Nutrition Before Pregnancy

So you have decided to have a baby and you know that eating well and eating the right healthy foods will ensure the well being of your baby.  Now is the time to plan for the good health of your baby by eating nutritionally sound meals so your baby will have a good health environment to grow in. 

Since you have decided to start a family you should begin evaluating what you are eating to make sure you are getting enough nutrient stored in your body to carry your baby full term.  First thing to do to make sure you have the nutrients you need is to take  a prenatal supplement with the proper amount of folic acid.  Check with your doctor for recommendation of the amount  you should take.  Some of the benefits of Folic Acid are:

• Helps to prevent congenital disorder like spinal bifida
• Helps facilitate proper cell growth
• Helps proper development of the embryo
• Helps reduce risk of neural tube defects
• Helps reduce the risk of recurrent miscarriage
• Helps reduce the risk of preterm delivery and even low birth weight babies.

The importance of a balanced diet is a known part of good health in anyone’s life, but it’s even more important when you are pregnant.  Just remember that the only nutrients your baby gets is through you and what you eat.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

Now you are pregnant it’s essential for you to continue eating as good as you can through the nine months of your pregnancy.  One thing to realize and be careful of within the first three months is how hard it is to eat a balanced diet when you are having morning sickness and food aversions.  Eating junk food is not going to help your baby and give your baby the nutrients they need.

When you eat well during your pregnancy it helps your baby eat well after she/he is born.  Research has shown that what your baby is exposed to when developing like fruit and vegetables will be less fussy when they are growing up.

One of the most important nutrients that you and your baby needs is iron.  Not having enough iron could lead to anemia.  If you think that you are not getting enough iron check with your doctor about taking an iron supplement.

Finally, one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself for that matter is eating right during your pregnancy.  Just look at the foods in your diet and make sure that they provide the nutrients you and your baby needs.

Nutrition After Pregnancy

Just as important as good nutrition before and during pregnancy is the importance of proper nutrition after the birth of your baby. It should be easy to continue your good eating habits by eating a good-quality diet just as you have been doing.  If you are not going to breastfeed you should eat just the way you were prior to getting pregnant.  If you are breastfeeding you need special nutritional management.

You will have a few problems after the birth of the baby as far as you are concerned like getting your iron back up to normal again, dealing with fatigue, maybe a little constipation here and there but just take a creative approach to your eating habits by choosing the right foods will help.  The secret to post-pregnancy nutrition is to gradually regain a desirable figure, while maintaining or restocking nutrient stores.

It is also important to first consult your physician before starting any physical activity program to start your healing process.  Ask your doctor about any precautions you need to take before you start getting your body back in shape again to prevent any injuries you could experience.

Spotting during pregnancy:  What causes it and what do you do

One of the first things you may think when you notice that you are spotting while you are pregnant is if something is wrong. A lot of questions may pop up in your mind and you may start getting concerned because of the possibility of a  miscarriage.  There is a lot of specific symptoms that goes along with a miscarriage aside from just spotting.

In a typical pregnancy some women do spot, normally in the first three months of pregnancy.  This is caused by your body adjusting to the hormone levels and could happen around the time of your normal period.  As a rule vaginal spotting (discharge) if light and clear is normal. Understanding the most common causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy will help you know what to look for and what to do.

You need to consult your doctor to make sure that there are no pregnancy risks and your spotting is just an early sign of pregnancy.  Here are some of the possible causes of vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy include:

• Implantation in the Uterus – Bleeding can occur when the embryo is attached to the walls of the uterus.
• Ectopic Pregnancy – Bleeding can also occur when the embryo develops in the fallopian tube called a tubal pregnancy.
• Infections – Yeast infections, bacterial infections even sexually transmitted infections can also cause spotting.
• Soften of the cervix – Normally after about 37 weeks spotting could occur.
• Irritated or Inflamed Cervix – Spotting can occur after having a Pap smear and sometimes after intercourse.
• Miscarriage – During the first 12 weeks spotting could be a warning sign of a miscarriage.
• Molar Pregnancy – When an abnormal mass forms inside the uterus after fertilization.

IMPORTANT… If your spotting goes away within a day do not be concerned and tell your doctor about it on your next visit.  If your bleeding last more that a day contact your health care provider as soon as possible.  If you have any abdominal pain, cramping, fever or chills during the time of spotting contact your doctor like right now.