Supporting a Healthy Pregnancy: Tips for Surrogates
At Roots Surrogacy, we understand that taking care of yourself is key to supporting a healthy pregnancy and baby. As a surrogate, you're already making an incredible contribution, and we want to offer suggestions for ways you can improve your health and well-being throughout this journey. These ideas are rooted in research and focus on small, thoughtful lifestyle changes that could make a big difference. We have also included ways that intended parents can help support these changes. Of course, your comfort is our top priority, and these ideas are only meant to start a conversation. Let us know what feels best for you!
1. Eating Organic Produce Whenever Possible
Why: Organic produce can reduce your exposure to pesticides and chemicals that could affect both your health and the baby’s development.
Research: Studies have shown that exposure to pesticides during pregnancy may be linked to developmental delays in children, including lower scores in memory and verbal comprehension.
Idea: By choosing organic fruits and vegetables, you may lower these risks and promote healthier fetal development.
Potential IP Support: Intended parents may be happy to help cover the cost of organic produce if that’s something you’d be interested in trying.
2. Consuming Organic/Wild/Grass-Fed Meat
Why: Organic, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught fish are often free from antibiotics and hormones, and they contain higher levels of important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the baby’s brain and eye development.
Research: Omega-3s, especially DHA, support fetal development, and the benefits of eating low-mercury fish far outweigh the risks.
Idea: Incorporating organic or grass-fed meats and wild fish into your diet can provide excellent nutritional support during pregnancy.
Potential IP Support: Intended parents can cover the cost of organic, grass-fed, and wild-caught meat and fish to make this part of your routine.
3. Drinking Filtered Water
Why: Filtered water reduces exposure to contaminants and heavy metals, which can impact both your health and the baby’s development.
Research: Filtering tap water can help remove toxins that may otherwise affect you and the baby.
Potential IP Support: If you don’t already have a water filtration system you love, we’d be happy to provide one to support you during your pregnancy.
4. Minimizing Plastic for Food/Water Storage
Why: Using glass containers and avoiding plastic can help limit exposure to harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which are often found in plastics.
Research: Studies have linked high levels of phthalates in pregnant women to a higher risk of preterm birth. Plastic has also been detected in human tissues and breast milk.
Idea: Using glass containers for food storage and avoiding heating food in plastic can help reduce exposure to these chemicals.
Potential IP Support: If you’re open to it, we’d love to provide glass Tupperware for storing your food and stainless steel water bottles for you and your family.
5. Maintaining Clean Air in Living Spaces
Why: Clean air helps reduce exposure to indoor pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergens, which can impact respiratory health.
Research: Pollutants like traffic-related air pollution have been linked to complications such as preterm birth.
Idea: Using air purifiers in the rooms where you spend the most time can improve air quality and support better respiratory health.
Potential IP Support: We’d be happy to provide air purifiers to help create a cleaner, healthier environment if you’re interested.
6. Using Natural Personal Care Products
Why: Natural personal care products are free from chemicals like parabens and phthalates, which can be absorbed through the skin and affect hormonal balance.
Research: These chemicals are known endocrine disruptors and can potentially interfere with your hormone function, affecting fetal development.
Idea: Opting for natural body lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics may provide a healthier alternative for you and the baby.
Potential IP Support: If you’d like to explore natural personal care products, we can offer recommendations and even provide a gift card to a natural beauty store so you can choose what works best for you.
7. Using Healthy Cleaning Products
Why: Natural cleaning products avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia, which can irritate the skin and respiratory system.
Research: Exposure to harsh cleaning agents during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of wheezing and other respiratory issues in children.
Potential IP Support: If you’d like to try additional eco-friendly cleaning products, we’d love to help provide those as well.
8. Taking Supplements
Why: Certain supplements, like Vitamin D, B12, and folate, support overall health and fetal development.
Research: These key nutrients are essential during pregnancy, and supplements like CoQ10, NAC, and Myo-Inositol may also support cellular health and reduce oxidative stress.
Potential IP Support: If you’re interested in trying any additional supplements beyond what you’re already taking, we’d be happy to order them for you. Let us know what would be most helpful for your body and the baby.
We are here to support you in whatever ways make you feel most comfortable and cared for during this journey. If any of these suggestions resonate with you, please let us know how we can help make these lifestyle changes more accessible. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we’re grateful to be part of this beautiful process with you.