The First Weeks:
Setting Yourself Up For Success

Think about your "WHY" for wanting a natural birth. Journal five compelling reasons that are motivating you to aim for an unmedicated intervention-free vaginal birth. When things get tough, your "why" will become your North Star, getting you through the darker movements.

 

Do a toxic cleanse of your house

Medicine cabinet - consult your healthcare provider about any medications

Kitchen plastics - avoid BPA; consider tossing old plastic containers, black plastic cooking utensils, and plastic cutting boards

Pesticides on produce - aim for organic (Chico Natural Foods offers 75% off California produce when purchasing with an EBT card)

Personal care products - avoid phthalates, parabens, and sulfates

Cleaning products - avoid traditional dryer sheets, try natural or DIY cleaning products

Cat litter box - Make someone else clean it!

Cell phone - limit exposure to radiation (keep cell phone off your body, keep tablets away from your belly, and turn off Wi-Fi at night)

 

Start taking a non-synthetic food-based prenatal vitamin

Vitamin A - supports eye, brain, heart and respiratory development 

Vitamin B6 - helps red blood cell formation and eases morning sickness 

Folate - May prevent neural tube defects and supports the placenta 

Vitamin b12 - promotes blood formation and may prevent birth defects 

Choline- assists in brain formation, liver function, and healthy metabolism 

Vitamin C - nourishes the amniotic sac and placenta; good for gum health 

Vitamin D - helps mom utilize calcium and strengthens baby's bones 

DHA - builds baby's brain and promotes a healthy fetal weight 

Vitamin K - supports strong bone formation and healthy blood clotting 

Calcium - Aids bone and teeth development as well as muscle function 

Iron - helps prevent anemia, low birth weight, and premature delivery

Iodine - enhances immune system and healthy thyroid function 

Magnesium - helps with good blood pressure and blood sugar levels 

Zinc - supports immune system functions and enzyme production

 

Nutrition

If you're aiming for a natural birth, free from interventions, eating well is one of the most important things you can do. 

Carbohydrates - aim for at least six 1 cup servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day (rainbow of colors), plus three to four 1/2 cup servings of starchy carbs or whole grains. Avoid processed grains, green papaya, raw sprouts, and artificial sweeteners

Fats - aim for at least one serving of added healthy fat (like 1 tbsp of coconut oil or grass-fed butter, 1/2 cup of avocado, or 1/4 cup of nuts, seeds, or olives) per meal. Other great sources include oily fish/ cod liver oil, whole milk, and egg yolks. Avoid margarine, industrial oils, and trans fats.

Proteins - aim for three to four 3oz servings a day, or at least 80 g of protein of things like eggs, low mercury seafood, grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, soaked beans or lentils, and whole fat dairy. Avoid canned meats, raw meats, raw eggs, raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, high mercury seafood, hot dogs and deli meats.

Beverages - aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of filtered or spring water per day, other healthy beverages include coconut water, additive-free nut milks, ginger or peppermint tea, and tart cherry juice. Avoid excessive coffee, green tea and sugary juices; raw milk, soy milk, skim milk, sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, drinks that are unpasteurized or made with artificial sweeteners.

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A moderate workout routine of 30 minutes a day during pregnancy can...

(Unless your doctor instructs against it)

• lower your risk of developing complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia 

• boost and regulate your mood, thanks to all those feel good endorphins 

• increase the likelihood that you'll stay within a healthy weight range, and get back to your old self more quickly after giving birth 

• boost your baby's brain development 

• walking, yoga, swimming, Pilates, etc. 

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Where do you want to give birth?

• Birth centers - freestanding birth centers, and hospital affiliated birth centers

• Baby friendly hospital 

• Home birth (if low risk)

• There are no homebirth midwives in Chico that accept Medi-Cal. However, they will likely offer a discount to Medi-Cal recipients.

• Our closest birth center is Baby Buddy's Birth Center, in Marysville. They do accept Medi-Cal.

 

Choosing your provider 

• OB/GYN's - hold a "medical management" view of childbirth, and are more likely to use interventions during birth

• Midwives - focus on wellness, whole body, health, and prevention; are supporters of natural vaginal birth, provide individualized care, and empower moms to make informed choices.

• Better Babies at NVIH, and Enloe employee midwives for prenatal care 

 

Mental Clarity

• In ancient times childbirth was viewed as a natural, organic, and orgasmic process; birth stories were of spirituality, connection, and knowing; women trusted their bodies were made for childbirth; birthing women were revered as goddesses able to channel the sacred creation of new life

• House plants will purify the air and infuse your home with grounding, cleansing, and nourishing energy (peace lily, spider plant)

• Clearing, cleaning and decluttering the spaces you inhabit frees you from heavy energy and stress/ increase cortisol - clutter is confusing and translates into a chaotic inner environment 

• EFT tapping can shift negative emotions, traumas, fears, jealousy, stress, fatigue, nausea, and other shadows into positivity and light