PREGNANCY AND THE CHANGE OF THE FUTURE MOTHER
Waiting for a child is a period that, from the moment of discovery, fills with a thousand emotions, from happiness to amazement, from the sensation of feeling "suspended" to a wonderful sense of peace.
Immediately everything begins to revolve around that little one who is slowly growing, gradually taking up more and more space.
How does the future mother's body transform?
The future mother begins to transform both physically and in her way of thinking and, while the former will be able to return to her original form, her thoughts will remain forever different, focused on someone who slowly becomes more precious than ourselves.
In the first quarter, the changes are predominantly a hormonal level , which is why they can occur nausea and vomit , swelling of the lower limbs and tiredness .
In the second trimester the external changes begin to be more evident until reaching the last trimester, which is, emotionally and physically, the most intense.
However, the pleasure of waiting is combined with growing anxiety, anxiety about the birth, but also about the insecurities linked to a new role, which one does not know.
Right from the start, a mother starts thinking about everything that can affect her well-being and health of her baby , who feeds and "breathes" with her, through the umbilical cord “…during pregnancy, the mother is her child's living environment, her world, her everything and the effects will be different depending on her experience and the attitudes she has towards him ” [1] .
Is nutrition important during pregnancy?
Normally the state of nutrition depends on the eating habits and the body's response to the diet . In particular physiological conditions or based on different ages, some categories of people may be considered more exposed to the risk of nutritional deficiencies: pregnancy is one of these.
The diet of a future mother requires a little more attention, not in terms of quantity, but from a qualitative point of view. A larger one will be needed pay attention to proteins , the type of fats and some vitamins and minerals, including in particular calcium, iron and especially folic acid. [2]
Several clinical studies have highlighted how vitamin deficiencies related to the gestational period can affect the baby's nutrient status and can be the cause of problems for both the mother and the fetus. One of these, through the blood analysis of 563 pregnant women, highlighted that on average 20 - 30% of pregnant women suffer from vitamin deficiency and, without prophylaxis, this insufficiency can extend to around 75% [3].
All mothers know the importance of taking folic acid (Vitamin B9), but perhaps not everyone knows that Vitamin C and antioxidants are being studied because they are associated with the prevention of pre-eclampsia [1] , a complication that manifests itself with arterial hypertension, proteinuria and edema.
Not to mention the evidence supporting the advantages of some nutrients during the months of gestation: a recent double-blind study, randomized with placebo, on eighty-six pregnant women with leg cramp problems highlighted that oral intake of Magnesium acts positively on the frequency and intensity of this disorder (*5) .
A good state of Vitamin B2 in the mother positively affects the concentration of Vitamin B2 also in breast milk (*6) , while Vitamin B6 was found to be useful in counteracting nausea and vomiting during pregnancy [7].
Take care of yourselves!
During the nine months it is inevitable that the tension of the skin makes itself felt, causing the onset of widespread itching throughout the body. Consequently, it is necessary to apply products rich in vegetable oils to the skin, such as almond or wheat germ oil, which are rich in triglycerides, with a high content of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
In the first in particular, omega-6 is present, while wheat germ oil contains omega-6 and omega-3 : this wealth of essential nutrients for topical use has an excellent nourishing, emollient and rebalancing action, which can guarantee sufficient skin elasticity to prevent the formation of stretch marks.
It is also necessary to protect the skin from another problem that can affect the gestational period: "pregnancy melasma", i.e. the appearance of dark spots on the face during exposure to the sun, accentuated by hormonal factors.
To avoid this hyperpigmentation it is best to apply on the skin of the face, daily and especially during exposure to the sun, a cream with a high protection factor, such as SPF 50+. They are necessary attentions that every future mother should dedicate herself to! And which can become moments of "tender" care towards your child.
Which products to choose during pregnancy?
Choose cosmetics that give safety in terms of controls and quality, especially in the first months of pregnancy, avoiding the presence of contaminants or nickel, which could be transported through the placenta.
Through the massage, which the mother exercises on her body during the application of a cosmetic product, a direct relationship is established with the child, who will feel loved and pampered, reassured and protected. “ Touch me! Caress me through your round belly, make me feel that you are there, that you are here with me, that I am not alone" [8] [9]
The baby will be able to reciprocate with gratitude, with small kicks or somersaults inside the belly, and giving the pregnant woman luminous and hydrated skin, thanks to the hormones that are in circulation following her presence.
The special relationship with your baby has just begun, as has the care for him, which you will continue to have even after birth, also through the choice of specific products, designed and formulated specifically for them, the Baby's line , developed to prevent and alleviate all the "small" problems that their delicate skin will experience!
1 – G. Soldera “The emotions of prenatal life” ed. Macros
2 - http://www.integratoriebenessere.it/le-diverse-esigenze-nutrizionali-nelle-varie-fasi-della-vita/
3 – Herman Baker et al 'Vitamin Profile of 563 Pregnancies during trimesters of pregnancy' J Am Coll Nutr , 2002 , 21 :33-37
4 – Kiondo P et al 'Plasma vitamin C concentration in pregnant women with preeclampsia in Mulago hospital, Kampala Uganda' Afr Health Sci, 2011, 11: 566 – 572
5 – Supakatisant C, Phupong V 'Oral magnesium for relief in pregnancy-induced leg cramps: a randomized controlled trial' Maternal Child Nutr . 2012 , 11 : 139-45
6 – Ortega Rosa M et al 'Riboflavin levels in maternal milk: the influence of Vitamin B2 status during the third trimester of pregnancy' J Am Coll Nutr, 1999 , 18: 324-329
7 – Chittumma P , Kaewkiattikun K , Wiriyasiriwach B 'Comparison of the effectiveness of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial' J Med Assoc Thai, 2007, 90: 15-20
8 – E. Balsamo “Freedom and love” ed. The Green Lion
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