Week 12 of your Pregnancy
Eating well and wisely
Appropriate weight gain and a healthy diet during pregnancy help keep you and your fetus healthy now and, as research suggests, may influence your baby’s health long past birth.
The amount you gain by the end of your pregnancy depends on whether you were underweight, overweight, or just right before you conceived, and if you are carrying more than one baby. Most women gain 25 to 35 pounds, only 5 to 8 of which are stored as body fat. The remaining pounds are added by your baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, increased fluids, blood, breast growth, and uterus.
One of the many joys of pregnancy is indulging in full plates of delicious, good-for-you food. As you plan your daily meals and snacks, include the important nutrients as much as possible. Many healthy foods (such as whole grains and green leafy vegetables) provide several important nutrients at once. Prenatal vitamins help cover any gaps in your diet.
New studies continue to reveal the importance of a mother’s nutrition during pregnancy, linking low levels of calcium to increased risk of preeclampsia, vitamin D deficiency to low birth weight and an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes for infants, and other risks. Getting plenty of fiber may help decrease blood pressure and reduce the risk of preeclampsia. The good news is that eating whole (not packaged or processed) foods from all the food groups ensures that a woman’s diet gives her and her developing fetus all the necessary nutrients. Buying your food from producers who avoid using chemicals and hormones is also a wise precaution during pregnancy.
Your Baby’s Development during this week
(Courtesy: University of Virginia Health System)
Tags: healthy eating, pregnancy, week 12