Maternal and Infant Nutrition Flashcards
What three things should you do before contemplating pregnancy?
Screening for Risk
Health promotion and education
Intervention as needed
How is your weight an important factor in pregnancy?
Too low or too high of a weight can cause poor outcome. It’s also not a good time to diet.
What vitamin is essential before conception?
400-800 micrograms of synthetic folic acid
What should you eliminate prior to pregnancy?
Substance use
What is the first stage of human fetal growth?
Blastogenic stage (first two weeks)
What happens during the blastogenic stage?
Cells differentiate into fetus and placenta (first two weeks)
What is the second stage of human fetal growth?
Embryonic stage (weeks 2 to 8)
What happens during the embryonic stage?
Development of organ systems
What is the final stage of human fetal growth?
Fetal stage (week 9 to delivery)
What happens during the Fetal Stage?
Growth
What maternal changes happen during pregnancy?
Growth of adipose, breast, and uterine tissues
Increased blood volume
Slower GI tract motility
What is normal weight gain during pregnancy?
35-30 pounds
Higher for underweight women, lower for overweight women.
What macronutrient ratio do pregnant women need?
Moderate protein, low fat, and high carbohydrate
What does protein do during pregnancy?
Create new maternal, placental, and fetal tissues
What does fat do during pregnancy?
Fuel for mother and development of placenta
Stored fat supports breastfeeding
What do carbohydrates do during pregnancy?
Main source of extra calories which should be fiber rich and consisting of complex carbs
What micronutrients have increased need during pregnancy?
Iron and Folate, then A, B, and C.
What should you avoid during pregnancy?
Alcohol, certain types of fish, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and lessen caffeine
What does drinking alcohol during pregnancy contribute to?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (physical and mental defects as well as growth retardation)
How can you lessen GI stress during pregnancy?
Eat dry cereal, toast, and crackers before getting out of bed
Drink fluids and exercise between meals
Eat smaller more frequent meals
What is weird food cravings and aversions called?
Pica
What is hypertension during pregnancy called?
Preeclampsia (seizures in a pregnant woman not related to brain conditions)
What is gestational diabetes?
A special diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy where hormones interfere with insulin. Can be controlled through diet and may require insulin.
Mothers should try to breastfeed as soon as possible after birth to try to stimulate milk production. What is this first milk called?
Colostrum (high in protein and immunoglobulins)
What hormone stimulates milk production?
Prolactin
What hormone stimulates milk release?
Oxytocin (let-down reflex)
How much water does a breastfeeding woman need?
3.8 liters a day
Roughly how many calories does a breastfeeding woman need?
2200 - 2800 Kcal
What are benefits of breastfeeding?
Optimal nutrition Protects from infection and illness Convenience Weight loss/returning uterus to normal size Burns a lot of calories
What is the average growth rate of infants? double birth weight? triple birth weight?
4-6 months, 12 months
What are the energy and nutrient needs like during infancy?
Highest energy and protein needs
What are formula usually made from?
Cow’s milk or soy
What is a good gauge for feeding your baby?
Six or more wet diapers a day
Three or more stools a day
What is Colic and how can it be treated?
Colic is crying and distress. It can be affected by the breastfeeding mother’s diet.
