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Making Better Babies
by author Angela Stengler, ND

Once couples learn the good news-they’re pregnant-they usually scramble to make sure their lifestyle is as healthy it can be for the baby. It is equally important that the woman and man are in tip-top shape before conception takes place.

The first step is making sure the woman is at her ideal body weight. I see many women for reproductive assistance. After reviewing their medical history, most of them claim that their obstetrician or gynecologist made no mention to them regarding their weight (this includes women who are underweight as well as overweight).

A woman who starts her pregnancy markedly underweight is more likely to deliver prematurely or to have a baby of low birth weight (even if she gains weight normally during pregnancy). A few extra kilograms do not seem to cause difficulties, but a woman who is obese before conception is more likely to develop complications such as gestational diabetes and delivery difficulties that could jeopardize both the baby and herself. This does not mean an overweight woman should diet when she becomes pregnant! It does mean that if a woman needs to lose weight she should do so before she conceives.

What is the best way to lose weight? Any diet that focuses on lots of vegetables, fish, lean poultry, organic dairy products, whole grains, plenty of water and regular exercise. Eliminate pasta, crackers, chips, cakes, muffins and all other simple comfort carbohydrate foods that add hydrogenated fats and refined sugar to the diet. And stay away from artificial sweeteners!

Essential Nutrients

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Angela Stengler is a practicing naturopath and author living in California.

Source: alive #213, July 2000

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