Everything moms and moms-to-be need to prep for a post-pandemic world By Dr. Manisha Ranjan

The year that went by threw all our learnings and wisdoms handed down to us from our mothers and grandmothers, out of the window. Moms and moms to be had to learn to wing it and hone new skills to sail through the pandemic. Keeping yourself and your family safe and healthy became a challenge like no other. As we navigate back into a post pandemic world there are a million things that both moms and moms-to-be need to keep in their mind when it comes to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of themselves, their children and their soon-to-be born children. Now is the time to pause, reflect and take stock as we step into a post pandemic world. Few things to keep in mind:

The pandemic is not over

Even with the roll out of vaccinations across the globe, the pandemic is far from over. We need to continue to practise social distancing, sanitising and wearing masks while out in public places. Moms need to convey this to their children and ensure they are protected and that they follow social distancing wherever applicable. Moms-to-be need to practice extra care and precaution with the help of a support system which includes their medical practitioners, primary care givers and immediate family.

Doctor visits and check-ups

One of the most critical and important steps, is to ensure that all children below 6 are vaccinated with age appropriate vaccinations which are imperative for a child’s growth and development. Moms-to-be must also ensure that their immunisation records are up to date and be in constant touch with their doctors and attend all scans and tests as they progress with their pregnancy

Building immunity

Keeping up with our age old traditions of eating immunity boosting fruits and nutrients, it is very important that we focus on building and keeping immunity levels high as we step back into the world. A good and robust immunity helps safeguard the entire family against seasonal infections and allergies. Our body is the most important tool we possess and nourishing it adequately will help keep infections at bay.

Mental Well-being & Mindfulness

While physical health is important, the pandemic has made us unlearn a lot of things when it comes to keeping calm. Especially in case of children, families and moms-to-be. Mental well-being is as important as physical fitness, for a happy and sane mind dwells in a healthy body. The pandemic has adversely effected children as it has taken away their freedom of movement, hence it’s up to the moms to ensure that kids have a safe place at home to speak their mind and share feelings. Mindfulness is very important when it comes to both moms and moms-to-be, for stress is not good and can lead to several health complications.

Self-care

One can never stress enough on the importance of self-care for moms. Sometimes balancing home, children, family and work can get a little overwhelming and it is important for moms and/or moms-to-be to take a step back and pause. It is an old saying which holds true that the woman of the house is the glue holding everything together and we must ensure that she is happy, hale and hearty.

The world as we know is undergoing a change and we must keep up with the changing pace while keeping in mind that our fight with COVID19 is far from over. Ensuring the health and well-being of the family is of utmost importance as we step back into a semblance of our lives pre COVID.

Breastfeeding Story by Mrs. Afreen

Breastfeeding can turn around to be a nightmare if your wife is not guided properly or if a child does not latch on correctly or lactating.

With basic general knowledge like the baby needs to be fed for two years everything felt normal.

However, it was not meant to be.

The next three months in my wife’s life defined what a mother is all about. Every man needs to respect and support his wife for all the pain, compromise and sacrifice which we sometimes conveniently forget.

It is very important that our wives get the deserved rest at home and whenever possible handle guests yourself. Be with your wife when she is feeding especially during the night sessions to divert her mind and help her carry on as it is not easy to feed every two hours.

My wife had probably one of the worst experiences of breastfeeding. What seemed to her like a perfect latch led to extremely painful feeding sessions with cracked, bleeding and sore nipples. I hid my tears to give her strength as I could not imagine someone feeding in such a state.

However, her courage to feed her hungry baby is way beyond words. During this phase, Dr Aruna (our lactation consultant) was very helpful and handled my wife very patiently. Due to over lactation my wife was able to donate milk as well and we heard it was very beneficial to a lot of babies. Would like to conclude by urging all husbands to accompany their wives in every hospital visit and consult a lactation expert to learn the right techniques. ?˜

DIET IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN FIRST TRIMESTER

A healthy pregnancy with expert advice on pregnancy diet first trimester - Motherhood Hospital India

The months of trying and fretting over conception are finally over and you can now feel part of that magical world of new parents:

Once you are pregnant, it is rather important you eat the right type of food, in right quantity, and right intervals, to ensure a healthy mother and a healthy foetus. A balanced diet, containing low carbs, high proteins, necessary vitamins, minerals, micro nutrients and antioxidants along with fats in moderate amounts is what very pregnant mother should look forward to.

Even though your doctor might have prescribed folic acid pills/supplement you still need to include folate rich foods in your diet. Foods rich in folate include enriched white rice, cooked lentils / cooked spinach, chick peas, oranges, broccoli & eggs.

Vitamin B6 is important during the first trimester as it can inhibit nausea and vomiting. Rather than taking medicines include vitamin B6 rich foods like whole grains/walnuts/bananas jowar in your pregnancy diet.

If you can digest it, milk is a wonderful source of protein, vitamins, calcium, water, healthy fats and fortified vitamin D, Dairy products like curds and yogurt can add variety to your meal.

Fruits are rich in vitamins, antioxidant, fibre and water content. They are a perfect recipe for healthy pregnancy.

Iodine rich diet like eggs, cow’s milk ,strawberry ,walnuts to ensure proper mental development of the foetus

Tips for a healthy pregnancy:

  • Aim for 5-6 meals per day
  • Eat when you are hungry & stop when your full
  • Select fruits & Vegetables from different colours of the rainbow,
  • Aim to eat all recommended groups.

Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, hormonal changes lower your immunity and affect your immune system. Your unborn baby is more susceptible to the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause food-borne illness.

Food-borne illnesses such as toxoplasmosis, salmonella and listeriosis can cause serious illnesses in mother and baby.Toxoplasmosis may cause flu-like symptoms in the pregnant mother. Listeriosis causes few or no symptoms to the mother but can be transferred to the baby and can lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature birth or may make the newborn very ill. You can reduce the risk of listeriosis by taking simple food hygiene steps at home and avoiding certain high risk foods. Salmonella can cause illnesses such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, and food poisoning.

If you have any concerns about symptoms or illnesses, please consult your doctor. Keep this checklist handy to help ensure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and safe.

Food to be avoidedReason
Soft CHEESE made from unpasteurized milk, including Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, and queso frescoHot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented or dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultryMay contain Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella.
Certain kinds of FISH, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (golden or white snapper)Contains high levels of mercury.
Unpasteurized JUICEMay contain E. coli.
SALADS made in a store (unwashed vegetables)May contain Listeria. It is essential to make sure that they are washed thoroughly to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis.
Raw or undercooked SPROUTS, such as alfalfa and moong beansMay contain E. coli or Salmonella.
Raw Eggs/eggnog and mayonnaiseUnder cooked/ raw eggs may contain Salmonella.
Caffeine (Coffee/Tea/Aerated drinks, etc)Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is not harmful but there are others reveal that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body.
AlcoholPrenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

Contact our Nutrition Department to know more about foods that needs to be avoided and included for safe pregnancy.

Diet tips for a winter pregnancy by Mrs. Edwina Raj

Being pregnant in winter is definitely better compared to summer as the cooler weather balances your naturally high internal temperature. It reduces the increased sweating during the third trimester. Although, winter is also associated with flu, common cold, infections, chills, etc.

Diet for Pregnancy during winter needs to be taken special care of. Your food intake is responsible for boosting your immunity. You must also keep yourself well hydrated and prevent your skin from becoming dry.

Here are some healthy eating tips to keep you and your growing foetus safe during winter:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure a robust immunity.
  • Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Add it to chutneys or drink it as amla juice, or you have it as sweet amla murabba. Vitamin C helps your body fight infection, and acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
  • Drink kesar (saffron-few strands) milk which is also an antioxidant to help in improving your immune system.
  • To keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip water regularly. It is important to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty.

by Mrs. Edwina Raj , Nutritionist.

10 More Vegetarian Superfoods For Pregnant Women

In our earlier blog, we had discussed the top 10 Superfoods for Vegetarians. These are 10 more Super Rich & Nutritious foods that make a remarkable impact on your health. Pregnancy is the most beautiful feeling any woman can ever experience. Throughout the three trimesters, your body floods out various hormones to adjust to bearing and nurture a new life within.

Along with healthy food, regular exercise can prevent the risk of birth defects and depression. Low iron levels can cause lethargy during pregnancy. Hence, Vegetarians need to take efforts persistently to include the below mentioned superfoods to account for the nutrients quintessentially required to meet the needs of the developing fetus as well as the energy requirements of the mother.

 

1)Tofu

Essential Nutrients: Packed with protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin K.

Health Benefits: Essential for normal blood clotting, particularly after the birth, helps in building essential cells that forms vital body organs.

2)Avocado

Essential Nutrients: Powered with protein, folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, high calories.

Health Benefits: Helps in forming your baby’s brain and nervous system, building up tissues, helps to combat morning sickness. The high calorie helps those who want to gain weight during pregnancy.

3)Cereal

Essential Nutrients: Power house of energy, folic acid, fibre and vitamin B.

Health Benefits: Fortified cereals make great for an energetic breakfast. You need energy as you progress through your trimesters to support your child as well.

4)Cabbage

Essential Nutrients: Wholesome goodness of thiamin, folic acid, vitamin E, A, B6, C, K, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, fibre & iron.

Health Benefits: These vitamins aid in healthy breast-milk production. Chilled cabbage leaves placed in your bra help to soothe sore breasts during & after pregnancy. Magnesium improves blood flow.

5)Chickpeas

Essential Nutrients: Rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid.

Health Benefits: Hummous (made from chickpeas) with peta bread makes a tasty snack. Fibre balances glucose levels; iron helps combat anaemia.Folic acid is vital for baby’s development.

6)Oils and Fats

Essential Nutrients: Entails omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants.

Health Benefits: Quintessential for cell function, brain and eye development.Go for the extra virgin olive oil. it lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health by providing protection against heart disease, depression, cancer, high cholesterol and dementia.

7)Oatmeal

Essential Nutrients: Packed with fiber, protein and vitamin B6. It can be fortified with iron & folic acid.

Health Benefits: Whole grains containing complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly after you have eaten it. A bowl of oatmeal or porridge is a great start to the day and will help combat any fatigue which sets in mid-morning.

8)Tomatoes

Essential Nutrients: Contains vitamins A and C.

Health Benefits: Low fat tomatoes have the ability to regulate blood sugar, reduce stress, cure headaches and even protection against gall & kidney stones.

9)Going Nuts over Nuts

Essential Nutrients: Proteins, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, Vitamin E.

Health Benefits: They are memory-boosting foods, helps development of child’s brain and eyes, reduced risk of premature baby. Indulge guilt-free in almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, reduced risk of heart diseases.

10)Whole Wheat

Essential Nutrients: Plentiful of iron, fiber, Vitamin B complex and protein.

Health Benefits: Along with energy boost to the body, it releases energy from muscles, iron fights anemia & eases constipation. Brown rice & millets are considered a healthier option.

Prenatal Vitamins

Why You Need It?

Most women during pregnancy might be uncomfortable with the idea of popping pills. However, when recommended by your health care provider and complemented with a well-balanced diet, prenatal vitamins will prove beneficial in ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Despite a healthy diet most women fall short on key nutrients. If you’re pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill such gaps.

1st-april-blog

Prenatal Vitamins Vs. Standard Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid and iron than do standard adult multi-vitamins.

  • Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects.
  • Iron supports the baby’s growth and development and helps prevent anaemia.

Additionally, research suggests that prenatal vitamins decrease the risk of low birth weight. A prenatal vitamin should contain:

  • Folic acid 400 to 800 micrograms
  • Calcium 250 milligrams
  • Iron 30 milligrams
  • Vitamin C 50 milligrams
  • Zinc  15 milligrams
  • Copper  2 milligrams
  • Vitamin B6  2 milligrams
  • Vitamin D 400 international units.

Side Effects:

  • Nausea:If this happens to you, take your prenatal vitamin with a snack or before you go to bed at night.
  • Constipation:To prevent this –
    • Drink plenty of fluids.
    • Include more fibre in your diet.
    • Include physical activity in your daily routine, as long as your doctor at Motherhood is OK.

Remember, prenatal vitamins are a complement to a healthy diet not a substitute for good nutrition.

For further details or queries , kindly contact us at tomotherhoodindia@gmail.com