The period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus is very important. Health care experts argue that pregnant women should always have proper diet that provides their body with the essential nutrients. The importance of observing the diet is the fact that it promotes the normal development and growth of the baby (Mattison, 2013). The female body experiences many physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy, thus the need to ensure that an expectant woman eats the right foods for the sake of nourishment. However, the main challenge in achieving this feat is for the pregnant woman to understand the most necessary nutrients and the place they can get them. Studies have confirmed that this should never be a bother to expectant women because there is no universal formula for having a proper diet during pregnancy (Jones & Hudson, 2009).
Generally, the only thing that pregnant women should do for a proper diet is ensure they eat enough fruits, healthy fats, vegetables, whole grains, and protein foods. The foods that a pregnant woman eats are also the source of nourishment for the developing baby, thus the need to eat foods with enough and necessary nutrients. However, it is important to note that there are certain categories of nutrients that have a special importance in the body in terms of giving the expectant mother the energy to carry the pregnancy to its full length and ensuring that the baby will not develop complications due to deficiency of the certain elements after birth (Mattison, 2013). Research has established that the earlier an expectant woman starts her nutritional support program, the better because their body is prepared early enough for the tasks of feeding the baby and gaining enough strength to carry the pregnancy for the entire period.
Discussion
One of the common condensed but memorable sayings about pregnancy that is taken as true by many people is that an expectant woman eats for two (Jones & Hudson, 2009). Although the body of a pregnant woman often has nutritional needs on a higher scale, it is important to ensure that the necessary ones are given the top priority. According to health care experts, the body of a pregnant woman requires both micro and macronutrients. Micronutrients refer to substances such as vitamins or minerals needed only in small amounts for normal body functions (Irenton-Jones, 2007). On the other hand, macro nutrients refer to substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats needed by the body for purposes of providing energy. Some of the essential additional nutrients that pregnant women need every day includes calories, protein, calcium, folic acid, and iron (Symonds & Ramsay, 2010).
Folic acid is very essential because it helps to prevent birth defects such as spinal bifida and brain defects. The B vitamin is essential for cell growth and reproduction. Health care experts also argue that essential folic acid in the body of an expectant woman helps to prevent the occurrence of premature delivery. It is recommended for pregnant women to take a maximum of 800 micrograms of folic acid daily (Symonds & Ramsay, 2010). This should happen both during pre and post conception. The recommended time to start taking this nutrient for women looking forward to being mothers is three months before conception.
The best time to stop taking foods with folic acid is the 12th week after conception. According to health care practitioners, some women get a recommendation for a higher intake of folic acid if their pregnancies are vulnerable to attack by a neural tube defect (Symonds & Ramsay, 2010). Diabetic women and those they or their partners have a history of a neural tube defect have a higher risk of suffering this complication during pregnancy. Epileptic women are also advised to consult their health care practitioners during their pregnancy, as they might need a higher daily dose of folic acid (Mattison, 2013). Some of the common sources where pregnant women can get folic acid include citrus fruits, brown rice, margarine, green vegetables, as well as fortified cereals such as peas and dried beans.
Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps in strengthening bones, as well as the normal functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems in the body. The recommended daily intake of an adult pregnant woman is 1,000 milligrams, while pregnant teenagers ought to take a minimum of 1,300 milligrams (Jones & Hudson, 2009). Some of the best sources of calcium include kales, broccoli, fruit juices, daily products, and cereals among many others. Vitamin D is also an essential nutrient during pregnancy. It helps in building the bones and teeth of the developing baby. The recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 10 micrograms. Some of the best sources of vitamin D for pregnant women include salmon, fruit juices, red meat, fortified milk, and eggs among others. Iron is an essential nutrient during pregnancy (Irenton-Jones, 2007). Deficiency of iron in the body affects the development of blood cells, which eventually leads to one suffering from anemia. Pregnant women should take iron supplements and foods rich in iron such as dried fruits, spinach, nuts, and peanuts.
Pregnant women also need a lot of vitamin C in order to develop and protect their cells, as well as those of the developing baby. Some of the best sources of this nutrient for pregnant women include fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, pepper, black currants, and broccoli among others (Luke & Eberlein, 2009). Health care experts argue that pregnant women should always ensure that they consume enough water in order to ensure that all the nutrients taken get absorbed in the body effectively. In addition, nutritional programs during pregnancy should be directed by a qualified nutritionist who should use a report by a physician to establish the kinds of food necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby (Jones & Hudson, 2009).
Pica in Pregnant Women
Cravings and a feeling of intense dislike for food are common experiences in pregnant women. Studies have established that women can crave or avert a certain type of food, which can lead to nutritional imbalances if consumed in very low or high amounts (Mattison, 2013). Nutritionists argue that hormones are generally responsible for this phenomenon. Some of the foods that most pregnant women crave for include fruits, chocolate, spicy foods, pizza, and mashed potatoes among others. Health care experts argue that cravings are good as long as they involve foods that provide the body with the necessary nutrients. On the other hand, they warn pregnant women against eating too much junk and processed food, as they lack the necessary nutrients (Dolan & Zissu, 2009). In the health care setting, the craving for foods with little or no nutritional value to the human body is referred to as pica. Some of the things that pregnant women suffering from pica eat include clay and cigarette ashes among other weird things. When a pregnant woman suffers from pica, it is an indication of the body having a deficiency of one or several essential nutrients (Symonds & Ramsay, 2010). Therefore, whenever a pregnant woman has pica it is important to consult a doctor who should offer the necessary advice on the way to address the problem.
Weight Management during Pregnancy
One of the factors that affect the ability of pregnant women to observe their nutritional programs is the fear of gaining weight. Research has established that most expectant women limit the amount of food they eat because they want to have the same body size they had before conceiving (Dolan & Zissu, 2009). However, health care experts encourage pregnant women to be less concerned about the possibility of gaining weight because it is normal and the additional body mass plays a crucial role in nourishing the developing baby.
In addition, it also helps the mother to have the necessary body strength during the pregnancy and after birth, especially due to breastfeeding. On average, women tend to gain 25 pounds during pregnancy (Symonds & Ramsay, 2010). According to health care experts, this is always a sign of good nutrition for the expectant woman. It is not recommended for pregnant women to diet because healthy eating of paramount importance, especially for the sake of the developing baby. In order to manage body weight and still maintain a nutritious diet during pregnancy, expectant women are advised to engage in light physical exercises such as swimming and walking (Dolan & Zissu, 2009). During the exercises, the woman should drink enough water to avoid dehydration, which can be harmful to both her and the baby.
Conclusion and Recommendations
One of the main goals of offering the right nutritional support during pregnancy is increasing the energy levels of the woman in readiness for the elevated demands on the body. In addition, it also focuses on reducing the amount of intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol being consumed by the expectant woman. Good nutrition for a pregnant woman also helps in addressing a number of health conditions related to diet such as edema, diabetes, and high blood pressure among others. One of the most important elements of nutritional support during pregnancy is ensuring that the expectant woman understands the nutrients they need the most and the best foods they can eat to get them.
The expectant woman should ensure that they get a minimum of three protein servings daily, at least nine servings of whole grains per day, more than seven servings of fruits daily, and four or more servings of daily products in a day. In addition, expectant mothers are recommended to limit their intake of foods with high sodium, sugar, and fat. This helps in ensuring good nutritional balance in the body for the sake of nourishing the growing baby. Another recommendation that can ensure effective nutritional support during pregnancy is ensuring that expectant women take their prenatal vitamins daily as a way preparing their bodies for feeding the baby. This is especially important for pregnant teenagers because their bodies are weaker and need a higher nutritional value.
References
Dolan, D., & Zissu, A. (2009). The complete organic pregnancy. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Irenton-Jones, C.S. (2007). Handbook of home nutrition support. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Jones, C.C., & Hudson, R.A. (2009). Eating for pregnancy: The essential nutrition guide and cookbook for today’s mothers-to-be. Los Angels, CA: Da Capo Press.
Luke, B., & Eberlein, T. (2009). Program your baby’s health: The pregnancy diet for your child’s lifelong well-being. New York, NY: Random House Publishing Group.
Mattison, D. (2013). Clinical pharmacology during pregnancy. New York, NY: Academic Press.
Symonds, M.E., & Ramsay, M.M. (2010). Maternal-fetal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.