Pregnant women's milk is milk that is specially made so that its nutritional content is in accordance with the needs of pregnant women and the fetus in their womb. This milk is very good for maintaining the health of pregnant women and supporting the growth and development of the fetus.
Not a few pregnant women who experience morning sickness so no appetite. In fact, implementing a healthy diet during pregnancy is very important to meet the nutritional intake of pregnant women and fetuses.
Pregnant women need a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, in greater amounts than before pregnancy. Therefore, in order not to lack essential nutrients, pregnant women are recommended to drink pregnant women's milk, especially if pregnant women have difficulty eating enough.
These are the benefits of pregnant women's milk
As previously stated, pregnant women's milk provides benefits not only for pregnant women themselves, but also for the fetus in the womb. Here are the various benefits of pregnant women's milk:
Benefits for pregnant women
The body of pregnant women undergoes many changes that make certain nutritional needs increase. For example, the need for calcium during pregnancy increases to 2 times when compared to when not pregnant. now, pregnant women's milk can increase the intake of these nutrients.
If the intake of certain nutrients is not sufficient for the fetus, these nutrients will be taken from the body of the pregnant woman to meet the needs of the fetus. If this happens continuously, it is not impossible for pregnant women to experience chronic energy deficiency and certain nutritional deficiencies that can cause various diseases, such as osteoporosis or anemia.
In addition, the complete nutritional content of pregnant women's milk can reduce the risk of disorders or complications in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and hypertension during pregnancy which can be avoided thanks to the calcium content in pregnant women's milk.
Benefits for the fetus in the womb
The fetus gets nutrition from its mother. If the nutritional intake of pregnant women is not sufficient, for example, because it is difficult to eat or does not like to eat certain foods, then the fetus can be malnourished.
By consuming the milk of pregnant women, this condition can be avoided because this milk complements the intake of nutrients that enter the body of pregnant women, both in terms of quantity and type.
If the nutritional intake is adequate, the growth and development of the fetus in the womb can also be optimal, so that the baby can avoid defects, premature birth, or low birth weight.
Not only that, adequate nutritional intake while the fetus is in the womb will also prevent it from experiencing complications stunting after birth, you know. Optimal formation and development of fetal organs during pregnancy can make it grow into a strong, not easily sick, and intelligent child.
List of Important Nutrients Needed During Pregnancy
In order for babies to be born healthy, pregnant women need to eat nutritious foods with complete nutritional content. The nutritional needs of pregnant women are generally divided into macro and micro nutrients.
Macronutrients are needed by the body in large amounts. Examples are protein and fat. Meanwhile, micronutrients can be fulfilled in small amounts. Examples are vitamins and minerals.
Here are some nutrients that need to be supplemented during pregnancy:
1. Protein
Protein plays an important role in the growth and development of fetal cells and tissues, including brain cells. While in the body of pregnant women, protein will help the growth of breast and uterine tissue, and increase blood supply.
Apart from milk for pregnant women, pregnant women can get protein intake from meat or chicken and beef liver, tofu, tempeh, and nuts.
2. Fat
Pregnant women need more fat intake. However, the fats needed are good fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These two fatty acids play an important role in the growth of the baby's brain, nerves, and eyes, both before and after the baby is born.
Fat is also needed for the growth of the placenta and other body tissues. Adequate fat intake can reduce the risk of preterm birth and postpartum depression baby blues.
Foods that are good sources of fat include nuts, avocados, and salmon.
3. Folic acid
Folic acid is recommended to be consumed since pregnant women are planning pregnancy and during pregnancy. Folic acid plays a role in the formation of body cells so it is needed during pregnancy.
Folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects, including defects in the formation of the fetal neural tube that can affect the brain and spinal cord. In addition, folic acid also helps the production of red blood cells whose numbers increase during pregnancy.
Pregnant women can get folic acid from spinach, cabbage, lettuce, oatmeal, mango, orange, strawberry and tomato. This nutrient is also widely found in the milk of pregnant women and milk for pregnancy programs.
4. Iron
The role of iron to increase the number of red blood cells and prevent anemia is very important during pregnancy. If pregnant women have iron deficiency anemia, their babies are more at risk of being born prematurely or born with low birth weight.
Some foods rich in iron are chicken liver and beef liver, whole grains, oatmeal, and seafood. However, doctors usually will also provide iron supplements for pregnant women.
5. Calcium
As previously mentioned, calcium has tremendous benefits for pregnant women and their unborn babies. In addition to helping the formation of the baby's teeth and bones, calcium also plays a role in the work of the baby's heart, nerves, muscles, and hormones.
If there is a lack of calcium, pregnant women are at risk for osteoporosis and are more prone to fractures. Pregnant women will also often experience numbness or tingling in the fingers. While babies who lack calcium can experience slow growth.
Apart from milk, pregnant women can get calcium from yogurt or cheese, green vegetables, and nuts.
6. Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role in the process of developing fetal organs in the womb. For pregnant women, this vitamin can help repair tissue after childbirth and boost the immune system.
To get this vitamin from food, pregnant women can eat carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, mango, and broccoli. Pregnant women can also get vitamin A intake from pregnant women's milk. However, avoid taking vitamin A supplements, unless recommended by a doctor.
7. Vitamin C
Both pregnant women and fetuses need adequate intake of vitamin C every day. Vitamin C plays a role in the formation of collagen and helps proteins to form strong bones. Food sources of vitamin C that pregnant women can consume include kiwi, oranges, grapes, strawberries, broccoli, and spinach.
8. Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining the immune system and helps the absorption and metabolism of phosphorus and calcium in the body.
Apart from pregnant women's milk, pregnant women can get vitamin D by consuming beef liver, egg yolks, and cheese.
9. Vitamin E
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant to protect body cells from free radical damage and to maintain body immunity.
Examples of foods rich in vitamin E are nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, and cereals that have been fortified or fortified by this vitamin.
Pregnant women's milk contains a variety of important nutrients above. So, there is nothing wrong with starting to consume pregnant women's milk to complement the pregnant woman's nutritional intake, unless she has an allergy to milk.
However, pregnant women need to remember that pregnant women's milk is only a complement and cannot replace nutritional intake from food. Pregnant women still need to eat nutritious food and regularly take prenatal vitamins given by a doctor.
In addition, don't forget to check your pregnancy regularly to the obstetrician according to a predetermined schedule, so that the health of pregnant women and the fetus in the womb of pregnant women can be monitored properly.
