Question: I have really bad heartburn. I thought it would get better as I moved into the third trimester but it seems to be getting worse. Can I take over the counter heartburn remedies or antacids?
Answer:
You are not alone, pregnant women are particularly susceptible to heartburn, a form of indigestion. Unfortunately, the problem is made worse in the late stages of pregnancy by the uterus pushing everything upwards. Women who find heartburn particularly uncomfortable can opt for an over the counter indigestion remedy, but get your health practitioner to check them out first.
Before reaching for medication you could try some natural remedies including; almonds, a tablespoon of honey in warm milk, ginger, apple or some fresh or dried papaya.
Here are some helpful tips on how to combat heartburn during your pregnancy.
Continue reading “How to Ease Heartburn During Pregnancy” →
Nervous About Giving Birth?
As a first time mum I was very anxious about giving birth. My head was filled with images from the movies where women lay flat on their backs in stirrups, screaming, sweating, surrounded by men in white coats and in one nightmare scenario dying during child birth.
Chats with family members didn’t do much to allay my fears; my Mum recommended that I take as many pain-killing drugs as possible and my mother-in-law suggested an elective caesarean. They had my best interests at heart, but I didn’t feel comfortable handing over the birth of my child to someone else. I wasn’t particularly anti-intervention or pro-natural birth. All I wanted was to ‘not be scared of giving birth’ to my baby.
This article relates Mindful Mum’s search for a better way to birth and experience of hypnobirthing in the UK.
Continue reading “What is hypnobirthing?” →
This vegetarian chilli is delicious and packed full of pulse based iron for pregnancy. I ate this regularly while pregnant, shared it with friends for dinner and was amazed that my 12 month old baby boy also loved it on brown rice. This recipe includes curry powder, red kidney beans and brown rice all good natural sources of iron. The butternut squash and carrots are rich in Vitamin A. The red kidney beans and chickpeas are also natural sources of folic acid (folate) an essential nutrient for your developing baby. Easy to make and freeze this is a great vegetarian staple in our house.
- Iron rich vegetarian recipe for pregnancy
- Makes 8 portions
- Cook all in one pot (although you will need separate pot for brown rice)
- Can be frozen
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Continue reading “Pregnancy Iron Rich Recipe | Vegetarian Chilli” →
Fertility problems affect both men and women. According to the NHS, approximately one third of infertility is due to problems with the women, and another third is due to problems with the man. Whilst in just over twenty percent of cases, a cause cannot be identified.
The most common cause of infertility in men is a problem with sperm. Preconception nutrition for healthy sperm looks at the importance of food for improving your sperm quality.
Continue reading “Fertility for Men: Preconception Nutrition for Healthy Sperm” →
Folic acid is one of the B Vitamins and is important during preconception and pregnancy. It is found naturally in many foods and often added to manufactured food such as fortified breakfast cereal, malt drinks and bread.
Folic acid helps your baby develop, is necessary for the formation of blood cells and also prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anaemia (folate deficiency anaemia.)
Mindful Mum lists the;
- best natural sources of folate (the natural form of folic acid),
- latest UK recommendation on folic acid supplements,
- reason why you can stop taking folic acid supplements after 12 weeks.
Mindful Mum also provides a printable list of Food Sources of Folate for Pregnancy (159). For more on food for pregnancy see natural sources of iron during pregnancy, vitamin C sources and foods to buy organic.
Continue reading “How To Get Folic Acid Naturally In Your Diet” →
If you have decided the time is right to start a family and want to get pregnant fast, give mother nature a helping hand by introducing the following lifestyle changes.
To get into the right mindset for pregnancy think of yourself as the baby you want to care for. As a mother your focus will be on the well being, heath and safety of your child. Start caring for ‘you’ in this way now and enjoy the pampering, detoxing and ‘me-time’ required for optimal preconception health.
Of course, you have to have sex too, so we are going to start with the best time to conceive.
Continue reading “Get Pregnant Fast: Health for Pre-conception” →
Question: Help, I’ve been using polycarbonate bottles for my baby and have just found out about BPA. What can I do?
Answer
Many mums are concerned that their child may have been exposed to the chemical BPA in plastic baby bottles. Fortunately scientists are researching how to block the potential damage done by BPA.
Preliminary research from Duke University in the US indicates that folate (found in most green leafy vegetables (such as spinach) and genistein (found in legumes like soy) can block BPA damage.
Continue reading “My child has been exposed to BPA in baby bottles. What can I do?” →
Question: Should I buy organic milk? My little boy is just about to turn one and move from breast milk to cow’s milk. My partner thinks it is much healthier than conventional milk, but my Mum thinks its just a marketing gimmick!
Answer
Organic milk comes from cows which are only fed organic cereals and graze on land free from artificial fertilisers and pesticides. There is scientific evidence that organic milk contains higher levels of types of fats called short-chain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants as well as more vitamin A and E than conventionally produced milk.
However, your Mum’s view is understandable. Last year the Food Standards Agency funded a controversial report in 2009 stating that organic food is no healthier and provides no significant nutritional benefit compared with conventionally produced food. Although the FSA have concluded that organic milk contians higher levels of omega 3 than non organic milk, they advise the public to get their allowance from two portions of oily fish each week.
However, the FSA conclusions on organic food have been called into question by scientific experts and organic food campaigners.
Before making your decision, consider the following research on organic milk:
Continue reading “Should I buy organic milk?” →
COMMENTS