Naturally, when pregnant, or getting pregnant, we want our bodies to have everything necessary to have a healthy, sustainable pregnancy and baby. There is much that can be done to ensure that.
Traditionally, until the Industrial Revolution, pregnancies were planned (to a degree). There was no birth control pills, IUD’s, cervical caps, diaphragms or the like. However, since pregnancies generally occurred after marriage, before marriage was prep time. For one year prior to the anticipated conception, women would eat foods that were high in nutrient density. Without having the educated elite tell them how many grams of this or that food they needed, they knew instinctually that more nutrients were required. They understood that nutrients were needed for the mother’s normal bodily growth, healing and function. But in addition, more nutrients were needed to build a baby’s body, AND more nutrients needed to support the increased physiological demands that pregnancy presents. So they prepared ahead of time. Smart idea!
They ate foods that the typical modern palate dislikes, such as organ meats, seaweeds and fish or bone broth. Every culture had their “sacred foods”, consistent with their demographics. Not only did they eat these foods pre-pregnancy, but also during pregnancy and nursing (which they would do for 2-3 years). They understood that each child was a treasure because any defects or childbirth challenges could take the life of the mother or the infant, and it was all about survival of the species. While the wonders of modern medicine can often circumvent what in the past would result in death, we are still losing way too many mothers and babies and the miscarriage rate is too high, and skyrocketing the past 2 years.
So how do we have a healthy pregnancy? Start by preparing ahead of time. If it’s too late for that, start now. Every day makes a difference. Every day the body, the baby, is making new cells. Everything you put in your mouth is either going to contribute to the health of the mother and baby, or detract from it. Cut out non-foods: junk foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, coffee, alcohol, pre-packaged-overly-processed foods. Choose instead, foods with life. Dead food (pre-packaged and junk foods) don’t give life; whole, raw, live foods do. Veggies that are lightly steamed or raw, good quality protein, high calcium foods, especially greens – these are the food you want to eat in abundance.
If you have nausea so bad that you can’t keep anything down, see a qualified acupuncturist that can help you with that. If you can’t get pregnant, see an acupuncturist for that too. There is much you can do to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have a healthy baby and mom at the end of it.
©2023 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D.. L.Ac., Ph.D.
