I have been wanting to write up a blog post on trying to conceive/pregnancy for awhile now. And after seeing some close women in my life not make it to the full term of pregnancy, let alone understand the challenges some couples face in trying to conceive, I think it’s crucial to learn all we can about how nutrition plays a role in this life experience and desire.
A few (scary) stats on pregnancy: half of the embryos that form, half fail, 20% are lost, 1/20 babies premature, 3/100 have birth defects.
Preconception healthcare is important, including what you put on your plate, to how much you move, to what your outlook on life is. Health is not only shown in labs. If you are in a situation that I find myself in, I have had type 1 diabetes for over 20 years and my goal to have a healthy family is realistic. Sure my A1C% has not been riding in the 5’s my whole life, nor right now, but I bust my butt to eat nutrient-dense food, move daily, practice gratitude and stress management daily. All we can do is educate ourselves and put our best foot forward.
Preconception health of a mother has implications of the mother in the future as well as for the baby. Eating 3 square meals a day, eating the same thing day-in and day-out nor thinking you can eat right once you are pregnant will promise a fully nourished baby. Malnutrition can lead to disease later in the baby’s life.
What is optimal preconception nutritin? Varies from one health professional to another, but perhaps it is common sense to eat whole, natural food, in it’s original form
Eat nutrient-dense foods and avoid anti-nutrients. On average women of child bearing age are low in fiber, vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium and potassium. And moderately low in vitamin C, folate and B6.
Weight – carrying excess weight can have a direct impact on baby and mom at the time of the delivery and long after. Perpreg determines her targeted weight gain.
iron stores are important to be adequate prio to conception. Once an embroy is formed it is hard to replenish them
References:
Dr. Preconception Nutrition: Improving Outcomes for Mother and Baby. 2010. ANHI.org
