As a mum, the word ‘healthy’ is all you have ever wanted especially when you are pregnant. For a SUSHI lover like me, it felt like saying goodbye to a lifetime best friend during this pregnancy.
Fortunately, it will be just for a short while!
When you find out that you are pregnant, a few immediate questions would probably pop into your head such as “What can I eat?” and probably “Can I finally ask my husband to fulfil all my cravings?”
For a foodie wife like myself, what popped up into my mind was obviously the latter.
I remember when I was first pregnant with my baby boy, Anaqi, I got really paranoid and worried about all the little things.
Being a first-time mummy is definitely a whole new challenge for me. It felt like a new achievement unlocked for my motherhood.
Before I got pregnant, my lifestyle was kind of…you know…quite unhealthy. Oops!
But that was in the past before I got pregnant with Anaqi. The moment I knew that I was pregnant, I set his health as my first priority.
I am so glad that I made such a decision because now, Anaqi is a strong and healthy baby boy.
To be honest, I was very clueless when it comes to pregnancy’s health tips. I did some research and asked my friends and relatives who had pregnant before me—how they took care of themselves during pregnancy.
Not keeping these to myself, below are some of the tips that I got from them that works for me!
Pregnancy’s Health Tips
1) Stay hydrated
Do you know that a pregnant woman needs more water than she did before the pregnancy?
I drank 8 cups of plain water (minimum) per day just to ensure that I stay hydrated.
2) Avoid certain foods
This was quite a challenge for a foodie! At first, I got quite rebellious and did not want to listen to this advice because what is life without eating your favourite food?
But, in the end, I gave up my lust for these foods in order to stay healthy and protect my little one in the tummy.
Below is the type of foods that pregnant women should avoid:
- Raw or rare meats
- Liver, sushi, raw eggs (also in mayonnaise)
- Soft cheeses (feta, brie)
- Unpasteurised milk
Some of these foods such as raw or unpasteurised animal products can cause food poisoning. This is because, these foods contain high mercury content and some fish, even when fried, can be harmful to a developing fetus.
3) Get moving
Daily exercise or staying active is one of the ways to help you stay healthy during pregnancy.
I chose to go for a walk for at least 30 minutes at the park just to unwind and relax my mind while trying to stay active. Simple walking like this is also good as it helps with labour and delivery.
If you are unsure, you can check with your doctor to find out how much physical activity is right for you.
4) Consume Daily Prenatal Nutrition
Taking daily prenatal nutrition such as multivitamin will help to ensure that you and your baby get the right amount of key nutrients during pregnancy which includes folic acid, iron, and calcium.
As a paranoia new-mum-to-be at the time, one of my friends managed to convince me to add maternal milk in my daily consumption.
She said that maternal milk is very beneficial for pregnant women. I was afraid to try at first but eventually, I tried it and the rest is history. I can say that my pregnancy’s health improved a lot!
Here are some of the benefits of maternal milk as your prenatal nutrition.
Benefits of Maternal Milk
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Supplements Folic Acid
Folic acid helps with the growth and development of the foetus and plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells. The needs for folic acids in pregnant mums is higher compared to normal adults.
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Eases Pregnancy Discomforts
The nutrients lost during pregnancy due to nausea and vomiting can be supplemented by drinking maternal milk.
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Contains Natural Vitamins & Minerals
Maternal milk contains natural vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, iron, and calcium that are good to support your baby’s brain development and increase your nutritional needs.
With the right amount of prenatal nutrition, it helps you stay healthy and strong enough to carry your little one.
These benefits really helped me a lot in setting the course of my baby’s health. Maternal milk really worked wonders for me and it helps me after the pregnancy too! Can you believe that mummies?
For all expecting mums, I would suggest you consume maternal milk because it is formulated with the nutritional needs for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
When I knew these benefits, I knew that I just had to add maternal milk into my diet.
I tried a few and I can say that the most suitable and the BEST maternal milk that gives everything that I needed as a pregnant mum was Similac® Mom.
Why Pregnant Mothers Need Similac®Mom?
Similac® Mom maternal milk is a low-fat maternal supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. It is formulated with Eye-Q® Nutrition System, Natural Vitamin E and Lutein to prevent the oxidation of DHA, which is crucial for the growth and development of your child before birth.
With just two servings of Similac® Mom a day, you will get good nutrition for yourself and your baby. Combining certain nutrients, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy, this maternal milk provides a strong foundation for better growth and brain development. 
Moreover, Similac® Mom contains 23 vitamins and minerals that help to meet increased nutritional needs(1) and support better sugar management during pregnancy.
Similac® Mom has the lowest fat content(2) that also helps in support better weight management when you are pregnant and post-delivery weight loss during breastfeeding.
Set the course for a healthy pregnancy by consuming Similac® Mom. Get yours here!
Head over to their official website and Facebook page to know more about this maternal milk.
References:
- Malaysian Recommended Nutrient intake, 2017.
- 2016 Label comparison amongst maternal milk brands in Malaysia.