Another thing to consider is any medication you are currently taking. Once you find out you are pregnant be sure to check in with the doctor that prescribed your medication and let them know. Some medications are not compatible with pregnancy while others require an increased dose. It’s especially important to have this conversation rather than just stop cold turkey on your own discretion - especially with anti-depressants/anti anxiety, epilepsy and other medications used for chronic conditions.
The main addition to introduce to your diet is a Prenatal Vitamin. There are many to choose from; here is a review of a few of the top brands that may help you choose. We have now learned that Folic Acid can be better absorbed by the body when taken in the form of Folate (which is in it’s natural form vs the synthetic form of folic acid). Taking Folate in early pregnancy is very important in preventing Neural Tube Defects in baby, it also helps with preventing anemia and other conditions we are more prone to in pregnancy. Read more about the differences between Folic Acid and Folate.
One of the biggest gifts you can give you and your baby in pregnancy is staying as relaxed as possible. Stress creates stress hormones (i.e cortisol) that can affect baby; so your biggest job is creating the most relaxed environment for their development as possible. The worst kind of stress is the kind that doesn’t let up. If you have a stressful job, make time for relaxation (i.e warm bath, prenatal yoga, meditation, exercise etc).
We have created this helpful blog and infographic to help you through the process Picking Your Provider: A guide to what you need to know about choosing a maternity provider.
Here are some tools to help get through the nausea of the first trimester:
- Control your blood sugar with frequent small doses of protein. That may look like a high protein, super low carb snack every hour.
- Use ginger to settle your stomach in the form of: tea, candies, essential oils etc.
- B vitamins can help regulate nausea. When you take your Folate you’re already getting B9.
- Aromatherapy- Essential oils are known for their incredible healthy benefits and nausea can be treated by simply inhaling or diffusing ginger or peppermint oil along with a Doterra blend called Digest Zen
- Homeopathy offers some wonderful remedies that can treat the specific kind of nausea you experience (morning only, afternoon, all day etc). Call on a homeopath for this kind of guidance.
- Be outdoors and distract yourself. Sometimes just getting outside can realign the body and help us feel more balanced. Other forms of distraction can be helpful too, get in to a project you’ve been avoiding or go to a movie- take your mind off the discomfort.
If at any point you are feeling like these ‘minor discomforts’ are overwhelming you or reaching out of the scope of what feels like ‘normal’ i.e vomiting constantly, unable to keep food or water down or emotionally very fragile and tearful constantly, it is important to seek help. Call on your provider or if you haven’t chosen a maternity provider inform your normal doctor. Or please call us at The Birthing Tree and let us know, we can direct you to someone who can help you! There are conditions in pregnancy that require intervention and are outside of the scope of normal.