Pregnancy Flashcards
What macronutrients are needed during pregnancy?
Fat
Carbohydrate
Protein
Why is fat needed during pregnancy?
Essential fatty acids- reducing high blood pressure for the mother and in the development of the brain and eyes in the baby
olive oil, oily fish eg. salmon, margarine and oatcakes
Why are carbohydrates needed during pregnancy?
Increased energy needs- eat complex carbs which provide a slow release of energy and maintain fullness.
Constipation prevention.
Bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.
Why is protein needed during pregnancy?
Growth and development of baby and for the repair and maintenance of the mothers body tissue during pregnancy.
Meat, fish, eggs, milk, hard cheese, pulses and cereals.
Which micronutrients are needed during pregnancy?
Calcium Iron Sodium Vitamin A Vitamin D B group vitamins Vitamin C Water
Why is calcium needed during pregnancy?
For baby’s skeleton development especially in last trimester
To ensure mother’s skeleton and teeth maintain strong and healthy
milk, hard cheese, yoghurt and breakfast cereals
Why is iron needed during pregnany?
To ensure the mother has enough iron for herself and to ensure the baby has enough to store for the first six months after birth.
The baby will need this store for energy and healthy blood as both breast milk and cow’s milk are poor sources of iron.
meat, green leafy vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.
Why is sodium needed during pregnancy?
Intake should be monitored to maintain a steady blood pressure.
Daily intake should not exceed 6g.
Avoid fast foods.
Eat more fruit, vegetables and pulses instead.
Why is Vitamin A needed during pregnancy?
For growth and development of the baby.
However, Vitamin A can be toxic in large amounts and can lead to birth defects. Avoid liver products during pregnancy, as they are very high in Vitamin A and could cause an excess.
Cheese, well-cooked eggs, oily fish, whole milk and fortified margarine.
Why is Vitamin D needed during pregnancy?
A deficiency can lead to a low birth weight of the baby and osteomalacia in the mother
Assists the absorption of calcium.
Sunlight, oily fish, well-cooked eggs, fortified margarine and milk.
Why is folate needed during pregnancy?
Development of brain and nervous system of baby.
A lack of folate could lead to spina bifida, miscarriage and premature or sloe growth.
A folic acid supplement is needed for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and pre-conception.
Why is Vitamin C needed during pregnancy?
Assist the absorption of iron from food.
Helps improve immunity and prevent infection and disease.
Requirements increase in the last trimester.
Fruit and Vegetables.
Why is water needed during pregnancy?
Fluid balance is important during pregnancy to prevent constipation and dehydration.
A pregnant woman should aim to drink 8 glasses of fluid per day.
Water, tea, fruit, vegetables, soups, smoothies and pure fruit juices.
Why do doctors recommend pregnant woman to take folate supplements when trying to conceive and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy?
Folate is needed for rapid cell division and growth in the foetus that takes place during pregnancy.
It reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the foetus.
How many mcg of folate supplements a day do doctors recommend pregnant woman to take when trying to conceive and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy?
400mcg of folic acid supplements daily, in addition to folate in their diet.
