Pregnancy is a new and exciting time for women. It may also be a time of uncertainty; with all that nausea, morning sickness and constipation, you never know what to expect day by day. As early pregnancy symptoms are common, I often see clients sparing little time in gathering information on how to have a healthy child-bearing experience.
One area I focus on is how to prevent and treat infections safely and naturally throughout pregnancy. This is important because pregnant women do have a slightly higher risk of acquiring infections as a result of changes in their immune function. Although baby is not likely to be affected if mom picks up a bug, there are certain preventable infections that all expecting moms should be aware of.
THE WHOLE FOOD TRUTH
Staying healthy starts in the kitchen with a whole food diet. In Chinese medicine, it is thought that to stay healthy during pregnancy, women need to prevent dampness (swelling) in the body by eating a diet rich in warming whole foods. Try and focus on lightly steamed or stir-fried vegetables and well-cooked lean proteins, such as chicken and coldwater wild fish, as a mainstay of the diet.
Healthy fats are also a very important part of a “warming diet” and provide natural protection against many fungi, bacteria and viruses that cause illness. High-quality coconut oil and olive oil, applied to all foods, not only provide vital energy for growth and development; they also keep moms-to-be healthy.
Fermented food products such as yogurt or kefir should also be eaten on a regular basis. These foods can prevent and treat colds during pregnancy, while improving bowel function and reducing the risk of vaginal bacterial and yeast overgrowth.
PREVENTION POLICY
A pound of prevention is by far the best policy for staying healthy during pregnancy. Avoiding hand contact with your face, along with regular hand washing at all times during the cold and flu season can keep your exposure to germs low. Engaging in daily diaphragmatic (or “pushing” muscle) breathing exercises is a very important part of labour preparation—and a sure-fire way to reduce the risk of infections by enhancing immune function.
Regular nasal irrigation, with warm water, baking soda and sea salt can also prevent infections by keeping the nasal passages free and clear of viruses and bacteria. Nasal irrigation kits, with instructions for use, are available at most pharmacies.
Applying these simple suggestions can keep you healthy through the toughest cold and flu seasons.
