So it’s week 8 of my pregnancy and my first diary entry! I thought people may find it useful to read how a naturopath approached being pregnant! So it all began as a honeymoon baby in Fiji. We use the Billings method for contraception (a method that relies on you knowing exactly when you ovulate) and we have used this method successfully for years with no mishaps or problems. Then after the wedding and lots of work in the clinic the stress changed my ovulation day and hence honeymoon baby – needless to say we were a bit shocked. We have decided to home birth, and do the pregnancy as natural as possible. Diet All organic, high in protein (I don’t eat red meat) so I am eating plenty of fresh fish (not tuna as it contains Mercury) and organic chicken. Heaps of fresh fruits and vegetables. No gluten, coffee, caffeine, chocolate, soft cheeses, alcohol or dairy. Supplementation Iron 40mg per day Vitamin C 1 gram 2 x day Calcium 400mg at night Zinc 15mg at night Natal multi with folic acid 800mg day Co-enzyme Q10 100mg daily Fish oil high in EPA 400mg EPA per capsule 2 x 2 a day Exercise Yoga 3 x week Walking 3 x week Symptoms experienced Insomnia Very mild 1pm nausea Treatments Acupuncture for wellbeing and insomnia weekly Osteopathy fortnightly to correct sacrum and coccyx bone to aid in better delivery and reduce discomfort during pregnancy Nutritional supplementation to enhance nutritional status and improve required nutrients for developing baby Blood tests All normal routine blood tests. Low iron levels were detected even though I have been on an iron supplement for 12 weeks. This explains the insomnia, as in Chinese Medicine I am blood deficient which will lead to poor sleep. Double my iron intake and added tissue salt I.P (improves micro absorption of iron) and within days my sleep has improved 90%. Baby Is now the size of a raspberry, the embryonic tail is gone, and all organs, muscles, and nerves are beginning to function. The hands now bend at the wrist, and the feet begin to lose their webbed appearance. Eyelids are beginning to cover the eyes. The embryo is now called a foetus.