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Your Changing Body
So you are eating for
"two", that is no reason to over indulge in the wrong kinds of
foods.
It is a well known fact that a pregnant woman must eat to maintain
herself and provide
a storehouse of elements which will
support the growth of the uterus, placenta, internal
membranes, and the fetus.
It has been proven that a Nutritious diet during
a
pregnancy reduces the risks of miscarriages, stillbirths,
premature births, and even a
decrease in illness in the first 6
months of the infants life.
Actually, a woman's diet even before
conception can influence the course of her
pregnancy.
Fertility itself can be inhibited by dietary
deficiencies.
Nothing can guarantee a successful birth, but a nutrient-rich diet
minimizes the risks involved.
While pregnancy is a natural process,
it does create added physical and mental stress,
so that a diet that was
once adequate may not be during pregnancy.
Many changes take place in a woman's
body when she conceives. Hormones,
primarily a product of protein and
B-vitamin interaction, are called into play;
consequently those
nutrients needed for hormone production must be
provided.
The thyroid gland is particularly active so that iodine must be
available.
Changes occur in blood volume and circulation, and the mother's
diet must contain large amounts of iron for hemoglobin production in order
to forestall anemia.
By the third month, when most expectant
mothers begin to show, all the essential
amino acids are called upon for
enlargement of the mothers breasts and uterus.
One common malady of these
body changes is mild toxemia, nausea- known as morning sickness.
Some say high levels of thiamin may prevent this
discomfort.
A mother's diet must provide all the growth-producing substances
for the newly
conceived child.
Calcium needed for the
infants teeth and bones. At birth the first 20 teeth
are
already inside the baby's jaw and this also depends on phosphorus,
and Vitamin D.
By the fourth month, rapid fetal growth is in progress and
additional Protein
is needed for formation of the baby's
tissues, if this protein is not available directly from the mother's diet
it will be drawn from the mothers tissues, resulting in possible
anemia
in both mother and child. Protein is also responsible for
the growth of brain
cells in the fetus. It is not only the
expectant mother who requires an increase in
iron,
but the child as well. Prenatal feeding must provide a
reserve
for the first 3-5 months of life, when the diet is low in
this vital mineral.
Vitamin A is important for
the formation of epithelial cells and bone-building
protein tissue. Vitamin
C deficiency may limit the growth potential of
the child in the uterus,
and levels must again be high enough to impart
the large quantifies of
Vitamin C needed by the infant at birth.
Both these vitamins ( A and
C ) provide resistance to infections and
reduce
the possibility of maternal illness which can bring about
malformations of the fetus.
The B Vitamins are
associated with protein for the formation of the
infant's tissues and must
be increased proportionately.
Levels of B vitamins, as well as the
other vitamins and minerals, influence the
production of mother's milk for
continued feeding of the child after birth.
It is noted that all daily allowances
are elevated, especially Vitamin D
for it's calcium
utilization.
Any weight gain should be gradual, and not to exceed 20-25 pounds
during pregnancy.
Diet Recommendations:
At least 1 quart of milk per day
Protein such as : organ meats, fish,
poultry, and cottage cheese
Four or
Five eggs per week
Grains,vegetables
and fruits plentiful
Iron rich
foods
2 tablespoons of unsaturated
oil ( essential fatty acids )
At least 2 quarts of liquid are needed to eliminate
the double-waste build up,
and
roughage of vegetables, fruits and whole grains is helpful
for
the laxative
action.
Yogurt and B vitamins also
help to enhance food movement in the intestines.
A well- balanced , high quality diet
during pregnancy affords the best chance for
an uncomplicated birth,
and a healthy
child. |
