WOMEN. Mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, moms-to-be, inspirational female leaders, female caretakers… we all deserve to be celebrated. That’s why this month at Synergy is Women’s Health Month. We celebrate and appreciate all the women in our lives, by encouraging them to embrace and take control of their own health. Often times women are the glue of the household, and need to be in the best health for ourselves and everyone else who counts on us. Take time to care for YOU first! Start by joining us at Synergy on Tuesday May 16th for our LADIES NIGHT! Not only will we have drinks, food and good company, we also welcome guest speaker Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp who will be discussing all things HORMONES! Her talk, Happy Hormones – Happy You, will tackle issues such as adrenal fatigue, sluggish thyroid, sex hormones, and weight loss issues. Get your tickets NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-night-tickets-33929844077

Speaking of hormones, it’s not much of a secret anymore. If you’ve seen me in the office, you know something is very different. You may have wondered, you may have come right out and asked. The truth is, yes, I’m pregnant. My husband and I are very excited to be expecting our little girl in July. Embarking on this new journey has increased my appreciation for pregnant women and moms in general. I’ve learned a lot these past 7 months, what to do, what not to do, and basically how to survive the biggest roller coaster you’ve encountered thus far.

Here are my top 5 “tips” to feel great pregnant

1. GET ADJUSTED!

   I cannot stress this enough. I get it, you think I’m biased. I’m not. Ten years ago I was told I had a 50% chance of carrying a child to term. Great odds. Did I worry about it? No. Because despite the emotional stress that may have caused, my regular adjustments kept my emotions in check and my stress at bay. I had been getting adjusted for 9 years prior to conceiving so I believed in the power of my own body and my hormones to do what was necessary to handle this one. How has getting regular adjustments helped DURING pregnancy? Well I’m still waiting for the ball to drop. I’m waiting for the horrible back pain, sciatica, heartburn, swollen feet, etc. Nothing yet. I attribute that entirely to a properly functioning nervous system, made possible through Chiropractic. How will Chiropractic help when it comes time to give birth? Getting adjusted regularly leading up to delivery can potentially reduce the time of labour and delivery, as well as possibly prevent the need for C-section. I’m in for both of those! And a bonus, if at any time our baby decides to go breech, I know I’m in good hands with an expert trained in Webster technique to get her back in position.

2. KEEP MOVING!

   

   7 months along and I still make it to my favourite workout 3 days a week.

   Pregnancy is NOT a disability. People tell me to rest as much as I can. Don’t get me wrong, I sleep! But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop exercising or participating in daily life. I’m an active person and I refuse to be slowed down just because I’m pregnant. Don’t worry, I’ve done my research, I know what I can handle and when I need to stop. I don’t push myself to the limit, I respect the fact that I’m growing a tiny human. But I’m also perfectly capable of doing many of the same things I did before pregnancy and I’m a firm believer that this is what has kept me feeling great in the second and third trimesters. Stand up for yourself and do the things you enjoy. Do not be made to feel that you are any less of an active member of society.

3. DON’T STRESS.

   Prior to getting pregnant, I convinced myself that when I was, I would eat everything organic, tons of veggies and fruit and a perfectly balanced meal every single time. One day of constant nausea and the only thing I could handle was French Fries. Multiply that by 4 months and you can imagine my intake of strictly organic high quality food was struck down almost immediately. Trust me, I tried! But when putting a piece of broccoli in your mouth nearly results in losing your lunch, it’s time to reassess. I did my best, I really did. But I knew that stressing myself out over food was far worse than allowing myself a break. Thankfully, I still relied on my smoothies with an organic greens powder, and my protein intake never wavered. I never compromised my own health as a result, but I realized that we can only do so much with what we are handed and that’s ok.

4. ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES.

   I should have started a journal of all the crazy things people said to me when they saw I was are pregnant. I am still amazed at the complete lack of judgment when it comes to the words about to spill out of their mouths. If you’re not going to lie to me and tell me I look beautiful and perfect at any stage of pregnancy, please keep your mouth shut. Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. How much we gain however is often in our control, so this can be a touchy subject for many moms-to-be. Someone said I would be HUGE by the time I was due, another said I was big for 6 months. Neither of these is any better than being told “you’re looking a little fat today”. My advice to those who are not pregnant, choose your words wisely. To those who are pregnant, roll with it, laugh it off and know that you are doing the best for you & your baby.

5. EDUCATE YOURSELF.

   In every pregnancy and every birth, it is entirely about you and your child, no one else. DO NOT allow anyone to tell you what you should do or sway you in a direction you’re not comfortable with. Childbirth is different for every person and is to be respected in it’s own right. Know your options. Read up on different birth plans, support systems, midwives vs OBs, formula vs breastfed, co-sleeping or not. By all means, do what YOU choose to do and what YOU feel is best for YOUR child. Educating ourselves is our best defense and I highly advise being open to all possibilities.

Chiropractic and a wellness lifestyle changed Kayleigh’s life. She had such an incredible experience and change in her health, that she decided she help change people’s lives. In addition to being the Director of First Impressions at Synergy, she is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach. When she’s not at the office, you will find her either at the gym kickboxing, or with her husband, Mike, and their 3 dogs. She is a philanthropist and founded a non-profit charity, Families First Community Cancer Support, which supports and provides financial relief to cancer-burdened families in the community.