Pregnancy & Birth
Once pregnant, focusing on prenatal care, balanced nutrition, and emotional well-being becomes essential for the health of both mother and baby.
Pregnancy Diet
Proper nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both the mother and the developing baby. Here are some key figures and resources in the field of pregnancy and nutrition:
Dr. Lily Nichols - A registered dietitian and nutritionist, and the author of "Real Food for Pregnancy" and "Real Food for Gestational Diabetes." Her work emphasizes nutrient-dense, whole-food diets for pregnant women.
Dr. Aviva Romm - A midwife, herbalist, and Yale-trained MD, Dr. Romm offers a holistic approach to women's health, including pregnancy nutrition. Her book "The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution" provides insights into hormonal health and nutrition.
Dr. Nicole Avena - A research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet, and addiction, Dr. Avena has written extensively about nutrition during pregnancy, including "What to Eat When You’re Pregnant."
Rebecca Fett - The author of "It Starts with the Egg," which focuses on the role of nutrition and lifestyle in improving egg quality and fertility, as well as maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Jolene Brighten - A functional medicine naturopathic doctor and the author of "Beyond the Pill." Her work includes advice on nutrition and hormone health for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
Dr. Jennifer Lang - An OB-GYN and the author of "The Whole 9 Months: A Week-By-Week Pregnancy Nutrition Guide with Recipes for a Healthy Start." She provides evidence-based nutrition advice for pregnant women.
Dr. Mark Hyman - A physician and a leader in functional medicine, Dr. Hyman provides valuable insights on nutrition and overall health, including guidance relevant to pregnancy.
Alisa Vitti - A functional nutrition and women's hormone expert, author of "WomanCode," and founder of FLO Living. Her work covers hormonal balance and nutrition, which is crucial during pregnancy.
Kelly LeVeque - A nutritionist and wellness expert known for her balanced approach to diet and nutrition. Her advice and book "Body Love" offer practical tips for maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy.
NutritionFacts.org - Founded by Dr. Michael Greger, this website provides evidence-based information on nutrition, including pregnancy-related topics.
Pregnancy Diet (plant-based)
Maintaining a vegan diet during pregnancy and postpartum requires careful planning to ensure that both the mother and baby receive all essential nutrients. Here are some key figures and resources that provide guidance on following a vegan diet during these critical periods:
Brenda Davis, RD - A registered dietitian and co-author of "Becoming Vegan" and "The Kick Diabetes Cookbook." She provides comprehensive advice on meeting nutritional needs on a vegan diet, including during pregnancy and postpartum.
Reed Mangels, PhD, RD - A nutrition advisor for the Vegetarian Resource Group and co-author of "The Everything Vegan Pregnancy Book." She provides detailed guidance on vegan nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Ginny Messina, MPH, RD - A dietitian and co-author of "Vegan for Life" and "Vegan for Her." She offers practical advice on how to meet nutritional needs on a vegan diet during pregnancy and beyond.
Dreena Burton - A vegan cookbook author and mother, known for her books such as "Plant-Powered Families." She provides family-friendly vegan recipes and tips for maintaining a healthy vegan diet during pregnancy and postpartum.
Lindsay S. Nixon - Author of "The Happy Herbivore Guide to Plant-Based Living" and "Happy Herbivore Cookbook." She offers easy and nutritious vegan recipes suitable for pregnancy and postpartum.
The Vegan Society - An organisation that offers resources and guidance on vegan nutrition, including specific advice for pregnancy and postpartum.
The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) - Provides comprehensive resources and articles on vegan nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Plant-Based Juniors - Founded by dieticians Whitney English Tabaie and Alexandra Caspero, this resource provides evidence-based information and meal plans for vegan and plant-based families, including pregnant and postpartum women.
Positive Birth
What is ‘Positive Birth’?
The Positive Birth Movement believes that every woman deserves a positive birth. But what does this mean?
Here’s how we define it:
Women are where they want to be
Choices are informed by reality not fear
Women are listened to and treated with respect and dignity
Mothers are empowered and enriched
Memories are warm and proud
A positive birth means a birth in which a woman feels she has freedom of choice, access to accurate information, and that she is in control, powerful and respected. A birth that she approaches, perhaps with some trepidation, but without fear or dread, and that she then goes on to enjoy, and later remember with warmth and pride.
A positive birth does not have to be ‘natural’ or ‘drug free’ – it simply has to be informed from a place of positivity as opposed to fear. The Positive Birth Movement is woman-centred and as such respects a woman’s human right to choose where and how she has her baby.
You can birth with positivity in hospital or at home, with or without medical intervention. You can have a positive caesarean, or a positive home water birth. Positive Birth is about approaching birth realistically, having genuine choice, and feeling empowered by your experience.
The Positive Birth Movement believes that communication is the key to shaking up birth. By coming together, in real life and online, and sharing experiences, feelings, knowledge and wisdom, women can take back childbirth.
Birth Plan
Yoga Nidra Meditation
Natural Birth
Natural birth emphasises minimal medical intervention, focusing on the body's innate ability to give birth. Here are some key figures and resources in this field:
Ina May Gaskin - A renowned midwife and author of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and "Spiritual Midwifery." She is a leading advocate for natural birth and the founder of The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee.
Penny Simkin - A physical therapist, childbirth educator, and doula who co-authored "The Birth Partner" and "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn." She offers practical advice on natural birth preparation and support.
Michel Odent - A French obstetrician and author of "Birth Reborn" and "The Scientification of Love." He is a pioneer in promoting water births and the benefits of a natural, undisturbed birthing process.
Sarah Buckley, MD - A family physician and author of "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering." She provides evidence-based information on the benefits of natural birth and the hormones involved in childbirth.
Henci Goer - A childbirth educator and author of "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" and "Optimal Care in Childbirth." She provides evidence-based information supporting natural birth practices.
Barbara Harper - A nurse, midwife, and founder of Waterbirth International. She is an advocate for water birth and has authored "Gentle Birth Choices," promoting gentle, natural birthing methods.
Sheila Kitzinger - An anthropologist and childbirth educator who authored "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth." She emphasises the importance of informed choice and natural birthing options.
Dr. Bradley Method - Developed by Dr. Robert Bradley, the Bradley Method emphasises natural childbirth and involves the partner as an active participant in the birthing process. The book "Husband-Coached Childbirth" is a key resource.
Birthing From Within - Founded by Pam England, this approach combines holistic methods with practical skills to prepare for natural birth. The book "Birthing from Within" offers insights and exercises for expectant parents.
HypnoBirthing - Created by Marie Mongan, HypnoBirthing focuses on using hypnosis techniques for a calm, natural birth. The book "HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method" outlines these techniques.
Lamaze International - A global organisation that promotes natural childbirth through education and advocacy. They offer resources and classes that emphasise evidence-based practices and natural birth options.
Elizabeth Davis - A midwife and author of "Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth." She provides comprehensive information on midwifery care and natural birth.
Jennifer Block - An investigative journalist and author of "Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care." Her work highlights the benefits of natural birth and critiques the medicalization of childbirth.
Rebecca Dekker - Founder of Evidence Based Birth, which provides research and resources supporting natural birth and informed decision-making during childbirth.