Well, apparently, you guys wanna know ALL the things about my pregnancy because I’ve been getting so many questions! I’m happy to share. Consider this a guide where I’ll brain-dump everything I’ve been researching, using, and doing, along with handy resources you might be interested in.
This post contains affiliate links.
This post covers:
- Pregnancy Prep & TTC
- Books, Courses, & Resources
- Providers, Practitioners, & Wellness
- Natural Products I’m Loving During Pregnancy
- Low Tox Baby Registry
BTW, by no means am I suggesting that you need to do ALL of these things too! I just wanted to share what I’m doing in case it inspires you. I joke that being pregnant is a full-time job because, phew, it can really be a lot!
Pregnancy Prep & TTC 💊
Preconception health is KEY—for men too! My husband and I put in a decent amount of effort for preconception, and I truly believe it’s one of the reasons that my pregnancy has been going relatively well with minor symptoms (even at my borderline “geriatric” age of 34—that’s a rant for another day). Here are some things we did to prepare before TTC (trying to conceive):
(This is not intended to be medical advice. Check with your doctor before taking any new supplements!)
- Liver support such as castor oil packs, raw carrot salads, and dandelion tea. Many of us have overburdened livers (thanks to environmental toxins, stress, processed foods, etc.), but liver function is important for hormones and the body’s detox process.
- GI Map to test our guts. A healthy gut microbiome promotes nutrient absorption, hormones, and immune function—all of which play a key role in fertility and baby’s development. We worked with my friend Amanda (FNTP, LPC, RHP-2) from Whole Life Wellness to do this.
- Comprehensive bloodwork to get a grasp on deficiencies and address any imbalances. We used Function, which includes 100+ labs via blood and urine analysis. Learn more about Function and read my review here.
- Cut back on alcohol. We don’t drink much anyway, but alcohol can interfere with gut health and put a strain on the liver and hormones.
- Reduce caffeine. Notice I didn’t say remove it completely 😂 I could never! I switched to half-caff coffee and stuck to less than a cup a day. Caffeine can spike cortisol (the stress hormone), so it’s smart to be mindful about how much you consume and not drink it on an empty stomach. Opt for Swiss Water Process if you go the decaf route!
- Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and menstrual cycle tracking. I ditched hormonal birth control years ago (10/10 recommend) and have been using FAM, a daily practice of charting your fertility biomarkers to identify when pregnancy is possible and when it’s not. The cool thing is that it’s helpful for avoiding OR achieving pregnancy! Learn more about FAM here.
- Eating enough. I know that sounds trivial, but a lot of women aren’t getting enough calories, protein, and fat. If your body is in starvation mode, it’s not gonna prioritize making a baby!
- Wellness basics like managing stress, hydration, getting quality sleep, staying active (work up a sweat!), eating nutrient-dense foods, and living a low tox lifestyle. Make sure to browse my Shop for 500+ #OrganicallyBeccaApproved clean products!
- Targeted supplements. Again, check with your doctor to see what’s best for you, but I took magnesium, whole food Vitamin C (beneficial for sperm/egg health and progesterone), probiotics, shilajit, beef liver, and electrolytes.
- Prenatal vitamins to fill in any gaps and boost fertility. My top brand pick is WeNatal, which has prenatals for men and women, is third-party tested, and uses bioavailable vitamins and minerals. Check out this blog post for a deep dive on clean prenatals 👇
Clean Prenatal Vitamin Guide: What to Look For, What to Avoid, & My Fave Brands
Books, Courses, & Resources 📖
There is no shortage of information out there these days; I’m trying to find the sweet spot between staying informed and not overwhelming myself with TOO much. Here are some resources and things on my reading list!
Courses:
Mama Natural Online Birth Course: A comprehensive, self-paced virtual course with 8 modules (about 12 hours of content). I’m SO glad I signed up for this because it has a good amount of information, but it’s not dry or boring at all. I like that it has info for dads too; my husband has been watching along with me! It covers pregnancy, finding your support team, stages of labor, interventions, delivery, breastfeeding, and aftercare for mama and baby. Plus, it comes with printable cheat sheets, practice videos, guides, and affirmation cards. Whether you’re doing home birth, birth center, or hospital, it’s applicable to everyone. Highly recommend!
Mama Natural Online Baby Care Course: If you’re clueless about newborns like me, this is for you! It’s hosted by a holistic pediatrician, Certified Nurse Midwife, and lactation consultant, and is about 6 hours long (self-paced). It includes feeding, sleep, diapering, crying, development, growth milestones, daily care, gear, illness, safety, and CPR. You can bundle it with the birth course.
Dog Meets Baby: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about how my pup will adapt to having an infant around! Dog Meets Baby has freebies, articles, and courses from a certified dog trainer to prepare your dog for when baby comes home 🐶
(I’m also taking some in-person classes locally through my birthing center!)
Books, Websites, & Podcasts:
- Preconception
- Pregnancy & Birth
- Postpartum
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn & Childcare
- For Husbands & Partners
Providers, Practitioners, & Wellness 👩⚕️
Birthing Center:
Hospital, birth center, home birth…I support women giving birth where they feel most comfortable! For me, a birthing center is the perfect fit because hospitals stress me out, yet I don’t want to blow up a tub in my living room haha, and I’m super grateful to have one locally. Every birth center is different, but it’s typically staffed by midwives rather than OBGYNs, with a greater focus on low-intervention, unmedicated, physiological birth for low-risk pregnancies. In my experience, they spend much more time with you during appointments (usually an hour!) and take a more holistic, whole-body approach. In addition, it’s a home-like environment with dim lights, no noisy machines, familiar staff, and less commotion.
All of my prenatal care is handled at the birth center, including bloodwork and testing, and they’re equipped to manage most complications, but will obviously transfer me to a hospital for anything serious!
(I’m going to Authentic Birth Center here in Milwaukee)
Related post: “Organically Becca’s Milwaukee City Guide: My Fave Local Businesses“
Doula:
Doulas are basically emotional and physical support professionals for your labor and delivery. Initially, I wasn’t considering a doula because I don’t want a million people watching me give birth. But then I kept hearing about how beneficial they are (less likely to need an epidural or get a C-section, for instance), and SO many friends suggested one. Plus, it’s comforting knowing there will be someone present whose sole purpose is to support ME and advocate for my birth plan, especially for a first-time mom, where it’s all so new.
(My doula is CJ from Family Focused Midwifery)
Webster-Certified Chiropractor:
The Webster Technique is a gentle approach that keeps your pelvis aligned during pregnancy and helps baby stay in an optimal position. Plus, chiropractic care is so crucial for maintaining a regulated nervous system (which babies inherit from mom!) and can alleviate pain and discomfort that often comes with pregnancy. I honestly have felt pretty great overall, so I really believe it’s been helping!
(I go to Wellnest Chiropractic)
Pelvic Floor Therapy:
Because who wants to pee themselves after giving birth?! Not me! In all seriousness, pelvic floor therapy is gaining more traction, and I definitely wanted to take advantage of it. Essentially, it focuses on strengthening and relaxing the muscles that support your core, bladder, and uterus, which can make pregnancy more comfortable and lead to a smoother birth. It also teaches you how to properly coordinate those muscles for pushing and recovery, reducing the risk of tearing and postpartum issues, such as incontinence.
If you’re worried that it’s like getting a gynecological exam (I was!), rest assured, it’s mostly like a physical therapy session with stretching and mobility—but your PT might do intermittent internal work as well. I also get “homework” aka exercises and stretches to incorporate daily at home.
(I’m seeing Dr. Sabrina at Foundation Physical Therapy)
Lactation Consultant:
The thought of breastfeeding is incredibly daunting to me, and I know it doesn’t always come easily. Lactation consultants can set you up for success and give you the tools to feel confident on your breastfeeding journey. They can typically assist with latch, pumping, bottle refusal, low milk supply, flange fittings, tongue and lip ties, mastitis, etc. Many offer classes and in-home consults, too. Just look for ones who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).
(Latched and Wisco Lactation are local options I have on deck for postpartum)
Prenatal Massage:
Treat yo’ self! Growing a tiny human is a ton of work, not to mention the stress of it all, so you deserve some TLC. Look for a therapist who offers prenatal and pregnancy-safe massages.
(Rising Roots if you’re near Milwaukee)
Prenatal Workouts:
I’m trying my best to stay active and get daily walks. Even though it’s not always easy to muster up the energy to work out, my goal is to do a strength, core, and cardio exercise each week, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes! There are endless free pregnancy-safe workouts on YouTube; I’m enjoying @PregnancyAndPostpartumTV.
🛡️ I don’t have insurance, but I’m so thankful my health share covers the majority of these providers! I use CrowdHealth; you can learn more and read my review here.
Natural Products I’m Loving During Pregnancy 🤰
Alpyn Super Sculpt Serum: This is intended for face and neck, but I’ve been using it on my belly and boobs to prevent stretch marks! It contains ingredients that promote elasticity, tightening, and softening, like hyaluronic acid. Discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA15.
Emme Transitional Maternity Pants: Ugh a dang targeted ad got me with this one, but they’re so comfy! Linen pants with an elastic waistband that are wearable throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Live Healthillie Minerals & Chill: A pre-made adrenal cocktail with electrolytes and Vitamin C to stay hydrated and modulate stress. The Lemon Lime flavor is so yummy. No stevia! Discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: I started having this a couple of times a week after my first trimester to tone and strengthen my uterus. It has a very mild taste!
Savvy Rest Body Pillow: Sleeping is getting more difficult, and I cannot sleep without my body pillow! It keeps everything in alignment and prevents tossing and turning. These have an organic cotton case, and you can choose from various natural fills like latex, wool, or kapok. I use the latex, which is dense and supportive. Discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA.
Sun & Moo Topical Magnesium Cream: Made with grass-fed tallow, I apply it to my legs and belly at night to raise my magnesium levels, which also contributes to better sleep and fewer restless legs. Discount code ORGANICALLYBECCA.
Organically Baby Boy arriving in June 🩵 Wish us luck!Low Tox Baby Registry 👶
Someday I’ll put together a more formal blog post, but for now, check this page for 90+ baby registry ideas! It includes a bunch of stuff I have on my own registry and an assortment of non-toxic products, ranging from diapers, feeding, nursery, bathing items, to organic clothing, baby gear, and toys…so much!
You might also enjoy this post:
12 Best Natural & Non-Toxic Baby Product Brands (Crunchy Mom Approved!)
At the end of the day, this is just what’s been working for me, but I hope that it gives you ideas and confidence to create your own approach to pregnancy and birth! You definitely don’t need to do it all—just focus on feeling supported, informed, and in tune with your body every step of the way. Thanks so much for reading, and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below 💚
