What can I do to secure a successful pregnancy?

A successful and healthy pregnancy is all about creating balance in your body and nurturing and environment for a new life to grow. A study conducted by the university of Surrey in England showed that 83% of couples, with previous history of miscarriage, who made changes in their lifestyle and diet, and who took nutritional supplements, conceived and had a baby within the 3 years of the study without experiencing another miscarriage.

It takes at least 3 months for eggs and sperm cells to mature so there is a 4 month period in which to you can take steps to ensure that all the necessary factors for a healthy conception and pregnancy are present. So, take 4 months off from trying to get pregnant and concentrate on optimum health before trying again. Here are 7 things you can do to prepare your body for a successful conception and healthy pregnancy.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Make vegetable soups, eat salads, always eat vegetables with main meals I’ve never met anyone who over eats veg. Eat vegetable crudités, fruit salads and fruits as snacks. Drink green drinks and smoothies especially for breakfast.

Eat as much organic produce as possible to decrease exposure to xenoestrogens, antibiotics and genetically modified food

Find a good organic butcher or shop in the organic section of your local supermarket. I may be a little bit more expensive but you are avoiding all of those nasty chemicals sprayed on to the food you eat.

Consume some phytoestrogens

Eat traditional soy products such as edamame, natto, tempeh or miso. Also add lentils, chickpeas, beans, garlic, celery, fennel, oats, alfalfa, mung beans, sage, and parsley to your meals (soups and stews).

Eat omega 3’s to control inflammation and improve cellular communication

Eat fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, fresh tuna and trout. Also eat nuts, seeds and fish oil. Cut down on over consumption of red meats and diary – however still eat some of these foods.

Increase fibre intake

Fibre helps to bind toxins and hormones and carry them out of your body. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, radishes, spinach, onions, leeks, chicory and watercress are particularly good. Foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, fruit and vegetables are also great sources of fibre.

Eliminate coffee and caffeine (black and green tea), sugar and alcohol

Drink decaf tea / coffee and herbal teas such as chamomile, dandelion, peppermint or nettle. Avoid sugar by reading food labels. Anything on a label ending in “ose” is a sugar. Read labels as glucose, dextrose, maltose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, rice syrup, honey and lactose are all sugar. Alcohol abstinence is best.

De-stress

Stress disrupts your sleep, your mood, your energy, your hormones. It drives craving for junk foods and stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine or nicotine. Manage your stress with meditation and exercise to create balance in your life and your body for a successful pregnancy.