What to Expect for an EXPECTING Mum

 

A pregnancy starts when one of the million of sperms deposited inside the woman during sexual intercourse meets and fertilises an egg she has produced. The fertilised egg then grows and develops over 9 months to form a fetus.

Frequent slight to severe nausea is expected in the morning or later in the day 6 weeks after menstruation stops. However, with proper ante-natal care and medical advice, supplemented with a nutritional diet, many of the unpleasant conditions can be avoided and instead experience an enjoyable and pleasant ride till the arrival of the baby.

Note the 3 possible causes: hormonal change, nutritional deficiencies, profound anatomical changes.

Pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. It can be broken into 3 periods or trimesters: Day 1 to week 12 , from week 12 to 28th, from 28th till delivery.


We are what we eat and the newborn is what a pregnant woman eats during pregnancy. As the fetus takes nutrients direct from the mother, she must eat well or properly. Otherwise, both will suffer the consequences later. By ‘eating well’ no special diet is required, just a diet to incorporate certain important nutrients crucial at this stage of fetal development and maternal well-being. The quality and type of food and nutritional requirements is more important than the quantity. So eating for two is not necessary.

What is good?

* Fruits and vegetables

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables provide all the vitamins, minerals and fibers. Wash thoroughly before consumption to remove traces of soil and pesticides. All foods taken raw should preferably peel off the skin.


Sufficient intake of above ensure that natural antioxidants like Vitamin A, C, E are present to keep the body systems well cleansed and free from damages by free radicals. Those foods containing Vitamin B (particularly B6, B12 and folic acid) may relieve heartburn, digestive tracts, morning sickness, prevent anemia and involved in red blood cell formation. Also reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects, such as spinal bifida and growth retardation.

Vitamin C is believed to assist in absorption of iron. This is highly important for a pregnant woman in her 2nd and 3rd trimesters where additional supplement of iron is called for as the fetus depletes the mother’s iron resources. At the same time, blood volume increases naturally by about 40% and if this mineral is not adequately provided can cause fatigue, a rapid heartbeat and paleness of the skin, gums, and around the interior eye.

* Protein-based foods

Animal protein (lean meat), fish, milk, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts are all good sources of nutrients. All meats and fish should be cooked thoroughly so there is no trace of blood. Fish commercially harvested tend to contain high level of toxicity like mercury. Liver or liver products (eg. cod liver oil) should be left out as they contain excessive amount of Vitamin A that can harm the fetus, closely linked are cleft palate, heart defects, and other congenital defects. Foods containing natural beta-carotene like carrot and pumpkin are not harmful because it is converted into Vitamin A only as needed. Eggs should be well-cooked to prevent the risk of salmonella food poisoning.

Fish with edible bones (eg. sardines), dairy products (eg. milk). nuts and green vegetables all rich in calcium which is vital for bones and teeth formation. The depletion of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D at the later stage of pregnancy may cause backache, dental caries and bone loss to the mother.

DHA derived from fish is known to help in brain and vision development. DHA consumed by pregnant mother can pass through the placenta to the fetus, aids in preventing epilepsy and pre-term delivery. In the event your baby does not get enough Omega 3 from your derived food, the fatty acids stored in the expected mum’s brain are extracted. This can result in a loss of up to 3% of your brain cells. Omega 3 deficiency during pregnancy is linked with:

· increased rates of postpartum depression
· increased chances of having a low birth weight baby
· increased chances of pre-term labor

Amino acids, the building block of proteins, is essential for cellular growth and development. Amino acid imbalances like lack of zinc, manganese and folic acid, has been linked to fetal deformities and mental retardation.

** Carbohydrates

Starchy foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal form an essential part of any diet to be taken jointly with other foods. They do not contain many calories but a good source of vitamins and fibres. A better choice for bread is whole-meal bread or wholegrain cereal.

Breastfeeding is most practical for at least the first 3 months as the mother’s milk is the most nutritious food for a baby and provides crucial disease fighting agents. Human milk is analysed to contain 10 times as much essential fatty acids, 3 times as much selenium and half the calcium. In fact, once breastfeeding has stopped, milk of any kind is no longer required. Though cow’s milk contains 3 times more protein and 7 times more mineral content, the practice of injecting bovine growth hormone and antibiotics is a big turn-off. Soy milk can be a close substitute.

Hence, a mother should continue to eat well to load up nutrients having depleted during pregnancy and to further provide for the baby.

VIVA corner

+ VIVA Basic Essential Pack comprising Green barley, Floraguard, Dailyguard and vivashield takes care of the daily needs like general cleansing, systems detoxification, healthy colon function and health maintenance so vital at this stage as enumerated above.

+ VIVA Omega 3 provides high level of DHA/EPA so that newborn babies can benefit with higher intelligence, memory power and learning ability.

+ VIVA B-easy provides the full range of Vitamin B especially folic acid to prevent having a neural tube defect baby, involved in blood formation and help prevent anemia.

+ VIVA Calmag & D contains important minerals to provide for both mother and baby, especially in forming strong bones.

+ VIVA Hemoberry contains a balanced formula of blood-building nutrition great for mothers who are running on dangerously low blood count. There is a crucial need to replenish the low iron content in the 2nd-3rd trimester depleted by the fetus.