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Have you heard of “Green” pregnancy? As an expectant mother, you may have gone through all the practices to protect your baby in the womb. Healthy lifestyle, balanced eating, proper sleep, positive thinking are some of the measures we all take to safeguard our babies. Having done all these, there are still some external hazards that your baby may face, which remain even unknown to you. Here enters the effectiveness of “Green” pregnancy.
Katherine Sutherland, from the Women Physicians OBGYN Medical Group in Mountain View, CA said, “Going green is what will save the future environment which, in the long run, is the best thing we can give to our children. It is also a good time for couples to raise their awareness of what is important in their lives. They will be making many lifestyle changes with their pregnancy and the birth of their child, so it is an excellent time to include a long term commitment to the health of our world.”
So, in simpler language, it’s important for every expectant couple to adopt an environmentally safe lifestyle during pregnancy. Elizabeth Davis, a Chicago-based chiropractor and acupuncturist said, “You can’t have a sweet, healthy baby if you are poisoning it from day one. It’s not a hobby to be green. It should be a lifestyle. We don’t get to survive independent of our environment. If the terrain is toxic, than we get toxic. If it’s clean, we can hope to be clean.” And your diet and cleanliness play a crucial part in this.
An unborn baby depends entirely on its mother’s eating habits. What a mother eats provides nourishment to the baby. If a mother’s food contains significant amount of chemicals, some of them can be observed by the placenta. So, it’s always recommended to go for organic food products, as there are lower amount of toxins. A local farmer’s market is also a great place to find fresh organic vegetables and fruits during pregnancy. Water is a very important ingredient to keep your body hydration in place during pregnancy. However, instead of tap water, go for distilled water and bottled water to avoid toxins.
It’s also suggested to avoid taking fish, as they may be polluted with mercury, which can prove dangerous to your baby. However, it’s also true that a pregnant woman needs a good amount of protein in her daily diet. In this scenario, you can opt for vegetarian options like fresh beans and tofu, which are rich in proteins and at the same time safe for the environment. Elizabeth Davis advised to avoid food items with antibiotics and hormones as well.
Apart from food items, there are several other factors that expectant dads need to take care of. One such thing is cleaning products. Avoid products with strong ammonia odor, which is harmful for the environment and also may affect the lungs. If any of your family members come in contact with AJAX, wash immediately before it penetrates your skin. Apart from all these, Davis advised all pregnant women to get proper rest and exercise and not to sit beside the computer for the entire day.
Let’s move on to “Green” pregnancy to protect our future. Eat organic food, use products with fewer chemicals, and keep an eye on your soundings. The process may sound a little detailed and time-consuming but it’s only to gift your baby a better future ahead.