Chapter 15: Pregnancy and Nutrition

It is crucial to consume healthy foods at every phase of life, beginning in the womb. Good nutrition is vital for any pregnancy and not only helps an expectant mother remain healthy, but also impacts the development of the fetus and ensures that the baby thrives in infancy and beyond. During pregnancy, a woman’s needs increase for certain nutrients more than for others. If these nutritional needs are not met, infants could suffer from low birth weight (a birth weight less than 5.5 pounds, which is 2,500 grams), among other developmental problems.  Therefore, it is crucial to make careful dietary choices.

Sections:

15.1 The Human Life Cycle

15.2 Early Days of Pregnancy

15.3 Weight During Pregnancy

15.4 Nutritional Requirements During Pregnancy

15.5 Guide to Eating During Pregnancy

15.6 Physical Activity During Pregnancy

15.7 Common Discomforts During Pregnancy

15.8 Complications During Pregnancy

15.9 Key Takeaways

Sections 15.1 & 15.2: Adapted from Fialkowski Revilla, et al. Human Nutrition.

Sections 15.3-15.5: Adapted from Jellum et al., Principles of Nutrition. Acknowledgements therein:

• Adapted from: Zimmerman and Snow. “An Introduction to Nutrition” v. 1.0. Accessed on December 4, 2017. https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/an-introduction-to-nutrition/s16-02-pregnancy-and-nutrition.html