Parsley During Pregnancy

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Like many other herbs and spices, parsley is considered a very healthy plant. It contains many vitamins and minerals, in addition, in the form of a decoction cleanses the kidneys very well. It seems to be one of the most useful plants for expectant mothers.

But despite all the benefits of parsley, doctors advise pregnant women to be more careful with it and if they eat it, it should be only in small quantities. But why do it if parsley is so healthy and can parsley harm a pregnant woman woman and fetus?

Why is there a possible ban on parsley during pregnancy?

The fact is that this plant in its chemical composition contains essential oils and the substance myristicin, each of which, even in itself can provoke uterine contractions and, as a result, miscarriage. And parsley contains both substances, which further enhances their effect, so the question of whether it is possible for a future mother to harm to pregnancy after eating parsley, is not so pointless.

Additional, myristicin can also affect the health of the unborn child: penetrating the placenta, it increases the heart rate of the fetus and in high concentrations leads to pathologies of the nervous and cardiovascular systems of the baby.

Can pregnant women eat parsley - fresh and dried?

However, in small doses, parsley is useful during pregnancy. In addition to being rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, flavonoids, folic acid, vitamins A, C, K, PP, group B, it also reduces the risk of edema, prevents anemia, joint pain, digestive disorders, strengthens the immune system.

It is also useful for the fetus, as the use of parsley by the expectant mother contributes to the proper formation and development of the child's nervous system. Despite the fact that you can eat parsley in small quantities during pregnancy, should be taken into account in which period of pregnancy the woman is, as well as the presence or absence of contraindications for its use.

How gestational age affects this whether a woman can eat parsley and if so, in what form?

In the early stages

As a rule, in the early stages, parsley has a positive effect on the health of pregnant women. It helps relieve morning sickness, improves general condition and helps prevent swelling and anemia. But you need to remember that you need to eat it a little (a twig to a familiar dish, such as soup or salad of fresh vegetables) and it is also necessary to monitor its quality. Parsley, intended as a supplement to the mother's diet, should be fresh, without the slightest sign of wilting or yellowing. In addition, it is very important not to contain nitrates and other toxic substances.

In the later stages

In the later stages of pregnancy you can also eat parsley, but still in small amounts, as with its excess in the diet of a pregnant woman the risk of premature birth increases. Precisely because of its ability to cause uterine contractions parsley can be useful in prolonging pregnancy (retention), which is no less harmful to the expectant mother and her baby than premature birth. Therefore, if the period is already 40 weeks, then you can increase the amount parsley in the diet: this stimulates a faster birth.

After the birth

It is after birth, too useful for women to eat parsleyas its use will increase breast milk and uterine contractility, which will allow her to quickly return to her previous pre-pregnancy state.

Benefits and harms of parsley

As mentioned above, parsley is very useful during pregnancyif, of course, you eat less of it without abuse. Helps deal with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency, prevents swelling and strengthens the bone system. Its positive effect on the body of the expectant mother is manifested in the fact that it has a mild diuretic and choleretic effect, which helps to gently cleanse the body of stagnant fluid and bile.

What else can parsley be good for?

- Improves immunity;

- Reduces inflammation.

- Protects against negative environmental factors;

- Improves appetite;

- Improves digestion and functioning of the urinary system;

- Reduces nausea and flatulence.

However, this does not mean that pregnant women can eat parsley in unlimited quantities. After all, if you overeat with it, you can harm yourself or your unborn child.

Here's what it leads to excessive use of parsley during pregnancy:

- Hypertension of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth;

- Hallucinations;

- Convulsions;

- Loss of orientation in space and impaired coordination of movements;

- Loss of consciousness;

- The fetus has an increased heart rate and decreased hemoglobin.

It should be remembered that if after eating parsley the expectant mother begins to experience uterine contractions or other signs of overuse, you should seek medical attention immediately, as the consequences can be very serious!

How often, how much and in what form is it allowed to consume parsley during pregnancy?

The question arises: how often and how much parsley can pregnant women eat? And in what form is it better to use it? Given the beneficial properties of this plant, you can eat parsley every day, but not more than one sprig at a time.

In addition, in the first trimester doctors advise not to eat raw parsley root, although you can add it to a dish at the very beginning of cooking.

For salads you can use it only from the second trimester and a little.

It is forbidden to drink concentrated parsley juice at any stage of pregnancy, as the content of essential oils and myristicin is especially high in it.

When is it absolutely forbidden to eat a plant?

Despite the fact that this plant is very useful, it is absolutely contraindicated for some women during pregnancy. Most often it is associated with diseases of the kidneys and urinary system. For example, eating parsley is forbidden for nephritis or cystitis. You also cannot eat it if there is a threat of termination of pregnancy or if you have had miscarriages in the past. Unconditional contraindications are increased uterine tone and convulsions. Food allergies are another cause pregnant woman to eliminate parsley from the diet you are.

Conclusion

It is possible and necessary to eat this spicy greens during pregnancy, unless, of course, there are contraindications to health, but you must adhere to the measure and eat it in extremely small quantities. This will help reduce the risk of health problems while providing the expectant mother with the necessary vitamins and minerals.