Care During Pregnancy

There are few experiences in life as powerful as finding out that you're pregnant. It's amazing to think that you have a new life growing inside you. From the moment you begin to feel changes in your body -- or you know for sure that you're pregnant -- you may begin to feel protective and look forward to having the baby. You would also probably begin to think about arranging for your maternity care.

I Need A Special Diet For Two?

It is a common myth that you should eat for two. In fact most women do not need extra calories for the first 6 months of pregnancy and only require approximately 200 extra calories per day during the last 3 months. However, because your blood sugar levels fluctuate more due to the extra demands on your body, it is important to eat regularly, including snacks between meals. Most women gain between 9 - 13 kg during pregnancy, although this can vary from woman to woman. You should never try to diet during this period as you could be depriving the baby of vital nutrients. Healthy foods The best thing to do throughout pregnancy is to eat a variety of healthy foods. They should contain certain key components necessary for growth and development. These include foods containing iron (e.g. green leafy vegetables, red meat, beans and pulses although additional iron supplements may also be given to you by your doctor); calcium (e.g. dairy produce, fish with edible bones like sardines and bread) and foliate (e.g. green beans, oranges, spinach, kale or broccoli). Try to eat something from the following food groups daily:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables: 4 - 6 servings/day • Bread, rice, breakfast cereals, potatoes: at least 1 serving at each meal and 4 servings/day • Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, pulses and nuts: 2 - 3 servings/day • Dairy products: 2 - 3 servings/day

Try to avoid the following:

• Raw eggs which contain salmonella • Home-made mayonnaise and ice-cream • Blue cheese • Liver or pates • Raw or undercooked meat and raw shellfish • Soft cheese and unpasteurized milk