Library

Can a daily multivitamin slow down cognitive decline? The main purpose of a multivitamin is to fill in nutritional gaps by providing micronutrients that may be missing from diet. Is it possible that taking a daily multivitamin can also slow down cognitive decline? Recent research shows that daily use of multivitamin-mineral supplements is related to a slower rate of cognitive decline. Researchers reported that using a daily multivitamin improved global cognition, episodic memory, and executive function in older adults (1). Laura D. Baker, PhD, a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University, and colleagues, assessed the effects...

The side effects of prenatal vitamins may include digestive problems, body aches, or changes to your skin and hair. These side effects are also common side effects of being pregnant. If you are experiencing prenatal vitamin side effects, there are solutions to ease these symptoms. (1) What are Common Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins? The common side effects of prenatal vitamins may include stomach and digestive discomfort, body aches, skin concerns, or even the hiccups. It can be difficult to know if your prenatal vitamin is causing these symptoms or if they are side effects of being pregnant. (1) Nausea,...

Taking prenatal vitamins before you’re pregnant benefits you, your future children, and your grandchildren. Getting enough nutrients and micronutrients is critical through every stage of your pregnancy, from pre-conception through birth.  Prenatal vitamins can fill critical nutrition gaps that even the most balanced and healthful diet cannot provide. When you’re trying to conceive and become pregnant, your body and baby have extra nutritional demands that are instrumental to a healthy and successful pregnancy.  We take prenatal vitamins seriously, and we’re happy that you’re learning about the benefits of prenatal vitamins. What are Prenatal Vitamins? Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to...

Prenatal vitamins are designed to support you and your baby’s growing needs at every stage of pregnancy. Ideally, you start taking prenatal vitamins 3 - 6 months before you conceive and continue taking them for the whole nine months of your pregnancy. Month By Month Baby Development From pre-conception to postpartum, prenatal vitamins are designed to nourish you and your baby through every month of your pregnancy. (1, 2)   Pre-Conception Your baby’s most crucial development happens in the first few weeks after conception, often before you know you’re pregnant. That is why it’s ideal to start prenatal vitamins 3...

Prenatal vitamins are designed to give you and your baby critical nutrient support for a healthy pregnancy. Whether you’re trying to conceive or are pregnant, your body has extra nutrient demands that are difficult to meet with a whole-foods balanced diet alone. What Do Prenatal Vitamins Do? Prenatal vitamins give you the vitamins and minerals you need before, during, and after pregnancy. (1, 2) Here is how prenatal vitamins support you and your baby when trying to conceive and during pregnancy:   Fertility Support Research shows that deficiencies in vitamins A, B6, D, E, and B12, iron, and folate may...

You have decided that you would like to see a midwife over the course of your pregnancy journey. Midwives embrace a client-centered model of care that reinforces the normalcy of birth and are sensitive to the unique needs of individuals and their families. But what else will you get when you sign up for midwifery care? Here are five things that you might not know about working with a midwife:   1) Different Kinds of Midwives Provide Different Options for Care. Midwives, although perhaps trained and created equally, are not all the same. The experience you will have working with...

Birth planning and setting up birth preferences can be a daunting task. To some, it may seem as simple as filling out a template that may or may not be provided by your medical team. As a doula of 18 years, birth plans are the main tool to ensuring improved birth experiences…when they are used correctly!

People often comment on how “cozy” my office is. And while office decor is not one of the skills they teach in midwifery school, it is not unimportant.  Clients are welcome here by themselves or with their families, and we intend for them to be comfortable. We spend a lot more time together over the course of care than they would with a hospital-based provider. We serve them tea. We have toys for their other kids to play with and a library of interesting pregnancy, birth, and health-related books for them to peruse. We schedule enough time in our visits...