Eating healthy and balanced nutritious food is very important during pregnancy to support the health of the mother and fetus. Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy can increase the risk of various health problems for both the mother and the fetus.

Pregnancy problems due to maternal nutritional deficiency and unhealthy eating patterns

Nutritional deficiency and unhealthy eating patterns during pregnancy can cause serious impacts on both the mother and the fetus, including:

Anemia

Pregnancy itself can cause anemia due to an increase in blood volume. However, anemia during pregnancy can also occur when the mother lacks iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients needed to produce healthy red blood cells. A deficiency in these nutrients leads to megaloblastic anemia, characterized by larger and less functional red blood cells.

Preeclampsia

The exact cause of preeclamptis is unknown. Many factors contribute to the development of preeclampsia, including family history, high blood pressure, multiple pregnancies, older maternal age, and unhealthy eating patterns.

A healthy diet during pregnancy includes adequate nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, rotein, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats. Avoid high-sodium foods, processed foods, and fast food because they will increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Getting enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium is also important to help keep blood pressure within normal limits, and folic acid has been proven to help prevent pregnancy complications.

Low birth weight

Low birth weight (LBW) is characterized by a baby's weight of less than 2,500 grams. It usually occurs due to a lack of balanced nutrition during pregnancy.

Deficiencies in essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, folic acid, vitamins, and minerals can hinder healthy fetal growth, preventing the fetus from reaching the expected weight for a given gestational age.

Organ and tissue formation disorders

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is also important for the optimal formation of organs and tissues in the fetus. During the rapid fetal development period (first trimester), vital organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, and central nervous system undergo rapid growth, requiring sufficient nutrient intake.

The fetal brain, especially during the first and second trimesters, experiences rapid development. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and protein are important for optimal brain development.

To support the development of the fetal heart, adequate iron and protein intake are needed. For the development of the central nervous system, folic acid and vitamin B12 are required.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which pregnant women experience increased blood sugar levels. Eating sugary foods, fast food, high-carbohydrate, and low-fiber foods increases the risk of gestational diabetes.

Neural tube defects

Neural tube defects are developmental abnormalities that occur when the neural tube, which forms the fetal central nervous system, does not develop properly. These abnormalities can lead to paralysis, neurological disorders, and other health problems in the baby.

Neural tube defects can occur when a pregnant woman is deficient in folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid is a type of B vitamin essential for the formation of nervous tissue and can be obtained from green vegetables, oranges, nuts, whole grains, and supplements.

It is very important to maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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