NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY

Nutrition assessment and counseling are integral components of preconc eption and prenatal care. The average-size woman should gain between 1 1.25 and 15.75 kg (25 and 35 lb) during a normal pregnancy. Some facto rs identify the pregnant woman with a nutrition risk. Vitamin and mine ral supplementation should be based on a dietary assessment. Common di scomforts of pregnancy frequently can be managed with dietary modifica tion and safe pharmacotherapeutics. The coordinated efforts of health care providers, registered dietitians, the Women, Infants, and Childre n (WIC) nutrition program, local health departments and Cooperative Ex tension Service offices can provide appropriate nutrition assessment, education and intervention.