MEDICAL CARE OF PREGNANT WOMEN: DAILY REQUIREMENTS
The recommended
"Daily Allowance" of nutrients for the
average pregnant woman (from the twentieth week
on).
Kilojoules
10,500 (2,500
Calories)
Thiamine
1.0 mg
Protein
65 g
Riboflavin
1.5 mg
Calcium
1,000 mgm
Nicotinic Acid
15.0 mg
Iron
15 mg
Ascorbic Acid
50.0 mg
Vitamin A
6,000
u
Folic Acid
1.0 mg
Vitamin D
4,000 u
This may all sound a bit theoretical.
But, when this is translated into understandable
words, it simply means that the following foods
should be included in the diet each day:
One pint
(.6
litres)
of fresh milk. (This may be taken raw, or made
up in drinks, puddings, custards, or in the form
of cheese.)
60
g
(2
oz)
of fish or meat (or protein substitute) and one
egg daily.
One orange, one apple or a slice of pawpaw
(papaya).
Green, leafy vegetables at least three times a
week.
Apart from this simple routine, she may eat whatever
she likes! However, a careful watch must be kept
on the weight, for this is important during
pregnancy. Sudden weight increases can lead to a
serious complication in pregnancy called
pre-eclampsia.
The majority of women will also benefit from the
regular intake of an iron tablet daily. The
actual amount will vary according to the results
of the blood tests arranged by the doctor at
your early visit to him.
Some women who live under poor social and economic
circumstances, and women in the less affluent,
developing countries may require additional
vitamin and mineral needs if their diet is
deficient. Such people would benefit from an
iron tablet three times a day, and a vitamin
tablet containing ascorbic acid
50
mg, folic acid
1
mg, thiamine
2
mg, riboflavin
2
mg, and nicotinic acid
15
mg.
Vitamin Names.
Many women become confused at the seeming
profusion of vitamin names. The most commonly
talked about group of vitamins are those
composing the "Vitamin
В
Complex." This consists of a series of
components, and there are several synonyms.
Vitamin B1
is also known as Aneurin or Thiamin.
Vitamin B2 is also known as Riboflavin.
Vitamin B6 is also known as Pyridoxin.
Nicotinamide and Pantothenic acid belong to the complex
also.
Vitamin B12 is also known as Cyanocobalamin.
The other commonly used multiple name vitamin is
Vitamin C, which is also known as Ascorbic acid.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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