The Midwife’s Role in Informing Pregnant Women of the Importance of Folic Acid

Children who are malnourish and vitamin A deficient are two times more likely to die compare to those receiving a vitamin A supplement. This increase in mortality rate is due to the vulnerability state of the child that caused by lack of nutrition. Moreover, the scarcity of the proper mineral and vitamins for pregnant mothers has cause more than 13 million underweight and premature births. Over the years Vitamins B, D, and C have proven to cure disease such as pellagra, rickets and scurvy and although this might seem easy fixes for the richer

Since the beginning of time, the birth of a baby was a sign of a new life, and within today’s society, many of those lives start within a hospital with the assistance of different medical staff. Now, every family and parent is different in regards to the upbringing of their future child well before their birth, and in order to protect and support this idea; different programs were established within Canada. The Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program which was established in 1995 can be considered one, as they work to provide support to the health and wellbeing of pregnant women within different communities. Within their program some prominent goals mentioned are: to improve maternal-infant health, increase birth weight rate, and promote breastfeeding

In Canada, a clinical study by De Wals et al was performed to assess whether or not folic acid fortification has an effect on the recurrence of NTDs (neural tube defects), especially on upper and lower birth defects called spina bifida (De Wals et al., 2008). The study was performed in three different regions in Canada: the eastern, western and central provinces (De Wals et al., 2008). Furthermore, the population of the study was conducted on three different types of births which were livebirths, stillbirths, and termination of pregnancies, and the study was carried out through three periods included prefortification, partial fortification and full fortifications (De Wals et al., 2008). The researchers followed the scientific investigation

Safe work practices are vital in the kitchen to ensure safety and hygiene whilst preparing the dish. Hands should always be washed throughout the practical to avoid any harmful sickness inducing contaminants from entering the food. Similarly, time management process will be essential in order to complete the cook within the time frame and ensure the workspace and dishes used are clean and sanitised. Folate is essential during pregnancy as it is essential for the baby’s growth and development,

Patients should be given information regarding the importance of prenatal care and availability of prenatal care for future pregnancies.

Compare the benefits and limitations of mandatory folate fortification in Australia and discuss if it is justifiable in respect to the health of Australian women and their infants.

Within this assignment I am going to look at the main nutritional needs for pregnant women and adolescents and discuss the similarities and differences between their nutritional requirements.

Statistically, African American have 2.5 times the likelihood of women of other races to start prenatal care in the third trimesters, or in some cases, not at all (Heisler, 18). Prenatal care includes education and counseling about how to handle various aspects of pregnancy in terms of nutrition, the importance of adequate physical activity, and basic infant care skills. This education encourages appropriate weight gain and discourages alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy. It can be inferred from this information that prenatal care will reduce the occurrence of low birthweights and short gestational age births (premature births) (Heisler, 18).This education can also decrease deaths due to accidents or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). No prenatal care for the mother will result in a high probability that the infant will die in the first month after birth. However, it is a sad reality that many African American women do not have access to or knowledge of prenatal care; this unawareness will result in an equally disparaging consequence - high

We need to supplement minimum 400 microgram folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine called neural tube defects. Dietary sources are fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried

Rationale: According to Rao & Georgieff (2007), there is an association between pregnancy and an increase demand for iron. Pregnancy demands about 1,000 mg of additional iron due to the expanding RBCs and plasma volumes of the mother and the growing placenta. Maternal iron is important for the transfer of the necessary amount of iron to the fetus, important for the development and function of the organ systems. Mothers with a poor iron status and malnutrition can lead to iron deficiency anemia, especially if the woman had insufficient iron before pregnancy (Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk & Wilson,

Folic acid has been added to our food supply for almost 30 years now and is seen to reduce the risk of deficiencies that cause neural tube defects in babies. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate which is naturally found in fruits and vegetables such as spinach, citrus fruits, peas and dried beans. In the article “Folic Acid Is Good but Too Much Is Bad” researchers say that “Folic acid is required by the body for periods of rapid cell growth and division, such as during pregnancy” (Folic). While folic acid has been seen to have positive effects, too much of something can cause problems. When a pregnant woman takes prenatal vitamins the amount that she receives in 100 percent of what she needs. So if she proceeds to eat foods that are fortified with folic acid and folate she will get more than the recommended amount daily. Respiratory problems such as asthma and wheezing have been seen from too much folic acid during pregnancy. Too much folic acid has not been completely linked to the increase in autism rates, it is simple just another option out there for parents and specialist to look at as a cause. Immune disorders are also being looked at as a reason for the increase. “Many autistic children also have allergies or intolerances to certain foods and chemicals, which could be a sign of a

Folic acid plays many important roles in the body. There is no doubting that it is essential. The reason that we need a constant stream of it is because it is not stored in large quantities in the body. It is water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are stored for longer in our system. When ingested, the body uses what it can and the rest comes out in urine, in very little time the body will need more. We discussed how pregnant women get a proven benefit, and studies continue on its role in reducing risks of other diseases, but regardless of what additional benefits are found, it is clear that without folic acid in our bodies, we would not be alive. Folic acid aids in the production of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Folate even has a role in the digestive system! It works with vitamins B12 and C to help the body digest and synthesize proteins. Lastly, folic acid helps tissues grow and cells function, it is an integral part of the body working as it should.

It is thought that nutrients insufficiency plays crucial role in preeclampsia development in pregnant women. Micronutrients and vitamins have clinical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and they are substantial for normal placentation by acting on placental endothelial function. In addition, nutrients contribute to the spiral artery remodeling and angiogenesis. (Ilekis et al., 2017).

In Australia, the reasonableness and effectiveness of folic acid being mandatorily fortified to support healthy pregnancy when considering the occurrence of NTDS in Australian children due to the amount their mothers have consumed of folic acid during pregnancy. The main purpose for creating a mandatory policy to include folic acid to the wheat flour of non-organic bread in Australia is to reduce the incidence of NTDs across the nation. Substantial rates of NTDs occur worldwide as significantly more folate is needed early in pregnancy than in other life stages. This early stage of pregnancy is often when women are unaware that they are pregnant. The folate is required for the development of the embryonic neural tube, which develops into

Prenatal care is widely accepted as an important element in improving pregnancy outcome. (Gorrie, McKinney, Murray, 1998). Prenatal care is defined as care of a pregnant woman during the time in the maternity cycle that begins with conception and ends with the onset of labor. A medical, surgical, gynecologic, obstretic, social and family history is taken (Mosby's Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary, 1998). It is important for a pregnant woman as well as our society to know that everything that you do has an effect on your baby. Because so many women opt not to receive the benefits of prenatal care, our society sees the ramification, which include a variety of complications primarily