Nutritional and Food Related Problems

Most pregnant women will be advised to take iron and folic acid supplements to help protect the health of both themselves and their unborn baby.

A deficiency in iron has been shown to cause fatigue and also lower your resistance to infection. If you have a very low iron level you may not be able to choose an epidural or other pain relief during labor. However the most important issue that concerns medical practitioners is that your need for iron will double during the course of your pregnancy and is essential for producing new blood that carries enough oxygen to the baby. You can make sure that your diet is rich in iron by eating leafy green vegetables, whole grain bread, cereals and rice, pulses and beans as well as lean red meat. However you are advised to avoid liver. Also be aware that iron is much easier to absorb if your body has enough Vitamin C so drink a glass of juice with your meal every day.

Folic acid (or Folate) belongs to the vitamin B group and it is advised that it should be taken both prior to and during pregnancy. It can prevent some birth defects including spina bifida and the congenital brain condition -anencephaly. It is difficult to consume enough folic acid in a normal diet, although it is often added to some popular cereal brands. Due to the huge amount of medical consensus on this issue you should take this advice very seriously.

During the final months of pregnancy your body will be transferring more and more calcium to the fetus to encourage strong health bones, the mothers teeth and bones will be at risk of becoming weak and brittle if the calcium intake is not increased – try to drink milk and eat yoghurts every day.

Heartburn can be a daily irritation for many pregnant women, pressure from the growing uterus and changes in your digestive system may contribute to this discomfort. You can try to avoid certain foods but usually it is not one particular food that causes the problem. Some women make an effort to stand upright for a while after meals and avoid too much movement. There are some natural medications that may help but always check with your midwife before taking any remedies.

Another source of discomfort for many pregnant women is constipation, when you consider all of the changes happening inside your body this is not really surprising. If this is a problem for you then try to increase your fluid intake as much as you can, this can make an almost immediate difference. Alongside of your regular minimum of 5 a day fruit and vegetables try snacking on dried fruits such as apricots and prunes. There are some over the counter remedies available for constipation but always fully discuss your choice with the pharmacist to ensure they are suitable for pregnant women.

The overriding point to remember is that your nutritional intake will affect the health and development of you unborn child and will continue to affect it for many months or even years to come. Lack of nutrition can result in low birth weight or slower development, eat sensibly and incorporate some extra vitamins and supplements into your diet.

If you have any concerns or questions about Nutritional and food related problems in pregnancy consult your medical practitioner.