Vit D Gestational Diabetes The Living Connection with Ekayani Chamberlin...

Dr. Ladd McNamara On Mother Baby Health Why Prenatal Vitamins

Babycare PreNatal Vitamins Now Available from USANA

It's spring time and all over the city life is in bloom. Mother's Day is one week away and lately I have been getting asked from several woman around me what I would recommend in terms of supplementation during pregnancy and what we have to offer for children. I am glad you asked! Here are some notes I compiled weeks ago from a webinar  conducted by  OBGYN Dr. Ladd McNamara. The attendance of his webinar was through the roof with 750 people registered making it quite clear that this information is needed.  People are starting to make the connection between the health of the mother to the child's long term health and intergenerational health. The phrase " I got if from my mother's side" took on a deeper meaning here with his deconstruction of conditions with a strategy of knowledge to manage them before they occur. Dr. McNamara is repeating this webinar on this topic this Wednesday May 8th at 6PM PST/9PM EST It's free but you must register here

The link between Mother & Baby Diabetes Bifidia Asthma Post Partum Depression

The nutritional needs of a pregnant women increases dramatically since all vital nutrients will be directed to the unborn fetus first. Ideally you want to be on optimal supplementation a minimum of three months before becoming pregnant. Here are some of the points made by Dr. McNamara on why nutrients are important before, during and post pregnancy.
Folic Acid - 500 miligrams twice daily to avoid spinobifida in the baby. This is an unfortunate condition where the spinal cord of the child does not close.
Vitamin D - 4000 IU's daily for you and baby help prevent infantile asthma or wheezing and help the mother keep her immune system strong and the blues away post partum.
Vitamin E - Helps with the absorption of iron and is important for healthy brain development in your baby.
Iron - Blood volume in women increases by 50% during pregnancy. Not all anemias are caused by iron deficiencies however you want to make sure you are getting what you need.
Iodine - 150 milligrams is not considered enough. Inadequate levels of iodine have been linked to miscarriages and hypertension.
Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene  is the equavilent of eating 1 carrot daily. This form of beta carotene is non toxic and is not associated with birth defects. A deficiency is associated with gestational diabetes with babes born much larger than they should be making delivery difficult puting both the baby and mother at risk. Gestational diabetes is a harbinger of Type 2 Diabetes so by insuring you get optimal amounts of A in the form of beta carotene can help prevent your child and you from developing this condition later.
Pregnant mothers also require more calcium,magnesium, selenium,vanadium and manganese to insure the development of the brain, the bones and a healthy heart in the fetus.
However, dealing with pregnancy and post partum are just as important as depression can occur after delivery. Dr. McNamara has books on this topic through his website

BIOMEGA Jr for kids

Kid's Corner Biomega Jr and USAnimals

So if you are wondering what happens after your baby gets into his toddler years and starts growing like a weed Biomega Jr is and Usanimals are there to support the healthy development of your child. Biomega also tastes good. It comes in a gel stick with a pineapple flavor so there is no fishy taste. It's sweetened with Stevia.
What it Does: Supplies 650 mg of omega-3 fatty acids: 230 mg of DHA and 350 mg of EPA

• Supports healthy cognitive and neural development for kids
• Supports healthy eyes
• Provides 1,000 IU of vitamin D to support healthy bones and teeth

 USANIMALS is the berry flavored pharmaceutical grade chewable suitable for kids aged 2 to 12 years. They come in fun animal shapes and have no artificial dyes. Here's what they offer which can be good as your child enters the picky eater stage. You know they need their nutrients and here is a way they can get it. In addition to this pick up a copy of Dr. Christine Wood's How To Get Kids To Eat Great and Love It. A pediatrician and mother herself she's seen it all and has great ways to make meal time fun instead of a battle.

• Supports healthy immune function with vitamins A, C, E, and zinc*
• Includes vitamins B6, B12, folate, and choline for healthy brain function*
• Includes calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D for strong bones and teeth*
• Includes iron, thiamin, and B12 for energy*

Pregnancy and Nutrition - 9 Months In 9 Months Out

Lately I have been getting more and more inquiries into the nutitional needs of preganant mothers. I offer this guest post by Lisa Kuftinec.

Lunch With Lisa Book Club: 9 Months In 9 Months Out

May 2 2011 written by Lisa Kuftinec

Just in time for Mother’s Day, I am sharing a book that I will be recommending to anyone I know who is pregnant: 9 Months In 9 Months Out. Written by Stacia Kelly, Angel Miller, Corry Matthews, and Shelia Kirkbride (owners of the health and wellness company ACSS Transitions), the book focuses on pre- and post-natal health. After simply flipping through the book when I received my copy, my first reaction was “where was this book when I was pregnant?”
The authors outline health and wellness in a very clear and easy-to-understand format. Most importantly, there is nothing preachy about this book, something I believe is the downfall of many pregnancy books. The book is divided into two sections: 9 Months In, with general pregnancy guidelines, and first, second, and third trimester specifics, and 9 Months Out, which includes labor, postpartum, and the first nine months for the new mom.
9 Months In, 9 Months Out draws on the authors’ expertise: Stacia is a Ph.D. in Holistic Health, a Master Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Certified Stress Management Specialist. Angel is a certified nurse-midwife. Corry is a MS in Sports Medicine, and a fitness and nutrition expert. Shelia is an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling. There is more: nutrition tips, massage techniques, and parenting tips. Do not let this variety fool you: there is substance here; usable and helpful information is on every page, in a format that is easy to understand then act upon.
A few standouts for me.

• The nutrition information is presented in what I feel is a non-traditional way for a pregnancy book, and often includes why you need it, how to get it, and recommended servings.
• The relaxation techniques throughout the book help keep stress management top of mind, something I certainly could have used at times.
• The post-natal mood boosting techniques: I had some post-partum depression, and this information would have been incredibly helpful to have on hand.

9  Months In, 9 Months Out is a positive book. It provides an honest and kind look at the journey through pregnancy with encouraging words to help the new mom get back on her feet. I thank Stacia, Angel, Corry, and Sheila for this amazing book.
Let Us Know
In the spirit of Mother’s Day, what words of wisdom and encouragement have you learned from your Mom or want to share with other Moms.
An additional note about Stacia: Stacia D. Kelly, Ph.D., a USANA Director in Virginia, is a holistic health coach and martial artist. Since starting Studio13 (www.studio13bymbsworks.com), she has been focused on helping others achieve balance in mind, body and spirit. Whether it’s using her communication skills in writing, relaxation or teaching, she’s constantly moving to help others achieve their goals.