• FEATURED PROGRAMS
• HEALING
  • A Journey into Healing
  • Wellness in the Workplace
  • Reiki: Practitioner Enrichment
  •   Neutrality in Healing
  •   Deprogramming Yourself
• BODY, MIND, SPIRIT MASTERY
  • One-to-One Training
  • Corporate Development
  •   Executive Training
  •   Leadership Strategies
  •   Spirituality in the
      Workplace
  • Professional/Elite Athletes
• WOMEN'S HEALTH
  • The Birthing Process in Body, Mind, and Spirit
  •   Pre-Conception
  •   Pregnancy
  •   Birth
  •   Post Partum
  • Classes/Activities
• CONTACT
• Directions and Map

Overview Pre-Conception counseling at IM: Center for Integrative Medicine is for women (and their partners) who are thinking about having a child, trying to get pregnant, or dealing with fertility issues. IM's Birthing Process program is designed to help women ensure that they are ready physically, mentally, and spiritually for this life-changing event.

Body:
The process of preparing the body for pregnancy should begin about three to four months before trying to conceive. IM recommends that couples schedule a pre-conception planning session with their doctor prior to conception. The session should include a physical examination, genetic testing, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. A woman should use this time to optimize her health. IM recommends that she start to follow a balanced diet supplemented with prenatal vitamins and an exercise plan to fit her current level of fitness and lifestyle. In addition, IM recommends that women evaluate their daily surroundings and habits to reduce or eliminate exposure to chemicals and toxins, such as asbestos, lead, and radiation and to minimize exposure to allergens. The intake of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and other drugs should be modified or eliminated completely while trying to conceive and while pregnant. The most important time for a fetus' development is the first four to eight weeks when the vital organs are being formed. Since most women do not find out they are pregnant until four or five weeks after conception, waiting to make important health and lifestyle changes until pregnancy is confirmed means that a woman is weeks or months late in the process.

Mind:
The process of preparing the mind for pregnancy starts with the decision to become pregnant. Before getting pregnant, a couple should be mentally prepared for the upcoming changes in lifestyle and for the additional challenges and demands of having a child. Doubts and uncertainties about the process should be resolved before pursing pregnancy. A couple should realize that the process of becoming pregnant can take time. On average, only about half the couples trying to conceive do so within 6 months. Waiting for this event to happen can be wrought with doubt, anxiety, and fear. IM's Birthing Process program is designed to assist women in preparing mentally for this event. For couples facing infertility issues, preparing mentally for the process is a must.

Spirit:
The process of preparing yourself as spirit for pregnancy is based on making decisions about getting pregnant with awareness, certainty, and seniority. IM's Birthing Process program is designed to help women look at the energy affecting their ability to get pregnant and re-set it so they can have success in the fertility process.