Water. All of the chemistry that happens in our bodies is done in water. It's well known that people who are chronically dehydrated eventually develop one problem or another. But, even in the short term, like when you are pregnant and have double the blood volume and constantly need to make fresh amniotic fluid, a small amount of water can make a large difference. Even temporary dehydration can trigger contractions. Not emptying your bladder frequently enough, by the way, is another way to get things going. So, pee. And pee often!
Protein. If you look up what it is that you need to eat to grow healthy or age-less skin or collagen, you'll always find the answer is protein. Collagen is also what makes up the majority of the amniotic sac. There are pre-natal vitamins it turns out specifically for this, but they contain the same two amino acids that you can get if you just eat a simple traditional food: gelatin broth. You make it by simmering quality beef, chicken, or pig bones and ligaments for several days. A bonus is that those same amino acids that build your collagen also build your joints, and the minerals in the broth that come from the bones help to build better bone structure. Another bonus is that it tastes fantastic in any dish! The baby also needs a lot of complete protein to grow, and that is why it is suggested that pregnant women eat 80 grams of protein per day (vs the 40 or so they should eat normally). I used to snack more on fruits, vegetables, whole grain crackers but it turns out that the consensus is changing and they say that the body in general has a lot more need for the more nutrient dense animal products like free range eggs, greek yogurt or plain whole yogurt, quality whole cheese, whole milk, naturally-rasied meat, fish, organs like liver, and even raw nuts. And that brings us to fats.
Fats/Oils. Usually high quality protein and high quality fats go hand in hand. While I will still eat a processed oil like oiive oil cold if it has been cold pressed, if it's refrigerated, and if it is stored in a dark container, I have read enough books and heard from enough experts now completely change my outlook on fats and oils and stick to the saturated and most natural ones possible. Pregnant women especially don't need to tax their bodies trying to fight the inflammation inherent with mono and polunsatureated fats and oils. Grass fed cow butter, ghee, lard and virgin cold-pressed coconut oil are "good" fats. They are found naturally and are more stable than many other common oils. I find this table is great for reference. Coconut oil is especially beneficial to pregnant and lactating moms because of the high lauric acid content.Antioxidants. Well, it turns out that no matter how well you eat, there will always be radical chain reactions in the body and therefore destruction. To help stop these reactions, such as in the breakdown of collagen or mutation of DNA, antioxidants are in order. Eating some fome from each class is a good idea: dark blue and red berries, deep orange vegetables, dark greens, and even those found in garlic and green tea are helpful. Vitamin C is the most commonly listed antioxidant found when you are researching skin or amniotic sac health and coincidently, it is great for immune support also.
Immunity Enhancers. It's not a bad idea to take Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Probiotics in addition to the high folic acid, high iron pre-natal and calcium supplements. The amniotic sac is sensitive to bacterial contamination and the stronger your immune system is, the less likely the sac is to be compromised. It is easy to get a lot of Vitamin C by eating organic fruits. Vitamin D it turns out is something most people lack due to the quantity of time we can spend indoors and our liberal use of sunblock. It is a good idea to keep your vitamin D numbers in check by annual lab tests because not only does deficiency allow you to become sick more often, is linked to pre-mature rupture of membranes, but it is also a key player in many chronic illnesses that show up later in life.
Another very simple way to boost immune response is to consume probiotics. Traditionally, probiotics were in the form of fresh fermented foods: cheese, yogurt, liquor, vegetables, etc. Although today if you would like to spend a lot of money you can find multiple strains in pill-form or purchase live kefir and kombucha from the store. Eating the home-fermented foods themselves, however, is less expensive and is more beneficial because not only are you getting more strains and strains that are native to your location, but you are getting them in the form of an acidified food, which in itself boosts digestion and increases nutrient absorption. To consume or to not consume these beneficial bacterial that live in your intestine can make or break your health. People who eat fresh ferments attest to feeling better, and I can say personally that I have not been sick with so little as a cold in over one year, which is uncommon for a woman with two small children and a pregnancy in hand. Fermenting can be intimidating, but it is all over the books and the net and I swear to you is simple. My busy husband even does his own ferments and it took no convincing!
These simple steps really work. The moms I have talked to have been able to extend their pregnancies by about a week or two not by bed rest, not by drugs, but by changing their diets. Only time will tell how long this baby stays put, but in any case, I have taken the time to implement the simple, economical, and traditional methods to keeping a family healthy. It is amazing how simple it is to cut out extra fruits, sugars like carbs and starches, and grains once you know how to do it and the chemistry behind why you are doing it. The more nourishing foods are more satisfying and, although being trained a chemist I like to see a reaction or an equation or an expert consensus through peer-review, that--the "satisfaction--in itself is as much evidence as I need to know I am on the right track.
