Six Habits
For a More Natural Pregnancy

If you're willing to tweak your daily habits, you can have a major impact on your sense of well-being as you prepare your body for birth and motherhood.

1. Fill Your Tummy With Nutritious, Organic Food.

   If you weren't already eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Now is the time to start. Choosing organic produce and natural meat products, labeled free range, wild or grass fed will help you avoid unnecessary pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other synthetic additives in your diet.

   You can find lots of books about what to eat and avoid during pregnancy, but check out The Green Pregnancy Diet: Healthy eating habits for mommy, baby and the planet for some extra guidance on avoiding toxins during your natural pregnancy.

   Also explore your local health food supermarket and talk to your health care provider about your options for the most natural forms of prenatal supplementation and vitamins.

   

2. Train Your Mind and Body.

   If you were active before getting pregnant, your health care provider will likely say it's okay to continue, but check with them first. If you haven't been exercising then you will likely not be released to start up a strenuous exercise program.

   However, yoga, pilates, aqua aerobics are all low impact ways to prepare yourself for a birthing marathon. If your schedule or budget doesn't permit you to sign up for a class, treat yourself to a Pregnancy Workout DVD like this one on Prenatal Yoga.

   Meditation, is perfect for exercising the mind. Try and carve out some time each morning and evening to focus on yourself and think positive thoughts about your birth. I spent a of time listening to birthing affirmations while preparing for natural birth using the The Mongan Hypnobirthing Method .

3. Drink Plenty of Water.

   You knew this one already, but it's worth repeating. Water is a natural way to flush out the many toxins you will ingest. Keep your system clean and flowing with adequate water supply.

   The quality of your tap water will vary dependent upon your geographic location, but consider filtering your drinking water at home and work to achieve the cleanest water supply.

4. Assess the Air Quality in your Home.

   It's common knowledge that pregnant women should avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Unfortunately, our daily living habits can invite many unnecessary toxins into our homes.

   As you prepare for your new baby there are many things you can do to have cleaner air in your home. Change your home's air filters, switch to non-toxic cleaning products, and employ more natural forms of pest control and lawn care.

   While your desire to nest may grow as the birthing time nears, delegate (or delay) home renovations and nursery projects that would cause you to inhale toxic dust and fumes.

5. Create a Soothing Sleep Environment.

   If you don't already have one, a pregnant woman needs and deserves a place to relax her mind and body in the form of a bedroom retreat. Quality sleep helps maximize your comfort and baby's development in the womb.

   If you have trouble sleeping, try some natural sleep solutions such as de-cluttering your sleep space, selecting soothing nature sounds, spritzing the room with lavender essential oil or playing birthing affirmations as you fall asleep.

   If the problem is your mattress, consider an organic body pillow or organic mattress topper, which will be free of PVC, phthalates, and toxic flame retardants.

6. Assess Your Work Environment

   Does your job expose you to chemicals and fumes? Do you do a lot of heavy lifting? Do you encounter radioactive equipment or? Do you work with small children or the elderly during flu season? What about smog or cigarette smoke?

   Think about your weekly routine at work and ways that you might be more sensitive as an expecting mom. Plan to approach your supervisor about temporary relief from such duties.

   However, go in to the meeting with tasks in mind that you are willing to take on to compensate for this. For example, you could take on more paperwork, do more marketing or sales related tasks or be more involved in client relations. Make sure your proposal points out what's in it for the company or your manager.

   If you are your own boss, pregnancy is a perfect time to start delegating strenuous or stressful tasks. Not only will it help you throughout pregnancy, but during maternity leave and during your transition as a working mom.

   Finally, think long term about your career and how it will fit with your new role as a mother. Perhaps your place of employment has some benefits for mothers that you weren't previously aware of like child care services, privacy for pumping moms, work from home privileges or job share opportunities.

   While I wouldn't advise any drastic career changes during your natural pregnancy, if you find your job wont be compatible, get creative and think of ways to reinvent your career. Take inventory of your strengths and passions and make a plan that will provide the smoothest transition possible for your family.

You see, a having a natural pregnancy doesn't have to involve a big investment of time and dollars. Look around you and make small changes that make sense and make you feel better. You and your baby are worth it.

Organic Maternity Guide
Five Steps to An Organic Beauty Routine
Seven Ways Treat Yourself to Some Organic Pregnancy Pampering