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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Before Baby Series
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Many of the things our mothers told us when we were growing up, such as, “Eat your veggies, drink milk, and get plenty of rest,” apply to our own metamorphosis into mommyhood. We’d also do well to remember mom’s advice to take our vitamins, though popping prenatal vitamins aren’t quite as much fun as munching those yummy, fruit flavored Flintstones! Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not outline specific guidelines for a vitamin to be considered “prenatal,” multi-vitamins designed for pregnant women and nursing mothers contain extra amounts of essential nutrients like folic acid and iron. Trust your doctor or midwife to recommend an appropriate prenatal vitamin that includes vitamin’s A, B, C and D as well as calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid and copper. If you’ve been doing your pre-pregnancy reading, you should also be aware of how important it is to begin your management of prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying to conceive. That is largely because prenatal vitamins contain folic acid in high enough amounts to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Whether over-the-counter or prescription, prenatal vitamins are designed not only to support the growth and development of a healthy baby, but to help mom stay healthy from conception to delivery to weaning her breastfed bundle. Even so, they won’t replace a balanced diet rich in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The nutrients found in prenatal vitamins aren’t absorbed as readily as the vitamins and minerals in the food you eat, and many over-the-counter and prescription brands are missing a “secret ingredient” that experts believe helps promote the development of brain, nerve and eye tissue. According to some studies, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish like salmon and tuna, could even help boost your baby’s IQ. Trouble is, many of the fish that harbor omega-3s may also contain elevated levels of mercury and other toxins. Add safe sources of DHA to your diet with flaxseed, canola oil, soybeans and walnuts or ask your doctor to prescribe OptiNate, a newly developed prenatal vitamin that includes all-natural, vegetarian-sourced omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarian omega-3 supplements are readily available at health food stores, as are plenty of vitamins, herbs and teas that claim to work wonders for pregnant women. As with anything regarding motherhood, check with your doctor first. – By S. Danyelle Knight |
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