Chapter 15: Pregnancy and Nutrition
15.9 Key Takeaways
Lisa Jellum et al.
- During pregnancy, it is imperative that a woman meet the nutritional needs both she and her unborn child require, which includes an increase in certain micronutrients, such as iron and folate.
- Starting BMI determines how much weight a woman needs to gain throughout her pregnancy. In an average pregnancy, a woman gains an extra 30 pounds.
- During the second and third trimesters, a woman’s energy requirements increase by 340 calories per day for the second trimester and 450 calories per day for the third trimester.
- Common discomforts that can impact nutritional intake during pregnancy include nausea and vomiting, heartburn, and constipation.
- Gestational hypertension is a condition that impacts about 6 to 8 percent of pregnant women and results in a rise of blood pressure levels. This condition can lead to preeclampsia during a pregnancy.
- Gestational diabetes is a condition that impacts about 4 percent of pregnant women and results in a rise of blood glucose levels. This condition can lead to Type 2 diabetes later in life.
definition
Preeclampsia (sometimes referred to as toxemia) is a serious complication of pregnancy marked by elevated blood pressure, swelling, and protein in the urine.
