Choosing to start a family is an exciting time in a couple’s life. It is also the perfect time to optimize health and wellness in both moms-to-be and dads-to-be alike. Preconception parameters of vitamin and mineral status, heavy metal toxicity and hormonal balance can all affect fertility, pregnancy and future health of the child. Endocrine disrupters, or chemicals that mimic our own hormones, can cause havoc in the body causing both fertility and pregnancy difficulties. Many toxins are found in our workplace, daily personal use products and food sources, and can have developmental effects on the growing baby during pregnancy.
Prepare yourself to welcome a healthy pregnancy and bouncing baby:
1) Eat tons of colourful fruits and veggies, preferably organic when possible. Broccoli, leafy greens, garlic, beets, and lemon can all help our livers flush toxins naturally.
2) Avoid high mercury fish. Check out the Environmental Working Group's list of fish to avoid. Low-heavy metal fish is a great pregnancy food – just choose your fish wisely.
3) Avoid toxic cosmetics, soaps, personal hygiene products – for starters, toss products with phthalates and parabens. Move through your products, replacing them with safe and natural options.
4) Maintain a healthy body composition – we store a lot of toxins in our fat cells.
5) Switch to natural-ingredient based household cleansers. As with the cosmetics, many household products contain hormone-modifying or toxic ingredients.
6) Prioritize glass or ceramic containers for food and liquids. Avoid heating food in plastic
7) Do an effective, natural but science-based detoxification using botanical medicine and clinical nutrition. Talk to a licensed naturopathic doctor to see if this is right for you.
Although we all don’t have the opportunity to plan ahead of the blessing of pregnancy, should we have the option, assure you and your partner’s cellular and reproductive health is on track. The best start can begin in utero for a thriving, happy and loved child.
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Dr. Carrie Mitchell is a Naturopathic Doctor at the new Shifra Centre for Wellness. We focus on providing comprehensive primary care for women and children, optimizing preconception care and fertility, providing complete pregnancy support, as well as postnatal health and wellness. This multi-practitioner clinic includes naturopathic medicine, midwifery, massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic medicine and childbirth education.
We are having an open house on February 25th from 1 to 4 p.m. Come check out our new space!
