Pregnancy And Breastfeeding Essay

Lisa and her husband have decided that they are ready to prepare for their first child. Lisa is 26 years old, weighs 125 pounds and is 5’6†. Lisa has been reading everything she can find on pregnancy because she knows that her prepregnancy health is important to the success of her pregnancy. She knows she should avoid alcohol, especially because alcohol is potentially toxic to the growing fetus in the first weeks of pregnancy, and she could become pregnant and not know about it right away. Lisa is not a smoker and does not take any medications. Although, she does drink 4 cups of coffee per day and drinks 3 diet cokes each day. She has already modified her diet to include some extra protein, along with more fruits and vegetables. She has always taken the herbal supplements glucosamine for her joints and ginseng for energy. She recently started taking an over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplement. Lisa has always kept in good shape by running and yoga, and is admittedly worried about gaining too much weight during the pregnancy. She plans to continue exercising throughout her pregnancy. Answer the following questions. Women during pregnany do not recive the proper nourishment of vitamin and mineral supplemts. It is reccomended that they take a prental multiviamin mineral supplement due to the lack of calories, protein, folic acid, vitamin d, calcium, iron, iodine, and zinc in their diets. Deficiencies of these nutrients can result in deficiencies in infants such as low birth weight and reduced head size. I would recommend that Lisa should reduce her coffee and soda intake as they consist of high caffeine. Heavy caffeine use (in animal studies) showed reproductive problems such as mis carriage and birth defects. It would be safe for her to eat up to 12 ounces of fish such as tuna or salmon. The four types of fish that she should avoid are shark, swordfish, kings makerel, and Tilefish which they all contain high levels of meurcury. Consumtion of these products during pregnancy can lead to developmental delays and brain damage. It is common for pregnant women to experience morning sickness and constipation due to hormonal changes in the 1st trimester. I recommend that Lisa eat small frequent meals, eat dry crackers, and avoid food with odors to prevent nausea and vomitting. If she is undergoing constipation, the hormonal changes slow down the GI tract. She should have a high fiber diet and consume at least 8 glasses of fluids a day anlong with exercise daily.