Why is a mothers pre-pregnancy nutrition important?
The mother’s pre-pregnancy nutrition has a large effect on the growth of the placenta, and therefore the health of the fetus. The only way nutrients reach the growing fetus is through the placenta. What are the nutritional needs of a pregnant women? Pregnant women require an additional 300 calories/day during 2nd and 3rd trimesters (glass of low-fat milk & peanut butter sandwich). A pregnant woman’s caloric needs are not doubled. A trimester is one-third the duration of the pregnancy.
