Nutrition and Preggers?

Well, that is an amzingly controversial topic. Don't believe me? Well, the OBs will tell you one thing, "What to Expect WHile You're EXpecting tells you another, there is a huge list of special diets just for expectant moms on any search engine in the internet. Some Dr.s say one thing, while other Dr.s say another. Most however give you some vague statement such as, "just keep following the food pyramid". As if I did to begin with, right? Phoowee!

So conerning nutrition in pregnancy. Go with what you feel is good for YOU! Unlike Dr.s in this day and age who thnk that one diet will suit everyone, you know that it's just plain false advertising! Some need more meat/prtein, some need more fruit, some need to stay away from certain popular items, there are so many variations from one individual to the next that no one diet, or even guidline will serve every human being well. So in a nutshell - go with what feels good for you.

Having said that, "feel good" does not mean sugar high! Be smart. Be wise. Do your research!!! Figure out what vitamins you need, what minerals, and overall what you need to do to increase your odds of having the pregnancy and birth you want!

Me? I do the all natural, unassisted home birth. Yeah, some people say we're nuts. But it works for us. Now not every nut comes from the same tree, so what I like in a birth may not be what others like. I also do a LOT of herbal stuff to prep my body for birth. For example I'll give you a short list of stuff I take, please note that these items in the list are good for more than I am mentioning here.

1- Folic acid, extra because I'm gluten intolerant and need more to begin with.
2- Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, tones the uterus and preps it for birth. Note: not to be taken in the first trimester- it's also great for toning the uterus, regulating periods, minimizing cramping and bleeding, and stomache upset.
3- Prenatal vits, naturally
4- 5-W formula, which I take for the hormonal inbalance I get that makes me a bit wacky. This smoothes it out.
5- Gentle Birth formula, which helps prepare the body for birth during the last 5 weeks
6- Liquid, or capsule Chlorophyll, which thickens the blood and decreases bleeding at the time of birth and post partum, which I take during the last 5 weeks and afterwards, till the bleeding stops NOTE: it's also great for a few others things as well.
7- Evening Primrose Oil, which helps the cervix dilate and efface which prepares it for birth
8- Black Cohosh, at the very end of pregnancy, it perps the body as well for birthing by exercising the uterus and making those braxton hicks contractions count and do something other than irritate you
9- During PP I switch vitamins to the Superfoods Two, based on greenfoods- it's FANTASTIC for getting back energy!

There are more that I use off and on during pregnancy and PP that I take as needed. Before I started doing the crazy all natural thing, pregnancy hormones were OUT OF CONTROL, as were PP hormones, my PP bleeding lasted for 3 months, and laors were longer, oh and my periods were irregular and PAINFUL and made me ILL. I have gradually learned that using these fantastic herbs help with all of thoes problems! My labors are faster and less bloody. My PP bleeding is also seriously decreased. Last birth I bled for less than 6 weeks! My periods are much more regular and only once in while do I become bedridden with illness and cramping, usually because I neglected my Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in the monthe before.

The hormonal part I'm still perfecting. The 5-W is working great right now. But for the Post Partum Depression, which mine falls closer to the depression than to the "blues" area on the chart, I am still working on. I do, however, have a plan this time. We are going to encapsulate the placenta and make "Happy Pills". Done loads of research, asked a few friends who have done it, and I'm gonna try it. I am very very hopeful that this will help if not solve the problem. I am so hopeful I am excited at the prospect. So this is the plan this go round :)

All that being said- about what I do for my pregnancy and birth... what I do is not the first choice for everyone else. There are millions of options out there. Do your research, ask people you trust and respect, then PRAY! See where the SPirit guides you and go with it, regardless of what others say or think! If a C-section is what you feel you need - go with it! No one knows your body like you do! Just because I do home births, in the bath, doesn't mean I don't value Doctors. THey have their place in my life. And I think that is someone if judging you for your decisions they must not respect you enough to respect your decisions - about anything!

So, with pregnany and nutrition and birthing, etc- YOU decide! And then follow through. Good luck, ladies!! WIsh me luck in return as I am due any day now ;)