Pregnancy is the first stage of the first 1000 days – considered the “golden window of opportunity” for the child to achieve optimum health, growth and neurodevelopment. It is a very important event in the life of a woman in which they need to become physically and mentally prepared. To withstand the difficulties of pregnancy, labor and delivery, it is important for the mother to be healthy and well-nourished. Being healthy and well-nourished will not only benefit the mother but also the health of her baby.
The time before the first pregnancy of a woman and the interval between succeeding conception is called pre-pregnancy. The nutritional status and age of a woman before a pregnancy may affect both her health and her future baby. There would be high risk for complications, pre-term delivery, low birth weight and neonatal deaths if a woman gets pregnant at age 15 to 18. Whereas, co-existence of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, reproductive difficulties and high risk of genetic abnormalities will result to pregnancy complications if a woman gets pregnant beyond age of 40. Furthermore, a woman who is underweight has a higher risk of giving birth to a low birth weight babies and obese women tends to have an overweight/oversized fetus, and she may also develop lifestyle related diseases. Thus, a mother must maintain her normal nutritional status and consider her maternal age when planning to get pregnant.
It is important that a woman including her husband should be healthy and prepared for pregnancy. During pre-pregnancy period, a woman should consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods especially foods that are rich in iron and folic acid such as meat, liver, beans, peas and dark-green leafy vegetables. Also, couples should avail health and counseling services on responsible parenthood from their area’s health facility. Services and interventions such as vaccination, provision of iron supplements, counseling services and reproductive health services for adolescents and non-pregnant women of reproductive age are offered at health facilities in the community. Both the couples should be mentally, physically and financially prepared before the delivery. Thus, every pregnancy should be planned, wanted spaced and supported.
Nutrient stores and mother’s diet are the only support for the nutrition of a growing and developing baby during pregnancy. Extra food each day is needed since pregnant mothers are providing the energy and nutrition for their developing baby. They must eat variety of foods that are rich in carbohydrates (energy-giving foods), proteins (body-building foods), vitamins and minerals (body-regulating foods), milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs (well-cooked), grains, nuts and beans. A pregnant woman must daily consume: 5- 6 servings per day of carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, rice products, corn, root crops, bread, noodles; 4-5 servings per day of protein rich foods such as fish, shellfish, meat and poultry, dried beans and nuts, and eggs; 3-4 servings per day of vegetables and 2 servings per day of 1 medium sliced fruit or 1 slice of a big fruit; and 1 serving of milk and milk products a day. It is also important that they should consume 8-10 glasses of water every day and avoid taking tea, coffee and sugar-sweetened beverages. Also, a reminder that an iodized salt must be used in cooking/consumption to prevent iodine deficiency. The Pinggang Pinoy, healthy food plate for pregnant and lactating women, can be used as basis on the right food group proportions per meal basis to meet energy nutrient needs.
Moreover, a pregnant woman should also monitor their weight during the span of pregnancy since it may determine pregnancy outcomes. A woman with normal pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) must gain 11-16 kilograms after becoming pregnant. Underweight women should gain 13-18 kilograms and overweight women may need to gain only 7-11 kilograms. For the first 3 months, 2-4 pounds must be gained and 1 pound per week during the rest of pregnancy. If the pregnant woman is expecting for twins, an average of 1.5 pounds must be gained per week.
It is also important that pregnant women must avail health services (tetanus-diphtheria immunization and iron-folic acid supplementation, BMI assessment, abdominal check-up and counselling) in the health facility. Also, important micronutrients such as iron with folic acid must be taken daily for 180 days to prevent anemia and folic acid deficiency. They must also go for at least 4 pre-natal visits; once during first and second trimester and twice on the third trimester. For mothers with difficult pregnancies, it is advised that they should have more antenatal visits for proper monitoring and evaluation. Also, it is important to have a birth plan to guide mothers towards a safe delivery. Pregnant woman should be cared for by a health worker and they should give birth in a health facility.
Proper nutrition plays a significant role during pregnancy. It is important in meeting the nutrient requirements of mother and growing fetus. It can also help build reserves in preparation of delivery and lactation. Also, there will be more chances of normal pregnancy and normal birth of healthy and well-developed baby with good nutrition. Still births, prematurity, congenital malformations and hemorrhages will also be prevented. Thus, a pregnant woman should always remember that being healthy, by having a proper nutrition, visiting health center and availing health services, monitoring weight changes, visiting counselling services and being prepared for the delivery, would result to a healthy baby. ##FVV
