Baby Making

The mother's prenatal health is a very vital key in pregnancy. What she eats or how much she eats would reflect on the size and weight of the baby later on. Aside from supplements, she must also understand that a nutritious diet is essential all through out her pregnancy. During the first three months, she might even lose weight due to nausea and vomiting. This is also the time where the mother-to-be starts to be picky and sensitive with particular foods or scents. This is the body's way of adjusting to the hormonal changes happening inside. However, she must push herself to drink milk, take iron supplements and eat fruits and vegetables not only for her health but for the baby's development as well.

Once she reaches the second and third trimester of her pregnancy, then she must eat foods rich in calories to meet the demands of a growing baby inside her. As much as possible, take 2 glasses of milk everyday to help her avoid the upcoming back pains and other body pains caused by the bulging belly. More servings of fruits and vegetable is a must. She may also include grain products such as bread, rice and pasta to help her gain more energy. Iron enriched foods such as meat, fish and other alternatives should not be served raw. It is best if the expecting mother would eat small meals each and every time she's hungry instead of eating servings good for two.

The unborn baby is very fragile even though it is still being protected in the mother's womb. Drinking milk that contains folate or folic acid, eating dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach along with servings of dried peas, beans and orange juice, increases the chance of the baby's healthy improvement. Folic acid enables the unborn child to have a well-developed spine, skull and brain especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. That is why it is advisable for planning mothers to take folic acid supplements few months before conception.

In a sensitive condition like this, drinking alcoholic beverages, cigarette smoking and strenuous activities should be stopped as soon as the mother knew that she's pregnant. Studies show that alcohol and smoking may risk the unborn child for possible birth defects. Doing hard physical activities, on the other hand, is one of the top five causes of miscarriage among pregnant women.