Holistic Pregnancy on a Budget
So, you're pregnant! Whether you painstakingly planned this pregnancy or it came as a surprise–you now find yourself up to your ears in information on how best to care for yourself and your baby during your pregnancy.
What is a holistic approach to pregnancy?
Simply stated it means taking into account the body, the mind, and the spirit during the process. As it's our pregnant body that usually speaks the loudest, this approach equally recognizes how our emotions, our spirit, and spirituality also affect our overall balance. How we respond to stress and where do we find peaceful moments. A holistic approach is deeply rooted in a trust that our body inherently knows how to support a health pregnancy and, by keeping our energy balanced, this can occur naturally.
Using complementary therapies in your overall treatment plan to address symptoms that might arise during or as a result of pregnancy (like that pesky low back pain) as well as to keep our hormones and emotions balanced is a great way to integrate this philosophy. Here are some specific modalities and ways to incorporate their benefits on a budget.
Shiatsu: This is a Japanese style of bodywork that uses gentle thumb and palm pressure and passive stretches to assist your body in balancing its energetic system. If you are self-conscious about your changing body, this style is perfect as you receive your treatment fully clothed. It is wonderful for muscular skeletal aches and pains and weekly treatments are ideal for moms-to-be. But if looming diaper costs have you concerned, find a practitioner that can provide "instructional shiatsu." During this type of session you will be taught how to perform self-shiatsu, or acupressure, on yourself for common pregnancy-related symptoms and overall balancing. Or better yet, bring a partner to learn with you so you can benefit from the nurturing loving care of another.
Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese medical system provides a pharmaceutical-free alternative to managing common symptoms during pregnancy. Colds, flu, headaches, morning sickness, and pain are all commonly treated with acupuncture, but if the thought of needles has you preferring to suffer silently, think again. Just try one session and you won't believe how gentle and relaxing a treatment is. Treatments are typically once or twice a week so you'll want to check out a few affordable options. Find out if you have an acupuncture school local to you, as they all have student clinics that provide care at greatly reduced rates. Also, "community acupuncture" clinics, that provide treatments for the small cost of an insurance co-pay, are popping up all over the U.S. They are group-healing spaces and many use comfy recliner chairs in lieu of massage tables. Prices start around $20 a session and are provided by licensed practitioners.
Yoga: Prenatal yoga provides a great way to keep your body active while helping it prepare for birth. Linking yoga postures with the breath connects your body, mind, and spirit, as well as connecting you to your baby. Health benefits include improved circulation and digestion, stronger uterus and pelvic muscles, and a peaceful state of mind. Many yoga studios offer specialty prenatal yoga classes, but if buying a Diaper Genie is going to better aid your peace of mind, pick up a few prenatal yoga DVDs that are now available. For safety, invest in one or two private lessons with a yoga instructor first so that you are assured that you are following the postures correctly.
Mindfulness: Many expectant moms have anxieties, which cause an overproduction of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn suppresses biological function. Prenatal meditation helps to balance these levels and restore immune function. Once learned, meditation can be done almost anywhere, anytime, including in the doctor's waiting room, in the grocery line, or during your lunch break. Check out local adult education programs for affordable meditation workshops. Guided instruction on DVDs and videotapes are also available for do-it-yourself learning.
Along with balancing those everyday ups and downs of pregnancy treatments, acupuncture can also help out in more critical situations. Consider enlisting an acupuncturist if you are overdue and would like a natural alternative to induction or if your baby is breech and needs some help turning. Your self-acupressure, meditation, and yoga will be great tools to use during birthing.
Once labor and delivery is behind you, keeping up a holistic lifestyle for you and your baby is easy to do on a budget too. Go back for an instructional shiatsu session that's all about baby to learn how to help calm your little one to sleep, relieve the discomfort of colic or ease the pain of an ear infection. Switch yoga tapes to postnatal titles. Many have "Mommy and Me" themes for fun ways to get back in shape with your baby. Continue to practice the skills you learned in your meditation tapes, and even though you may not be sleeping, try to remember to keep breathing!
