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Pregnancy Nutrition Article
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Eat Well For Your Baby
from: Maxx Family LifeCongratulations on being pregnant! The next nine months will exciting, not just for you, but for your growing baby! Consider everything your baby has to accomplish in just nine (ten) short months. He/she will start as a single cell and then divide at an enormous rate. Their organs develop, the heart forms and starts beating and all five senses form.
Your baby actually goes from a little blob that a human eye can't see into a seven, eight, nine pound plus, adorable newborn baby. In order for your baby to develop as healthy as possible, your diet plays an important part because it's how your baby is going to receive all the vitamins, minerals, protein and fluids he/she needs to grow and develop. The best thing you can do for your growing baby is to eat as healthy as possible.
Let's look at all the benefits eating well can do for your baby.
First, eating right will help your baby's organ development. Your baby only has a short time to develop vital organs such as their heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Therefore, eating a diet that lacks vitamin D or calcium can interfere with your baby's bone and tooth growth.
Also, eating too lightly through out your pregnancy could stop your baby from growing as he/she should in your uterus. You could find yourself measuring behind for where you should be in your pregnancy. Small babies are at a greater risk for health problems when born. On the other hand, eating too much might cause your baby to grow too big to fast.
Babies who are measuring ahead are at a greater risk for delivery complications. Babies who are too big usually cann't be delivered vaginally without the assistance of instruments such as forceps or a vacuum. Some women are forced to have a cesarean section because they cann't deliver their baby vaginally.
Some research has been done that shows what you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby's eating habits in the future. Babies can taste and get use to flavors from food that makes its way into the amniotic fluid. It's possible your baby will have a preference for certain foods before they even take that first spoonful of solids. Making sure your diet contains a lot of vegetables and fruit can help ensure your baby will enjoy eating these when the time comes.
Also, some studies have shown that what you're eating can contribute to your baby's personality. Research has shown that babies born to mothers who were under-nourished tend to smile less and are drowsier compared to those who ate healthy. Studies have also shown that moms who consumed enough omega-3 acids during their final trimester have babies who showed healthier sleep patterns than other babies.
Lastly, your baby's brain needs you to eat healthy, especially during the last trimester. Unlike the rest of your baby's organs, the brain has its greatest growth spurt during the third trimester. This is the best time to eat protein, calories and omega-3 fatty acids that ensure optimum brain development.
There has never been a more important time to eat healthy than during pregnancy. Eating healthy while pregnant is the best gift you will ever give your child.
Pregnancy Nutrition News