In this episode of Things They Don’t Tell Her Podcast I am sharing insights from my own Pregnancy Journey. In this convo, we dive into the ways I have been supporting my own mental and physical health throughout pregnancy, practitioners that I have been seeing, the model of care I have chosen and loads of recommendations for books, podcasts, local studios and so much more.
Things I did to help with my pregnancy nausea
Saw Grace from Bloom Chinese Medicine for acupuncture and leave in acupuncture needles
Tried to reduce/minimise stress through gentle yoga and meditation
I loved going to Yin and gentle yoga classes and doing my own home practice
Drank loads of Morning Lift Tea by Nurtur Tea which has ginger, peppermint and rooibos which are great for nausea and fatigue. I would brew this, put it in the fridge and have iced tea instead of plain water.
Tried to balance my carbohydrate intake with protein and fats.
I loved this bliss balls recipe
These were my absolute go to for muffins
Saw my amazing naturopath Tahlita
Here are a few great blogs for more tips for pregnancy nausea
Things I have been doing for my physical health
In my first trimester, between the lack of energy and the nausea I focused on small bouts of movement that made me feel good. I went for short walks, swam at the beach and surfed. I did short at home yoga flows and occasionally found the energy to attend a yoga or pilates class which I booked through Class Pass and therefore didn’t have the commitment of a membership.
Since moving into my second trimester, I have been enjoying Pregnancy Yoga and Pilates Classes, Pilates Reformer as well as swimming laps at the pool. I have found that the muscles around my pelvis, particularly my glutes and hip flexors feel a lot tighter so I have started using a foam roller and trigger ball regularly.
Forms of exercise I have been enjoying include:
Attending Pregnancy Yoga and Mat Pilates Classes with Natural Birth Co.
Doing my own home yoga practice - there are loads of great Youtube videos and all of my clients receive short 10-minute yoga videos as part of their program
Going to Yoga and Pilates classes on Class Pass
Watch this video on ways I am modifying my yoga practice in the second trimester
Doing a weekly Pregnancy Reformer Pilates class at CGM Pilates or my own home reformer classes
Watch this video on ways I am modifying my Pilates Reformer Practice in the second trimester
The reformer studios on the Sunshine Coast that I am aware have the pregnancy wedge and are good at modifying for pregnancy (this depends a lot of the instructor) include:
CGM Pilates
Inflow Pilates
Morning Light Studios
Pointe Pilates
Things I have been doing for my mental health
Listening to meditations on Insight Timer which is an AMAZING app for short meditations.
Listening to the audiobook Nine Golden Months by Heng Ou on Audible. This is a great book on the journey of pregnancy!
Journalling
Model of Care
This is a great blog on the pregnancy birth models of care available on the Sunshine Coast written by Emmy, another incredible acupuncturist from Bloom Chinese Medicine.
The private midwifery practice that I am going through is called Coastlife Midwifery.
I have been having my pregnancy scans at The Radiology Clinic which is the only radiology clinic on the Sunshine Coast that bulk bills Obstetric scans.
Nutrition and Supplements
This is a great blog by Renee Jennings, a Prenatal Dietician on tips for choosing a Prenatal Supplement. She has published a book called Nurture The Seed which I highly recommend reading during Pregnancy. Another great book is called Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.
Prenatal supplements that I have been recommended by my naturopath include
Eagle Tresos Natal and Naturobest (they have a specific 1st trimester one with ginger to help with nausea).
