http://www.maternallyhappy.com/

The Pregnancy Culture, PO Box 4105, Croydon Hills (2026)

27/01/2026

Don’t get me wrong, medication definitely has its time and place during pregnancy / postpartum to minimise complications / symptoms, but often I believe we overlook the importance of nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle in the overall picture.

Our healthcare system is largely reactive, as opposed to being proactive.

So here is a little snippet of just SOME supplements/strategies (not exhaustive) that may be helpful. Please as always, discuss implementing any new supplement or medication with your health professional as they may not be a right fit for you.

22/01/2026

10 things pregnancy has taught me - after 10 years working in women’s health.

Pregnancy has been incredibly humbling.

Despite a background in nutrition and women’s health, my first trimester made it very clear that knowledge doesn’t equal control.

I learnt pretty quickly that:
• You can’t out discipline pregnancy hormones
• Eating “well” sometimes just means eating something
• Rest and naps aren’t laziness - they’re necessary
• The fridge is not your friend
• Cravings are strange and wildly specific (Subway, after 15 years?)
• Ice deserves far more respect than it gets
• And orange juice… a brief moment of hope followed by regret

If ginger, B6, acupressure bands, lemon oils or acupuncture didn’t help, you’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes nothing works, and that’s just part of it.

Pregnancy isn’t about pushing through or doing it better.
For me, it’s been about letting go, trusting my body, and being a lot kinder to myself.
If this season feels harder than you expected, you’re not alone 💜

20/01/2026

It takes 3 months for s***m regeneration. In this 90 day cycle, s***m can be damaged by lifestyle and environmental factors. Male fertility is equally important as females during the preconception period as this is when foundations are formed for your future child’s health

This list can be overwhelming but education is important and MINIMISING exposures to certain modern day toxins is key! Elimination is near impossible.

- Phthalates: A group of chemicals found in personal care products (e.g. deodorant), fragrances, household cleaners.
- Plastics and BPA: water bottles, food storage containers, receipt paper (don’t take the receipt if you do not need it)
- Pesticides: Water, food, try organic or refer to the clean 15 and dirty 12 lists if you are on a budget! It is impossible to eliminate everything so try to make healthier choices.
- Heavy metals: Tap water (look into a filter), canned foods, deodorant
- Non-Stick pans: Cooking pans etc. If you need some low tox sustainable cookware reco’s send me a DM!
- Heat exposure: Tell your significant other to remove their phone from their front pocket and keep their laptop off their lap
- Alcohol, recreational drugs, smoking and excess caffeine: These can all damage s***m DNA and can decrease s***m count. They are also detrimental to the microbiome.

If this is new to you and a bit overwhelming, don’t panic! Our bodies are great at detoxing. During the preconception period, you have a unique opportunity to lay the best foundations for the health of your future child by properly preparing your s***m quality.

Swipe across to see the s***m decline over the last few decades. Do you think vegetable oils, glyphosate and plastics have played a role?

15/01/2026

Why I’m using Myo-Inositol in pregnancy 🤍

Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring compound involved in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism. I have PCOS, which is associated with higher fasting insulin levels and an increased risk of gestational diabetes. There is growing research showing that myo-inositol can support insulin sensitivity and help maintain more stable blood sugar levels - which is particularly relevant during pregnancy, as insulin resistance naturally increases. For context I was taking this prior to pregnancy to support healthy menstrual cycles, blood sugars, preconception health, reproductive health etc.

I’ve also personally found that nervous system support plays a role in deeper, more settled sleep for me, which has been important during this phase.

A few important context points:
• Physiological insulin resistance increases during pregnancy, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd trimester
• PCOS is linked to higher baseline insulin resistance, even before pregnancy
• Blood sugar stability can support energy levels and appetite regulation
• Myo-inositol has been studied in PCOS and pregnancy-related contexts

This is what I’ve chosen for my body, based on my history and research. It won’t be the right fit for everyone, and supplements should always be used thoughtfully and with professional guidance especially during pregnancy 🤍

14/01/2026

✔️ Dry heaving on repeat.
✔️ So hungry but nothing sounds edible.
✔️ Cravings that turn into aversions in 0.2 seconds.
✔️ Bread is life. Ice is hydration.
✔️ The fridge smells offensive.
✔️ Naps are no longer optional.
✔️ Wild dreams. Sore b***s. Hello areolas.
And… still grateful.

If this was your first trimester too, please tell me I wasn’t not alone 🫠

13/11/2025

Choline doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but it’s one of the most important nutrients to support during pregnancy 💜

It plays a vital role in healthy cell growth and development, working closely with folate throughout all stages of pregnancy.

Yet research shows that many women fall short of their daily needs, especially since most prenatals contain little (or no) choline at all.

Where to find it: Eggs, beef liver, lean meats, and certain prenatal formulations.

Daily needs:
Around 450–550 mg per day for most women, though individual requirements can vary - this is best discussed with your healthcare professional. 550mg is usually recommended in late pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you’re not regularly eating eggs or other rich sources, it’s worth checking your label and chatting with your practitioner about ways to meet your needs 💜

12/11/2025

Egg quality isn’t something we can control entirely but there are lifestyle and nutritional factors that may help support healthy ovulation and cell development 💜

Your eggs begin maturing around 3-4 months before ovulation, so what you do in that window can really make a difference for preconception health.

Some gentle areas to focus on include:
🥦 Nutrient-rich whole foods (vitamin E, C, zinc, CoQ10, protein)
💤 Sleep + stress support
🚫 Reducing toxin exposure (fragrance, plastics, smoking)
☀️ Checking vitamin D levels
💪 Prioritising movement and adequate calorie intake

It’s never about perfection - just small, consistent steps that nurture your body during preconception.

Always chat with your health professional before making changes to your diet or supplements.

11/11/2025

If you’ve been told your thyroid antibodies are elevated, it’s understandable to want to learn more about what could be contributing 💜

There are several lifestyle and nutritional factors that may influence thyroid health including gut health, nutrient status, and environmental exposures.

Exploring areas like vitamin D, iron, selenium, B vitamins, and iodine intake, as well as overall gut balance and dietary patterns, can offer helpful insights.

Everyone’s situation is different, so it’s best to work with your healthcare provider to investigate possible underlying factors and tailor support to your individual needs.

06/11/2025

Gestational diabetes can affect anyone, even with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. 💜

Emerging research suggests that certain supplements, like myo-inositol, may help support healthy glucose metabolism during pregnancy - particularly in women with higher metabolic needs.

While findings so far are encouraging, further research is always recommended.

As always, it’s important to speak with your health professional before introducing new supplements, especially during pregnancy.

05/11/2025

We talk a lot about women’s preconception care, but supporting s***m health matters too! S***m take around 70-90 days to fully mature, which means what happens in those few months really counts.

Small daily choices can make a big difference to s***m quality, count, and motility - from nutrient intake and toxin exposure to overall lifestyle.

Things to consider before trying to conceive:
• Check key nutrients (zinc, vitamin D, antioxidants)
• Reduce alcohol, smoking, and toxin exposure
• Choose breathable, organic fabrics
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet
• Move your body and lift regularly
• Consider a semen analysis and bloodwork to identify any deficiencies

Preconception health isn’t just a “her” thing, it’s a team effort. Always speak with a qualified health professional before making changes or starting supplements.

04/11/2025

Before trying to conceive, it can be really helpful to understand what your body needs and where your baseline levels are 🩸

These are some (not all) of the key blood tests practitioners often consider to help build a more complete picture of health before pregnancy, from nutrient stores to thyroid, metabolic, and immune markers.

Some examples include:
• Iron studies (not just ferritin)
• B12, folate, vitamin D
• Thyroid panel (TSH, FT3, FT4, antibodies)
• Fasting glucose + insulin
• Zinc, copper, CRP, lipids
• Reproductive or genetic tests where indicated (e.g., MTHFR, coeliac screen, hormone panel)

Every person’s needs are different, so it’s best to discuss these with your healthcare provider, they can guide you on what’s most relevant based on your history and goals 💜

30/10/2025

Some of my go-to grocery staples 🛒

I love keeping things simple - a mix of whole-food basics, organic options where possible, and ingredients that make nourishing meals easy during the week.

You’ll always find a few of these in my trolley:
🥩 Grass-fed meats
🍳 Free-range eggs
🥦 Organic veggies + fruit
🍝 Gluten-free or spelt pasta
🥣 Yoghurt, bone broth, and good-quality fats

What are a few of your non-negotiables when grocery shopping?

The Pregnancy Culture

27/01/2026

22/01/2026

20/01/2026

15/01/2026

14/01/2026

13/11/2025

12/11/2025

11/11/2025

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

04/11/2025

30/10/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category