Toronto Yoga Mamas Blog

How Does Fertility Acupuncture Work?

4/14/2022

Getting pregnant is not the same for everyone. For some people it happens completely by surprise. For others it happens on the very first try. And for some people the journey to conception can be a longer one.

Traditional Chinese Medicine {TCM} views fertility concerns as symptoms of an underlying imbalance within the body. Our bodies have many interconnected faculties that work together to keep us healthy and whole, and it can get challenging trying to keep them all in perfect harmony. The ultimate goal of TCM concerning fertility is to rebalance the body so it is able to conceive on its own.
Acupuncture, together with TCM has been used to enhance fertility for thousands of years, and is a service used by hundreds of people who visit our clinic.
But how does Fertility Acupuncture work? What is it about acupuncture that increases our chances of getting pregnant?

Your Guide to Safe Yoga Poses in Pregnancy

4/11/2022

Pregnant women have a lot to think and dream about.
From tracking how baby grows every week, to creating your perfect nursery, there’s so many special moments you'll experience in every stage of pregnancy.

But like many women you also may be wondering what are some health and exercise routines you can safely add to your daily regimen now that you're pregnant? What yoga poses are safe to do in pregnancy? You want to make smart healthy choices, but you don’t want to start anything that may be harmful to you or your baby.

Prenatal Yoga is a one safe practice that keeps you moving, while helping you connect with your baby and prepare for labour. Below we’ve created a quick guide on nine safe yoga poses, three for each trimester

Prenatal Massage in Every Trimester

3/30/2022

Written by: Marion Penny Mallette, Registered Massage Therapist

From reduced swelling to improved sleep, studies over the years have taught us that prenatal massage therapy paves the path for a smoother pregnancy experience.
If you’re looking for ways to walk in optimal health through your pregnancy, here are a few reasons why prenatal massage therapy may be a great place to start.

Let’s talk about stress
Have you ever heard of cortisol?
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. Essentially, it’s how our bodies manage stress. But stress while pregnant can be a common experience for a lot of women. After all, your body is changing in drastic ways, and you’re embarking on a new chapter in life, so it’s safe to say there's a lot on your mind. Prenatal massage therapy helps your body relax. It also creates space for you to unwind and think, which is something that many of us don’t get a chance to do. All this combined can help you manage and reduce stress & anxiety and even decrease symptoms of depression.

Goodnight, sleep tight
As your pregnancy progresses, a good night’s sleep becomes more of a challenge. Playing soft music, loading up on pillows, or binge watching a new series are just some of the ways we try to trick our expanding body to get some rest.
Prenatal massage works to calm down the nervous system and releases those “feel good” hormones to help improve your quality of sleep. So even though it may be hard to wind down, when you do fall asleep, your body can get the deep rest it needs.

Reduce swelling
Swelling is a common and uncomfortable symptom of pregnancy. It’s caused by added volume, reduced circulation, and increased pressure on the major blood vessels. Massage can help manipulate the soft tissue to move along any extra fluid, reducing swelling and making you feel much more comfortable.

5 Ways To Prepare for Breastfeeding

3/25/2022

Written by Paola Vallerino, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

From one mom to another, breastfeeding is a journey. For some women that journey is smooth sailing. For others it’s challenging, tiring, and maybe even a little scary.
When it comes to breastfeeding, it’s important to remember that it’s a learned skill. And like all skills, it requires some training, practice, and a little trial and error to get it just right.
The more knowledge you have, the better prepared you’ll be for your unique feeding experience with your baby. If you’re considering breastfeeding your little one here are five tips to help support and prepare you for your decision.

1. TAKE A BREASTFEEDING PRENATAL CLASS
Allowing babies to follow their instincts through biological nurturing and baby-led latching is one approach that’s actually very easy. However, there are many cases when a baby may not latch or will latch in a way that causes pain. In a prenatal breastfeeding class, you’ll learn about different approaches, positions, and techniques that will teach you how to help your baby latch painlessly. Learning about these different approaches beforehand can also help ease any anxiety you may be feeling and give you more confidence in your breastfeeding journey.

2. CHOOSE BREASTFEEDING-FRIENDLY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
When it comes to breastfeeding support, board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) are the only healthcare providers recognized to lend qualified help in the clinical management of breastfeeding. Build your support circle by choosing a midwife, OB, doula or family doctor that works with an IBCLC and is up-to-date on feeding support, so that they won't give you any advice that would put your breastfeeding journey at risk, and can refer you to an IBCLC when necessary.

3. JOIN A MAMAS SUPPORT GROUP
Women that join a support group with other moms are more likely to have a happy and successful breastfeeding journey. Community matters, and it’s harder to quit something you’re endeavouring to do when you have a group of people supporting and encouraging you. It’s also critical to lean on this kind of support during the challenging times. Having a judgment-free space where you can vent and share your experiences, while learning from the experiences of other moms, will help you overcome the obstacles that may come along the way.

4. HAVE A LACTATION CONSULTANT BY YOUR SIDE
When we become mothers, we sometimes feel like we have to know how to do everything perfectly for our children. But when you bring your new baby home you’re faced with a lot of new realities. Your home feels different, you feel different, and your daily routines are completely thrown off tilter. You’re also dealing with a lot of hormonal changes that bring a whirlwind of emotions ranging from intense joy to intense sadness. When taking all this into consideration, it’s important to let go of the reigns and allow people to help you. For mamas who choose to breastfeed, you’ll find comfort in having the support of your lactation consultant. A lactation consultant can answer any questions and address any concerns you may have to give your breastfeeding journey the best start. If you hit a bump in the road, having someone to call on can make the difference between quitting or pushing forward.

5. AVOID BOTTLES AND PACIFIERS FOR THE FIRST 4-6 WEEKS
A key tip to help you successfully breastfeed your baby is to keep it as natural as possible. Introducing bottles and pacifiers in the early days, can interfere with establishing your milk supply and your overall breastfeeding experience. Whether it’s a painful latch, a fussy baby, or your milk supply dropping, there's always a better option before considering bottles or pacifiers. Call your lactation consultant who can help you work through each situation that may arise along the way.

Motherhood is an unpredictable adventure - I'm a mama myself so I know! I’ve had the concerns and the questions and the challenges too. But you don’t need to figure it all out on your own. It truly takes a village not just to raise a child, but to support a mama.
In your motherhood endeavours remember to make sure you express your desire to breastfeed and surround yourself with people who can hold your hand along the way. Our team is here to support you as well and ready to play our part in guiding you through a successful breastfeeding journey.

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