JOURNEY TOWARDS MOTHERHOOD

PREPARE YOURSELF TO BE A MOM

Ideally, preparation for a holistic pregnancy and childbirth begins before you become pregnant. Your own good health helps your baby's health. And when you and the baby are healthy, you have more choices in childbirth

Maternal health is a complex influenced by various genetic, social, and economic factors which may affect the fetal growth

Schedule a preconception counseling - Appointment with your current healthcare provider to discuss your pregnancy plans. This can help you identify your health strengths, as well as any family history or health problems that might affect pregnancy. Try to work with your provider to get any chronic health conditions under as much control as possible before you become pregnant.

Couple should go for blood and urine investigation to rule out :

• DIABETES
• ANEMIA
• THYROID (HYPO OR HYPER)
• DYSLIPIDEMIA
• KIDNEY FUNCTION
• HIV
• HBsAg
• STD (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES)
• THALESSEMIA : MAJOR/ MINOR

Check to see if your vaccinations are up to date. Rubella (German measles) and chickenpox can cause birth defects and other problems if you get them during pregnancy.

Get a dental checkup. Keep up your regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy. If you have gum disease, getting treatment before pregnancy may prevent health problems in you and your baby.

Going to be mom should also go for these INVESTIGATIONS

• Pap smear test
• Pelvic examination
• Try to achieve a normal weight for your height.
• BMI (body mass index) should be in range i.e 20-26
• Eat healthy foods and get to a healthy weight. Being at a healthy weight before pregnancy may help you avoid health problems in you or your baby

NUTRIENT	NORMAL ADULT WOMAN
ENERGY kcal
SEDENTARY	1875
MODERATE	2225
HEAVY	2925
PROTEIN g	50
FAT         g	20
CALCIUM mg	400
IRON mg	30
RETINOL mcg	600
BETA CAROTENE mcg	2400
THIAMINE  mg
SEDENTARY	0.9
MODERATE	1.1
HEAVY	1.2
RIBOFLAVINE mg
SEDENTARY	1.1
MODERATE	1.3
HEAVY	1.5
NIACIN mg
SEDENTARY	12
MODERATE	14
HEAVY	16
PYRIDOXINE mg	2
ASCORBIC ACID mg	40
FOLIC ACID mcg	100
VITAMIN B12 mcg	1

• Overweight, obese and underweight women are more likely than woman of a healthy weight to have pregnancy problems.

• Overweight women are more prone to PIH (PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION), DIABETES MELLITUS etc.

• If  women is under weight then  baby is at an increased risk of being premature with low birth weight  and development irregularities.

• Eat healthy during pregnancy and learn more about what foods to avoid during pregnancy.

• Adequate  nutrition before and during pregnancy has greater potential for a long term health impact than it does at any other time.

• Nutrition is very important while you are trying to become pregnant.

A balanced, healthy diet should include

• PROTEINS (such as meat, cheese, dried beans, milk, legumes, nuts, soya).

• CARBOHYDRATES (such as whole grains like brown bread, brown rice , oats).

• ALL VEGETABLES AND FRUITS (all green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, apple, orange, pineapple etc).

• CALCIUM (such as milk or other dairy products).

• IRON (dried beans, green leafy vegetables, dry fruits, green and red fruits etc).

• GOOD  FAT(almonds, dry fruits, peanuts, flax seeds etc).

• Getting enough FOLIC ACID  in your diet can prevent a neural tube defect (legumes, whole cereals, green leafy vegetable).

• Folic acid can be found in green vegetables and whole grains, but because the amount needed to prevent birth defects is fairly high, you should take Vitamin supplement that contains 400 micro grams of folic acid. 

• Try to improve your deficiency if any by natural available resources rather than supplements.

AYURVEDIC HERBS GOOD FOR CONCEPTION

• Shatavri (Asparagus racemosus)- Nourishes and cleanses the blood amd female reproductive organ, prevent threatened miscarriage.

• Lodhra (Curcuma longa)– Increase level of reproductive hormones FSH (FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE)AND LH (LUTEINIZING HORMONE)

• Licorice (Glycirrhaza glabra) – Property to mimic estrogen. Good for hormonal support.

• Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) – Supports overall endocrine system function , supports proper immune response, aids in possible autoimmune fertility issue.

• Exercise. If you do not already have a regular exercise routine, this is the time to start. Most women recognize the physical benefits of exercise, but might not realize that exercise also helps manage stress and promotes good mental health.

• You may consider a variety of exercise programs, depending on your interest, including walking, running, swimming, or biking.

• Group classes, such as yoga, Pilates, or aerobics, are also a good choice.  There are also specific exercises for pregnancy, including pelvic muscle exercises (sometimes called Kegel exercises), pelvic rocking, and squatting.

• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, use street drugs or take prescription drugs that aren't prescribed for you. And stay away from secondhand smoke. All of these things can harm your baby during pregnancy. Tell your physician if you need help to quit.

• These habits are hard to break, but having a baby is often very good motivation.

• Keep safe from toxoplasmosis by not eating undercooked meat or changing your cat’s litter box. Undercooked meat and cat poop may have parasite in them that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects. Keep safe from pets that are rodents, like hamsters, mice and guinea pigs. Rodents can carry a virus called lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) that can harm your baby.

• Stay away from harmful chemicals, like paint thinner. Some chemicals may increase your chances of having a baby with birth defects.

• Reduce the stress in your life. Too much stress can cause problems.