Is there any proof that a healthy diet improves pregnancy outcomes?

Question

No, I'm not trying to find an excuse to eat junk food -- I eat pretty well, always have.

But I can't find any actual proof that healthy eating habits actually do much.

I don't mean "as opposed to eating utter garbage and not taking a vitamin supplement." Nutritional _deficiencies_ = problems, yes.

Answer 1

Back in the day when obstetrics was a relatively new profession (1800's or so and I'm talking about men and "obstetrics" not midwifery)
they believed that the baby was basically a parasite that fed off the mother and would get all it needed to grow from the mom. Dr's encouraged moms to gain as little weight as possible and didn't encourage or suggest dietary changes at all during pregnancy. (Doctors would even tell over weight women that they would need to lose weight during the pregnancy if only to have an easier time at getting back to the "ideal" weight post pregnancy.) As a result of this there were babies who were either born premature, very low birth rate, or even still born.
There was even an epidemic of women dying during childbirth because of poor nutrition. This caused rickets and resulted in women's pelvises being abnormally shaped and babies could not be born.
At the same time, women who were under the care of midwives, who, as a general practice, even today, encourage a good healthy diet and gaining weight to support the baby. These midwives were not having issues with low birth weight babies or sickly mom's not able to give birth- although, of course, exceptions occurred, but in general the midwives were having better outcomes as a result of encouraging a healthy diet and adequate weight gain.
Today all Ob's and midwives know that women must gain at least 20-25 pounds (some gain more which is normal) during pregnancy to have a healthy weight baby. But studies have also found that a good nutritious diet can prevent heath problems in moms as well. Like avoiding gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia by eating a balanced diet high in protein and vitamins.
So diet plays a large role in the health of you and your baby.
I'm not saying to avoid junk food- but choose a candy bar with nuts so you can get your protein and eat all natural ice cream to get your calcium without all the other additives and extra sugar that other ice creams have.
And of course, eat your veggies :)

Answer 2

While I totally buy into the propaganda that you need to eat a nutritionally balanced diet for the health of the baby, I can honestly say, it's much easier to preach it than practice it. However, please do take your prenatal vitamins, because there IS proof that folic acid prevents birth defects.

I eat as balanced a diet as I possibly can, but I can honestly say that I ate much, much healthier BEFORE I became pregnant.

Why? Simply put, those pesky food aversions. I have found on too many occaions, that what I really want is garbage. The thought of healthy food, especially green veggies, makes me want to wretch immediately. However, an egg mcmuffin, somehow always sounds appealing.

I have learned that but for a few items, which I deem as "musts," basically calcium, protein, vitamin c and folic acid, the best thing for me is to eat whatever I can stomach, which is always comfort food. I think that's the best way to go, because in the end, it's probably more important that you eat something, than eat what you think you should be eating, especially if it makes you sick!

Answer 3

I think you have asked a brilliant question. When I was pregnant with my first daughter(now 2) the midwife at my first visit went on and on about eating and drink the right foods and what to do and what not to do. I was sick from 5weeks, (Hypernemesis Gravidera) everything I eat and drank I bought back within seconds of eating or drinking it. I tried eating vegetables and everything healthy but couldn't keep anything down, I was told to suck fruit pastels, how is this healthy for a growing baby? My daughter was 6lb 6oz but I'm only a size 10/12 and 5ft. I actually lost weight and didn't put any on at all, I was told my bump was all baby and I carried hardly any fluid. It was scary but she was perfect. I'm now 36 weeks pregnant tomorrow with my 2nd daughter and am having extra scans as the doctors are saying my baby is too small, I have an umbilical cord cyst which has been investigated but is having no effects on the baby and I was sick once at 12 weeks. All I have eaten is healthy, extra fruit and veg, proper meals and heatlhy snacks not crisps and rubbish. Is there any logic?!?

Answer 4

As per my opinion a healthy diet is good for your baby development and growth and to keep the pregnant women fit at the same time. One thing we should always remember that a diet which is taken by pregnant women is baby’s single source of different nutrition like Calcium, Folic Acid, Iron and protein etc. A healthy pregnancy diet includes vegetables, whole wheat bread, fruits and cereals.

Answer 5

I think the main thing is that the baby will take the nutrients that it needs, and if the mother is not eating healthy foods she will be more tired during the pregnancy. If the women are overweight and don't eat healthy they are at a greater risk of developing Gestational Diabetes, which in turn puts them at greater risk for Type II diabetes as they get older. Women that are diabetic and get pregnant that do not eat right have a much higher chance of having a miscarriage, still birth, or end up with Placental Abruption (This happened to me and my son almost died because he was bor 11 weeks early)

Answer 6

if eating a healthy diet is good for you. Dont you think it would also be good for your unborn child. The biggest thing is just getting a lot of the vitamins and minerals you and the baby need. If you dont get the milk it effect the babys bones if you dont eat protein and some (not a lot) of fat it will effect the baby's brain development. try searching the web again or ask your doctor.

Answer 7

Absolutely!! There is tonnes of evidence. There is no doubt about it. The food you eat contributes to the growth and development of your baby. Here is one of many, many web sites you can find this info in.

Answer 8

i don't think any of that info is written in stone but if they say it it has to have some truth behind it????