FOR EXPECTANT MOTHER
The expectant mother should not drink alcohol. Studies have shown that even mild alcohol ingestion during pregnancy may result in hyperactivity, short attention span, and emotional problems in the resulting children. Alcohol can also cause other deformities in the unborn baby. Alcohol foetal syndrome is one and is thought to be caused by the mother consuming alcohol during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Drugs and smoking can also cause many problems to both mother and the foetus. Your medical practitioner or naturopath should be consulted before taking any medication. They will advise you as to their safety. All confinements should be under the care of a medical specialist.
Scientific clinical studies have shown that supplements of vitamin E may be effective in preventing habitual abortion (miscarriage). Foods that are high in vitamin E such as wheat germ, whole grains and cold pressed vegetable oils should be included in the diet.
Solanine is a toxin found in green potatoes. This chemical has been shown to cause miscarriages. It is important therefore not to eat new potatoes or potatoes with any green spots if pregnant.
Exercise is an important part of everybody’s lifestyle and especially for the expectant mother. Exercise tones the muscles, improves circulation, helps control weight and can make delivery easier. There are many ante-natal classes run by most hospitals. The trained nursing staff who give these classes will advise the correct exercise program for you.
Some evidence states that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may help relieve the symptons of morning sickness. These include nausea and vomiting. Usually the amount of vitamin B6 contained in a good multi-vitamin formula is sufficient. However, high doses of B6 should be avoided late in the pregnancy as studies have shown that high dose vitamin B6 may shut off breast milk. It must therefore be reduced before delivery in nursing mothers.
I have found that peppermint tea is helpful in relieving the symptoms of morning sickness as can taking ginger. Drink one cup of peppermint tea and eat a piece of toast before getting out of bed in the morning. This will need the help of the father-to-be and he should remember that his duties start at conception.
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