By C M Dr. Allen K.M. Pang
(Doctor of Chinese Medicine)
Medical Advisor of Xiamen Ren De Hospital
Regional Representative of Nanjing TCM University
President of SEL & KL Association of China Graduated Chinese Physicians
Guest Lecturer of Hong Kong Wah Ha TCM College
Director Jiangxi TCM University Malaysia Tutoring Centre
Vice Chairman (Overseas) of Xiamen TCM & Medicine Promoting AssociationTel: 016-660 3603/ 012-332 0445
It is important that a pregnant woman should eat a well-balanced diet that can benefit the foetus to have a wondrous growth. Unborn babies who are malnourished will suffer inadequate brain growth and poor development. Also it is neither wise for her to indulge in heavy alcoholic drinking or take certain drugs without the doctor’s advice as these could have damaging action on the growing baby. In today’s modern world, the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman have been considered in detail. There are many pre-natal diet plans, all with a scientific approach.
1. Early Pregnancy (beginning of pregnancy to 12 weeks)During pregnancy, a woman may suffer from several discomforts like feeling nauseous, vomitting, cravings for certain foods, dislike oily foods, heartburn, fatigue setting-in. By the end of 12 we0eks, the major foetal organs and external genitials are formed. The average pregnant woman does not need excessive calories but should be more concern on nutrition. As the placenta is formed during the first three months, the mother should eat a diet with more protein and less oil. It is wise to relieve heartburn by eating small meals more frequently at intervals throughout the day rather than large infrequent meals. The food intake should be more on lean meat, fish, eggs, noodles, milk, soybean milk, fresh leafy vegetables, fresh fruits whichever she fancies. But she should steer clear off oily foods, deep-fried items or have spicy meals. Indigestion or constipation can occur as they are both the result of the effect of the hormone known as progesterone which relaxes the muscle fibres. An intake of vitamin B1, B6 can assist in working up an appetite or loosening discomforts but it is best to discuss the matter with your doctor.
2. Middle Stage Of Pregnancy (13 weeks to 27 weeks)
The foetus develops very quickly from this stage and its sex can be distinguished. The internal organs are becoming more mature as the brain, bones and teeth are developed. The mother must consume more phosphorus, calcium, iodine, zinc and vitamins. Protein is much needed for the uterus, placenta and the breasts as colostrum starts to buildup in preparation for feeding. It is quite obvious the mother puts on weight during her pregnancy term. She needs to increase her calorie intake and rice is a good choice. To improve vitality, she should focus on eating more fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, beans, fibrous food, vitamins, leafy vegetables and fruits as these may help to prevent the onset of hypertension or diabetes. Salt intake must be controlled. It is advisable not to take in excess of 15 grams of salt daily but towards the end of the pregnancy, the limit comes to only 10 grams daily. Cod liver oil is good as it builds body defences but do not take anything in excess form.
3. Advanced Stage Of Pregnancy (28 weeks to 40 weeks)
The foetus is soon coming to full term and the mother’s weight gain increases rapidly. The foetus takes oxygen and nutrients from the mother through the placenta cells. That is why the mother should eat food that will restore energy level. Apart from the foods listed above, she can add to her diet, the eating of offals, pig’s blood curd, seafood, bones simmered soup, radish. The new mother can experience some anaemic condition during the last two month of her pregnancy. Folic acid in the mother’s blood tends to fall but she can increase it through the intake of liver, kidneys, red dates, dried longans, dried apricots, dried peaches or por choy(Chinese spinach) for folic acid and iron buildup. She should receive adequate sunlight to buildup some vitamin D as it is an effective source for growth. Fluid intake should be increased to move her bowels frequently and prevents being constipated after childbirth. Foods like lettuce, mustard greens, apples, bananas, grapes, persimmons, brinjals are good as they help to keep the bowels from becoming sluggish.
A word of advice to all new mothers, do not consume green tea as it restricts the growth of new blood vessels in the pregnant woman. This is not good as the placenta needs to receive a large volume of blood from which nutrients are extracted as required by the baby. The increase in the volume of the mother’s blood and the rapid circulation through her blood vessels can be restricted when she drinks a lot of green tea during her pregnancy term.
优孕优生的饮食
孕期的饮食营养，不仅影响到胎儿的正常发育，也关系到出生后婴幼儿的体质和智力。因此，科学地调配妊娠各时期的饮食营养，对优孕、优生有着十分重要的意义。孕期的饮食营养应在多样化的前提下，根据妊娠不同时期胎儿与母体的营养需要，适时科学地调配饮食营养。
1．妊娠前期，即怀孕后1至12周，孕妇往往容易发生轻度的恶心、呕吐、食欲不振、择食、厌油、烧心、疲倦等妊娠反应。此期间由于胎儿的各器官、内脏正处于分化形成阶段。这时期由於胎儿在缓慢生长，需要的热量和营养物质相对较少。因此这个阶段的膳食要以重质量，高蛋白，富营养，少油腻，易消化吸收为其原则。一日可少食多餐，以瘦肉、鱼类、蛋类、面条、牛奶、豆浆、新鲜蔬菜和水果为佳。可选择孕妇平常喜好的食物，但不宜食用油腻、油炸、辛辣等不易消化和刺激性强的食物，以防消化不良或便秘而造成先兆充产。妊娠反应重的可适当加服维生素B1、B6，以帮助增进食欲，减少不适感。
2. 妊娠中期，即怀孕后13至27周，胎儿各系统器官组织迅速发育，体重、身长增长快，需要大量的蛋白质构成自己的肌肉和筋骨，尤其是长骨骼和大脑需要补充大量的磷、钙和一定量的碘、锌及各种维生素；母亲也需要蛋白质供给子宫、胎盘及乳房的发育。母体此时还因胎儿体重的增加体力消耗亦增大，基础代谢比平常人要增加10～20%，对各种营养物质的需求量也相对增多。
此期的饮食营养对母体、胎儿的健康发育非常重要。补充热量，全面营养，易于消化是此期的饮食原则。米是补充热量的主要来源,同时要摄入营养价值高、富含蛋白质的食物，如鱼、肉、蛋类、奶类、豆制品和富含纤维素、维生素的蔬菜水果等。还应多摄入植物性脂肪，这对促进胎儿发育与预防妊娠高血压综合症都有裨益。不要过多地摄入糖类甜食等，以免影响主食的摄入量。还要适当限制盐的摄入，一般每天摄入盐15克左右，在妊娠中、后期要控制在10克左右，减少盐的食入可在某种程度上预防妊娠高血压综合症。从妊娠中期起，可适当服食钙片、鱼肝油，但不可过量。
妊娠后期，即怀孕后28至40周，此期胎儿发育日趋成熟，体重增加很快，向母体索取的营养素更多，并要在体内储存一定量的营养，为出生后独立生活做好准备。而母体也是除供胎儿生长发育所需的营养外，自身还要储备营养，以供给分娩时消耗所需。因而在此阶段孕妇对各种营养物质的需求量更大。
这个时期的饮食原则是食物品种多样，营养更为丰富，饮食中应以蛋白质和碳水化合物为主，除食入主食米、面和含蛋白质丰富的奶类、蛋、肉、鱼类等食物外，还要注意多食入动物肝脏、猪血、海产品、骨头汤、豆制品、新鲜蔬菜、胡萝卜、水果等含钙、铁、磷等微量元素及维生素的食物。
在妊娠的最后两个月，胎儿对铁质的需求量相对较多。在此时若孕妇进食较少，则可出现贫血现象。因此，必然多吃富含铁的食物如肝、肾、红枣、桂圆、桃干、杏干、菠菜等。同时，要注意适当晒太阳，以促进维生素D的合成，利于钙、磷的吸收及胎儿骨骼的生长发育。妊娠后期，往往出现便秘，孕妇除了多吃些油菜、芹菜等含纤维多的蔬菜外，还要多吃些生津清热的水果、蔬菜，如苹果、香蕉、葡萄、西红柿、茄子等。纤维多的食物可增强肠蠕动，生津清热食物可去肠热，并以津液润肠道，利于大便的排出。
要特别一提的是，准妈妈不可喝绿茶。 绿茶在日常生活中是一种有益于身体健康的饮料。但对准妈妈而言，却是碰不得的。 因为绿茶含有会阻止新血管增生的成分。对准妈妈来说，此时正是身体进行新血管增生作用来孕育小宝宝的时候，如果在怀孕时喝绿茶，对胎儿的生长发育会产生不良影响。
彭國民中医师
