Optimum Nutrition For Pregnancy And Childbirth

The importance of proper nutrition before and during pregnancy has been well documented for a long time. It has been shown that adequate intake of nutrients can prevent birth defects, result in a healthier baby and mother, and also an easier pregnancy and birth.

A lesser known fact is that the your generic pregnancy vitamins are not adequate, most are imbalanced, and many are harmful due to significantly high amounts of iron (ferrous sulphate), and other inorganic and poorly bioavailable sources of vitamins and minerals. The modern day pregnancy pill can lead to morning sickness (due to large doses of toxic iron ferrous sulphate) and miscarriage(1). It is no secret that taking "pregnancy vitamins" make many women suffer from nausia. According to Dr. Margie Profet, author of "Pregnancy Sickness" nausia and vomiting is the body's way of defense. Your body is trying to protect your baby from harm, and telling you to stop taking toxic substances.(1)

The best would be to get all your nutrients from the food you are eating. This takes some planning and preparation, and you would be wise to include freshly pressed vegetable juices, wheat grass juice, herbal teas and fresh, nourishing herbs, and 'natural' supplements such as chlorella, spirulina, and flax seed oil. Eat only organic, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and high quality protein. Try to eat 60% or more of your food 'raw'. Raw foods have all the nutrients intact, and are filled with enzymes (life giving force) for proper digestion.

Unfortunately, many of us are deficient in one nutrient or another, and need to "catch up". This is usually due to high intakes of sugar, refined foods, poor soil (which the vegetables grow in), and a lack of a varied diet.(2,3,4) If you know you are deficient in one nutrient or another (most of us are), it is wise to supplement.

When supplementing with vitamins or minerals, it is very important that the vitamins and minerals you take are well absorbed, and the least toxic. Vitamins and minerals are different. But, even if you use supplements, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of an excellent diet. You simply get every nutrient you need from pills!

Before Pregnancy

It is wise to do a few different cleanses before conceiving. Especially if you have been eating less that perfect. Eat mostly raw, organic fruits and vegetables, and alkalizing broths to neutralize acidity in your body and to flush toxins out. Sugar, refined, and artificial foods have no place in a healthy body. Eat only whole, pure, and natural foods. Drink plenty of alkaline water and herbal teas, and freshly pressed, organic vegetable juices. When you think you can handle it, do a thorough cleanse or fast.

During Pregnancy

Continue to eat healthy during your pregnancy. Do not fast or cleanse, especially in the first trimester. Eat frequent, small meals. Vitamin B6 may help avert morning sickness. Make sure you are well hydrated, and get adequate rest and exercise.

During Labor

Eat light easily digested foods if you feel like it. Drink when you are thirsty. You will need the energy for the labor ahead of you. Drink some red raspberry leaf tea to nourish the uterus.

Foods (or nonfoods) to avoid when pregnant:

• MSG: (monosodium glutamate or hydrolyzed vegetable protein) Unnatural, high in inorganic salt. May trigger water retention.(5)
• Wax on fruits and vegetables: It is common to see fruits and vegetables in stores coated with wax to create a shine. The FDA has approved the wax safe, but the problem lies beneith as harmful pesticides and fungicides are sealed within the wax. Try to eat organic produce only (5)
  
• Caffeine: Increases heartrate, and puts the fetus at risk for growth retardation and miscarriage.(5)
  
• Alcohol: It has been linked to congenital malformations.(5)
  
• Refined and processed foods: Your baby needs all the nutrition he can get. "Un-whole" foods leach nutrients from the body, and cause constipation and digestive problems. Eat natural, pure, fresh, and whole foods.(2)
  
• Artificial additives and preservatives: Don't overtax your body with these. Your body already has enough to do while pregnant. Many artificial additives and preservatives cause food sensitivities and allergies in babies.(2)
  
• Certain herbs (first trimester): Basil, blue and black cohosh, caraway seeds, ginger, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, comfrey, ephedra, goldenseal, ma-huang, mistletoe, pennyroyal, shepherds purse, wild yam, and yarrow should not be taken during the first trimester.
• Ginger in moderation only for morning sickness. According to Margie Profet, ginger in the first trimester is not completely safe.(1) But many mothers still swear by it.
• Iron supplementation: Iron (that is not from food) should not be taken during the first trimester. It can cause morning sickness and miscarriage.(1)
• Excessive dairy products: Babies who are born to mothers who drink excessive milk have more difficulty breathing at birth due to too much mucus in the airways.(3) The saying that you cannot get enough calcium without milk is a myth. Cows receive plenty of calcium in their diets, and it's not from milk!
• Drugs and medications.
• Of course, smoking should be avoided.

References:

1.Pregnancy Sickness by Margie Profet
2.Food Healing for Man by Bernard Jensen
3.Polly's Birth Book; Obstetrics for the Home by Polly Block
4.Optimum Sports Nutrition by Michael Colgan
5. Fit Pregnancy, Spring, 1997.

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