By David Hawkins
To ensure a healthy pregnancy, the time to improve nutritional status
is before conception. This applies to both partners. A good whole
foods multiple supplement is recommended with additional nutrient
rich foods. Reducing refined fats, white sugar and chemical additives
is a must. Begin to include whole grains, beans, high fiber foods,
fruits and vegetables and restrict fast foods. Also, when planning
parenthood, avoid many toxic substances, as stated in Alternative
Medicine: maternal exposure to alcohol, and cigarettes; marijuana,
cocaine, heroin, and medications such as lithium and tetracycline;
pesticides, petroleum products, heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
Coffee and even over the counter medications like aspirin can harm
the fetus.
It is advised to eat a variety of foods but quality is the important
part. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fish are
essential. Remember that many commercial meats are laden with hormone
residues so choose organic. Alternatives to milk as a source of calcium
are plentiful - nuts, soybeans, tofu, soy milk, sea vegetables, and
sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Nutrient supplementation is recommended to rule out deficiency but
it is no reason to avoid a good diet. Many prenatal vitamins are synthetically
made and cause some problems like constipation. There are other prenatals
that use a better form and eliminate this problem. Look for ferrous
gluconate or peptonate. Also be sure not to exceed 10000 iu per
day of vitamin A or 400 iu of vitamin D.
It is important to refer to a practitioner or a good herbal authoritative
manual for the use of herbal products. Herbs have been in use by midwives
for thousands of years and they can be used safely. Timing and dosage
is very important. Remember that most herbs will reach the fetus via
the placenta and that extra caution must be used in the first trimester.
There are some very safe and useful herbs that can be used in tea
form. In beverage strengths. The use of fennel seed, lemon balm, oat
grass, red raspberry, red clover spearmint and lemon verbena have
been used without incident. Some herbs are contraindicated for use
during pregnancy and include laxatives like senna and cascara sagrada.
They cause uterine contractions and can contribute to miscarriages.
Herbs with a high concentration of alkaloids like berberine found
in goldenseal, barberry, and oregon grape root, should be avoided.
Licorice root, dong quai, chasteberry contain hormonal regulators
and must be used with caution.
Two good publications for an expectant mother would be Natural Healing
For Babies And Children and The Natural Pregnancy Book both by Aviva
Romm SPM AHG Herbalist.
David Hawkins is owner of Mother Earth Foods and has been a practicing
herbalist for over 20 years. Send comments and questions to David
Hawkins 1638 19th St. Parkersburg, WV 26101 or visit www.motherearthworks.com.
Send an Email About This Article