Dr. Alexa Saba, Naturopath + Birth Doula

04/11/2024

Thank you very much for your interest in the 1-Day Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-Based Workshops for preventing postpartum depression (PPD). These workshops are being offered as part of a research study, the purpose of which is to determine if a 1-day CBT-based workshop delivered during the th...

11/29/2022

Hello everyone! It's been a hot minute since I've posted on here. It took me 5 minutes to figure out how to add a post again 😂
I wanted to share this affirmation that has been helping me prioritize rest and listening to my body's needs during this busier season. This fall has been tiring, I don't know about your family but we have been dealing with constant colds😷
It's easy to feel the pressure to push through and perform, it's even been uncomfortable for me at times to slow down. Sometimes we feel that we don't have the time to hear what our bodies are telling us. I've been taking time to pause, reflect and ask myself "what do I need right now?" a few times throughout the day and following through with it (usually it's taking a few deep breaths or a guided meditation) ❤️
How are you feeling heading into the last month of 2022?

06/15/2022

If you get your period it doesn't necessarily confirm that you ovulated that cycle.

How to know when you are ovulating:

1. OPKS - ovulation predicator kits can be used to confirm your LH surge. This is the signal your body sends to tell your ovaries to release an egg. In some conditions (ie PCOS) an OPK may not be accurate due to high levels of LH throughout the month.

2. BBT - measuring your basal body temperature lets you know that you have already ovulated. Your body temperature will slightly elevate after you ovulate. You need to take your temperature each morning at the same time before you move from bed. Tracking this over time can be helpful to predict future ovulation if you have regular predictable cycles.

3. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS - increase in libido, increase energy, slight cramp around the ovaries etc can happen around ovulation, if you start tracking your symptoms you may begin to notice what's typical for you. Cervical mucus changes are one of the easiest ways to tap into what's going on in your cycle. As you get closer to ovulation you will notice changes in discharge. Around ovulation most people get an"egg-white" cervical mucus that is clear and more stretchy.

A common misconception is that an app can tell you when you ovulate. Unfortunately your app cannot tell you this. Apps take your average cycle length and make an educated guess to determine what day you are most likely ovulating. The more comfortable you get with tracking, the more confident you can be about your cycle length and predicting where you are at. Happy tracking!

06/14/2022

In a 13 year cohort study it was found that:

- being iron deficient increased the risk of a mental health diagnosis by 52%
- Iron deficiency anemia was associated with higher risk of anxiety disorders, depression, psychotic disorders and sleep disorders.

So how do you know whether your iron levels could be impacting the way you feel? Get a thorough blood work assessment.
- CBC
- ferritin
- TIBC/Iron/transferrin sat
- hsCRP/ESR

PMID: 32393355

06/14/2022

I use acupuncture during pregnancy to manage nausea/vomiting, swelling + varicosities, anxiety etc.

I also see most of my pregnant patients for pre-birth acupuncture weekly starting at 36 weeks of their pregnancy. The goals of pre-birth acupuncture are to prepare for labor and delivery - promoting effective contractions, cervical ripening, encouraging optimal positioning of baby and promoting the onset of labor when appropriate.

PMID: 11802511
PMID: 29036756

06/06/2022

When was the last time you had your vitamin D tested?

A simple blood test can provide important information about your health. I recommend testing at least once a year for those whose levels are within an optimal range.

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common finding I see when I run blood work. It can cause you to feel more fatigued, lower mood, more frequent colds, poor bone health, miscarriages, menstrual cramps and the list keeps going! So this is your friendly reminder to get those levels checked 😊

04/06/2022

New Blog Post

Here are some things you may want to consider if you are trying to conceive or thinking about it down the road. A good starting point is tuning in to your natural cycles by tracking and collecting data as well as getting some basic blood work done. By compiling more information you can start to

03/23/2022

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The journey to wellness is not always linear, there may be many ups and downs along the way and factors that are outside of your control.

If you find yourself feeling frustrated with your progress it can be helpful to refocus your attention on all the things that have been going well for you:
- what positive shifts have you noticed in your wellness journey?
- What are some things you can control: Can you take your supplements daily? Can you practice movement more regularly? Can you focus on eating more whole foods? Can you increase your water intake?

These little shifts in perspective can sometimes be helpful as you forage ahead.

03/22/2022

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Melatonin is an antioxidant that is concentrated in the fluid around egg cells. Melatonin plays a role in promoting egg quality by protecting eggs from cell damage due to free radicals. Higher melatonin levels in the follicular fluid help reduce oxidative stress and are correlated with a higher number of eggs collected and higher quality embryos in IVF cycles as well as higher pregnancy/live birth rates.

As always, talk to your health care provider before starting any supplements. 😊

03/22/2022

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Acupuncture is an incredible addition to any fertility plan. Using the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture points are chosen for your particular fertility concerns.

Acupuncture can affect s*x hormones and therefore works to promote regular cycles and assist ovulation. It also helps to directly encourage blood flow to pelvic organs and the endometrium of the uterus. One of the things patients love most about receiving acupuncture is the effect it has on the nervous system, many people are amazed at how relaxed they feel after treatments. This relaxed feeling is due to the cortisol lowering effect of the treatment which also helps to promote conception.

Have you had TCM acupuncture before? How did you feel?

03/19/2022

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The thyroid gland plays a significant role in our wellbeing and is particularly important when you are trying to conceive due to its role in fetal development.

How do we know how our thyroid gland is doing?
Running labs – TSH, TPO antibodies, Anti-TG, Free T3 and T4

Running a TSH on its own is not going to tell you enough about your long-term thyroid health and whether your thyroid may be impacting your fertility and overall wellness. TPO antibodies and anti-TG may become elevated well before any changes are seen with TSH levels. Why is this important? Elevated levels of antibodies represent an immune system response and these elevations can increase the risk of miscarriage/pregnancy related complications and impact your ability to conceive. Having this knowledge can help you and your health care provider make proactive decisions for your health.

02/22/2022

Check out my blog post on

www.alexasaba.ca/blog