My view from the drivers seat.

“Well we would prefer if you didn’t die during this pregnancy…”.

This is a direct quote I received from a practitioner after I declined the flu shot a few months back. Regardless of your views on the subject, I think we can agree scare tactics and bullying are not the way to build or maintain a physician/patient relationship. Declining the flu shot while pregnant was, for me, another step in the direction of finally taking ownership of my own health and wellness; of regaining my sovereignty when it comes to my own body.

As someone who has always joked about having a terrible immune system…riddled with migraines, severe PMS, recurring viruses like strep throat and sinus infections, hormonal and cystic acne, and even vertigo, since I was very young… I have grown so tired of medications and antibiotics on a rotating basis. I have finally opted into the drivers seat of my own well-being; committing to searching for root causes vs. leaning on what always seemed to be quick (easy) fixes.

Countless conversations and consultations with nutritionists, certified dietitians, holistic medicine practitioners, a personal trainer, my life coach, and some very open dialog with my physician and OB have provided me with so much thorough knowledge about how to best heal my body from the inside out - and to be honest, none of it involved a prescription. Foods to focus on, supplements to best support my personal needs, simple mindset shifts and daily routine adjustments have all moved to the forefront of what I consider my new healthcare routine.

My journey started in late 2020 by simply getting incredibly curious about my overall health (nothing like a pandemic to wake you up!). I took the leap to wean off ppa medication and birth control in order to best understand my body, my hormones, and overall health. It was immensely eye opening and there was so much I wish I had researched and known in my 20s. I then had to completely re-commit to this journey in a totally new way over the past nine months due to the nature of modern prenatal care practices. I truly felt like I was experiencing being pregnant for the very first time in many ways due to my newly acquired desire to fully understand more, and ask a hell of a lot more questions. I am proud that I have (very uncomfortably at times) stood firm in my belief that the only way to manage your own health is through open communication and shared decision making with your physicians; and that quite often, no medicine is the best medicine.

This shift has required much much more of me, and of my doctors, than I ever realized it would. My experience of voicing my own concerns, opinions, and research as it relates to my health and prenatal care, and, depending on the physician, the borderline aggressive responses I have received, has led me to also become even more curious about our standards of care in this country, especially as it relates to the experiences of moms-to-be. I will never claim to be even remotely close to an expert on healthcare - but I am the expert of my own body.

My curiosity and newfound courage has motivated me tremendously, allowing me to understand that I truly do have options. With previous pregnancies I did not realize I didn’t have to automatically agree to every ultrasound, blood draw, urine sample, medication, or testing. Yes, there are so many reasons to say yes to these standard practices of care, and I know I am fortunate they are available to me, but rarely have I experienced an open dialogue on many decisions being made for my body and my baby - and I never thought to ask.

After two incredibly difficult reactions to the infamous glucola drink while pregnant with Jackson and Colton, I opted out of it with baby boy #3. After learning so much about nutrition from women like Steph Greunke and Susan Bridges over the past two years, I was genuinely intrigued to fully understand my body’s natural responses to sugars. By conducting blood sugar testing at home over the course of two weeks I was able to educate myself on how my own body reacts to certain foods, exercise, sunlight, and stress (all of which directly impact your blood sugar), providing me - and my OB - with a MUCH clearer picture than drinking an excessively sugary drink ever could (you can research the contents of glucola drinks, but spoiler: they contain ingredients such as brominated soybean oil which is banned in Europe, Japan, and India, and is actually also patented in the US as a flame retardant. Yikes.).

Opting into healthcare practices such as testing glucose levels at home is honestly something I wish anyone wanting to live a healthier lifestyle would consider. It was such an eye opening process… not only was I able to address simple changes in my diet to keep my sugars low and energy high, but I have also been able to directly understand how stress, lack of water, and lack of sleep effect my body in such an in depth way. It’s yet another example of how simply speaking up and asking questions led me down a path of acquiring so much more knowledge about my body, and my health.

I consider myself so incredibly lucky that I have now formulated a tribe of like-minded women and practitioners that truly support women’s mental and physical health. Having such knowledgeable people in my corner, and thinking so proactively about my health, was never more integral than when I contracted covid at 38 weeks pregnant. I was already taking many of the supplements recommended to combat covid, and also knew exactly how to manage my (and my family’s) symptoms, health, and recovery, with minimal fear or concern. I can only imagine how different this may have played out a few years ago.

I’m not here to say my way is the best way, or the only way. But I do feel called to share how speaking up, standing firm, remaining curious, and truly wanting to feel better as naturally as possible has led me down such a powerful path. I can now make much more informed decisions for myself, and my family, as it relates to our health. My hope is that more and more women begin to discover the curiosity, and courage, as well.. this new view from the drivers seat has been such an enlightening journey… and the path forward has truly never been more clear.