Mom Massage Services

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sean_Jordan]Sean Jordan

It is no wonder that pregnancy and nutrition is a topic of vital importance as it deals with physical nourishment not just during the development of new human life inside the womb, but even before and after those nine months of gestation. Let us take a look at these three stages.

The relationship between pregnancy and nutrition, as previously mentioned, begins even before the embryo is conceived; even before there is a need to be “eating to feed two people,” the body of the mother, the would-be carrier of the fetus, should be nourished. This is but one of the many reasons there should be smart family planning beforehand. There is not only a gearing up for the developmental process to take place in the womb, but the chances of conception to begin with are actually improved.

Magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B complex, and folic acid all play important roles before and during gestation. The chances of any fetal deformities and even infertility itself will greatly diminish through supplementation of these nutrients. Alcohol intake, smoking, and everything else that should be avoided as per an obstetrician’s advice should be ceased; beginning at this stage as well, until after childbirth, raw or undercooked foods, unpasteurized dairy products, unwashed fruits and vegetables, too much liver (though liver is a very good source of iron, whose extra amounts is beneficial to a pregnant woman, an excess in vitamin A, which is also in liver, may cause birth defects), and excess caffeine, among others, must be avoided.

The woman’s body mass index (BMI) is also very important before conception. The woman should neither be underweight, without any disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, nor obese. Maintaining a gradual and steady weight gain of approximately 25 pounds during pregnancy can be hard enough as it is for those within their normal body mass index.

And that brings us to the stage of pregnancy itself. The first trimester (from the date of conception until the end of the third month) is most crucial as this is the stage of “organogenesis,” or fetal organ formation. Although it has been said that during this stage a woman should technically be eating for two, the truth is she need only add about 300 calories to her daily intake during the second and third trimester (from the fourth month till the ninth or until delivery). Proteins, folic acid, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and iodine should all be increased, but also depending on the woman’s recommended daily allowance (RDA). (Obviously, all these things should be consulted with an obstetrician.) Folic acid and folate are especially important since they help protect against various congenital malformations which include, most notably, neural tube defects.

Postpartum or the stage after childbirth, proper nutrition remains crucial to help the mother in convalescing. Her energy must be restored and extra calcium and iron intake are even more essential to provide her the nutrients to breastfeed her child and to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

Through proper consideration of the factors that tie pregnancy and nutrition together, a woman can ensure that she and her offspring will be as healthy as they both can be. What with all the things she would need to worry about with regard to family life, that’s at least one thing off her mind.

Please consult with your doctor before starting on a course of any supplements during and after pregnancy.

With a lifelong passion for health, I enjoy sharing my personal experiences with diet and exercise. I also enjoy reviewing products, enjoy my latest reviews on what you need to know about which [http://standingcoatrack.org]standing coat rack and [http://wallcoatrack.org]wall coat rack to choose for your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Jordan http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Relationship-Between-Pregnancy-and-Nutrition&id=3273013

One Response to “The Relationship Between Pregnancy and Nutrition”