18 Things that Helped make my Pregnancy & Postpartum 10x Easier

Pregnancy is beautiful, exciting, emotional… and of course, overwhelming. While every pregnancy journey is different, one thing I learned very quickly is that having the right support makes all the difference.

Looking back, there were certain people, places, and services that truly made my pregnancy so much smoother. From incredible healthcare providers to movement classes, self-care, and postpartum support, these are the 18 things that helped make my pregnancy 10x easier.

If you’re pregnant in Richmond (or planning to be), I hope this list helps you build your own support team. You can always email me: lauren@laurenzray.com for any follow up questions or recommendations.

Pregnancy Care & Support:

1. Midwife Care:

One of the best decisions I made was working with Nancy Giglio of Richmond Birth Services. Having a midwife meant personalized care, longer appointments, and someone who truly took the time to listen. Nancy was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive throughout my pregnancy journey.

2. Ultrasound & Genetic Testing:

For ultrasounds and genetic testing, I worked with Meghann Batten at West End Midwifery Services (@westendmidwifery). The experience felt calm, informative, and empowering, which made those milestone appointments feel even more special.

Pelvic Health & Body Support:

3. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

Pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on your body, so pelvic floor therapy was a game changer. Amanda Garrett at RVA Holistic PT (@rvaholisticpt) specializes in pelvic health and helped support my body throughout pregnancy.

4. Prenatal & Postnatal Chiropractic Care:

I also saw Lisa Griffith at RVA Chiropractic & Wellness, who is Webster-trained and specializes in prenatal and baby chiropractic care. This helped keep my body aligned and comfortable as my pregnancy progressed.

I’ve packed even more vegan pregnancy tips, resources, and things that helped me most into my NEW eBook, check it out here:👇

Movement & Fitness:

Staying active during pregnancy helped me feel stronger, sleep better, and manage stress.

5. Prenatal Workouts:

Burn Boot Camp Libbie Mill offered great prenatal-friendly workouts that helped me stay active and energized.

6. Prenatal Pilates:

I loved taking prenatal Pilates classes at Niche Pilates (@nichepilatesstudio). Pilates is amazing for strengthening your core and supporting your changing body.

7. Prenatal Yoga with Tracy Gresham:

Classes with Tracy Gresham at 108 Yoga (@108__yoga) were incredibly grounding and relaxing.

8. Prenatal Yoga with Jo Murdock:

I also loved prenatal yoga classes with Jo Murdock at Humble Haven Yoga (@humblehavenyoga). These classes were wonderful for both physical movement and mental calm.

9. Postnatal Workouts:

Once baby arrived, Whole Heart Space (@wholeheartspace) offered supportive postpartum workouts to help ease back into movement. You can even bring your baby to classes!

Self-Care:

Pregnancy is the perfect time to slow down and prioritize self-care.

10. Prenatal Facials:

Tayler Price at West End Facial Plastic Surgery (@tayler.esthetics) offers amazing prenatal/postnatal facials. Pregnancy skin can be unpredictable (I had lots of redness and breakouts), and this was such a relaxing & needed treat.

11. Holistic Spa Treatments:

For deeper relaxation, Jess Arnaudin at Rituals with Jess (@ritualswithjess) provides holistic spa treatments that are perfect for pregnancy and postpartum care. The vibe in here is incredible and Jess is the sweetest human ever. Highly recommend!

Education & Birth Support:

12. Childbirth Classes:

Taking classes through A Brighter Birth (@abrighterbirth) helped me feel informed and prepared for labor and delivery.

13. Birth Doula:

My birth doula, Melanie Russell with A Brighter Birth (@melanierussell.8), provided incredible support, guidance, and reassurance leading up to and during labor. She also supports me postpartum.

Photography:

14. Maternity Photography:

Capturing pregnancy memories is something you’ll never regret. Anna Dobrovolskaia (@annevilwill) beautifully documented my maternity photos.

15. Newborn Photography:

Anna also photographed our newborn session, which captured Lenny's early moments perfectly.

Home Prep

16. Pre-Baby Deep Clean:

One thing I highly recommend before baby arrives is scheduling a deep clean. Broom & Bird Cleaning Company (@broomandbirdrva) made our home feel fresh and ready for baby.

Baby & Postpartum Care:

17. Pediatrician Support:

For Lenny's pediatric care and for postpartum guidance, our pediatrician, Dr. Janet West with RVA Baby (@myrvababy) has been an incredible!

18. Postpartum Meal Prep:

Mama Tu: The Crunchy Birth Coach (@thecrunchybirthcoach) provided amazing postpartum meal preparation, which was incredibly helpful during those early newborn days when cooking felt impossible. ALSO was clutch to bring to the hospital, which didn't exactly have vegan options.

Pregnancy is a huge life transition, and having the right support can make all the difference! I’m so grateful for the incredible Richmond-based professionals who helped guide me through this journey.

If you’re expecting in Richmond, consider building your own team of supportive providers. It truly takes a village and this one made my pregnancy so much easier. ✨

Again, you can always email me: lauren@laurenzray.com for any follow up questions or recommendations. 💚