Especially during pregnancy, the nutritional condition of pregnant women needs more attention, because it plays an important role for fetal development, as well as for the health of pregnant women themselves. Failure to pay attention to nutritional needs can lead to malnutrition during pregnancy and increase the risk of pregnancy.

Women who experience malnutrition or lack of vitamins during pregnancy can cause various health problems. The following are the various effects of malnutrition on pregnant women:

Folate or vitamin B9 is one type of vitamin that women need during pregnancy. Without adequate folate intake, the fetus is at risk of developing disorders. Consumption of 400 mg of folate a day during pregnancy can reduce the baby's risk of developing neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Neural tube defects are conditions in which babies develop problems with the central nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain.

Poor nutrition, lack of consumption of zinc, protein, and smoking habits during pregnancy can cause babies to be born with gastrochisis conditions. In this condition, there is a hole in the baby's stomach until some of the contents of the stomach come out through the hole. Usually this disorder is accompanied by birth defects

Avoid foods that contain saturated fat, and multiply foods that contain vitamins B2 and B3. Deficiency of these vitamins can increase the risk of babies born with congenital heart disease.

Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy, as well as a lack of vitamin A and folic acid intake, can trigger problems in the development of the baby's lips and upper oral cavity. This results in the baby being born with a cleft lip, or with a lip and palate that are not completely closed.

This condition is a congenital defect that causes the baby's diaphragm to not form properly. As a result, part of the stomach penetrates into the chest cavity. Women who during pregnancy are deficient in selenium, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and retinol, have a greater risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Apart from the above impacts, the weight of pregnant women who are too low and experiencing malnutrition during pregnancy can also trigger premature births and IUGR (inhibited growth of the baby in the fetus). It is important to try to avoid malnutrition while pregnant.

So, pay attention if you experience signs of malnutrition, such as not gaining weight. Do not let you lack vitamins and minerals needed by the body. But that also doesn't mean you can overeat, thinking that you're eating for two. Enough to meet the nutrition needed and regularly check the health of the fetus during pregnancy.