The Best Prenatal Wellness Professionals in Philadelphia

Pregnancy changes things. It can turn your regular daily routine upside-down. Sometimes it is because you aren’t feeling well enough to go to the gym or your regular yoga class. Other times you might feel out of place when you need to move at a different pace than those around you.

If you’ve experienced a disruption from your normal wellness schedule because of pregnancy, this post is for you! I’ve hand-selected local Philly practitioners in massage, yoga, fitness, acupuncture, chiropractic, and doula/childbirth and I’ll share their info below.

Each of these businesses specializes in maternity or prenatal care so you’re in wonderful hands. Plus, you’ll also be able to ask any questions you have about safety.

Before You Start

While you may be eager to continue your normal routine during pregnancy, there are a few extra things to consider. Many women find that they are able to continue regular fitness and wellness practices well into their pregnancy, but be sure to listen to your body (and your doctor) above all.

Safety

It is common to get mixed advice about the safety of specific activities during pregnancy. It is very important to note that every pregnancy is different, and you should always consult with a medical professional who is familiar with your specific situation.

However, there are many resources available that will give you some general information about wellness during pregnancy. For example, the Mayo Clinic talks about the benefits of prenatal yoga and the American Pregnancy Association talks about the benefits of massage during pregnancy.

By using the providers we’ve included in this article, you can know that you are working with professionals who are especially aware of the needs of pregnant women and who will go out of their way to make sure you are safe.

Covid-19

During pregnancy, it is more important than ever for you to stay safe and healthy. Being pregnant during a pandemic isn’t easy, but thankfully many local wellness providers in Philadelphia are offering online or in-home options to keep you safe.

One of the nice things about online classes is that they don’t necessarily need to be local. There are instructors around the world offering classes via Zoom or their own video streaming platform. However, we still recommend supporting local businesses and checking to see if your local instructors have online class options.

At-Home Services

There have always been outcall services for things like pregnancy massage, but because of the pandemic, even more businesses are offering private lessons both at their location and at your home.

You can often expect to pay a little more for in-home service, but in many cases the extra cost is totally worthwhile. For some services like yoga, fitness, or pilates, you may even be able to split the price with a couple of close friends.

Prenatal Massage

Even if you don’t normally get massages, pregnancy is a time you’ll probably start thinking about how nice a massage would be. Massage is a great way to relieve pain and manage stress. If you are experiencing pain in your back, neck, shoulders or legs during your pregnancy, a prenatal massage may be a great option for you!

While appropriate prenatal massage can be safe throughout your pregnancy, be sure to reach out to your therapist, as some will only offer massage services in the second or third trimester.

For the best prenatal massage in the Philadelphia area, I recommend Berri Healthy. Kym is specifically trained to work with pregnant women, and uses a pregnancy cushion system that provides maximum support and comfort. Kym is also a certified Doula and her clients, including me, absolutely adore her.

Pregnancy Yoga

Yoga is extremely popular among pregnant women, and for a good reason! Yoga can help you build strength, reduce anxiety, and improve your breathing. All of these things come in handy while pregnant and during childbirth.

There are many different styles of yoga, and some are more appropriate for pregnancy than others. Most studios that specialize in prenatal yoga focus on traditional Hatha yoga poses. Finding a yoga studio that focuses on pregnancy will also allow you to get the most benefit during labor.

If you are looking for a yoga studio in Philadelphia that specializes in prenatal yoga, I highly recommend East Eagle Yoga. Their prenatal yoga classes are appropriate for any stage of pregnancy, and you will be welcome whether you are brand new to yoga or have years of experience.

Prenatal Fitness

It is so easy to give up on your fitness plan during pregnancy, especially if you experience morning sickness. However, if you don’t have a fitness plan, you’ll be kicking yourself when it is time to deliver your baby!

There are SO many options for staying fit during pregnancy, but sometimes it is critical to have a coach who can give you specific instructions and keep you accountable.

If you’re looking for a fitness trainer in Philly, make sure to set up a consultation with Fit by Tasha. The consultation is free, and Tasha will ask questions to make sure your fitness plan is custom tailored to your needs. Tasha has very recent experience being pregnant, giving birth to her beautiful child, and getting back in amazing shape. Her own personal experience with pregnant and postpartum fitness ensures she will understand your challenges and help you achieve your goals.

Prenatal Acupuncture

You may not have considered acupuncture as part of your maternity wellness plan, but acupuncture has been used to treat and prevent illness for thousands of years.

Many people report that acupuncture relieves lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, migraines, and even anxiety.

If you’d like to consider prenatal acupuncture in Philadelphia, definitely reach out to The Healing Arts Center. They offer a prenatal package, and can answer any questions you have about acupuncture during pregnancy. They even offer virtual acupuncture!

The Healing Arts Center has multiple locations including locations in: Center City Philadelphia, the Main Line (Bryn Mawr and Exton), and King of Prussia.

Prenatal Chiropractic

Visiting a chiropractor during your pregnancy can help prevent or reduce pain associated with your changing body. Even if you’ve never been to a chiropractor, pregnancy is a great time to start.

Chiropractic care is important when you experience pain, but most chiropractors will also help you with holistic health practices.

If you are in Philadelphia or its suburbs, I highly recommend Swede Family Chiropractic and Dr. Margaret Hager. Dr. Hager is certified in the Webster Technique, a chiropractic technique specific to pregnant women. Not only can she assist with alignments, but also nutritional counseling, lifestyle advice, and corrective exercises!

Doula & Childbirth Classes

One of the best ways to take care of yourself during pregnancy, is to prepare for childbirth itself. Taking childbirth classes during your pregnancy can help prepare you for birth and eliminate unnecessary anxiety from your pregnancy.

You may also decide that you need extra support, and want to hire a doula to assist with your birth. Having a doula on your side can also be an excellent way to add peace of mind during your pregnancy.

If you are looking for childbirth classes in Philadelphia, or doula services in Philadelphia, I highly recommend Well Born Baby. They offer a range of doula services as well as in person or online childbirth classes. I personally know numerous people who have used their services and can’t speak highly enough about their experiences.

Pregnancy Wellness Philadelphia

While there are many experts serving pregnant moms in Philly, I’m proud to stand behind each of the recommendations on this list personally. I’ve spoken with or am a client of each of them, and know that they are the absolute best at their specific specialty.

With a team like this, you’re sure to have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

And if you’re also searching for right newborn photographer, please contact us below.

This precious little girl’s session was so sweet.

It involved her, her “siblings” (the German Shepard and cat), Mom and Dad.

Here’s a video of the album we created from her session:

Here, the album is resting on its matching acrylic box.

Mom wanted me to incorporate a traditional Indian saree and jewelry into the session and I’m so thrilled with the results.

The saree I used had two parts which were easy to work with and framed this little face so beautifully.

These two portraits tied in terms of being my favorites from the session.

Another obvious top favorite has to be when Big Sis (the dog) smiled alongside her baby sister.

We can’t forget about the cat who had a curious sniff or two during our session (or was that a kiss?).

Mom and Dad also ordered two acrylic blocks and for those, selected the portrait with their dog above along with this one below (isn’t her little expression priceless?):

Mom and Dad ordered a gorgeous, museum-grade canvas and we are so excited to share that there will be a behind-the-scenes video of it being made. We will post that here soon!

You can tell this little princess is going to be spoiled, but in the best ways!

Here are my favorites from the session:

If you are located in the greater Philadelphia area and are interested in speaking about reserving your newborn photography session, please contact me.

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