Prenatal Cycle

Prenatal Cycle

The prenatal cycle occurs from the time a couple conceives a child till the end of the first year of life.

There are nutritional challenges that could occur when deciding to have a child through the stages of pregnancy throughout the delivery part. When a couple decides, there are lots of important factors to consider. The mother has to give up alcohol, illegals drugs and some other medications to prevent birth defects. This goes for the father as well. Both partners need to be in good health. Females who are overweight can develop a condition called gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Weight gain can be a challenge as well. Gaining can cause a trauma impacted delivery and can result in a caesarean delivery. Challenges with the urinary tract can develop if the female doesn’t consume enough fluids. For example the female can suffer from dehydration and urinary tract infections. Morning sickness is the last major challenge. With morning sickness when a woman cannot keep down fluids and food it is preventing the nutrients to the fetus.

The diet suggested for expectant mothers is as followed. Macronutrients are needed for supplying energy and build tissues when pregnant. Pregnant women should drink low fat milk for protein, vitamins, and minerals. The calorie intake will need to increase by 350 to 400 a day. One cup of yogurt and graham cracker with jam is about 400 k/cal. Vitamins and minerals should be increased 50 percent, protein increased to 1.1 gram a day per body weight. Meats, eggs, and nuts are all rich sources of protein. Carbohydrates should be 175 grams a day, breads, cereals, brown rice, fruits and vegetables are good carbohydrates and fibers. Fat intake stays the same.

When following the nutritional guideline a female can achieve a healthy pregnancy. Along with mild exercises to prevent too much weight gain.