Nursing pregnancy

Introduction

Nutrition plays a key role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy. A pregnant woman needs to eat food that contains the required nutritional content for the well-being of her and the baby. When a woman conceives, there should be an increase in intake of nutrients because conception means that the woman is eating for two. Nutritionists recommend that pregnant women get nutrition advice from healthcare providers who will advise them on the number of calories they need to take each day (DeBruyne, et al, 2008). During pregnancy, a woman needs to change her diet for her safety and that of her child. This is because the wellbeing of the infant depends on how the woman eats. A woman passes nutrients to her baby through the umbilical cord meaning if she is lacking in any vitamins the child is lacking, as well.

Dietary requirements

Current weight and activity level determines the number of calories that a woman needs to take during pregnancy. The number of calories a pregnant woman needs varies daily. Study shows that when a woman conceives, her daily calorie intake will increase by 100 to 300 calories (Harding 2010). Nutritionists, however, recommend that women get advice from their healthcare providers who will advise them on how much weight they need to add during pregnancy and how many calories they need. Most health care providers recommend that women need to add about 10 to 13 kilograms during pregnancy.

A balanced diet contains nutrients from all food groups. These food groups include vegetables, fruits, fats, eggs, meat, fish, carbohydrates and dairy products. A woman needs to eat these foods in order to acquire the right amounts of energy for her and her baby. A pregnant woman needs to take 2500 calories a day (DeBruyne, et al, 2008). Ten percent of this should come from proteins. Proteins mainly come from eggs, fish, meat, beans and daily products. 250 calories should come from proteins. Fat should provide 35 percent of calorie intake a day. This totals to 825 calories (Lammi-Keefe, et al, 2008). Oils, nuts, dairy products and margarine contain fat. Carbohydrates should provide 1375 calories daily. This is 55 percent of the total calorie intake. Carbohydrates come from potatoes, corn, rice, bread and other grains.

A woman needs to eat lots of vegetables and fruits for her and her baby. Cereals provide good nutrients, which will help in the growth of the baby. Lean meat and low-fat dairy products should be taken in moderation. Foods that are high in sugar and salt should be utterly avoided while foods such as fish and chicken should not contain high amounts of mercury as this would harm the baby (Harding 2010). Other essential foods include dried beans, lentils, nuts and seeds that will offer good nutritional value to the woman and her baby. Health experts recommend folate for pregnant women. A pregnant woman should consume 600mcg of folate (folic acid) a day. Folate helps in the creation of the baby’s nervous system and preventing tube defects. Foods that are rich in folate include lentils, spinach, broccoli, asparagus and Brussels sprouts.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy

There are certain foods that a pregnant woman needs to avoid altogether. These foods may either cause food poisoning or harm the unborn baby. These foods may end up harming the baby and make the woman deliver a baby with birth defects (DeBruyne, et al, 2008). The first food to avoid is raw meat. Raw meat consists of uncooked seafood and undercooked poultry and beef. Intake of raw meat exposes pregnant women to the possibility of contamination with salmonella, coliform bacteria and toxoplasmosis. Deli meat may contain listeria. A woman should not consume deli meat because it may cause her to miscarry. When listeria crosses the placenta and reaches the baby, it leads to infection of the baby and even blood poisoning.

There are certain fish that contain high levels of mercury. Pregnant women should refrain from eating this fish since mercury exposure to mercury leads to brain damage and mental delays. Fish that contain high levels of mercury include sharks, tilefish, king mackerel and swordfish. Smoked seafood is also not recommended since it also contains listeria. Some fish face exposure to pollutants from industries. Women who consume fish from local lakes and rivers face this risk. This fish contain alarming levels of polychlorinated biphenyls because of exposure to pollutants. When a baby gets exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls, this causes birth defects (DeBruyne, et al, 2008). Worst case scenario is that the woman may deliver a still baby. Raw shellfish should not be incorporated in a pregnant woman’s diet. Intake of undercooked shellfish leads to people contracting seafood-borne illnesses. Examples of shellfish include clams, oysters and mussels.

A woman should never consume raw eggs during pregnancy. Raw eggs may contain salmonella which would cause health risks to the mother and her baby. Nutritional experts advise women from eating raw eggs for their safety and that of their baby. Soft cheese should not be included in the diet of a pregnant woman (Owen 2008). Soft cheese may contain listeria bacteria, which may cause the woman to miscarry (Lammi-Keefe, et al, 2008). Examples of soft cheese include brie, queso fresco, feta, Roquefort and camembert. Unpasteurized milk may also contain listeria and, therefore, pregnant women should take pasteurized milk at all times. This lowers the risk of contamination with listeria which subsequently lowers the risk of miscarriage or blood poisoning. Meat spreads/ pate also contain listeria, therefore, should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Studies suggest that moderate intake of caffeine is not harmful for pregnant women, but there are others that show caffeine intake leads to miscarriages. During the first trimester of pregnancy, women should not take caffeine as it poses a risk of a miscarriage (Lammi-Keefe, et al, 2008). Health care providers state that during pregnancy, women should only take 200mg of caffeine a day. Caffeine is dangerous during pregnancy because it eliminates fluids from the body. This may result in calcium and water loss. This is a characteristic of a diuretic. Doctors suggest that women should substitute caffeine with milk, juice and plenty of water. A large intake of caffeine during pregnancy leads to premature birth, low birth-weight, miscarriages. Babies may also get withdrawal symptoms (Lammi-Keefe, et al, 2008). The best way to prevent this is by refraining from caffeine intake.

Pregnant women should never take alcohol during pregnancy. There is no amount of alcohol that would not be harmful to an unborn baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy interferes with the development of the baby. When a woman consumes alcohol during pregnancy, the baby faces the risk of contracting developmental disorders such as fetal alcohol syndrome (DeBruyne, et al, 2008). This, however, depends on the timing, amount and pattern of use of alcohol. A woman should not take alcohol after delivering a baby. Studies show that there is a likelihood that alcohol will reach a baby during breastfeeding.

One day menu

During the thirty second week of pregnancy, the baby is getting bigger and hungrier than in the first and second trimester. The baby will require foods that will help in development of the body and brain (Webb & Whitney 2012). A woman should subject herself to a daily menu that will help in the baby’s development.

Breakfast

The woman can have broccoli-cheddar omelet. The finest omelets are those that are creamy inside. This offers 450 calories, one serving of protein, calcium and green vegetable (Webb & Whitney 2012). There is also a half serving of fat. The omelet should be eaten with buttered white bread that offers 125 calories, one serving of whole grain and some fat. One glass of orange juice that is calcium-fortified will offer 125 calories, one serving of whole grain and some fat. Sparkling water should also be included.

Lunch

For lunch, a plate of Mediterranean salmon salad sandwich will offer 405 calories, one serving of protein, vitamin C, calcium and green vegetable, two servings of whole grain a half serving of fat (Webb & Whitney 2012). Lunch should also include soy crisps that offer 120 calories, half serving of proteins and one serving of whole grain. For snack, walnuts and dried apricot will offer 290 calories and a half serving of protein

Dinner

A plate of sautéed halibut mixed with spring vegetables will offer 335 calories, one and half serving of proteins, vitamin C and green vegetables (Webb & Whitney 2012). She can serve the fish with wild rice that will offer 275 calories, two servings of whole grains, some fat and protein.

Conclusion

It is crucial for women to be careful about what they eat during pregnancy. During the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should ensure that the safety of her baby comes first. A good diet will ensure that the baby develops appropriately inside the womb. A good nutrition by the woman will enable her to deliver a strong and healthy baby. She should avoid substances such as alcohol that will endanger the baby. Pregnant women should avoid foods that will harm the baby and she should practice good eating habits.

 

References

DeBruyne, L. K., Pinna, K., Whitney, E. N., & Cataldo, C. B. (2008). Nutrition and diet therapy: Principles and practice. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Harding, S. (2010). Nutrition Requirements for Pregnant Women. Web. Retrieved on 25 March 2013. Retrieved from www.livestrong.com/article/119379-nutrition-requirements-pregnant-women/

Lammi-Keefe, C. J., Couch, S. C., & Philipson, E. H. (2008). Handbook of nutrition and pregnancy. Totowa, N.J: Humana Press.

Owen, P. (2008). What Should I Eat During Pregnancy? Web. Retrieved on 25 March 2013. Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/pregnantdiet.htm

Webb, F. S., & Whitney, E. N. (2012). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

 

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