The Seed helps you prepare to conceive and guides you through your body’s extra needs during pregnancy. I focus on nutrition while also incorporating elements of exercise, stress management and sleep hygiene to optimize your and your baby’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHat is a registered dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has completed at least a four-year bachelor's degree; course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; and 900-1200 supervised practice hours. Dietitians must also pass a national registration exam and complete continuing professional education to maintain registration.
What’s the best diet for pregnancy?
There is no one eating pattern that will meet every woman’s needs. Those needs are highly individual and are influenced by long-term eating patterns, health conditions, medications, age, etc. That being said, I know what nutrients a mom or future mom needs to support a healthy pregnancy, and there are some basic eating strategies that will benefit most women (and men). My job is to determine your specific needs and tailor recommendations to improve and sustain your fertility.
Do I need to get labs done before meeting with you?
It’s not required, but in many cases, it’s helpful to at least have some baseline labs. Hemoglobin A1c, Vitamin D, a full thyroid panel, and iron are high on my wish list when I meet with you initially. Depending on what your doctor has ordered for you, you may also have AMH, LH, FSH, progesterone and estrogen labs available to share. As we work together, I may recommend some additional tests if I feel they will help us identify potential hormone imbalances, mineral toxicities, or other factors affecting your fertility.
Isn’t it enough to just take a prenatal vitamin?
My first question is “which prenatal?” Take a look at any handful of prenatal multivitamin brands, and you’ll notice they vary greatly in which nutrients they include, the amounts they contain, and the forms they use. More importantly, supplements are not regulated by the FDA. It’s important to choose a prenatal carefully so that you cover nutrient gaps but also ensure your safety. All of that being said, your body’s preference is to obtain nutrients from food rather than supplements, and I want to make sure we do our best to boost the nutrients you’re getting from your diet first.
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept insurance, but I can provide you with a Superbill that you can submit to your carrier to try and get reimbursed.
Do you put people on diets?
I do not put people on diets. I will take a look at your current eating patterns and tell you what I think you can do to improve your nutrient stores, balance your hormones and support a healthy pregnancy. Then you and I will come up with a plan that you feel comfortable with. I encourage baby steps to reach optimal health, but you are most certainly always in the driver seat.
How soon before pregnancy should I be working on my nutrition?
It’s never too soon to start building up those nutrient stores! In a perfect world, a mother-to-be would come in six months to a year before trying to conceive so that we could start preparing for pregnancy. But even three months prior to planned conception is beneficial to egg (and sperm) health. However, timing usually isn’t perfect and often we need to jump in hot to strengthen your nutrition status. If you’re actively trying or already pregnant, let’s talk soon. There are certain key nutrients I want to make sure you’re getting, especially early on.
Do you work with vegetarians and/or vegans?
I have worked with vegans and vegetarians, however I don’t recommend these eating patterns when trying to conceive or during pregnancy. You can certainly have a healthy pregnancy, but it takes much more thought and effort to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrients to meet your and your baby’s needs. This is because many plant sources of key nutrients come in a less bioavailable form compared to animal forms or are not found in plant sources at all. While I have a “food first” philosophy regarding nutrition, it is almost guaranteed that a vegan or vegetarian will need extra supplementation to get everything they need to support their and their baby’s health.
What supplements should I be taking?
At the very least, most women of child-bearing age should consider a good prenatal vitamin. Supplement recommendations beyond that require a full assessment. They will depend on how you’re eating and any nutrient deficiencies you may have.
how many sessions do i need?
This can vary, depending on your specific needs. Someone with gestational diabetes or hormonal imbalances may need more support than someone who has no fertility issues and just wants to ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth. I can give a better estimate during a brief phone consultation, but I recommend a minimum of one initial session and one follow up. The majority of clients typically meet with me weekly or bi-weekly for 2-4 months.
Do you offer A sliding scale?
I make room in my practice for up to two clients on a sliding scale at any given time. Please reach out if you have extenuating circumstances, and I will do my best to work with you.