Malnutrition during pregnancy can happen. This condition must be prevented. The reason is, in addition to disturbing the health of pregnant women, poor nutrition during pregnancy is also at risk of endangering the health and development of the fetus.
Pregnant women, negligence in paying attention to nutritional needs can cause malnutrition during pregnancy, you know. Therefore, nutritional intake during pregnancy is important to note. This is one of the main steps to ensure that pregnant women and their fetuses stay healthy.
Not only due to an unhealthy diet, the problem of malnutrition during pregnancy can also be caused by other factors, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, eating disorders, and impaired absorption of nutrients in pregnant women.
Various Impacts of Malnutrition during Pregnancy
Malnutrition is a condition when the body lacks calories and various important nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Lack of intake of these nutrients can be at high risk of causing various health problems.
Here are some of the effects of poor nutrition during pregnancy that pregnant women need to know:
1. Cleft lip in babies
Lack of intake of B vitamins during pregnancy, especially vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and folate (vitamin B9), can trigger problems in the formation of lip tissue and the upper part of the baby's oral cavity.
This results in the baby being born with a cleft lip or with lips and palate that are not completely closed.
2. Neural tube defects in the fetus
Folate is one type of vitamin that women need during pregnancy. Without adequate folate intake, the fetus is at risk for neural tube defects, such as: anencephaly and spina bifida.
Therefore, pregnant women are advised to meet the intake of folate as much as 600 micrograms per day. Pregnant women can get this vitamin by eating foods that contain folate and pregnancy supplements.
3. Congenital heart disease in babies
Poor nutrition during pregnancy can also increase the risk of congenital heart disease in the fetus. This disease usually occurs when pregnant women lack protein, vitamins, and minerals, including iron.
In addition to malnutrition, congenital heart disease in the fetus can also occur due to other factors, such as heredity or genetics, age at pregnancy, and an unhealthy lifestyle, including smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages.
4. Gastroschisis on baby
Pregnant women who are malnourished, especially if accompanied by smoking habits and consuming alcoholic beverages too often, are also at high risk of giving birth to babies with this condition gastrochisis.
This is a congenital abnormality that causes a gap or hole to form in the baby's stomach wall, so that the organs in it, such as the stomach and intestines, can come out of the hole.
5. Low birth weight
Malnutrition during pregnancy can also cause mothers to give birth to babies with low birth weight. In fact, the risk of giving birth prematurely will also increase.
6. Congenital hypothyroidism
Iodine is one of the important minerals needed by everyone, including pregnant women. Lack of iodine intake during pregnancy can cause the baby to be born with a thyroid disease called congenital hypothyroidism.
This disease can cause the fetus to experience developmental disorders after birth and various other health problems, such as congenital heart defects, anemia, and hypothermia.
7. Miscarriage
Miscarriage is also a problem that is at high risk for pregnant women with poor nutritional conditions. Not only that, poor nutrition experienced by pregnant women can also cause fetal death in the womb.
This is usually associated with a lack of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats such as omega-3s, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron.
In addition, malnutrition can also have an impact on the health of the body of pregnant women. Mothers who are malnourished are at high risk for anemia, postpartum bleeding, depression, and various pregnancy complications.
To prevent the various effects of malnutrition during pregnancy, it is important for pregnant women to have adequate nutritional intake. This can be done by choosing a nutritionally balanced diet and taking nutritional supplements or prenatal vitamins according to the doctor's recommendations.
That's a variety of important information that is important for pregnant women to know about the impact of malnutrition during pregnancy. If during this time pregnant women are not used to eating nutritious food, from now on try to get used to eating healthier foods, okay?
Pregnant women also need to check the condition of the womb to the doctor or midwife regularly. When consulted, pregnant women can ask for advice regarding the types of nutritious foods and pregnancy supplements that need to be consumed.
