Introduction
Getting a good balance of nutrients sufficiently before and during pregnancy not only ensures good health for the mother-to-be, but it also reduces the risk of defects occurring in the unborn child. The importance of nutrition for pregnant women cannot be overstated. As many pregnancies are unplanned, it is important that women of childbearing age address what they’re eating at all times to ensure a healthy well-being before conception. The health and well-being of a growing baby depend on the mother’s good nutrition, hence why it is fundamental to recognize this and have access to quality care and adequate nutrition.
Pregnancy is a major cause of increased nutritional needs, which is fundamental for the programmatic process and development of different interventions. However, the importance of nutrition in relation to other disease factors during pregnancy is sometimes less well-known. Inadequate nutrition affects both mother and developing fetus and can result in devastating consequences such as maternal mortality, higher morbidity and mortality rates among children, and in the long term, increased poverty and decreased productivity of a nation. Consequently, inappropriate weight gain during pregnancy because both deficient and excess body weight can have significant health consequences for both the mother and her offspring.
Key Nutrients for Pregnant Women
The foods and drinks that a pregnant woman consumes are typically the leading cause of nutritional concern. Common questions include data on caffeine, diet beverages, and the sugar-free sweeteners on the market. Concerns also tend to center on weight gain during pregnancy, the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, the safety of food additives, and treatment or resonance imaging. While all of these issues are important, in the big picture the focus on macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbohydrates) overshadows the micronutrients. The vitamins and trace minerals are what make or break the nutritional value of the food and drinks that find their way to a pregnant woman’s mouth. The vitamins discussed in this section are relevant to all pregnancies and include folic acid, as well as vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and E, but are not exhaustive. Minerals of special interest include calcium, iron and zinc, iodine, and fluoride. Dietary supplements and missing nutrients from the standpoint of prenatal nutrition are also elaborated.
For the first six months, a pregnant woman needs only about 300-400 calories above her regular daily intake. This equals about a couple of glasses of milk and a sandwich. It is in the second six months that the added energy needed should be around 500-600 calories. Yet over 50% of women are gaining far too little weight and are not providing their expected babies with the nutrient reserves needed for the day when they will need them. This causes premature birth and low birth weight. This is especially true when women cut back on their food intake in an attempt to gain fewer kilos during pregnancy. It is more important to gain weight with food than to lose weight from the body. Withholding nutrition can lead the unborn to draw energy resources from maternal tissue. Significantly, this is because the baby cannot draw nutrients from fat without assistance from the mother in the form of a carefully balanced diet.
Impact of Poor Nutrition on Pregnancy Outcomes
Maternal malnutrition affects women’s health and pregnancy outcomes, including the increased risk of maternal mortality and miscarriage, maternal anemia, low birth weight, preterm delivery, and neural tube defects. However, in many low and middle-income countries, less than half of pregnant and nursing women receive the nutrient-rich, animal-source foods that are necessary to meet their energy needs and to help prevent these negative outcomes. Scientists have long been interested in how maternal nutrition impacts newborn mortality and the long-term consequences that poor in-utero nutrition can carry for newborns. Research has suggested that developmental plasticity permits fetuses to adjust to the quality of their nutritional environment so they can distribute metabolic investments toward the development of the most critical organs.
Read more about Nutrition and women’s health https://www.ihmorg.org/nutrition-and-womens-health/
Conclusion:
Proper nutrition is of utmost importance for pregnant women, as it directly affects their health and the health of the fetus. A balanced diet ensures that the mother receives essential vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, iron, and calcium, which support the healthy growth and development of the fetus’s organs. Additionally, good nutrition helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as anemia, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. Healthy eating habits also impact birth weight and the long-term health of the child. Therefore, pregnant women should pay attention to their diet and consult with nutrition and healthcare professionals to ensure the best health outcomes for themselves and their babies.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICINE ORGANIZATION IHMO
