Nutrition and Pregnancy

Viktoriya Zot, R.N. & Diana Canzoneri, R.N.

Nutrients Most Important

During Pregnancy
All nutrients are important, but
these six play a key role in your
babys growth and development
during pregnancy:
Folic Acid
Iron
Calcium
Fish Oils (DHA)
Iodine
Pregnant women need to
consume an additional 300
calories daily

Folic Acid
Women of childbearing age
(typically ages 11 to 49) need an
extra 400 to 800 micrograms
(mcg) of folic acid every day.
Folic acid is found in vitamins
and foods like breakfast cereals
that have 100% DV (Daily
Value) of folic acid.
All women of childbearing age
should take a prenatal vitamin
containing folic acid daily, but
its especially important for
women who are pregnant or
who may become pregnant.
Folic acid can prevent neural
tube defects (NTDs). NTDs can
damage the babys brain
causing anencephaly and
damage the spine causing
spina bifida. Getting enough
folic acid is important even
when you are not planning to
get pregnant. Its needed
during the first few weeks of
pregnancy, often before a
woman knows shes pregnant.

Food Sources of Important Nutrients During Pregnancy

Nutrition

Food Source

Folic Acid

Cereal enriched with Folic Acid,

Iron

Red Meats, Red Organ Meats (liver), Poultry, Fish; Beans,

Green Leafy Vegetables

Calcium

Milk and milk products, whole fish (including bones), dark

green leafy vegetables, legumes

Vitamin D
Fish
Oils(DHA)
Iodine

Vitamin D Fortified Milk & Orange Juice, Fish,

Mushrooms, Egg Yolk, Liver,
Anchovies, Herring, Sardines, Trout
Sea food, Iodized Salt

Pregnancy and Obesity: Know the risks

Gestational Diabetes: Women who are obese are more likely to have diabetes that
develops during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) than are women who have a normal weight.
Preeclampsia: Women who are obese are at increased risk of developing a pregnancy
complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ
system, often the kidneys. (preeclampsia).
Infection: Women who are obese during pregnancy are at increased risk of urinary tract
infections. Obesity also increases the risk of postpartum infection, whether the baby is
delivered vaginally or by C-section
Overdue Pregnancy: Obesity increases the risk that pregnancy will continue beyond the
expected due date.
Labor Problems: Labor induction is more common in women who are obese. Obesity can
also interfere with the use of certain types of pain medications, such as an epidural block.
C-section: Obesity during pregnancy increases the likelihood of elective and emergency Csections. Obesity also increases the risk of C-section complications, such as wound infections.
Women who are obese are also less likely to have a successful vaginal delivery
after a C-section.
Pregnancy loss: Obesity increases the risk of miscarriage.

Obesity
Obesity is defined as having
an excessive amount of
body fat. A formula based
on height and weight-called
the body mass index (BMI)
is often used to determine
if a person is obese.
Pre-pregnancy
weight status

Recommended
Gain

Normal Weight
(BMI 19.8 to 26)

25 to 35 lb.
(11.3 to 15.9 kg)

Underweight
28 to 40 lb.
(BMI less than 19.8) (12.7 to 18.1 kg)
Overweight (BMI
26 to 29)

15 to 25 lb.
(6.8 to 11.3 kg

Obese (BMI greater At least 15 lb.

than 29)
(6.8 kg)
Twin pregnancy

35 to 45 lb.
(15.9 to 20.4 kg)

References
http://www.cdc.gov/features/folicacidben
efits/index.html
http://www.coregroup.org/storage/docum
ents/Workingpapers/MaternalNutritionDi
etaryGuide_AED.pdf
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/pregnancy
-weight-gain-calculator
Ricci,Susan (2013). Essentials of
maternity, newborn and womens health
nursing( 3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams and Wilkins.