Sci 220 - Nutrition and Pregnancy

Nutrition and Pregnancy

SCI/ 220

May 4, 2015

        We have all heard people say when you are pregnant, you are eating for two. Well that is not entirely true. While it is true the fetus depends on the mother to get the nutrients it needs to develop properly, an expectant mother’s energy requirements only increase about 300 calories per day for the second and third trimester (Miller, 2011). There are many myths associated with pregnancy, some of these include;

Myth – Gaining less weight during pregnancy will make delivery easier.

Truth – Mothers who do not gain enough weight during pregnancy subject their babies to the risk of premature birth which can cause heart and lung problems.

Myth- If you gain the right amount of weight during the pregnancy, none of it will be fay gain.

Truth – Fat storage is part of a healthy pregnancy.  This excess fat is used by your body as energy during labor and while breastfeeding.

There are many other myths that have been handed down from generation to generation (American Pregnancy Association , 2013). The simple truth is, your baby requires certain nutrition throughout its development to ensure your baby arrives happy and healthy.

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Proper weight gain and caloric intake

        Women should gain on average 25 to 35 pounds dependent upon whether they were over or under weight when they conceived. It is recommended that women carrying one fetus consume between 300 to 500 additional calories during the last 6 months of their pregnancy (Miller, 2011). These caloric recommendations should be adjusted when a women is carrying more than one fetus. For additional information, see Weight Gain during Pregnancy.  Some of the consequences of inadequate weight gain can be intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, and a higher chance of premature birth. Just as it is important to gain the right amount of weight, too much weight gain can lead to other complications such as long-term maternal obesity, higher likelihood of childhood obesity, increased chances of stillborn, prolonged labor and other complications (Miller, 2011).  The table below illustrates proper weight gain during pregnancy.

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Source: (Miller, 2011).

Important Vitamins and Minerals

        Along with proper weight gain it is equally important an expectant mother receives the vitamins and minerals she needs throughout her pregnancy. These vitamins and minerals should be found by eating a proper diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Women who are expecting should also consume certain vitamins to reduce the risk of other developmental problems. During pregnancy, a woman should consume plenty of Folic Acid through either the foods she eats or supplementation to decrease the chances of Spina Bifida (Miller, 2011). She should also get plenty of iron due to the increased maternal blood volume and she should consume twice her normal intake of daily calcium to maintain bone heath (Miller, 2011). See table below for other sources and benefits of vitamins and minerals.