Staying healthy before and after conceiving

Not all pregnancies are planned. Jerrid and I have tried to have a baby before but after being unsuccessful a couple of times we gave up and decided that it might be a better idea to wait a little bit longer. Then I suddenly found out I was pregnant. It's funny how it all worked out.

Before we had ever thought about conceiving I knew it would be a good idea to make sure I was healthy enough for a baby in the first place. It's always good to know that you are ready health wise as well as being ready in other aspects of raising a child.

As soon as I had intended to become pregnant within the near future, even if it was in the next couple of years, I wanted to make sure I was healthy. I would continue my visits to the ob-gyn but would ask more questions, had some blood tests done, an early pap-smear, and started taking prenatal vitamins. Prenatals are great to take even before becoming pregnant because it allows your body to stock up on all the nutrients and vitamins it will need to sustain your developing baby.

Along with Prenatals I would take a Prenatal Omega-3 DHA tablet. DHA is very important to your developing baby because the baby's brain is primarily all fatty acid that is derived from EPA and DHA. The prenatal DHa is extremely important to the development of your little ones brain and eyes. You should intake at least 400mg of DHA a day for your babys mental development. Its an amazing little pill that also made me feel better and more lively!

Some of the prenatal vitamins that may be prescribed to you are very expensive. I took them for a few months but when it got a little crazy to afford $50 pills a month, I went to Whole Foods and purchases Prenatal tablets there along with DHA tablets and my blood tests came back beautifully!

Omega-3 is also very beneficial to you! I'm sure you have heard about the incredible medical benefits of fish oil and how it is healthy for your heart, mood, and brain function. The same goes for your little growing baby! Besides taking your daily DHA tablet, consuming a healthy portion of fish per week is also a great way to load up on the healthy nutrients that your changing body needs!

While consuming fish is very important and healthy, you must be careful about how much fish you consume and what kind of fish you are eating. Some fish may contain high levels of mercury which are o be avoided. Fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackarel, and Tilefish contain high levels of mercury which should be avoided by small children and women who are childbearing or nursing.

Our beloved tuna also may contain enough mercury to be harmful if a lot is consumed. It is said to only consume around 6ounces of tuna per week. That goes for anyone, but pregnant women in particular. Albacore tuna contains even more mercury than regular tuna. Light tuna is a safer alternative.

Safe fish to eat are Salmon, Tialpia and other primarily farm raised fish. Other seafood that is very low in mercury is shrimp and shellfish.

Here are some great sites with a charts showing different fish, their mercury levels, and how much is safe to consume per week.

• American Pregnancy Association
• What you need to know about mercury and fish
• Fish and Levels of Mercury and Omega 3 Fatty Acid

Another great way to load up on DHA is to eat pecans, almonds, and walnuts. Nuts have additional nutrients as well!

Drinking plenty of water is very important. You should always keep yourself hydrated and stay cool! Getting overheated can lead to sever discomfort and could even cause cramps and other terrible after effects. When I had first gotten pregnanct I still continued to take my hot baths which I loved. This was a horrible idea. I would feel terrible and very dizzy. I learned not to do that anymore, and infact it could be very dangerous. That is why you are warned to stay away from hot tubs and jacuzzi's if you are pregnant. Becoming overheated is very dangerous. If you are to be out in the hot sun for a long period of time, make sure you keep yourself hydrated and try to rest as much as possible. Your body is changing and you need to recognize that. You can no longer do the same things you used to do. Even if you think you can, you have to settle down and think about your little baby and how much strain you could possibly be putting on them.

Stay healthy and always remember:

HAPPY MOMMY = HAPPY BABY!

Next post:

• Are you really eating for 2? Is that healthy for you and your baby?

Future Posts:

• Healthy Nutrition: No Raw Foods
• Healthy Nutrition: Control your fat and sugar intake
• Hot Mama: Tips to stay sexy without all the chemicals in products