Nutrition and pregnancy refers to nutritional intake, and dietary planning is performed before, during and after pregnancy. Fetal nutrition begins at conception. For this reason, maternal nutrition is important from before conception (possibly several months earlier) as well as throughout pregnancy and lactation. The ever-increasing amount of research has shown that maternal nutrition will affect children, up to and including risks for cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes throughout life.
Insufficient or excessive amounts of nutrients can cause malformations or medical problems to the fetus, and neurological and disability disorders are risks that malnourished mothers run. It is estimated that 24% of babies worldwide are born with lower body weight than at birth due to lack of proper nutrition. Personal habits such as consumption of alcohol or caffeine in large quantities can have a negative and irreversible impact on infant development, which occurs in the early stages of pregnancy.
Video Nutrition and pregnancy
Nutrition before pregnancy
As with most diets, there is a possibility of supplementation, however, as a general suggestion, both state and medical recommendations are that mothers follow the instructions listed on specific vitamin packs such as on the correct or recommended daily allowance (RDA). Daily prenatal usage of iron substantially increases birth weight, potentially reducing the risk of low birth weight.
- Folic acid supplementation is recommended before conception, to prevent the development of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. It should be taken at least 0.4 mg/day during the first trimester of pregnancy, 0.6 mg/day through pregnancy, and 0.5 mg/day while breastfeeding other than eating foods rich in folic acid such as green leafy vegetables..
- iodine levels are often too low in pregnant women, and iodine is required for normal thyroid function and fetal mental development, even cretinism. Pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins containing iodine.
- Vitamin D levels vary with sun exposure. While it is assumed that supplementation is required only in areas with high latitudes, recent studies on vitamin D levels throughout the United States and many other countries have shown a large number of women with low levels. For this reason, there is a growing movement to recommend supplementation with 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily during pregnancy.
- A large number of pregnant women are found to have low levels of vitamin B12, but supplementation has not been shown to improve the outcomes of pregnancy or newborn health.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are particularly useful for fetal development. Some studies show a small decrease in preterm birth and low birth weight in mothers with higher intake. The best food source of omega-3 fatty acids are oily fish. Omega-3 fatty acids not found in fish can be found in foods such as flaxseed, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
- Iron is necessary for healthy fetal and placental growth, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is also important before pregnancy for the production of hemoglobin. There is no evidence that hemoglobin levels of 7 grams/100 ml or higher are detrimental to pregnancy, but it must be admitted that maternal bleeding is a major source of maternal death worldwide, and the reserve capacity to carry oxygen is desirable. According to a Cochrane review the conclusion of iron supplementation reduces the risk of maternal anemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy but the positive effects on the results of mothers and other infants are less clear.
Maps Nutrition and pregnancy
Nutrition during pregnancy
The United States and the European Union have established recommendations for vitamins and minerals for pregnancy and lactation. The numbers in the table below are higher than both. Quotations separately include recommendations for pregnancy and lactation. Recommendations (RDAs = Recommended Dietary Allowances and PRIs = Population Reference Intakes) are set higher than what has been specified as the average requirement so as to handle women with above average needs. For some nutrients there is not enough information to set recommendations, so the term Adequate Intake (AI) is used based on what seems to be enough.
* An adequate intake
  Not set. The EU has not identified AI for sodium or chloride, and does not regard chromium as an essential mineral nutrient.
Some micronutrient supplements taken with iron and folic acid can increase birth outcomes for women in low-income countries. This supplement reduces the number of low birth weight babies, small for babies of gestational age and stillbirths in women who may not have many micronutrients in their regular diet. Nutritional women can benefit from dietary education sessions and, balanced energy and protein supplements. A review shows that food education increases the intake of mother proteins and helps babies grow more in the womb. A balanced protein and energy supplement lowers the risk of stillbirth and small infants as well as weight gain for mothers and infants. Although further research is needed for long-term effects on maternal and infant health, short-term effects look promising.
Complementing a person's diet with foods rich in folic acid, dark green leafy fruits and vegetables help prevent neural tube birth defects in the fetus. In addition, prenatal vitamins usually contain an increase in the amount of folic acid, iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium above the amount found in standard multi-vitamins. Zinc supplements have reduced preterm delivery by about 14% especially in low-income countries where zinc deficiency is common. However, the World Health Organization does not routinely recommend zinc supplements for all pregnant women.
For women with a low calcium diet, taking calcium supplements may reduce the risk of preeclampsia. It has also been suggested that calcium can reduce the number of births that occur before the 37th week of pregnancy (premature birth). But more recent reviews looking for other benefits of calcium supplements did not find an increase in the number of premature or low-birth-weight babies. There is not enough good quality for research to suggest the best dosage and time of calcium supplementation.
Pregnant women are advised to pay attention to the foods they eat during pregnancy to reduce the risk of exposure to substances or bacteria that may be harmful to the developing fetus. These may include potentially harmful pathogens such as listeria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. A large amount of retinol intake has been associated with birth defects and abnormalities. Although seafood contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for both mother and baby, but there is no consensus about eating seafood during pregnancy. Pregnant women are advised to eat seafood in moderation.
During pregnancy, the female mass increases by about 12 kg (26 pounds). The European Food Safety Authority recommends an increase of 300 mL per day compared to normal intake for nonpregnant women, with total adequate water intake (from food and liquids) up to 2,300 mL, or about 1,850 mL/day of fluid alone.
Maternal nutritional intake during pregnancy is believed to affect and may offer a protective effect against the development of allergenic diseases and asthma in children. Intake of vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc in mothers were all associated with a lower likelihood of wheezing in childhood, indicating a protective effect. In addition, maternal intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) has been associated with a reduced risk of developing eczema in childhood and reducing the possibility for infants to show food sensitivity in the first year of life.
Caffeine
Consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and an increased risk of low birth weight, defined as under 2500 grams (5.5 pounds). European Food Safety Authority and Congress of Obstetricians and American Gynecologists agree that the habit of consuming caffeine to 200 mg per day by pregnant women does not cause safety concerns for the fetus. The UK Food Standards Agency has recommended that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 300 mg of caffeine per day, but in 2009 it was revised to less than 200 mg of caffeine a day.
Alcohol
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The most severe form of this condition is known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Problems may include abnormal appearance, short height, low weight, small head size, poor coordination, low intelligence, behavior problems, hearing loss and vision problems. Those affected are more likely to have problems at school, legal issues, participate in high-risk behaviors, and have problems with alcohol and drug use. Fetal alcohol syndrome usually occurs when a pregnant woman has more than four drinks per day. Lighter symptoms have been found with two drinks per day during the early part of pregnancy. The evidence of harm from less than two drinks per day or 10 drinks per week is unclear.
The American Academy of Pediatrics sets out a series of conservative recommendations by 2015: "During pregnancy: no alcohol intake should be considered safe, no safe trimester for drinking alcohol, all forms of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and liquor, and the binge party poses dose-related risks to developing fetuses. "The World Health Organization recommends that alcohol should be avoided completely during pregnancy, given the relatively unknown effects of even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy.
Fish
Fish consumption during pregnancy is driven by European, Australian and American guidelines. The reasons given are fatty fish such as salmon and tuna containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are called long chains, omega-3s, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and are considered essential for the development of the fetus's nerves. In addition, fish are a source of vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as iodine minerals.
Due to the risk of heavy metal toxicity on the development of fetal nerves, many mothers are worried about eating fish during pregnancy. Overall, current research supports the idea that the benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy outweigh the risks; However, the type of fish is important. Current research shows that 2-3 servings of low-fat methylmercury containing per week in pregnancy are safe and beneficial. Mercury accumulates in fish through their own food (bioaccumulation). The general rule is that fish are higher on the food chain, and with longer life spans will contain higher levels of mercury. Lower fish on the food chain and with shorter life spans will have lower metal content. However, it is important to note that the bioaccumulation of metals in fish also depends on geographical location, making it difficult to make global recommendations on certain fish species. The alternative to consuming fish is to use fish oil fish supplements, as these have been processed to remove mercury and other contaminants.
Folic acid
Folic acid, which is a synthetic form of vitamin folate, is very important both in pre- and peri-conception. Lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects (NTDs). Women who had 0.4 mg of folic acid in their system because supplementation 3 months before delivery significantly reduced the risk of NTD.
Vitamins C and E
Vitamin antioxidants as dietary supplements have been suggested to have benefits if taken during pregnancy. For a combination of vitamin E with vitamin C given to pregnant women, Cochrane's review of 21 clinical trials concluded that the data did not support vitamin E supplementation - the majority of alpha-tocopherol trials at 400 IU/day plus vitamin C at 1000 mg/day. day - as efficacious for reducing the risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, premature birth, preeclampsia or other maternal or infant outcomes, either in healthy women or those considered to be at risk of complications of pregnancy. The study identified only three small trials in which vitamin E was added without supplementation with vitamin C. None of these trials reported clinically meaningful information. A second Cochrane review of 29 trials, published in the same year, was reported in the same combination experiment but added a trial analysis with vitamin C alone. The conclusion is that the data do not support routine vitamin C supplements alone or in combination with other supplements for the prevention of fetal or neonatal death, poor fetal growth, premature birth or preeclampsia.
Nutrition after pregnancy
Proper nutrition is important after childbirth to help the mother recover, and to provide enough energy and nutritional food for a woman to breastfeed her child. Women who have ferritin serum less than 70 Âμg/L may require iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy and postpartum.
During breastfeeding, water intake may need to be increased. Human milk is made from 88% water, and IOM recommends that breastfeeding women increase their water intake by 300 mL/day to a total volume of 3000 mL/day (from food and beverages); about 2,400 mL/day of fluid.
See also
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Prenatal Nutrition
- Smoking and pregnancy
References
Further reading
- "Nutrition During Pregnancy Resource List for Consumers" (PDF) . USDA NAL Food and Nutrition Information Center. Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments