Following a prenatal diet is very important for a woman that is planning to conceive or has already become pregnant. A woman does not only need to eat healthy while she is pregnant but also before she becomes pregnant, for example: a woman should not consume drugs or alcohol if she is planning to become pregnant to avoid risking the newborns health. What a woman consumes while she is pregnant can contribute to many illnesses like mental retardation, low birth weights, deaths, and many birth defects. There are many nutritional requirements that a woman must follow in order to ensure that her baby be born in good health and there are many unhealthy choices that she can choose that could result in poor health. The prenatal diet does not only consist
…show more content…
One lab value will be a woman’s iron. A woman that has low iron could develop anemia, which is a limitation to the amount of oxygen that is transferred to cells. There are two types of anemia that correlate to the nutritional status of a pregnant woman. Folic acid deficiency anemia happens when the mother drinks alcohol or takes anticonvulsants, sulfa drugs, or oral contraceptives. All of which restrict the body from absorbing folate. If a pregnant woman is going to take folic acid supplements a suggested dose of 400mcg would be sufficient for the prenatal diet. Normal plasma folate levels are 2-20ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia can negatively affect the amount of blood supplied to the fetus and the reserves for blood lost during child birth. Vitamin C is needed in order for the body to absorb iron. There are many dietary choices high in Vitamin C and iron to supplement such deficiencies. Hemoglobin levels less than 10.5g/dL can predict anemia. Blood glucose levels are monitored during pregnancy and more so in diabetic mothers. A blood glucose level below 60 can indicate hypoglycemia and cause weakness, headaches, blurred vision, faintness, and irritability in the mother. Blood glucose levels above 120 can indicate hyperglycemia. Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting. Sodium levels should also be monitored during pregnancy
One lab value will be a woman’s iron. A woman that has low iron could develop anemia, which is a limitation to the amount of oxygen that is transferred to cells. There are two types of anemia that correlate to the nutritional status of a pregnant woman. Folic acid deficiency anemia happens when the mother drinks alcohol or takes anticonvulsants, sulfa drugs, or oral contraceptives. All of which restrict the body from absorbing folate. If a pregnant woman is going to take folic acid supplements a suggested dose of 400mcg would be sufficient for the prenatal diet. Normal plasma folate levels are 2-20ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia can negatively affect the amount of blood supplied to the fetus and the reserves for blood lost during child birth. Vitamin C is needed in order for the body to absorb iron. There are many dietary choices high in Vitamin C and iron to supplement such deficiencies. Hemoglobin levels less than 10.5g/dL can predict anemia. Blood glucose levels are monitored during pregnancy and more so in diabetic mothers. A blood glucose level below 60 can indicate hypoglycemia and cause weakness, headaches, blurred vision, faintness, and irritability in the mother. Blood glucose levels above 120 can indicate hyperglycemia. Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting. Sodium levels should also be monitored during pregnancy