Mercury Levels & Pregnancy: What You Need To Know

We know that fish can be very nutritious and are packed with great nutrients such as omega-3’s, the B vitamins and lean protein. But unfortunately, fish can also have some unhealthy contaminants. Mercury is a contaminant found in fish that can affect brain development and the nervous system. The FDA has released guidelines for children, women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant. These guidelines state that no more than 12 oz of low mercury fish should be consumed weekly. "Highest" mercury fish should be avoided and "high" mercury fish should be kept to only three 6-oz servings per month.

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What does this mean for women who are pregnant but also trying to get some of their much needed nutrients from the critters of the sea? It is all aboutmoderation. Recent information released in theAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicinesays that no one should cut fish out of their diet altogether. Fish contains too many healthy nutrients that are essential for growth and development, especially in a pregnant mom and baby. There are 4 types of fish that should be on the list to avoid due to mercury levels. These include: shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.

For information regarding other types of fish, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released a list of fish and their mercury levels so that people can be informed on what they are consuming. If you want to get more detailed information about mercury levels and how much you personally are consuming, you can also use themercury thermometerto calculate your totals.

Highest Mercury

AVOID Eating

Grouper
Marlin
Orange roughy
Tilefish
Swordfish
Shark
Mackerel (king)

High Mercury

Eat no more than three 6-oz servings per month

Bass saltwater
Croaker
Halibut
Tuna (canned, white albacore) See tuna chart below
Tuna (fresh bluefin, ahi)
Sea trout
Bluefish
Lobster (American/Maine)

LOWER MERCURY

Eat no more than six 6-oz servings per month

Carp
Mahi Mahi
Crab (dungeness)
Snapper
Crab (blue)
Herring
Crab (snow)
Monkfish
Perch (freshwater)
Skate
Cod
Tuna (canned, chunk light)
Tuna (fresh Pacific albacore)

LOWEST MERCURY

Enjoy two 6-oz servings per week

Anchovies
Butterfish
Calamari (squid)
Caviar (farmed)
Crab (king)
Pollock
Catfish
Whitefish
Perch (ocean)
Scallops
Flounder
Haddock
Hake
Herring
Lobster (spiny/rock)
Shad
Sole
Crawfish/crayfish
Salmon
Shrimp
Clams
Tilapia
Oysters
Sardines
Sturgeon (farmed)
Trout (freshwater)

Chart obtained from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC); data obtained by the FDA and the EPA.

Tuna mercury levels can be different based on the type of tuna and where it was caught. The NRDC created the chart below as a guideline to how much tuna can be eaten by children, pregnant women or women wanting to conceive, based on their weight.

18 foods to eat to fuel a pregnant body

What moms-to-be eat affects their growing babies. While they don't need to consume too many extra calories(300 per day)while pregnant, it's what one puts in her mouth that counts. Expectant women should keep all the vital vitamins and minerals that contribute to their child's development in mind when making meal choices. To make it easy, we've rounded up the recommended daily doses and the foods that provide the nourishment.

1.Vitamin A
Pregnant ladies need 770 micrograms of Vitamin A thathelps with vision and is needed for strong bones and teeth.It is found in foods like carrots, pig's liver and sweet potatoes.

2.Vitamin B6
Expectant ladies should consume 1.9 milligrams of Vitamin B6, which helps in theformation of red blood cellsand is found in foods like peanuts, fatty fish and hazelnuts.

3.Vitamin B12
Those with child should eat 2.6 micrograms of Vitamin B12, which like Vitamin B6,aids in the formation of red blood cells. It can be found in eggs, sardines and mussels.

4.Vitamin C
It's important for mamas-to-be to get 85 milligrams of Vitamin C, which helps the bodyheal wounds, resist infection and form collagen. Sources are oranges and most other citrus fruits, brussels sprout and kiwi.

5.Vitamin D
Forstrong bones and teeth, women with child need 5 micrograms of Vitamin D. It is found in milk, liver and eggs.

6.Vitamin E
Fifteen milligrams of Vitamin E are recommended for theformation and use of red blood cells and muscles. Good sources are sunflower seeds, almonds and olives.

7.Vitamin K
To help preventa rare bleeding disorder in newborns, 90 micrograms of Vitamin K is recommended. Boiled kale, spinach and collard greens are rich in it.

8.CalciumOne thousand milligrams of Calcium is needed forgrowth of bones and teeth and proper muscle and nerve function. It is found in hard cheese, tofu and even milk chocolate!

9.Folate
Expectant women should make sure they get 600 micrograms of Folate. It is essential forblood and protein production, cell division and to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. Lentils, beans and boiled asparagus are good sources of it.

10.IodineIodine isrequired for hormone production. To get the recommended 220 micrograms, expectant women can eat cod, haddock and seaweed.

11.Iron
Pregnant women need 27 milligrams of Iron for theproduction of the blood protein, hemoglobin. Iron is found in foods like oysters, clams and chicken liver.

12.Phosphorus
Seven hundred milligrams of Phosphorus are needed for thegrowth and health of bones and teeth. The mineral is found in herring, sesame seeds and roe.

13.Niacin
Expectant women should get 18 milligrams of Niacin from sources like beef liver, chicken and tuna to promotehealthy skin, nerves, and digestion.

14.MagnesiumIn order to ensure propernerve and muscle function, pregnant ladies should consume 350-360 milligrams of Magnesium. It's found in foods like shredded wheat, cashews and Soya beans.

15.Protein
Mama-to-be should eat 50 grams of protein for health and growth and toaid in blood production and supplies the "building blocks" for the baby's body. Chicken, turkey and duck are good sources.

16.Riboflavin
Riboflavinaids in the release of energy to cells. Expectant women can get their 1.4 milligrams by eating yogurt, cottage cheese and pasta.

17.Thiamin
Thiamin, which is found in breakfast cereals, peas and baked potatoeshelps the body digest carbohydrates. The recommended dose during pregnancy is 1.4 milligrams.

18.Zinc
Zincaids in the production of enzymes and insulinPine nuts, pecans and All Bran cereal are ways to get the 11 milligrams an expectant lady needs.

Read more:http://www.myspace.com/genesisbirthservices/blog?page=3#ixzz0we6s84hI

A Special Message to Mothers of Angel Babies

I came across this amazing website. This site is about an amazing wife and mother named Carly Dudley. She lives in Australia where they have the most breathtaking beaches.

"To Write Their Names In The Sand" began in the early hours of August 19th 2008. In her sleep on that cold winter's morning, Carly dreamed of her son Christian for the first time since he was born sound asleep on January 26th 2007.

Carly dreamed that she was walking along the beach when up ahead of her she saw three children playing together. They were laughing and really enjoying their time under the sun. When she got closer to them they ran away up into the sand dunes. When Carly reached the point where the children were playing she saw that they had written their names in the sand.

The children's names were Noah, Bella and Christian. Carly had dreamed of her son. Even though she did not realize it was him until he was gone she felt overwhelmed with love. Christian was there, he was healthy, whole and happy playing on Heaven's beach with his two little friends that left this Earth only a short time before he did.

Carly woke from her sleep at 3am. Her mind was ticking over. She knew this dream would change her life forever. She knew it meant something amazing. That evening at sunset Carly went to the beach, she kept her dream to herself and told no one. She wrote the three names that had appeared in her dream. After she had taken the photo's she stood in the water and prayed. She told God that she would start a children's memorial page and that she would write the names of children who were now with Him instead of their loving families. She asked him for strength and love.

Carly kept the memorial page a secret from Sam. She showed it for the first time to him on Father's Day.

Sam and Carly had no idea that this dream would become something so amazing. They receive on average 150 name requests a day. Carly uses a simple Canon IXUS digital camera to take all the photo's.

Their dream is to bring warm light back into bereaved families lives. They wish for everyone Hope and Peace.

If you would like your Angel's name in the sand you can follow this linkhttp://namesinthesand.blogspot.com/2009/01/make-name-request.htmland the steps are there on how to make a request.

Please keep in mind that they get flooded with requests for names and are unable to reply to your email. They will however, read every one that comes in and we will write every name requested.

***Carly you are an angel sent from above and what you are doing is amazing and such a blessing.***

Mama Approved on Mamasource.com!

I am pleased to announce that I now have a business profile on mamasource.com for Genesis Birth Services! Here you will be able to leave and read feedback clients have left regarding my services. Keep checking in periodically to check out the new reviews! If you were a client of mine please leave feedback to pass on your experience of having a doula at the birth of your child. I look forward to reading your reviews!

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Infant & Pregnancy Loss Walk

The OC Walk to Remember is a 5K walk, done in remembrance of all the babies lost to miscarriage and pregnancy and infant loss of any kind. The walk is preceded by a memorial service, where each baby's name is read. We invite parents to come walk for the steps your baby never got to take, and we encourage family and friends to come support those of us who have lost a child or children. No baby should ever be forgotten.

When: October 10, 2009
Where: University of California, Irvine campus
Time: Check in begins at 8:00 a.m.,
Remembrance ceremony at 9:15 a.m.

http://www.ocwalktoremember.org/2009.htm