Still Amazed

So I am not sure if this happens to all my female chiropractic friends or if I am the only one with the privilege of these interactions ...

I was standing in line today at a grocery store picking up some food for lunches in the office. The lady behind me saw my name tag and it says "Dr. Dara" on it. She said "Oh, your a doctor, you're so young. What are you a doctor of?" I began to inform the lady that I was a chiropractor over on the other side of town and I was on my way to work. She came back with "I didn't know there were such a thing as female chiropractors". I was so distraught with that comment that I came back with, "Why yes they do, we are quicker, gentler, and smarter. And they also let us get pregnant" as I pointed to my belly (which would have been funnier if I was bigger and didn't just look like a fat lady right now). She smiled and said "good for you, I hope your baby is ok".

Haha Being pregnant is not a handicap. Not taking care of yourself during pregnancy is. The physical activity of my job is possible because I take care of myself and my baby inside. I pay close attention and take breaks as needed. I have to say that adjusting people all day is far less strenuous than the physical 30-60 minute workout I do 3-6 days a week.

I love my job and I love that women are such a great part of chiropractic.

(Picture to the left is me adjusting a young man in Brazil who said his pain was so bad he "didn't want to live anymore" ... no pressure!)

Healthy Pregnancy

So many people have asked me how my pregnancy is going and when I state really well they think I am lying. I have taken great care and focus into this pregnancy. I have not taken it as a license to just "eat or do whatever" like mothers sometimes do. I took this as an opportunity to grow the best life I can. It hasn't been easy, but I believe in the end it will be completely worth it.

A Couple Things I Keep in Mind Every Day:
Protein - I can't begin to say how important it is to keep the amount of protein I eat above 80 grams. It is hard to consume that much. In the beginning of the pregnancy I was full so easily and all it felt like i was eating was protein. I have discovered pure protein isolate mixed with goat milk yogurt or with powdered greens has provided a great way to get it all in there.
Sugars - Keeping the amount of refined sugars minimal to none. I save my sweets for moments when they are REALLY wanted. Which is my normal when I wasn't pregnant. I love sweets! I turn to coconut milk ice cream, fruit, and every once and a while some gluten free baked goods.
Vitamin D - The importance of this vitamin is so high. It changes everything from preterm birth to gestational diabetes to infection. The recommended does is from 4,000-6,000 IUs/day.
DHA - You are not only growing a human, but growing a brain! That new brain needs DHA. These are found in fish oils, but adding some specific DHA by itself it also a good idea. There are also companies that make flavored ones (strawberry and orange) to help with the indigestion.

All of this put together has brought me to where I am today. Healthy at 22 weeks with no sickness and no excess weight gain!