Nutrition and Pregnancy PDF

 Nutrition and Pregnancy Pregnancy is an important achievement in a woman's life that necessitates special attention from conception through delivery. It's also a fantastic opportunity for expectant mothers. A woman's pregnancy is a one-of-a- kind experience, and each pregnancy is distin...

 Nutrition and Pregnancy Pregnancy is an important achievement in a woman's life that necessitates special attention from conception through delivery. It's also a fantastic opportunity for expectant mothers. A woman's pregnancy is a one-of-a- kind experience, and each pregnancy is distinct. As a result, women must have knowledge and understanding of nutrition throughout pregnancy, as appropriate care is critical to both mother and child's health. Nutritional education is an important component of attaining healthy eating habits and subsequent diet quality improvements, as well as ensuring excellent pregnancy outcomes. Eating habits are described as the observable behavior or behavior of eating habits, and they can be classified as either good or bad. Nutritional intake during pregnancy is vital for a successful pregnancy, as it affects maternal and child health as well as dietary treatments during pregnancy. Due to anatomical and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, energy requirements increase by about 14%. Women who are pregnant need to fuel not just their bodies, but also their babies' growth. During pregnancy, the incidence of nutritional mistakes related to dietary habits and patterns is higher than during any other.  The nine months of pregnancy represent the most intense period of growth and development humans ever experience. How well these processes go depends on many factors, most of which are modifiable. Of the factors affecting fetal growth and development that are within our control to change, nutritional status stands out. At no other time in life are the benefits of optimal nutritional status more obvious than during pregnancy.  Important changes accompanied pregnancy Placenta takes place in the uterus, a muscular organ within which the infant develops before birth. The placenta performs the functions of respiration, absorption, and excretion for the fetus. Fetal Growth and Development 1- Zygote  * Newly Fertilized ovum begins as a single cell and divides to become many cells during the days after fertilization. * implantation. * Implantation: The stage of development in which the zygote embeds itself in the wall of the uterus and begins to develop;  2-Embryo It occurs from two to eight weeks, development of vital systems occurs at this period. At 8 weeks, the about 3 cm embryo has a complete central nervous system, a beating heart and a  digestive system 3- Fetus * Next seven months during this period organs grow to maturity. * Weight increases from less than 30 gm to about 3500 grams. * Most successful pregnancies last 38 to 42 weeks and produce a healthy infant weighing between 3000 gm and 4000gm. Critical periods  The critical period is 17-30 days gestation when most women do not even realize that they are pregnant. Critical periods are times of intense development and rapid cell division. The development of each organ and tissue is most vulnerable to adverse influences (such as nutrient deficiencies or toxins) during its own critical period.  Maternal Weight * A mother’s weight prior to conception and weight gain during pregnancy will influence an infant’s birth weight. * Birthweight is the most reliable indicator of an infant’s health. * Higher birthweights present fewer risks for infants. Lower birth weights present more problems. A birth weight of (2500 g) or less.  Underweight Prior to Conception  Tend to have lower birth weight babies and higher rates of preterm (premature 42 weeks). The baby tend to be greater than 4 kg at birth (macrosomia).More difficult labor and delivery and cesarean sections. Higher risk for neural tube defects, heart defects and other abnormalities. Weight loss should be postponed until after delivery.  Weight Gain during Pregnancy Recommended Prenatal Weight Gain based on Pregnancy Weight. * Underweight woman