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    Nutrition in pregnancy

    Prof M Karim Khan

    Though pregnancy is a physiologic process, yet some additional nutrients like vitamins and micronutrients are to be added in daily diet of an expectant mother for the wellbeing of the baby and mother.

    Local, less costly and easily available food is enough to accommodate the extra need during pregnancy. Simply two extra table spoonful of rice, one table spoon of lentils, a bit extra fat, some fresh vegetables, a few fruits like banana, guava, graves etc. and occasionally a healthy measure of protein and if possible a cup of milk is sufficient to provide nutrition to the mother and the baby in her womb. This nutritional advice is to be given while the mother comes for her antenatal check up.

    Pregnancy is associated with physiologic changes that results in increased plasma volume, red blood cells and decreased concentrations of circulating nutrient-binding proteins and micronutrients.

    In many developing countries, these physiologic changes can be aggravated by undernutrition, leading to micronutrient deficiency states such as anaemia that can have disastrous consequences for both the mother and child.

    Multiple micronutrients are often taken by pregnant women in developed countries, but their benefits are limited, except for prophylactic folic acid taken during the periconceptional period.

    Other than vitamin A, most of the vitamins and minerals are safe in pregnancy. Excess vitamin A can cause some harm to the baby. If the mother is quite healthy and no deficiency of nutrients is there other than folic acid, nothing else is required.

    Folic acid is to be started one month prior to pregnancy and has to continue at least for the first three months of pregnancy to avoid neural tube defect (birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord).

    Vitamin D and calcium are important and it is better to be taken in the first trimester. Supplementation of zinc, magnesium and iodine is usually not needed. Simple regular healthy family diet contains these micronutrients.

    We know only a healthy mother can give birth to a healthy baby. So we have to take care of the pregnant women for the betterment of the future generation. Husbands, in laws and other family members should come forward to help the expectant mother not only in case of nutritional aspect but in all other aspects. United comprehensive approach is necessary in every pregnancy.

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