What a difficult decision. The good news is that much of your baby's brain development was in the first 3 months. The bad news is that your baby needs more overall nutrition now than before.

Lung development happens in the last trimester. Additional calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, vitamin D, vitamin K ... is required for solidification of structural elements. You need a well balanced nutritious intake or you and your baby will suffer.

It is difficult to get balance with restricted input. You need a dietician to help you through this period.

Thoughts I have, not knowing your history or specific issues:

1) Balance fluids, solids and fiber. Fiber without sufficient fluids is a problem. Solids without sufficient fiber is a problem. If you take a fiber supplement, let it sit for 15 minutes. If it turned solid, figure out how much water you need to add to make it liquid again. Then, drink that much liquid everytime you take the fiber.

2) Get sufficient essential fatty acids. I like fresh ground flax seeds for fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Molecularly distilled (pharmaceutical grade) fish oil is also terrific, though it has no fiber. The process eliminates mercury but provides pure omega-3 fatty acids for your baby's brain and nervous system. Perhaps in the winter you should go for molecularly distilled cod liver oil, for the added vitamin A&D. D is difficult to get in the winter and is important to bones and teeth.

3) Consider juicing, especially above ground veggies. Drink the juice and mix the fiber into soups. This gives you the nutrients from the juice and the fiber as well.

4) Excercise. Is there an aqua areobics class at a "Y" near you? Excercising in the water floats the baby's weight, taking pressure off you and letting you maintain fitness levels. The digestive system needs activity -- I always notice that when my dog doesn't go on frequent long enough walks, she gets constipated.

Best wishes. Let us know how you're doing!

Hello,

Yes, impaction and constipation should best be avoided before labor. Labor is long enough without the added tightening of intestinal muscles. You want to be as relaxed as possible. Magnesium is great for relaxing smooth muscle and reducing pain (period cramps and more). Many Nutrients, vitamins, minerals can be absorbed easily from juicing raw fruits and vegetables.

Fruits should be juiced separately from vegetables. Only apples may be added to veggies.

Please visit the Raw food Forum (this means recipes with raw fruits, veggies, nuts, nutbutters, seeds, carob, cocnuts, wild herbs--no meat nor dairy). You do not have to choose an all liquid diet to avoid impaction. Raw foods are rich in enzymes and help keep the bowel moving.

I know a woman who ate raw for two pregnancies and she was in labor for 45 minutes each time. When she ate cooked vegetarian foods, she was in labor for 10 hours. Besides that testimony, it makes sense that the nutrients and enzymes from the fresh , living foods will give more life to the cells and organs of the body. In this way, we can function at our optimum level.

There are many books and websites posted on Raw forum about juicing and Raw recipes and also health facts.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

Peace,
WhiteIris

Hi,

Thank you both very much for responding. I am still having morning sickness and severe constipation, but I am continuing to eat regardless. I'm not waiting 10-14 days to have motility, but start taking measures around 3 days to make sure nothing has time to stagnate. It's been an uphill battle with my colon as none of the "traditional" remedies are working. I'm going to do everything to keep the baby as healthy and strong as possible and try to cope with the colon issues as best as I can for now.

Thank you both for your advice!
mjd

You can easily get lot of essential vitamins and minerals from fluids. Or not. Many common drinks are full of empty calories – calories without any nutritional benefit. And beware - Some drinks could actually harm your fetus.