Nutrition is important before, during, and after pregnancy. Getting enough micronutrients like folic acid, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D, and iodine is essential for fetal and placental growth and development. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects and premature birth. Good sources of nutrients include green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, fish, dairy, and lean meats. Caffeine and alcohol should be limited or avoided during pregnancy. Proper weight gain and calorie intake are also important for a healthy pregnancy.

1. Nutrition
During
Pr e gnancy

2. Importance of Good
Nutrition during
Pregnancy
 Important before, during and after
pregnancy
 Good control of weight, blood pressure
and blood glucose increase chances of
healthy, normal weight, term infant
 Affects fetal and placental growth

3. Importance of Good
Nutrition during
Pregnancy
 Affects maternal well being and maternal
outcomes
 Not getting enough micronutrients
causes low birth weight, premature birth,
and other fetal problems
 Micronutrients include: folic acid, iron,
omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, calcium,
Vitamin D and iodine

4. Folic
Acid
Reduces risk of
having a baby
with neural tube
defects
Reduces the risk
of premature birth
Recommended
amount of folic
acid is 0.4
milligrams (400
micrograms) per
day

5. Folic Acid
 Supplement should be started at least
one month before getting pregnant
 It is recommended that any woman
of childbearing age should be
taking folic acid supplements
because they may not know they
are pregnant until it is too late.

6. Good Sources of Folic
Acid
 Green leafy vegetables
 Fortified cereals

7. Iron
 Reduces the risk of premature birth and
low birth weight
 Not getting enough iron could cause
anemia
 Could contribute to developmental delays and
behavioral disturbances in the infant and poor
health in the mother
 Contributes to death and other disease
development

8. Iron
 Essential for normal
infant brain
development
 Iron helps create
blood that is
necessary for fetal
demands and blood
loss during delivery.

9. Good Sources of Iron
 Lean red meat
 Green leafy vegetables
 Fortified breakfast cereals

10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
 Important for brain development and
preventing preterm birth
 Essential for visual development
 Reduces the incidence of heart disease
and heart related death of the infant
 Recommended 300 milligrams per day

11. Good Sources of
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
 Fish oil capsules
 Certain fish such as salmon, trout,
mackerel, sardines, and fresh tuna
 Vegetable oils such as sunflower,
rapeseed, flaxseed, and walnut oils

12. Calcium and Vitamin D
 Calcium and vitamin
D are needed for
strong bones and
teeth
 Vitamin D is needed
for the formation of
the fetal bones
 Recommended 10
micrograms of
Vitamin D per day

13. Good Sources of
Calcium and Vitamin D
 Milk and other dairy products
 Eggs
 Meat
 Certain fish such as salmon, trout,
mackerel, sardines, and fresh tuna

14. Vitamin A and Iodine
 Vitamin A is needed in small amounts to
protect the fetus from immune system
problems, blindness, infections, and death
 Can cause birth defects in high doses
 Lack of iodine could contribute to stillbirth,
birth defects, and decreased brain
development
 Iodine is important for brain development

15. No Alcohol and Limited Caffeine
 Protect the infant from fetal alcohol
syndrome and other birth defects
 Avoid alcohol, including all wines, beers, hard
liquor, and wine coolers
 High caffeine intake linked to low birth
weight and spontaneous fetal death
 Avoid food and beverages such as teas,
coffee, colas, energy drinks, and chocolate

16. Weight Gain and
Caloric Intake
 Pattern of weight gain during pregnancy is more
important than the total amount of weight gained
 It is better to gain the majority of your
pregnancy weight during the last two
trimesters

17. Weight Gain and
Calorie Intake
 Do not consume anymore calories than
normal per day during the first trimester
 340 additional calories recommended
per day during the second trimester
 450 additional calories recommended
per day during the third trimester
 Needed for adequate fetal growth and to
support the higher maternal metabolism

18. Foods to avoid or
minimize when
pregnant
 Alcohol
 Caffeine from coffee, tea, soft drinks,
energy beverages, and other sources
 Raw or Undercooked Food of Animal
Origin
 Certain Seafood and Fish

19. Effects of Poor
Nutrition During
Pregnancy
 In adequate nutrition during pregnancy can
lead to a difficult pregnancy, labour
difficulties, and a slower recovery.
 Poor nutrition can lead to labour
commencing too early.
 Pregnant women who are overweight or
obese have a greater risk for developing
gestational diabetes, hypertension,
preclampsia or needing a Cesarean section

21. Other Effects on the
Child

23. Eight Question Quiz

24. 1. When is nutrition
important?
A: Before the pregnancy begins
B: During the actual pregnancy
C: After the birth of the baby
D: All the above

25. Correct!
 Nutrition is important
before pregnancy to
prepare the body for the
baby. It is essential
during the pregnancy to
make sure the baby is
safe. After the birth, it is
important to eat healthy
if breastfeeding and to
get your body back to a
healthier state.

26. 2. What is the
importance Folic
Acid ? Neural Tube Defects
Prevents
A:
B: Reduces the risk of premature birth
C: Helps the baby’s heart pump better
D: A&B
E: A&C
F: All of the Above

27. You’re Right!
 Folic Acid reduces
the risk of neural
tube defects and
the risk of
premature birth.

28. 3. What is a good
source of Folic Acid?
A: Milk
B: Green leafy vegetables
C: All fruits
D: None of the above

29. Correct!
 Green leafy vegetables
are a good source of
folic acid. So are
fortified cereals.

30. 4. What is a good
source of Iron?
A: Carrots
B: Soup
C: Fortified Cereal
D: Whole Milk

31. You’re Right!
 Fortified cereals, as
well as green leafy
vegetables and
lean red meats, are
a good source of
iron.

32. 5. What is a good
source of Omega- 3
Fatty Acids?
A: Steak B: Trout
C: Salmon D: Chicken
E: A&D F: B&C

33. Correct!
 Trout and Salmon are
good sources of
Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

34. 6. What is a good
source of Calcium and
Vitamin D?
A: Dairy products
B: Fruit
C: Vegetables
D: Bread

35. You’re Right!
 Dairy products are
a good source of
Calcium and
Vitamin D. Eggs,
meat, and certain
fish are also good
sources.

36. 7. Where is caffeine
found?
A: Tea
B: Coffee
C: Cola
D: Chocolate
E: All of the Above

37. You’re Right!
 All of these are
sources of caffeine
and should be
avoided during
pregnancy.

38. 8. How many extra
calories should you eat
during the third
trimester?
A: Zero
A: 340
A: 450
A: 600

39. Correct!
 450 extra calories
should be consumed
during the third
trimester. 340 extra
should be consumed
during the second, and
no extra calories are
necessary during the
first trimester.