Nurturing The Mother-Women's Health Series: Part 6: Kiera

In this series you will get the opportunity to meet 5 beautiful women and their babies (both earthside and inside), who I have been lucky enough to be entrusted in the role of naturopath during their pivotal stages of life. These women have kindly given me permission to share their stories with you. By sharing their stories this may evoke feelings of hope in you that the health of you or your loved ones can improve and even blossom.

In our final edition to the series, we will be sitting down with Kiera. She had expressed that she had previously experienced migraines, and had found their frequency had increased in her first pregnancy. Kiera had acknowledged that her current healthcare practitioners weren’t able to offer her much more than symptomatic treatment. Kiera wanted to have a deeper understanding as to why these were occurring for her, and what triggers may be impacting the migraines.

What led you to seek support from a naturopath?

I had grown up seeing a naturopath and so seeking support from Katie while having migraines during pregnancy was an obvious step for me. Both G.P. and midwife support had only really addressed the management of the migraines and I knew naturopathy would get to the root cause. Once I gave birth to my son, I sought support from Katie in the post-partum period for mood and hormonal changes!

How has the process with Katie been?

Katie's approach is empathic, non-judgmental, educational and thorough. I felt she understood how much I was struggling and how this was impacting my well-being. During the pregnancy period she was able to provide a supplement plan including new prenatal vitamins and manageable changes to diet as well as provide a referral for acupuncture. My migraines did not return after that first appointment for the remainder of the pregnancy and significantly reduced over all since! For postpartum she introduced new supplements including a custom herbal remedy.

How have you begun to weave naturopathic principles more into your life? Are there any rituals that have become a daily rhythm for you?

I believe I am focused on addressing the root cause of illness rather than managing symptoms and I'm more open to considering contributing factors to health from various angles. I am of belief now that it is better to prevent illness and so have been on the journey to slowly adjust diet and lifestyle.

How has your health, body, wellness etc. transformed since beginning your journey?

Since seeing Katie I have had very few migraines, which was a significant improvement to the monthly migraines I was having previously. I know now how to support myself if I do get one and I'm able to reflect on what may be contributing in the lead up. I feel more confident and equipped to get back on track with my health by making small and manageable changes bit by bit. This was something I really took away from Katie's approach as it can be very easy to get overwhelmed by big changes!

How has incorporating a holistic naturopathic approach to fertility/pregnancy/postpartum care or to your child’s health changed your emotional or mental well-being?

Taking this approach significantly impacted my overall wellbeing in both pregnancy and postpartum. The mainstream health care I was receiving from midwives and my G.P. had its place for sure but naturopathy provided the missing pieces to the puzzle! I'm so glad I incorporated this into my support plan for both periods and would highly recommend every mother wherever you are on the journey to consider it too!