With too little iron in the diet, the body is unable to produce enough hemoglobin, the molecule that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Studies have found that low iron levels in pregnant women are associated with an increased risk that their babies will be born early and underweight.

And having too little iron puts you at risk for anemia and fatigue, which is especially common in pregnancy, as your blood dilutes to expand in volume.

Pregnant women need double their usual recommended daily dose of iron to grow and More…

During pregnancy your blood volume will increase, so it is important to keep up your fluid intake. Water is best, although fruit juices are also good. Staying hydrated during pregnancy will help your body deliver nutrients to your baby and will also help prevent constipation and fatigue caused by dehydration.

Keep a bottle of water handy throughout the day to help keep you hydrated. Drinking water is also important if you are vomiting or having diarrhea, and in general it can help keep you feel well if you are having stomach troubles. For beverages other than water, try to put your drinks to work for you. More…

Try to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day, especially iron-rich green leafy vegetables. These provide essential vitamins and minerals and fiber, which help digestion and prevents constipation.

The important strategy for pregnancy is to choose foods that give you a wide range of vitamins and minerals and are especially rich in the ones you need :

• Go for variety. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, water, and other nutrients that are great for your baby’s health. The best way to take advantage of the nutrition they offer is to eat a wide variety of different kinds. A simple way to add variety is More…

This vitamin plays an important role in the development of an embryo. Women with low levels of folate in the diet have an increased risk of having babies with neural tube defects such as spina bifada, a condition that arises when the tiny tube of tissue destined to become the brain and spinal cord fails to seal properly in the early development of an embryo.

In The closing of an embryo’s neural tube occurs very early in pregnancy, before some women are even aware they are pregnant. However, women who are already pregnant should continue to take folate, because low More…

You may think of a healthy diet as one that is very low in fat. But that’s not entirely true. There is a place for healthy fats, and in fact, fats are necessary for your baby’s body to grow and develop.

Some fats are necessary for our bodies to function. changing your diet to boost good fats while limiting bad fats can help ensure your baby’s health—and your own. More…