Pregnancy Nutrition Overview

Study Notes

Full-term pregnancy: Involves the three trimesters and the stages of prenatal development—embryo and fetus.
Placenta: Plays a vital role in successful pregnancy, affected by diet and lifestyle choices influencing nutrient intake.
Maternal Nutrition: Critical factors cover pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy (micronutrients, kilocalories by trimester, macronutrients, and restricted foods/substances).
Weight Gain: Healthy weight women's weight gain components, recommended weight gain during pregnancy, and complications like morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, also needing vitamin-containing food support.
Complications in Pregnancy: Include gestational diabetes, risks of macrosomia, jaundice, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia.
Factors Affecting Pregnancy: Table 17.5 details factors negatively affecting pregnancy. Lactation and prolactin are also discussed.
Infant nutrition: Early infancy (first year) needs, failure to thrive, significant nutrient needs of infants (macronutrients, micronutrients, supplements), and solid foods introduction in stages.
Food Intolerances: Food allergies, anaphylaxis, vs food intolerance reaction occurs in two stages (Figure 17.13)—sensitization stage and allergic reaction stage.

Breast milk: Compositional differences (colostrum vs hindmilk/foremilk), and benefits for both mother and infant.
Breastfeeding Duration: The duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Modifications in diet for breastfeeding mothers.
Substances to Avoid: Certain substances that breastfeeding mothers should limit or avoid.
Work and Breastfeeding: Issues and accommodations for breastfeeding mothers returning to work.
Formula as an Alternative: Formula as a healthy alternative for breastfeeding mothers who cannot breastfeed.
Food Allergies/Intolerances: Food reactions in infants.