Nutrition during pregnancy

Question 1

What are the energy requirements for pregnant women for each trimester

Answer 1

• 1 trimester: no additional calories
• 2nd trimester: additional 340 kcal/day
• 3rd trimester : additional 452 kcal/day

Question 2

What is the RDA for protein & fats

Answer 2

protein: 20-35%

Fats : 1.1kg/body weight or additional 25g per day

Question 3

Why is it important for pregnant women to consume lipids?

Answer 3

Formation of cell membranes and hormones
Proper eye and brain development, especially during prenatal period and into the first few years of the child’s life
Women at risk of energy malnutrition during pregnancy

Question 4

State the RDA for folate , iron , vitamin B12 & zinc

Answer 4

Folate : 600u
Iron : 27mg
Vitamin B12 : 2.6u
Zinc : 11mg

Question 5

A infant born with incomplete closure of the spinal cord has

Answer 5

Spinal bifida

Question 6

Explain the function of iron during pregnancy

Answer 6

• For enlarged blood volume during pregnancy
• To provide for placental and fetal needs
• Developing fetus draws on maternal iron stores to create its own stores to last through the first 4-6 months after birth.

Question 7

Explain the function or iron

Answer 7

• cofactor for enzymes involves in oxidation-reduction reactions in cell metabolism
• forms a component in haemoglobin that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body
• essential for normal neurodevelopment during fetal and early childhood development

Question 8

Taken 1 month before conception and throughout 1st trimester can help reduce risk of neural tube defects

Answer 8

Folate

Question 9

Function of Vitamin B12 for body

Answer 9

• Production of red blood cells
• Manufacturing of genetic material
• Healthy functioning of the nervous system

Question 10

Function of zinc for body

Answer 10

• Play a role in assisting in immune system development
• Needed for DNA and RNA synthesis
• Needed for protein synthesis and cell development

Question 11

Why is it important for pregnant women to have adequate vitamin D

Answer 11

• Maternal Vitamin D deficiency interferes with normal calcium metabolism
• result in rickets in fetus & osteomalacia in the mother

Question 12

Source of Vitamin D

Answer 12

Sunlight exposure , fortified soy milk

Question 13

Why is it important for pregnant women to consume adequate calcium

Answer 13

Last trimester:
Fetal bones calcify, causing a shift of calcium across the placenta
Final weeks of pregnancy:
> 300mg of calcium/day are transferred to the fetus
Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy aims to conserve maternal bone while supplying fetal needs

Question 14

State the 5 factors incompatible with pregnancy

Answer 14

1) Alcohol
2) Medicinal drugs and herbal supplements
3) Illicit drugs
4) Smoking
5) Environment Contaminants

Question 15

Why should alcohol be avoided during pregnancy

Answer 15

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause irreversible mental and physical retardation of the fetus in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Question 16

Complications of drug use during pregnancy

Answer 16

• Preterm birth
• Low-birthweight infants
• Sudden infant death

Question 17

Complications of smoking during pregnancy

Answer 17

• Childhood asthma
• low birthweight infant
• sudden infant death syndrome

Question 18

State how pregnant women can avoid environment contaminants

Answer 18

• Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, golden snapper
• Limit average weekly consumption of 4 servings of fish/seafood (90g or 1 palm size per serving)
• Avoid fish oil supplements as they may contain concentrated toxins

Question 19

State the nutrition - related concerns during pregnancy

Answer 19

• morning sickness
• heartburn
• constipation
• craving and aversions
• gestational diabetes
• preeclampsia

Question 20

how can pregnant women alleviate nausea due to morning sickness

Answer 20

Eat dry toast or crackers
Separate liquid and solid food intake
Chew gum or suck hard candies
Eat small, frequent meals
Avoid foods with offensive odors