A study published in 2021 highlighted the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among pregnant women, with 87% reportedly using some form of CAM to support their health and wellness. This trend reflects a broader interest in diverse approaches to maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health during pregnancy. As integrative and complementary healthcare providers become more accepted, there is hope for increased collaboration with conventional medicine. In this article, you'll explore how integrative care can support you during your pregnancy and transition into motherhood.
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Understanding Integrative Medicine's Role in Pregnancy-Related Care
Integrative medicine can play a supportive role in all stages of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy. This approach combines conventional medicine with integrative modalities to support a patient's mind, body, and spirit. Integrative medicine practitioners view health as a state of optimal well-being, not just the absence of disease. Whether a woman is experiencing a smooth pregnancy or facing challenges like perinatal mental health concerns, gestational diabetes (GD), preeclampsia, postpartum depression, or other pregnancy-related issues, integrative care can offer support. It may assist in optimizing nutrition, managing stress, improving sleep, encouraging exercise, and co-managing health conditions.
Common Integrative Practitioners That Can Complement Traditional Pregnancy Care
Each practitioner offers a unique perspective and expertise in patient care. Some may focus on physical discomforts of pregnancy, while others support mental and emotional changes. Different therapeutic approaches can complement each other. Here is a list of integrative providers available to pregnant women and the potential benefits of their care.
Integrative Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Medical doctors can receive additional training and certification through the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) to become integrative practitioners. OB/GYNs with this training gain advanced knowledge in nutrition, botanical medicine, mind-body practices, and complementary modalities like acupuncture. They can integrate these skills into prenatal care, offering a blend of conventional and holistic approaches. This may include integrative nutrition and fertility support as part of comprehensive care.
Functional Medicine Practitioners
Board-certified healthcare providers can become certified functional medicine practitioners through various programs, with the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) being a leading option. This training includes functional medicine testing and integrative treatment protocols. Functional medicine practitioners can help optimize health during pregnancy, which may support the management of conditions like iron deficiency anemia (IDA), GD, preeclampsia, or symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Some women choose a Certified Nurse-Midwife for prenatal and delivery care. These professionals are trained in Western medicine and specialize in obstetrics, offering prenatal exams, laboratory testing, and delivery care. Midwives provide holistic care, including nutrition, supplementation, and herbal recommendations, focusing on health promotion. Their care is evidence-based and personalized. Working with a midwife has been associated with lower risks of pregnancy complications such as cesarean sections and premature birth.
Acupuncturist
An acupuncturist is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and uses a whole-person approach to assess energy flow in the body. Treatment involves inserting fine needles at specific points to address energy imbalances. This approach may help with pregnancy-related issues like nausea, low back and pelvic pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and labor pain. The Pericardium 6 point, located on the wrist, is commonly used to help manage nausea.
Chiropractor
Chiropractors specialize in the spine, nervous system, and related tissues, helping manage musculoskeletal pain. They may be beneficial for pregnant women experiencing low back, pelvic, and joint pain. Some chiropractors pursue advanced training, such as the Webster Technique, to provide more specific care.
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
Various forms of yoga can support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Prenatal yoga focuses on breathing, stretching, posture, and relaxation, which may help reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep, and enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance. It can be a valuable addition to pregnancy care.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Physical therapists specializing in the pelvic floor can help address dysfunction, which may occur as the body changes during pregnancy. Strengthening the pelvic floor can support the uterus, bladder, and colon, potentially reducing symptoms like incontinence and low back pain. Research suggests that pelvic floor training can improve muscle strength and may reduce the duration of second-stage labor. If you have experienced pelvic floor issues in a previous pregnancy or are noticing signs of dysfunction, consulting a trained therapist could be beneficial.
Functional Medicine Labs That Can Help Individualize Treatment for Best Patient Outcomes During Pregnancy
Many integrative practitioners are trained to order and assess functional labs, which can provide data to help optimize health and wellness. Here are a few functional medicine labs to consider when exploring holistic pregnancy care.
Pregnancy Panel
When establishing care with an integrative team, it's important to get baseline bloodwork early to evaluate your health status. Access Medical Laboratories offers an Obstetric Panel that looks at key markers of immune function and red blood cells, which can help screen for anemia, a common cause of fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, or weakness.
Comprehensive Stool Test
Nausea and vomiting are common during pregnancy. While often normal, they could indicate a symptom of gut dysbiosis. This imbalance of gut microflora may impact the growing fetus and has been associated with conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and fetal development.
Micronutrient Testing
Nutrition is key to a healthy pregnancy. While aiming for adequate nutrition, diets can sometimes lack essential nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies have been linked to pregnancy complications. For example, studies have found associations between micronutrient levels and gestational diabetes. A Micronutrient Test can help identify imbalances and provide individualized solutions.
Comprehensive Thyroid Panel
Optimal thyroid function can support health during pregnancy and postpartum. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect thyroid function. Autoimmune Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a common thyroid issue during pregnancy. If untreated, it may contribute to anemia, muscle pain, weakness, preeclampsia, or postpartum hemorrhage. After birth, it can lead to Postpartum Thyroiditis, causing various symptoms.
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Summary
The best care in medicine often combines the knowledge of Western science with the therapeutic interventions of complementary and integrative medicine. During pregnancy, women seek support in many areas of their health. While the primary focus is a healthy growing fetus, many women also look for ways to enhance their pregnancy experience. Collaboration between conventional and alternative medicine can provide a holistic approach to care.
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