Eat Well For Your Baby! - Luci Klare

I have started going to the Bradley Birth classes, which teaches mothers and fathers how to prepare their bodies for a natural drug-free way of having a baby. The benefits of this class is not only how to handle labor and delivery, but also how to prepare your body long before you get pregnant, during pregnancy and afterwards. The class focuses on helping pregnant couples obtain the birth experience they truly desire... AND gives great tips and lots of input on the benefits of breastfeeding.

The first class focused on the importance of nutrition - the foundation of a healthy pregnancy. AS MANY of you know, I was pregnant with twins last summer. I was so focused on my girls during the pregnancy, that I forgot to focus on myself - which also benefits the baby! I ended up going into labor at the hospital weighing in at a WOPPING 220 lbs... yep! I started my pregnancy at 145 lbs and ended at 220... you do the math. The comforting part was I was having twins. The uncomfortable part is I was suffering from the onset of toximia! A very dangerous and sometimes deadly condition for both mom and baby that I was unaware of.

So I would like to share with you what I have learned as far as taking care of your body. We can prevent so many health scares to mom and baby just by eating the right amounts of foods. Follow some of these simple rules before and definitely during and throughout your pregnancy and decrease the risk of gestational diabetes, toximia/preeclampsia, deformity etc...

Every day of the week you and your baby should have:

1. One quart (4 glasses) or more of milk. Any kind will do: whole milk, low fat, skim, buttermilk, or cheese, yogurt, ice cream (yummy) etc....

2. Two eggs, (hard boiled, in french toast, or added to other foods).

3. Two servings of fish or seafood, liver chicken, lean beef, lamb or pork, beans or anyy kind of cheese.

4. Two good servings of fresh green leafy vegetables: mustard, collard turnip greens, SPINACH, lettuce, or cabbage.

5. Four slices of whole wheat bread, cornmeal, cornbread, or tortillas.

6. A piece of citrus fruit or glass of juice of lemon, lime, orange tomato, or grapefruit.

7. Three pats of butter

8. Other fruits and vegetables

Also include in your diet:

1. A serving of whole grain cereal such as oatmeal or granola.

2. A yellow or orange-colored fruit or vegetabble five times a week.

3. Liver once a week. (if you like it)

4. Whole baked potato three times a week.

5. Plenty of fluids, water, juice etc.

6. Slat food to taste for a safe increase in blood volume.

You may substitute proteins if you wish, being sure your proteins are complete, and that you get approximately 100 grams per day, If you substitute, also be sure all the elements necessary for a well balanced diet are available every day.

And just to keep you motivated of what NOT TO GET TOO!!! LOL... Here is a picture that one of my best friends Melanie Pace took. She and her husband shot our wedding, this lovely picture and as well as the precious moments when our daughters were born. You can find that story on http://www.loft3pd.com/.

~ love you and praying for the best for all moms... LUCI