A pregnancy starts with a fertilization, when a woman’s egg joins with a man’s sperm. Pregnancy has 3 trimesters to indicate specific fetal developments. Pregnancy is counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period.
Stages of Pregnancy
•First trimester: 0-13 weeks
•Second trimester: 14-26 weeks
•Third trimester: 27-40 weeks
•Full term: 40 weeks
Common Pregnancy-Related Discomfort
•Constipation
- Solution: Increase fibre intake, take probiotics, increase water intake, exercise
•Indigestion/ Heartburn
- Solution: Take small, frequent meals, avoid spicy & sour food, take probiotics, avoid meals 3 hours before bed
•Hemorrhoids/ Piles
- Solution: Increase fibre intake, use sitz bath to ease discomfort, avoid sitting/standing for prolonged time
•Morning Sickness
- Solution: Take ginger tea, take small, frequent meals, avoid food/smell that makes you sick
•Vaginal Thrush
- Solution: Wipe from front to back, wear loose cotton undergarments, avoid using scented soap, take probiotics
Pregnancy Nutritional Requirement
Daily Recommended Dietary Allowance
Nutrient
Non-Pregnant
Pregnant*
Lactation*
Vitamin A (μg/d)
700
770
1300
Vitamin D (μg/d)
5
15
15
Vitamin E (mg/d)
15
15
19
Vitamin K (μg/d)
90
90
90
Folate (μg/d)
400
600
500
Niacin (mg/d)
14
18
17
Riboflavin (mg/d)
1.1
1.4
1.6
Thiamin (mg/d)
1.1
1.4
1.4
Vitamin B6 (mg/d)
1.3
1.9
2
Vitamin B12 (μg/d)
2.4
2.6
2.8
Vitamin C (mg/d)
75
85
120
Calcium (mg/d)
1,000
1,000
1,000
Iron (mg/d)
18
27
9
Phosphorus (mg/d)
700
700
700
Selenium (μg/d)
55
60
70
Zinc (mg/d)
8
11
12
References
1. Fetal development: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia [Internet]. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2022Jan7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm
5. Kominiarek MA, Rajan P. Nutrition recommendations in pregnancy and lactation [Internet]. The Medical clinics of North America. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2016 [cited 2022Jan7]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5104202/
