Nutrition and pregnancy

Nutrition and pregnancy refers to the nutrient intake, and dietary planning that is undertaken before, during and after pregnancy. Nutrition of the fetus begins at conception. For this reason, the nutrition of the mother is important from before conception (probably several months before) as well as throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. An ever-increasing number of studies have shown that the nutrition of the mother will have an effect on the child, up to and including the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes throughout life.^[1]

An inadequate or excessive amount of some nutrients may cause malformations or medical problems in the fetus, and neurological disorders and handicaps are a risk that is run by mothers who are malnourished.^[2] An estimated 24% of babies worldwide are born with lower than optimal weights at birth due to lack of proper nutrition.^[3] Personal habits such as consumption of alcohol or large amounts of caffeine can negatively and irreversibly affect the development of the baby, which happens in the early stages of pregnancy.^[4]

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss.^[5] The available research favors the notion that the benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy outweigh the risks; however, the type of fish is important.^[6] Folic acid, which is the synthetic form of the vitamin folate, is critical both in pre-and peri-conception.^[7]

^ "Cancer Prevention During Early Life". cdc.gov. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ Barasi EM (2003). Human Nutrition - A Health Perspective. London: Arnold. ISBN 978-0-340-81025-5.
^ "WHO | 10 facts on nutrition". World Health Organization. 2011-03-15. Archived from the original on November 16, 2008. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
^ Riley L (2006). Pregnancy: The Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-696-22221-4.
^ Cite error: The named reference Chen2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Starling2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Williamson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] "Cancer Prevention During Early Life". cdc.gov. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[mary_e_barasi-2] Barasi EM (2003). Human Nutrition - A Health Perspective. London: Arnold. ISBN 978-0-340-81025-5.

[3] "WHO | 10 facts on nutrition". World Health Organization. 2011-03-15. Archived from the original on November 16, 2008. Retrieved 2011-08-07.

[Riley-4] Riley L (2006). Pregnancy: The Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-696-22221-4.

[Chen2016-5] Cite error: The named reference Chen2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Starling2015-6] Cite error: The named reference Starling2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Williamson-7] Cite error: The named reference Williamson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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