Expecting Nutrition
Eating for Two
By Allison Gamble, Nutritionist
Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin. This vitamin is responsible for cell division. If folate is lacking, this affects cells that have high turn-over rates, such as the cells lining the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract sheds its lining every three days. A deficiency in folate impairs this ability, causing problems with nutrient absorption. Red blood cells are replaced rapidly and a deficiency in folate can cause macrocytic anemia, abnormally large red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow and abnormally large red blood cells in the blood. The most commonly known effects of folate deficiency are neural tube defects. Generally, women who have given birth to babies with neural tube defects benefit most from folate supplements. However, first time moms who don't know if their babies are at risk are wise to take supplements at their doctor's discretion. Folate is widely found in vegetables. Dark green, leafy vegetables are the best sources. Fruit and vegetable juices and uncooked fruits and vegetables are wonderful sources of folate as well. Keep in mind that heat and oxidation during cooking and storage reduces up to half the folate in foods. Don't cook your spinach, broccoli and asparagus until they are mushy!
| The fetus takes 13 milligrams of calcium per hour from the maternal blood supply - that's approximately 250 to 300 milligrams per day. | | Calcium
The fetus utilizes most of its calcium in the last trimester, when skeletal growth is highet and teeth are being formed. Research has shown that the fetus takes 13 milligrams per hour of calcium from the maternal blood supply. That's approximately 250 to 300 milligrams per day. During pregnancy, your body adjusts to the extra calcium needs through hormone regulation. Calcium absorption is enhanced, and there is a decrease in excess calcium being excreted in the urine. |
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