Well Rounded Momma

Things you should know about Gestational Diabetes

docgrfx — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:22:04 +0000

by Sherry Hopkins

Gestational Diabetes:

A whole foods diet and active lifestyle are key in controlling diabetes.

Controlling blood sugar is not the same as dieting or restricting caloric intake during pregnancy, rather it refers to choosing healthy carbohydrate, protein and fat options. A traditional diabetes diet includes an abundance of protein but in a recent trial, a vegan diet was shown to be three times more effective in controlling blood sugar levels.

Avoid foods that contain hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and foods that have been modified or processed.

Bilberry has been found useful for adults with diabetes. While bilberries are not readily available for consumption, its relatives, the blueberry and grape, are easy to find. Both of these foods contain the same dark pigment that is responsible for many of the health benefits found in the bilberry and can easily be added liberally to the diet to obtain these benefits. Blueberry smoothies are a great morning treat, and grapes, when frozen, provide a soothing summertime treat. Bilberry itself is effective best as a tincture.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apples are chock full of nutrients, vitamins A and C, potassium, iron, and fiber. The average medium apple has five grams of fiber which protects against cancer and even promotes weight loss. They also offer liver support, which is linked to the tartness of fruit. Consumption of apples on a regular basis leads to reduced cholesterol levels, improved bowel function and reduces the risk of strokes, type 2 diabetes and cancers – particularly prostate, colon, and lung. Apple butter is a yummy concentrate made from apples and is a great vegan spread for morning breads. Apple cider and juices are essentially apple extracts and make a great mild laxative. Apples also make great additions to salads and flavorful sandwiches. A simple Panini can be tossed together with cheddar and apples. Tart granny smith apples liven up a regular turkey sandwich. Apples can make a yummy salsa when combined with chopped peppers, onions, and lime juice. A word of caution: Apples have some of the highest levels of pesticides residue according to the Environmental Working Group, so organic apples are worth the splurge.

Popcorn, when popped naturally, is high in protein and low in calories. It’s considered a whole grain food and a great source of fiber.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff!

docgrfx — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:05:28 +0000

FREE MONTHLY WORKSHOP

Saturday August 27th

4:00-6:00pm

@ Well Rounded Momma

This Month’s Theme:

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff!

Join the birth professionals of Well Rounded Momma as we help you navigate the waters on your journey into becoming parents. We are here to support you in any way that we are able. It is our goal to help you have YOUR birth YOUR way! Part of having your perfect birth is being informed. We at WRM wish to offer you sound information presented by our well qualified and experienced birth professionals. Come listen as we share the joy of natural birth and parenting!

This month’s featured topics and speakers include:

Pregnancy- Mandie Medford, HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator and Lactation Educator

Birth- April Kermani, Certified Professional Midwife

Postpartum/Parenting- Erica Delmore, Birth Doula

The importance of staying relaxed rather than “sweating the small stuff” during pregnancy-

Contributed by Mandie Medford, HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator

We know that babies are aware and conscious of the emotions of their mothers. Babies move in response to mothers and even react sympathetically when their mother is scared or under stress. Stress hormones (catecholamines) and pleasure hormones (endorphins) when made by the mother, are transferred to the child in-utero. We as mothers have the power to shape our babies’ personalities long before they come into the world and the time we spend with them will impact our relationship with them for a lifetime. Here are some ways you can step back from the “small (and big) stuff” and spend time with your baby in order to create a positive environment in which they can grow emotionally so that they can be physically healthy:

Relaxation Routine- lie down, sit on a birth ball, sit in a comfy chair. Bring your body into a loose and limp state so there is no tension in any part of your body. Relax every muscle in your face and let your jaw hang loosely (tension in the jaw creates tension in the pelvis and cervix). Let your head hang and let your shoulders sink into the frame of your body. A relaxation routine can help flood the body with endorphins!
Breathing- Deep Cleansing breaths, when taken several times a day, can release many toxins from the body. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, release tension from one body part at a time starting at your head and move right down to your toes. When we take the time to breath correctly, we are breathing loving energy and much needed oxygen and blood to our body and to our baby. Try this technique: Take a deep breath in through your nose to the count of four, hold for a second, then slowly exhale down your throat (an inward breath) to the count of 8. This long slow breath out will help you to bring yourself “down” into a state of relaxation.
Visualization- The subconscious mind is a very powerful thing when it comes to pregnancy and birth. Daily, you should be visualizing and speaking about what you want your birthing day to look like. The nervous system works in such a way that every thought produces a chemical and physiological change in the body- for every thought there is a corresponding physical reaction in the body. Therefore, when we visualize our baby in a healthy way, baby is likely to be more healthy. We encourage moms to visualize baby in the optimal position for birth (head down and facing your back). Another visualization you may like to try is the rose bud visual- Visualize your birth path (the path your baby will follow when he makes his way into the world) gently opening and unfolding as a rose does. You can use this visualization while you are relaxing in the bath tub and as you are practicing your relaxation breathing.

Services

docgrfx — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:22:09 +0000

YouHaveChoices Well Rounded Momma provides many services to assist you in your pregnancy. Everything from breastfeeding and doulas to midwives and water birth.

Education

docgrfx — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:20:37 +0000

BirthPrepTraining Preparation and training are so important to your birthing experience. At WRM you will find various resources and workshops to get you ready for your babies big day.

Important Featured Story

docgrfx — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:42:31 +0000

Phasellus sit amet odio eros. Ut sagittis metus volutpat eros bibendum accumsan. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. In scelerisque aliquam tincidunt. Duis quis dui ac augue hendrerit elementum. Phasellus risus mauris, volutpat eget molestie vel, rhoncus eu lorem. Morbi a nisi quam.

Integer fermentum elit in tellus. Integer ligula ipsum, gravida aliquet, fringilla non, interdum eget, ipsum. Praesent id dolor non erat viverra volutpat. Fusce tellus libero, luctus adipiscing, tincidunt vel, egestas vitae, eros. Vestibulum mollis, est id rhoncus volutpat, dolor velit tincidunt neque, vitae pellentesque ante sem eu nisl. Donec facilisis, magna eget elementum pellentesque, augue arcu aliquet eros, eget convallis mauris ante quis magna. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Aenean et libero. Nam aliquam. Quisque vitae tortor id neque dignissim laoreet. Duis eu ante. Integer at sapien. Praesent sed nisl tempor est pulvinar tristique. Maecenas non lorem quis mi laoreet adipiscing. Sed ac arcu. Sed tincidunt libero eu dolor. Cras pharetra posuere eros. Donec ac eros id diam tempor faucibus. Fusce feugiat consequat nulla. Vestibulum tincidunt vulputate ipsum.

Nullam eget neque. Nullam imperdiet venenatis ligula. Integer a leo. Nunc consectetur. Maecenas sem. Proin vulputate, massa vel volutpat laoreet, purus erat pretium ligula, eget varius arcu nibh sed libero. Fusce ante. Nullam interdum aliquet metus. Ut ultrices vestibulum tellus. Praesent quis erat. Nam id turpis sit amet neque cursus luctus. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Quisque id tortor. In vitae sapien. Nunc quis tellus.

Another Featured Article

docgrfx — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:42:15 +0000

Featured Article Headline

docgrfx — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:41:16 +0000