During pregnancy your baby relies completely on you for her
development and growth. If you are deficient in any of the
key nutrients that support this development, your baby will be deficient
as well.
The most vulnerable period for your baby is 3 to 8 weeks after conception.
Cells are differentiating and multiplying rapidly, major organs are
forming and your baby’s external features are beginning to take
shape.
Your first prenatal visit with your doctor or practitioner is often
scheduled at 10 to 12 weeks’ gestation – too late to have
a positive effect on your baby’s most critical period of growth.
To give your baby the best start and the gift of lasting health, we
will meet as soon as you know you are pregnant and at the start of each
trimester thereafter.
Your body is adapting to the many challenges of hormonal change, increased
nutrient and energy needs, and uterine growth. The diet and lifestyle
choices you make during pregnancy have a direct and lasting effect on
the health of your child and on your own recovery. I will guide your
understanding of :
•Eat twice as well
The nutrient needs for your developing baby and your own nutrient needs
to support your increased blood volume and metabolism are immense. Yet,
the average recommended calorie increase for a single pregnancy is only
300 calories (one bagel spread with nut butter and a small pear). So
you are not eating for two, but rather, every bite must count. Although
prenatal supplements will help you meet this increased nutrient need,
they are no supplement for whole foods. Your body is far more efficient
at extracting what it needs from a balanced diet. Healthy foods must
be your priority. If you have multiple babies to nourish, your nutrition
and weight gain become even more important.
•Determine the foods you should eat and how much
Protein is of primary importance as it provides the building blocks
for all fetal muscle and tissue formation and brain development. It
is also essential for your own increased blood volume and amniotic fluid,
and for your energy reserves. High quality protein should be included
in each meal and snack. I will provide many examples of how to do this.
Variety in your diet will be key to assuring adequate folic acid, antioxidants,
iron, calcium, vitamin D, complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids
and adequate fluids.
•Gain the appropriate weight without obsession to a scale
Being overweight or underweight prepregnancy can increase the risks
to you and your baby. Recommended weight gain during pregnancy is very
individualized and can range from 15 – 40 pounds (34 – 50
pounds if carrying multiples). I will help you determine what is most
appropriate for you.
•Minimize fatigue, nausea and mood swings
If you can control fatigue you will minimize nausea and mood swings.
I will show you many simple, natural remedies to improve your well-being
during pregnancy.
•Incorporate daily exercise
Exercise increases blood circulation increasing oxygen and nutrient
transport to your baby. It will also boost energy and mood, strengthen
muscles, add flexibility, and reduce injury risks.
•Identify harmful exposures that may effect the health of
your child’s development
80 - 90% of our exposure to toxic chemicals come from the food we
eat and the inside environment where we live and work. You do have a
large measure of control in avoiding harmful exposures that can affect
the health of your pregnancy and child. I will guide you through a tour
of your home to look for simple changes you can make that will provide
a positive impact on the health of your child.
•Control high blood pressure and diabetes
Entering pregnancy with the above risk factors pose a danger to yourself
and your child. Maternal blood volume increases 30-50% and insulin demands
increase three fold during pregnancy. Close monitoring by your doctor,
appropriate weight gain and close attention to diet and lifestyle choices
are critical for a healthy pregnancy.
•Identify prenatal supplement needs
Throughout most of your life nutritional supplements can be considered
insurance to boost the body during times of illness, surgery, severe
stress, aging, and to supplement poor eating habits or poor digestion.
For fertility, pregnancy and postpartum recovery the body’s nutrient
demands are so high that supplements are strongly recommended. All supplements
are not the same. Supplements must be tested for chemical and microbial
contamination, authenticity, potency, heavy metals, rancidity, bioavailability
and stability. I will help you determine which supplements are most
appropriate for your individual needs.
•Emotions
Mood swings are often a result of fatigue, but are also due to sudden
fluctuations in hormones, your changing metabolism, and nutrient depletions.
It will be a roller coaster, pure and simple. I will help you soften
the deep dips so that the pure joy of giving life will shine through.
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