Pregnancy is a happy time for all mothers who await the birth of the baby. It is also an important and decisive phase in which the born baby is healthy and normal no less than anything, because pregnancy is the beginning of the baby growing and developing in the womb. To get a healthy heart of course the need for adequate nutrition must be met both for mother and fetus.
The existence of a fetus that grows and develops in the womb makes the mother's nutritional needs increase along with the age of pregnancy. The first trimester, an important period in which the process of fertilization and formation of fetal organs, but the presence of nausea and vomiting disorders and decreased appetite often makes pregnant women lack of nutrient intake. Nevertheless it should be strived to consume food for nutritional needs remain met, for example by eating in small quantities but frequency more often. It is better to avoid fatty or oily foods to reduce nausea.
In the first trimester it takes an additional intake of about 180 kilocalories per day. In addition, to be considered at this time is the need for folic acid so should be attempted to consume foods containing folic acid such as nuts, green vegetables and fruits or supplements containing folic acid. Lack of folic acid can result in fetal development that is not perfect until the defect at birth. Consumption of calcium is mandatory for pregnant women because of lack of calcium consumption will make the fetus to take calcium from the mother's bone so it can result in osteoporosis in the mother. Calcium content found in milk and many dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and others.
In the second trimester the formation of fetal organs is perfect. What happens at this time is the maturation of organs and body functions and overall growth, so that the nutrients needed in the second trimester more than the first trimester, one of which is the addition of about 300 kilocalories per day. Another important nutrient to be met is iron to supply tissue oxygen needs. Iron deficiency will cause anemia and disruption of the formation of red blood cells that will endanger the mother during labor.
In the third trimester, the fetus in the womb will grow more rapidly, his body grows larger and contains and the more actively moving. Nutrition needed at this time as in the second trimester is the addition of about 300 kilocalories per day. It is not advisable to over-consume food because it can cause excessive weight to complicate the birth process, as well as avoid complications in the mother such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
In principle, the fulfillment of nutritional needs during pregnancy is to eat foods that are hygienic, complete and balanced nutrition. Hygienic in the sense of maintaining the cleanliness of food and beverages that enter the body and pay attention to the level of maturity. Complete nutrition includes all the nutrients needed by the mother and the fetus both macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) as well as micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) including sufficient fluid (enough drinking). Balanced in terms of serving on each dish (50-60% carbohydrate, 15-20% protein, 25-30% fat). While the amount of nutrients needed for the pregnancy is the nutritional needs of women according to their age plus the appropriate intake trimester of pregnancy.
Eating schedule should be arranged to be evenly and balanced until the nutritional needs can be consumed perfectly, for example 3x full menu that is at breakfast, lunch and dinner plus 2x additional menu that can be consumed as a distraction morning and evening. Expand the consumption of vegetables and fruits to meet the needs of micronutrients and fiber that can help digestion.
With the fulfillment of nutritional needs is expected that the mother can undergo a pregnancy with a healthy and fun to give birth to a healthy baby too.
