Eating Well in Pregnancy: A Practical Guide to Support Teenagers, (2013) [PDF] [UnitedVRG]

Eating well in pregnancy: A practical guide to support teenagers








The aim of all health advice in pregnancy is to ensure the best outcome for mother and infant, and that includes having a baby born at term, at a good birth weight and with adequate nutrient stores for early development.
Poor diet in pregnancy has been associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes in a number of studies, and there is evidence that the diets of many younger and teenage mothers lack some of the essential nutrients associated with good outcomes.There is no doubt that a good diet in pregnancy provides the best start in life for all babies, regardless of the age of the mother, but younger women may also require additional nutrients for their own growth and so they need particular support in pregnancy. Despite a popular myth that a baby will take what it needs nutritionally from its mother, neither mother nor baby will thrive if the diet is poor.
The aim of this practical guide is to illustrate what a good diet looks like for young women in pregnancy. The advice is tailored to women aged 15-19 years, but the general advice is suitable for all women.