Natural Family Online Blog

Pregnancy Nutrition (3 Articles)

Pregnancy Nutrition Starts Before Conception!
By Vickie Barnes

There are certain things to ask yourself before considering having a child. Whether you discuss these matters with your husband or other partner in life, there are certainly things to consider.

Are you eating properly?
The health you are in before pregnancy can certainly have a negative or positive effect on your body. Are you eating right? Have you spoken with your ob/gyn about the possibility of losing or even having to gain any weight? Should you begin an exercise and nutrition program? Are you getting enough folic acid, fiber and other nutrients in your body?

Your doctor may want you to change your eating habits, start exercising and even begin taking prenatal vitamins. These things will help to ensure not just your baby but you are getting all of the nutrients you need.

If you are smoking, drinking or doing drugs, it is imperative that you stop. These are all things that are detrimental to the health of your unborn baby, and you should discuss with your doctor the best way to handle these lifestyle issues and how they will affect your pregnancy.

Read the full article

© Vickie Barnes; reprinted with permission of Amazing Pregnancy and Morning Sickness Help

Vickie Barnes operates the Earth’s Magic series of pregnancy and baby care sites, including BabyHopes.com, focusing on fertility and conception.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Question: I am 24 weeks pregnant and have recently been recently told by my doctor that I need to eat more protein because I have protein in my urine. I am having a hard time getting enough protein because I am vegetarian, dairy sensitive and do not care for soy. Any suggestions?

Karen Prior responds: It is very important to get consume adequate amounts of protein during pregnancy because protein is needed for your baby's cell development. Also, your blood volume increases up to 50 percent during pregnancy, and protein is required to produce these blood cells.

© Karen Prior. See more about Karen.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Question: What levels of calcium and magnesium do you recommend for pregnant moms?

Andrea Candee responds: Calcium is an important mineral both for the pregnant mom’s teeth, bones and organs, as well as the development of baby’s bones. Calcium needs increase by about 20 percent during pregnancy.

© Andrea Candee

Andrea Candee is a master herbalist, media expert, nationally known lecturer and author. Read more about Andrea.

Can I Dye My Hair While Pregnant?

Can You Color Your Hair While You’re Pregnant?
By Meagan Francis

You’re three months pregnant, and you haven’t been to the salon since you saw the double pink line. You have two-inch dark roots and you are desperate to freshen up your look. But is it safe to color your hair while pregnant?

Research seems to point to yes. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hair dyes are probably safe to use during pregnancy because very little of the dye is absorbed through the skin. However, experts disagree on what processes and types of color can safely be used during pregnancy.

“The use of hair dyes in pregnancy has not been studied very conclusively,” says Dick Leavitt, Director of Science Information for the March of Dimes. “The original suspicions surrounding hair dye originated in the late 1970s when a particular form of testing showed that hair dye contained mutagenic (mutation-causing) ingredients.”

Follow the link to read the full article....Can You Color Your Hair While You’re Pregnant?

© Meagan Francis; first appeared at ePregnancy.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meagan Francis is the mother of three wonderful sons. While she's not tracking down Bionicle pieces, she works as the office manager/communications director for a freestanding birth center. She's also a freelance writer, and has been published in magazines like Brain,Child, Skirt! and ePregnancy. Visit Meagan on the web at www.meaganfrancis.com.

Pregnancy Health & Wellness Articles

Nine Homeopathic Months: Pregnancy
With the changes your body will go through over the next several months, homeopathy is a gentle and effective means of supporting a healthy pregnancy. Herbal and nutritional protocols may be used, in addition.

Herbal Allies for Pregnant Women
Pregnancy is a special time, one that brings joys and pains. Many minor but distressing health complaints can accompany pregnancy....

Smoking and pregnancy - Is It Ok to Smoke When You’re Pregnant?
Since a mother and her fetus have connected blood systems, cancer-causing chemicals such as tobacco can pass through the placenta, the tissue and blood vessels that nourish your baby. As a result, it can then travel through the umbilical cord and into the body of your developing baby.