Pregnancy
Pregnancy can also alter eating habits, as women find themselves with food cravings or food aversions. 80% of pregnant women also experience food cravings, feeling an intense desire for very specific foods, and physicians recommend that the cravings be satisfied (though not at the expense of a dietary variety and nutrition). 50-80% of women also develop aversions to foods that they formerly enjoyed. The root of these cravings is unclear, though it is suggested that they may reflect some sort of additional nutritional need in the diet. Cravings may also occur independently of pregnancy during times of stress, immediately before menstruation, or if the diet is particularly poor.
Some pregnant women also experience frequent urination during pregnancy. Early on, this is due partly to the body's increased levels of fluids, which require greater kidney efficiency. The uterus also begins to swell a few weeks after conception, which can put pressure on the bladder. Frequent urination may be caused by other medical conditions, as well, including diabetes, urinary tract infections, or taking diuretics.
Heartburn is also the bane of many a pregnant woman, as the hormones released during pregnancy can relax the tissues between the esophagus and the stomach. The digestive juices are extraordinarily acidic, but the tissues of the esophagus are generally protected by the careful opening and closing of sphincter-like tissues between the esophagus and the stomach. The relaxation of these muscles can allow some stomach acids up in the esophagus, which produces the intense burning sensations known as heartburn. In the later months of the pregnancy, the baby may also press upon your organs, including your stomach, and induce an episode of heartburn. Heartburn is also often associated with consuming very large meals, eating just before bedtime, and intake of spicy or fatty foods.
Some Risks During Pregnancy
A growing baby places additional nutritional demands on the body, which must be met in order for the baby to develop properly. All the normal components of a healthy diet, including vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains, can provide the essential nutrients for the mother and baby. Due to the increase in the blood volume during pregnancy, there are also additional demands for iron within the forming red blood cells. Iron is critical for oxygen binding of hemoglobin in the red blood cells, so without sufficient iron, the blood will not have enough oxygen, leading to anemia. Most diets alone are not rich enough in iron, so iron supplements are a part of nearly every prescribed prenatal vitamin.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a crucial component of a healthy diet both before pregnancy and during the first months of pregnancy. It's unclear why, but folic acid radically reduces the risk of birth defects related to the neural tube, which eventually becomes the baby's brain and spinal cord. Insufficient folic acid can put the baby at risk for spina bifida, in which the neural tube does not close completely, leaving the spinal cord incompletely formed. This can result in lifelong physical disability for the child.
Some mothers develop high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy. For most women, this is mild and if it is detected early in pregnancy, it is typically monitored, as it can cause complications if it worsens. If the hypertension is accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine, this indicates a condition called preeclampsia. Although often asymptomatic beyond these two issues, it can be very dangerous for the mother and baby. The causes are not entirely clear, but it is thought that preeclampsia is induced by insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the placenta, possibly causing the mother's body to mount an immune response. Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which makes the pregnancy toxic to the mother, causing seizures, coma, and even death.
Women can also develop gestational diabetes, a blood sugar imbalance that affects 3-10% of women that have never been diagnosed with diabetes. It is thought that this stems from abnormal levels of insulin resistance induced by the pregnancy hormones. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may be large (potentially leading to complications during delivery), have low blood sugar, and jaundice. Although this is a treatable condition, controllable through normalization of the blood sugar, it does put women at risk for developing diabetes later in life. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes also seem to be at a greater risk for childhood obesity.
Patients Medical Pregnancy Testing and Prenatal Care
A healthy pregnancy begins even before conception, by ensuring that the body is healthy, well-nourished, and ready to carry a new child. If you are planning to become pregnant, our integrative physicians can help you design a pre-pregnancy program that will maximize your personal health and increase your fertility to become pregnant more easily. (Please see our article for Fertility for more information.)
Good nutritional habits are one of the cornerstones of a healthy pregnancy. Our doctors will help you design a diet plan that ensure that your diet is diverse, to give you all the vitamins and minerals that you need. It is wise to begin this diet plan before becoming pregnant to be sure that your body is ready to nourish the fetus. In addition to enhancing your diet with foods rich in iron and folic acid, we will also prescribe prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that your body has sufficient folic acid, iron, and calcium. Ginger and additional vitamin B6 supplements have proven beneficial in reducing morning sickness, which can contribute to nutrient loss in addition to feeling miserable. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may also be recommended, as they have proven beneficial for fetal brain development.
Acupuncture and acupressure may also help pregnant women cope with the aches, pains, and stresses of pregnancy. These techniques can stimulate natural pain relievers, relax tense muscles, and potentially reduce morning sickness. Physical therapy and pregnancy massage can improve circulation and relieve pains in the back, legs, and help strengthen the mother's muscles as her body grows to accommodate the fetus.
Next Steps:
Poor health can significantly affect your life. Improve your life by changing to good health. Call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667 or click on Request an Appointment to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for evaluation and testing.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009