{"id":955,"date":"2016-10-21T19:31:39","date_gmt":"2016-10-21T19:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.happybellyhealth.com\/?p=955"},"modified":"2024-08-18T18:31:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T18:31:20","slug":"healthy-pregnancy-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happybellyhealth.com\/hbh-staging\/healthy-pregnancy-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Pregnancy Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Now that you\u2019ve decided you\u2019d like to become pregnant, the most \nimportant item for you to do is to eliminate sources of both, \nphysiological and mental-emotional stress. We grow the healthiest baby \nin a low-toxin, high-nutrient, low-stress and inflammation, and \nhigh-balanced environment.

Incorporate daily relaxation techniques such \nas yoga, deep belly breathing, or meditation. Relaxation practices help \nrestore your body to a state of calm that will allow you to truly focus \non your intention to create a healthy mind and body for pregnancy.

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Detoxification<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn general, whatever heavy metals exist in your system can concentrate \nacross the placenta. We know that heavy metals such as lead and mercury \nare potent neurotoxins. There\u2019s an association between heavy metal \ntoxicity and autism.

If you\u2019re not pregnant yet, and do not plan to get \npregnant for a few months, get tested and if necessary start heavy metal\n detoxification right away; it\u2019s not healthy to address any toxicity \nissues overtly once pregnant. This process may take several months.

It\u2019s\n worth waiting for, as I\u2019ve seen lots of heavy metal toxicity in my \npractice. I would consider undergoing a substantial cleanse or \ndetoxification regimen prior to getting pregnant.

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Supplements<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Pre-Natal Vitamins
<\/strong>
\nEarly neural development occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy \nthat\u2019s why taking prenatal vitamins, rich in \u201cfolate\u201d and not \u201cfolic \nacid\u201d, is beneficial several months prior to conception. Thorne Basic Pre-Natal<\/a> is a high quality brand I recommend.

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Omegas<\/strong>
\nStart a high-DHA Omega-3 and GLA Omega-6 essential fatty acid supplement<\/a> (e.g. evening primrose oil)  DHA is important for healthy neural development.

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Metagenics has a pre-natal supplement kit <\/a>that contains a convenient packet of both a multi vitamin and omega-3.

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Vitamin D
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\nTake Vitamin D<\/a>\n if deficient to help minimize child autoimmune or allergic disease. \nMost people are low, so be sure to check your levels and be in the upper\n half of the reference range (about 50-60)

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Iodine
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\nGet repleted with iodine<\/a> so levels \ncan be sustained with food vs. supplement during pregnancy. If your Free\n T4 (thyroid hormone is in the lower half of the reference range, it \nmight be because of low iodine.)

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Probiotics
<\/strong><\/span>
\nTake a full-spectrum probiotic. UF Spectrum<\/a> is a great choice.  This helps build your immunity, as well as your baby\u2019s.

\nYeast Infections
<\/strong><\/span>
\nWomen are more prone to yeast infections during pregnancy because of the\n hormonal shifts. Safe treatments are limited, so probiotics supporting \nhealthy intestinal and mucosal flora can be preventive. I usually \nrecommend a probiotic called UF Vaginal Formula<\/a> to help keep yeast at bay.

\nFood Sensitivities
<\/strong><\/span>
\nHonor food sensitivities in order to minimize immune system activation \nduring pregnancy. Immune reactions to gluten, for instance and other \nfoods may create inflammation in you. If this happens, it will pass \nthrough to the baby, and may even create similar immune reactions later \non in your child\u2019s life
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Avoid gluten and dairy as much as possible during pregnancy because \nof the inflammatory nature of these foods especially because of the high\n incidence of these food sensitivities seen in young children.

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Sleep
<\/strong><\/span>
\nAddressing any known sleep issues either behaviorally and\/or \nbiochemically is essential. Prioritize the quality and quantity of your \nsleep.

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Digestion
<\/strong><\/span>
\nAny imbalance in the gut should be addressed now. I have worked with \nseveral clients who found out they had intestinal yeast and\/or microbial\n overgrowth AFTER they became pregnant and suffered significantly \nbecause of an inability to use much needed anti-fungals while pregnant. \nNot only were their symptoms uncomfortable, but the cravings for sweets \nmade it too difficult to keep healthy eating manageable.

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Eating Regiment

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