HEALTH

Eat well during pregnancy

Are you pregnant? If yes, then take care. Your body becomes more efficient when you’re expecting a baby and makes even better use of energy you obtain from the food you eat. The average woman does not need any extra calories for the first six months of pregnancy and only about 200 extra calories per day for the last three months. Two hundred calories equivalent to two slices of whole meal toast and butter: one slice of cheese on toast. Your own appetite is the best indication of how much food you need to eat and you may find it fluctuating during the course of your pregnancy. For example in the first few weeks your appetite may fall dramatically and you may not feel like having proper meals, especially if you suffer from sickness.

During the middle part of your pregnancy your appetite may be the same as before you were pregnant or slightly increased. Towards the end of your pregnancy your appetite will probably increase, but if you suffer from heartburn or a full feeling after eating you may find it helpful to have small frequent meals. The best rule to remember is eat when you are hungry.

Now that you are mum to be, you will need to increase your intake of certain vitamins and minerals and calories during pregnancy. If your diet is poor to begin with , it is even more important to make the transition to eating delicious nutritious, well-balanced meals.

Eat well. Make sure your diet includes plenty of green leafy vegetables and legumes and take a folic acid supplement containing 0.4mg of folate. Folic acid helps to cure certain birth defects . Other good sources of folic acid include fortified cereal and whole-wheatbread.

Even if you are not hungry, chances are your baby is, so eat every four hours. You may find that eating five or six small meals, rather than the usual three larger ones, is easier on your body. Remember, your developing baby needs regular sustenance, so try not to miss meals.

Morning sickness- For many women, the first few months of pregnancy bring morning sickness, which can happen at any time of the day. This is a normal result of the body’s adjustment to pregnancy.

Eat crackers or dry toast before getting up in the morning.

Increase your intake of vitamin B-6 by eating more whole grains and cereals, wheatgerm, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin supplements during early pregnancy. They may cause nausea.

Keep a positive attitude. Morning sickness usually passes in three to four months.

Increase your calcium intake by drinking more milk.

Avoid junk food, alcohol, drugs and smoking during pregnancy.

Don’t try to lose weight while you’re pregnant. Dieting during pregnancy is potentially hazardous to you and your developing baby. Some diets can leave you on low on Iron, folic acid and other important vitamins and minerals.

Remember, weight gain is one of the most positive signs of a healthy pregnancy. Women who eat well and gain the appropriate amount of weight are likely to have healthy babies.

— Dr Anil Dheer

Blood donation day observed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 1
The National Voluntary Blood Donation Day was observed in the city today. Various functions, including blood donation camps and awareness drives, were launched to observe the day.

The Department of Transfusion Medicine of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised two blood donation camps in collaboration with the Rotary Club at Doraha and the blood bank of the DMCH along with an awareness lecture here today.

Over 200 people from all walks of life, including doctors, medical students and nursing students of the DMCH, donated blood. Dr Amarjit Kaur, in charge, Department of Transfusion Medicine and organiser of the camp, said, “This speaks greatly about the increasing awareness among the masses about blood donation and reflects a positive trend in society. The day is being celebrated to highlight the significance of blood programme in the country. The primary objective is to involve all sections of society in this activity”. The refreshment to the donors was provided by the Rotary Club.

In the awareness lecture to the nursing students, Dr Amarjit Kaur threw light on the myths and facts related to blood donation. She said that the blood collected at the camp would be processed and screened for all transmissible diseases like AIDS, hepatitis etc before being released for patients. “This would ensure perfect safety of blood to the recipient and the blood would be utilised for the welfare of thallassaemic children and other patients”, said Dr Amarjit.

The District Red Cross Society also organised a blood donation camp at SAS Jain School in which 107 students from class XI and class XII donated blood. The camp was inaugurated by the DIG Ludhiana Range, Mr Siddharatha Chatopadhya, and Mr Ashok Kumar, Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, presided over the function.

To create awareness among the masses about blood donation, a district-level function was organised by the Health Department at Civil Hospital. It was stressed that every healthy human being should donate blood at least once a year as this saved lives at no cost or risk to the blood donor.

Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, appealed to the masses to come forward and join this movement by donating blood and motivating others to do the same so that no patient died for want of blood.

Meanwhile, the NSS unit (boys) of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, observed International Blood Donation Day during the ongoing 10-day NSS camp in the college. The blood group of over 100 volunteers was tested and identified and a directory of the same prepared.

Mr Manjit Singh Khattra inaugurated the camp, while Dr Swaranjit Singh Deol and his team conducted the camp. Prof Gurdev Singh Programme Officer, NSS, highlighted the role of blood donation. Dr J.S. Cheema also graced the occasion. In the end Prof Major Singh thanked everybody who contributed to make the camp a success.