What is it?

If you’re reading this it likely means you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby - congratulations! It’s an exciting time of change and growth, but it often presents some challenges along the way.

These challenges may include:

• Nausea and vomiting (not just restricted to the morning)

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Increased need for certain macro and micro nutrients

• Struggles with body image and identity

• Postpartum anxiety and depression

Step-by-step approach to treatment

Comprehensive intake and relevant lab testing
We always start by gathering your complete health history, assessing not only the symptoms specific to your current pregnancy/postpartum health, but also those which relate to the foundations of health - including your stress and energy levels, your sleep and your digestive health. Relevant lab testing is always discussed. By obtaining lab results, specifically bloodwork, we get a clearer insight into the function of your body’s physiology. These insights are a great tool for guiding treatment. Naturopathic doctors are trained to look for lab results to be within optimal ranges, not just what may be considered conventionally “normal”. This is because you may be within all the normal lab parameters but still experiencing very real symptoms.

Lab tests commonly run during pregnancy and in the postpartum period:

• Nutrient status

• Thyroid panel

• Blood insulin and glucose markers
  
  

Supporting the foundations of health
With any health concern, supporting the foundations of health is essential, and always where treatment starts.This includes assessing and addressing stress levels, sleep quality, energy levels, inflammation, insulin regulation, digestive function, and nutrient deficiencies.

Customized treatment plan
Once lab results have been interpreted, a customized treatment plan will be created just for YOU. This is not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, but one that is specific to your individual health concerns and addresses your body’s physiology. You will leave your appointment with your written treatment plan as well as any relevant handouts so you feel equipped to start your treatments when you get home.
We understand that starting on a new regime of supplements and implementing lifestyle and dietary changes can be overwhelming. If you need support along the way, know that we are here for you. Additional check-in appointments can be made to support you on your journey to optimal health.

Follow up testing and treatment adjustments
Typically we book a follow up appointment 3 months and 6 month after starting your treatment plan so we can assess symptoms and retest necessary labs. It is our goal that, after treatment has begun, you will start to feel noticeable improvements. In some cases it’s not that simple and further assessment is required. Know that if you’re not seeing improvements, we can always reassess, do further testing and make adjustments to your plan along the way. During pregnancy it’s ideal to meet at least once in each trimester and in the postpartum period care may be required on a more regular basis.

Maintenance - addressing any new concerns
While we are here for you at any time along your health journey, it is not our goal to have you come in for regular appointments. Once you’ve started to have success with your treatment plan you may only require annual, bi-annual or as-needed appointments. In these appointments we assess the original concerns you presented with as well as any new symptoms or concerns you are experiencing.