#40: Sarah Swanberg | Through Pregnancy And Back… Twice

Pregnancy is intimidating. Your body changes. There’s another thing in there stealing the food you eat. You crave things like pickles and peanut butter. But, with all this normal stuff aside, what if you have type 1 diabetes and you’re pregnant? Sarah Swanberg walks us through both of her pregnancies–the blood sugar challenges, perilous diet decisions, and lessons learned. Per the norm, we held nothing back, and explored every pregnancy/diabetes-related question known to man. After the interview, Amber and Ryan looked at each other and said, “She’s freakin’ awesome” (give or take a few adjectives).

BIO:

Sarah Swanberg is a board certified diplomate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology through the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed to practice in CT. She holds a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the acclaimed Pacific College of Health Sciences in New York City. Her degree encompasses 4 years of classroom and clinical training in both Eastern and Western (conventional/allopathic) medical theory and diagnosis, acupuncture, moxibustion, nutrition, medical massage and herbal medicine. In 2021, Sarah will complete her training as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

During her training at Pacific College, Sarah was fortunate to treat patients and learn under some of the top acupuncturists and herbalists in the field at Pacific College’s own clinic as well as during specialized externships at Housing Works (an HIV clinic in the West Village), Beth Israel Continuum Cancer Center (an integrative wellness center for patients undergoing chemotherapy) and the Grand Meridian Clinic in Chinatown’s Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy.

Sarah believes that the human body has an amazing innate ability to heal itself, and that Chinese medicine’s greatest strength is in its ability to be the catalyst for that healing. She is a strong advocate of an integrative healthcare model where M.D.s and “alternative” healthcare providers work together to help patients regain and maintain health and wellness.

In 2018, Sarah graduated from the New Medicine for Women Institute where she studied Functional and Integrative Medicine under Aviva Romm, MD. This training adds another complimentary facet to her services.

Sarah is the author of two best-selling wellness books: A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture and Aromatherapy for Self-Care.

When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters at their home in Shippan, traveling, cooking and discovering all of Fairfield county’s treasures!

NOTES & LINKS:

* Podcast 17: Straight CSI Crime Scene: What It’s Like To Raise Two T1D Boys

* Reference to a recent post, Owning Our Inner Monster, Vampire or Other Creature

* Sarah’s first guest post – Uncover A Balanced Life… Or Something Like It (Advice From An Acupuncturist & T1D).