Up to 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks. The vast majority of them never disappear completely. Stretch marks are caused when the skin is stretched to the point of breaking down, similar to elastic losing its' elasticity. It can come about from rapid weight gain over a short space of time, typically during pregnancy.
So to avoid stretch marks a healthy, modest weight gain of 9-12 kilos (20-25 pounds), combined with a sound pre and post natal exercise program will ensure that you gain the weight slowly and lose it quickly. By putting less stress on your skin, you will greatly reduce the occurrence of stretch marks.
A holistic pregnancy nutrition plan will keep your skin healthy and resistant to developing stretch marks.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
12 August 2008
Pregnancy Fear 4: I Will Be Fat and Never Fit Back Into My Pre-Baby Jeans
More than 25% of women gain 18 or more kilos (40 or more pounds) during pregnancy. Surveys indicate that most of them are unsuccessful in losing all the weight and never return to their pre-pregnancy bodyweight.
How are you to lose the weight when current exercise and nutrition guidelines for pregnant women are outdated and will actually make you FAT.
There is an answer.
By eating the proper food, in the proper amounts (no starving), you can gain a modest 9-12 kilos (20-25 pounds) based on a woman of average build. The great part is you can lose it all within a few short months after delivery.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
How are you to lose the weight when current exercise and nutrition guidelines for pregnant women are outdated and will actually make you FAT.
There is an answer.
By eating the proper food, in the proper amounts (no starving), you can gain a modest 9-12 kilos (20-25 pounds) based on a woman of average build. The great part is you can lose it all within a few short months after delivery.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
Pregnancy Fear 3: Painful Labour Or Forced Caesarean
Caesarean birth rates recently hit an all-time high of 29%. Research shows that prolonged labour is associated with learning disabilities.
However, the combination of holistic pregnancy exercise and nutrition will keep you strong and healthy. This will increase the chances for an easier, shorter labour experience.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
However, the combination of holistic pregnancy exercise and nutrition will keep you strong and healthy. This will increase the chances for an easier, shorter labour experience.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
Pregnancy Fear 2: Something Will Be Wrong With My Baby
Over the last decade birth defects have increased dramatically. Almost 1 in 5 babies will have a learning disability.
There is a simple solution to greatly reduce the causative factors of birth defects, including low birth weight and poor fetal development.
Proper pregnancy nutrition with particular attention to crucial vitamins and minerals. By following a pregnancy-specific exercise program, it will increase the chances for an optimal labour and reduces the chances of learning disabilities.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
There is a simple solution to greatly reduce the causative factors of birth defects, including low birth weight and poor fetal development.
Proper pregnancy nutrition with particular attention to crucial vitamins and minerals. By following a pregnancy-specific exercise program, it will increase the chances for an optimal labour and reduces the chances of learning disabilities.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
Pregnancy Fear 1: I Will Have A Miscarriage
The fear of a miscarriage is legitimate and real. I know I took a sigh of relief once I hit the 3 months stage. However, the March of Dimes estimates that up to 50% of all pregnancies end in this heart-wrenching fashion.
It's hard to believe isn't it? It's because the majority of the miscarriages happen before you even know you're pregnant! That's right, women all over the world are losing babies without even knowing it. The risk is even higher for women over 35 years old.
Although some of the causes for miscarriages are a mystery, there is something women can do to help prevent this happening to them. There is strong evidence that the overall health and well-being of the mother play a major role. You can read more about health and well-being in my article The Holistic Approach to Pregnancy. So if you don't want to be a statistic start with a holistic approach to exercise, nutrition and lifestyle, it will not only be beneficial to you but for your baby too.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
It's hard to believe isn't it? It's because the majority of the miscarriages happen before you even know you're pregnant! That's right, women all over the world are losing babies without even knowing it. The risk is even higher for women over 35 years old.
Although some of the causes for miscarriages are a mystery, there is something women can do to help prevent this happening to them. There is strong evidence that the overall health and well-being of the mother play a major role. You can read more about health and well-being in my article The Holistic Approach to Pregnancy. So if you don't want to be a statistic start with a holistic approach to exercise, nutrition and lifestyle, it will not only be beneficial to you but for your baby too.
Get started here with the Holistic and Healthy Pregnancy Program
11 August 2008
Can I Have A Vaginal Birth After A Caesarean?
There has been a lot of hype about women not being encouraged to have a vaginal birth after having a Caesarean by medical professionals. The once a caesarean, always a caesarean rule doesn't apply any more. It is possible to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean, as I'm living proof.
I had to have an emergency caesarean with my first child as I had gone through 36 hours of labour (16 of those without any pain relief) and my daughter during the end of the 36 hours decided to turn around in the pelvis. This resulted in the final outcome of a caesarean.
When I got pregnant with my second child, I said straight away to the midwives at the hospital I would be aiming to have a vaginal birth. I figured I wanted to get my choice across first before they started to say it wasn't advisable.
To my surprise they said that was perfectly fine. From the time my daughter was born to the time my son was due the time period was 22 months. This was plenty of time for my body to get back into shape and be strong enough to go through a vaginal birth.
I do believe if it's less than a year between births then that's when they don't encourage a vaginal birth after a Caesarean as there is a good chance of the caesarean scar rupturing.
Generally, a vaginal birth after a Caesarean is a safe choice for most women but it can have some risks for both the mother and the baby.
It can be life-threatening if the caesarean scar on the uterus tears open, or ruptures during a vaginal birth. This is because it causes severe blood loss in the mother and lack of oxygen for the baby.
When do medical professionals say 'No' to a vaginal birth after a Caesarean?
You will not be advised to go ahead with the vaginal birth if you have any of the following risk factors that will result in a rupture of the caesarean scar:
I feel really lucky to have managed to experience a vaginal birth with my son. However, he did come 5 weeks early and was a very decent size for a premature baby. I'm sure if he went full term it may have been a different story!! But for me, a 4.5 hour labour with no pain relief was a real satisfying achievement for me.
If you ask me which did I prefer: the Caesarean or vaginal birth? I cannot honestly say, both came with pros and cons.
So Can I Have A Vaginal Birth After A Caesarean? The answer is YES
I had to have an emergency caesarean with my first child as I had gone through 36 hours of labour (16 of those without any pain relief) and my daughter during the end of the 36 hours decided to turn around in the pelvis. This resulted in the final outcome of a caesarean.
When I got pregnant with my second child, I said straight away to the midwives at the hospital I would be aiming to have a vaginal birth. I figured I wanted to get my choice across first before they started to say it wasn't advisable.
To my surprise they said that was perfectly fine. From the time my daughter was born to the time my son was due the time period was 22 months. This was plenty of time for my body to get back into shape and be strong enough to go through a vaginal birth.
I do believe if it's less than a year between births then that's when they don't encourage a vaginal birth after a Caesarean as there is a good chance of the caesarean scar rupturing.
Generally, a vaginal birth after a Caesarean is a safe choice for most women but it can have some risks for both the mother and the baby.
It can be life-threatening if the caesarean scar on the uterus tears open, or ruptures during a vaginal birth. This is because it causes severe blood loss in the mother and lack of oxygen for the baby.
When do medical professionals say 'No' to a vaginal birth after a Caesarean?
You will not be advised to go ahead with the vaginal birth if you have any of the following risk factors that will result in a rupture of the caesarean scar:
- A uterine scar that is not low and horizontal
- Two caesarean scars and no past vaginal delivery
- Three or more caesarean scars
- Pregnant with triplets or more
- Pregnant with twins, in some cases
- A medical condition or problem with the placenta that could complicate a vaginal delivery, for example, when the placenta has grown abnormally low in the uterus (placenta previa).
I feel really lucky to have managed to experience a vaginal birth with my son. However, he did come 5 weeks early and was a very decent size for a premature baby. I'm sure if he went full term it may have been a different story!! But for me, a 4.5 hour labour with no pain relief was a real satisfying achievement for me.
If you ask me which did I prefer: the Caesarean or vaginal birth? I cannot honestly say, both came with pros and cons.
So Can I Have A Vaginal Birth After A Caesarean? The answer is YES
How A Holistic Approach Can Help You Conquer The Top Five Pregnancy Fears
According to research, the top five fears of pregnant women are as follows:
1) I will have a miscarriage
2) Something will be wrong with my baby
3) Painful labour or forced Caesarean
4) I will be fat and never fit back into my pre-baby jeans
5) Horrible stretch marks
Sound familiar? Well by taking a holistic approach to pregnancy, you will be able to conquer those fears.
To find out how, click on each individual pregnancy fear above to go to the blog post.
1) I will have a miscarriage
2) Something will be wrong with my baby
3) Painful labour or forced Caesarean
4) I will be fat and never fit back into my pre-baby jeans
5) Horrible stretch marks
Sound familiar? Well by taking a holistic approach to pregnancy, you will be able to conquer those fears.
To find out how, click on each individual pregnancy fear above to go to the blog post.
The Holistic Approach to Pregnancy
When people hear the term 'holistic' they think 'New Age'. When in fact, it's a philosophy of wellness. In other words, it considers all aspects of an individual - the body, mind and spirit.
When we think of health, what comes to mind is how exercise, nutrition and other care impacts the physical person. What we often forget is how the mind and our emotions also play a role. It's this aspect that shapes our values and beliefs, how we handle stress, relationships and whether or not we have a support network. Finally, there's spirituality, this doesn't necessarily mean religion, it can simply be a special place or thing that makes you feel calm and peaceful.
Pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time for a Mum-to-be but it can also bring a great deal of anxiety and worry. Therefore, a holistic approach to pregnancy recognises the impact of the mind and spirit, as well as the physical body on the experience of pregnancy and birth. Physical health, values and beliefs, relationships, emotional well-being and spirituality all affect pregnancy and birth. In turn, the experiences of pregnancy and birth influence body, mind and spirit.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew how amazing it was to be pregnant and to have a little baby growing inside of me. What blew me away was how my body dealt with being pregnant. What we should all recognise is and this is what a holistic approach does, is that a woman's body is naturally designed to conceive, nourish and give birth to a baby. It trusts the natural progression of pregnancy and childbirth.
My second child was born 5 weeks prematurely because the placenta wasn't giving him enough nutrition. Therefore, my body reacted by realising he was better off outside than inside. I have to admit my mind wasn't as prepared as it was with my daughter when it came to childbirth. This was mainly because it was such a shock that he had come early. Saying that, I actually achieved a "natural birth" with him with no pain relief as opposed to my daughter who resulted in a Caesarean. You can read more about my birthing experiences in Can I Have A Vaginal Birth After A Caesarean?
The term "natural childbirth" can mean a couple of different things to women and healthcare providers. One is it means no medication or interventions at all. The other is giving birth vaginally as opposed to a caesarean. A holistic approach to childbirth includes both low-intervention approaches and appropriate use of technology in a thoughtful and well-considered manner. Each childbirth is different for every woman, requiring individual choices and care. A holistic approach respects the normal progression of pregnancy and birth but in addition, recognises the need for assistance if appropriate.
This assistance may include the use of alternative and complementary therapies to prevent or treat common discomforts and pregnancy complications, in a way that is consistent with the patient's beliefs.
What does this all mean to you Mums-to-be?
Well a holistic approach incorporates all of who you are and all you know about pregnancy and childbirth. You and your support team will work together to enhance your innate capabilities. You deliberately make choices that will maximise your potential to achieve the healthiest pregnancy and the most natural progression of childbirth possible.
These choices cover all aspects of health that can affect your pregnancy and birth. We're not just talking about physical factors like diet and exercise, but also social, emotional and spiritual factors such as your relationships, support system and how you cope with stress.
Find out more about the holistic and healthy pregnancy program that can help you.
When we think of health, what comes to mind is how exercise, nutrition and other care impacts the physical person. What we often forget is how the mind and our emotions also play a role. It's this aspect that shapes our values and beliefs, how we handle stress, relationships and whether or not we have a support network. Finally, there's spirituality, this doesn't necessarily mean religion, it can simply be a special place or thing that makes you feel calm and peaceful.
Pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time for a Mum-to-be but it can also bring a great deal of anxiety and worry. Therefore, a holistic approach to pregnancy recognises the impact of the mind and spirit, as well as the physical body on the experience of pregnancy and birth. Physical health, values and beliefs, relationships, emotional well-being and spirituality all affect pregnancy and birth. In turn, the experiences of pregnancy and birth influence body, mind and spirit.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew how amazing it was to be pregnant and to have a little baby growing inside of me. What blew me away was how my body dealt with being pregnant. What we should all recognise is and this is what a holistic approach does, is that a woman's body is naturally designed to conceive, nourish and give birth to a baby. It trusts the natural progression of pregnancy and childbirth.
My second child was born 5 weeks prematurely because the placenta wasn't giving him enough nutrition. Therefore, my body reacted by realising he was better off outside than inside. I have to admit my mind wasn't as prepared as it was with my daughter when it came to childbirth. This was mainly because it was such a shock that he had come early. Saying that, I actually achieved a "natural birth" with him with no pain relief as opposed to my daughter who resulted in a Caesarean. You can read more about my birthing experiences in Can I Have A Vaginal Birth After A Caesarean?
The term "natural childbirth" can mean a couple of different things to women and healthcare providers. One is it means no medication or interventions at all. The other is giving birth vaginally as opposed to a caesarean. A holistic approach to childbirth includes both low-intervention approaches and appropriate use of technology in a thoughtful and well-considered manner. Each childbirth is different for every woman, requiring individual choices and care. A holistic approach respects the normal progression of pregnancy and birth but in addition, recognises the need for assistance if appropriate.
This assistance may include the use of alternative and complementary therapies to prevent or treat common discomforts and pregnancy complications, in a way that is consistent with the patient's beliefs.
What does this all mean to you Mums-to-be?
Well a holistic approach incorporates all of who you are and all you know about pregnancy and childbirth. You and your support team will work together to enhance your innate capabilities. You deliberately make choices that will maximise your potential to achieve the healthiest pregnancy and the most natural progression of childbirth possible.
These choices cover all aspects of health that can affect your pregnancy and birth. We're not just talking about physical factors like diet and exercise, but also social, emotional and spiritual factors such as your relationships, support system and how you cope with stress.
Find out more about the holistic and healthy pregnancy program that can help you.
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