Conception Preparedness: Before & After

This part 3 in this 3 part series 

Digestive Function

Improved eating habits, supplementing with a good whole food supplement and detoxifying will not be as effective if the parents-to-be have poor digestive function. This concept may be the most important to ensure long term improvement. Poor digestive function impairs your nutrient status and individuals must have good digestive system function to be able to detoxify correctly. One of the biggest indicators of poor digestive function is your bowel movement. You should have a bowel movement for every meal you eat. For anyone who has had a dog you know that you have to get that dog outside within an hour or two of eating or you are cleaning up after them also. If you eat more than once a day or more than once a week you should have more than one movement per day or per week.

Some causes for poor digestive function are:

·      Abnormal growth of harmful gut flora in the small and large intestines.

·      These harmful bacteria create toxins and waste products that irritate the intestinal wall causing inflammation and “leaky gut”.

·      Harmful parasites in the intestines

·      Yeast overgrowth

·      A diet high in pre-packaged and processed foods creates a sugar-rich environment which encourages growth of the unfavorable bacteria/flora.

Common causes of a poor intestinal environment are:

·      Low levels of stomach HCL

·      Low fiber diet

·      Chronic use of antacids

·      Repeated use of antibiotics

·      Regular use of NSAIDS- Aspirin

·      Long term stress

·      Food allergies

·      Nutrient deficiencies

·      Alcohol abuse

·      Immune deficiencies

In some cases food sensitivities may indicate that these foods are being eaten too often. If this is the case then the patient should rotate the consumption of these foods rather than eating them on a daily basis and increase the variety of foods in their diet.

The main action step needed in addition to the lifestyle changes is to have both parents tested to determine what whole food supplementation and herbal program may be needed to clear any parasites, yeast or harmful bacteria overgrowth, and to heal and support proper digestive function. Remember, poor digestive function impairs nutrient status and the ability to detoxify safely.

Optimize Fitness Levels

The following concepts are important for both parents but, if you care to ask someone who has ever given birth, you will find that the following are especially important for the birthing mother.

·      Improved stamina

·      Reach and maintain the ideal body composition and BMI

·      Develop core strength and flexibility

Pregnancy is not the time to get into shape. You should be in shape prior to conception and then you want to maintain yourself at approximately 70% during pregnancy.

Improved stamina and endurance is important during your entire pregnancy and especially during the delivery. During pregnancy your body has changed and you are no longer working for one but two now.

Starting your pregnancy at your ideal body composition is important because your body will change. The stress of pregnancy is great and you do not want to have to face that at less than your best and you do want to give your child the best of everything so why not let that include the best start from the best you.

Last but not least, core (abdominal and pelvic area) strength and flexibility. This is especially important to the end of your pregnancy at delivery. A strong you will be better prepared to handle the physical demands of the delivery and even though the female physique is designed for the birth process you will find that an increased strength and flexibility is always helpful.

As long as there are no contraindications to exercising the following is a short list of benefits from exercise prior to and during pregnancy. Studies have shown:

·      The exercise group had a lower level of anxiety and insomnia with a higher level of psychological well-being.

·      Exercise during the second half of the pregnancy significantly reduced the intensity of low back pain and had a significant effect on flexibility of the spine.

·      Regular exercise in the first two trimesters of pregnancy may be associated with reduced risk for cesarean delivery in first time mothers.

The action steps needed here are:

·      Have your current health level assessed

·      Have a professional create a fitness program that includes endurance, flexibility and strength (especially in your core) components

Most importantly: Get started.

(Info from Angela Hywood and the Green Medicine Institute)