Posts Tagged ‘Folic acid’

Things to Eat and Things not to Eat during Pregnancy

Diet plays an important role during pregnancy. To maintain a healthy pregnancy, one should know what he can eat and what not.

FOOD THAT YOU SHOULD NOT EAT
- Avoid eating very high empty calorie foods without being nutritious.
- Alcohol in any amount is bad during pregnancy.
- Stay away from smoking and from people who smoke.
- Sushi i.e. raw fish and shellfish are definitely not safe to eat during pregnancy. They can harbor hepatitis, bacteria and parasites, all dangerous to women and their fetuses.
- Raw meats or uncooked beef or poultry should not be taken during pregnancy.
- Avoid high mercury fish during pregnancy.
- Eating soft or blue veined cheeses during your pregnancy will increase your risk of contracting listeria which is a form of bacteria that can potentially be very harmful to your baby.
- Caffeine intake should be limited.
- Un-pasteurized juice can harbor bacteria that can affect you and your baby.
- Deli meats including hot dogs which may contain listeria, a kind of bacteria should be avoided.
- Refrigerated smoked seafood should be avoided.
- Animal liver contains very high levels of vitamin A. Women who consume too much may risk a higher incidence of birth defects in their babies.

FOOD THAT YOU CAN EAT DURING PREGNANCY
- Pregnant women should eat at least 7 servings of fruits and vegetables in their diet as they are rich source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Eat plenty of high fiber foods like cereals, whole-grain bread, pastas.
- Eat or drink at least four serving of dairy or calcium products.
- Eat iron-rich foods.
- Pregnant women should eat at least 60 gm of protein everyday. Eggs, nuts, dried beans are also good sources of protein.
- Folic acid should be taken regularly. It is a vitamin B that helps prevent serious birth defects of a baby’s brain and spine.
- Pregnant women should drink water regularly. They should not dehydrate themselves.

PAPAYA DURING PREGNANCY DURING PREGNANCY

Benefits of eating papaya during pregnancy can reduce indigestion, inflammatory bowel syndrome or heartburn. It is also rich in vitamins.
But it should be remembered that only fully riped papaya should be eaten. Even slightly unripe papaya has a latex like substance in it. This latex substance acts like prostaglandin and oxytocin which are generally use to induce labor and cause miscarriages. Consuming papaya during the early weeks of pregnancy should be avoided unless you are absolutely sure that it is fully ripe.
Hence, papaya is generally avoided by most women as a precautionary measure.

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What are different kind of complications that may occur during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a crucial period in women life. Sometimes the changes taking place will cause irritation or discomfort, and on occasions they may seem quite alarming. Pregnancy complications should never be overlooked, even if you may never have any, it is better to know what the problems and complications are occurring during your pregnancy.

Some problems faced during pregnancy are backache and pelvic joint pain, constipation, cramp, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), faintness, feeling hot in pregnancy, headaches, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, incontinence (wetting or soiling yourself), indigestion and heartburn, itching, leaking nipples, nausea and morning sickness, nose bleeds, passing water often, piles, severe itching and obstetric cholestasis, skin and hair changes, sleeplessness, slow-growing babies, stretch marks, swollen ankles, feet and fingers, teeth and gums, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding.

FIRST TRIMESTER

- Nausea and Vomiting : This is due to hormonal changes and frequently changing levels of blood sugar in the body. Solution is to avoid drinks that cause discomfort, take rest and sleep, wear comfortable clothes.
- Changes in breast : The breast feels tender and sensitive. The nipple feels sore when touched as the milk ducts are enlarging and blood supply increases.
- Bleeding which can be due to placenta praevia, abruptio placentae, preterm labour, IUGR or foetal growth retardation, post term pregnancy.
- Fatigue and Tiredness : Maintain a proper diet and pamper yourself.
- Frequent urination.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Mood changes.

SECOND & THIRD TRIMESTER

The second trimester of pregnancy is a busy time for both you and your baby. Your baby will be growing very rapidly over the next several week.
- CONSTIPATION: This is common during pregnancy due to relaxation of intestinal muscles. Taking of iron and calcium supplements can cause constipation. Inadequate intake of fiber, fluids, irregular eating habits are also contributing for constipation.
- BACKACHE: Backaches are usually caused by poor posture. Since you now have more weight in front of your body, you may be leaning back to compensate. If you have gained more than the recommended amount of weight, this pain may be worse.
- SWELLING OF ANKLES, FEET, HANDS & FACE: Swelling is the second most common feature in the last trimester. Puffy hands, feet, and face not only make for a funny look but can be very uncomfortable as well. This occurs due to water and fluid retention in the body.
- ABDOMINAL PAIN: There are many causes of abdominal pains. Some twinges and tightening feelings are to be expected, as the area expands to hold the growing baby.
- GROIN PAIN: as your body prepares for labor, your pelvic joints soften so the baby can easily pass through them.
- BLEEDING GUMS: Hormonal effects during pregnancy may cause your gums to bleed. During this time your gums become tender as blood supply increases.
- ITCHINESS: It is normal for the skin to feel itchy as it stretches during the period of the 24th to the 32nd week.

Iron & Folate Deficiency Anemia In Pregnancy – Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment

A pregnant woman, as well as her growing baby and developing placenta, need extra iron to support a rapidly increasing blood supply. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to body tissues via the red blood cells. Low amount of red blood cells in the body your body does not get oxygen from blood. It is the most general problem faced during pregnancy in women. It can cause severe complexities in the baby if it is not diagnosed and treated properly.
The fetus is dependent on the mother’s blood and anemia may be associated with poor fetal growth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. The volume of blood increases in pregnant women by almost 50% and this may result in a drop in the percentage of red blood cells which leads to anemia.

Symptoms of Anemia

- Tiredness.
- Dull.
- Dizzy.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Paleness.
- Breathlessness.
- Headache
- Nausea
- Forgetfulness
- Abdominal pain
- Trouble in concentrating.
- Rapid pulse.

Causes of Iron Deficiency and Folate Deficiency

- Alcohol abuse.
- Poor diets.
- Impaired absorption because of intestinal dysfunction.
- Prolonged drug therapy.
- Loss of blood.
- Diet and digestion.

Types of Anemia in pregnant women

- Iron Deficiency Anemia : The baby starts using the iron that is stored in mother’s body for his/her own growth. If the mother has sufficient iron then she can meet the increased demand but if she has less iron that is necessary to produce red blood cells then she will develop anemia. It can also be caused because of poor diet, loss of blood in pregnancy and excessive use of antacids.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency : Vitamin B12 to synthesize proteins and to form red blood cells. Including animal foods in the diet such as milk, cheese, yogurt meats, eggs, and poultry can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Strict vegans may receive supplemental vitamin B12 by injection during pregnancy.
- Folate Deficiency : It is a B-vitamin that works with iron to help with cell growth. Both folate and iron are essential for red cell production and during pregnancy there is an increased need to supply both the mother and the developing infant(s). Folic acid may help reduce the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord if taken before conception and in early pregnancy.

Risk From Anemia in Pregnant Women

- Twin or multiple pregnancy.
- Results in pre-term delivery, retarded physical growth of the baby and cause low birth weight.
- Tired and fatigued.
- It can cause serious defects in the brain and spinal cord of the baby.

Treatment of Anemia

- Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron tablets.
- Pregnant women fail to ingest or absorb adequate amount of iron and may need to be treated with intra-muscular iron injections.
- Folic acid deficiency anemia is treated with folate tablets.
- Vitamin C intake should be increased to help in better absorption of iron.
- Good sources of iron include meat, green vegetables, dried fruit, pulses, such as chick peas and lentils, foods that are fortified with iron, such as some breakfast cereals and bread.

NOTE: Iron supplements may cause nausea and cause stools to become dark greenish or black in color. Constipation may also occur with iron supplements.