I love being pregnant.
Besides the morning sickness, heartburn, and feeling larger than an elephant.
But really, having a baby inside growing in secret, giving those sweet little kicks that all too soon turn to wallops – they make me feel special.
But also responsible.
Sometimes I feel like I never get to eat for myself. My food choices always affect a tiny person either through pregnancy or nursing.
But if you can’t fight it, embrace it, right? I thought I’d share with you the things I incorporate during pregnancy to insure good nutrition and health for baby.
Take a good prenatal – even when not pregnant, if you could get pregnant in the next six to twelve months, it’s a good idea to be taking a prenatal to build up your body.
Take calcium/magnesium/zinc – these are all things that having a baby robs your body of, so it’s best to be putting into your supply.
Take Fish oil – this is an excellent fat to help build baby’s brain.
Take Iron
Limit coffee intake to 1 cup per day max. Even better if you cut out caffeine entirely, but I like my coffee too much. 🙂
Eat lots of fats and protein – fats are essential for growing a baby, especially for the brain. Who wants a smart baby? Me! Good quality protein, especially from meat, is also a source of iron and a building block for baby. I feel queasy and dizzy when I don’t get enough protein during pregnancy.
At 25 weeks start taking a cup of red raspberry tea per day. Work up to a quart per day before your due date if possible. You can also get red raspberry leaf capsules. This helps prepare your body for an easy birth.
At 30 weeks begin taking Evening Primrose Oil – this is an excellent supplement to prepare for birth.
Both of my labors were really short, Gabe five hours, and Jasmine three, and I think a lot of it had to do with the red raspberry leaf tea and the Evening Primrose oil.
Me at 26 weeks pregnant
I know there are many other great things to do/take during pregnancy, and then there is of course EXCERCISING which I don’t do very much of (😳).
What are some things you do during pregnancy to grow a healthy baby? I’d love to hear!