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There are many physiological changes that occur in a woman’s body and in the fetus during pregnancy. Many of these changes create a need for more nutrients. By being well informed of her options, a pregnant woman can meet her own nutritional needs and those of her baby. The bottom line is that proper nutrition plays a major role in reducing health risks during pregnancy. You’ll discover, too, that a woman’s nutritional needs post-partum (after the separation of birth) may actually be greater than they were during pregnancy.

With her doctor’s approval, a woman can and should engage in regular physical activity during the months when she is expecting. A friend of mine was marking chalk lines on softball fields the day before she gave birth, and another was teaching aerobics right up to her ninth month. The difference between an active, healthy pregnancy and one marked by serious health concerns may well be the woman’s overall nutritional status. Is her normal diet providing all the nutrients a healthy woman needs? Is she a smoker? Does she consume alcohol? Is illegal drug use threatening the future health of mother and child?

Pregnancy brings a whole new set of worries to all women, no matter how healthy and active they have been. While some health risks are unavoidable because they are hereditary or simply unforeseen, the nutritional status of most women is largely within their control. For instance, the majority of women in America appear to make conscious choices about what they eat and drink. However, it’s also their choice whether or not to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or take illegal drugs. If women choose a healthy diet and lifestyle, they shouldn’t have to worry about the effects of poor nutrition and unhealthy personal habits when they become pregnant.

Moderate physical activity has many benefits for a pregnant woman. For example, mild walking will help tone the mother’s muscles and will not put stress on her body or the growing fetus. However, experts recommend that someone who hasn’t been exercising prior to pregnancy should not begin a vigorous exercise routine on her own once she learns she’s expecting. Her growing baby has enough adaptations to make without also having to adapt to unaccustomed exercise. The general rule is this: Before beginning any strenuous exercise program, a pregnant woman should consult her physician to make sure her exercise plan is appropriate to her physical condition.

Perhaps you are already a mother. If so, you know that pregnancy can be a time for a woman to reflect on her inner life and the wonder-filled experience of childbirth. It’s a time for personal growth and preparation for the joys and awesome responsibilities of parenthood.

As a future professional in the nutrition field, I urge you to only look at your clients with an eye towards the scientific aspects of pregnancy and motherhood, but also from the human, emotional side. I hope that in your application of the science of nutrition to pregnant women, you will always support your clients in their quest for both physical health and personal development.

Kathy Carter
Nutrition, Diet, And Health Science Instructor
Ashworth University

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 7:48 am and is filed under Heart, Weight Loss, Disease, Studies, Nutrition, Medicine, Data, Exercise, Food, Diet, Pregnancy, Motivation, Family, Doctors, Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.