Pregnancy Flashcards
Why is more energy important during pregnancy?
- for growth of the foetus
- For tissue synthesis
- Maternal fat deposition
Why is iron important in pregnancy?
- Foetal growth and development
- Blood lost through delivery
- Expansion of maternal tissue
Why is vitamin C important during pregnancy?
This helps to absorb the iron
What will occur if you have a low intake of folate/ folic acid?
Increased risk of NTD, miscarriage, stillbirth
Why is protein vital during pregnancy?
- Growth of maternal tissues
- Development of the foetus
- Milk production
Why is vitamin A encouraged to be avoided during pregnancy?
Linked to birth defects
Toxic to the unborn baby
Increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth & NTD
Why is it important to take a supplement of folate?
Lowers risk of -
- Stillbirth
- Prematurity
- Low birth weight
- Megaloblastic anaemia
What is folates main function during pregnancy?
Rapid cell division
Reduce risk of NTD
A deficiency in zinc during pregnancy can lead to…
- Slow growth
- Prolonged Labour
Why is vitamin D important during pregnancy?
Provides store for the foetus
Mothers body adapts to increase vit D absorption
What will a deficiency in Vitamin D lead to in the foetus?
Rickets
3 food safety guidelines pregnant women should follow:
- Cook food thoroughly and until piping hot
- Store all food at the correct temperature (fridge 5 degrees, freezer -18 degrees)
- Avoid cross contamination
What is listeriosis?
flu like illness caused by bacteria
What can listeriosis lead to during pregnancy?
Miscarriages, still birth, or severe illness of the new born
Examples of food that listeriosis is often found in?
Pate, soft and blue veined cheese
What guidelines should be followed to avoid listeriosis?
Cook food until piping hot
Wash fruit and veg
Avoid ready meals
What is toxoplasmosis?
An illness caused by a parasite
What is toxoplasmosis found in?
cat faeces
Unpasteurised goats milk/ cheese
Raw meat
Can toxoplasmosis be toxic?
Yes it can lead to severe illness in the new born
What are some guidelines pregnant women should follow?
Don’t eat raw or uncooked meat
Don’t consume unpasteurised goats milk and goats cheese
Follow good hygiene in the kitchen
Avoid contact with cat litter trays
What is salmonella?
Food poisoning that occurs due to consuming raw meat, poultry or eggs
Is this dangerous for the baby?
Not likely to have a direct adverse effect on the developing foetus
What are some symptoms of salmonella?
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
3 guidelines to avoid salmonella:
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Avoid cross - contamination
Ensure all food is cooked thoroughly
What is campylobacter?
Group of pathogenic organisms which are a common cause of food poisoning
What can campylobacter lead to during pregnancy?
Spontaneous abortion
Stillbirth
Neonatal death
3 guidelines to avoid campylobacter:
Avoid raw and under cooked meat
Don’t drink unpasteurised milk
Avoid untreated water
Why should you avoid shark and sword fish during pregnancy?
High levels of mercury - harm developing nervous system
Why should oily fish be restricted to 2 portions a week?
Contain dioxins which are pollutants and can be a risk to health
What severe effect can alcohol have on a developing foetus?
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
What does teratogenic mean?
Toxic effects
Why is alcohol fatal to the developing foetus?
- foetus’ liver cannot filter out toxins from the alcohol - damage to brain cells, nervous system and increased risk of FAS
What will FAS result in?
Small stature Distinctive facial abnormalities Learning difficulties Physical disabilities (heart problems, limb damage, kidney damage) Immunodeficiency Slow postnatal growth
What is the link with binge drinking during pregnancy?
Low reproductive success - sperm quality reduced in men
Alcohol increases the risk of…
Low birth weight babies
Increased risk of NTD
Why is game encouraged to be avoided during pregnancy?
Could contain levels of led (pellet)
Why is caffeine intake encouraged to be reduced during pregnancy?
Could result in LBW
Miscarriage
Problems later in life
Why are peanuts often encouraged to be restricted during pregnancy?
Could increase risk of an allergy
What will low weight gain prior to pregnancy increase risk of?
Fertility success reduced LBW baby Premature delivery Stunted growth Baby is nutrient deficient Stillbirth Foetal abnormalities
What will excessive weight gain prior to pregnancy increase the risk of?
Pre-eclampsia in mother Hypertension in mother Diabetes in mother Obesity in baby Prolonged labour Increases risk of miscarriage, stillbirth
What is macrosomia?
When a baby is significantly larger than normal, increased risk of birth injury
What is pre-eclampsia?
leads to rapid rise in blood pressure
risk of - seizure, stroke, organ failure, death of mother and baby
