Good nutrition is very important in pregnancy because it effects two the mother and the child. Poor nutritional status increases the risk of death and many other diseases like anemia , liver malfunctioning.

Nutritional needs in pregnancy:

In pregnancy the woman's nutritional needs increases than at other times of her life. All nutrients are required in sufficient amount for the proper growth of her fetus. As the women nourishes herself she also nourishes her fetus. Deficiencies in mother also gives birth to a nutritionally deficient child. The increased need for food continues throughout the pregnancy. During the first half of pregnancy extra food is needed for the mother's uterus,breast and blood all of which increase in size as the time passes and growth of placenta occurs. During the last trimester more nutrients are required mainly for the rapid growth of the fetus. An adequate diet helps the mother to gain desirable weight to carry the healthy fetus. It helps to ensure that the baby's birth weight is normal.

Healthy women gain weight about 25 to 30 lbs during pregnancy. BMR increases during pregnancy which increases the energy requirements. Some women from high class families stay inactive through out the pregnancy while the females from low class families stay active till their delivery time. Women that perform all the activities and remain active need more energy . Women that get little rest and do much work may loose weight instead of gaining.

Health issues:

In poor nourished women chances of abortion, miscarriages are higher than in well nourished women. Malnourished mother gives birth to a malnourished child while a well nourished mother gives birth to a healthy child. In many developing countries 50 t0 75 % of pregnant women have anemia. It contributes to high maternal death rates.

Pregnant women should have regular clinical checkup and should know about their HB levels to know about their health status time by time. Doctors provide supplements to pregnant women to fulfill their nutritional requirements of the micro nutrients. Child borns with vitamin A deficiency if her mother faced it in her pregnancy. Sufficient amount is very important to be provided during pregnancy for mother and child both. In some cultures its a notion that the healthy diets increases the size of the fetus which causes difficulties during delivery time it is not true.

Health eating:

Pregnant women should satisfy her needs of nutrients during pregnancy to stay health and to get a healthy baby. Healthy diet of a mother immunized her child against several diseases too .