Patient's question:
Doctor,Please consult the following: My wife is 37 weeks pregnant. According to the ultrasound results, the fetus is smaller than expected, and there is excessive amniotic fluid. The doctor said we need to increase nutrition. What should I do? How should I arrange the three meals a day? There are so many nutritional supplements available now, and I don't know where to start. Please advise! Thank you!!!
Doctor's answer:
Hello:As is well known, pregnant women require more nutrition than ordinary people. They must not only maintain their own nutritional needs but also provide sufficient nutrients for the growth and development of the fetus, as well as store nutrients for childbirth and breastfeeding in the future. However, increasing nutrition does not mean consuming it without restraint. Excessive intake is harmful to the fetus.
Some pregnant women hold the misconception that eating more high-nutrient foods will make their children strong. As a result, they consume large amounts of high-nutrient, high-calorie substances in an uncontrolled manner, leading to oversized fetuses, which increases the risk of difficult labor and birth injuries. In reality, a large newborn does not necessarily mean a healthy child. Many overweight infants are born with low blood calcium and polycythemia, which can further cause infant seizures and neonatal hypoxia. Additionally, due to excessive nutrition, maternal blood glucose levels become relatively high, causing the fetal pancreas to secrete at a higher level. If the child is not breastfed promptly after birth, it may lead to neonatal hypoglycemia, which can affect the development of the infant's brain. Therefore, excessive nutrient intake by pregnant women does not necessarily guarantee a healthy newborn.
Some people also believe that dietary restraint during pregnancy can make the fetus smaller, making delivery easier. Others, fearing excessive postpartum obesity, also restrict their diet during pregnancy. These practices are incorrect and directly impact the health of the next generation.
In addition to their own nutritional needs, pregnant women must provide all the nutrients required for fetal growth. From a fertilized egg to a fetus weighing around 3,000 grams, nutrition is indispensable. Apart from genetic factors, nutrition is crucial for brain