Importance of Adequate and Balanced Nutrition in Pregnancy

Nutrition of the mother during pregnancy is of great importance for her own health, as well as for the healthy growth and development of the baby. Nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for both the mother’s ability to meet her physiological needs, preservation of her food stores, and provision of adequate micro and macro nutrients for the baby.
During pregnancy, the Basal Metabolic Rate increases by 20% compared to normal. That is, the mother’s daily energy requirement increases. Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition of the mother can cause anemia in pregnant women, miscarriage and growth retardation in the baby.
The weight gain of the mother during pregnancy varies depending on the prenatal weight of the pregnant woman.
If BKI<19.8; she should take 12.5-18 kg BKI; 19.8-26; she should take 11.5-16 kg If BKI>26-29; she should take 7-11.5 kg
If BKI>29; she should take at least 6 kg
If it is a twin pregnancy, she should take 16-20.5 kg.
Energy Requirement in Pregnancy
The energy that the pregnant woman should receive daily is as much as the amount of energy needed for the growth of the fetus, in addition to the vital activity and physical life of the mother.
Energy requirement according to the periods of pregnancy is as follows; 340 KCAL in the first trimester (first 3 months); and 452 KCAL 3 trimester (in the last 3 months). A pregnant woman needs energy on average 2200-2900 calories per day. The distribution of nutrients according to energy is that energy from carbohydrates should be 50 -60%, from protein; 12 -15%, and from fats; 25 -30%.
In the status report of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), it has been reported that consuming at least 227 g of seafood a week and taking omega-3 fatty acids has an effect on improving the baby’s visual and cognitive development.
Which Vitamins and Minerals are Important in Pregnancy?
Vitamin A
Adequate intake of vitamin A is necessary for visual function, fetal growth, immunity and integrity of epithelial tissue.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D during pregnancy is important in terms of low birth weight, bone health, glucose regulation, the strength of the immune system and facilitating delivery by helping uterine contraction at birth.
Folic acid
Adequate intake of folic acid during pregnancy is important for the health of the fetus. Insufficient intake may cause congenital anomalies in the fetus, such as neural tube defects, orofacial cleft (cleft lip palate), cardiac anomalies. In the mother, it can cause pre-articulation (high blood pressure in pregnancy) and anemia.
Calcium
If calcium is taken insufficiently during pregnancy, there is a risk of preectosis in the mother and growth in the uterus. With the intake of calcium support, the risk of pre-articulation decreases. If insufficient calcium is taken into the body, calcium begins to be withdrawn from the bones to meet the need for calcium, which negatively affects the health of the mother. Vitamin D should also be taken enough to increase the absorption of calcium.
Iron
The need for iron is most often in Trimester 1 and 2. Insufficient intake may cause premature birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality. It is necessary to avoid excessive consumption of tea, coffee, cereals containing phytate, which adversely affect the absorption of iron.
The recommended iron requirement during pregnancy is 27 mg/day. If the pregnant woman is anemic, iron support is recommended up to 60 mg/day until anemia is recovered.
Iodine
Iodine takes an active role in brain development and growth. In case of insufficient intake of iodine, miscarriage, stillbirths, decreased cognitive function, low birth weight may occur.
Weight gain during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother as well as for the development of the fetus and its healthy birth. It is necessary to have sufficient weight gain during pregnancy. Weight gain below recommended can result in low birth weight and preterm births. Weight gain above the recommended weight can cause obesity. With adequate and balanced nutrition, both the health of the mother and the health of the baby should be kept optimally.