ÿþ<html> <title>Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods - Article on Prenatal Care, Prenatal Classes, The Expectant Father</title> <meta name="description" content="Prenatal care involves looking after the mother's health, as well as the health of the unborn child. Getting early prenatal care is very important&"> <meta name="keywords" content="prenatal, prenatal care, pregnant, preconception, nutritional considerations, prenatal classes, expectant father, health, baby, health conditions, carrying a baby, getting pregnant, checkup, blood tests, nutritional advice, obstetricians, prenatal class instructors, vitamins, prenatal vitamins, community, cravings, eating for two, Prenatal Nutrition Update, Health Canada, fish, omega-3, liver and pregnant women, fresh fruits and vegetables, gestational diabetes, schedule of visits, process of childbirth, labor, complications, pain management, coping mechanisms, labor pain, early bird classes, fetal development, delivery, postpartum management, mother"> <STYLE> A:visited {text-decoration:none} A:active {text-decoration:none} </head> <center> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> </td></tr> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=4 color="#E0E0E0"> <a href="index.php"><font color=white>Home</a> | <a href="stores.html"><font color=white>Locate A Store</a> | <a href="wellbeing.html"><font color=white>Wellbeing Information</a> | <a href="recipes.html"><font color=white>Recipes</a> </table> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> <a href="artsindex.html"><font face="Times New Roman" size=4" color=red> <br> Experts agree that fish can contribute to a healthy diet during pregnancy (UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, 2005; European Food Safety Authority, 2005; IOM, 2007; Kris-Etherton et al, 2007). The benefits of eating fish are greater than not eating fish, when pregnant women2 choose the recommended types and amounts (IOM, 2007). <br><br> <img src="salmon.jpg" align=left hspace=6 vspace=12 border=0> Women who eat fish while pregnant give their growing fetus important nutrients. Fish is a unique choice among the Meat and Alternatives food group because of its fat profile; compared to other choices, fish is generally lower in saturated fats and higher in the long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fish also contains high quality protein and other essential nutrients: vitamins (such as vitamin D and choline) and minerals (such as selenium, iodine, iron, zinc and copper). <font size=1>1</font> To review this full article, <a href=" http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/nutrition/omega3-eng.php"> <font color=blue><b>CLICK HERE</font></b></a>. <br><br><br> <b>Gestational Diabetes</b><br> Gestasional Diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. It has few symptoms and is most commonly diagnosed by screening during pregnancy. No specific cause has been identified, but it is believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy increase a woman's resistance to insulin, resulting in impaired glucose tolerance. <font size=1>2</font> <br><br> Eating to control blood sugar levels when you're <i>not</i> pregnant is important; during pregnancy it should become second nature. Based on your height, weight, exercise and activity levels, glucose tolerance and the needs of your baby, you should follow an eating plan that can slowly release sugars into your system over a period of a few hours. Oatmeal and whole grains are great for this; no sugar spike or crash with these on your menu. Proper portion sizes, appropriate overall calorie intake, and balanced meals incorporating a variety of foods all help to control your blood sugar. <br><br> <b>SHOULD I SEE MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER EVERY MONTH?</b><br> <img src="docandmom.jpg" align=right hspace=12 vspace=12 border=1> Your health care provider will give you a schedule of visits to follow, but once a month is generally typical up to about 28 weeks. After that, he/she may want to increase your visits to every two weeks as the birth of the baby draws closer. Weekly visits are not uncommon from 36 weeks on. <br><br> During these visits, your health care provider will ask you questions about how you're doing and keep track of things such as your blood pressure, sleeping habits, eating habits, weight gain, baby's growth, and baby's heart rate. <br><br> <b>PRENATAL CLASSES - What's In It for You and the Baby</b><br><br> Prenatal classes teach you about the process of child birth and what to expect once your labor begins. Most classes will present a segment on the complications that might occur during labor. You'll learn about your choices for pain management, should you need or want it. You'll also learn about coping mechanisms to use that will help you deal with labor pain. Even if this is your third child, a prenatal class will show you how things have changed since the birth of your last child. <br><br> There are many different styles of prenatal classes to choose from these days. Some "early bird" classes offered during your second trimester focus on exercise, nutrition, lifestyle habits and fetal development long before labor becomes part of the picture. Other prenatal classes offered around the seven-month mark cover events happening during birth such as preparation for, and management of, labor, delivery, and pain, and immediate postpartum management for both baby and mother. <br><br> There are still other classes that offer "refreshers" for moms who may have had their last baby several years ago. <br><br> Some classes will take you further and include information about events after the birth of your baby such as baby care, bathing, diapering, identifying baby's cries, newborn massage, dealing with fatigue, newborn nutrition, newborn conditions such as croup, and breastfeeding. <br><br> <b>WHAT ROLE DO EXPECTANT FATHERS PLAY?</b><br><br> Expectant dads have a very important role to play before the baby arrives. Mom may be feeling tired most of the time and morning sickness (which affects up to 80% of women and can strike at any time of the day) can complicate the situation. <br><br> <img src="expectfather.jpg" align=left hspace=12 vspace=12 border=1> Encouragement from dad can make a huge difference. You can help your partner by suggesting quiet walks together, maybe a swim to relieve the pressure on mom's body, and possibly a prenatal yoga class. Go with your partner to prenatal appointments if you can and try to schedule prenatal classes when you can both attend. <br><br> Because good nutrition is so important for both mother and baby, taking on a healthier eating regime yourself is a great way to support an expectant mother. Encourage her to take her vitamins and drink plenty of fluids (no caffeine please). You might even change your collective eating habits to incorporate small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones; just don't forget the importance of breakfast. <br><br> Finding and connecting with other expectant fathers through prenatal classes helps you deal with anything you might be feeling or experiencing before the baby is born as well. Talking with the instructor and other fathers helps you to understand that your feelings are normal and that you weren't the only, and won't be the last, guy to feel that way. What a relief! <br><br> <b>SUMMARY</b> <LI>In order to prepare for baby, begin taking care of yourself before you get pregnant. Visit your primary health care provider to discuss what a pregnancy would mean for you. <LI>Take your nutrition seriously; drink plenty of water and eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy to help your body carry your baby for forty weeks. <LI>Take your overall health very seriously. Get enough rest, avoid stress, caffeine, smoking, second-hand smoke, household chemicals and environmental toxins. Take time to rest and relax with your partner. In about nine months, you'll wish you'd had! Best wishes for you and your new family. <br><br> <b>References: </b><br><br> 1. Health Canada, Prenatal Nutrition Guidelines for Health Professionals  Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids<br> <br> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3><i><b>Carol Roy is a Natural Health Practitioner, registered with Natural Health Practitioners Canada, who received her diploma from the Alternative Medicine College of Canada in Montreal, Quebec. With 9 years experience in her area of expertise, naturopathic medicine, Carol has also trained to become a fully qualified Reiki Master, Quantum Touch ® Practitioner and Reflexologist.</b></font></i> <center>The suggestions by Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods and the contents of this article<br>are recommendations only and not a substitute for any medical advice or a <br>replacement for any prescriptions. Seek medical advice for any health concerns.<br>Consult your health care provider before using any recommendations herein.</center><br> </table> <table width=800> <td width=800> </td></tr> <tr> <center><font face="Arial" size=2 color="#E0E0E0"> <a href="stores.html"><b><font color="#E0E0E0">Locate A Store</b></a><font size=2> </table> </body>