Pregnancy can be a sudden life changing event. One moment you are living carefree and wild and the next you are facing a lifetime of responsibility. This responsibility will come at you fast. For most women this involves dietary changes and personal lifestyle changes. It also includes some very difficult decisions for some.

When you are pregnant there are some basic things you should be aware of. Studies have shown that even at the earliest stages the fetus is susceptible to chemicals and foods that are consumed by the mother. Routine activities which were once done without a thought require more careful consideration if you are pregnant.

Pregnancy Signs

You might be pregnant and should take a test to find out if pregnant...

The number one sign of course is a missed period, additional indicators include: Sore
breasts, changes in energy levels or sex drive. Sudden and strange cravings for foods, especially unusual combinations or foods you don’t like, changes in the tightness of your skin or other changes to the skin, vomiting or sudden bouts of nausea.  

Other indicators can surface on an intuitional level. You may be pregnant if you have a strong feeling that you are pregnant. In many cases your body will know before you are consciously aware of it, the conscious mind is not always able to determine what the cause is or how it knows, but a persistent feeling that you are pregnant is often a telltale indicator.

Prenatal care

Prenatal care is important. Most patients choose to see a doctor at about the sixth or eight week of pregnancy. At this point the pregnant mother is given a number of tests to establish basic information that is necessary for ongoing prenatal care.  

Weight Gain

Weight gain in a pregnant person is normal and desirable. This is both an indicator of a healthy pregnancy and is necessary for the right amount of nutrients to reach the growing baby. Typically a woman puts on about 25 or 30 pounds during the course of pregnancy. If you are overweight the gain should be a more modest 15 to 20 pounds or so. If pregnant, you should try and gain about 2 or 3 pounds within the first three months and then gain about a pound a week after that. Your doctor can give you specific advice about your situation.

Diet

Fish

Do not eat fish more than a couple of times a week. Mercury concentration and other chemicals have been found at increasing levels in seafood. These chemicals, above certain thresholds can have detrimental effects on the fetus. Be particular to avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel. Go very easy on the tuna or avoid it entirely.

Omega vitamins are important, but powerful neurotoxins in the food chain can have a much more profound impact on a baby's body than on the mother. In general shellfish, particularly muscles should be avoided. Seafood which is considered the highest risk are predatory fish, bottom feeders and filters (muscles, clams and so forth). Alaskan wild salmon is a good choice, if pregnant, as it tends to reside in colder waters and tends to have a lower level of parasites than most fish, although risks of PCBs and mercury are always present in any type of seafood.

Meat

Any meat including poultry and fish should be cooked well. Stay away from sushi.  Undercooked meat has a higher risk of transferring disease which can be much more
dangerous to the child than to an adult.

Dairy
Only drink milk which has been pasteurized. Soft cheeses should be avoided, as many of these have a significant amount of bacteria which increases infection risks. At least four servings of dairy should be eaten every day, this provides calcium which is important in bone formation and other biological processes which happen when pregnant. The body processes a tremendous amount of calcium, which will be taken from the mothers own body if not kept in constant supply.

Fruit and Veggies

Wash before cooking or eating. Many fruits and vegetables are grown with the use of
pesticides. Pesticides are powerful poisons and are especially dangerous to growing
nervous systems. Wash produce thoroughly and keep plates, counters and other food preparation services clean at all times. Leafy green vegetables, particularly if they are dark green (as a rule of thumb), and citrus fruits tend to be good choices.

Pickles while not technically a vegetable are good, as many pregnant women have realized. If your body is sending a signal for a certain type of food, think about what nutrients might be in it and you will begin to understand what your body needs better.

Vitamin D

This is a good thing. The best source of vitamin D, and possibly the only one which the body correctly processes is sunshine. Get some on your skin, do not be afraid to catch some rays every day.

Caffeine

There are mixed studies in regard to caffeine. Excessive caffeine usage is a bad idea if you are pregnant. It is probably a good idea to limit intake of coffee, soda or other
caffeinated beverages to 1 or 2 cups per day. Eliminating caffeine altogether may be a good idea as well

Sweaters

Artificial Sweaters, such as those found in diet drinks are under scrutiny and should
probably be avoided.

Processed Foods

The general rule is, the more processed a food, the more undesirable things are in it.  Try to eat healthy, whole fresh foods as much as possible

Carbs

Attempt to reduce your reliance on carbohydrates, when you want some bread eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable instead. Low carb intake is better, although carbohydrates should not be removed entirely from the diet. Pasta, rice and bread are all common sources of carbs.

Solvents

Nail polish, household cleaners, hair dyes and any toxic chemical (usually these have a distinctive chemical smell) should be avoided. This includes most cleaning chemicals and other household chemicals as well, even in beauty products. Chemicals can easily be absorbed by the mothers system and pose a heightened risk to an unborn child as the nervous system is particularly susceptible to influences gained through the mother and the environment.

Learn More

There is a lot more information about pregnancy available. If pregnant you should consult your doctor who is an expert and trained professional. Nothing on this website should be construed as medical advice, it is important to research pregnancy thoroughly. When in doubt it is always better to take the safe side of things, particularly where your future child is concerned. A healthy pregnancy can have a very positive effect on a child and can go far in making the child’s and your life easier as you both grow.

Pregnancy Resources

If pregnant has many more resources available and should provide a starting point for
learning about your pregnancy and life while pregnant. Remember, a happy, smart and informed mother makes a happy healthy and intelligent child.