Our son is getting married and naturally, I’ve started thinking about the journey they have ahead of them, as it will likely involve starting a family. This has inspired me to share easy detox tips in preparation for welcoming a baby. Because the liver largely impacts hormonal balance—and it’s also your body’s main detoxification organ—we’ll focus there.
#1 Clean up your diet
Eating organic during this time has never been more important. An EWG study shows that babies are born polluted; pesticides found in many conventionally grown fruits and vegetables can make their way into your fetus’s blood. You’ll also want to stop smoking, minimize drinking alcohol and caffeine, and eliminate processed and fried foods. Instead consume colorful, antioxidant- and nutrient-dense whole foods in balanced proportions. Focus on eating dark, leafy greens at every meal and liver-supportive foods such as beets and cruciferous veggies. When you feed your body whole foods, the natural detoxification process happens with ease.
#2 Supplement accordingly
Taking a prenatal multivitamin with adequate levels of methylfolate (5-MTHFR) is critical during the lead up to conception. (Only about 30% of people can metabolize unmethylated folate.) If you shop at natural food stores, I recommend Dr. Tieraona Low Dog’s formula by MegaFood: Baby & Me 2 or New Chapter’s Pre-Natal. Other helpful supplements include: omega-3s fish oil, and probiotics.
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#3 Start your morning with warm lemon water
One of the easiest ways to gently cleanse your liver is to add the juice of ½ lemon to 32 oz. water and drink this first thing in the morning. Lemons are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, which play a key role in reproductive health. Drink another 32 oz. of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is key for liver health, healthy cervical mucous production, and even boosting metabolism.
#4 Dry brush your body
Using a natural brush with a long handle, begin brushing by starting at your feet and moving in long sweeping motions toward your heart. Always brush toward your heart. Once you’ve brushed your entire body, jump in the shower. Dry brushing your skin will kickstart your lymphatic system, which helps remove toxins from your body.
#5 Get moving
Regular exercise promotes detoxification of excess hormones and toxins from the body by increasing circulation, stimulating digestion, and reducing stress. Exercise should not be strenuous when trying to conceive—try a brisk walk, a slow jog, hiking in nature, or fertility yoga.
#6 Think positive thoughts!
Keeping stress in check can be one of the most critical components of a successful pregnancy. When you are stressed, cortisol levels rise, and this is bad for fertility because the body makes cortisol from progesterone, an essential hormone for reproduction. Train your mind to focus on what is most positive in your life. This will help you weather times of intense stress during your fertility journey.
It’s important to avoid extreme forms of detox in the months leading up to conception as the toxins you release into your bloodstream can negatively impact the reproductive environment and the fetus. To prepare your body for a baby, KMHC’s 14-Day Transformation, The Foundations, is the perfect way to ease in. Click here to learn more.