Your chances of having a healthy baby are improved by good nutrition. The risk of certain chronic conditions in your child after they are born is also reduced by good nutrition during pregnancy.
Eating
When you are pregnant, you need to make over your eating habits whether the pregnancy took you by surprise or you waited for months to get pregnant. A lot of women begin pregnancy without sufficient nutrient intake. Some of the nutrients that are crucial for a healthy pregnancy include brain-building fats, calcium and iron. A leading nutrition specialist, Elizabeth Somer, MA, RD, has stated that a woman’s nutrition is most important when she is pregnant and nursing.
Research has proven that eating right, along with other healthy habits, influences a child’s well-being during pregnancy, at birth and beyond. Studies have shown that a child is what you eat during pregnancy and possibly what your mother ate when she was pregnant with you. Furthermore, the pregnant woman’s lifestyle will affect the child’s overall health with an impact on heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Folic acid
One of the ways to help your child become the healthiest person possible is adequate folic acid consumption during pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, during the first month of pregnancy. It is advisable to take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid to the point you replace it with a prescription prenatal mineral and vitamin supplement. Pasta, rice, breads and breakfast cereals are grains fortified with folic acid that you should seriously consider.
Multivitamins
According to a population study that was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, multivitamins are responsible for more than supplying the necessary folic acid for growing babies. Researchers at the institution discovered that women in early pregnancy who took a prenatal vitamin or a multivitamin regularly were able to reduce their risk of preeclampsia by almost 50%. Preeclampsia, which causes protein in the urine and elevated blood pressure, is a leading cause of fetal death and premature delivery.
You may find swallowing pregnancy supplements challenging despite the benefits. The reason is that most pills are large, and they contain high iron doses that cause constipation and irritate your stomach. If you find you have unwanted side effects or have trouble taking prenatal vitamins, it is advisable to talk to your doctor so that they can give you other safe and effective options. It is important to tell your midwife or doctor about all the dietary supplements you are using even if they are herbal remedies.
Calories
You may not notice a big weight gain during the first few months of pregnancy. Because of the queasiness that prevents women from drinking and eating normally, some pregnant women may lose weight during the first trimester. When you experience persistent nausea or vomiting, you should tell your doctor as you may end up becoming dehydrated. In some cases, �morning sickness’ can last for the entire duration of pregnancy. However, in most cases it starts to dissipate after 12 weeks.
You will need to make sure extra calories are nutritionally rich as your baby begins growing. This does not mean that pregnancy is a license to overeat. Basically, an additional 300 calories a day is what a pregnant woman needs. It may sound like a lot, but 300 calories is the amount of calories found in two large apples. Keep in mind it is alright to indulge on pregnancy food cravings from time to time. Here is a simple example that you can use to make the most of the additional 300 calories:
· 1 ounce whole grain crunchy cereal and � cup fruit mixed with 8 ounce vanilla non-fat yogurt
· 1 teaspoon reduced fat mayonnaise; 2 ounces chicken; 2 slices bread
· 16 ounces of 1% low fat milk
Weight matters
Pregnancy and delivery complications are reduced by getting the recommended number of pounds. 25 to 35 pounds is the weight that women put on if they have started pregnancy at a normal weight (for twins, it is between 34 and 45 pounds). Overweight moms will need to put on fewer pounds while underweight women may be advised to gain more. According to a leading obstetrician, Erin Tracy, overweight women are likely to have heavier babies that are more difficult to deliver. Overweight moms should avoid dieting during pregnancy. It is important to work closely with a registered dietician and your health care provider to determine a pregnancy eating plan that will be tailored to your needs.Continue reading below…
