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Preparing for a Pregnancy over Age 35

Posted by Fiona Saiter on May.11, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - arekmalang
©iStockphoto.com - arekmalang

Thinking about conceiving when you’re over 35 can be scary with increased risks of birth defects like Down Syndrome and Neutral Tube Defects to name just two, but with preparation months before you even think of conceiving, you can increase the chances of a healthier pregnancy and baby. Follow the steps below and your doctor’s orders and you will be better prepared for your pregnancy. Plan and Prepare for your pregnancy at least 3 months before, possibly even as sooner.

Taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of Folic Acid.

The March of Dimes states that women who take Folic Acid a year before becoming pregnant can help with the risk of having a premature baby and possibly help you with cancer risks. Premature babies are more at risk for lasting complications. Experts agree women should begin taking a prenatal vitamin with 400 mcg of Folic Acid which is a B vitamin, before becoming pregnant. According to the book, Healthy Pregnancy over 35 by Laura Goetzl MD, “Folic acid decreases the risk of neutral tube defects by as much as 70%. Neutral tube defects, which affect brain and spinal cord, occur during the first 28 days of conception before most women even realize they are pregnant.”

Folic Acid is essential early on and can be found naturally in

* Green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, asparagus, brussels sprouts
* Whole wheat
* Beans
* Peas
* Liver
* Nuts and seeds
* Yeast (Marmite and Vegemite are both dark yeast spreads)
* Wheat germ
* Sweet potatoes
* Fruits, especially oranges, bananas and strawberries
* Fortified breakfast cereals

According to the March of Dimes, at least 50 cereals contain 100% or 400 mcg of folic acid. You can find a list of some of those suggested cereals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Taking Care of Weight Problems Before You Get Pregnant

Even a little weight loss (for overweight) or gain (for underweight) can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. According to Fertility Foods by Jeremy Groll, MD and Lorie Groll, “Being overweight impairs ovulation, increases the risk of a miscarriage, and increases the risk of congenital defects.” Being underweight can also cause difficulties such as low birth weight. Also women who are underweight often have irregular periods. Most experts agree that by losing or gaining even just a small amount of weight you can have a healthier pregnancy.

Avoiding Alcohol and Tobacco, and Limiting Caffeine Before Conception

Alcohol and smoking are well documented as being bad for the baby. It can also make it more difficult to become pregnant and since women often don’t know they are pregnant until after the first few vital weeks, it is best to avoid them both. According to Web MD, you can consume a small amount of caffeine, up to 300mg. This would be 150mg for a small cup 8oz of coffee while black tea has about half that amount of caffeine. It is better to switch to tea while preparing for pregnancy. Tea also has health benefits like helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other health problems. Green and White teas help your body’s immune system and contain polyphenol, which can fight cancerous cells.

Eat a Healthy Diet and Exercise in Moderation Within Doctor’s Orders

Eat a healthy diet of whole grains, low fat milk, lean meats or protein, a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables (eat organic where the produce has the most pesticides see the list at EWG.

Avoid undercooked meat, or seafood, deli meats (because of listeria which may cause miscarriage), some sushi, smoked fish again because of listeria, fish containing high levels of mercury like: shark, king mackerel, tilefish, and swordfish. You can eat canned tined tuna because of lower levels of mercury but limit your consumption. Raw eggs, unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses: like brie, gorgonzola and more. Avoid getting too much vitamin A and D.

Increase Intercourse During Ovulation

Experts say that generally women over 35 are having intercourse less often and to increase chances of pregnancy women need to have intercourse during ovulation.  Ovulation can be figured out by counting from the first day of your period 12-16 days and that would be your most fertile time depending on the length of your cycle.  You can simply enter the information on an ovulation calculator to give you a pretty good estimate of your most fertile days and when the baby would be born if you were to conceive at http://www.babycenter.com/ovulation-calculator.

Avoid potentially hazardous substances.

Get another family member to change the cat litter box. If you live alone, check with your doctor, wear gloves, and investigate changing to an eco-friendly cat litter, wheat based, for instance can be flushed down the toilet.

Finally a great benefit of being pregnant! Someone else should change the litter box, because toxoplasmosis found in cat litter that can cause problems with the fetus.

A few more things:

Avoid radiation form x-rays, saunas, really hot baths, and if you work around chemicals wear a mask and gloves.

Remember it may take longer to get pregnant, but if it takes longer than 6 months then seek medical advice.

Finally, just take care of yourself, relax and follow doctor’s orders.

Remember most of all to take care of your self. Meet with your doctor before you get pregnant so that you can prepare for the healthiest pregnancy possible. Take a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of Folic Acid well in advance of ever becoming pregnant, eat a healthy diet, exercise within doctors orders, relax and you will have given your self the best possible chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.

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Posted under About Mom, Family.

Article By: Fiona Saiter

Fiona Saiter

Profile: Fiona Saiter is a freelance writer from the Buckeye State, Ohio; she lives with her husband, two girls, and a few animals. Fiona has been published both online and in print. She loves to write about Green issues, parenting, traveling, and many other interests. Fiona writes non-fiction, and fiction. When she’s not writing she loves to run with her girls in the jogger stroller, Tae Kwon Do, traveling, spending time with her family and so much more.

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Latest posts by Fiona Saiter

4 comments for this entry:
  1. THERESA BIRTOLA
    May 16th, 2009 on 9:38 pm

    Pre pregnancy
    Start on a prenatal vitamin
    Take milk thistle to strengthen the liver (DO NOT TAKE WHILE PREGNANT!)
    Try magnetized clay bath and or sauna to sweat out toxins
    Dry brush skin before shower or bath to stimulate lymph and release toxins (plus it feels good and eliminates cellulite)
    A few months before trying to get pregnant…
    Liver detox-many brands are available. They typically takes 2 weeks to 30 days and use a combination of herbal supplements and fiber.
    If you have time… do a colon cleanse before or after your liver detox
    Get a chiropractor now. If you have not ever seen one, they will more then likely
    need to take x-rays and you cannot do that while pregnant
    Pre pregnancy thru pregnancy and beyond
    Start taking probiotics to rid colon of “bad” Candida bacteria
    Start eliminating-Preservatives, pesticides, chemicals, caffeine, and synthetic additives
    Go organic where you can. If not, buy things with peals or skin that can be removed like
    Oranges, bananas and avocado’s and or wash in a solution of filtered h2o, tsp hydrogen peroxide and tsp “briggs” cider vinegar- soak 1/2 hour and rinse with filtered h20. (It would not hurt to wash organic, as well. the label is no guarantee)
    Get a water filter for kitchen tap and use if for all drinking, cooking and food prep washing
    DO NOT DRINK DASANI WATER IT CONTAINS A CARINIOGINIC AGENT
    Make sure bottled water is “spring” only! Do not refill water bottles. Do not drink from a water that has been sitting around open for more then a few hours.
    Get a showerhead h20 filter
    Replace table salt with sea salt
    Replace toothpaste with a fluoride free brand (I like kiss my face)
    Replace shampoo and soaps with “sls free” brand (I like trader Joe’s brands)
    Get a hepa or ionic air purifier (especially in the room you sleep in)
    Meditate-prayer or even a quiet walk, yoga, stretching, repetitive enjoyable task like
    Coloring with crayons or needing bread will realign the body’s electrical energies essential for brain body communication and ultimately health

    Foods to add more of
    Parsley
    Cilantro
    Any herb or herbal tea
    Celery
    Broccoli (avoid if it causes heartburn)
    Garlic (fresh only! not in the jar w/preservative)
    Beets
    Artichokes
    Carrots
    Blueberries
    Bananas
    Spinach
    Tomato paste
    Grapefruit
    Papaya
    Sprouted grain breads
    Steal cut “Irish” oatmeal
    Spelt, bulgur, tapioca, quioa, potato and other non traditional grains
    Fiber- especially ground flax
    Olive oil
    Real butter (yeah!)
    Foods to avoid
    All fish especially tuna, sushi and shellfish
    Chocolate
    Non-organic strawberries
    Coke and fizzy drinks with potassium benzoate
    Boxed or easy prep foods
    Takeout- especially Chinese, McDonalds (even the salads) and KFC
    Alcohol
    Corn based products (unless they are organic)
    Hydrogenated oil
    Soy
    High fructose corn syrup
    White flour (look for unbleached or organic whole wheat)
    Any food with ingredients you can’t read or know what they are
    Meal ideas
    Whole-wheat organic blueberry pancakes topped with ground flax and pure maple syrup
    Veggie omelet with fresh herbs
    Add fresh herbs to any pizza
    Bulgur wheat stuffed tomato on a bed of spinach salad
    Organic corn tortes with homemade guacamole and fresh cilantro
    Roasted “root veggies” carrot, onion, and beets, potatoes tossed in olive oil and
    tomato sauce with extra herbs and roasted.
    Organic poached egg over swiss chard and onion sauté with garlic bruchetta

    During pregnancy
    Treat yourself to massage and chiropractic adjustments

    Avoid drugs- prescription and over the counter (please check with MD for your specific requirements)

    Avoid MSG and all artificial sweeteners including splenda see http://www.msgtruth.org for more info

    Avoid caffeine including cokes and chocolate

    Avoid alcohol including libations and cleaning products that can leach into skin

    Heartburn-one tsp of apple cider vinegar or convenient apple cider vinegar tablets

    Nausea-
    Mint tea even just smelling it helps
    Chamomile tea (also great for baby to stop spit up and cramping)
    Soda crackers
    Peligrigio mineral h20 (Italian spring water with light effervescence)
    Regular small amounts of protein throughout the day to regulate blood sugar

    Birth and newborn
    Vaginal birth has been proven to compress baby’s head stimulating hormones for brain cell growth

    Have yourself and baby checked for Candida (demand the test your paying for it in health care fees) if there is a problem start threelac probiotics (mom and baby even if only one has it can be spread back and forth by kissing and diaper changing.)

    Breastfeed-colostrum found in mothers milk is essential for brain development
    If mother has a cold her milk provides the immune factors to that strain .

    Vaccinations
    Baby does not have a fully developed liver until 30 days after gestational birth date to push out toxins found in the preservatives of vaccines.

    Thermerisol is supposed to be pulled from the vaccines however many other toxins are still used including MSG, formaldehyde and other metal-based preservatives

    Vaccine schedules are recommended not required. Delaying and spreading them out are alternatives to consider.

    Grouping vaccines in one shot is actually worse.

    A waver can be requested for public schools for an unvaccinated child or incomplete vaccination. It is your parental right.

    Avoid antibiotics and sulfur. If necessary, rebuild good bacteria with threelac a powder that can be added to milk or formula. Order on line.

    Try homeopathic drops for ear and eye infections before jumping to antibiotics. (Please always consult MD in each situation) I like similisan brand.

    Colic-homeopathic drops or dissolvable tablets by highland

    Cold and allergies-saline spray and drops (always keep on hand) good for eyes, ears, and nose even back of throat. Remember colds build the immune system and should not be avoided by chemical means (sprays Lysol on toys ect.). The sooner your child has a few colds the less he/she will have later. Ask any second time mom.

    Fever- Use a cold compress or tepid bath. Only give fever reducer for high fever. Low-grade fevers are the body’s way to kill of infection. Keep it monitored and consult MD but babies temps can run higher then and adult before it is dangerous

    Clean teeth with baking soda on a bit of cheesecloth, rubbing the teeth and gums. Avoid fluoride. http://www.curetoothdecay.com

    http://www.healingourchildren.net

    Toddlers
    Give veggies before any sweet fruit or cheerios otherwise that is all they want.

    Go organic on baby food or make your own

    Make your own by pureeing cooked carrots peas ECT. And freezing in ice cube trays-can store labeled and dated in Ziploc bags. DO NOT MIROWAVE! Defrost on counter or on stovetop

    Puree whatever you are eating and either dilute with H2o or thicken with instant potatoes flakes. If your dinner had items like meat that does not puree well, boil until softened.

    DO NOT MICROWAVE STYROPHOME OR PLASTICS! -This leaches petroleum into food and is carcinogenic.

    Juice green veggies and sweeten with apple juice (this has more calcium then milk and is loaded with enzymes for digestion, omega oils for brail function and vitamins.)

    Consider goat milk instead of cow milk .It does not have the protein that cannot be digested by humans and must be pushed out by the liver.

    THESE ARE SUGGESTIONS. FOLLOWING EVEN A FEW WILL MAKE A DIFFERNCE IN THE HEALTH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. DON’T GO INSANE OR STRESS IF IT IS NOT PERFECT. TAKE ONE CHANGE AT A TIME, AS IT IS COMFORTABLE UNTIL IT BECOMES AN EASY HABIT.USE COMMON SENSE. USE SIENTIFIC OBSERVATION METHODS. THIS IS MY PASSION. Email ME ANYTIME FOR ADVICE! tbirtola@yahoo.com THERESA

  2. pregnancy
    May 21st, 2009 on 6:15 am

    Nowadays many people get pregnant at age over 35. This post is very helpful for those who want to have kid at age over 35.

  3. Mohammed Rosin
    January 30th, 2010 on 2:09 am

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  4. Sue Ramos
    March 5th, 2010 on 5:27 pm

    I got my first week through at the gym! Hopefully I am going to keep it going and also find a friendly diet to get ride off some pounds.

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