Earlier this week, I asked my twitter and facebook followers to email me at mama@mamasgottaeat.com to ask any of their pregnancy or new mom questions, and I've gotten quite a few responses! I'm answering some of your Ask Mama questions this week and will post new answers every Thursday. As you'll see from these questions, NOTHING IS TOO GROSS FOR ME. One of the answers is specifically dedicated to my dear friend and new mama-to-be, Traci. Check her out at www.mrsrocketman.com!
Q: I am about to have my first baby and, given my small frame, my doctor has suggested an episiotomy. Do you have any advice for me immediately following this procedure? I'm afraid it will be painful!
A: I'm so glad you asked this! One of my mamas recently experienced this same issue. To clarify for the new mommies, an episiotimy is a surgical procedure, typically planned far in advance, to make the second stage of labor easier. If you want that in even more graphic terms, it's when the doctor cuts your vagina nearly down to your butthole to make room for the baby to push out so there's less tearing and it's easier to stitch up.
Pros: Less pain, less scarring, less chances that you'll tear precious muscles or tissue, and the potential to have an extra stitch put in so you and your baby's daddy can feel like you're a new woman.
Cons: No matter how you swing it, it is really scary to think about having your vagina cut open and then having to push a newborns head out through a fresh wound.
Now on to even more general grossness- your first post-birthing bowel movement. For mamas having an episiotomy or even a natural birth, the pushing required for a BM can be excruciating. My biggest suggestions would be to eat what moves the chains, as my husband says. Steer clear of red meat, fibrous veggies, and anything acidic. It's going to hurt no matter what, but if your first few meals are high in dairy, lean proteins like fish or chicken, and pureed vegetables, you're likely to have an easier time. I know you may be desperate to grab the first burger that comes your way and hork it down, but you WILL regret it later. Just wait until you're a little more healed before you hit the t-bone. As a rule, I don't serve my mamas any red meat for the first 2 weeks post-delivery.
Q: My diet has been strictly vegetarian for most of my life (hippie parents) and in my 2nd trimester, I'm now having a HUGE craving for beef jerky, Thanksgiving turkey, and all sorts of other meat. Is there any way I can curb these cravings without giving in to the meat monster?
A: Absolutely! Although I recommend that any new mom indulge in moderation, if you are dead-set on maintaining a vegetarian diet, there are a lot of delicious meatless options out there. I'd start by checking out the meatless sections at Whole Foods or Central Market. These stores are all about being a locavore and having healthy options for every diet, so they carry a lot of great options. My top 3 meaty tasting meatless munchies are:
1. Amy's Organic Black Bean Burrito: I am not, nor have I ever been, a fan of beans, but these burritos are AMAZING and they have this delicious mexican rice in them while still tasting pretty mild. They also keep you so full that you won't feel nauseous for a while (hopefully)!
2. Lightlife Gimme Lean Vegetarian Ground Sausage: Cook with eggs for a delicious breakfast, make a lasagna with it, whatever you want. It smells exactly like sausage and tastes amazing!
3. Morningstar Burgers: I love them all, but the tomato basil one is particularly good with some melted mozzarella on top of it! Try it out!
But take heed, mama, and don't overload on soy! It increases estrogen production and you're already hormonal enough as it is!
I hope this helps, and keep sending me your questions, I love answering them!
Q: I am about to have my first baby and, given my small frame, my doctor has suggested an episiotomy. Do you have any advice for me immediately following this procedure? I'm afraid it will be painful!
A: I'm so glad you asked this! One of my mamas recently experienced this same issue. To clarify for the new mommies, an episiotimy is a surgical procedure, typically planned far in advance, to make the second stage of labor easier. If you want that in even more graphic terms, it's when the doctor cuts your vagina nearly down to your butthole to make room for the baby to push out so there's less tearing and it's easier to stitch up.
Pros: Less pain, less scarring, less chances that you'll tear precious muscles or tissue, and the potential to have an extra stitch put in so you and your baby's daddy can feel like you're a new woman.
Cons: No matter how you swing it, it is really scary to think about having your vagina cut open and then having to push a newborns head out through a fresh wound.
Now on to even more general grossness- your first post-birthing bowel movement. For mamas having an episiotomy or even a natural birth, the pushing required for a BM can be excruciating. My biggest suggestions would be to eat what moves the chains, as my husband says. Steer clear of red meat, fibrous veggies, and anything acidic. It's going to hurt no matter what, but if your first few meals are high in dairy, lean proteins like fish or chicken, and pureed vegetables, you're likely to have an easier time. I know you may be desperate to grab the first burger that comes your way and hork it down, but you WILL regret it later. Just wait until you're a little more healed before you hit the t-bone. As a rule, I don't serve my mamas any red meat for the first 2 weeks post-delivery.
Q: My diet has been strictly vegetarian for most of my life (hippie parents) and in my 2nd trimester, I'm now having a HUGE craving for beef jerky, Thanksgiving turkey, and all sorts of other meat. Is there any way I can curb these cravings without giving in to the meat monster?
A: Absolutely! Although I recommend that any new mom indulge in moderation, if you are dead-set on maintaining a vegetarian diet, there are a lot of delicious meatless options out there. I'd start by checking out the meatless sections at Whole Foods or Central Market. These stores are all about being a locavore and having healthy options for every diet, so they carry a lot of great options. My top 3 meaty tasting meatless munchies are:
1. Amy's Organic Black Bean Burrito: I am not, nor have I ever been, a fan of beans, but these burritos are AMAZING and they have this delicious mexican rice in them while still tasting pretty mild. They also keep you so full that you won't feel nauseous for a while (hopefully)!
2. Lightlife Gimme Lean Vegetarian Ground Sausage: Cook with eggs for a delicious breakfast, make a lasagna with it, whatever you want. It smells exactly like sausage and tastes amazing!
3. Morningstar Burgers: I love them all, but the tomato basil one is particularly good with some melted mozzarella on top of it! Try it out!
But take heed, mama, and don't overload on soy! It increases estrogen production and you're already hormonal enough as it is!
I hope this helps, and keep sending me your questions, I love answering them!
Comments
Post a Comment