You may have heard about the dangers of pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics given to animals who are not sick. Perhaps you have bought some organic produce, or buy other organic foods. Despite the cost, pregnancy and during breastfeeding are the most important times to eat organically. If you cook from scratch, most grocery budgets can eat at least partially organically. You can start small. At my local grocery, for instance, organic bananas are only 4 cents more per pound than the conventional ones. Pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, and the like can cross the placenta or breastmilk and affect your baby. Certain pesticides are known carcinogens (cancer causing agents), reproductive toxicants that can cause reproductive harm, toxic poisoning, asthma, and more. Hormones and antibiotics are thought to cause reproductive damage, and antibiotice resistant bacterias among other harm. The best way to protect your baby is to eat organically as much as possible. Dairy and the list of produce below are the best way to begin. Dairy products are full of hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics. At least drinking organic milk is better than nothing. We also have a list of the most contaminated produce. Some pesticides can penetrate the skin and onto the produce. Just peeling will not work and will take away nutrients. Studies have shown that organically grown produce has have several times the nutrients on conventional produce. Buy the items below organically to increase nutrients and decrease your exposure significantly. Then, if you can afford it, add other produce later. Another great source of organic produce is your home garden. There are many book available to help you get started.

 

Produce to buy organically:

 

 

Please read my article on the Health page about why you may want to consider purchasing an organic crib mattress!

 

1 small container StoneyField Farm YoMama yogurt, frozen
1/2 cup traditional medicinals pregnancy tea
1/2 milk, soy milk, or antioxidant rich juice, like cranberry
1 frozen banana
1 cup frozen fruit
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger, if nausea is a problem

Blend well together. Adjust ingredients until desired consistancy and taste is achieved. Sweeten, if desired.

1. Hospital birth. You can have these with or without an epidural, with or without intervention. Some hospitals with let you use a birthing ball, pool, or stool.

2. In a freestanding birthing center. These usually are designed to be more like a home birth, but with medical equipment their to help, if needed.

3. At home. This is usually a really personal decision. Most homebirths are attended by a midwife or certified nurse-midwife. A doula, who is a labor coach and advocate, sometimes attends the birth to comfort and help the laboring mother. Midwives and doulas are sometimes present at hospital births as well. Homebirths frequently use a birthing pool as well.


Check back next week for some tips on herbs for pregnancy.