Raw Food Blog: pregnancy

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Prenatal Vitamins

By: Cathy Peterson

Whether you’re pregnant or just considering having a baby, you probably have a dozen things on your mind. While images of a blanket swaddled newborn might dance in your head, you’re probably considering other issues like bottle versus breastfeeding, what type of maternity clothes to buy, and what names you might choose for your little bundle of joy. If you’ve visited your OBGYNE for your prenatal appointment or simply to discuss getting pregnant, your doctor has probably prescribed prenatal vitamins.

Prenatal vitamins are by no means necessary for the health of your newborn, but they can be a good safety measure to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs during this especially important time. If you’re very health conscious and eat the right foods, chances are that your body is getting the nutrients it needs. However, during pregnancy many women experience nausea and sickness or simply find they have cravings for certain foods that may not be the healthiest choices. A prenatal vitamin can fill in the gaps, making sure your baby gets all the vitamins he or she needs to grow and thrive.

Among the benefits of a prenatal vitamin is the fact that it ensures your body gets an adequate amount of iron. Studies have proven that most women don’t consume enough iron during their pregnancies. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, a condition that can easily be avoided by taking a proper prenatal vitamin.

Another important component of prenatal vitamins is folic acid. Important in pregnancy, folic acid has been found to reduce the risk of birth defects. In fact, many doctors recommend that women who are trying to conceive begin taking a folic acid supplement or boosting their folic acid consumption at least one month before trying to get pregnant.

Although prenatal vitamins are not a necessity, they certainly contain many benefits. With one dose a day, you can rest assured that your baby-to-be is receiving all the nutrients he or she needs, keeping his or her development and growth right on track so you increase your chances of having a healthy newborn.

About the author
Cathy Peterson writes about Prenatal Vitamins, Prenatal Supplements and Prenatal Vitamins coupons http://www.buyvitaminsmart.com

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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Caffeine Intake and Pregnancy

Coffee and tea are good sources of antioxidants but they are also a source of caffeine. Tea however has a much lower caffeine content than coffee but the latter is more popular. Do you know that coffee is the most popular drink in the world? - two billions cups are drunk every day.

Even pregnant women drink coffee. Experts agree that less than 300mg. of caffeine can be safe for pregnant women - that's 2 to 4 cups of coffee. More than that amount can be hazardous for the baby and some researchers associate it with birth defects and miscarriages to name some ill effects. Other studies however found no association with these maladies.

The popularity of coffee rose because of the 'energy lift' it gives. It's true that caffeine can boost your energy because it increases your heart beat and activates the cortisol hormone in your body making you feel stronger, heightens your senses and makes you feel more alert.

Normally, the cortisol hormone is activated only in times of stress when you need a temporary boost to keep up with the demands of a situation. If you ingest caffeine, your body reacts the way it reacts when you get 'stressed' and it lasts as long as the caffeine is in your blood. It's not natural and it strains the hormones which is not beneficial in the long run.

The half-life of caffeine for pregnant women is longer and longer still for the fetus. Caffeine can enter the fetus through the placenta. Since the fetus is still growing - the organs are not fully functioning therefore eliminating the caffeine takes longer. Caffeine in a newborn can have a half-life of up to 30 hours. Whatever the chemical reactions of caffeine to your body, the fetus also gets.

Caffeine can also be transmitted to a nursing child through the breast milk.

Pregnant women should be aware that the safe level for caffeine is about 2 to 4 cups of coffee and 6 to 8 cups of tea spread throughout the day - not in succession. If you eat or drink other caffeine sources like sodas, chocolates, medicines - you should cut down your coffee or tea consumption so as not to exceed the safe level.

Choosing decaffeinated coffee or tea may limit your caffeine intake to a large degree but residues of the chemicals used to take off the caffeine may have other effects for your body. Decaffeinating tea can be done without chemicals and which you can do right in your own home - it could take out the caffeine content of tea up to 80%. The lesser the caffeine content, the more coffee or tea you can drink without arriving to the safe level and at the same time get more of the beneficial antioxidants.

Even if pregnant women does not consume more than the safe level, I feel that they should cut their caffeine intake for the sake of the child in their womb. It would be best to give the child a healthy head start!