The best investment a mother can give to her child is good health which of course starts with proper nutrition. Because of lifelong impact, the best time to invest in one’s child is during pregnancy. Yet, cases of malnutrition – undernutrition, overnutrition, specific deficiencies – continue to afflict pregnant women. Babies born of low birth weight imply growth retardation while in the uterus. Having overweight babies has been one reason for deliveries via caesarian operation.
It is important that the weight before pregnancy be known thus all women should have their weights monitored every now and then. The pre-pregnancy weight serves as a basis in determining if total weight gain during pregnancy is just right, lacking or excessive. In many cases however, pre-pregnancy weight is unknown and the weight at first visit is used as reference. Whatever the woman’s weight is, pregnancy is never a time to lose weight or restrict diet. There is an appropriate amount of weight to be gained throughout pregnancy – 11 to 14 kilograms for those with normal nutritional status at the beginning of pregnancy. This depends on the nutritional status before or at the beginning of pregnancy.
After the different parts of the body form from the latter part of 1st month to end of 2nd month of pregnancy, the fetus needs to grow. Hence, from the 3rd month of pregnancy to birth, nutrition should enable appropriate growth so that the baby at birth can withstand life outside the uterus. The nutritional needs of the mother during pregnancy and as she prepares for delivery and lactation, should not be sacrificed.
So, what, how much and how often should a pregnant woman eat? Should she double her meals? Should she keep eating sugars and sweets or totally avoid them? Definitely no to these last two questions.
Like anyone else, a pregnant woman must eat from each of the food groups – cereals/staples, fruits, vegetables, meat and other protein-rich foods, milk, fats and sugars. If there is a food group from which nothing is eaten by those of excessive weight, it is sweets/sugar. As to how much, the Food Pyramid spells out the recommended number of servings per day to ensure moderation and balance. How different from an adult? Pregnant women’s calorie and nutritional needs increase. Compared to a non-pregnancy state, a pregnant woman should increase intake by 300 calories and 27g protein per day. Increases are prescribed for vitamins and minerals too but caution on vitamin A supplements which should not be taken for possible adverse effects. The expected increase in food intake is not that big to entail doubling of the usual diet. The expected increase entails an additional of one to two servings from each of the food groups.
Fiber, which is not a nutrient but rich in many unprocessed foods of plant origin, should not be neglected. For better management, meals may be small but frequent, that is, three meals and three snacks. If with nausea and vomiting, do not drink water and other beverages with meals, but drink in between meals so as not to fill the stomach to its maximum capacity.