40-weeks fetusPregnancy is a period of nine months.It the period when fetus i.e.the unborn baby grows inside the woman,s body.The entire period of pregnancy is divided into three trimester:
* 1st trimester- 0-3 months
* 2nd trimester- 3-6 months
* 3rd trimester- 6-9 months
Some physiological changes occurs in the pregnancy are:
a) Placenta development: This facilitate the nourishment of the fetus.
b) Changes in body metabolism: The Basal metabolic rate(BMR) increases during pregnancy because due to rapid growth and development of the fetus and the mother,s tissue.
c) Changes in body fluids: There is a gradual increases in the total fluid(extracellular and intracellular fluid) content of the body.Blood (extracellular fluid of the body) increases in volume. The increase in blood volume is much as as 50%.This is to facilitate the supply of nutrients to the fetus and to the newly built tissues in the mother,s body.However,due to the increase in blood volume,the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb)and other constituents of blood reduces.The normal Hb level of 12 mg/100 ml of blood as seen in a healthy adult woman drops to about 10-11 mg/100 ml during pregnancy.This is normal physiology change.Care should be taken that the Hb levels do not fall below this point.
d) Changes in digestive functioning: One important adsorption of the body during pregnancy, is the increased rate of absorption of certain important nutrients like calcium and iron.The Along with the increased absorption ,the following changes also observed:
- There is less production and secretion of acid and other digestive juices by the stomach.The food,therefore,is not broken down and digested properly.It tends to stay in the stomach for longer time and that gives a feeling of heaviness or fullness.
- The capacity of the stomach and the speed of digestion tend to decreases as the growing fetus exerts pressure on the stomach.The food ,as well as,the stomach acid,tends to be pushed up into the food pipe which leads nausea,vomiting,heartburn and other such symptoms of indigestion in early pregnancy.
- The movement of food in the digestive tract becomes slow and sluggish as the muscle activity is altered.This becomes more pronounced at the end of the pregnancy period,as a result,constipation commonly occurs.
e) Changes in the body weight: During pregnancy a woman gains weight.The gain in weight is due to:
- growing fetus
- increase in the size of the uterus
- development of the placenta
- increase in breast size
- increase in blood and total body fluids
- deposition of fat in the body
you may wonder how much weight gain is normal. you know that each individuals is different.Experts suggest you can expect a total gain is 8-10 kg i.e.,a pregnant woman must add 8-14 kg to her pre -pregnancy weight.maximum weight gain occurs only during the second and third trimester.
Gain in weight is the best indicator of successful pregnancy.so progressive gain in weight indicates that the fetus and the mothers tissues growing normally.
Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI,s) for the Pregnant woman:
Nutrients RDI,s
Calories(kcal) +300
Proteins(gm) +15
Calcium(mg) 1000
Iron(mg) 38
Carotene(micro-gm) 2400
Retinol(micro-gm) 600
Thiamine(mg) + 0.2
Riboflavin(mg) + 0.2
Niacin(mg) + 2.0
Ascorbic acid(mg) 40
Folic acid(micro-gm) 400
Vitamin B12(micro-gm) 1.0
source:Nutrients Requirement and Recommended dietary Intakes for Indian, ICMR (1990)
Above RDI,s for energy,protein and B vitamin are given in terms of additional intakes(indicated by "+" sign).
A woman during pregnancy requires energy 300 kcal and protein 15 gm in addition to what see needs when non-pregnant.Physically active pregnant woman required more nutrition as compared to a sedentary pregnant woman.
The requirement for B vitamins-Thiamine ,riboflavin and niacin is based on the energy requirement.The greater the energy need,the higher the B vitamins need.
The most important nutrients for pregnancy include energy, protein, calcium, iron and two trace elements i..e. Iodine and zinc.
The fetus obtain all these nutrient required for its growth from the mother,s diet.
The requirement of nutrients increases only from the second trimester onwards.In first trimester(0-3 months) the fetus is small and it,s nutritional needs are not significant.
Pregnancy Diet :
I mention earlier that extra energy and protein is required during pregnancy.
For meal planning, Indian foods have been divided into different groups:
This is for a normal pregnancy with a single baby. If you are having multiple babies or if you have any special health conditions, please talk to your doctor.In the following i described only food for Indian pregnant women.
For meal planning, Indian foods have been divided into different groups:
- Cereals & Grains
- Pulses & Beans
- Milk and Milk products
- Green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, tubers and roots
- Fruits
The table below shows the average meal plan for a pregnant Indian woman who does moderate work during the day.
| Food group | Quantity/serving | Servings/day |
Cereals & Grains
| 60 grams/serving | 6 servings/day |
Pulses & Beans
| 30 grams/serving | 3 servings/day |
Milk and milk products
| 150 ml/serving | 2 servings/day |
Green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, roots and tubers
| 100 grams/serving | 4 servings/day |
Fruits
| 50 grams/serving | 4 servings/day |
Nuts and seeds
| Have a handful of these to get proteins. But don't eat too much as they contain a lot of fat | 1 handful |
Condiments and spices
| For seasoning | For seasoning |
Non-vegetarians can substitute 1 or occasionally 2 servings of pulses and beans with fish/meat/eggs etc.,
- Ensure that the pregnant woman attains adequate weight gain(i.e. 8-14kg) during pregnancy.
- Include more of cereals,milk and milk products,pulses/nuts/sprouted grains and green leafy vegetables in the diet of pregnant women.
- Give iron and folic acid tablets right from the second trimester onwards.
- Use iodized salt for cooking.
- Give small ,but frequent meals during the day.
- Provide nutritious snacks in between meals.
- Serve biscuits,rusk or any other carbohydrate rich food items early in morning to prevent morning sickness.
- Include fiber rich foods and plenty of water in the diet to relieve constipation.
- Encourage the women to drink fluids between meals rather than with them.
- Encourage the woman to do a few simple exercise daily under guided by her doctor.
- Ensure that pregnant woman takes adequate rest after each meal.
- Avoid serving too much food at one time.
- Avoid the consumption of foods with strong flavors.
- Restrict the use of spicy,fried and fatty foods.
- Discourage the pregnant woman from the smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid giving drugs except when prescribed by a doctor.
- Avoid serving too much of tea or coffee.
-Avoid strenuous heavy work.
- Avoid excessive heavy weight gain during pregnancy.
Development of fetus (add from you tube)