Pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful, connected parts of a process that ordinarily encompasses nine months. It’s when a woman becomes a mother – perhaps not the first time – and brings a newborn baby into the world. This is the start of a new life accompanied by new beginnings and renewed hope, a time to be cherished.
However, pregnancy and childbirth also carry with it a health risk for mom-to-be and her baby. These might be in the form of infections that can unwittingly and unexpectedly be passed from mother to child during the prenatal process. In recognition of this, we are proud to announce February as International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, as proclaimed and promoted by a non-profit organization known as Group B Strep International (GBSI). GBSI is devoted to the cause of eradicating, or at least reducing, infections in newborns.
Major health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), support GBSI in this endeavor. Prevention of prenatal infections can be accomplished through means such as exercising proper hygiene, various vaccinations (such as flu, pertussis and COVID-19), and regular prenatal care, to include nutrient supplementation.
The Importance of Immunity While Pregnant
Mother and baby depend heavily on a natural immune system, which functions on its own quite effectively most of the time. Still, mothers-to-be could always use an immunity boost once they become pregnant. A body undergoes tremendous transformation during the time of pregnancy, which is as true for the growing baby as it is for his or her mother.
Your immune system adapts during these nine months (or however many months) of the pregnancy in their own creative ways to protect mom and baby, although these shifts can leave mom more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other infections. Normally, any person’s immune system remains on high alert almost all the time, poised to go into preventive action as needed. But once a woman becomes pregnant, the system tends to balance out more, knowing it now has two bodies it needs to protect. It still remains potent enough to protect mom from sickness, but also shifts down somewhat to aid the baby in safe and healthy development.
6 Natural Remedies that Can Help Prevent Prenatal Infections
Getting sick is the last thing a mom wants to experience when carrying or caring for a baby. By adding one or more known nutrients abundant in immunity-supporting activity can go a long way toward keeping the mother and baby healthy through the process of pregnancy and birth. Following are six such natural remedies to consider. Be sure to discuss the use of any of these, or other supplements you know about, with your personal physician and/or pediatrician before adding them to your daily regimen:
Vitamins A and C. These are both antioxidants that in tandem work to assist in proper bone development, reproduction and vision (vitamin A), while also playing a role in strengthening and protecting the immune system (vitamin C). It does this by stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells.
Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2. Vitamin D is essential to the immune system, yet research has shown that more than 50 percent of women are deficient when it comes to D. Vitamin K2 comes into play by guiding the D3 ingested simultaneously in supplement form to help direct calcium deposits to the bones and teeth.
Folic acid. Also well-known for supporting healthy cardiovascular function, folic acid is believed to help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida in babies. If you’re going to use it, it is recommended you start before getting pregnant or at least as early in the pregnancy as possible.
Ginger. This mild herb and antioxidant is almost always a safe bet for promoting a healthy immune response with an added bonus of its ability to alleviate nausea.
Omega-3 fatty acids. Bolsters a healthy immune reaction in the body and is instrumental in thwarting inflammation.
Zinc. Known for supporting immunity as well as shortening the duration of colds and flu, as long as you start taking it when symptoms first appear.
Again, always check with your personal physician or pediatrician about any supplement before trying it to make sure it is suitable for your use and not in conflict with any health conditions (such as pregnancy) you might be experiencing or prescriptions you might be on.