When you are planning to expand your family, it is crucial to be well prepared and to seek professional healthcare advice.
This is particularly important when it comes to ensuring a safe pregnancy journey for both the mother and the baby, Thembeka Gule, a Medipost Pharmacy pharmacist stressed.
“One of the most important factors to consider is how your diet, lifestyle and medication use can affect your unborn baby and what is deemed safe while breastfeeding,” she explained.
Increased nutritional needs during pregnancy
Gule said that pregnant women require an increased intake of essential nutrients that may be challenging to fulfil through diet alone.
“This necessitates starting with prenatal supplements as soon as the mother is aware that she is expecting or, better yet, even before pregnancy.”
Gule also pointed out that folic acid, iron, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin C are vital to a healthy pregnancy and they can be taken as a single pregnancy supplement or in several different tablets, which can be continued while breastfeeding.
“In addition, the mother should do their best to eat a balanced diet,” the pharmacist said.
She suggested maintaining a varied diet that includes whole grains, vegetables, fruits and fibre, with an increased lean protein and calcium intake.
“Try to avoid saturated fats, sugars and too much sodium, which is often found in junk food,” added Gule.
The role of supplements in pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Folic acid and B vitamins: Gule said that these are essential for the development of a healthy spinal cord and brain.
“It also helps protect against the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.”
Proteins and calcium: These are to support foetal growth and bone development.
Iron: Gule said that iron increases blood supply to the foetus to increase the oxygen available to the growing baby.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These are essential for brain development and may help to reduce the risk of prenatal depression.
Lifestyle changes to support health and foetal development:
- Eat regular meals throughout the day.
- Avoid harmful substances, including caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol.
- Do not eat raw or undercooked fish, meat or eggs.
- Do not use unpasteurised milk and dairy products, including soft cheeses.
- Do not eat non-food items like clay or soil.
- Engage in regular exercise such as yoga, pilates, walking and swimming.
- Maintain a balanced diet.
- Take prenatal supplements to ensure proper nutrition.
- Inform all healthcare providers about your pregnancy to avoid harmful medications.
Managing common pregnancy niggles
She also suggested that pregnant women speak to a pharmacist for advice and home remedies to manage nausea, constipation and heartburn.
“Pharmacists can also dispense over-the-counter [OTC] medication for these conditions that are safe during pregnancy,” she said.
Gule has provided the following advice for expectant mothers to alleviate and treat common pregnancy symptoms safely.
Heartburn
- Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
- Eat smaller portions.
- Avoid lying down after meals.
- Eat slowly and sit upright.
Nausea
- Eat a light meal in the morning.
- Snack on protein-rich foods.
- Sip lemonade or ginger ale.
- Avoid nausea-triggering foods.
Constipation
- Eat high-fibre foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Exercise regularly.
Over-the-counter meds and your pregnancy
Gule warned that not all over-the-counter medication is safe to use during pregnancy. Those that should be avoided include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] such as aspirin and ibuprofen, particularly during the third trimester, as these can cause heart defects.
“The long-term use of codeine can cause withdrawal symptoms after the baby is born, while pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can increase blood pressure and must be avoided unless the benefits outweigh the dangers and only on the advice of your obstetrician,” she said.
Gule added that there are safer alternative options for managing pain, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, antacids for heartburn, fibre supplements for constipation, and decongestant chest rubs for congestion.
“Consult your healthcare provider or a pharmacist before taking any OTC medications, herbal supplements or home remedies,” she advised.
Prescription medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
She added that expectant mothers should disclose their pregnancy to their health professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists, to ensure their safety and the safety of their unborn baby.
She also believes that prescription medication and chronic conditions need to be managed carefully and only with the advice of your healthcare provider.
“Medications such as valproic acid, methotrexate and angiotensin-converting enzymes [ACE] inhibitors must be avoided during pregnancy due to the potential for harmful effects on the foetus.’
“All medication that can cross the placenta and cause harm to the unborn child must be avoided during pregnancy.”
Are vaccines safe during pregnancy?
Gule said that certain vaccines are recommended for pregnant women.
“These may include the influenza vaccine, which can be given during flu season and the tetanus vaccine, administered after 20 weeks of pregnancy.”
She added: “Other vaccines, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and yellow fever, are recommended for pregnant women with specific risk factors or under special circumstances.”
Herbal and natural supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Gule said that in general, the use of herbal and natural supplements is not advisable during pregnancy due to potential risks.
“Most natural preparations lack extensive safety data and can pose dangers to the unborn baby,” she warned.
Drug interactions
Some medications interact with each other, which can reduce their efficacy or even cause adverse drug effects, Gule said.
“Iron-containing supplements, for example, should not be taken simultaneously with antacids or calcium-containing supplements because the antacids and calcium will reduce or impair iron absorption and lead to iron deficiency – even though the mother is taking supplements,” she explained.