Pregnancy and proper nutrition

Pregnancy and proper nutrition

The development of a baby’s brain, birth

weight, and congenital disabilities depends on the woman’s health during

pregnancy. A pregnant woman needs to adopt healthy practices to avoid

complications during the pregnancy period by doing regular exercises, eating a

nutritious diet, and accessing prenatal care. A nutritious diet also benefits

the expectant woman by reducing morning sickness, fatigue, and the risk of

becoming anemic. Research shows that women, both pregnant and unpregnant,

require a well-balanced diet that has at least 2000 to 2800 calories daily.

Pregnant women need to add more folic acid, iron, and calcium their diets to

prevent birth defects, and ensure the healthy development of the fetus

(Lightfoot et al., n.d.).

Women are often worried about weight gain

during pregnancy, but this is not an issue if the diet is well balanced. A

balanced diet should contain folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, fruits and

vegetables, protein, whole grains, and adequate fat.

Nutrition during pregnancy affects the

formation of the fetus’s brain, which determines the development of

socio-emotional, cognitive, and motor skills that are valuable in life. Women

should consume a nutrient-rich diet before getting

pregnant. However, national-wide research done in the US revealed than nonpregnant

women consume less folic acid than the recommended amount (Lightfoot et al.,

n.d.). The deficiency of iron in a pregnant woman’s diet negatively affects the

fetus’s cognitive function. Iron is a fundamental constituent of enzymes that

are used in functions such as catabolism and synthesis of neurotransmitters,

oxidation-reduction reactions, and the production of myelin. Proper functioning

of the enzymes is key to the development of cognitive function (Nurliyana et

al., 2016). An undernourished fetus has a smaller brain because the body

reduces the production of brain supporting cells called glia, myelination, and

dendritic growth. Such children experience lasting deficiencies in cognitive

and behavioral functions such as poor academic performance, low IQ, slow

language, and poor motor skills.

The nutrition of a pregnant woman affects the

long-term development of tissue structure and functioning of the unborn baby.

An undernourished mother signals the fetus that the outside environment does

not have sufficient nutrition. In return, the fetus responds by reducing its

metabolism, body size, and functions for survival (Nurliyana et al., 2016). The

response increases peripheral insulin resistance and reduces the secretion of

insulin. It also directs less glucose to insulin-dependent tissues and more to

vital organs such as the brain and heart. The adjustment can later cause

diabetes during adult life when there is a consumption of abundant nutrition.

The good news is that it is possible to reverse the effects of undernourished

infants if they are given nutritious meals and supplements after birth

(EurekAlart, 2017). The results were obtained from a controlled rat experiment

where undernutrition rats indicated improved health and reversal of adverse

effects of malnutrition after feeding on supplements.

Conclusion

It is important to discuss with the doctor

about nutrition and weight gain because they vary with every woman depending on

their health and body need. Fluids such as water, soups, and juices are

recommendable because they keep the expectant woman and the infant hydrate.

Fluids are also essential to the development of the fetus, just like a

nutritious meal. Regular visits to health care can help the woman to realize

any complication during pregnancy and avoid long-term effects that can harm her

and the baby. The question of whether it is possible to reverse the adverse

health effects of malnutrition after birth gives hope because the infant can be

fed with a nutritious diet during the early years and led a healthy life.

Creating awareness for pregnant women can also reduce the effects of unhealthy

lifestyles during pregnancy, which increases maternal and infant deaths.

References

EurekAlart. (2017). Effects of a poor diet during pregnancy may be

reversed in female adolescent offspring.

EurekAlert!. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/foas-eoa022417.php.

Lightfoot, C., Cole, M., & Cole, S. The development of children (8th ed.).

Nurliyana, A., Mohd Shariff, Z., Mohd Taib,

M., Gan, W., & Tan, K. (2016). Early nutrition, growth, and cognitive

development of infants from birth to 2 years in Malaysia: a study protocol. BMC Pediatrics, 16(1).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-016-0700-0