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A healthy and balanced diet prior to and during pregnancy is essential to ensure good health to both mother and child. This is important because of the continuous development of the foetus relies on the health of the embryo.

When the embryo is implanted, it splits into two types of cells. They are the cells that form the placenta and the foetus. In a women that doesn't consume the right nutrients, more cells are likely to form the placenta rather than the foetus meaning the foetus will be relatively small and development will be restricted resulting in a low birth weight when born.

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Nutrition as a protective factor for foetal health

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Nutrition as a protective factor for foetal health

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Folate is responsible for the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body and the development of the nervous system in the foetus. For the mother to consume enough folate both before and during pregnancy, she is reducing the risk of neural tube defects in the baby. Neural tube defects may result in the baby to have walking difficulties, deformities of the spine and reduced sensation in the legs and feet. Green leafy vegetables, poultry, eggs, cereals, citrus fruits and legumes are all good sources of folate.

Iron is required for the production of hemoglobin which is a part of blood that transports oxygen around the body. This nutrient is also to be consumed in larger amounts during pregnancy as more oxygen is needed for both the developing foetus and the more energy needed for the mother. If pregnant women have low iron levels, there is an increased chance of both a premature birth and a low birth weight for the baby. Red meat, fortified cereals, egg yolks, legumes, nuts and green leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron.

During pregnancy, iodine is to be consumed in larger amounts for the optimal development of the brain and nervous system in the baby. The consequences of iodine deficiency during pregnancy can include stunted growth and intellectual disability. Iodine can be found in fish, seaweed, eggs, cow's milk and strawberries

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Nutrition as a protective factor for maternal health

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Nutrition as a protective factor for maternal health

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Calcium promotes the strengthening of bones and teeth therefore is needed for these to develop in the foetus and also to keep the bone mass of the mother in good condition. If there is an inadequate amount of calcium being consumed by the mother, the calcium that the baby requires will be taken from the bones of the mother and the consequence of that may be that she gets osteoporosis later in life.

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Description of nutrition as a risk factor for foetal health

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Description of nutrition as a risk factor for foetal health

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There are some foods that can affect the baby in significant ways therefore these foods should be avoided during pregnancy. If these foods are consumed, an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or premature labour will be present. The foods to avoid include soft-serve ice-cream, unpasteurised foods and soft cheeses such as camembert and ricotta, pre-cooked or prepared cold foods such as quiches, delicatessen meats and salad from buffets and raw and smoked seafood such as oysters.

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Description of nutrition as a risk factor for maternal health

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Description of nutrition as a risk factor for maternal health

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Alcohol consumption before pregnancy can cause infertility, therefore women who try to fall pregnant may not be able to if there is alcohol present in their blood. This can also harm the unborn baby in the ares of both physical development and health quite significantly . Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can occur when alcohol crosses the placenta which will then end up in the baby's blood. This disorder can result in death before the baby is born, interrupt the development of the nervous system and a restriction in blood supply therefore there is no 'safe' limit of alcohol consumption whilst pregnant.

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy also has many affects on the mother and baby. It can increase your blood pressure and heart rate and lead to heartburn due to the production of stomach acid when caffeine is present. Caffeine also makes it harder for your body to absorb iron. This is particular important because women are in need of even more iron whilst pregnant. A higher level of caffeine is present in the bloodstream as your body takes longer to process it during pregnancy. The caffeine therefore can also cross the placenta and reach the baby's bloodstream exposing the baby to the effects of caffeine.