| Naturopathic Support for Pregnancy
& Birth |
|  Pregnancy
is time of enormous physical and emotional change in a woman’s
life. Using natural and complementary medicines to avoid and/or
treat many of those ‘common’ pregnancy complaints is
a safe and sensible choice for many women.
The needs of pregnancy are ensured through nutritional assessments
and dietary guidance. Preparing the body for the journey of labour
and birth is also supported towards the end of pregnancy. |
Consultations:
Contact Kristin about a naturopathy
consultation.
Visit Naturopathic Support for naturopathy
fees, dispensary fees and location.
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| How naturopathy can help:
Naturopathic support in pregnancy provides gentle, safe and effective
treatment for ailments such as:
- Morning sickness
- Heartburn/reflux
- Constipation
- Haemorrhoids
- Fluid retention
- Bleeding gums
- Lowered immune system
- Thrush
- Fatigue
- Leg/foot cramps
- Iron deficiency
- Stretch marks
- Varicose veins
- Gestational diabetes *
- High blood pressure/pre-eclampsia *
* If you have a family history of diabetes or hypertension, there
are important dietary practices you can adopt to assist in the prevention
of developing these conditions during your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Care Appointments are generally scheduled
for:
6-8 weeks:
- Preconception program (if applicable) is reviewed and revised
if necessary.
- Treatment is offered for any early complaints e.g. nausea/morning
sickness.
- Discussion of routine & recommended tests via GP.
- Discussion/information given regarding:
18-20 weeks: (>5mths)
- Pregnancy diet and supplement regime is reviewed and revised
if necessary.
- Treatment is offered for any complaints common for this stage
e.g. constipation, haemorrhoids, bleeding gums, heartburn/reflux,
iron deficiency and lowered immune system.
- Discussion/information given re:
28-30 weeks: (>7mths)
- Pregnancy diet and supplement regime is reviewed and revised
if necessary.
- This is a time for increased nutritional needs
e.g. iron, calcium, protein and certain symptoms can reveal these.
- Treatment is offered for any complaints common for this stage
e.g. fatigue, thrush, leg cramps, backache, fluid retention, constipation,
stretch marks and bleeding gums.
- Discussion/information given re:
33-34 weeks: (8+ mths)
- Pregnancy diet and nutritional regime is reviewed and revised
if necessary.
- Treatment is offered for any complaints common for this stage
e.g. backache, fluid retention, constipation, thrush, leg cramps
and stretch marks.
- Herbal medicine (‘Partus Prep Formula’) dispensed
to prepare for birth.
- Discussion/information given re:
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| “Through
the antenatal clinic, all clients are referred to Kristin
for support throughout their pregnancies and postnatal
periods, as well as for preconception care, fertility
and hormonal issues including postnatal depression.
This partnership helps in ensuring that women have access
to holistic care that is not otherwise on offer in Tom
Price. It has been an extremely valuable partnership
and is greatly valued by all who have accessed her support.”
Nadine Argyle,
Midwife
Nintirri Centre
Tom Price WA, 2007 |
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| “I
enjoyed taking the various prescribed supplements
knowing they were nourishing my body therefore my
future baby.”
~ Simone |
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“I was about 20 weeks pregnant when we relocated
to Karratha from Perth and I was very happy to find
a naturopath specialising in pregnancy support. I
visited Kristin a quite a few times throughout my
pregnancy and she seems to know just what I needed
and when. It was a bonus she was a childbirth educator
also. She was a great source for the latest information
about pregnancy and birth and I used to come out of
the appointments feeling really positive, excited
and reassured about everything I was doing.
I felt great through my pregnancy and to this day
still attribute my fantastic birth experience to the
herbal mixtures and nutritional supplements I took
during my pregnancy. My healthy baby boy was born
after a straightforward and natural 7-hour labour.
I am still taking my supplements while breastfeeding
and I felt my body recovered really well after the
birth – with no stretch marks! Thanks Kristin!”
Kellie R., Karratha WA
Baby ‘Charlie’, 3.6kg, August 2006
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 “We
had a beautiful baby boy on the 13th June at the family
birth centre. I had a 3-hour labour (although I had
been in pre-labour for a week before hand, so my body
was well prepared). Everyone thought how amazing that
was for a first labour - I told them I had a secret
formula - the partus prep!”
Jo, Brett & Vijay, 3.4kg
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“I’ve always been interested in health
and nutrition, so it was natural for me to seek advice
to help me become pregnant. When I became pregnant,
I visited Kristin every 3 months or so. I must say
I was impressed when I was asked if I was getting
leg cramps and I was! Kristin prescribed calcium and
the next day and from then on – no more cramps!
Kristin is very knowledgeable, has a genuine interest
and personable approach. As a result of attending
the Active Birth
Workshop, I felt better prepared for the birth
and so did my husband. I would definitely recommend
Kristin to others and I am very pleased with the results
from seeing her. I had a wonderful pregnancy and felt
great.”
G. Tanswell
Baby ‘Dustin’ - 7lb, 7oz
29th Jan 08
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  “I
felt great for the entire pregnancy and enjoyed every
minute. We have been blessed with a beautiful little
girl, born one week early on Australia Day. The labour
and birth went really smoothly; we really felt in
control and active – thankyou so much for all
your help, guidance and support of what really turned
out to be the experience we both imagined.
You really had a positive effect on my husband when
we came for the birthing workshop – he speaks
pretty highly of the workshop and now tells me how
good you are – what I’ve been telling
him for a year now!”
Bronte & Kris
Baby ‘Manyah’ (man-eye-a)
6lb, 7oz
26th Jan 08
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“I originally went to see to see Kristin because
I had recurrent mouth ulcers. I had given up smoking
a few years prior and wanted to clean up my system
and improve my health. I thought the consultation
was very informative, and positive. I left with heaps
of information and handouts, which was good to have
to go over if you forget anything! I found Kristin
very friendly and helpful and her knowledge and skills
of a high level – she knew exactly what my symptoms
meant and what my system was lacking, e.g. zinc. We
also talked about lifestyle factors that would also
be affecting my immune system.
Many months later I returned to Kristin while I was
pregnant and we talked about my needs and my diet.
I felt very healthy and in control through my pregnancy,
and after initially taking the supplements my fatigue
from the first trimester seemed to disappear and all
the way through to labour I feel I was a ‘text
book case’, as everything happened when it was
meant too.
 Kristin
also suggested a book (A Labour of Love*) for me to
read while pregnant. I thought it was a great book
and have passed it on to expecting friends that are
now reading it too. I have already recommended friends
go and see Kristin for pre-pregnancy advice and also
advise on miscarriage, lifestyle adjustment, general
health and also men’s health. Modern medicine
is very good when needed but personally I would rather
the more natural way of fixing things if possible.”
Lianne Bailey – Karratha, WA
Baby ‘Charlotte Ruby’, 3.4kgs, 23 June
2007
* by Gaby Targett www.alabouroflove.com.au
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“I went to see Kristin when I was pregnant
with my first child as I was completely rundown. I
was getting cold sores and had a cold that was very
hard to shake. I was completely fatigued and we discovered
I had trouble with my body’s iron levels. I
initially went to the doctor but I did not seem to
'pick up' so thought I would try the natural approach.
The consult was extremely thorough and I felt all
health issues had been addressed. We worked through
my diet to see if changes were needed (and there was!)
to help me feel better. Kristin was very professional
and listened to all my concerns, no matter how small
they sounded. I had seen other naturopaths before
but Kristin was the most knowledgeable, especially
in the women’s health/pregnancy area. I found
her professionalism was of the highest standard. She
was very easy to talk as she related to what I was
saying, having been through pregnancy not long ago
herself.
Kristin created a treatment plan for me that was easy
to follow and I met with her every couple of weeks
initially to talk about my progress and adjust the
treatment if necessary. It was not long before I began
feel 100% better than when I first walked into her
consulting room. I continued to see Kristin throughout
my pregnancy and leading up until the birth. I would
definitely recommend her to others. She has great
expertise in women’s health and pregnancy and
is very approachable; we would often chat in the supermarket!
I appreciate Kristin’s down to earth attitude;
it leaves you feeling that someone has finally 'heard
you'.”
Donna Stott, Karratha WA
Baby ‘Anais’ - 2006
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