Question

1. In a table, please list factors that increase and decrease iron absorption

2. What dietary practices are associated with an increased risk of cancer (Please list 4)

3. Discuss how maternal age, eating patterns, overall health, and lifestyle choices affect pregnancy outcome.

4. Provide 5 tips for mothers who want to maximize their chances of breastfeeding successfully, and what advice you give to a new mother who is still deciding on breastfeeding her baby? Include 5 benefits in your advice.

Answer 1

Iron absorption:

Factors favouring absorption	Factors reducing absorption
Heme iron Ferrous form Acids ( HCl, vit C) Solubilizing agents( sugars, amino acids) iron deficiency increased erythropoiesis pregnancy hereditary hemochromatosis	Inorganic iron ferric form Alaklis - antacids, pancreatic secretions precipitating agents - phyates and Phosphates iron excess decreased erythropoisis infections tea

Dietary practices associated with increased risk of cancer:

1. processed and red meats
2. sarurated fats
3. sugar - sweetened beverages , alcohol
4. Higher consumption of diary products
5. calcium (> 2000 mg/ day)

Pregnancy outcome

When compared to younger patients , women in advanced maternal age are reported to be at greater risk of congenital disorders, placenta previa, ectopic pregnancy , spontaineous abortion , still birth preterm birth and small for gestational age .

Diet and lifestyle choices are very important to get enough nutrition both to mother and child . Vitamins play a major role. Eating habits can cause gestational diabetes mellitus , hypertensive disorders etc. Smoking and alcohol use can harm your baby.

To improve the chances of breast feeding:

1. Start breast feeding within 1 hou of birth.
2. have a nurse or lactation consultant consultant check how baby latches on while you're still in the hospital
3. prepare for your milk to come in.
4. plan to breastfeed about 8-12 times in every 24 hours
5. Stay hydrated to ensure your body can make enough milk

Benefits of breast feeding:

• helps uterus return to it's pre pregnancy size and reduces post delivery bleeding
• decreses weight
• decrease postpartum depression , breast and ovarian cancer
• delay the return of periods