Benefits of Holistic Prenatal and Postpartum Care

When we’re excited to see that positive pregnancy test, one of the first steps we take is to establish care with a local OB/GYN and/or midwifery team. And don’t forget those prenatal vitamins! But all too often we focus so much on check-ups for the baby, and not so much on caring for ourselves during pregnancy and after delivery.

Having a baby is no joke! It’s called labor for a reason. It’s important to prepare our bodies and our minds for this miraculous journey. Enter holistic care. What all does that entail, you ask? Well, let’s chat about it!

Chiropractic Care:

• Relieves headache and neck pain

• Relieves lower back pain and sciatica

• Relives carpal tunnel syndrome

• Relieves morning sickness and nausea

• Relieves acid reflux and heartburn

• Can turn a breech baby (in some circumstances)

Acupuncture:

• Helps with fertility

• Helps with morning sickness

• Helps with musculoskeletal pain and headaches

• Encourages energy

• Helps with heartburn and constipation

• Assists with anxiety and depression

• Can turn a breech baby (in some circumstances)

• Can onset the beginning of labor

• Aids in recovery post-cesarean

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

• Assistance with incontinence and constipation

• Improves support of tailbone, pelvis, lower back, pelvic organs, and…your baby!

• Helps the ease of sexual function and lymphatic flow in your pelvic region

Massage Therapy:

• Improves circulation

• Improves respiration

• Improves gastro-intestinal function

• Soothes skin

• Relieves musculoskeletal discomfort

• Reduces stress

• Prepares your body for labor

Yoga/Exercise:

• Improves sleep

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Increases strength, flexibility, and endurance of musculature needed for childbirth

• Decreases lower back pain, nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath

• Promotes healing post-delivery

Dietician:

• Provides nutrients your body needs to grow/repair muscles and other tissues

• Positively affects fetal tissue growth

• Helps your breasts and uterine tissue grow during pregnancy

• Proper nutrition helps to increase blood supply

Mental Health Support:

• Seeing a psychologist can address worries about coping with a baby, managing multiple children, concerns about being a single parent, financial matters, feelings about the changing body, fear of birth, career concerns, etc.

• Decreases likelihood of postpartum mood disorder

• Helps to develop coping skills to manage stress

• Helps to improve communication skills

• Encourages self-care

• Treats physical symptoms of mood disorders (i.e. stomachaches, appetite, headaches, sleeping problems, etc.)

• Someone to LISTEN to you.

At Longleaf Birth Co., we love to promote holistic care. We’ve vetted a few resources here in Wilmington, NC that are our go-to spots for these services!

Dr. Amy Newberry, Pelvic Prescription

Dr. Caroline Keeler, Inside Out Pelvic PT

Dr. Samantha Bungee, Family Tree Chiropractic

Alison Born, Cape Fear Community Acupuncture

Kristen Dempsey, Wellness Massage

Michelle Walker, LCSWA, Salt and Cypress Counseling

Stephanie Vlad, Psychologist

Emily Barlas, Cape Fear Psychological Services

Kristen Nice, Yoga

Taylor Lo Grasso, Yoga

Eliza Miller, Yoga

All of these approaches to Holistic Care should be approved by your Primary Care Provider and/or OB/GYN. Be sure to seek care from licensed professionals who have been trained in serving pregnant persons to ensure optimal health.