A stillbirth is a traumatic experience for expectant parents. If you have recently experienced a stillbirth, it is important to continue eating healthy foods, which can be difficult because of the grief you're feeling. Although a specific diet is not necessary after a stillbirth, certain foods may prepare your body for a future pregnancy, as well as help you combat your feelings of depression.
Stillbirth
One in about 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. It is the loss of a pregnancy after 20-weeks gestation, though stillbirth can also occur during delivery. An ultrasound often diagnoses fetal death, usually when a pregnant woman has not felt the baby move. In some instances, the baby is delivered immediately for the health of mother, and in other cases a mother may decide when she would like to deliver. In about half the cases, follow-up tests can help to determine why the fetus died, while in other cases the parents will never know the reason.
Future Pregnancy
In the future, you may consider another pregnancy, and your nutrition habits after your stillbirth may make it easier to conceive. If you plan to conceive within a few months, continue taking your prenatal vitamin to ensure that you have all the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy. This is particularly important in the days after a stillbirth, when you likely will be grieving too much to make eating a priority. Focus on eating nutritious fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and dairy foods to help you get the nutrition you need for health, healing, energy and any future pregnancy.
Depression
Certain foods can help you with your natural feelings of depression, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Omega-3 fatty acids may help you combat your depression and are found in fatty fish, such as salmon and trout, as well as nuts, such as walnuts. Eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, because they have been shown to improve mood and increase energy, Elizabeth Somer writes in her book, "Food and Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best." Plan a few of your favorite healthy meals to give yourself something to look forward to, which can also help to ease your feelings of depression.
Foods to Avoid
While certain foods may ease your depression and help you feel better, some may cause you to feel more depressed. Somer says that you should avoid sugary foods because they can mess with your blood-sugar levels and heighten your depression. Avoid caffeine, as well, because it can cause mood and energy shifts that leave you sluggish, fatigued and feeling worse. Pass on fatty and greasy foods, including french fries, burgers, fried foods, doughnuts and baked goods. They can cause an initial feel-good spike but will leave you feeling tired and unhappy. These foods also degrade your quality of health, which may make it more difficult to get pregnant when you are ready.
References
- March of Dimes; Stillbirth; February 2010
- "Stillbirth: Prediction, Prevention and Management"; Catherine Y. Spong; 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Depression; September 2008
- Pregnancy.org; Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant Death; Ann Douglas
- "Food and Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best"; Elizabeth Somer; 1999
