Diet during pregnancy is important to note, because a poor diet can increase the risk of the baby being born with defects. Come on, find out how to set the right diet to support the health of the baby in the womb.
It is not enough just to avoid consuming harmful foods during pregnancy, it is also necessary to consume healthy foods, so that the nutritional needs of the fetus can be met. Nutrient intake during pregnancy is needed for the development of various organs of the fetus until it is ready to be born.
Effect of Food on Fetal Development
The food consumed every day during pregnancy will affect the development of the fetus in the womb. Not just filling, the nutritional content in food also needs to be considered by pregnant women to support fetal growth and development.
To implement a healthy diet during pregnancy, pregnant women need to ensure that the food they eat contains carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Also make sure the body is well hydrated so that the health of pregnant women and the fetus in the womb is maintained.
Various Risks of Babies Born with Defects due to Lack of Nutrition
There are various risks of birth defects that can be caused by a poor diet during pregnancy, such as:
1. Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect caused by insufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy. This condition is characterized by a gap in the fetal spine.
To prevent the baby from suffering from spina bifida, make sure that the pregnant woman's daily intake of folic acid is met properly. The trick is to increase the consumption of foods that contain folate or you can also take folate supplements as recommended by your doctor.
2. Anencephaly
Like spina bifida, anencephaly is a neural tube defect caused by a lack of folic acid intake during pregnancy. Anencephaly causes the brain, scalp, and skull of the fetus to not form properly.
3. Cleft lip
Insufficient intake of folic acid and vitamin A in the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of a baby being born with defects with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions.
Therefore, pregnant women are recommended to increase their consumption of foods containing these two nutrients so that the risk of babies being born with cleft lip conditions can be minimized.
4. Congenital heart disease
Pregnant women who lack intake of vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) are at high risk of giving birth to babies with congenital heart disease. The risk will increase if pregnant women also like to eat foods high in saturated fat.
5. Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis is a birth defect in the wall of the baby's stomach where the baby's intestines come out through the hole on the side of the belly button. If you have a body mass index that is too low, coupled with a lack of protein intake or zincPregnant women are at risk of giving birth to babies with gastroschisis.
6. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Lack of intake of vitamin B12, vitamin E, retinol, calcium, and selenium during pregnancy can put pregnant women at high risk of giving birth to babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernias. This birth defect is characterized by a hole in the diaphragm so that the organs in the baby's abdominal cavity enter the chest cavity.
Eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is an important part of meeting daily nutritional needs. To be clear, consult a gynecologist to find out the right nutritional intake according to the health conditions of pregnant women.
