Category Archives: Women’s Health

Stretch marks – what are they?

black and white photo of pregnant women

Their existence is almost inevitable, they don’t go away, and they’re a big source of anxiety for many women. They’re stretch marks—the calling card of pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and dealing with stretch marks, rest assured you’re in good company. Studies show that 50 to 90% of women will develop them over the course of […]

5 Things You Need to Know About Having a Baby

Pregnant women looking out the window

Congratulations on your pregnancy! By now, you’ve probably read everything there is to read about babies and what to expect. You’ve made lists, packed your hospital bag, signed up for Lamaze classes, joined message boards, possibly toured the hospital, and even picked out the nursery colors. Then the baby comes. Any mother will tell you […]

Preeclampsia and pregnancy: 3 things you should know

Pregnant women having a picnic outdoors

There are three important things you should know about pregnancy and preeclampsia: 5% of all pregnancies and 11% of first pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a major cause of death and complication for both mothers and babies. In patients at risk for preeclampsia, nutritional supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence […]

What Can Nutrition Do for My Breastfed Baby?

Women playing with her newborn baby

The time after birth is a great time for women to reevaluate their nutritional needs. You now have a new baby, and you both need nutritional support. While breastfeeding, a healthy diet should restore your nutritional stores, and support your growing baby. Women that are breastfeeding will need to consume an additional 500 calories per day1. […]

What Did Pregnancy Do to My Body?

Women holding her baby

Most new mothers wonder how their body will change after childbirth. The changes following pregnancy are unscripted and unpredictable but unfortunately are also inevitable. Even up to six months post-labor, women deal with everything from changes in stomach appearance to hair loss to back pain. Although some of the changes are permanent, there is good news—most changes […]

5 Steps to a Speedy Recovery from Pregnancy

Recovery After Pregnancy

Getting back to normal after a pregnancy takes two things: time and patience. Popular wisdom says that women are back to normal in just 6 weeks. However, the truth is every woman recovers from pregnancy at a different pace. Your rate of recovery can depend on the type of delivery, the difficulty of the birth, your overall health, […]

What Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You About Pregnancy and Nutrition

pregnant women slicing fruit

Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest miracles and mysteries. Consider that from the microscopic union of two pairs of chromosomes a woman’s body creates a human life. There are many risks faced by you and your baby during pregnancy; an experienced doctor or midwife can give you the proper warnings. One major potential risk is maternal malnutrition. Malnutrition, whether significant or minor, impacts […]

The Truth About Prenatal Supplements: 5 Things You Should Know

Pregnant women reading about prenatal supplements

Even under the best of circumstances, eating a sufficient and healthy diet is difficult during pregnancy. All women are told to take a prenatal supplement to help fill in the nutrient gaps they might have. Your OBGYN will recommend you start taking a prenatal immediately. However, there is such a wide range of vitamins and […]

6 Things to Do for the Best Postnatal Experience

Mother play with baby on bed

Having a newborn baby is one of the greatest experiences of a woman’s life but also one of the most stressful. Many women expect that immediately their life will bounce back to normal. While having a new addition to the family is fun and exciting, it adds some stress and strain. Below are some tips that you can […]

5 Nutrition Essentials for the Expectant Mother

Pregnant women siting in chair with brick wall background

There is no magic formula for the perfect prenatal diet. The prenatal period is unique because you provide nourishment for you and your growing baby. This does not mean eating enough for two! Instead, it means eating sensibly and making healthy choices. There are over 14 nutrients that all pregnant women need in their daily diet, including […]