Mommy Moods & Kids Long-Term Health

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1 in 5 people will experience mental illness in any given year in Canada. This is truly an epidemic. It doesn’t only affect the person, their jobs, their health, it affects the people around them.

Sadly, it has a long-term negative effect on children. The ACEs study of Adverse Childhood Experiences found that children who grew up with the experience of a depressed family member in the household had an increased chance of long-term health consequences like chronic disease, mental illness, substance abuse and early death.

This is not great news. This is why it’s so important to address mom’s health when we’re talking about children’s health. They are part of the family unit. Everyone in the family affects the other.

This is why I’m passionate about working with moms.

Watch my short video about this and a small thing you can do TODAY to help both mom and child.

Talk soon,

Whitney

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Meet our new intern

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Do you have a friend or family member who would benefit from seeing a naturopath but has limited funds? Now is the perfect opportunity to become a patient and get an individualized plan.

Francesca is joining our clinic this week for the next couple months to complete her naturopathic studies.

Her super powers: She’s a brilliant mom of 3 and has a special interest in fertility, pregnancy and babies. 

Francesca will be supervised by one of the naturopathic doctors at Rooted, so your friend or family member has the benefit of 2 people working on their plan.

Costs are reduced:

  • First Visit $60
  • Follow ups or Acupuncture $30

Contact the clinic or simply book online under “Student Intern”

See you soon!

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3 Secrets to a Successful Birth

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3 Secrets to a Successful Birth

Hi there,

Success is defined by everyone in many different ways. Your definition of a successful birth is different than mine. However, at the end of the day, however your little one came into your life, you can still have a successful birth.

Here are my 3 secrets to having a successful “birth” day.

Gift of Gratitude

Your baby is your new gift. You have been waiting 9 long months or much longer for this gift. You may have been on a fertility journey that had so many ups and downs that you can’t believe your gift is finally here!

The gift of gratitude is realizing that no matter how your baby arrived there are some things you can still be grateful for.

Perhaps its your amazing, supportive partner. Maybe you’re grateful your baby came on a specific date that has meaning to you. Maybe you’re grateful for your baby’s health despite a difficult delivery.

If you had a hard labour and delivery, pick 1 or 2 things you are still so grateful for despite it all and savour those. Then savour your secret…

Savour Your Secret

You and your baby just spent the last 9 months with a special relationship no one else was 100% a part of. You had your own language together, you spoke to her and she kicked back.

Now that she’s born, she is a part of the world. Savour Your Secret. Save the texting for a little bit later. Hold back sending pictures or posting on Facebook. She is only your secret for a few precious moments.

Enjoy your precious newborn and your new relationship together. Take her all in before sharing her with the rest of the world. It’s ok to be selfish for this special moment.

Sing a Song

Before both my girls were born I had a special dessert ready for their arrival.

For my first, I had a friend bake gluten-free chocolate cupcakes and I froze them so they would be there for her birth. For my second I baked strawberry rhubarb muffins and they were ready just in time.

We lit a candle and sang Happy Birthday to my baby for the very first time on her birthday. It was such a simple and beautiful moment that I will treasure forever.

With this birth, my older one is 2 years old so she was very excited for this ritual and it was she who got to blow out the candle for her new little sister! It was a great way to get her involved and celebrate our newest family member.

So however, your little one comes into the world – Enjoy your Gift of Gratitude, Savour Your Secret and Sing a Song. You are truly blessed.

Talk soon,

Whitney

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Breech Babies Turn 30% More With Our Therapy

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baby bump
Dr. Whitney’s 1st baby bump back in Sept 2013

At our clinic we often use the Traditional Chinese Medicine Technique known as moxibustion to help turn babies from breech into the proper birth position. Now, there is scientific evidence proving its effectiveness published in 2013 “Acupuncture and Medicine” journal. 3 arms of the study were compared:

  1. True moxibustion plus regular prenatal care was compared with
  2. Sham moxibustion (done on an ineffective point)and regular prenatal care and also compared with
  3. Regular prenatal care

This study found that the moxibustion performed helped turn the baby 30% more often. This is great evidence supporting our therapy we have been using since day 1.

If you are pregnant and between 32-35 weeks gestation, consider coming to the clinic for our acupuncture intake session with your partner. Here is the protocol you will follow:

  • Call or email us to book a special Acupuncture Intake appointment
  • Come with your partner or a friend who will learn the technique
  • During your appointment get a moxibustion treatment and instructions
  • Leave with instructions and supplies to perform at home daily 20 minutes a day for the next 2 weeks

After you have your beautiful baby, come on back in for a well baby check and let us help you with the numerous questions you will have.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Whitney Young ND & Dr. Kerri Fullerton ND

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5 Reasons to Workout During Pregnancy

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A guest post written By: Jocelyn Davies, PFS, RHN, BSc

As a Prenatal Fitness Specialist I often get asked the question “Jocelyn, is it safe to workout during pregnancy?”

The answer I tell most people is…Yes!

 Of course, there are some women who will not be able to workout during pregnancy due to specific conditions, complications or previous health related issues.

I always recommend that women consult with their doctor before starting any exercise regime.

In general however, working out during pregnancy can benefit your pregnant body and your growing baby.  Keep in mind that pregnancy is not the time to lose weight or join a new competitive sport, but it is however, an excellent opportunity to focus on fitness maintenance and healthy weight gain.

Here are 5 way that working out during pregnancy can help you and your baby.

It will give you strength and endurance for labour. 

  • Exercising during pregnancy helps build the strength and endurance needed for the length and intensity of labour. Staying active during pregnancy is associated with shorter labours and can even help avoid a C-section, or other labour interventions.

 

You will be less likely to develop pregnancy related health issues.

  • Common pregnancy ailments and discomforts such as back pain, varicose veins, fatigue, and disrupted sleep can be improved by moderate exercise. Physically active women are also less likely to develop more serious conditions, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.

 

Your baby will be smarter. 

  • Researchers at the University of Montreal have reported that just 20 minutes of moderate exercise 3 times per week enhances a newborn child’s brain development.

 

Your baby will be stronger. 

  • Babies of exercising mothers have been shown to be less stressed during labour. Judging by fetal heart rates, babies of exercising mothers tolerate contractions much better than babies of non-active mothers.

You will recover from pregnancy quicker. 

 

  • Getting regular exercise during pregnancy can result in less pregnancy pounds overall, and help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster.

No doubt about it, exercising during pregnancy is a big plus for both you, and your baby. Visit our website www.mumandbubs.com or contact Jocelyn at Mum & Bubs Health and Fitness for more information about our prenatal fitness classes.  Phone: 705-305-1975.

 

Sources used:

Bouchez, C. “Exercise during pregnancy: myth vs. fact.” WebMD., 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/exercise-during-pregnancy-myth-vs-fact>.

Moffat, T., et al. “Pre & post natal fitness specialist certification course manual.” Can-Fit-Pro. March 2007.

Tracey L. Weissgerber, et al. “Exercise in the prevention and treatment of maternal-fetal disease: a review of literature.” NRC Reasearch Press. 28  November 2006. <http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/h06-060#.V03AO7PF9_d>.

Universite de Montreal. “Exercise during pregnancy gives newborn brain development head start.” ScienceDaily, 10 November 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131110204330.htm>.

 

 

 

 

 

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To ultrasound or not to ultrasound

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Hi there,

20 Weeks Whitney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somewhere between week 18 and 20 pregnant women usually go for an anatomy ultrasound to check how baby is doing and maybe find out the sex of the baby.

I had mine a week ago and we found out it’s a…..drum roll please…..sorry, you’re going to have to wait a little longer before I tell you. Yes, that was mean.

My ultrasound was with a new tech who was being coached by a more experienced tech. It was a nice experience because they were chatting about this and that about my baby. So I got to see and understand a bit more about what I was seeing when I was craning my neck to watch what they were doing for an hour.

Is ultrasound safe? 

It is generally believed to be safe for mom and baby, is painless, gives results quickly, and is convenient, however because “a form of energy and, as such, demonstrates effects in biological tissues it traverses (bioeffects).(1)”

50% of physicians and obstetricians polled believed ultrasounds in low-risk pregnancies should be kept to 1-3 and 70% disapprove of “keepsake/entertainment” ultrasounds (2). However, is this based on fact or generally held beliefs?

The risks of ultrasound are thermal and mechanical.

I tried to find more research about the exact mechanisms and some definitive answers for you but this was very challenging. I think this topic is a whole thesis that I could spend a lot of time on.

My general philosophy is to strive for the least amount of intervention necessary. If you need another ultrasound for medical reasons I think that’s very important. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care provider to help you make up your own mind.

I thought I would just put this out there as food for thought.

Stay tuned for more highs and lows of pregnancy….I think my heartburn has just started and there is still so much time to go! I’m in trouble!

Talk soon,

Whitney

 

Sources:

1. Semin Perinatol. 2013 Oct;37(5):295-300.

2. J Ultrasound Med. 2007 Mar;26(3):319-25.

 

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