Nutrition During Pregnancy: Nursing School Nutrition Education | @LevelUpRN

Summary

In this video, Cathy from Level Up RN discusses key nutritional requirements during pregnancy, including the importance of folic acid, protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin D for fetal development. She highlights recommended weight gain, calorie intake, and fluid consumption during each trimester, as well as precautions like avoiding high-mercury fish and limiting caffeine. Cathy also addresses nutrition for pregnancy-related disorders like PKU, gestational diabetes, and hyperemesis gravidarum. At the end, she offers a quiz to help viewers test their understanding of the material covered.

Takeaways

• 😀 Folic acid is essential before and during the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. 600 micrograms per day is recommended.
• 😀 Protein intake should be increased to 60 grams per day during pregnancy to support fetal tissue growth.
• 😀 Iron is crucial for the development of red blood cells and oxygen delivery to the fetus, requiring 27 milligrams per day.
• 😀 Calcium is important for fetal bone and teeth formation, and pregnant women should consume 1,000 milligrams per day.
• 😀 Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption, with a recommended intake of 600 IU per day.
• 😀 Pregnant women should drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily, avoid alcohol, and limit caffeine to under 200 milligrams per day.
• 😀 Fish high in mercury should be avoided during pregnancy, and albacore tuna intake should be limited to less than six ounces per week.
• 😀 Recommended weight gain during pregnancy varies: 25-35 pounds for average weight individuals, 28-40 pounds for underweight, and 15-25 pounds for overweight individuals.
• 😀 No extra calories are needed during the first trimester, but 340 additional calories are recommended during the second trimester and 450 during the third trimester.
• 😀 Breastfeeding requires an additional 450-500 calories per day.
• 😀 Pregnant women with PKU need a low-protein diet to prevent high levels of phenylalanine, which can cause fetal defects and intellectual disability.

Q & A

What is the recommended daily intake of folic acid during pregnancy?

The recommended daily intake of folic acid during pregnancy is 600 micrograms.

Why is folic acid important during pregnancy?

Folic acid is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects that affect the brain and spinal cord.

How much protein should a pregnant individual consume daily?

A pregnant individual should consume 60 grams of protein per day to support fetal tissue growth.

What is the recommended daily intake of iron during pregnancy?

The recommended daily intake of iron during pregnancy is 27 milligrams.

How can iron absorption be increased during pregnancy?

Iron absorption can be increased by taking iron supplements with vitamin C.

What is the recommended daily intake of calcium and vitamin D during pregnancy?

The recommended daily intake is 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D.

What is the recommended fluid intake for a pregnant individual?

A pregnant individual should aim for 2 to 3 liters of fluid intake per day.

What are the guidelines for caffeine intake during pregnancy?

Caffeine intake should be limited to under 200 milligrams per day during pregnancy.

How much weight should an average-weight individual gain during pregnancy?

An average-weight individual should gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy.

What extra calories are needed during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy?

During the second trimester, an additional 340 calories per day are recommended, and during the third trimester, an additional 450 calories per day is recommended.