Why is adequate nutrition essential during pregnancy?
It promotes fetal and maternal health.
What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy?
... [Show More] Explain the rule.
11.2 to 15.9 kg (25 to 35 lbs). The client should gain 1 to 2 kg the first trimester and then 0.4 kg (1 lb) every week for the last two trimesters. Underweight women are advised to gain 28 to 40 lbs. Overweight women, 15 to 25 lbs.
What subjective and objective data should the nurse obtain about the client's nutrition?
Journal of client's food habits, eating pattern, and cravings.
Nutrition-related questionnaires.
Client's weight on the first prenatal visit and follow-up visits.
Lab findings such as iron and Hgb.
Determine the client's caloric intake on what she has recorded that she has eaten. This allows better objective data on the client's nutritional status.
What is the recommended caloric increase for a pregnant woman?
340 calories a day for the second trimester. 452 calories for the third trimester.
What is the recommended caloric increase for a breast feeding mom during the postpartum period?
330 calories for the first 6 months and then 400 calories for the second 6 months.
Describe folic acid and pregnancy.
This is crucial for neural development and the prevention of fetal neural tube defects. Increase in folic acid is recommended for clients who wish to become pregnant and anyone in the childbearing age. Recommended that 600 mcg should be taken during pregnancy and 500 mcg should be taken while breastfeeding. Found in leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans, seeds, orange juice, and fortified breads and grain.
Describe calcium and pregnancy.
Calcium is important due to its involvement of bone and teeth formation. Sources include milk, fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, nuts, legumes, dark leafy vegetables. Daily recommendation is 1,000 mg for pregnant and non-pregnant women over the age of 19 and 1,300 mg for those under 19.
What is the recommended fluid intake?
2 to 3 L daily.
What is the recommended caffeine intake?
Should be limited to 300 mg per day. The equivalent of 500 to 750 mg/ day of coffee may increase the risk of a spontaneous abortion or fetal intrauterine growth restriction.
Describe iron and pregnancy.
Iron supplements are often added to prenatal vitamins to help increase the maternal RBC mass. Iron is best absorbed between meals when taken with vitamin C. Milk and caffeine interfere with iron supplement absorption. Sources include beef liver and red meats, fish, poultry, dried peas and beans, fortified cereals and breads. A stool softener may be added to help decrease constipation.
What are some factors that could inhibit adequate nutrition during pregnancy?
Age, culture, education, and socioeconomic issues. As well as certain health problems like anemia and excessive or limited weight gain.
Describe nausea and constipation during pregnancy.
Nausea and constipation are common during pregnancy.
For nausea: Tell client to eat dry crackers or toast, avoid alcohol, caffeine, spices, and fats. Avoid drinking fluids with meals and DO NOT take a medication for nausea that hasn't been approved by her provider.
For constipation: She should increase fluid consumption and fiber intake. Such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
What is maternal phenylketonuria? (PKU)
A maternal genetic disease in which high levels of phenylalanine pose a danger to the fetus.
It is important for clients to resume PKU diet for at least three months prior to pregnancy and remain on it during pregnancy.
Diet includes food low in phenylalanine. Food high in protein such as fish, poultry, meat, eggs, nuts, and dairy products must be avoided due to the high phenylalanine levels.
Blood levels should be monitored during pregnancy. Interventions can prevent fetal complications such as mental retardation and behavioral problems.
Describe the Postpartum nutritional plan for lactating and non-lactating women.
Lactating moms should increase protein and caloric intake. They should increase oral fluids but avoid alcohol and caffeine, avoid substances that do not agree with the newborn (watch bowel function), and they should take calcium supplements if they have a poor intake of calcium.
Non-lactating moms should resume their previous recommended well-balanced nutrition.
A nurse in a prenatal clinic is providing education to a client who is in the 8th week of gestation. The client states that she does not like milk. What is a good source of calcium that the nurse can recommend to the client?
A. Dark green, leafy vegetables.
Good sources of calcium and for bone and teeth formation include low-oxalate, dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale, artichoke, and turnip greens.
A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse be concerned about regarding weight gain?
B. 3.6 kg or 8lb weight gain in the first trimester.
The nurse should be concerned because she has exceeded the 3 to 4 lb weight gain of a client in the first trimester. [Show Less]