This is a special guest post by Beth Rush, the mindfulness editor at Body+Mind.
Pregnancy affects every aspect of a woman’s life, so a holistic approach that encompasses the body, mind and spirit is essential. It’s a time of incredible change and growth, both physically, mentally and emotionally. Discover what it means to have a holistic approach in pregnancy and learn tips on having a healthier pregnancy experience.
What Does a Holistic Approach in Pregnancy Mean?
A holistic approach means supporting the multidimensional factors of well-being, including physical, mental, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects. Besides healthy physical behaviors, having good psychological well-being is essential in pregnancy. Stress and prenatal depression can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of preterm birth or preeclampsia
A holistic pregnancy goes beyond traditional medical care to ensure a nurturing environment for you and your baby. By nurturing all aspects of your well-being, you boost your chances of having a natural and positive birth experience.
The Benefits of Holistic Care
Pregnancy is a pivotal life event that impacts your physical and psychological well-being. As your body undergoes transformations and your baby grows, it can lead to physical and emotional discomforts. Here’s how a holistic approach can benefit your pregnancy journey.
- Focus on Overall Wellness
A holistic approach in pregnancy focuses on overall well-being, reducing the risk of complications and promoting better post-birth recovery. In addition to eating nutritious foods, it also means investing time in caring for one’s mental and spiritual well-being.
- Helps Manage Stress
With all the changes happening to your body, mood and family life, it’s normal to feel a bit stressed during pregnancy. However, high levels of stress can be detrimental to your health. It can cause trouble sleeping, headaches, loss of appetite and high blood pressure.
Many factors can trigger stress, but some common causes include the discomforts of pregnancy, hormonal changes, feeling worried about taking care of the baby and not having enough support.
- Reduces Chances of Needing a Cesarean Section
The goal of holistic pregnancy support is to be as non-invasive as possible. A holistic approach to pregnancy focuses on providing education, physical preparation and emotional support to prepare your body’s ability to labor and birth on your own terms.
- Promotes Preventive Care
A holistic pregnancy focuses on prevention and early intervention to reduce the risk of complications. This includes prenatal testing, infection screening tests and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco usage or exposure.
5 Ways to Have a More Holistic Pregnancy
You can support your overall wellness in many ways to ensure a healthy, safe pregnancy and delivery.
- Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can help relieve various health concerns, such as anxiety, lack of focus and varicose veins. For instance, lemongrass oil can help prevent venous ulcers and blood clots from forming, which might be helpful if you’re experiencing varicose veins. Cardamom oil can aid morning sickness and nausea.
Not all natural elixirs are equal. Avoid using basil, camphor, clary sage, rosemary and thyme. When trying a new essential oil, always start with a small amount and avoid putting it directly on the skin. Dilute the oil or use a diffuser or humidifier to enjoy its aromatherapy benefits.
- Try Hypnotherapy
Pregnant women may feel intense distress and fears relating to pregnancy or life after birth, which can lead to heightened stress levels, which can be detrimental if unmanaged. That’s where holistic hypnotherapy comes in — this treatment can help you achieve a deep state of hypnosis, allowing you to create the best start to a new, joyful adventure.
- Eat Nourishing Foods
Eating whole foods can help support your and your baby’s development simultaneously. Include food sources rich in folate, a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of developing brain and spinal cord issues. Dark leafy greens, fortified cereals, citrus fruits, dried beans and peas are excellent sources of folate.
Calcium, vitamin D and protein are crucial for your baby’s bone growth and development. Acquire these from dairy products, broccoli, kale, fatty fish, lean meat and nuts.
- Live an Active Lifestyle
Low-impact exercises such as walking and yoga can boost your physical and mental well-being. You should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. If you are new to exercise, start with five minutes daily, then slowly increase the duration until you can commit to 30 minutes daily.
- Join a Pregnancy Support Group
Consider joining a community of like-minded individuals to nurture your emotional and social needs. From dealing with morning sickness to navigating childbirth, there are a lot of things you need to adjust to, especially when you’re a first-time mom. Joining a support group can help provide a sounding board for all your concerns. It also helps to know you’re not alone in this journey, which can help boost your confidence.
- See a Counselor Specialized in Maternal Mental Health
Pregnancy is the biggest transition of your life. It can trigger all sorts of emotions and past hurts. A skilled therapist can help you through this. Your therapist can also help you navigate all the overwhelming information around pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
Have a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of incredible change and growth. A holistic pregnancy journey lays a strong foundation for your and your baby’s health. Start tending to your body, mind and spirit today to set the stage for a healthy family tomorrow.
About the Author: Beth Rush is the mindfulness editor at Body+Mind. She writes about mental health during pregnancy and beyond. She also shares tips for coping with c-PTSD, PCOS, and climate anxiety. Subscribe to the Body+Mind Newsletter for more posts by Beth.