Live It Articles Pregnancy and Nursing Moms

Happy autumn to each of you! This is a beautiful time of the year, even in Texas where we do not have an extended season of "changing of the leaves." It is also an exciting time for First Place. So many groups begin after Labor Day and I hear daily from new leaders saying, "This is the first time I have taught. Do you really think I can do this? Please take time to say a prayer for all the First Place leaders and co-leaders. God has called them to a very special ministry.

Another question I am asked several times a week is, "What adjustments do I need to make for a member in my class who has just found out she is pregnant?"

First Place views pregnancy and nursing as a medical condition. We ask each member with any type of medical condition to take their Member's Guide to their physician or dietician. We want personalized professional advice on what calorie level is right for them and if the exchanges need to be adjusted in any way. Most physicians recommend around 2,000 calories during pregnancy and for nursing moms, but many have specific instructions.

I had a member a few years ago that showed her doctor the "Live-It" section and he was elated. Late in the pregnancy he took the member's hand and led her into the filled waiting room of expectant moms and announced, "If all my moms would eat the way this mom is eating, we would have such healthy babies!"

This mom was slightly embarrassed, but very proud. When her baby was born, the doctor taped a sign to the bassinet in the hospital nursery, "First Place Baby." Of course, everyone at the window wanted to know, "Why is this baby first place?" She and her family were able to share with many people about her journey in First Place. Gospel Light sells a great workbook entitled, "Nutrition for God's Temple," by Dr. Couey. The workbook has a chapter on Pregnancy and Nursing Moms.

We are so proud that First Place can welcome pregnant women and nursing moms. First Place is probably a great benefit with any type of medical challenges. Their physicians have sent many members to First Place to support the person's efforts of eating healthy and getting proper exercise. We have seen that the balance in First Place can be a very positive element when dealing with medical conditions.

First Place advises members with any type of medical condition, such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Cancer, etc. to take the food plan to your physician. First Place will certainly honor any suggestions. Any changes to the food plan, even for those members who may suffer from a lactose intolerance condition, are welcomed and need to come from a professional. When a member cannot eat from any one of the food groups, we don't want to justify calories. We want to always make sure the nutrients are being replaced and the plan is still balanced. A First Place member may make changes themselves, but they are taking full responsibility for keeping their personal food plan balanced.

Blessings!

Kay Smith
First Place Associate Director


Kay is the associate national director of First Place and has been on the First Place staff since 1987.

Kay is a popular speaker at retreats, seminars, Conferences, FOCUS Weeks and Workshops across the country. Kay is the First Place food exchange expert and writes a monthly article in the First Place E-Newsletter on nutrition. She also was a contributing writer to the Today Is the First Day devotional book. Her delightful personality and love for people endears her to everyone she meets, and they quickly become her new best friend.

Kay and her husband, Joe, live in Roscoe, TX. They have two children and five grandchildren. Two of the young grandchildren are making a name for themselves on the golf circuit. Two of the young grandchildren are making a name for themselves on the golf circuit, and the three oldest grandsons are all involved in numerous sporting events, which Kay and Joe attend as often as possible.