Nutritional Therapy in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the most wonderful phase in a woman’s life during which she nurtures and gives birth to a new life. This is not less than any miracle.
If you are pregnant, it is important to eat well since it will make sure that you get all the nutrients you and your developing baby need. If your diet is poor to begin with, it is even more important to make sure you have a healthy diet now. You need a few more calories during your pregnancy as well.
Getting your diet right for pregnancy is more about what you eat rather than how much you eat as your nutrition will play an important role in the health of your baby.
The prevalence of obesity is currently rising all over the world, making pre-pregnancy overweight one of the most common high-risk obstetric risk factors. Even moderate overweight is a risk factor for gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The risk is higher in subjects with overt obesity.
Compared to normal weight, maternal overweight is associated with a higher risk of cesarean deliveries and a higher incidence of anesthetic and postoperative complications in these deliveries. Long-term complications include worsening of maternal obesity and development of obesity in the infant.
Thus, it is important to have a target-based approach wherein we can monitor and maintain weight within acceptable range during pregnancy while providing adequate nutrition to the developing baby.
Good nutrition during pregnancy can help to keep you and your developing baby healthy. The need for certain nutrients such as iron, folate and iodine is increased at this time. A varied diet that includes the right amount of healthy foods from the five food groups generally provides our bodies with enough of each vitamin and mineral every day.
Steady weight gain during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and baby. However, it is also important not to gain too much of weight. If you are pregnant, a good approach is to eat to satisfy your appetite and continue to monitor your weight.
For women who are underweight before pregnancy, should gain more weight as compared to those who are at normal weight. They also need to be assessed for any nutritional deficiency and supplemented with that if required.
Our Approach:
- Anthropometry
- Customized diet plans
- Monthly monitoring & follow-up
- Patient education & counselling
- Screening for hypertension
- Nutritional therapy for associated conditions
- Recommendations for exercises
Nutritional Therapy in Lactation
One of the wonders of breast milk is that it can meet your baby’s nutritional needs even when you’re not eating perfectly. However, if your diet is too low in calories or relies on one food group with the exclusion of others, this could affect the quality and quantity of your milk.
Just because your baby won’t be harmed by your occasional dietary lapses doesn’t mean that you won’t suffer. When you don’t get the nutrients you need from your diet, your body draws on its reserves, which can eventually become depleted. Also, you need strength and stamina to recover from the effects of childbirth and meet the physical demands of caring for a new baby.
Many breastfeeding moms feel extra hungry, which makes sense because your body is working round the clock to make breast milk for your baby. Eating small meals with healthy snacks in between is a good way to keep your hunger in check and your energy levels high.
An additional 400 to 500 calories a day are required to keep up your energy. Foods rich in iron, protein and calcium should be added during breast-feeding. It’s also important for breast-feeding moms to stay well hydrated. Good amount of vitamins and minerals should be included in the diet.
Our Approach:
- Complete body composition analysis
- Customized diet plans
- Monthly monitoring & follow-up
- Lactation education & counselling
- Screening for hypertension
- Nutritional therapy for associated conditions
- Galactagogue supplements if required
- Recommendations for exercises
Plans & Pricing
Monthly follow-up throughout pregnancy till 6 months of lactation, continuous support
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