness, Acupuncture provides a safe, effective solution that can improve the experience of early pregnancy.
You are probably familiar with the popular fruit, the Raspberry (Rubus idaeus). The raspberry is native to many parts of Europe and Northern America. The leaves of the raspberry plant have been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. They are thought to have many varied properties including those that are beneficial for pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
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