Birth With Hope

Hope for Women, Babies, and Birth

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What to Do & What Not to Do
 
DO
*drink organic vitamin D milk  (not soy milk)
*drink filtered water- 8 glasses per day
*cook in cast iron, stainless steel, glass, or porcelain cookware
*Eat salmon (Alaskan)
*supplement with 400 mcg of folic acid daily
*supplement with vitamin B-12 daily
*supplement with omega-3 fatty acid (DHA, EPA)
*sleep 8+ hours per night
*read http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id99.html
*Avoid stress (catecholemines/stress slow the brain growth of baby in utero)
*speak and think positively
*listen to peaceful music
*breathe deeply
*achieve inner peace
*sing quiet songs to your baby
*get a prenatal massage
*relax in warm baths
*use aromatherapy (lavender)
*Sleep on left side
*Rest on left side on the couch rather than recline
*Sit on birth ball
*Read 'Let Birth Be Born Again' by Jean Sutton
*Read http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm for advice on optimal fetal positioning
*Do kick counts from 36 weeks until delivery www.blairblanks.com/kickcount
*Enjoy Watsu if available in your area
*Do prenatal yoga
*Do prenatal swimming
*Read 'Gentle Birth Choices' by Barbara Harper
*Read 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' by Ina May Gaskin

*Be sure to get your sunshine (direct on your arms and legs for 20 minutes whenever you can) which is the best way for the body to make Vitamin D. Recent studies with vitamin D (which is a misnomer from the old days as it is really a hormone and not a vitamin) show that women should be concerned with their vitamin D levels before, during and after pregnancy. Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy can cause permanent injuries to fetal brains. Low dose vitamin D3 supplementation is encouraged.

 
 
DON'T
*do not microwave food in plastic bowls
*do not drink soy milk as your 'staple' (too much estrogen)
*do not eat junk foods
*do not eat more than 6 oz. tuna per week (it has mercury)
*do not drink alcohol
*do not smoke
*do not consume caffeine
*do not eat bacon, salami, pepperoni, or deli meat (too high in nitrites)
*do not sit in lazy boy recliners

*do not take 'mega' dose vitamins

          ----Too much Vit A can cause birth defects

          ----Too much Vit E can cause placenta to 'glue' to the womb

          ----Too much Vit C can cause rebound scurvy of the newborn