Friday, January 21, 2011

filed under: eating right when you’re pregnant

When a woman is pregnant she takes extra care of her diet, nutrition and overall needs. And, as most women would confess, she does it for the sake of her baby. Once the blessed event has come and gone, however, that all goes out the window and the needs of the baby are first and foremost… and only.

In most cultures (and as recently as 50 years ago here in the West) women are celebrated after giving birth, and are given time to recuperate, heal, and rejuvenate. Friends and family come to the house and stay, they bring food or cook for the family, and help to care for the baby so the new mother can rest and sleep. In some countries this lasts for up to 40 days!

In the United States today, women find themselves alone, depressed, sleep deprived, and sometimes in pain following childbirth. I always say to new mothers, “please don’t feel you have to be super mom the day after birth!” ASK FOR HELP! RECEIVE HELP! HEAL AND RECUPERATE! That will give you the health and energy to be the super mom you were meant to be!

Also, there are many supplements available that can help with various post-natal challenges. The East West Essentialsline can help! For postpartum depression try Optimal Fatty Acid. For fatigue combine our Optimal Stress Blend with a diet high in protein. For mom’s who have had a C-section, Optimal Woman and Optimal Fatty Acid all can help with healing. And Optimal Movementcan help with any constipation post-delivery.

So moms, please remember… you need time to heal and recover from the amazing experience you just went through. Help is out there, and you deserve it!

Dr. Jeanne Wilson, co-founder of East West Essentials

Friday, January 21, 2011

filed under: stretch marks

As a fertility and pregnancy specialist, I’ve been lucky enough to help guide thousands of women through their pregnancies. My patients have asked me every question imaginable, from the normal (What can I do to lessen morning sickness?) to the unique (Can I cook the placenta after I give birth?). But one topic that seems to arise with every patient without fail is stretch marks.

It is a myth that stretch marks are the norm for pregnancies, or that only genetics cause one woman to have them while another doesn’t. There are many things you can do to prevent stretch marks. Here are some tips I share with all my patients:
1. Watch your weight. I know, it seems obvious, but those excess pregnancy pounds are a big culprit. If you and your doctor decide you need to lose some pounds, keep in mind that weight maintenance during pregnancy means you are still losing. Or, if you really want to try a diet, pick your favorite weight loss program and do it only one day a week, and listen to your doctor about how much weight you should gain. True, you can take it off after the pregnancy, but if you control your weight during your pregnancy you will greatly reduce those stretch marks.
2. Keep your fish on your plate, not in your supplements. Not all fish, but fish-based fatty acids. I recommend taking a supplement that is a non-fish blend of unrefined oils, offering a balanced ratio of fatty acids. (1:1ratio of omega 3?s to omega 6?s with .05 mg of Lignans per serving). Approximately 60 to 80 percent of my patients do not have ANY stretch marks that take omegas like this. I recommend East West Essentials Optimal Fatty Acid Blend.
3. Add a side of avocado. And increase other oils in your diet, such olive oil and nuts. These are very high in omegas and what we call “good fat,” which also help the neurological development of your babby.
4. Put your partner to work… as a masseuse! Go ahead, it is doctor recommended. A light massage is excellent for circulation of Qi and blood. Stretch marks can be reduced by increasing the vasculation of tissue, and light massage improves circulation.

Dr. Jeanne Wilson, co-founder of East West Essentials

Friday, January 21, 2011

filed under: eating right when you’re pregnant

We know that pregnant women need to shun alcohol (of course!), but what about women who are trying to get pregnant? Or women who are trying to increase their fertility?

There is a big link between nutrition and fertility. For those of you who have babies on the brain, proper diet and nutrition should start early.

Nutritionist Haylie Pomroy: has helped many women become pregnant. She has written an excellent book on nutrition (for women and men) to help increase fertility, and a guide for eating while pregnant. Her book, Craving Conception: Unlock The Power of Nutrition for Fertility, is a must-read.

And don’t forget prenatal vitamins! Many women think the day that pregnancy test comes out positive is when they need to start a prenatal regimen, but this isn’t the case. Starting on prenatal and fertility supplements early (again, for women and men) can greatly increase your chance of conception.

And for those of you who are expecting – congratulations, and don’t touch that lunch meat! Here is a quick reminder from our friends at Baby Center on safe foods for expecting moms.

Happy eating!

Haylie Pomroy provides nutritional counseling and wellness consulting for clients who wish to actively enhance their health. She is an accomplished practitioner, speaker, writer, consultant, product developer, and researcher who has been featured several times on national television. Haylie practices in CA and CO and resides in Los Angeles with her two beautiful children. Haylie proudly works with the East West Essentials line of doctor’s wellness products. For additional nutrition tips and recipes, become a fan of Haylie on Facebook. HayliePomroy.com