NUTRITION AND

LIFESTYLE IN
PREGNANCY
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

1 FOLIC ACID
Folate is also known as vitamin B9. The human
body, for example needs folate to synthesize, repair
and methylate DNA. Folate is especially important
in aiding rapid cell division and growth,
particularly during pregnancy and during early
childhood.

2 CLINICALLY OBESE
When a mother has a BMI of over 30, we know
there are several risks to her and her baby. So, as
far as she's concerned, she's more likely to get
gestational diabetes, develop preeclampsia and
she's more likely to have a cesarean section than a
mother who is not obese.

3 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGE
Elevated levels of luteinizing hormone, human
growth hormone, human placental lactogen,
estrogen and progesterone can be observed. The
uterus expands and increases remarkably in size
and weight.

4 EXERCISE

Active women have a faster postpartum recovery

even when accounting for method of delivery.
Strength training of the pelvic floor during
pregnancy and postpartum has been shown to
prevent and may treat postpartum urinary
incontinence.

5 GESTATIONAL DIABETES
On average, there's about 60% decrease in insulin
sensitivity during gestation. Some women present
with elevated blood glucose levels in
pregnancy, although no diabetes was diagnosed
before pregnancy.

6 METABOLIC CHANGES
In late pregnancy, maternal metabolism
shifts from an anabolic to a catabolic state and it
promotes the use of lipids as a maternal energy
source while preserving glucose and amino acids
for the fetus. This shift allows pregnant women to
minimize protein catabolism and to preserve
glucose as the main fuel for the fetus.

CHOO HONG RUI RAYSON