MOTHER'S DAY

Moms.

You have one of the hardest jobs on the planet. From the moment you learn you are pregnant—life changes.

It’s our goal to help every expectant mother prepare for the day she welcomes her child into the world. Which is why we believe it’s imperative to begin taking Folic Acid now.

By adding vitamin B-9 to your diet, three to 12 months before getting pregnant, mothers can cut the likelihood of their child developing a debilitating neural tube defect by at least 70-percent. That includes birth defects like spina bifida, anencephaly, congenital heart disease, cleft palat, and others.

It’s easy to do; U.S. Public Health Services suggest all women of childbearing age consume 0.4 mg (400-micrograms) of Folic Acid per day to reduce the risk of birth defects.

Adding Folic Acid to your diet isn’t the only important consideration for expectant mothers.

• Avoid smoking, recreational drugs, and alcohol. All can lead to preventable birth defects.
• Stabilize your weight before getting pregnant. If you are planning on dieting and losing weight, do so before trying to get pregnant. That includes making sure you eat a healthy breakfast every morning.
• Begin an exercise program that you can safely continue through the pregnancy. It’s important to stay healthy for your baby.
• Start eating a healthy diet now. That includes cutting back on sodas and fruit juices. It will be easier to keep it up during the pregnancy if you start making it a habit beforehand.
• Cut back on fish consumption. While the omega-3 fatty acids and proteins are good for you, fish can also contain mercury, which can be harmful to your baby.
• Talk to your doctor about any vitamins, minerals, supplements, and energy drinks before getting pregnant.

If you plan on getting pregnant in the next year, talk to your doctor about the importance of taking Vitamin B-9 and how to incorporate it into your diet.

Being a mom is a tough job, but a vital and amazing one. Following these steps can help to take some of the worry out of it.