What you need to know about nutrition before and after pregnancy

Good nutrition before and after pregnancy helps keep mothers and babies healthy. Your journey to motherhood begins when you prepare your body for conception before you try to conceive. After you have your child, you need to continue to take care of yourself so that your body can recover from childbirth and facilitate breastfeeding.

Focus on a healthy diet and good nutrition before and after pregnancy

A well-balanced diet is the cornerstone of nutrition. Your meals should consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy. In the months before you try to get pregnant, add a daily prenatal vitamin to the mix to ensure that you’re getting the proper nutrients. The doctors at Athens ObGyn also recommend taking prenatal vitamins after your baby is born to continue to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

The do’s and don’ts of eating before you conceive

Our doctors and staff will educate you about nutrition before and after pregnancy during your visits to our office. In the meantime, here are some do’s and don’ts.

• DO make sure you’re getting 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid per day.
• DO take a daily supplement that contains at least 27 mg of iron.
• DO eat iron-rich foods like beans, enriched breakfast cereals and lean meats.
• DON’T smoke. Talk to our ObGyns about how to quit.
• DON’T drink alcohol, smoke marijuana or use illegal or prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Also, talk to your doctor about the medications you currently take.

The foods and nutrients you need after your baby arrives

As you know from our discussion about nutrition before and after pregnancy, what you put in your body matters, even after your baby arrives. You should not attempt drastic weight-loss diets. Instead, focus on a healthy, balanced diet and cut back on fatty foods, processed items and added sugars. If you’re nursing, you need to eat to nourish yourself and your baby, and you’ll want to avoid the following foods and substances.

• Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and illegal substances
• Caffeine
• Deep-fried foods
• Processed, fatty meats
• Seafood that has a high mercury content

You’re eating for your own health and that of your baby throughout your pregnancy. Talk to the doctors at Athens ObGyn to learn more about nutrition. Contact us for an appointment.