Pregnancy and Birth
Prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of autism
According to a new study, women who take multivitamins early in pregnancy may be less likely to have children with autism.
Autism is a brain disorder that is associated with developmental problems in communication and social interaction. The first signs of autism usually appear 12 to 18 months of age, however, most children are not diagnosed with the disease until preschool age. So far, no known cause of autism.
In a recent study, researchers analyzed data from the study of Genetic and Environmental Risk in infantile autism. Children were assessed between 24 and 60 months of age. Investigations confirmed in 288 children with autism, 141 with autistic spectrum disorder and 278 normal. Data were also collected from the mothers regarding the consumption of prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy. Read the rest of this entry »
Special Diet For Pregnancy
I’m pregnant! What a joy, but what should I eat?, How?, “I will be eating well? … are just some questions that moms are often primarily recalling that famous phrase: “we must eat for two.”
Doctors and nutritionists break this myth and agree that “we must eat for two”, making sure the mother and baby get all the nutrients they need without abusing food.
During pregnancy the needs of all nutrients, but there are some that play a role in the development of the baby in the womb, so it is necessary to pay special attention to diet.
A balanced diet will help repair and maintain cells and tissues, also provides adequate nutrition to promote growth and development of the baby, placenta quality, maintain energy levels throughout pregnancy, childbirth and post partum, prevent anemia and activate the production of milk. A good diet will also prevent problems of low birth weight, prematurity or infections.
This is not to design a special diet for pregnancy, but rather to understand the diversity of food properties and improve the quality and variety of the diet.
What To Eat The Pregnant Women?
To maintain an appropriate nutritional balance pregnant women every day may include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in their food.
Energy Requirement
Today is considered sufficient to increase the energy needs of a pregnant woman, healthy and well nourished, at 200 to 300 kcal / day during the second and third trimesters, for a total of 2000 Kcal.
Nutritional Requirement
With moderate weight gain is achieved to reduce the number of children of low birth weight and prenatal mortality. It has also been shown that adequate maternal nutrition can lead to permanent reduction in the number of fetal malformations, why not be subjected to a pregnant woman to a severe food restriction. The most important thing is to follow a balanced diet.
Protein
Protein needs in an adult is 1 g / kg / day. During pregnancy, these needs increase because of the huge new synthesis of both maternal and fetal tissues, especially in the last quarter. The American National Research Council suggested that from the second trimester, pregnant women should consume 10 to 12 grams / day of extra protein when more than 24 years and 15 g / day when less than 24 years.
This corresponds to increase protein needs between 1.2 and 1.5 g / kg / day. Must be of high biological value protein. Foods rich in protein are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, grains, nuts. Not alternate the different types of meat distributed among 210 to 240 grs. distributed daily for lunch and dinner, you should not consume more than two eggs a week. Of the grains you eat a cup three times a week.
Carbohydrates
No specific recommendations have been established in relation to the macro nutrient intake for pregnant women. Should provide about 50% of total energy intake. Found in potatoes, cassava, taro, celery, bananas, pasta and cereals.
It should drink about 6 servings / day, divided between meals and snacks such as two slices of bread, 30 grams. dry cereal, a bowl of oatmeal or Foror, an arepa median, six crackers, half to one cup rice, cooked pasta or hot cereal. Are preferred grain-grain bread. ½ cup of vegetables, ¼ cup banana.
Fats
The amount of fat in the diet is about 30% of the total energy. Is important not only quantity but the quality of the fat ingested during pregnancy. It must take into account the need for certain fatty acids, which are important for the formation of the nervous system and retina of the fetus, and this contribution is guaranteed including fish in the diet.
During pregnancy there is hyperlipidemia (increased cholesterol and triglycerides) physiological. Also found in meats, dairy products and vegetable oils. It should drink 2 to 3 glasses of milk per day, can be exchanged with 2 slices of cheese or a ration of 30 grams. curd or cottage cheese, yogurt.
Baby’s Development in the First Month of Pregnancy
During the first 8 weeks, the baby is an embryo. Small buttons appear on the extremities, which will grow into arms and legs. The heart and lungs begin to form. The heart begins to beat the 25 th day. Neural tube that becomes the brain and spinal cord begins to form. At the end of the first month, the embryo is about 9 mm and weighs 0.5 grams At this early stage of pregnancy, exercise bring many benefits for women. However, it is necessary that, before you start, consult your doctor about the type of exercise is recommended for your case.
The body of the pregnant woman
The body of the mother begins to send signals to confirm a suspected pregnancy. The confirmation was made through a test (commercial) l urine or blood tests. Pregnancy will be confirmed if both tests detected the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which indicates that a new being has been conceived in the womb of the woman. Because of hormonal changes in your body, the pregnant woman may experience fatigue, nausea and vomiting, an increased volume of the breasts, the more the urge to urinate Read the rest of this entry »