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Nutrition Recommendations in Pregnancy and Lactation
Nutrition counseling is a cornerstone of prenatal care for all women during pregnancy. A woman’s nutritional status not only influences her health, but also pregnancy outcomes and the health of her fetus-neonate. Physicians and other healthcare providers need to be cognizant of nutritional needs during pregnancy, as they differ significantly compared to non-pregnant populations. Furthermore, an individualized approach to nutritional counseling that considers a woman’s access to food, socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity and cultural food choices, and body mass index (BMI) is recommended. In addition, many of the recommendations are geared for uncomplicated pregnancies, so adjustments need to be made when complications, such as gestational diabetes, arise. A nutritionist or registered dietitian can help facilitate dietary counseling and interventions.
Nutrition counseling also extends to lactation. Clinicians should be aware of the physiological adaptations that occur during pregnancy and lactation and how these changes influence the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women. One area of research that would assist providers and women in meeting their nutritional requirements and gestational weight gain goals is the measurement of diet and physical activity that is specific to pregnancy. Effective interventions that target health behaviors are also needed to improve a woman’s nutritional status and assist her in meeting the gestational weight gain goals.
