Pregnant Women Nutrition | Dr N Layyous

Pregnant women Nutrition

It is well known that the pregnant woman should pay attention to her health by following a balanced diet. We will mention the foods that we recommend to eat at each stage of pregnancy, as well as some tips and advices regarding foods to avoid during pregnancy.
It is important that pregnant women follow a balanced diet during pregnancy as this keeps the mother in a healthy weight and in turn enhances the mother's chances of having a healthy child and reduces the risk of postpartum health problems.
A balanced diet reduces the risk of anemia and a lack of essential vitamins for maternal and fetal health, which reduces the incidence of congenital malformations. The lack of folic acid available in dark green vegetables has a role in increasing the risk of neural tube malformations. Folic acid should be taken three months before pregnancy and continue after pregnancy.
A balanced diet ensures that the fetus gets enough protein, which is the first element in building muscles, hair, nails, bones, brain tissue and blood.
And do not forget that it is necessary for the pregnant mother to drink four cups of calcium-fortified milk daily because it has a key role to build bones and teeth.
The following are important steps to follow regarding diet during the whole period of pregnancy:

Nutrition of pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy:

The first months of pregnancy are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia and nausea and you can overcome those by the following:

• Divide your meals into 4-6 snacks.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Eat foods that are easily digested and low in fat.
• Concentrate on fruits, vegetables, dairy products and milk.

Nutrition of pregnant women from the fourth month till the end of pregnancy:

During this period, pregnant women regain their appetite, so choose the right food necessary for the growth of the fetus and maintaining the health of the mother. The most important of these foods are meat, chicken, eggs and legumes because they contain protein and have a key role in the formation of the fetus and its muscles and focus on milk and dairy products rich in calcium to form the bones of the fetus and prevent the pregnant woman from osteoporosis.

The pregnant mother is advised to focus on whole grain carbohydrates, whole wheat and fiber-rich oats that reduce the constipation during pregnancy.

Folic acid before and during pregnancy

What folic acid s and how it helps prevent neural tube defects and other congenital malformations.  The need to take folic acid it for 3 months before pregnancy or as early as possible after a first positive pregnancy test, and for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

a high-dose folic acid supplement is offered to anyone who is planning to become pregnant or is in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if they have an increased risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect or other congenital malformation(personal or family history of a neural tube defect or other congenital malformation or maternal  diabetes or the mother has a hematological condition that requires folic acid supplementation, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia or the mother is taking medicines that can affect how folic acid is absorbed or metabolized (for example, people taking anti-epileptic medicines)).

Vitamin D and other vitamin supplements during and after pregnancy:

anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should take a vitamin D supplement.

during pregnancy pregnants should not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol)

pregnants are advised to have Healthy life style physical activity and weight management during pregnancy (intentional weight loss during pregnancy is not recommended because of potential adverse effects on the baby)

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist