What should pregnant women eat in the 4th month for healthy fetal development?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with BSCK I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

1. Changes in nutritional needs during the 4th month of pregnancy

The second trimester is a period of strong development of the fetus when the form is almost complete, the organs and body parts are almost fully functional. At this time, the mother's body will need to work harder to provide calcium to strengthen bones as well as regulate all the organs of the baby. Building a diet at this time will help the fetus grow in both height and weight.
This is almost the period of highest protein requirements in pregnant women with about 74-95g per day. Besides, from this month, the mother is forced to increase energy and nutrients to ensure the need for the development of the fetus, which falls to about 2000 additional calories per day. In addition, every day pregnant women need about 10mg of vitamin D and 2000ml of water.

2. What should pregnant women eat in the 4th month for healthy fetal development?

Building a nutritional menu for pregnant women in the 4th month of pregnancy should be based on many food groups to ensure adequate essential nutrients. These food groups include:
Fiber-rich foods: The fourth month of pregnancy is the ideal time to start building the foundation to prevent pregnancy constipation. Whole grains, oats and green vegetables are foods high in fiber that pregnant women should use Foods containing essential fatty acids: These acids will help reduce the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and growth retardation brain in children. Sources of healthy fatty acids come from soft drinks, tuna, nuts and olive oil. Foods rich in calcium: The amount of calcium needed by both mother and baby is increasing over time, so pregnant women need to pay attention to supplementing with foods such as milk and dairy products to meet this demand Meats: Should be included in the daily diet of pregnant women if the feeling of nausea has disappeared, the meat needs attention to be cleaned and cooked to ensure food hygiene and safety. Fruits and vegetables are fresh fruits and vegetables. They are an important source of nutrients during pregnancy because they contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals, and are high in water and fiber.

3. Foods to avoid during the 4th month of pregnancy

In addition to building a suitable and nutritious diet, pregnant women also need to pay attention to avoid eating some of the following foods:
Soft cheese: Usually made from unpasteurized milk, there are many potential health risks Wheat flour: Difficult to digest and can cause constipation during pregnancy Sea fish: some types of sea fish may contain methylmercury, which causes brain retardation in the fetus, instead can be replaced with freshwater fish Street foods: May contain many risks to pregnant women's health because of unclear origin and not thoroughly processed Dried fruit: Although A good food for the body, but dried fruit contains substances that cause heat to the body, so pregnant women should not abuse eating too much during the day. Licorice: As an herb that can stimulate contractions, pregnant women should avoid foods with licorice extract such as candy, toothpaste, ...

At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.