Page 34 - April Issue

getting ready | food & diet

FISH milk.” Also avoid refrigerated foods into your diet.
According to Dr Bajirova, while pâtés, meat spreads and Other fantastic fertility
oily fish such as mackerel is refrigerated smoked seafood;
important for the development instead choose canned spreads stimulants, suggests Dr Bajirova,
of the unborn child, certain and fish. “Another infection are green tea and orange pekoe.
types of fish, including albacore that can contribute to fetal “They also contain a high level
tuna, shark, swordfish and sea malformation is toxoplasmosis, of antioxidants, which aids in
bream, can contain high levels which is caused by a parasite promoting a healthy immune
of mercury which has been that is found in plant soil and system,” she says as these are
linked with infertility and which raw or undercooked meat,” great alternatives to caffeine
also can negatively affect the she says and this parasite can drinks such as tea and coffee,
growth and development of the cause eye and brain damage which should be avoided or
embryo, causing birth defects in a developing baby if the limited. It is important not to
such as autism. mother becomes infected replace caffeinated drinks with
during pregnancy. To avoid decaffeinated teas and coffee,
UNPASTEURISED DAIRY contamination, she advises as very often these contain
PRODUCTS AND RAW MEATS to thoroughly wash fruit and other additives and substances
The principal reason to avoid vegetables before you eat them which may be harmful. Organic
unpasteurised produce, and ensure meat is properly food, she adds, is higher in
including soft cheeses and food cooked. nutrients than its mass-produced
made from unpasteurised milk, counterparts and is extremely
is to limit the risk of catching Tips to Boost fertility beneficial to all areas of your
an infection called Listeriosis, health and well-being. It also
explains Dr Bajirova. “If a To boost fertility levels, Dr ensures that you will minimise
woman becomes infected while Bajirova recommends eating exposure to pesticides, which
pregnant, the risk of miscarriage more fruit. “Fruit contains may negatively affect fertility.
or stillbirth, premature delivery, vitamin C, which is extremely
or infection of the newborn is beneficial to the immune system Finally, at least one month
greatly increased,” she says, and aids conception,” she prior to conception, a daily
urging, “To avoid catching says, “Zinc also plays a positive supplement of Folic Acid
listeriosis, do not eat soft role in female fertility by should be taken, recommends
cheeses such as Feta, Brie, promoting proper cell division, Dr Bajirova. “Folic Acid is
Camembert and blue-veined a process critical to the earliest recommended to reduce a
cheese unless they have stages of conception and fetal certain group of defects called
labels that clearly state they development.” Zinc is found neural tube defects, which result
are made from pasteurised in tahini as well as seeds and in conditions such as spina bifida,
nuts so try to incorporate these should be taken at least one
month before the conception
mother, baby & child April 2011 “Folic Acid is recommended to reduce and to continue to first months
a certain group of defects called of pregnancy,” she says, “Studies
published in 2009 suggest that
neural tube defects, which result in Folic Acid may also play a role in
conditions such as spina bifida, should preventing some heart defects
be taken at least one month before the and in preventing premature
births.”
conception and to continue two first
months of pregnancy.” CREDITS:
Dr Mira Bajirova
Medical Director and Consultant Obstetrics and
Gynaecology IVF (Paris)
Euromed Clinic
04-3945422

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