Two Rivers Health

From the moment you get a positive pregnancy test, we’re here to support your wellbeing through each stage, so you can have the healthiest & most enjoyable pregnancy possible.

As your Naturopathic Doctors & Birth Doulas, we work together with your midwife, family doctor or obstetrician (OB) to help ensure you feel your best during your pregnancy. We’re experts in pregnancy nutrition, the use of natural medicine and acupuncture in pregnancy, and helping you prepare for a safe, empowered birth.

Our naturopathic pregnancy program includes at least one visit per trimester.

FIRST TRIMESTER VISIT: 2-12 WEEKS

In your first trimester, we’ll discuss nutrition and supplements, prevent or treat morning sickness or nausea, encourage you to connect with the Guelph Midwives or Family Midwifery of Guelph as soon as you know you’re pregnant if you’d like a midwife-attended birth. Note that you’ll receive medical/obstetrical care if you choose or need it, but as the midwives’ rosters fill up, if it’s something you’re interested in please do give them a call. If miscarriage has been a concern for you, we’ll also discuss this at your early pregnancy visit.

SECOND TRIMESTER VISIT: 16-26 WEEKS

In your second trimester, we’ll focus on physical activity if you had to take some time off in your first trimester, nutrition, sleep, stress or anything on your mind. We can also help you treat and prevent minor infections such as colds, flu, urinary tract (bladder) infections and yeast infections. Constipation is a common concern by this visit and we’ll be sure to address that. We’ll also consider your iron stores and can order blood work if your midwife or OB hasn’t done so already.

THIRD TRIMESTER VISIT: 30-34 WEEKS

By your third trimester, it will be time to discuss strategies for prevention or treatment of Group B Strep, a bacteria that can be normally found in women’s vaginal flora but that can cause serious illness in newborns. If detected, you’ll be encouraged to receive intravenous antibiotics once your water breaks and throughout your labour. Having an IV can affect your ability to move around, use the shower or birthing tub, and change positions to cope with labour pain. If labour becomes more painful as a result, an epidural may be a subsequent intervention, which of course, also involves immobility and increases the risk of an unplanned C-section.

By this visit, you’ll also know whether your baby is in a head-down position or breech.

BREECH BABY

If your baby is breech, your primary practitioner for the birth (midwives or OB) will discuss options with you in the event that the baby doesn’t turn before the birth. It’s helpful to try to encourage baby to turn by the middle of your third trimester.

Natural strategies to turn a breech baby include:

• Acupuncture – this is highly effective in our experience
• Homeopathic medicine – sometimes used instead of, or in conjunction with acupuncture
• Webster Technique (performed by a chiropractor)

Our patients usually find that their baby turns during the evening after acupuncture treatment. The earlier you know your baby is breech – say 33 or 34 weeks, the better and more successful treatment can be. There is less and less room as weeks go by and baby grows to allow for turning, but it has been known to happen!

If your baby is breech or in a less-than-optimal position, you can also try taking advantage of gravity and using different positions to encourage baby to shift and move. Some women have had their babies turn from going swimming.

PREPARATION FOR LABOUR

Starting from your Estimated Due Date, you can enjoy acupuncture treatment aimed to help the cervix soften and dilate naturally in preparation for an efficient labour and delivery.

In a study of women who received a specific acupuncture protocol starting on their due date, those who received acupuncture gave birth an average of 3 days sooner than the women who did not receive acupuncture.

We can use these acupuncture points to help your labour begin naturally and not forcefully.

Your Birth Doula will also provide you with specific guidance to help you prepare for labour.

BIRTH DOULA

A birth Doula is a non-medical support for labour. She is present before, during and after the birth to educate and empower you and your partner through the experience. Women who utilize birth Doula services experience more satisfaction with their overall experience and a reduced chance of experiencing traumatic birth.

POSTPARTUM DOULA

A postpartum Doula is a non-medical support for you and your whole family after the birth process. She helps in transitioning to life with a new little one by providing support in breastfeeding, childcare, meal prep, cleaning and cooking, pet care and so much more!

SIBLING DOULA

A sibling Doula is a non-medical support for you and your whole family. She assists you and your children in transitioning to your new arrival by providing age appropriate information on the birth process designed to suit your unique needs and wants. She can also provide on-call support during your birth experience, caring for your children during the birth process.

Meet Your Guelph Doula!

Your doula is your right-hand person at the most transformative experience of your lifetime. We know you’ll want to find the right fit, feel comfortable and get to know your doula personally as you prepare for your birth. All our birth clients have a complimentary meet-and-greet visit to ensure it’s a great fit for both you and your doula. As we’re on call for you starting 2 weeks before your birth, our birth doulas book up quickly. Book your doula meet-and-greet as soon as you’re thinking of having a doula at your birth.

CHRISTA VANDERVELDE – Hi there, I am a birth, sibling and postpartum Doula. I believe that birth is a natural physiological process. I believe in informed choice and consent. I believe that every woman deserves to be educated and empowered about the birth experience. As your Doula I take time to recognize your unique individual needs, share information about the birth process and provide on call support for you and your whole family to have the best experience possible. After the birth I provide postpartum care to help you and your family transition to life with your new little miracle.

Safe and gentle natural medicine is ideal during pregnancy. We love helping you feel your best during this special time. Our naturopathic doctors and team are trained to help you address common conditions in pregnancy including:

• Morning Sickness
• Anemia or Low Iron
• Constipation & Digestive Concerns
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Colds & Flu
• Yeast Infections
• Bladder/Urinary Tract Infections
• Headaches, Pain or Discomfort
• Anxiety & Depression
• Sleep problems
• Congestion
• Swelling
• Carpal tunnel/Tendonitis
• Group B Strep prevention
• Breech Baby
• Natural Induction Support
• Birth Preparation

Our pregnancy health visits are longer than those offered by conventional physicians because we want to take the time to hear you, consider treatment options and ensure you feel empowered and happy with the plan we co-create for your care. Our naturopathic doctors are experts in helping you create optimum health and wellbeing for yourself and your baby. We’ll provide as much education and evidence-based options as possible. We design a care experience that’s respectful and honouring of your treatment preferences. We’ll communicate effectively with your midwives, family doctor, OB or other treatment professional whenever you’d like to support you in feeling your best as you go through your pregnancy and prepare for your birth.

At Two Rivers Health, we’ve drawn together a collaborative care team including naturopathic doctors, chiropractor, registered massage therapists, osteopath, physiotherapist, acupuncturist and counsellors so we can care for you in just the ways needed during your pregnancy and beyond. If we can’t help you get the results you’re looking for, we’ll connect you with someone who can.

Consider having acupuncture treatment for symptoms and discomforts that can occur during pregnancy, such as:

• Morning sickness/Nausea of pregnancy
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Aches and pains
• Headaches
• Swelling around your legs and ankles
• Stress
• Anxiety or depression
• Insomnia
• Breech baby
• Cervix that isn’t softening at term
• Post-Dates Pregnancy (Late Pregnancy) – “Acupuncture Induction”

As your Naturopathic Doctors, acupuncture is part of our scope of practice. You may submit receipts to your insurance under your naturopathic coverage. In addition, Dr. Elizabeth Cherevaty ND, RAc holds a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc) license with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). Since Acupuncture became a Regulated Health Profession in Ontario in 2013, insurance companies may limit coverage for Acupuncture to treatments provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc). Your acupuncture visits with Dr. Liz may be claimed under your Naturopathic or Acupuncture coverage.

Consider having acupuncture treatment for symptoms and discomforts that can occur during pregnancy, such as:

• Morning sickness/Nausea of pregnancy
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Aches and pains
• Headaches
• Swelling around your legs and ankles
• Stress
• Anxiety or depression
• Insomnia
• Breech baby
• Cervix that isn’t softening at term
• Post-Dates Pregnancy (Late Pregnancy) – “Acupuncture Induction”

As your Naturopathic Doctors, acupuncture is part of our scope of practice. You may submit receipts to your insurance under your naturopathic coverage. In addition, Dr. Elizabeth Cherevaty ND, RAc holds a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc) license with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). Since Acupuncture became a Regulated Health Profession in Ontario in 2013, insurance companies may limit coverage for Acupuncture to treatments provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc). Your acupuncture visits with Dr. Liz may be claimed under your Naturopathic or Acupuncture coverage.

Are herbs safe in pregnancy?

Herbal medicines should only be taken during pregnancy on the specific advice of your qualified health care practitioner.

Some examples of herbs commonly taken in pregnancy and considered safe in appropriate doses* include:

• fresh ginger root grated into hot water to make tea for morning sickness
• peppermint tea for morning sickness
• culinary herbs in typical amounts found in foods, such as oregano, thyme, caraway and cardamom which also aid digestion
• stinging nettle soup to boost iron levels

Naturopathic doctors may also recommend specific herbal medicines to help you:

• Prevent miscarriage
• Reduce anxiety
• Improve sleep
• Provide nourishment
• Prepare for a healthy labour & delivery

After your baby is born, herbal medicines can be useful to help speed healing of the perineum, boost breastmilk production, ease anxiety or reduce symptoms of postpartum depression.

Herbal medicine also includes the use of essential oils, which are the naturally fragrant oils distilled from flowers, leaves or barks of plants. Your Naturopathic Doctor can help you choose safe essential oils for use in steam inhalations, baths and diffusers.