Maternal nutrition plays a critical role in foetal growth and development. Women have distinct nutritional requirements throughout their life – especially before and during pregnancy. Maternal Nutrition refers to the nutritional needs of women during the antenatal and postnatal period (i.e., when they are pregnant and breastfeeding) and also during the pre-conceptual period (i.e., adolescence). Before pregnancy, women need nutritious and safe diets to establish sufficient reserves for pregnancy. Pregnancy is such a critical phase in a woman’s life when the expecting mother needs optimal nutrients of superior qualities to support the developing foetus. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, energy and nutrient needs increase. Meeting increased requirements is critical for women’s health and that of their child – in the womb and throughout early childhood. Without proper nutrition and essential nutrients, women and their children are at increased risk for disease and poor health outcomes. Also physiological changes in pregnancy lead to an increase in the demand of many nutrients; especially iron, folic acid and zinc.

A healthy diet helps children grow and learn. It also helps prevent obesity and weight- related diseases, such as diabetes. Deficiencies in micronutrients affect many women of reproductive age and are associated with adverse health effects. The micronutrients that are most important for maternal and child health outcomes include iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, and selenium. Anemia before and during pregnancy is associated with increased maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity and affects almost two-thirds of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO Quarterly Statistics showed that two-thirds of pregnant women in India have a hemoglobin count so low that it increases the risk of maternal mortality rate to 17–20%. Others have reported that the incidence of anemia varies from 40% to 90% in India and contributes to 10–15% of direct maternal deaths. Anemia in pregnancy generally results from nutritional deficiencies; almost 75% of anemia is due to iron deficiency followed by folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Good health and nutrition before conception are central to a mother’s ability to meet the nutrient demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and are vital to the healthy development of her embryo, foetus, infant and child. Many women and adolescent girls are poorly nourished because of the inadequacy or imbalance of their diets, leading to underweight, overweight/obesity and micronutrient deficiencies.

At Pro Health Diet Clinic, appropriate strategies are discussed for optimal maternal and child nutrition for prevention and management of maternal and child undernutrition. Counselling sessions are organised for breastfeeding women to consume a balanced diet, which will provide adequate nutrient intakes and helps to promote reduction of post-partum weight retention. We encourage the adoption of good dietary and lifestyle habits as balanced
maternal nutrition before and during the breastfeeding period can affect maternal nutrient status and healthy body weight, as well as the infant supply of some nutrients with breastmilk.


Consultation Fee: Rs. 1200/-

Diet chart charges extra