HomeMerck SeronoContact UsGlossaryReferencesSearchSite Guide
			Concern Treatment Pregnancy Experiences Pregnancy Maintaining Your Pregnancy Alcohol & Marijuana Caffeine Diet Environmental Factors Excercise Smoking Stress Vitamins & Herbs Hormonal Support		Diet During pregnancy, women are clearly supposed to gain weight, but there is no need to "eat for two" as commonly believed.  Generally, you should gain about 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy, spread out over the entire 40 weeks, unless you are overweight. Only about one-third of your total weight gain will be the actual baby. The rest is tissue supporting the growth of your baby. If you're average in size and physical activity, you will require about 300 extra calories per day during pregnancy. Protein, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, cheese, nuts, legumes and beans, is a vital source of nutrition for you and your baby. If you're a vegetarian, ask your doctor about the best combination of foods to keep your intake and absorption of protein at the right level. Pregnant women also should make sure that they get adequate amounts of Vitamin A (for the baby's cell growth, healthy skin and eyes); calcium (for strong bones and teeth, and for tissue growth and repair); folic acid (for cell growth and protein synthesis); and iron (prevents anaemia). Here are some tips on making sure you get the nutrients you need during pregnancy: Be a nibbler. By "nibbling" throughout the day, you're more likely to get all the nutrients you and your baby need, rather than trying to consume all of them in each meal. Make each little "nibble" count. Yoghurt and cheese are light snacks, but they're packed with calcium. An orange will provide you and your baby with extra vitamin C and folic acid. Drink plenty of water. Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day will help prevent dehydration and muscle cramps, swelling and urinary tract infections.
			© 2003-2008 Merck Serono S.A. Please read our Legal Statement. US residents should consult the Serono, Inc. fertility website at www.fertilitylifelines.com Last Updated: 5/6/2008