Protecting Your Baby-To-Be: Preventing Birth Defects in the First Three Months of Pregnancy

We have passed this book around to almost 20 expectant mothers! If you know someone that is having or is prone to having morning sickness, this book will be a god-send. We were very skeptical at first, but then followed the diet and other suggestions... it was amazing. I wish every woman would follow this during the first trimester.

Profet doesn't advocate foregoing all vegetables during pregnancy. Her thesis is that during the first trimester, when the embryo's organs are forming, women often have aversions to naturally occuring toxins found in spices, herbs, and bitter vegetables; this aversion, or "morning sickness", is a natural defense mechanism that may prevent women from ingesting too many natural toxins which can pose a threat to a first-trimester embryo. What this means is that you may not be able to stomach Brussels sprouts during the first trimester, but once you're safely in the second trimester you do need to resume eating the full spectrum of vegetables. An example of a naturally occuring toxin is capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers--this natural toxin is delicious and healthful to large organisms such as human adults, but it is a poison to insects and could potentially threaten a first-trimester embryo if consumed in large quantities. Certain spices, such as black pepper and nutmeg, can also be dangerous if consumed in large quantities (we're talking a handful here). Another example is less-than-fresh meats or dairy--first-trimester women have a natural aversion to these foods, which protects the embryo from bacteria. I found the book to be very interesting and compelling, and while Profet does NOT give pregnant women license to skip vegetables, she does encourage first-trimester women to listen to their bodies and favor low-toxin foods. Again, this book discusses the first trimester only.

I thought that this was a very good book about the first trimester. She takes what is known about certain foods and vitamins and applies that information to the first trimester. She is very, very clear about what is supported by scientific research and what is not. It is a very logical, well thought out, and easy to read book. She has some very good things to say and to think about.