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Nutrients are delivered from the mother to child via the placenta
Regular meals and snacks are important to keep the mothers blood sugar levels in normal ranges
Pregnant women should increase their caloric intake by at least 300 calories per day (2nd & 3rd trimester)
Non-pregnant daily calories: multiply your current body weight by 10, never eat less than 1200 calories per day (i.e., 130 pounds x 10 =1300 calories per day)
Vitamins and Minerals
Fat Soluble
Vitamin A
Vital for cellular differentiation and fetal development
Do not need to increase Vitamin A if you eat a well balanced diet.
Vitamin D
Vital for skeletal development and calcium absorption
Regular exposure to the sun and drink Vitamin D fortified milk.
Vitamin E
Some studies show that low levels of Vitamin E could be the cause of spontaneous abortion
Additional 2 mg per day during pregnancy
Vitamin K
No increase or supplement is recommended during pregnancy
Supplements are recommended for newborns
Water Soluble
Vitamin C
Additional 10 mg per day during pregnancy
Thiamin
Insufficient intake can cause fetal heart abnormalities and muscle weakness
Additional 0.4 mg per day
Vitamin B-6
Important for amino acid metabolism (protein)
Insufficient intake can cause hypertension in the mother
Additional 0.6 mg per day
Niacin
Additional 2 mg per day
Folic acid (Folate)
Insufficient intake may result in anemia during pregnancy
Folate deficiency may increase risk of birth defects and impair fetal growth
Recommended intake is 400 mg per day
Vitamin B-12
Recommended intake is 2.2 mg per day
Minerals/ Trace Elements
Calcium
Deficiency may cause a decrease in fetal bone density and impair skeletal development
RDA during pregnancy is 1200 mg
Magnesium
RDA during pregnancy is 320 mg
Iodine
Can cause Thyroid abnormalities in both mother and fetus
Additional 25 mg per day
Iron
Deficiency may cause low birth weight, pre-term birth, and perinatal mortality
RDA during pregnancy is 30 mg
Normal diets often fall short on iron intake, a supplement is recommended
Zinc
Deficiency may result in an increase risk of pregnancy complications and birth defects
RDA during pregnancy is 15 mg
Water
It is recommended that pregnant women consume at least 2.5 liters of fluids per day
Potentially Harmful Substances
Alcohol
Prenatal and/ or postnatal growth retardation
Nervous system abnormalities and intellectual impairment
Abnormal facial features (small eyes, poorly developed nose, upper jaw, and lip)
Cardiac abnormalities/ Genital abnormalities
Caffeine
May be linked to spontaneous abortions
May inhibit fetal growth
Inhibits calcium absorption, unsure if this effects the fetus....
Smoking
Increased risk of preterm delivery, perinatal mortality and spontaneous abortion
Can inhibit absorption of important vitamins and minerals
Increase child's risk of SIDS and asthma
