Pregnancy
How can Bites Dietitians help?
Changes to diet at different stages of pregnancy can impact development that can permanently alter foetal metabolism and physiology. This change can increase the risk of offspring developing metabolic, cardiovascular and/or endocrine disease later in life eg. hypertension.
Nutrient demands vary throughout each trimester, and our Dietitians can ensure that your intake matches these changing demands. There are also certain foods that you need to avoid completely or eat with caution whilst pregnant. Our Dietitians can provide you with detailed knowledge on foods that are safe and foods that are not safe to consume.
Maternal nutritional requirements may limit nutrient availability to the foetus triggering a competition between mother and foetus for available nutrients. Contrary to popular belief, new evidence shows that if nutrient intake isn’t met properly, baby misses out first and the delivery of nutrients is actually directed towards the mother instead. We sit down with you and work out exactly what you need so that both mum and baby are well nourished throughout the length of the pregnancy journey. No matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, it’s always helpful to improve your nutritional status! Weight gain is expected during pregnancy however, about 50-60% of women do not gain weight within the gestational weight gain guidelines. More than often weight gain is exceeded.
Weight gain during pregnancy is based off pre-pregnancy BMI e.g. women whose weight begins within the healthy weight range are expected to gain between 11.5-16 kg during pregnancy. Women whose preconception weight falls above or below this have different targets. Bites Dietitians can assist in ensuring appropriate weight gain is managed through diet. Gaining weight at the recommended levels is important for both the health of mum and baby and is associated with improved maternal outcomes such as reduced risk of pre-eclampsia and less chance of an instrumental birth or complications during delivery.
An interesting fact about diet and rheumatoid arthritis
The term “you’re eating for two” is a myth. Energy requirements do not increase much throughout the course of pregnancy. You are not required to increase your energy intake at all during the first trimester and as the pregnancy progresses, there’s only a 15% increase by the end of pregnancy.
How can Bites Exercise Physiologists help?
As pregnancy is already physically demanding some may think it would be best to avoid exercise. However, this is not always the case. Regular exercise can help your body cope with the increased pressure and demand on your joints, muscles, heart and lungs. Our Exercise Physiologists can prescribe you an exercise plan that is of the right intensity to help reduce back pain, improve or maintain muscle tone, reduce leg cramps, swelling and constipation and improve sleep. Just like with nutrition, exercise recommendations vary by the stage of pregnancy you’re in. For example it might be best to avoid exercise in certain positions eg. lying on your back may not be appropriate at certain stages of pregnancy due to reduction of blood flow to baby in this position. Depending on your prior level of pelvic floor function, other exercises may not be indicated as the pregnancy progresses. Additionally, regular exercise that is appropriate during each stage of pregnancy can benefit mum and baby.
These benefits include:
- Maintain cardiovascular fitness and physical conditioning required for labour and motherhood.
- Reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, diabetes and other associated risks.
- Reduces the risk of hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
- Prevents musculoskeletal conditions such as back and pelvic pain.
- Prevents and reduces feeling of fatigue and constipation. Enhances mental and physical wellbeing, self-esteem and body image.
- Promotes faster recovery time after labour.
- Strengthens and conditions the body for the post natal period where you might be holding your baby breastfeeding for hours a day and bending/lifting alot more than you usually would.
Our Exercise Physiologists can prescribe an exercise plan that is safe and maintainable and is tailored to your stage of pregnancy. We can also educate you on when it is appropriate to exercise and when rest days would be suitable. With our help you can be assured that your workouts are safe and beneficial for you and your baby and know that recovery after birth will be easier.
An interesting fact about exercise and pregnancy
What improvements can you expect from a tailored exercise program?
How will you know it’s working/you’re improving?
The following can be used as some indicators:
- Appropriate weight gain throughout each trimester.
- Improved sleep patterns.
- Experience little to no muscular or joint pain/discomfort throughout your pregnancy.
- Maintaining cardiovascular fitness.
- Overall feeling of positive physical and mental wellbeing.
- Increased self-esteem (exercise helps you adapt to your changing body throughout this time).
Helpful things to bring/remember before your first appointment
- Referral from your GP or specialist
- Any scans, reports or blood tests
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