1 / 55

Nutrition Before Conception

Nutrition Before Conception. Some deficiency related problems develop very early in pregnancy. Neural tube defects: Related to inadequate level of folate Effects the embryo in the first few weeks Adequate folate (400mg daily) before conception can reduce the risks.

gautam
Download Presentation

Nutrition Before Conception

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Nutrition Before Conception • Some deficiency related problems develop very early in pregnancy. • Neural tube defects: • Related to inadequate level of folate • Effects the embryo in the first few weeks • Adequate folate (400mg daily) before conception can reduce the risks

  2. Nutrition Before Conception • A healthful diet before conception includes • Avoiding teratogens: substances that cause birth defects • Includes alcohol and illegal drugs • Avoiding other possible hazards • Smoking, caffeine, medications, some herbs and supplements

  3. Nutrition Before Conception • A healthful diet before conception reduces the risk of developing nutrition-related disorders during pregnancy, such as • Gestational diabetes • Preeclampsia

  4. Nutrition During Pregnancy • A full term pregnancy lasts 38 – 42 weeks: • 1st trimester: conception to 13th week • 2nd trimester: 14th to 27th week • 3rd trimester: 28th to 40th week • Embryonic stage: ~ day 15 to the 8th week • After the 8th week, the developing baby is called a fetus.

  5. Nutrition During Pregnancy • 1st trimester • Zygote (fertilized egg) travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the wall of the uterus • Development of organs, limb buds, facial features, placenta • Embryos are extremely vulnerable to teratogens during this time

  6. Ovulation, Conception, and Implantation

  7. The First Ten Weeks

  8. Placental Development

  9. Nutrition During Pregnancy • 2nd trimester • Continued development of organ systems • Growth from ~ 3 inches to over a foot long by the end of the 2nd trimester

  10. Nutrition During Pregnancy • 3rd trimester • Time of considerable growth • Fetus gains ¾ of it’s weight in this time • Brain growth is also extensive • Lungs become fully mature • A balanced, adequate diet for the mother is essential during this time

  11. Nutrition During Pregnancy • An undernourished mother is more likely to give birth to a low-birth weight baby. • Low-birth weight: any baby born weighing less than 5.5 pounds • Increased risk of infections, learning disabilities, impaired physical development, and death in the 1st year • Preterm babies are born before 38 weeks and may be low-birth weight babies.

  12. Nutrition During Pregnancy • Weight gain during pregnancy: • Women who do not gain enough weight are at risk of having a low-birth weight baby. • Too much weight gain is also risky. • Women should not diet during pregnancy since this may deprive the fetus of critical nutrients.

  13. Nutrition During Pregnancy

  14. Nutrition During Pregnancy • The requirement for nearly all nutrients increases during pregnancy. • Pregnant women must pay attention to their intake of: • Macronutrients • Micronutrients • Fluids

  15. Macronutrients • Energy • An additional 300 kcal/day may be required in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters • Nutrient-dense foods are essential in order to obtain sufficient nutrients • Proteins and Carbohydrates • 60 grams/day of protein • 130 grams/day of carbohydrates

  16. Macronutrients • Fat • The percentage of calories obtained from fat should not change during pregnancy. • Limit saturated fat, avoid trans fats • Fat is required by the newborn for temperature regulation and as an energy source

  17. Micronutrients • The micronutrients that are most critical during pregnancy include • folate calcium • vitamin B12 iron • vitamin C zinc • vitamin A sodium • vitamin D iodine

  18. Micronutrients • Folate • Required for cell division • Critical in the first 28 days for development of the neural tube which becomes the brain and spinal cord • 400mg/day for sexually active women • 600mg/day for pregnant women

  19. Micronutrients • Vitamin B12 • Regenerates the active form of folate • 2.6mg/day during pregnancy • Vitamin C • Production of collagen, a component of connective tissue • 85 mg/day during pregnancy • Deficiency results in infections, preterm births

  20. Micronutrients • Vitamin A • Needs increase by 10% in pregnancy • Excess vitamin A can cause abnormalities in fetal kidneys and nervous system • Vitamin D • AI does not increase during pregnancy • Excessive vitamin D can cause developmental disabilities in newborns

  21. Micronutrients • Calcium • 1000mg/day, same as for nonpregnant women • Pregnant women absorb calcium better • Zinc • Critical for making proteins, DNA, RNA • Need increases 38% during pregnancy

  22. Micronutrients • Iron • Increased need for red blood cells increases the need for iron by 50% • Fetal need for iron increases in 3rd trimester • Fetus will take iron from mother causing iron-deficient anemia

  23. Micronutrients • Sodium • 1500 mg/day, same as for nonpregnant women • Iodine • Need for iodine increases significantly • 220 mg/day can be obtained from iodized salt

  24. Fluids During Pregnancy • The need for fluids increases to 3 liters per day for • Increase in the mother’s blood volume • Regulating body temperature • Production of amniotic fluid to protect and cushion the fetus • Combat fluid retention and constipation • Prevent urinary tract infections

  25. Nutrition-Related Concerns • Nutrition-related problems during pregnancy can include • Morning sickness • Cravings and aversions • Heartburn • Constipation and hemorrhoids • Gestational diabetes • Preeclampsia

  26. Nutrition-Related Concerns • Adolescent pregnancy • Vegetarianism • Dieting • Caffeine • Alcohol • Exercise

  27. Morning Sickness • Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. • Can occur at any time; often lasts all day • May begin after the 1st missed period and last 12 to 16 weeks • High levels of 2 pregnancy hormones may be the cause • No cure, but symptoms can be reduced

  28. Cravings and Aversions • Most women crave a certain type of food (sweet, salty) rather than a specific food. • Little evidence supports the idea that cravings indicate a deficiency. • Pica: craving a non-food item (ice, clay). • Food aversions are common, but not universal among pregnant women.

  29. Heartburn • Heartburn occurs when the sphincter above the stomach relaxes, allowing stomach acid into the esophagus. • Hormones in pregnancy relax smooth muscles, thereby increasing heartburn. • Enlargement of the uterus pushes up on the stomach and compounds the problem.

  30. Constipation and Hemorrhoids • Pregnancy hormones that cause smooth muscle to relax also slow the movement of material through the large intestine. • Hemorrhoids: swollen varicose veins in the rectum that are caused by or exacerbated by constipation. • Reduce constipation by consuming 25-35 g/day of fiber and plenty of fluids.

  31. Gestational Diabetes • Gestational diabetes: insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance that increases blood glucose levels during pregnancy. • Condition resolves after birth occurs • Risk of delivering a large baby • Uncontrolled blood glucose levels may lead to preeclampsia

  32. Preeclampsia • Preeclampsia: pregnancy-induced hypertension. • Can be fatal if left untreated • Deficiencies in vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium increase the risk • Treatment focuses on managing blood pressure and often includes bed rest • The only cure is childbirth

  33. Adolescent Pregnancy • Nutritional needs of pregnant adolescents are higher than those of adult women • Adolescent bodies are still growing and changing, adding to the nutritional needs of pregnancy • Pregnant adolescents are more likely to have preterm babies, low-birth weight babies, and other complications

  34. Vegetarianism • A vegetarian consuming eggs and dairy products has the same nutritional concerns as a non-vegetarian. • A complete vegetarian (vegan) must carefully watch her intake of: • vitamin D calcium • vitamin B6 iron • vitamin B12 zinc

  35. Dieting • Dieting to lose weight is not advisable during pregnancy. • Calorie restriction limits nutrient availability for the mother and the fetus. • Fad diets are often unbalanced in macronutrients and micronutrients.

  36. Consumption of Caffeine • Caffeine is a stimulant that crosses the placenta and reaches the fetus. • One to two cups of coffee per day is very likely causing no harm. • Greater than two cups of coffee may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

  37. Consumption of Alcohol • Alcohol is a known teratogen that crosses the placenta and is associated with various birth defects. • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS): variety of characteristics associated with prenatal exposure to high quantities of alcohol. • Malformations of face, limbs, heart • Many developmental disabilities

  38. Exercise • Exercise during pregnancy • Keeps a woman physically fit • Is a great mood booster • Helps compensate for an increased appetite • Helps keep blood pressure down • Makes it easier to lose weight after the pregnancy

  39. Breastfeeding • Lactation: production of breast milk. • Prolactin: hormone responsible for the synthesis of milk. • Produced toward the end of pregnancy • Suppressed by estrogen and progesterone until childbirth • Colostrum: first milk produced; rich in proteins, antibodies, vitamins, minerals.

  40. Breastfeeding

  41. Breastfeeding

  42. Breastfeeding • Milk production requires 700 – 800 kcal/day • Lactating women should consume an extra 500 kcal/day above their own needs. • This allows a woman to gradually lose weight (1 – 4 pounds per month).

  43. Breastfeeding • The benefits of breastfeeding include • High quality nutrition • Protection from allergies and infections • Assisting the mother in weight loss • Suppressing ovulation • Opportunity for bonding • Convenient, cost efficient

  44. Breastfeeding • Obstacles to breastfeeding include • Many harmful substances are passed into breast milk, including: • Illegal drugs, caffeine, nicotine, prescription and over-the-counter medications • HIV is passed through breast milk • Conflicts with mother’s employment

  45. Infant Nutrition • Optimal nutrition is critical in the first year because • The baby’s organs are developing • The nervous system continues to develop • Babies typically grow 10 inches in length and triple their weight in the 1st year

  46. Infant Nutrition

  47. Infant Nutrition • Infants’ nutritional needs are unique because • Their energy needs are high to support rapid growth • Their digestive tracts and kidneys are still immature • They are small in size

  48. Infant Nutrition • Infants need • 50 kcal per pound of body weight /day • At least 40% of calories from fat • No more than 20% of calories from protein • 2 ounces of fluid per pound of body weight

  49. Infant Nutrition • World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for at least the first 2 years. • Breast milk or formula should be supplemented with solid food beginning at 4 to 6 months.

  50. Infant Nutrition • Infants should not eat • Foods they could choke on • Corn syrup or honey • Goat’s milk • Cow’s milk • Large quantities of fruit juice • Too much salt or sugar • Too much breast milk or formula

More Related