Dear Mother, Its been only few days since my development began. I am here inside your womb and can feel your warmth for me. I know you are taking good care of your health, still i have something to share with you.
I wish for a healthy body when i am born. Whatever you eat or choose not eat directly affects my growing body. You need not to be worried, your body needs just 300 extra calories daily for my healthy growth.
I request you to eat nutritional food not excessive food. Excessive eating causes weight gain. You may experience complications during child birth. I want you to eat a balanced diet. Eating all types of fruits, vegetables and dairy products will ensure i get all the essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates for development.
Calcium during Pregnancy
I want strong bones when i am born. Calcium is even needed from my growing teeth. Start drinking two to three glasses of low fat milk daily. Cooking rice in milk rather water is a good source of calcium. Calcium is even good for your health. It lowers the chance of encountering High Blood Pressure.
Protein during Pregnancy
Proteins are the building blocks of my body. Daily intake of 60 grams protein is crucial for my growing body. It even saves you from pregnancy induced fatigue. Include beans, legumes, pulses, yogurt and egg in your diet, they are a rich in protein.
Iron during Pregnancy
The requirement of iron has doubled in your body than normal. My growing body needs more of oxygen and blood. Adequate amount of iron will help me in avoiding premature birth and attain a healthy birth weight.
Mommy, Please keep a check on the levels of iron within your body. Excess of iron in the body may reduce hemoglobin. It may even cause the skin dark, complexion gone. Iron intake in chemical form is difficult to absorb by the body. It goes wasted. Best way is to get it from foods like spinach, lotus stem dry, boiled mustard greens, green peas, sesame, millet, cooked soybeans and lentils. You can even enhance the amount of iron by cooking food in an iron pan.
Folic acid during Pregnancy
Folic acid is vital during early months of pregnancy. It is needed for the creation of my nervous system. It prevents neural tube defects like Spina Bifida or cleft lip. Folic acid is found in barley beans, green vegetables, orange juice, lentils, peas and rice.
Vitamin C during Pregnancy
Vitamin C produces collagen. It is needed to form structure of my body like bones, muscles, cartilage and blood vessels. It is found in orange, lemon, cooked broccoli and tomatoes.
Fluids during Pregnancy
Mommy, you should avoid constipation by drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily. Add vegetable soup and fresh fruit juices in-between your meals.
Foods to avoid during Pregnancy
Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry products and unpasteurized milk. It contains a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Avoid alcohol it causes physical deformity in the baby.
Avoid drinking caffeine rich drinks like soda, soft drinks and coffee. It may cause decreased birth weight and size of the baby. Excessive caffeine during early pregnancy may cause miscarriage.
Exercise during Pregnancy
Exercise combats stress, relieves constipation and boosts blood circulation in the body. It prepares the body for baby delivery. Morning walk or walk after the dinner is beneficial. Yoga is beneficial but guidance from a Yoga professional is must. Avoid climbing stairs, lifting weight and running.