Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Flashcards
(23 cards)
what main vitamin is important during pregnancy and why. what kinds of food are they found in?
folic acid as it prevents neural tube defects (NTDs) which are serious defects of the spine and brain
-found in brussels sprouts, asparagus, spinach, kale.
-400mcg/day folic acid as a supplement when try conceiving to the 12th week
Vitamin D pregnancy:
Dose
Benefits
Source
-vitamin D: 10mcg/day. Regulates amount of calcium and phosphate in body which helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
-main sources: sunlight, fish, eggs, red meat
other important supplements for pregnancy
Iron:
-foods rich in vitamin c aid absorption
-seek medical advice if anaemic
Calcium:
-vital for baby’s bones and teeth
-sources include milk, cheese, yoghurt, green leafy vegetables
Vitamin C:
-protects cells and makes them healthy
-sources in fruits and vegetables e.g. oranges, red and green peppers
Essential fatty acids:
-eye and brain development, but not officially recommended
Vitamin K
-all neonates (new born) offered Vitamin K to avoid haemorrhagic disease (bleeding disorder)
what to avoid during pregnancy
-vitamin A (retinol): causes birth defects
-any salmonella or bacteria causing food poisoning: raw eggs, undercooked meat, raw shellfish
-toxoplasmosis: parasite found in meat, soil, cat faeces
-food containing listeria monocytogenes (species of pathogenic bacteria) e.g. blue cheese, unpasteurised dairy (products that are sold in their raw form and haven’t been exposed to high temperatures to kill of harmful microbes
-excess caffeine
-fish
vaccinations in pregnancy for:
-RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a virus and common cause of coughs and colds, vaccine for RSV can be given from 28 weeks onwards
-whooping cough (pertussis): infection that causes prolonged coughing, choking. very contagious. vaccine should be taken ideally before 32 weeks
-covid 19 vaccine
-advice the use of live vaccines for after pregnancy as the use of it during pregnancy could infect the unborn baby
Medications and pregnancy: what can certain drugs do to a pregnant woman?
-asthma
-epilepsy
-hypertension
-coagulation disorders e.g. blood clots
common ailments in pregnancy
morning sickness: lasts 1-4 hours, 9th week until 16 week usually.
-risk factors if this is first pregnancy, mother/sister had nausea, anxiety
-relief: small frequent meals, carbohydrate rich foods, massage therapy (acupressure)
-dyspepsia (indigestion causing pain in upper abdomen) and constipation
-cystitis/UTIs
-thrush
-cramps
-fainting
-skin and hair changes
recommended breast feeding duration
6 months and then after 6 months it should be accompanied with solids
lactation physiology (producing milk from breast)
-alveoli produces and stores the milk, cluster called lobules which are each connected to a lobe
-lobe connects to milk duct, that carries milk from lobules to the nipple
-areola (dark part surrounding the nipple) have sensitive nerve endings to let the body know when the release the milk, requires stimulation
-stimulation of the nipple e.g. sucking causes milk to be released
factors that affect breast feeding
-hormonal levels
-medications
-trauma to breast
-breast surgeries
-alcohol, drugs, smoking
benefits of breast milk compared to formula
-safe and clean
-contains antibodies which help protects against common chi
-contains up to half or more of child’s nutritional needs
-contains more live constituents that promote health
long and short term benefits of breast milk
short term lowers risk of:
-diarrhoea
-infection
Performs better on intelligence tests
long term, reduces risk of:
-obesity
-diabetes
-leukaemia (cancer where bone marrow produces too many white blood cells)
-tooth decay
benefits of breastfeeding for the mother
-reduces risk of breast/ovarian cancer
-reduces level of cardiovascular disease
-reduces risk of diabetes and obesity
-helps uterus return to normal size
-increased chance of returning to pre pregnancy weight
nutrition recommendations for BF mother
-drink lots of water
-get plenty of iron
-limit portion of oily fish and mercury containing fish
-intake more calories
lifestyle changes
-drink less caffeine as it is a stimulant and may make baby restless/keep them awake e.g. only have 1 cup a day
-avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
supplements to have while breastfeeding and for baby
-10mcg (microgram) of vitamin D supplement
-formula contains added vitamins
-multivitamins for baby and parent are available
medication and breastfeeding advice
-avoid unnecessary medications as the less taken, the less risk to the infant. The drugs transfer into the milk.
-offer an alternative medicine or formulation that has more evidence for its use
-change methods of administration e.g. nasal instead of oral
-avoid breastfeeding until after a suitable washout period of the medicine
-give mother’s dose immediately after infant has fed
-monitor the infant e.g. effects from the medicine through the breastmilk
-avoid use of medicines known to cause toxicity
breast feeding drugs contraindicated (things patients should avoid as it could be harmful)
-tretinoin
-tetracycline
-sex hormones
-radioactive isotopes
breastfeeding problems and solutions
-discuss breastfeeding paraphernaleia e.g. Breast pumps
-engorgement (when milk isn’t fully removed from the breasts). warm and cold compress. gentle massage
-sore, cracked nipples. lansinoh nipple cream. warm compress
-mastitis (swelling/inflammation of breast tissue). referral needed for antibiotic
-plugged milk ducts (small, hard lumps in breast). milk clogs up and blocks the narrow milk ducts. Causes tenderness. Gentle massage, warm compress. alternate bf positions and correct latch
Advantages of formula milk
-know how much baby has fed
-fed by anyone at any time
-flexible
-don’t have to worry about what parent eats (bf parents may have avoid certain foods that baby can’t tolerate)
advice on the use of infant formula
-sterilise bottles
-follow instructions on packaging carefully and recommended amount of powder
-do not add extra powder , can lead to constipation
-don’t add extra water, baby may not get enough nourishment
types of formula
-goat’s milk formula. Not suitable for infants with cow’s milk allergy as the proteins they contain are similar (whey and casein are proteins found milk)
-hungrier baby formula. e.g. aptamil contains more casein than whey which means its harder to digest
-anti reflux formula. aim to prevent reflux in babies, when babies bring up milk during or after a feed
-comfort formula. contains cow milk protein. easier to digest but not suitable for babies who have cow’s milk allergies
-soya formula. suitable from 6 months. more likely than cow’s milk to harm baby’s teeth. concerns that soya contains phytoestrogens that affect the baby’s reproductive development
-hypoallergenic formula: under medical supervision
-follow on formula
-growing up milk
advice on general infant feeding
-babies under 1 year shouldn’t be given cow’s milk
-bottle fed babies can drink boiled and then cooled water
-don’t add salt to food for infants
-breastfed babies do not need other fluid intake up to age of 6 months
