Introduction
Nutrition and pregnancy are the terms that are closely related to each other. The foods that a woman eats during her pregnancy have some effects on her child’s health. For instance, Arrish, Yeatman, and Williamson (2014) state that such adult illnesses as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and issues associated with bone mass formation are “linked with nutrition during pregnancy” (p. 2). Nutrition is important even in the early stages of pregnancy because the placenta is not formed yet, and the embryo is not protected. Close attention should be paid to such things as pregnant nutritional requirements, the physiology and physiology of pregnancy, and factors that affect nutrition during the pregnancy.
Nutritional Requirements during Pregnancy
It cannot be denied that nutritional needs increase during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, she requires micronutrients and macronutrients, which contribute to supporting her vital activity and the development and growth of her baby. As it is described by the Healthline (2016), “micronutrients are dietary components, such as vitamins and minerals, which are only required by the body in small amounts; macronutrients, on the other hand, are nutrients that provide calories or energy” (para. 2). Macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. What is more, a woman’s daily diet should include protein (for the proper growth of fetal tissue), calcium (for building fetal bones), iron (to supply enough oxygen to the fetus), and folate (to reduce the risk of neural tube defects).
Pregnant women are recommended to eat a variety of healthy foods. Contrary to popular belief, so-called unhealthy foods that do not contain nutritional value are not forbidden. However, it is important to balance such foods as chips and soda with nutritious, low-fat ones. Fresh fruits and vegetables and proteins such as chicken, fish, and beans contain a variety of necessary vitamins and minerals.
Apart from nutritious food, drinking enough water is crucial during pregnancy. Arrish, Yeatman, and Williamson (2014) emphasize that women have to drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Water helps to prevent such pregnancy symptoms as constipation, hemorrhoids, and even infections that may occur in the bladder due to stagnant urine.
There are some foods and drinks to avoid during pregnancy. Firstly, it goes without saying that no amount of alcohol is to be drunk. Alcohol affects the healthy development of the fetus. Also, it is not acceptable for pregnant women to drink unpasteurized milk because it might contain listeria that is very dangerous for the baby. Raw meat and eggs, smoked seafood, and soft cheeses are to be avoided too.
The Physiology and Psychology of Pregnancy
The psychological condition of a pregnant woman has a great impact on the development and growth of the fetus. O’Connor, Monk, and Fitelson (2014) identifies, “the notion that the mother’s mood disturbance or stress levels during pregnancy may influence the developing child has a robust history across cultures and is widely embedded in folk psychology” (p. 99). During pregnancy, a woman’s body, the state of mind, and feelings change significantly due to massive hormonal fluctuations. Psychological changes occur steadily during the whole period of pregnancy. They originate in response to physiological alterations and influence all organ systems of a woman’s body. Obviously, a woman becomes more sensitive and effective. Some researchers assume that the hormones change a woman’s brain, and due to it, she becomes less prone to stress and more concentrated on her baby’s needs.
Factors that Affect Nutrition During Pregnancy
There are some factors influencing nutrition during pregnancy. According to Malek, Umberger, Zhou, and Markides (2014), these factors can be divided into three groups: food properties, individual factors, and environmental factors. The authors (2014) determine that “food properties reflect sensory perception and physiological effects; individual factors include biological, psychological and socio-demographic; and environmental factors imply economic, cultural and marketing factors” (p. 3).
Food Properties
The most obvious factors that have an effect on women during pregnancy are physiological effects. Nutritional needs increase during pregnancy because of the physiologic changes of a woman. According to National Eating Disorders Association (n.d.), “if reserves are not sufficiently restored through healthy eating, the mother can become severely malnourished, and this, in turn, can lead to depression, exhaustion and many other serious health complications” (para. 1). Eating healthy nutritious food on a regular basis is vital.
Individual Factors
One of the most important individual factors that influence women’s nutrition during pregnancy is convictions about the beneficial effects of nutrition on a baby’s health. Besides, mothers are concerned about their health and comfort too. Pregnant women tend to change their dietary choices to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Also, there are close connections between psychological conditions and nutrition. It was proved that mental health problems affect some dietary choices of pregnant women. For instance, such psychological states associated with pregnancy as stress, anxiety, and fear negatively influence a woman’s eating habits. The brightest example is depression that causes the loss of appetite that is not permissible during pregnancy.
Apart from this, nutrition knowledge and financial abilities have a significant impact on dietary choices. For instance, the lack of nutrition knowledge related to the quantity and quality of food and misconceptions about healthy meals is considered to be barriers to healthy nutrition. There are close connections between financial abilities and the quality of the diet. The nutrition of pregnant women from lower-income households is worse in comparison with the nutrition of wealthy pregnant women.
Environmental Factors
Obviously, the social environment has an effect on women’s nutrition during pregnancy. One of the most influencing environmental factors is the role of healthcare providers. Pregnant women tend to trust and follow the advice of their doctors. During pregnancy, women are more motivated to follow their doctor’s recommendations and make changes in nutrition in accordance with these recommendations. In addition to healthcare providers, families and close friends influence women’s diets encouraging them to eat larger portions of healthy food such as fruits and vegetables.
Conclusion
To sum up, healthy nutrition is essential during pregnancy because woman’s and baby’s health and wellbeing directly depend on it. It is important to have a proper diet during pregnancy. A woman’s nutrition plays a vital role in the development and growth of the fetus. This role is more significant than genetic factors. What is more, some scientists believe that nutrition during pregnancy has an influence on fetal nutritional habits that will impact the baby in the future. To eat healthily, firstly, it is necessary to be aware of what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. Also, pregnant women have to know as much as possible about such issues as pregnant nutritional requirements and the psychology and physiology of pregnancy. Apart from this, attention should be paid to the three groups of factors that have a significant effect on nutrition during pregnancy: food properties, individual factors, and environmental factors.
References
Arrish, J., Yeatman, H., & Williamson, M. (2014). Midwives and nutrition education during pregnancy: A literature review. Women and birth, 27(1), 2-8.
Healthline: Medical Information & Trusted Health Advice. (2016). Nutritional needs during pregnancy. Web.
Malek, L., Umberger, W., Zhou, S. J., & Makrides, M. (2014). Understanding drivers of dietary behavior before and during pregnancy in industrialized countries. In health and nutrition in adolescents and young women: Preparing for the next generation, 80, 117-140.
The National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Pregnancy and eating disorders. Web.