Preparing couples to welcome their little miracles into this world is perhaps one of the most important pillars of our functional medicine practice. Conscientious couples are wise to prepare for pregnancy before conception, as parenthood can bring on a lot of unexpected situations. This is especially true in terms of your health and your baby’s health. You may never have contemplated the idea that anti-aging begins in the womb, but, the healthier potential parents are, the healthier & stronger their baby will be at birth and throughout life. And yes, Dad, your health is just as important as Mom’s.
A working gastrointestinal tract, good nutrition, adequate intake of fiber, fermented foods & probiotics, avoidance of chemicals, support of detoxification, and management of auto-immune issues & inflammation are essential prior to becoming pregnant. This allows the body to maintain efficacy in the production of healthy sperm and eggs. A healthy mom prior to conception, as well as during pregnancy & breastfeeding, is paramount to achieving lucrative pregnancy & birth processes, as well as a healthy childhood for your new baby.
Taking a prenatal supplement during pregnancy & breastfeeding is encouraged, as the need for some nutrients heightens during these periods of time and cannot always be attained by dietary adjustments alone. It is recommended to initiate supplementation prior to childbearing, as it is known that healthy pregnancies begin with adequate nutrition prior to conception. First trimester nausea and morning sickness affect a woman’s ability to eat a healthy diet. That is why a substantial need for nutrients to support and protect fetal brain and spinal cord development are vital during this time. This occurs early in the first trimester, before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.
The chosen prenatal supplement should meet the highest standard of purity. Meaning, it is free of preservatives & additives, as well as including proper nutrients that are in their most absorbable form. It is critical that the prenatal supplement includes adequate folate for the development of the fetal brain and spinal column. In addition, folate provided in a bio-active form like 5-MTHF instead of as folic acid, helps bypass steps in folate metabolism. This may be especially helpful in patients with genetic variations in folate metabolism. It is also advised that a good prenatal supplement includes omega-3 fatty acids which are critical for fetal brain development and the development of motor functions. Other vital nutrients that cannot be satisfied by diet alone include Choline, Vitamin B12, Iron, Iodine, and Vitamin D. We will be happy to recommend a quality prenatal supplement that suits your specific needs.
More than 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the environment every year. We are all exposed to these toxic chemicals due to con like air pollution, secondhand smoke, and harmful molecules in household products (even including plastic ware!). These toxic chemicals that accumulate in your body impact your overall health, but our bodies have developed an efficient system for the removal and disposal of these dangerous molecules. However, over time the sheer volume of chemicals and pollutants grows to a point that the body can’t keep up. This overwhelms the natural processes of your body and leads to an accumulation of toxins in your tissues. A poor diet, poor dental health, obesity, lack of physical activity, as well as habits such as smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption, can make the situation even worse for your body and increase the risk of health complications.
While this is present throughout our lives, there is a particular emphasis that should be placed on this when planning pregnancy, and while pregnant & nursing. It is crucial to use personal care lines and cosmetics that are derived from wholesome ingredients. Cosmetics and skin products are full of carcinogens and toxins that include heavy metals. At Restorative Wellness MD, we will educate you on clean living. This includes knowing how to avoid household chemicals (many of which are carcinogens and neurotoxins), as well as testing for toxins. Prior to pregnancy we recommend that both parents do a formal detox. (Note: once a woman becomes pregnant it is not advised to do a formal detox.)
At Restorative Wellness MD, we will take the time to have a comprehensive discussion about all aspects of your diet and lifestyle, in order to help you achieve the best possible health and growth during pregnancy and postpartum. We will even discuss the best way to set up your nursery for maximum health. We encourage and welcome any questions about pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-partum wellness.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can help with your pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-partum wellness, give us a call at (513) 206-9705. You can also email us at info@restorativewellnessmd.com, or leave us a message on our CONTACT US page. We will get back to you as soon as we can! Thank you for choosing Restorative Wellness MD as your guide on your journey! We look forward to hearing from you!
We look forward to helping you. – Dr. Kissel & Team
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