Forum

So, here we are, a few months (probably) for being ready to start a family. We've been gluten free for about 3 years and have been easing our way into paleo for the past 2 months or so (started out clean, but we're currently opening a business and crunched time has lead to some suboptimal choices). Right now, I'm 2 days into a clean 30 days of paleo.

What I'd like to know is, if you were in my shoes, what would you be doing to prepare to get pregnant in a few months?

My current plan is to:

• Focus on clean eating
  


• Commit to getting some low intensity exercise everyday
  


• Work on my stretches to help with postural issues (hubby is a chiropractor)
  


• Keep myself relaxed and centered as much as possible (we have tons of huge things going on in our lives right now and it takes some work to maintain this balance!)
  

Thoughts?

Thanks! Nicole

Most definitely get on a high-vitamin butter and cod liver oil supplement (for both you and hubby). Green pastures makes a great one.

Also, bone broths and organ meats, variety of fruit & veg, plenty of protein and fat, and abstain from smoking, alcohol, stress etc. And regular exercise, to be continued throughout pregnancy to facilitate an easier birth.

I wonder; is the current recommendation of a pre-natal and folic acid supplement necessary for those following a paleo diet? Or do we already get enough of these nutrients? Hmm…

The current recommended dosage is 400 micrograms per day, which seems pretty easy to get through diet. For example:

3 oz. beef liver has 185 mcg

1/2 c. cooked spinach has 100 mcg

4 asparagus spears has 85 mcg

1 egg has 25 mcg

I'm sure taking a prenatal is prudent, but it would seem a folic acid supplement could be superfluous when following a nutrient-dense diet. Another thing to ponder: do SAD-following pregnant women need the supplement because all the grains interfere with the absorption of the folate?

I follow a primal diet with as minimally processed foods as possible – for example – when I have cheese, it's grass fed and raw from a local farm

What are everyone's thoughts on raw milk vs pastuerized? It's easier for me to find grass fed past. milk vs. raw milk…

Also, I'm on organic prenatals and wild alaskan salmon fish oil… but I do eat plenty of fat, fish, and dark/leafy veggies…

Also – decaf coffee ? I use heavy cream in it and no sugar… is it coffee that's bad or is it just the caffeine?

what are everyone's thoughts?!