MSU - ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF NURSING
NSG 104 Nutrition and Diet Therapy (LEC)

Block/Group:

BLOCK 260 (GROUP 1)

Members:

Ambor, Hamid C.

Salise, Glydel

Lastimosa, Nichaila Nicole

Facunla, Theresa

Cortina, Alexandra

Olarte, Princess Queenie

Topic: Preconception Nutrition

Description: This topic provides an overview of preconception nutrition along with the
important ways a couple should consider to ensure healthiest pregnancy possible by
introducing various nutritional recommendations & concerns.

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I. INTRODUCTION

What you eat while trying to get pregnant is just as important as what you eat after you
conceive. Pre-conception nutrition, or “before pregnancy nutrition” should be considered as it
is a vital part of preparing for pregnancy. Factors like what you eat and your weight plays an
important role in your health.

Researches have shown that food and healthy nutrition are tied to fertility health in both
women and men. An unhealthy lifestyle also prior to conception may result in infertility, poor
outcomes during the pregnancy and may result in persistent health issues that impact the baby
for his or her entire life. Even stress and toxic exposure during preconception can affect the
health. Furthermore, researches also showed that certain birth defects can be traced to
nutritional deficiencies.

So in this topic, we will explore the journey towards pre-conception nutrition and identify
important ways a couple should consider to ensure healthiest pregnancy possible by
introducing various nutritional recommendations & concerns.

II. Who are the people involved? (Characterization of age group)

1 Women of child bearing age.

Women become fertile or able to bear a child after their first menstruation. It usually
starts at the age of 12 and stops around 50 to 51.

2. Men

Men start producing spermatozoa at the onset of puberty. Puberty starts at different
times for different people. Boys usually start puberty when they are around 10 or
12 years’ old

3. Couples who are planning to have a child

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 NUTRITION RECOMMENDATIONS

Healthy nutrition and fertility is linked in both men and women. Below is a list of
suggestions for healthy nutrition prior to conception:

Nutrition for men:

1. Antioxidants. Antioxidants which are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other
molecules, interfere with these oxidative chain reactions before damage can be done.
Antioxidants scavenge free radicals. Antioxidants in the diet, such as Vitamin E (vegetable
oils and nuts such as almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts) vit C, gluthathione (spinach and
broccoli, avocado) and coenzyme Q10 (organ meats such as liver; muscle meats like beef
and chicken) can boost fertility.

2. Mineral zinc is an important component of sperm development and number. Men with
infertility have been found to have reduced amounts of zinc compared with those men free
of infertility issues. Zinc is a powerful antioxidant, taking in supplement form, which
appears to be safe and may support increase fertility in men. Oysters are good source of
zinc. Some includes meat, shellfish, and dairy foods.

3. Folate may affect male fertility as well and higher level of dietary folate intake are related
to fewer chromosomally abnormal sperm, compared with the sperm of men with lower
intake of folate. Green leafy vegetables are good sources of folate.

4. Soy contains isoflavones which are similar in structure and function to estrogen and may
disrupt the body’s natural hormonal balance. More research needs to be conducted before
advising men to avoid soy products; however, like for all foods, a moderate soy intake
appears to be a good strategy.

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 Other factors that can cause sperm-related infertility:

1. Unfavorable environmental conditions which can result to stress (oxidation)

2. Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, heat, and radiation can damage and diminish sperm
production

Nutrition for women

1. Folic Acid

This B vitamin increases progesterone levels, lowers risk of irregular ovulation, lowers risk
of preterm birth, lowers risk of low-birth-weight babies and not just that, it helps reduce a
baby’s risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. Folic acid may be obtained
naturally through leafy, dark green vegetables (i.e. spinach), citrus fruits, nuts, legumes, whole
grains, and fortified bread and cereals.

2. Calcium

Preparing for pregnancy includes building healthy bones. If there is not enough calcium
in the pregnancy diet, the fetus may draw calcium from the mother's bones, which can put
women at risk for osteoporosis later in life. It is recommended that women get at least 1,000
mg (three 8 oz glasses of skim milk) of calcium a day if they are considering getting
pregnant. Calcium may be obtained from natural sources such as low-fat yogurt, canned
salmon, dines, rice, and cheese.

3. Iron

Many women have low iron stores as a result of monthly menstruation and diets low in
iron. Building iron stores helps prepare a mother's body for the needs of the fetus during
pregnancy. Good sources of iron include the following: Meats, poultry, fish and shellfish,
leafy greens, legumes, and whole-grains breads.

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 4. Iodine

It is widely known that thyroid dysfunction may result to subfertility. During the time
preconception, proper function of the thyroid gland is necessary for proper functions of the
thyroid gland is necessary for body functions such as proper cell division, cell metabolism
and growth development, repair of the body and for ovulation. Seafood and iodine salt are
good sources of iodine.

NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS

1. Overweight and underweight. Being overweight or obese can cause hormonal changes.
If men or women are overweight, or underweight it can take longer to conceive because it
can cause problems with hormone levels, which can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle
and the quality of her eggs. Being overweight can also reduce the quality of a man’s
sperm and cause erection problems. Men who are overweight or obese have worse sperm
quality and are not as fertile as men who are a healthy weight. It can make men less
interested in sex.
Women who have a BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2 are at increased risk for infertility,
first trimester miscarriage, and preterm birth, and they are more likely to have an infant
who has low birth weight. Overweight women have increased risks for problem in
pregnancy such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
2. Eating disorder. One side effect of eating disorders particularly anorexia nervosa is
fertility problems. Amenorrhea as a consequence of eating disorder may lead to the belief
that pregnancy is not possible, therefore, increasing the risk for unplanned pregnancy.
3. Pica is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. The reason that
some women develop pica cravings during pregnancy is not known for certain. There is
currently no identified cause; however, according to the Journal of American Dietetic
Association, there may be a connection to an iron deficiency. Some speculate that pica
cravings are the body’s attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through
normal food consumption.

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 4. Alcohol and Other recreational drugs are known teratogens, their use may reduce
fertility and should be eliminated among women and couples actively trying to conceive.
5. Smoking can decrease fertility among women and men, should be decreased and ideally
stopped prior to conception. Smoking can also cause erectile dysfunction in addition to
harming sperm. Smoking exposes the expectant mother to secondhand smoke and,
potentially, leads to negative effects such as low birth weight, intra-uterine growth
restriction (IUGR), and preterm birth as well as increasing the risk of SIDS
6. Birth control also known as contraception and fertility control, is a method or device used
to prevent pregnancy

Nursing management/client education

Educating women and their families before pregnancy is a critical first step to
improving birth outcomes. Many women simply are not aware that a healthy pregnancy
begins long before conception. Preconception care is defined as individualized care for
men and women that is focused on reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality,
increasing the chances of conception when pregnancy is desired, and providing
contraceptive counseling to help prevent unintended pregnancies. It is the responsibility of
all primary care providers, to provide quality preconception care, not just those who
provide maternity care or handle a high volume of women’s health.

The following are interventions focused on addressing women’s preconception needs:

1. All women of reproductive age should be advised to take a daily supplement

(prenatal or multivitamin) of 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily and to consume
a balanced, healthy diet of folate-rich foods
2. It is essential to counsel women on obtaining a healthy weight prior to
pregnancy because being obese increases the risk of pregnancy complications that include
gestational diabetes, hypertension, macrosomia, birth trauma, and cesarean section, as well
as increasing the risk of induced and spontaneous preterm birth.Women who have a BMI
less than 18.5 kg/m2 are at increased risk for infertility, first trimester miscarriage, and
preterm birth, and they are more likely to have an infant who has low birth weight.All
women who have a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 or less than 18.5 kg/m2 should be counseled

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 about the risks their weight status poses to their own health and to future pregnancies; these
patients should be offered specific strategies to improve the balance and quality of their
diet and physical activity level.
3. Chronic hypertension can increase maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality
during pregnancy. All women of reproductive age should have their blood
pressure checked during routine care
4. Counseling on medication usage is an important part of preconception care.
All women of childbearing age should be screened for the use of teratogenic
medications and should be counseled about the potential impact of medications
for chronic health conditions on pregnancy and fetal outcomes. When possible,
known teratogenic medications should be switched to safer medications before
conception.
5. Preconception care should also include counseling on immunizations. All
women of reproductive age should have their immunization status for tetanus-
diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap); measles-mumps-rubella (MMR); and varicella
reviewed annually and updated as indicated
6. Mental health assessment should be included in preconception care.
7. Another important part of preconception counseling is addressing lifestyle
risks—including alcohol, tobacco, and substance use—and providing
resources and support for lifestyle modifications.

Interventions focused on addressing men’s preconception needs:

The goals of men’s preconception health are similar in many ways to those women’s goals.
The overall objective is to ensure optimal and positive outcomes of their reproductive and sexual
behaviors, while minimizing the potential negative consequences of unhealthy lifestyle choices
and unprotected sex.

In addition, preconception care for a man should include:

1. Counseling on the timing of pregnancy and on fathering children when he and

his partner choose to do so; on overcoming fertility issues;

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 2. Ensuring healthy pregnancy for his partner and optimal post-partum outcomes
for both his partner and their child or children

REFERENCES:

Hillstrom, Kathryn. “Nutrition needs during preconception”. Retrieved September 18,

2019 from http://samples.jbpub.com/9781284102161/9781284102161_CH02_Bernstein.pdf

“Nutrition Before Pregnancy”. Health Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 18, 2019 from
ttps://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx

Gurevich, Rachel (2019) “Supplements and Sperm Count” Retrieved September 18, 2019
from https://www.verywellfamily.com/folic-acid-for-female-and-male-fertility-1959878

“Preconception Nutrition”. American Pregnancy Association (2019). Retrieved September

18, 2019 from https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/preconception-nutrition

“Health weight”. Fertility Coalition (2019) Retrieved September 18, 2019 from
https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/weight

“Preconception Care” American Academy of Family Physicians (2019) Retrieved

September 18,2019 from https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/preconception-care.html