Feeding a pregnant woman

Feeding a pregnant woman

Introduction:

Good nutrition is important during pregnancy; To maintain the health of the mother and the fetus, as the quality of food is more important than the quantity, so it is advised to choose healthy foods with high nutritional value, and to avoid unhealthy foods.

The importance of good nutrition during pregnancy:

Building the bones and blood cells of the fetus.

Reducing the hassles and problems of pregnancy.

Boost immunity to prevent infectious diseases.

Prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

Strengthening the body in preparation for childbirth.

Promote milk formation for breastfeeding.

Weight gain during pregnancy:

Healthy weight gain varies according to the mother's body mass index and health before pregnancy, so if the BMI is in the normal range, it is recommended to gain 11 to 15 kg during pregnancy.

Method for calculating BMI:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m) 2

 BMI status

Less than 18.5 less than normal weight

18.5-24.9 normal weight

25-29.9 weight gain

30-34.9 obesity in the first category

35-39.9 obesity in the second category

40 and over obesity in the third category (excessive)

Calories:

The daily calorie requirement should generally be discussed with a doctor. As every woman differs from the other, but during pregnancy the increase is as follows:

During the first trimester: It does not change from the woman's pre-pregnancy needs.

During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy: You need to add 300 calories.

The effect of obesity in pregnancy:

If the body mass index is higher than normal or has reached the stage of obesity, this negatively affects pregnancy, as the woman is more likely to have the following problems:

Pregnancy diabetes.

Hypertension.

Eclampsia.

Premature birth.

Caesarean delivery.

In addition, newborns may develop the following problems:

Birth defects.

An enlarged fetus (gigantism), with possible injuries during childbirth.

Childhood obesity.

Food,           Recommended Daily Amount,                                       Sources

Protein         70gm                                meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts

Calcium       1,200 mg                         dairy products, green leafy vegetables, orange juice, and almonds

Iron                 30 mg                       of meat, fish, poultry, cereals and wholegrain bread, legumes, green leafy vegetables, dried prunes, apricots and raisins

Fulacin (folic acid)       600 micrograms         of green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, orange juice, and asparagus

Pyridoxine (B6)             1.9 mg                       of wheat, meat, whole grains, cauliflower, bananas, avocados, peanuts, sunflower seeds, soybeans, and corn.

Zinc                      15 mg                     The same foods that contain iron, in addition to oysters, wheat germ and brown rice

*Vitamin A: A pregnant woman needs 770 micrograms of it per day.

Vitamin C (C): The need for pregnant women increases to 85 mg.

Vitamin D: All people from one year to 70 years old, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, need to get 600 IU.

Foods that are recommended to eat:

Proteins: It is recommended to get them from lean meats (such as: chicken, fish, beans, etc.) every day.

Carbohydrates (such as: bread, cereals, potatoes, rice and pasta).

Fats: It is recommended to get them from vegetable sources (such as: olive oil), and avoid saturated fats of animal sources (such as: butter).

Pasteurized dairy products: (such as: yogurt, milk and cheese).

Vitamins and minerals.

Increase your fiber.

Foods to avoid:

Avoid undercooked meat or eggs; As it may contain Listeria germ, which is transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, causing a miscarriage, or the birth of a deceased fetus.

Fish:

Avoid eating raw fish or uncooked shellfish that may contain germs (bacteria, viruses or parasites).

Avoid some types of fish. Because they contain a high level of mercury that can damage the nervous system of the fetus (such as: shark, swordfish, marlin).

Limit your intake of tuna to four medium-sized cans (net weight = 140 grams per pack) per week.

Some types of oily fish that may contain chemicals from pollution, and may build up in the body over time and be harmful; Therefore, it is advised not to exceed two servings per week (such as: mackerel, sardines, salmon, and fresh tuna, as canned tuna is not considered oily fish).

Caffeine: It is a substance naturally found in foods (such as: tea, coffee, and chocolate), some soft drinks, energy drinks or some painkillers, and it is advised to limit its intake during pregnancy, as its abundance increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

Unpasteurized milk and all its products.

Nutritional supplements:

Good nutritional supplements:

Iron: to prevent the mother from developing iron deficiency anemia, in addition to helping the blood to transport the largest amount of oxygen to the fetus.

Folic acid: to prevent the fetus from developing spina bifida.

Harmful nutritional supplements:

Avoid too much vitamin A, either with food or nutritional supplements. Because it may harm the fetus.

Dietary supplement is not a substitute for healthy nutrition.

Food poisoning:

It is abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, caused by a bacterial infection or germs in the stomach, and to avoid food poisoning, the following is recommended:

Cook food and meats well.

Wash fruits and vegetables well.

Maintaining clean kitchen utensils and eating and cooking utensils.

Wash your hands after leaving toilets, before and after eating, after handling raw meat, and after touching animals.

General Instructions:

Avoid fried foods and replace them with grilled foods.

It is recommended to eat well-washed fruits and vegetables.

Avoid starting a weight-loss diet (dieting) during pregnancy, as this affects the mother and baby's access to important nutrients.

Reducing salt in food. As it causes fluid retention; Which leads to high blood pressure.

common questions:

Does eating honey cause miscarriage?

Eating honey does not cause a miscarriage.

Does eating cinnamon cause a miscarriage?

Cinnamon powder is rich in coumarin, which works on contractions of the uterus, which greatly increases the risk of miscarriage.

wrong concepts:

Pregnant women should feed about two people.

Fact: A pregnant woman should focus on the quality of food that will benefit her fetus, not on the quantity.

Completely stop consuming caffeine (found in coffee, tea, etc.) during pregnancy.

Fact: It is required to reduce them as much as possible, especially in the first trimester of your pregnancy, that is, the first three months, which is the period of fetal formation.