What should we focus on During pregnancy?
Our focus should be strongly on the preventive aspects of nutrition, identify women at-risk, recognize special needs for counseling, and plan an optimal follow-up nutrition care. Although nutritional needs are increased, there are individual differences and problems that may affect the nutritional status of the mother. The factors that may influence the mother's status include physiologic, psychological, situational, cultural, social, economic or personal. Among these, socio-economically disadvantaged and adolescent mothers require more attention.
When providing advice and counseling to the mother, it is important to remember that nutrition is essential to health in 2 ways i.e. on a physiological level and on a personal level. We need to consider both of these in assessing the mother's needs and goals. Ideally, we should undertake preconception nutrition assessment and education correct any deficits and promote a planned pregnancy. The care process like any other will consist of the parameters. Having gone through the discussion above, the significance of adequate nutritional care must be clear to you. However, keeping in mind the high morbidity and mortality rate, it is essential to understand the common complications which may arise especially among the disadvantaged sections of our society. Our next section will deal with some of these aspects. However before we proceed, you need to attempt the following exercise which will help you in getting a holistic view about the aspects discussed so far.