Lifestyle Changes That Pregnant Women Must Make, Essay Example

Nutrition for Pregnancy

There are a number of challenges present in my community in regards to healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy and specifically in regards to good nutrition. The area of my practice is a rural and isolated. There are generally low education levels and corresponding low socioeconomic levels in this community. Women and girls in this area tend to get pregnant and/or marry at a young age and there is a high rate of teen and illegitimate pregnancy. There are high rates of obesity in this area but also high rates of malnutrition and food insecurity and many families require WIC to help with nutritional needs.

Educational Media

Due to the aforementioned issues in the community, I would design an educational pamphlet that I would distribute at the local clinic as well as at the community health department, which serves many low-income women with a variety of pre-natal care services.  It would be in simple language, small enough to take home, and not require any access to a computer or the Internet (most people in this area do not have a home computer, and there is only limited computer and Internet access at the local library).  The issues I would cover in the pamphlet would including the following.

Nutrition and Pregnancy

The main idea I would like these women and girls to come away with is that pregnancy increases their bodies’ demands for energy and nutrients (Lapido, 2010, p. 280).  This is partly because nutrients are directed towards the placenta and mammary glands of pregnant women and also because increased kidney function can also increase the chances of becoming depleted of water-soluble vitamins (Lapido, 2010, p. 284).  I would like to make sure that pregnant women knew about the following nutrients in particular: protein, iron and folic acid. While these are not the only nutrients that are significant for a healthy pregnancy, they are certainly some of the most important.

Protein.  Protein is essential for the healthy growth of the baby, especially in the last two trimesters of the pregnancy. Most obstetricians recommend approximately 71mg of protein daily, and this can be derived from cheese or other dairy products, milk, salmon, spinach or fortified juice (Mayo Clinic, 2013, p. 1).  However, because of the risk of exposure to mercury, it is suggested that pregnant women limit their protein intake from fish to two portions per week, one of which should be a fatty fish like salmon (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2010, p.11).

Iron.  Iron is essential to prevent anemia during pregnancy (Mayo Clinic, 2013, p. 1) and is of major concern to healthcare professionals due to the link between anemia and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality (Lapido, 2010, p. 283).  It is of especial concerns for teenage pregnancies, since most adolescent girls have generally poor eating habits and many studies have found that their iron intake is inadequate (Hermanson, J. & Story. M., 2010, p. 5). The recommended dosage in around 27mg daily, to be gotten from a variety of sources, including fortified cereal, beans, spinach, meat, and poultry (Mayo Clinic, 2013, p. 1).

Folic Acid.   Folic acid deficiency is seen in around 5% of pregnant women and can range from slight to severe (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2010, p. 4). It is recommended that pregnant women consume around 800mcg of folic acid daily to help prevent birth defects; these can come from fortified cereals, spinach, beans, oranges, asparagus and peanuts (Mayo Clinic, 2013, p. 1).

Conclusion

Good prenatal care and education is one of the best ways to prevent maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.  Nutrition education is a very large part of prenatal education, particularly for an under-serviced population which already has to deal with food-related issues like obesity and food insecurity.  Education and support for pregnant women is a great way to help insure a healthy pregnancy and good outcomes for both mother and baby.

References

Harmon, J. and Story. M. (2010). “Nutrient Needs during Adolescent Pregnancy”.  Center for Leadership, Education and Training in Maternal and Child Nutrition, University of Minnesota. 1-10. Print.

Lapido, O.  (2010). “Nutrition in Pregnancy: Mineral and Vitamin Supplements”. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  72(1) 280-290. Print.

“Nutrition in Pregnancy”. (2010). Royal College of Obstricians and Gynecologists. 2010. Web. 22 April 2014.

“Pregnancy Diet: Focus on Essential Nutrients”. Mayo Clinic Webiste.  2013.  Web. 22 April 2014.