#270 Nutrition and Lifestyle during Pregnancy with Dr Anita Mitra
Oct 23, 2024
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Dr. Anita Mitra, an NHS doctor in London specializing in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, dives into the intricate world of nutrition during pregnancy. She discusses essential dietary choices, emphasizing how certain foods can impact blood sugar levels and cravings. The conversation touches on probiotics, gut health, and the myths surrounding pregnancy cravings, like the infamous pineapple. With a blend of humor and personal anecdotes, Dr. Mitra offers invaluable tips for expectant mothers navigating this transformative journey.
Rochelle’s pregnancy experience highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for individual fetal development, emphasizing unique experiences of each pregnancy.
Managing pregnancy-related nausea can involve strategies like frequent snacking and meal portioning, as individual responses to food can significantly differ.
The hormonal changes during and after pregnancy affect maternal instincts and mental focus, which can help normalize experiences like 'baby brain' for new mothers.
Deep dives
Rochelle's Pregnancy Journey
Rochelle shares her pregnancy experience, highlighting that while she has had a relatively smooth journey without severe nausea or complications, each pregnancy is unique. She emphasizes how her fears of getting sick were eased as she maintained a healthy diet and sought advice from Dr. Rupi, who considered nutrition critical for fetal development. However, she clarifies that just because she experienced a positive pregnancy does not mean others will have the same outcome even if they follow the same lifestyle choices. This reinforces the importance of individual experiences in pregnancy and the variability in each woman's journey.
Nausea Management Strategies
The discussion delves into strategies to manage pregnancy-related nausea, with insights from both Rochelle and Dr. Anita Mitra. They note that while nausea is common, the reasons for its severity can differ widely among women, with some benefiting from frequent snacking and avoiding high-fat meals. Rochelle found success in maintaining her blood sugar levels by splitting her meals into smaller portions and snacking regularly on protein-rich foods. They also touch on various home remedies, such as ginger, but stress that individual reactions to these remedies can vary greatly.
Comparison and Mental Health in Pregnancy
Anita discusses the challenges of comparison during pregnancy, as many women often look to social media for inspiration while struggling with their own circumstances. Both she and Rochelle agree that despite their active lifestyles, managing expectations during pregnancy can be difficult, especially when one's experience does not match the idealized images often portrayed online. This comparison can negatively impact mental health, making it crucial for expectant mothers to be gentle with themselves as their bodies and routines change. Open communication about these challenges, as they experienced, can help foster a supportive environment.
Batch Cooking and Nutritional Priorities
As the due date approaches, Rochelle and Rupi discuss the necessity of batch cooking meals to ensure they are prepared for life with a newborn. They have stocked their freezer with healthy, easy-to-prepare meals like chickpea curry that can be quickly reheated during a busy schedule. The use of meal prep apps is also mentioned, highlighting their importance in planning and efficiently increasing serving sizes for batch cooking. This foresight reflects their desire to maintain a nutritious diet while managing the demands of caring for a newborn.
Postpartum Nutrition Considerations
The conversation shifts to postpartum nutrition, emphasizing the importance of protein and iron to aid recovery and breastfeeding. Dr. Anita points out that women often need to increase their protein intake, especially if they follow vegetarian or plant-based diets, to meet their body's higher demands. Discussions about foods that may support recovery include iron-rich options, making it clear that a balanced diet remains important even after childbirth. Preparations for meals in advance, as they are doing, can alleviate some of the stress postpartum and ensure mothers are nourished during a demanding time.
The Impact of Hormones on Maternal Behavior
Both Rochelle and Anita explore the fascinating interplay of hormones during and after pregnancy, particularly how these changes affect maternal instincts and behaviors. They discuss how pregnancy can enhance sensitivity to a baby's needs and the emotional responses that come with being a new parent. This hormonal influence contributes to the well-known phenomenon of 'baby brain,' which leads to memory lapses and changes in mental focus. Understanding these biological changes helps normalize what many new mothers experience, showcasing the body's incredible adaptiveness.
This episode of the podcast is a fun one with myself, Mrs Doctor’s Kitchen (Rochelle) and Dr Anita Mitra where we explain a bit of Rochelle’s journey through pregnancy.
We discuss what she’s been eating, how I’ve been thinking about nutrition for her and what questions I’ve been dealing with over the preceding months to do with lifestyle, ingredients to support fetal development and prevent nausea.
Dr Anita Mitra is an NHS doctor based in London working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with experience in both clinical medicine and research. She’s worked in a research lab on the anticancer mechanisms of various phytonutrients and she has recently completed her PhD on the vaginal microbiome in cervical precancer.
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