Pregnancy in women: Diet, breastfeeding, and sex. The manner in which a pregnant woman sustains her body during pregnancy affects both her health and that of the baby. Research shows that a fetus undergoes many hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy, which are dictated by the mother’s health.
According to Neal (2010), a pregnant woman’s diet should include: Proteins foods, Dairy product, Grains, Fruits- fresh or frozen, and Vegetables- raw or cooked. Oils and fats also gives a pregnant woman essential nutrients. Vitamins and mineral acids such as folic acid are also essential (Lammi-Keefe, Couch, and Philipson, 2013). However, there may be challenges in meeting the needs of a pregnant client such as insufficient funds. People with a low socioeconomic status may have a poor health outcome probably due to lack of access to health care. Also, there may be a challenge of prohibitive cultural norms. The gap between the culture of medicine and the beliefs and practices that constitute patients’ value systems may also pose as a big challenge for some individuals.
A nurse practitioner ought to explain the significance of breastfeeding to a client who is against, unsure or confused about the process. According to Gluckman et al., (2015), mother’s milk comprises every vitamin and nutrient needed by an infant during the first six months of its life. These authors state that it contains disease-fighting ingredients which protect the child from illnesses. Likewise, it protects the child from obesity as well as reduction of risks of some types of cancer. Breast milk also helps in lowering a mother’s stress level and risk of postpartum depression (Olds, Marks, and Eiger, 2010).
Many people assume that a woman cannot get pregnant during breastfeeding. Gluckman et al., (2015) states that it is possible for a woman to get pregnant when breastfeeding because, despite the fact that at this time she is becomes less fertile, she is not infertile. Fertility hormones still continue being produced within her body, although at a lower tone. A breastfeeding mother continues to ovulate a few months after birth, and sperms can fertilize the ovum after sexual intercourse (Gluckman, Hanson, Chong and Bardsley, 2015). Teenage pregnancy is for females who are below the age of twenty. Young girls may not be grown enough physically to handle childbirth or sustain a healthy pregnancy, unlike older women. Risk factors may include premature labor, anemia, and low birth weight among others.
References
Gluckman, P. D., Hanson, M. A., Chong, Y. S., & Bardsley, A. (2015). Nutrition and lifestyle for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Lammi-Keefe, C. J., Couch, S. C., & Philipson, E. H. (2013). Handbook of nutrition and pregnancy. Totowa, N.J: Humana Press.
Neal, L. (2010). Feeding the bump: Nutrition guide & recipes for pregnancy. Crow’s Nest, N.S.W: Allen & Unwin.
Olds, S. W., Marks, L., & Eiger, M. S. (2010). The complete book of breastfeeding.
