Maternal Nutrition Flashcards
Protein
Increase to provide amino acids for fetal development, blood volume expansion, maternal tissues
ex. lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy
Calcium & phosphorus
Mineralization of fetal bones and teeth, energy and cell production, and acid-base buffering
Calcium is also an important nutrient for your baby’s heart, muscles, nerves, and hormones.
ex. milk, kale, broccoli, greens
Iodine
Part of thyroid hormone: thyroxine
Deficiency = impaired brain development or enlargement of thyroid
- Cretinism
Ex. Seafood, iodized salt
Iron
Increase due to growth and fetus and placenta and expansion of maternal blood volume
Iron deficiency anemia:
Decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity of blood
Reduces hemoglobin, volume of RBC
Increased risk of preterm birth, low-birth-weight newborns, maternal and infant mortality, and fetal brain development
Magnesium
Cellular metabolism and structural growth
regulate body temperature, nucleic acid, and protein synthesis with an important role in maintaining nerve and muscle cell electrical potentials
Ex. Milk, whole grains, dark green veggies, nuts, legumes
Zinc
Protein metabolism and synthesis of DNA/RNA
Normal fetal growth and milk production
Deficiency: growth retardation, impaired immune response, delayed wound healing, mental lethargy
Ex. Meats, shellfish, poultry, whole grains, legumes
Vitamin A
Growth of epithelial cells, metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, formation and development of eyes
important for baby’s embryonic growth including development of heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous system.
Retinol: form of vitamin A - Helps ability to see in the dark
Deficiency: vision changes (blindness)
vitamin A toxicity can also be harmful to baby so it is important that the pregnant woman does not take too much
Ex. Liver, egg yolk, cream, butter, deep green, yellow, and orange veggoes
Vitamin D
Absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus in skeletal development
Excess: hypercalcemia (s: thirsty, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, irritability)
Vitamin E
Antioxidant: takes on oxygen = prevent other nutrients from undergoing chemical changes - Effects health of all cells
Involved in enzymatic and metabolic reactions: Synthesis of nucleic acids needed for formation of RBC in bone marrow
Treat muscular pain and intermittent claudication, healing wounds, protect lungs
Newborns: human milk provides adequate amounts
Deficiency: cystic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, jaundice, pancreatic problems
Excess: abnormal coagulation
Ex. Vegetable fats and oils, whoel grains, greens, eggs
Vitamin K
Synthesis of prothrombin: blood clotting
Ex. Green leafy veggies and liver
Vitamin C
Formation and development of connective tissue and vascular system
Immunity
Deficiency: muscular weakness, capillary hemorrhage, death
Ex. Citrus fruit, tomatos, strawberries, potatoes, broccoli, leafy green veggies, cantaloupe
Folate (folic acid)
Growth, reproduction, lactation
Deficiency: neural tube defects
Vitamin B6
Amino acid metabolism: means high protein intake = need for more vit B6
growing baby’s brain and nervous system development. It also is vital for producing norepinephrine and serotonin. These are two important neurotransmitters.
Ex. Wheat, yeast, fish, liver, pork, potatoes
Vitamin B12
Synthesis of DNA and RBC, maintains myelin sheath of nerve cells
Deficiency: can lead to infertility or pernicious anemia
- neural tube defect on baby
Fibre
The intake of fiber‐rich foods during pregnancy and lactation helps in promoting heart health, decreasing diabetes risk, preventing constipation, as well as reducing risks of preeclampsia, together with providing nutrient‐rich food with low energy density
