As many of you may know by now, I am currently pregnant with our due date quickly approaching this December! While working in this field for the past six years has definitely given me an amazing set of tools to care for myself during this time, all of my training is deepening, now colored by this first hand experience of pregnancy and the beautiful, challenging moments throughout…
It has been so valuable to be able to share stories and to now receive advice and recommendations from patients and friends. Hosting events like our pregnancy retreat this summer made me aware of how important it is to build our support network early on, and I feel I have already gained so much from being a part of this community we have built together.
With the changing of seasons, I have also felt a big shift as I enter my third trimester and have felt the natural desire to slow down, reflect and look inward. Things like journaling, reading and cooking have felt particularly nourishing. I’ve especially been enjoying the book Nine Golden Months, by Heng Ou, a holistic guide that draws on the ancient wisdom of Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine to nurture the body, mind, and spirit in pregnancy.
Acupuncture has also been an important practice and has provided a space to listen to my body, tap into my intuition, and find a sense of connection to my baby. I have always loved that acupuncture allows us to come back into our body and our selves, and in pregnancy this has been hugely beneficial with the constant physical and emotional changes. Regular treatments have helped with both physical discomforts (heartburn, headaches, back pain) as well as my overall mood, and it’s helped me stay grounded and calm in my pregnancy and as I face my upcoming birth.
I am so grateful to be able to personally witness the benefits of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture as I navigate this pregnancy. I look forward to bringing all I have learned into my practice as I continue to support patients during this amazing rite of passage!
Thanks for joining me on this journey!
-Mallory