Pregnancy is a milestone in the exciting life of every woman. As my experiences many physical changes during pregnancy, the mother and baby, a pregnant woman’s body needs essential nutrients. The metabolism of a woman rises to 30% during pregnancy and lactation to this growing need for essential nutrients.

Here is an ideal guide for good nutrition during pregnancy with an explanation of each nutrient that is important for child development and pregnancy! These nutrients can also have long-term effects on child health.

Increased nutritional needs during pregnancy requirements

* Protein needs for iron, almost double from 18 mg to 30-60 mg

* Calcium / Magnesium needs increase to 800 mg daily 1200-1500 mg per day for Pregnancy

Nutritional Supplements supplements help your body to obtain and absorb sufficient amounts of nutrients needed before, during and after their period of pregnancy. Multivitamin / multimineral

* Provides a wealth of nutrients.

B Complex

  • Folic acid is crucial to prevent neural tube defects..
  • Ensures a healthy pregnancy.
  • Relieves fatigue, insomnia, nervousness.
  • Adequate niacin may act as an anti-nausea agent.

Calcium Magnesium

  • Essential mineral for growing fetus.
  • Helps relieve leg, back & joint pain.
  • Can help provide a tranquilizing effect during labor.

Vitamin E

  • The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin E for pregnant women of any age is 15mg (or 22.5 IU), and for breastfeeding women of any age is 19mg (or 28.5 IU).

Vitamin C

  • Necessary to strengthen blood vessels and to prevent excessive bleeding.
  • Large amounts taken before labor may reduce labor pain – reportedly up to 50%.
  • Can reduce risk of infection after delivery.
  • Helps your baby grow and builds strong bones and teeth.

Iron

  • Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells.
  • Helps prevent anemia and excessive blood loss during childbirth.
  • Guards against miscarriage & fetal malformation.

Soy Protein

  • Experts recommend that protein intake be a minimum of 60 grams per day.
  • A woman’s blood volume increases by 50% during pregnancy, and protein is needed to produce new blood cells and circulating proteins.
  • Important in the development of bones, soft tissue, blood
  • Lack of amino acids has been linked to birth deformities

Zinc

  • During pregnancy & lactation, the need for zinc increase about 50%.
  • It is vital for tissue development, especially brain & sex organs.

Folic Acid

  • Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins during pregnancy.
  • It prevents birth defects such as spina bifida and neural tube defects.

Pregnancy Health Tips

Avoid toxic chemicals…..

  1. Household cleaners: report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that chemicals commonly found in households are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. Switch to toxic free cleaners.
  2. Personal care products: in a recent study of personal care products by the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Heath; 30% were found to contain toxic ingredients. It is essential to use toxic free shampoo, toothpaste etc.

Click here for more information First Pregnancy Symptoms