As you know from previous articles, Marissa had a baby in October of last year. This post intends to share with you the foods you could consume to help support you and your baby during the pregnancy. It will also optimize your chances for a natural delivery and breastfeeding. Please keep in mind that this does not guarantee that you will not have an assisted delivery, although it could give you a more favorable outcome. It is in your best interest to choose a doctor or midwife who you have full confidence to make the best decisions for you and your baby.
“The best way to keep your baby healthy is to keep yourself healthy”
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Throughout the pregnancy, and preferably before this time, it is crucial to eat a balanced diet of healthy, natural, foods as we have discussed so many times before. No preservatives, pesticides, or any GMO products should be consumed. Make sure that all animal products are from animals raised in a healthy environment free of antibiotics and growth hormones. One study (1) proved that women following the Mediterranean diet, have more favorable pregnancy outcomes.
The following foods will assist specifically to get the body ready to deliver the baby while preparing the breasts for milk production:
- Raspberry leaf tea has been used over centuries for the relief of nausea during pregnancy. Also, it increases blood flow to the uterus resulting in increased uterus tone as well as ease of labour pains. It is also believed to increase milk production. Red raspberry leaf tea, as well as any of the foods which enhance contractions, should only be consumed in the last trimester.
- Consumption of dates in the last four weeks before labour significantly reduces the time of the first stage in labour (2). Consequently, it also reduces the need for induction and augmentation of labour. Dates were also one of the plants to show immune-boosting properties for mothers after childbirth (3).
- Resveratrol found in dark red and black fruit and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of gallbladder incidences following pregnancy (4). It also has been proven to lower the inflammatory effect of insulin in the tissues of pregnant women with gestational diabetes. (5).
- Black currant seed oil increases agents in breast milk to improve the immunity of infants (6).
- While there have been quite a few studies done that proved the many health benefits of hops, I could not find a study linking it to increased milk production specifically. However, so many women have found that the consumption of hops helped them to increase breast milk production that it is worth at least a try. Other natural substances our grandmothers used to increase breast milk production are ginger root, garlic, chickpeas, brewer’s yeast, fennel, and many others. These are not necessarily researched by modern researchers but used by mothers through the ages to increase breast milk.
- As with hops, there are no studies done to prove that collagen is beneficial in pregnancy. However, several studies show how collagen enhances the formation of bones, ligaments, and connective tissues in the body. It also helps to ensure a healthy gut lining for mom and baby, known today to play a significant role in general health. The best source of collagen is cartilage from the bones of animals raised in a natural environment. Use these to cook a bone stock that will provide collagen as well as minerals in the diet.
REFERENCES
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Ann Nutr Metab. 2018 Dec 14 ;74(1):69-79. Epub 2018 Dec 14. PMID: 30554220.
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J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011 ;31(1):29-31. PMID: 21280989.
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J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Jul ;71(1-2):89-92. PMID: 10904150.
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Hepatol Res. 2018 Jun 1. Epub 2018 Jun 1. PMID: 29855113.
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PLoS One. 2017 ;12(3):e0173373. Epub 2017 Mar 9. PMID: 28278187.
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Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2013 Sept;24(6):562-6. PMID: 23980846.
