Nutrition through the Lifecycle - Pregnancy

Question 1

describe the term ‘preconception’.

Answer 1

3 months prior to conception

Question 2

describe the term ‘periconception’.

what happens during periconception?

Answer 2

2-3 month period before conception and the beginning of pregnancy

foetus develops
maternal adaptive changes to accommodate pregnancy
intense period of growth and development

Question 3

Describe the 40 weeks of gestation in terms of trimesters.

Answer 3

First trimester
- weeks 0- 12

second trimester
- weeks 13- 26

third trimester
- 27 - 40 weeks

Question 4

What is a main focus during pre-conception?

Answer 4

• parental health e.g., healthy weight, reduce alcohol, stop smoking
• increasing fertility e.g., zinc supplement for men
• reducing incidence of foetal abnormalities e.g., folate supplement for women

Question 5

what are the 3 stages of foetal growth?

Answer 5

blastogenic stage
- first 2 weeks of life

embryonic stage

• weeks 3 - 8
• organs develop

foetal stage

• weeks 9 to delivery
• growth phase

Question 6

what are the functions of the placenta?

Answer 6

hormone and enzyme function
nutrient and gas exchange
removal of waste

Question 7

List some changes that occur (both foetus and mother) in the 1st trimester

Answer 7

Foetus

• embryo implants into uterine lining
• establishes to the placenta
• organogenesis begins

Mother

• formation of placenta
• hormonal changes

Question 8

list some changes that occur during the second trimester

Answer 8

increase in mass from 75g to 875kg

foetal development

Question 9

list some changes that occur during the third trimester

Answer 9

increase in body size x4
maturation of organ systems
fat deposition and nutrient stores

Question 10

what are some physiological changes that occur to the mother during pregnancy?

Answer 10

plasma volume and RBC count increases
uterus expands
fat stores increase
breast tissue growth due to hormonal changes
heart rate increases by 20%

Question 11

Which hormones are involved in pregnancy?

Answer 11

estrogen and progesterone are the main hormones involved in pregnancy

leptin
HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin
HPL - hormone placental lactogen

Question 12

What are the optimal total weight gain ranges based on maternal BMI

Answer 12

<18.5
- 12.5-18kg

18. 5-24.9
    - 11.5 - 16kg

25-29.9
- 7-11.5kg

30+
- 5-9kg

Question 13

roughly how man calories does an entire pregnancy cost?

Answer 13

85,000kcal

Question 14

What risks dies being overweight during pregnancy pose?

Answer 14

gestational diabetes

hypertensive complications

Question 15

explain the Barker hypothesis

Answer 15

low birth weight (less than 2500g) = increased risk of CHD, diabetes 2, and hypertension later in life.

Question 16

why is it not appropriate to ‘eat for two’ during pregnancy?

what adaptations does the maternal body make regarding nutrient intake?

Answer 16

increased bioavailability of nutrients
increased absorption
increased utilisation of nutrients

Question 17

During which point in pregnancy is a calorie increase recommended?
How much?

Answer 17

during third trimester an increase of 200kcal a day is recommended
calories should come from nutrient dense food

Question 18

how much extra protein is required during pregnancy?

why is protein important during pregnancy?

Answer 18

additional 6g/day

required for foetal and placental growth and expansion of maternal tissue.