We have learned throughout the years that health at the beginning and during pregnancy can have a major effect on our health and that of our developing baby. In the past doctors’ main concern is the health of the woman during pregnancy. Most doctors would recommend to a woman wanting and planning pregnancy to prepare her body and keep herself healthy prior to pregnancy. Today doctors would suggest looking at the pregnancy’s health concerns at least three months prior and several months after especially if the mother will prefer breastfeeding the child.
A visit to the doctor before or during the early weeks of pregnancy is advised for the purpose of nutritional evaluation or dietary assessment. This usually involves evaluation of pre-pregnancy weight for height, determination of gain weight throughout the entire pregnancy, discussion regarding proper nutrition, balanced diet, vitamin supplementation, exercises and other physical activities.
My favourite book on pregnancy entitled “Your Pregnancy Week By Week”, written by Glade B. Curtis & Judith Schuler, explains the following concerns on nutrition before pregnancy against various birth defects of the spine and brain, called neural-tube defects.
Be careful with Vitamins, Minerals & Herbs. Don’t self-medicate with large amounts of unusual combinations of vitamins, minerals or herbs. You can overdo it. Certain vitamins, such as Vitamin A, can cause birth defects if used in excessive amounts. As a general rule, stop all extra supplementation at least 3 months before pregnancy. Eat a well-balanced diet and take one multi-vitamin or one prenatal vitamin a day.
Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9) that can contribute to a healthy pregnancy. If a mother-to-be takes 0.4mg of folic acid each day, starting 3 or 4 months before pregnancy begin, it may protect her developing baby against various birth defects of the spine and brain, called neural-tube defects.
Many common foods contain folic acid: asparagus, avocados, bananas, black beans, broccoli, citrus fruits and juices, egg yolks, fortified breads and cereals, green beans, leafy green vegetables, lentils, liver, peas, spinach, strawberries, tuna, and yoghurt.
Begin good eating habits. Many women eat on the run and pay little attention to what they eat most of the day. Before pregnancy, you may be able to get away with this and start with a healthy diet.
During the entire pregnancy put in mind that you are eating for two: for yourself and for your baby. This may also be the main consideration even after giving birth for the purpose of maintaining your healthy body while you are breastfeeding.
And even beyond pregnancy, remember that we, moms, have to be healthy so we can look after our family. Healthy moms create healthy families.