Since ancient times, bird’s nest has been known as a precious “superfood”, notable for its rich content of protein, amino acids, and minerals. With its outstanding nutritional value, bird’s nest not only helps boost overall health but is also especially beneficial for pregnant women. So, at which stage of pregnancy should expectant mothers consume bird’s nest to maximize its effectiveness? Let’s explore the benefits of bird’s nest for pregnant women and the most suitable time for consumption.
How to supplement bird’s nest for pregnant women according to each stage of pregnancy
Which month of pregnancy should expectant mothers eat bird’s nest? The answer depends on different stages of pregnancy, as the nutritional needs of mother and baby change over time.
Second trimester (starting from the fourth month of pregnancy): During this period, mothers can supplement with bird’s nest daily. When first starting, mothers should try a small amount, about 1-2g of bird’s nest per day, to check if there are any unusual reactions. If the body responds well, the amount can be increased to 3-5g of bird’s nest per day. From the fifth month of pregnancy onwards, it is advisable to reduce the quantity, with one bowl of bird’s nest every two days being reasonable. On average, mothers should consume about 100g of bird’s nest per month during this period to ensure the health of both mother and baby.
Third trimester: In this stage, the fetus develops healthily, begins to gain weight, and prepares for new life outside the womb. Pregnant women should consume bird’s nest every three days, equivalent to about 60g of bird’s nest per month, or an average of 4g per day. In particular, mothers need to monitor changes in fetal weight to adjust their diet accordingly.
Steaming bird’s nest with rock sugar is a simple method that preserves all nutrients. For optimal nutrient absorption, mothers should consume bird’s nest in the evening, when the body rests and absorbs better.
When is the best month for pregnant women to eat bird’s nest?
During pregnancy, many expectant mothers often experience fatigue due to morning sickness. This is a time when the body needs proper nourishment to boost the mother’s health and support the comprehensive development of the fetus. One popular food is bird’s nest – a nutrient-rich food capable of strengthening the spleen, nourishing blood, tonifying the kidneys, treating colds and flu, and enhancing immunity.
However, the question of when is the best month for pregnant women to eat bird’s nest still causes many people to wonder. According to traditional medicine, bird’s nest has a cooling property, so if consumed at the wrong time, it can adversely affect the fetus. Therefore, expectant mothers should start supplementing with bird’s nest from the third month onwards. At this stage, the fetus is already firmly formed, so the cooling property will not cause adverse effects; instead, it will bring many significant benefits.
Benefits of bird’s nest for pregnant women and fetuses
Bird’s nest is a precious nutritious food, especially essential during pregnancy due to its many benefits for both the fetus and the expectant mother. It is a smart choice to enhance overall health.
Supports blood formation and fetal skeletal development
Bird’s nest contains protein, amino acids, minerals, and carbohydrates – vital nutrients for blood formation and skeletal development in the fetus. Particularly, iron and calcium play key roles in developing the baby’s bone and circulatory systems right from the womb.
Calcium deficiency during pregnancy can lead to slow growth, rickets in the baby, and make the mother prone to back pain due to mineral depletion transferred from mother to child.
Promotes growth, cell regeneration, and provides energy
Bird’s nest aids in growth and cell regeneration, provides energy for expectant mothers, and supports the metabolism of other nutrients. Furthermore, bird’s nest contains almost no fat, making it very suitable for healthy nutritional needs during pregnancy.
Supports fetal vision and brain development
The DHA, omega-3, and tryptophan components in bird’s nest can help the fetus develop superior vision and brain function. These are micronutrients that the mother’s body cannot fully produce on its own, so they need to be supplemented through foods like bird’s nest to help the fetus develop balanced and healthy.
Prevents depression, stabilizes psychological well-being for expectant mothers
Bird’s nest also helps prevent depression in expectant mothers, aids in psychological balance, combats depression, reduces sensitivity, fatigue, and stress during pregnancy. Additionally, collagen in bird’s nest helps regenerate tissues and muscles, making the skin brighter, smoother, more rosy, and reduces stretch marks during pregnancy.
Boosts immunity, reduces aches and pains during pregnancy
With 18 types of amino acids and 30 essential nutrients, bird’s nest helps mothers boost their immunity, enhancing the immune system and preventing seasonal illnesses such as flu and colds. As a result, expectant mothers can protect their health and that of their baby.
Moreover, the calcium in bird’s nest also helps mothers reduce aches, numbness in hands and feet, cramps, difficulty sleeping, improves blood circulation, and effectively invigorates blood, thereby reducing nerve compression that causes numbness and pain.
How to prepare bird’s nest suitable for pregnant women
Below is a specific guide on how to prepare bird’s nest suitable for expectant mothers, helping to preserve nutrients and optimally support fetal development.
Step 1: Select and clean the bird’s nest
Choose pure bird’s nest: Prioritize quality-controlled bird’s nest that contains no impurities and no bleaching agents.
Soak the bird’s nest: Soak the bird’s nest in clean water for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type. When the strands are soft, gently separate them with your hands.
Clean impurities: Use tweezers to remove feathers and dirt, then rinse with boiled and cooled water. Absolutely do not rub vigorously, as this can break the bird’s nest strands.
Step 2: Prepare bird’s nest by steaming
Appropriate water-to-nest ratio: Place about 5g of cleaned bird’s nest into a ceramic bowl. Add 100ml of warm water (filtered water or fresh coconut water can be used).
Steam: Place the bowl of bird’s nest in a pot and steam for 25–30 minutes over low heat. Do not steam for too long, as it can lead to the loss of collagen and essential amino acids.
Do not add rock sugar at the beginning: Rock sugar should be added during the last 5 minutes to avoid altering the protein structure of the bird’s nest.
Step 3: Notes on ingredients to combine for expectant mothers
Ingredients to combine: Lotus seeds, red dates, goji berries, cordyceps (in moderation), and small slices of ginger to reduce the cooling property.
Avoid ingredients with high cooling properties: Do not combine bird’s nest with seaweed, mint, or fresh aloe vera, as they can easily cause cold stomach and mild diarrhea during pregnancy.
Do not cook with condensed milk or too much sugar: This can cause indigestion and affect the expectant mother’s digestive system.
Step 4: How to eat bird’s nest at the right time during pregnancy
Recommended eating time: The second and third trimesters are when the expectant mother’s body best absorbs bird’s nest.
Time of day: Should be consumed in the early morning on an empty stomach or one hour before bedtime.
Reasonable frequency: 2–3 times/week, with 3–5g of dried bird’s nest each time is sufficient. Do not eat daily to avoid nutritional overload.
Step 5: Store bird’s nest after preparation
If not used immediately: After cleaning, expectant mothers should divide the bird’s nest into small portions, place them in airtight jars, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Do not freeze cooked bird’s nest: This can alter its nutritional structure and affect quality.
Important notes when pregnant women consume bird’s nest
Bird’s nest is a valuable nutritional supplement, but it cannot replace main meals. Expectant mothers should diversify their daily diet and only supplement bird’s nest in appropriate dosages, avoiding overuse under the misconception that more nutrients mean more is better.
Depending on the expectant mother’s constitution, consuming bird’s nest may cause nausea, indigestion, or bloating. Therefore, mothers need to listen to their bodies and adjust the timing of consumption accordingly.
During fever, fatigue, or a weak spleen and stomach, expectant mothers should not consume bird’s nest immediately but wait until their health stabilizes before resuming to avoid adverse reactions.
In the final months of pregnancy, mothers tend to eat more and can easily gain uncontrolled weight. At this time, it is necessary to adjust the diet, limiting overly rich foods – including bird’s nest – to avoid undesirable effects such as an oversized baby, difficult birth, etc.
Crucially, mothers need to choose a reputable source of bird’s nest, prioritizing quality bird’s nest and saying no to unknown sources or bird’s nest mixed with additives, as these can harm the health of both mother and baby.
Supplement bird’s nest from the 3rd month of pregnancy when the mother’s and baby’s bodies absorb nutrients more effectively. Using bird’s nest correctly not only helps the mother have a healthy and joyful pregnancy but also ensures the baby receives adequate nutrients, thereby building a complete foundation for health before the beloved baby arrives.
