How Your Pre-Conception Diet Can Affect the Health of Your Baby

Trying to conceive (or TTC, as it is commonly known) is an exciting, fun and yet stressful time for a couple. How can you make sure that your diet provides the nutritional content needed to prepare your body for pregnancy? Each woman hopes that she is doing everything in her power during her pregnancy to nurture a healthy baby into the world. Did you know that you can get them off to a good head start, well before you even become pregnant?

The most important factor to consider for a healthy pregnancy is your pre-pregnancy weight. Over- or underweight women must work with their doctor or midwife to become as healthy as possible before conceiving. This will not only make pregnancy more comfortable and enjoyable; it also offers several important health benefits. The babies of overweight women are more at risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition which causes the baby in utero to produce excess body fat and grow to a very large size inside the womb. Underweight women may have a difficult time gaining enough weight during pregnancy to support the baby’s nutritional needs as well as their own.

This is the time to develop a healthier lifestyle through nutritional diet changes and exercise. Eating healthy need not be boring – add a new fruit or vegetable to your diet each week to add flavor and ensure that you aren’t missing out on any important vitamins. A well balanced pre-pregnancy diet includes daily servings as follows:

· Breads, cereals and grains: 6 to 11 servings

· Vegetables: 3 to 5 servings

· Fruits: 2 to 4 servings

· Meat and nuts: 2 to 3 servings

· Dairy: 2 to 3 servings

· Fats, oils and sweets: eat sparingly

Concentrate on getting the right nutrients for pregnancy health. Folate, or folic acid, reduces the risk of spinal cord and neural tube birth defects by 50 to 70%. Most of the benefit of this nutrient takes place in the first few weeks of pregnancy, before you may even know you’re pregnant, so working 0.4 mg daily of folic acid into your diet beforehand is crucial. Calcium helps your baby develop strong bones and teeth. Because prenatal vitamins often contain small amounts of calcium, it is important to get enough in your daily diet. Iron is just as important in your baby’s development as it is to your health during pregnancy. Baby will take what she needs, leaving you with what is left over… so make sure what is left for you is sufficient to prevent anemia. Water is often overlooked, but oh-so-important. It is important to stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect the amniotic fluid level protecting the baby.

Along with the foods and beverages you should eat, there are a number that you must avoid as they can have negative effects on your developing child.

· Unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, sushi, undercooked meat and deli meats contain bacteria that may prove harmful to the fetus

· Many types of fish contain mercury that will build up in your system over time. Mercury is responsible for debilitating birth defects and mental retardation. It is best to avoid fish entirely before becoming pregnant, or to investigate the fish supplier to be sure the fish were bred and raised in mercury-free environments.

· Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed thoroughly to remove any trace of pesticide or fertilizer. Better yet, choose only organic foods!

· Because the dangers of growth hormones in meat and milk are still unclear, steer clear of products containing them.

· Soft drinks should only be consumed in moderation. Avoid the artificial sweetener saccharin, as it has been proven to cross the placenta and stay in fetal tissue.

· Caffeine is a diuretic and may contribute to dehydration. In excess, it can cause miscarriage. It is important to have this out of your system before becoming pregnant.

Finally, cut alcohol out of your lifestyle completely as you try to conceive. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) can develop as soon as three weeks into the pregnancy, before you are even aware that your efforts at conceiving were successful! FAS causes mental retardation and severe defects and facial deformities.

Good luck! With common sense and preparation, taking care of yourself while TTC is really helping you to ensure the future health of your beautiful child!

For more information on keeping excellent health for your and your baby just go to www.amazingpregnancysecrets.com

By Sally Aubrey

posted by Amy @ 8:55 PM 0 comments  

Foods and Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy

In an effort to do what is best for their developing baby, many women choose to eat natural foods during their pregnancy. They might also choose to use herbal remedies for colds, aches or other maladies, figuring that herbal choices are healthier for pregnancy. In many cases, they are… but some herbs are very potent and should be completely avoided during pregnancy. This guide will help you make smart food and herb choices during your pregnancy.

Green leafy vegetables and other deeply-colored vegetables are packed full of vitamins and minerals that are vital to your baby’s growth and development, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Growing the vegetables yourself is ideal, as you can be sure that no pesticides or herbicides are used, but this just isn’t possible for most women. Choosing an organic grower is important in ensuring the safety of your child. Still, vegetables must be washed carefully before use to remove any toxoplasmosis bacteria from their surface during pregnancy.

Fish is another food item that may be a double-edged sword. While most of us think of fish as a health food because of its low fat content and good fat content, many types of fish also contain mercury. Fish develop build ups of mercury in their flesh from the food that they eat. The levels of mercury are often high enough to be considered potentially dangerous to pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects such as mental retardation. To be safe, limit your fish intake to one portion monthly, or avoid it completely.

Other foods that should be avoided during pregnancy include:

· Raw fish or meat

· Unpasteurized dairy and milk products

· Deli meats

· Raw eggs or shellfish

· Soft cheeses and pate

· Caffeine (can be taken in limited amounts; ask your doctor)

· Alcohol

Herbal supplements, unlike prescription medications, are not regulated by the FDA. The strength and quality of the ingredients can vary in different brands of the same product. Essentially, you don’t really know what you are putting into your body when you use these supplements. Some herbs even cause miscarriage, birth defects or uterine contractions; it is important to differentiate between the terms “natural” and “healthy”. The following list contains several herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy:

· Ephedra

· Passion flower

· Roman chamomile

· Blue or black cohosh

· Yohimbe

· Dong Quai

· Saw palmetto

· Pennyroyal

· Pay D’Arco

· Goldenseal

· Barberry

· Basil Oil

This is certainly not an exhaustive list; you must work with your health care provider to determine which herbs may be safe for you to use and which you must avoid.

The level of safety of any given herb when used by a pregnant woman depends on a number of factors. For example, red raspberry leaf may be recommended to some women in the second or third trimesters to help tone the uterus and ease nausea. However, it is a controversial herb that may also be thought to cause miscarriage in early pregnancy, or premature uterine contractions.

Since these herbs can be found in many different teas, topical creams, supplements and foods, it is an absolute must that you are aware of what it is that you are putting into your mouth and what the consequences could be. Ask your doctor or midwife for guidance. They know your special circumstances and medical history and will help you to choose natural foods and supplements to nourish you and your baby without posing any undue risks.

For more information on keeping excellent health for your and your baby just go to www.amazingpregnancysecrets.com

By Sally Aubrey