Key nutrients during pregnant

     Pregnancy is a critical period when maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on the health of the mother and child.  Inadequate levels of key nutrients during crucial periods of foetal development may predispose the infant to chronic conditions in later life. Improving the wellbeing of mothers, infants, and children is vitally important to the health of the next Generation:

• Folate – prevents the first and second-time occurrence of neural tube defects (NTD) such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Recommended to take folate supplement  daily at least 4 weeks before conception and for the first 12 weeks of  pregnancy.

• Iodine – vital for the production of maternal thyroid hormone, foetal brain and central nervous system (CNS) development. Dose 150 mcg daily is recommended.

• Vitamin D – supports bone and muscle health, low maternal levels in pregnancy are associated with low neonate levels, which are associated with impaired skeletal development and increased incidence of hypocalcaemic seizures in the neonate. Assess 25- (OH)D levels and recommend dose accordingly.

• Omega 3 – important for neurodevelopmental outcome and reduction of preterm labour. If the dietary intake of omega-3 is low, consider supplementation. A Cochrane review found the optimum dose to prevent pre-term births was a daily supplement of between 500 and 1000 mg of an omega-3 (containing at least 500 mg of DHA) starting at 12 weeks of pregnancy.

• An assessment of individual needs – dictates the recommendation of iron, calcium and vitamin B12 in pregnancy.