Plants have been used for medicinal purposes since prehistoric times. Many prescription drugs used today are derived from plant sources or are the synthetic equivalent of the natural form of the chemicals in plants. Most of the companies which supply…
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Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to protein, fats, carbohydrates and fiber, the body needs small amounts of other nutrients, the vitamins and minerals. Vitamins are complex organic chemicals which are essential for normal functioning of our bodies’ cells. Some vitamins are involved in…
Protein, Fats and Carbohydrates
The pregnant body requires additional protein for both the mother and baby. The prepregnant RDA for adults (both women and men) is 0.75g/kg, or about 42 grams of “reference protein” per day for a 125-pound woman. The RDA for pregnant…
Eating for a Healthy Pregnancy
Standards for nutrition in the U.S. are set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, a branch of the National Academy of Sciences (the NAS). The NAS is a private, non-profit society chartered by the U.S.…
Nutrition and Weight Gain
The nutritional choices one makes may have more impact on health than any other single factor. It is also one of the few factors in pregnancy over which a woman has near-complete control. Good nutrition is the perfect target for…
Lab Tests Which are Not Routine
Some labs are relatively common, but not routinely done on all women. There is more information about each one of these in the following pages.
Lab Tests from the Genital Tract
Cultures for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Gonorrhea (GC) and Chlamydia are two organisms which may infect the genital tract. They are sexually transmitted disease…. a woman is infected by a sexual partner. Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can infect the cervix, and…
Lab Tests on Blood
At your first prenatal visit, you will probably donate a surprising quantity of blood for “blood tests”. Most are “routine”, and some will give your clinician a good overview of your general health. Other blood tests are very specific for…
Lab tests on urine
Your urine may contain several substances which may be of interest to your doctor or midwife. Your urine is the product of your “urinary tract”. Another term, renal, refers more specifically to the kidneys themselves. Your urinary tract consists of…
Prenatal Care
The care you receive from a midwife or physician during your pregnancy is called prenatal care. The focus of good prenatal care is early detection of problems, health and nutritional education, parenting education, and establishment of a relationship with your…