| My fiance and I are going to start a family after our | | | | If you are getting the right intake of essential fatty |
| wedding in July 2007. I have started planning a | | | | acids while pregnant, your child will have increased |
| pre-pregnancy change of lifestyle to ensure I give | | | | brain function, clearer eyes and higher intelligence. |
| my child the best start in life. | | | | Essential fatty acids are found in nuts and seeds and |
| I have done a lot of reading both online and in books | | | | oily fish such as salmon or tuna. |
| about preparing for pregnancy and motherhood and | | | | When eating fish during pregnancy it is best to eat |
| how important it is to have a healthy diet and | | | | organic fish as this will help to limit the metals such as |
| lifestyle before you conceive your baby. | | | | mercury normally found in non-organic fish. It is also |
| It is really important to have a diet low in fat, salt | | | | important to eat a high quality salmon or tuna if you |
| and sugar and high in fibre, essential fatty acids, | | | | are eating them from cans and to also watch the salt |
| vitamins and minerals when trying to conceive. Having | | | | content. Canned fish can sometimes be high in salt so |
| a pre-pregnancy plan in place will ensure you are at | | | | opt for the salt reduced options. |
| your optimum level of health at the crucial stage of | | | | Other important things during pre-pregnancy are |
| pregnancy. | | | | making sure you exercise, so muscles remain strong |
| It has been proven that a baby will do most of it's | | | | and healthy. Strong muscles can also help during |
| developing in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. This is | | | | labour and give you stamina to be able to last long |
| often well before the mother even knows she is | | | | hours in the labour ward. As we all know labour is |
| pregnant. In the first 4 weeks of pregnancy the child | | | | very hard on the body and if you are fit and healthy |
| will develop any illnesses or genetic conditions that it | | | | you will have a faster recovery time and more |
| may be predisposed to and set a memory for its | | | | energy to enjoy your new baby. |
| future health. | | | | There are many books and e-books that will give |
| It will also determine brain size, brain functions and | | | | you great advice on pre-pregnancy plans and diets. I |
| brain capacity. This will ensure your child has an | | | | feel this is essential to give your child the best start |
| increased intelligence. Essential fatty acids have been | | | | in life. |
| linked in producing smarter and healthier children. | | | | |