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Essay on Specialized Childbirth Education for Pregnant Navajo Women
Nutrition is a primary factor in the health of the mother and the baby. The following daily food portions are recommended for Navajo pregnant women:
- 6 to 11 servings of bread and whole grains
- 3 to 5 servings of vegetables
- 2 to 4 servings of fruit
- 4 to 6 servings of milk and milk products
- 3 to 4 servings of meat and protein foods
- 6 to 8 glasses of water
An expecting mother should also restrict her caffeine intake and limit herself to no more than 1 soft drink or cup of coffee per day. In addition, taking certain nutrients as supplementation to the diet can help ensure all the nutritional needs are met (Ann, 2002). Important nutrients include folic acid, calcium -- which helps maintain bone density, and iron -- which is necessary for blood to carry oxygen.
Wholesome diet
The principles of a good diet include:
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Lean meats, particularly red meat
- Wholegrain cereals
- Dairy foods
- Low salt
- Limited fried or fatty foods
- Adequate protein
- Some fats and oils, particularly the mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties.
The dangers of dieting
Some women fear the extra weight gain of pregnancy and decide to eat sparingly to avoid putting on body fat. Restricted eating or crash dieting in any form can seriously compromise a woman's health and that of her baby.Women need to gain some weight during pregnancy because it is one way to measure whether the baby is growing normally. If a woman gains little weight during pregnancy, it may increase the risk of retarded growth and low birth weight (Ann, 2002). Low birth weight increases the risk of complications and death, particularly during the first year of life.It is recommended that women gain around 9-13kg during pregnancy, depending on their pre-pregnancy weight......
