ICSI Prenatal Care Guideline
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI)
This guideline lays out a structured, week-by-week approach to prenatal care, beginning in preconception and continuing through the full course of pregnancy. It reflects a standardized, population-level model of obstetric care used to guide clinical decision-making, testing, and surveillance across pregnancy.
We include this resource to show how conventional prenatal care is designed and operationalized—so families can clearly see what is considered “routine,” where those recommendations come from, and decide for themselves which elements align with their values and goals.
NORA TEA
Learn how to prepare and use NORA Tea—a nourishing herbal blend recommended during pregnancy to support mineral absorption, uterine tone, and overall wellness. This guide includes the recipe, brewing instructions, and a breakdown of the benefits of each herb.
GROUP B STREP (GBS) - INFORMED CONSENT OVERVIEW
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines, rectum, vagina, and urinary tract. It is not a sexually transmitted infection and does not usually cause symptoms. Worldwide, 10–30% of pregnant people carry GBS at any given time.
Being colonized with GBS does not mean you or your baby will become ill. Most carriers have no complications. However, in newborns, GBS can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, or sepsis.
Understanding GBS helps you make informed decisions about your pregnancy care.
Below you’ll find several resources that explain what GBS is, how testing works, the risks and benefits of treatment options, and perspectives from both conventional and holistic care.
Feel free to explore each document and bring any questions to your prenatal visits.
Group B Strep – Testing, Treatment Options & Herbal Protocols
Alfalfa in Pregnancy
This resource outlines the use of alfalfa as a nutritional herb during pregnancy. Alfalfa is valued for its vitamin K content, as well as vitamin C, iron, and calcium, and is commonly used to support maternal nutrition and fetal clotting factors. When used intentionally, it may be part of a broader plan for families who are considering oral vitamin K for their newborn.
The guidance presented emphasizes capsule or tea forms made from alfalfa leaves only, discusses suggested dosing ranges referenced by experienced midwives, and clearly names contraindications, including use during active UTI, immediate postpartum, in cases of newborn jaundice risk, or for anyone taking blood-thinning medications.
Exercise Guidelines for Pregnancy and Postpartum
Staying active during pregnancy and after birth is one of the best ways to support your body, your baby, and your overall well-being. These guidelines provide safe, practical ways to maintain strength, flexibility, and circulation while protecting your joints, pelvic floor, and overall health. You’ll find tips for regular low-impact exercise, core and pelvic floor strengthening, and gentle movements that help prepare your body for labor and speed postpartum recovery.
How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a journey of incredible, sometimes subtle, transformations. Your body will change in ways both visible and invisible as it supports your growing baby. This month-by-month guide helps you understand what’s happening physically, emotionally, and hormonally, so you can better care for yourself throughout pregnancy.
From the fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness of the first trimester to the growth, movement, and preparation for birth in the later months, each stage brings unique experiences. You’ll also find practical guidance on nutrition, rest, exercise, and emotional well-being, along with questions to ask your midwife to stay informed and confident about your pregnancy.
Rhogam: What You Need To Know
If you’re Rh-negative (Rh-) and your baby might be Rh-positive (Rh+), this section will help you understand what that means for you and your pregnancy, how Rhogam (the anti-D injection) works, and the choices you have before and after birth.
You’ll learn why your blood could react to your baby’s, what events increase the risk, how natural birth and gentle handling of the placenta can lower that risk, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of the injection itself.
This overview is designed to give you the context and knowledge you need to make informed decisions that align with your birth plan and values.
Homeopathic Morning Sickness Remedies
Morning sickness can feel relentless, but there are a variety of homeopathic remedies that may help, even when other approaches haven’t. In this document, you’ll find a detailed guide to different remedies, each tailored to specific symptoms, so you can identify which might match your experience. From nausea triggered by movement or smells, to constant queasiness, this guide helps you understand the options, how they work, and practical tips for using them safely alongside hydration and gentle dietary adjustments.
Medication in Pregnancy
Authored by WomanCare Centers, this educational resource reviews common medications and indicates whether they are typically considered okay or not recommended at different stages of pregnancy, with guidance organized by trimester to support informed discussions with a healthcare provider.
DIET
Keeping Childbearing Normal Through Nutrition
Marion Toepke McLean, CNM
Midwifery Today, Inc.
Pregnancy is a time of profound change for every system in a woman’s body, and nutrition plays a central role in supporting both mother and baby. This article explores how a balanced diet, sufficient protein, iron, fluids, and other essential nutrients sustain maternal blood volume, fetal growth, and overall well-being throughout pregnancy. It provides practical guidance for maintaining good nutrition despite challenges like morning sickness or reduced stomach capacity and emphasizes the lifelong importance of nourishing the body before, during, and after childbirth.
11 "Fast" Foods a Pregnant Woman Could Love (and Five to Avoid)
Heidi Reichenberger & Elizabeth Somer
Not all convenience foods are off-limits during pregnancy. This guide highlights 11 quick, nutrient-packed foods that are both easy and safe to enjoy, alongside five common options to avoid. Perfect for light meals, snacks, or on-the-go nourishment, these tips help support maternal health and fetal growth without sacrificing convenience.
Nutrition and Childbearing
This comprehensive exploration highlights the role of traditional diets and nutrient-dense foods in supporting healthy pregnancies, births, and postpartum recovery. Drawing on historical and cultural practices, it emphasizes whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and seafood while limiting sugars, dairy, and processed foods. The piece offers insight into how diet affects maternal physiology, fetal development, and long-term wellness, providing a foundation for informed, conscious eating choices during the childbearing year.
Maternal Nutrition during Breastfeeding
Sheri Lyn Parpia Khan
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 21 No. 2, March-April 2004, p. 44
This article emphasizes that breastfeeding mothers do not require a specialized or restrictive diet to produce healthy milk. A varied, balanced, and natural diet—rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and healthy fats—is sufficient to support milk production, maternal health, and the baby’s growth. It addresses common concerns about dairy, calcium, iron, vegetarian diets, and fluid intake, reassuring mothers that their bodies adapt to provide essential nutrients to their babies, and offering practical guidance for maintaining maternal health, gradual postpartum weight loss, and lifelong healthy eating habits.