Ah, pregnancy… that amazing time when everyone around you seems to have a piece of advice to offer, whether you ask for it or not. As I’m well into my third trimester now and truly starting to feel the changes, I thought I’d share a bit of my own, totally unsolicited advice for staying healthy during pregnancy. You’re already likely getting advice from everyone from your local cashier to family members, so here’s a bit more from a fellow mom! Just to clarify—I’m not a doctor or medical expert, just someone who’s been through this a few times.
This is my fifth time experiencing the ups and downs of pregnancy, so I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I’ve learned a few things along the way that might be helpful to share.
First off, the best time to start focusing on a healthy pregnancy is before you even conceive. Having good nutrition in place enhances your chances of both conceiving and handling early pregnancy with fewer issues. For those trying to get pregnant, improving diet and lifestyle can really boost your chances of success naturally.
Good dietary and lifestyle habits can help ease pregnancy discomforts and ensure that the baby gets the best nutrition possible. While doctors often tell you what to avoid—like cold cuts or too much caffeine—they don’t always give detailed advice on what to focus on nutrition-wise.
Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that eating right greatly improves how you feel during pregnancy. Sometimes, this means disregarding much of the conventional diet advice you hear. For example, low-fat diets and constant carb snacks might not be the best ideas.
When you’re pregnant, your body needs quality nutrients: proteins, fats, vegetables, fruits, and certain supplements that you can’t get enough of from food alone. Eating well benefits both you and your baby, helping with everything from hormone balance to preventing stretch marks.
Before you conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding, focus on essential foods and supplements. Always check with your doctor or midwife before starting any supplements or herbs. Pregnant women often have higher nutrient needs, which supplements can help fulfill.
If approved by a healthcare professional, certain herbs might be beneficial during pregnancy. I like to make a strong herbal tea with ingredients like Red Raspberry Leaf, which is great for preventing cramps and aiding labor. Peppermint helps with digestion and nausea after the first trimester. Alfalfa and Nettle Leaf offer vitamin K to prevent excessive bleeding and support kidney health.
The Weston A. Price Foundation has some detailed dietary suggestions for pregnancy and nursing, although I personally skip grains and can’t always access raw dairy. Some key recommendations include consuming raw milk, butter from pasture-fed cows, eggs from pastured chickens, liver, fresh seafood, and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.
For regular dietary updates and natural pregnancy tips, consider a week-to-week guide that emphasizes natural remedies for pregnancy symptoms and preparing for birth in a holistic way.
