10 Simple tips to a naturally healthy pregnancy
Ensuring your baby gets off to the best start in life is the most important gift you can give your child.
There is so much information out there and it can often be difficult to navigate the do’s and don’ts. So I want to give you some simple, easy-to-follow tips to ensure you have a happy, healthy pregnancy, naturally.
Do:
- Increase your intake of Omega-3 Fats – this is probably the single most important thing you can do to improve your pre-natal health. A healthy level of omega-3 fats will vastly increase the likelihood that your baby will be full term, avoiding serious complications associated with being born premature. The best sources for pregnant women are grass-fed beef, or a high-quality krill oil supplement.
- Eat a healthy breakfast – the first meal of the day sets your baby up for proper growth and development, and yet it can often be the most sugar-laden meal you consume. A healthy breakfast should not include commercial cereal, fruit juice, pancakes, muffins or white bread. Instead, opt for breakfasts that include eggs, home-made muesli (or substitutes like quinoa flakes), organic tofu and try to include a serve of vegetables.
- Get plenty of sleep – without enough sleep, your body will struggle to reach its optimal state of health, and your baby’s wellbeing will also suffer. If you are getting less than 6 hours a night, or are not getting to bed before 11pm, you may be leaving yourself susceptible to many diseases like diabetes and obesity.
- Take a probiotic – these ‘friendly’ bacteria are a pregnant mother’s best friend. They help with all manner of biological functions like digestion, stimulating the immune system and keeping other harmful bacteria away.
- Add some sunshine – vitamin D can radically reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, preeclampsia and Type 1 diabetes in your newborn. The best source of vitamin D is the sun, so it is important to expose your skin to the sun for at least 20 minutes a day during the early hours of the morning and later hours of the afternoon.
Don’t:
- Consume soy products – soybeans contain phytoestrogens which trigger hormonal reactions in your body. These reactions can adversely impact the way your baby’s brain, reproductive organs and immune function develops.
- Drink caffeine – swearing off caffeine can be difficult for some, but it extremely important for giving your child a healthy development. A study in 2008 found one dose of caffeine during pregnancy can affect fetal heart development and reduce heart function over the entire life of a child.
- Add artificial sweeteners – while we’ve all been warned off sugar, artificial sweeteners which contain aspartame and sucralose are just as dangerous for both you and your baby. They can cause depression, migraines and have even been linked to brain tumors. There are now many safe and natural alternatives on the market to choose from, including stevia and xylitol.
- Drink unfiltered water – children are much more sensitive than adults to chemicals in drinking water, so it is important to be drinking the best possible filtered water to protect your baby. To read more about water filtration, see our previous blog (CLICK HERE)
- Expose yourself to harmful chemicals – the dangers of exposing your unborn child to pesticides and other chemicals are well-documented. Studies show links to asthma, as well as impacting your baby’s nervous and reproductive systems. So it is important to avoid them where possible both inside and outside the home. Some common culprits are household cleaners, aerosols, make-up, hair products and plastic containers. Natural alternatives are much easier to find these days, so it is worth your while looking into switching. If you’re struggling to find a product, feel free to drop by or give us a call – we stock many natural alternatives and can recommend brands for you to try.
A healthy, happy pregnancy can be hard work, but as I said at the start, it is THE most important gift you can give your child. By making these simple changes, you will set them up to be the best they can be and give them the best start to life.
If you have any questions, please let me know below.
Yours in health,
Peter
Are you planning to have a baby? Or are you already pregnant and looking to provide the best start for your new family member?
Click here to download our free guide on natural fertility, preconception and pregnancy to discover the steps you and your partner can take to boost fertility and make a healthy baby naturally.
