PRENATAL CARE – HEALTHY PREGNANCY

PRENATAL CARE

Say YES to: Good nutrition- The

single most important factor in prenatal care

Proper weight Scheduled doctor visits

– can help prevent serious complications

Moderate exercise Enough rest Good Hygiene Sensible personal care

in other activities…work, family, entertainment, travel.

A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD…

Say NO to:Drugs not prescribed by her physicianAlcoholSmokingX-rays

WEIGHT GAIN DURING PREGNANCY

Weight Gain should be slow at first. Approximately 3 pounds in first 3 months. Last 6 moths, steady increase of about 1 pound per

week. Recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 24-

30 pounds

DISTRIBUTION OF PREGNANCY WEIGHT GAIN

PARTS OF DEVELOPING FETUS

A. Placenta: The tissue which connects the fetus to mother’s uterus.

B. Umbilical Cord: Long tube which connects the placenta to the developing fetus. Nourishment and oxygen are carried to fetus and waste products are removed through this cord.

C. Fetus: Name for unborn baby from about the 7th/ 8th week of pregnancy.

D.Uterus: Organ in which baby grows until birth.E. Amniotic Fluid: Fluid which surrounds and

protects the fetus during pregnancy

PROPER NUTRITION

Reasons why proper nutrition is important during pregnancy: Weight gain of 24-30 pounds Unborn child is totally dependent on mother

for nourishment Mother’s reserve nutrients and diet can be

depleted if her diet is not adequate Dietary deficiencies will contribute to low

birth weight and premature babies, as well as birth defects such as brain abnormalities and spina bifida.

The addition of folic acid to the diet is crucial. 4000 unnecessary cases of spina bifida can be prevented each year with either a vitamin supplement or adding folic acid to the diet.

During pregnancy at least one of the following foods high in folic acid, should be consumed daily:

Green leafy vegetables, asparagus Dried beans (pinto, lima…) Citrus fruits and juices Whole grain breads and cereals liver

GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY EATING

Focus on Fruits: 2 cups each day = 1 banana, 1 large orange, ¼ cup dried fruit

Vary your veggies: Eat more dark green veggies such as broccoli, spinach, 3-4 servings per day; serving is about ½ cup.

Get your calcium rich foods: 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or equivalent of another food; cheese 1 ½ ounces = 1 cup milk

Make half your grains Whole; Eat at least 3 ounces of whole-grain cereal, breads, crackers, rice or pasta everyday; 1 ounce = 1 slice bread

Go Lean with Protein: Choose lean meats and poultry; Vary your choices with more fish, dried beans, nuts and seeds.

TEEN DIETS

Teens have special nutritional needs because their bodies are still growing and developing.

It is especially important for pregnant teens to cut out the junk food (or keep to a minimum) and have enough calcium and iron in their diet.

END

PRENATAL CARE – HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Name_____________Period___Date_____

Do’s & Don’tsWeight Gain

Distribution of Weight

Nutrition

PREGNANCY CHANGES

A. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________B. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________C. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________D. ______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ E. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Guidelines Focus on Fruits: _______________= 1 banana, 1 large orange, ¼ cup

dried fruit Vary your veggies: Eat more ____________veggies such as broccoli,

spinach; 3-4 servings per day; serving is about_________ Get your _________rich foods: 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or

equivalent calcium rich food; ________1 ½ ounces = 1 cup milk Make half your grains__________; Eat at least 3 ounces of whole-

grain cereal, breads, crackers, rice or pasta everyday; ____________________

Go __________________: Choose lean meats and poultry; Vary your choices with more____________________, nuts and seeds

______________have special nutritional needs because their bodies are still growing________________________.

It is especially important for pregnant teens to ____________________(or keep to a minimum) and have enough __________________________in their diet.

NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY

Reasons why proper nutrition is important during pregnancy: Weight gain of _________pounds Unborn child is _____________________________ for nourishment Mother’s _______________nutrients and diet can be __________if

her diet is not________________ _____________________________will contribute to low birth

weight and premature babies, as well ___________________________ abnormalities and_________________.

The addition of ___________to the diet is crucial. ________unnecessary cases of spina bifida can be prevented each year with either a __________________or adding folic acid to the diet.

During pregnancy at least _________of the following foods high in folic acid, should be consumed daily:

PRENATAL CARE

Say YES to:

A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD…

Say NO to:

Weight ___________should be___________________.Approximately ___________in first _____months.Last ____ months, steady increase of about ____________________.Recommended weight gain during pregnancy is _______pounds

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

DISTRIBUTION OF PREGNANCY WEIGHT GAIN