Peculiarities of nutrition before childbirth
Proper nutrition in the last month of pregnancy is of particular importance, because all body systems begin to work in a different mode - in the intensive training mode. Nutrient requirements, minerals and vitamins before birth change. Catering is considered one of the important stages of preparation for the upcoming motherhood.
The fact that you can eat and what you can not eat before the birth and whether the diet affects the generic process, we will tell in this article.
General principles
The general approach to nutrition before childbirth remains the same - food should be safe, hypoallergenic, nutritious and balanced. But in the last 3-4 weeks before the date of birth, it should be understood that the diet is now aimed not only at the growth and development of the baby, but also at preparing the female body. But the baby, who has already taken everything you need, will not benefit from excess calcium and fats.
In order not to “feed” the child to a size that will significantly impede the generic process, it is important to limit the consumption of dairy products and curd and fatty foods in the last month. It is important to understand that the premature ossification of the bones of the skull in the fetus due to an excess of calcium is highly undesirable for either mother or baby because of the increased likelihood of birth injuries in both.
Food should now include foods to increase muscle elasticity, which, in combination with exercises and special exercises, will help make childbirth easier. In general, the diet should become lighter so that the pregnant woman's body can be cleansed before the upcoming birth.
You still need to eat up to six times a day, in small portions, be attentive to the choice of products.
What is changing?
First of all, it is desirable to reduce the amount of animal protein 3–4 weeks before delivery. In practice, this means that the amount of consumed meat, fish, poultry and eggs should be reduced by about two times. It is this measure that is considered effective in preparing muscle tissue.
Why is it important? Because well-trained pelvic muscles minimize potential risks of tearing during labor.
Absolutely it is not necessary to refuse animal protein. But to reduce meat portions makes sense.
In the usual diet, one more amendment should be made - on vegetable oil. Now it takes more than twice the previous. It is advisable to add it to the first dishes, to the salad, to the side dishes. This will be an excellent prevention of hemorrhoids in the late period, because it is in the last month that the baby has been harboring most often and this unpleasant disease associated with varicose hemorrhoidal veins becomes more acute or manifests for the first time. Oil increases the elasticity of muscle tissue, and also prevents the violation of water metabolism.
Even if a woman does not like carrots and did not eat them during the whole pregnancy, an effort should be made before delivery, because it is this raw vegetable that allows you to maintain muscle tone due to the high content of vitamins A and E.
It is necessary to refuse high-calorie foods, even if they belonged to the category allowed during the period of carrying a baby. So, peaches should be replaced by apples, and instead of potatoes it is better to eat braised zucchini.
Foods that must be included in the diet
There are products that are historically already considered the most useful for those who give birth from day to day.
Their use for the generic process is a big question, since none of the studies has yet proved it, but they also failed to refute their possible impact on the body without five minutes of labor, therefore, it makes sense to try to diversify their daily menu with them.
- Dates rich in vitamins, tasty, but their main advantage of women in labor is considered to be an effect on the hormonal background. Therefore, it is believed that eating dates is useful in order to give birth easier and less painful. It is hard to say whether this is true or not, but dates definitely improve mood and digestion.
- Pineapples contain bromelain. The substance has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, which is actively used in medicine and pharmacology. But for a pregnant woman, it’s not even important, but the fact that the side effect of bromelain is an antispasmodic effect, in other words, eating pineapple is a measure for preparing the cervix for the upcoming labor.
- Seeds and nuts - the whole complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These substances are needed for the production of prostaglandins, which, in turn, take the most effective part in the process of maturation of the cervix. The main thing is not to overdo it: you need to eat them in small quantities, and also avoid allergenic peanuts, Brazil nuts, almonds.
- Cauliflower - an excellent tool for cleaning the intestines, removing toxins from the body. It is very important that the labor activity proceeds more easily. Even if you do not even want to eat boiled cauliflower, make it a rule to eat at least a couple of inflorescences a day.
Pay attention to leafy vegetables, their use is also considered very desirable.
Traditional medicine recommends that pregnant women in the late periods drink broth hips. It can be prepared from fresh or dried fruit. This drink is a source of vitamins and a means to prepare the pelvic floor muscles for the upcoming labor. The broth can be brewed in a thermos and take with you to the hospital. While there are contractions, if the doctor permits, it will be possible to take a few sips, this will increase the tone and give strength.
For faster maturation of the cervix, alternative medicine advises and decoction of raspberry leaves.
Before cesarean section and stimulation
If the birth is planned, then one day before the scheduled date of the cesarean section or stimulation of labor, you should exclude meat and all heavy food and restrict yourself to light vegetable dishes.
Before operative labor, it is not recommended to eat from the evening of the day preceding the operation. This is important so that the stomach remains empty, the intestines are cleaned with enema in the morning.
Before stimulating childbirth, remember that the risk of emergency caesarean section is high, and therefore try not to get enough from the evening. There is a possibility that spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia will be required. If there is a need for emergency cesarean section, general anesthesia will be performed, and therefore the stomach and intestines must be empty.
For more information on the diet that facilitates childbirth, see the following video.
