During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through changes such as physical, hormonal, and psychological changes. To ensure one is acquiring all the nutrients needed during pregnancy, is eating a variety of foods from each food group daily, and with the help of prenatal vitamins prescribed by the doctor. Protein for a pregnant women is important because it is the building block of the body’s cells that makes up amino acids, which makes protein for both the mother and the baby (Healthline Networks, 2011).   Water carries nutrients through blood for the body and baby. The body cannot function properly without water. Lack of water can cause contractions or early labor. Consuming the right amount of calories helps the mother and baby gain the proper amount of weight during pregnancy (Tummywear, 2011).   Women of normal weight need 300 calories extra each day for 6 months. Underweight, overweight or obese pregnant women need different calorie intakes and should talk to a health care provider to ensure the right amounts of calorie intakes (MamasHealth Inc., 2011).
Glucose intolerance during pregnancy is known to be called gestational diabetes. There is no known cause. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause sensitivity to the effect of insulin. This can cause high blood sugar levels and is dangerous for the mother and the baby (Discovery Communications, LLC, 2011). Pregnant women who have never had diabetes but have high blood sugar are known to have gestational diabetes and affect 18% of pregnant women. If the gestational diabetes is not treated or controlled, it can hurt the baby because the pancreas works more to produce insulin, but the insulin does not lower the mother’s sugar levels. When extra blood goes through the placenta, the baby will have a high glucose levels which causes the baby’s pancreas to make more insulin that it should. The baby acquires more energy than normal to develop and grow. This leads to extra fat known as macrosomia. A serious problem such...