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Back to the Basics
Monday, January 11, 2010 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
There's something about the New Year.
Perhaps it's the optimist in me. It's the excitement of a clean slate, a new adventure and the promise of the year ahead.
Brings me right back to those early days of pregnancy. Are you there? Almost there? Passed that phase? It's an amazing journey and an absolutely astounding experience. Stop and think about the development that takes place. Wow...I'll leave that for another day though...
Today, it's about the basics of helping a fetus (your baby) optimally develop. It's about giving a baby their best shot in utero.
Yes, there are things you won't and can't control. Things do happen. When they do, go with it and do what you can.
Whether you are trying to conceive or are pregnant, relax along the way.
Can't relax?
Yeah, I couldn't either...so, here are some things you can do to support your baby during those earliest days of development, even before birth.
They start with you.
- Stop consumption of alcohol. You may hear folks say things like "one drink won't hurt," or "drinking in moderation is okay." I go more with the "why even risk it?" What's wrong with alcohol? Too much consumption can lead to fetal alchohol effect (FAE): health.google.com/health/ref/Fetal+alcohol+syndrome.
- And, while we are on the subject of bad habits, if you smoke, it's time to let go of that too. Try quitting with someone else in your life who also smokes: your partner, another family member or friend. Whether you are smoking or someone around you is, it's all bad news: www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1171.asp.
- Caffeine your vice? It's definitely mine
. Experts tend to agree that mimimal caffeine consumption doesn't seem to affect the development of a fetus. However, miscarriage rates do increase slightly for women who consume 5 plus cups of coffee a day (Source: What To Expect When You're Expecting). - Then there is diet and exercise...Perhaps there is no better time to believe "you are what you eat." After all, the foods and beverages you intake do enter fetal circulation, meaning that it is your baby's nutrition too. Rethink the amounts of sugar in your diet, as well as other types of foods you are eating. As for exercise, consult with your doctor about what is right for you, but there's never been a better reason to be in or to get in shape. If you are looking for pointers, be sure to check out the Health & Fitness blog by Helen Golden: www.planningfamily.com/blog/authors/helen-golden/.
So, there's the basics. It isn't so bad.
Yes, there is more.
What's on your mind?
What questions/comments/concerns do you have about these earliest days of development?
Let me know...
It's a New Year, we'll start here and move forward...we've got plenty of time to take on these new adventures together.
