Friday, May 10, 2024

The month of May brings warmer weather and sunshine, and is also a time to celebrate and honour all the important mothers, mother-figures and mothers-to-be in our lives. It’s often said that life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother. For those who have experienced motherhood, this sentiment rings true. Mothers are often the first place we turn to when we need advice, help and especially tender love and care.

For new mothers, there is also an exciting and, sometimes, overwhelming realisation that they now will be the holder, writer and storyteller of this manual. From those exciting first signs of pregnancy, the maternal attachment begins to spark and grow.

Research has shown that during pregnancy, a mother’s brain rewires itself to better sense and detect danger. This change continues as the brain reorganises itself – strengthening useful connections and releasing those that aren’t – in order to keep the baby alive. With all of this change, it’s no wonder that the term “mama bear” is often used to describe the protection mothers feel for their children!

The love of a mother helps to build strong and resilient children, right from the start. At Pfizer, we are dedicated to maternal health and understand that the best start for a healthy child is a healthy mother. It’s why, this Mother’s Day, we are shining a light on the importance of maternal health.

Building a Strong Foundation: Nurturing the Journey of Motherhood

For many mothers, check-ups and appointments with their healthcare professional or midwife can be an exciting time, but the amount of information shared can be daunting. When it comes to keeping mother and baby healthy there are a few critical considerations:

Nurturing Nutrition

Healthy eating plays a very important role in a healthy pregnancy. Dietary guidelines advise mothers to consume foods that are rich in folate, iron, calcium and protein.^[1] Make sure to eat foods from a variety of sources to make sure you are getting all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you and your developing baby need. Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids, especially water!^[2]

Moderate Movement Does Wonders!

Exercise is a highly encouraged part of a healthy lifestyle and is considered safe during pregnancy. Exercise can:

●      Help you sleep better

●      Improve your mood and energy level

●      Help prevent you from gaining excess weight

●      Help with constipation, backaches and bloating

●      Help you build strength for labour and birth^[3]

Fostering Protection from Day One

Another way expecting mothers can help protect their babies is through maternal immunization. During pregnancy, maternal antibodies are naturally passed from the mother’s circulation to the developing fetus. Maternal immunization takes advantage of this natural process by boosting a mother’s antibodies against a specific disease, passing those antibodies to the baby before birth.^[4] 

In Canada, immunization given to a pregnant individual is available to help protect the mother against influenza and COVID-19. Other vaccines given to a pregnant person, such as tetanus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and whooping cough, can help protect the baby against these diseases before they can be protected through direct immunization.³

Vitamin supplements

While a healthy and balanced diet allows most nutritional needs to be met, during pregnancy your body needs more of certain nutrients. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements may also support the baby’s development.^[2] Here are some examples of common essential supplements:

●      Folic Acid (or “vitamin B9”) contributes to the proper development of the baby’s brain and nervous system.

●      Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to ensure their proper function.

●      Calcium and Vitamin D are essential elements for the proper development of the baby’s bones and teeth.^[2]

Canada’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy offers more tips and advice for mothers-to-be. However, it’s important to speak to your doctor or health care provider to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your baby.

This Mother’s Day, we honour all mothers, mother-figures and mothers-to-be and wish health and happiness to you and your little (or not-so-little) ones.