Navigating Autoimmune Disease During Pregnancy

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

When my friend Joe Tatta asked me to share with his audience how to navigate autoimmune disease in pregnancy and postpartum, my answer was “of course!” This is a topic that I speak on often and one that I work with daily in my clinical practice. But it is also a topic that is near to my heart. A little …

What Role Does Diet Play in Male Infertility

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Fertility, Preconception & Fertility Leave a Comment

We tend to emphasize what a mother eats; after all, she is the one who carries the child, and what she eats directly nourishes the developing baby. However, there is growing awareness about the role preconception nutrition plays for men, too.  The foods men choose during the preconception period directly influence their overall wellness and metabolic health. And poor metabolic …

I’m Not a Mom: How I Prepared For a Loved One’s Birth

MalloryPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

This article is by guest author, Mallory Leone, NC.  Mallory Leone, NC is a nutrition consultant with certifications in holistic nutrition and sports and exercise. She is also trained in motivational interviewing and coaching techniques that change depending on her client’s individual needs. Mallory has been studying under Dr. Jolene Brighten since 2014 in Dr. Brighten’s unique approach to medicine, …

How Does Breastfeeding Shape Baby’s Immune System & Gut Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

The intricacies of the human body are vast. It’s only recently that we’re beginning to understand the true makeup of our microbiome and what these tens of trillions of microorganisms are capable of. This blog is going to examine the connections between breastfeeding, baby immune system health, and gut health. Gut bacteria helps to shape and strengthen our immune systems over …

How to Heal your Gut Conditions While Pregnant in 6 Steps

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

Mothers and healthcare practitioners will agree— treating any infection or other illness while pregnant needs to be done safely. Specifically, with baby in mind. As a pregnant mother, you’re not just thinking about the effects of treatment and medications on your body. You’re worried about how it’s affecting the growing life inside you. To that end, I wrote up this blog …

The New Mom’s Guide to Navigating the Fourth Trimester

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

Today is the big day! Wahoo! The day my book, Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth: The New Mom’s Guide to Navigating the Fourth Trimester, is being birthed. You can grab your copy here! This book was born out of my own heartache, struggles and my desire to prevent other mothers from having to experience the same. It wasn’t long …

6 Doctor Recommended Herbs for Pregnancy

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

Herbs can make a wonderful addition to your self care plan during pregnancy. In addition to delivering an array of nutrients, herbs can also help alleviate your mood, calm your nerves and even help you get better sleep! While not all herbs are safe in pregnancy, the list below contains my 6 favorite pregnancy safe herbs that can help your body …

Healthy Gut | Pregnancy | DrBrighten.com

The Importance of a Healthy Gut in Pregnancy

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy Leave a Comment

Many of my patients ask me what they can do to prepare for pregnancy. Surely there’s more to prepping your body than a simple prenatal vitamin? One area that can almost always use improvement (not just in aspiring mothers, but in most of the U.S. population), is a healthy gut. Age, antibiotics, stress, and diet can do a number on our …