Nutrition
Even before pregnancy begins, nutrition is a primary factor in the health of mother and baby. A well-balanced diet before conception contributes to a healthy pregnancy and will probably need few changes. One of the most important things a woman can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy for herself and her baby is to eat a well-balanced diet. Good nutrition during pregnancy is essential in creating an environment that allows the baby to grow and flourish.
When you are pregnant, your baby grows inside you. Everything you eat and drink while you are pregnant affects your baby. Healthcare officials have issued a new advisory on the dangers of eating fish. Healthcare officials are concerned that the level of mercury in fish might pose certain risks to a developing fetus.
Food can be contaminated with a bacteria called Listeria. Learn to protect your food against this common bacteria.
The average recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 11kg to 15kg. There is no need to eat more food during pregnancy. It is recommended that for the first trimester, a woman’s energy (kilojoule, kJ) intake should remain about the same as it was prior to the pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters, energy requirements should increase by about 600 kJ a day. Increasing fruit intake to four serves each day (from the recommended two serves for non-pregnant women) will provide all the extra energy needed.
When you are pregnant, your baby grows inside you. Everything you eat and drink while you are pregnant affects your baby. Healthcare officials have issued a new advisory on the dangers of eating fish. Healthcare officials are concerned that the level of mercury in fish might pose certain risks to a developing fetus.
Food can be contaminated with a bacteria called Listeria. Learn to protect your food against this common bacteria.
The average recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 11kg to 15kg. There is no need to eat more food during pregnancy. It is recommended that for the first trimester, a woman’s energy (kilojoule, kJ) intake should remain about the same as it was prior to the pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters, energy requirements should increase by about 600 kJ a day. Increasing fruit intake to four serves each day (from the recommended two serves for non-pregnant women) will provide all the extra energy needed.
Exercise
All women who are pregnant without complications are encouraged to participate in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy.
There are numerous potential health benefits for women who exercise during pregnancy, including better weight control, improved mood and maintenance of fitness levels. Regular exercise during pregnancy can also decrease the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Before exercising when pregnant, consult your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional. You may need to modify your existing exercise program or choose a suitable new one if you were exercising very little before getting pregnant.
There are numerous potential health benefits for women who exercise during pregnancy, including better weight control, improved mood and maintenance of fitness levels. Regular exercise during pregnancy can also decrease the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Before exercising when pregnant, consult your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional. You may need to modify your existing exercise program or choose a suitable new one if you were exercising very little before getting pregnant.