Nutrition In Pregnancy

Adequate nutrition is very important during pregnancy to ensure the well- being of both the infant and the mother. Careful nutritional care during this phase of high physiological demand is crucial. Pregnancy induced hypertension, heartburn, constipation, nausea, vomiting, edema and anemia are all possible discomforts and complications of pregnancy. These problems can be minimized through proper nutritional therapy.         

Pregnancy is a period of great anabolic activity and physiological stress where rapid growth takes place in the mother’s body. The mother has the responsibility of supporting the growth of the fetus in her womb during the 9 months of pregnancy and later externally by breast feeding the infant.          

The diet and nutritional status of the mother has an intense and lasting effect on her own health as well as that of the newborn. The right nutritional care for optimal health is essential to avoid complications during pregnancy and also plays a vital role in the development of the fetus. Maternal malnutrition not only affects the mother’s health adversely but may also result in low birth weight of the newborn and increased infant mortality rates.regnancy is a period of great anabolic activity and physiological stress where rapid growth takes place in the mother’s body. The mother has the responsibility of supporting the growth of the fetus in her womb during the 9 months of pregnancy and later externally by breast feeding the infant.

 Pre-conception nutrition is an important prequel to pregnancy. A nutritionally balanced diet which would help the woman to attain the right nutritional status is essential prior to pregnancy. Importance has to be given to the pre-pregnancy weight as it will have a direct impact on the birth weight of the new born and risks during pregnancy.  Underweight women have the risk of giving birth to low birth weight babies and overweight women are likely to develop complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Thus a good pre-conception nutrition through a well-balanced diet is essential to meet the demands of pregnancy.