In each stage of pregnancy, the physical condition of both mother and fetus changes, so mothers need to pay attention to supplementing the right nutrients to best meet the development of the baby. The fourth month begins in the second trimester, the fetus is already stable and begins to grow rapidly.
Women also no longer have to suffer from morning sickness. So what should be supplemented from the 4th month of pregnancy, please refer to the article below.
How does mother and baby change from the 4th month?
Entering the first month of the second trimester, the pregnant mother's body has marked changes due to the rapid growth of fetal weight. Mother's waistline at this time has completely disappeared.
Your baby will be about the size of an avocado when it is about 9cm long and weighs about 12.5g. At this stage, the baby starts sucking hands, squinting and kicking the mother's abdominal wall so the mother can begin to feel the movements of the little creature in her womb!
What should be supplemented from the 4th month of pregnancy?
In addition to paying attention to how the 4-month pregnancy is different or how the fetus is developing, pregnant mothers need to pay more attention to take care of the body during this period.
In the 4th month, the mother's body will feel most comfortable and comfortable because she does not get morning sickness anymore, eating becomes easier, the mother's body is not too heavy because her pregnant belly has not been revealed yet. big. The mother needs adequate nutritional supplements for her baby to develop comprehensively because this is a very strong fetal development period.
The protein
During pregnancy, the mother needs twice as much protein to meet her essential needs. Protein is the key food that determines the formation of muscles for the fetus as well as the development of nerve cells of the baby.
Lack of protein can lead to edema and fluid retention in the body and hands and feet. In addition, it also makes the mother's body tired, pale, lack of energy, weakened immune system, leading to infectious diseases.
For an unborn baby, a protein deficiency can cause weakness, slow weight gain, and even fetal malnutrition, affecting both the physical and mental health of the baby after birth.
From the 4th month is the time when mothers need to increase protein intake. Protein-rich foods include eggs, milk, mercury-free fish, whole grains, ripe bananas, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, butter ...
Omega-3
Omega-3 is a very good fatty acid for pregnant mothers and fetuses, plays an important role in the formation and development of the brain, central nervous system, eyes, and supporting the development of the immune system and cardiovascular system. to love.
Omega-3 deficiency can cause preeclampsia, diabetes, increased risk of preterm birth as well as postpartum depression, menopausal problems, osteoporosis and later cardiovascular problems. .
Experts recommend pregnant mothers should supplement at least 500g Omega-3 per day and increase the content at the end of pregnancy. Especially from the 4th month, when the baby's brain is developing continuously and strongest.
This fatty acid is available in foods like: salmon, tuna, sardines, eggs, fresh milk, soy milk, pregnant milk, fish oil, tofu, shrimp, cabbage, spinach. Duck, walnuts, almonds ... or can take an Omega-3 supplement after consulting your doctor.
Iron
Iron is an important factor in the process of forming red blood cells and constituting enzymes of the immune system, increasing the body's resistance. Women during pregnancy need more blood than normal people due to increased blood flow required.
Iron deficiency in the average person can only cause fatigue, but for pregnant women, anemia can lead to poor resistance to infection, an increased risk of preterm birth, postpartum infection, and hemorrhage. postpartum, physical weakness.
For the fetus, anemia will cause the baby's development to be severely affected such as fetal malnutrition, preterm, and underweight ...
Therefore, pregnant mothers need to pay attention to supplementing a lot of iron. The amount of iron that mothers need to supplement the body is about 30mg per day, for mothers with iron deficiency anemia, doctors will prescribe a supplement from 50-100mg per day.
This mineral is available in fish, clams, oysters, egg yolks, red meats, heart, liver, poultry, legumes, cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, cotton. broccoli, pumpkins and dried fruits.
Mothers should pay attention to adding more vitamin C to ensure that iron is easily absorbed into the body such as lemon, orange, watermelon, broccoli, green bell pepper in the daily menu ...
Pregnancy from the 4th month should be fully supplemented with nutrients, protein, omega3, iron, ...
Calcium
Calcium belongs to a group of minerals that are extremely essential for the body, especially during pregnancy, greatly helping the baby's bone formation, roasting, skull and muscle formation.
Pregnant women lack body calcium often tired, back pain, osteoarthritis, toothache, tooth decay, numbness of limbs, cramps, insomnia. For the fetus, calcium deficiency can cause growth retardation, congenital rickets, and even bone deformities.
The necessary calcium requirement of pregnant mothers in this 4th month as well as during the second trimester is 1000mg / day, a rather high increase compared to the first 3 months. Calcium can be supplemented through foods such as milk and dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, shrimp, crab, fish ...
Other substances
In addition, mothers still need to supplement fiber and other vitamins. Specifically:
Vitamins A, B, C, D, E: help increase resistance, promote fetal development.
In addition to full attention to supplementing the above groups of substances, mothers also need to pay attention absolutely not to skip meals or fast. At least after 4 hours need to recharge the body and fetus and prevent drowsiness, nausea or heartburn.
Hopefully, with information about pregnancy from the 4th month, pregnant women will have more knowledge to take care of their health and their baby's health. Wish moms have a healthy pregnancy!
See more:
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