Introduction
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes to bring a new life into the world. Pregnant women need to make lifestyle choices that positively impact their wellbeing and reduce the risks of any complications. One of the major concerns during this period is nutrition since a woman is not only feeding herself but also her future child, while also preparing for safe delivery. Thus, it is vital to provide pregnant and preparing patients with education about healthy eating habits and myths about nutrition.
Educational Media Piece
The proposed media piece is a brochure with general advice for and common concerns of women who are or want to become pregnant. The leaflet has several sections, providing patients with all the necessary knowledge. The first section explains that, during pregnancy, the demands of female bodies change, needing more calories, minerals, and vitamins to support both the woman and the child (Schuiling & Likis, 2017). Here, the woman is reminded to care not only for the future child but for herself as well, as motherhood is a demanding and challenging position.
The next part of the brochure elaborates on the nutritional needs of the patient’s body. It contains information about food groups and their share on one’s plate, mentioning such sources as MyPlate (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2018). Next, the brochure lists which elements and minerals are crucial for pregnant women. Folate and folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and protein are discussed, along with examples of foods that contain these nutrients as well as their daily intake (Morrison & Regnault, 2016). It also mentions that, in some cases, women do not have access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and other necessary products, and that clinicians should prescribe and explain how to use vitamin supplements to support patients’ health.
Finally, after providing sufficient advice, the brochure’s third part dispels some common myths about eating during pregnancy. For example, it discusses why weight gain is a normal part of this process, while also challenging the phrase “eating for two” (Morrison & Regnault, 2016). The leaflet also states that fat is a crucial part of the diet for pregnant women and that its increase is not a negative sign. Furthermore, the brochure mentions discomforts and food cravings, pointing out that nausea, constipation, and other issues can occur in otherwise healthy women (ACOG, 2018). Nonetheless, women should discuss these concerns with the health provider at their regular check-ups.
Discussion
The format of the brochure is selected because it can contain enough information for women to learn about key points without being e overwhelmed. It is also portable, inexpensive, and easy to distribute in both physical and digital forms. The topic of nutrition is an integral part of women’s health – while many patients understand that smoking and drug use are harmful, not all of them know how to eat balanced meals (ACOG, 2018). As pregnancy often exacerbates women’s health problems, proper nutrition becomes increasingly important to mitigate the effects that this change has on one’s wellbeing (Schuiling & Likis, 2017). The considered population is women who do not have specific knowledge about preventive health and nonpharmacologic solutions. This brochure’s holistic approach complements other steps in the care for pregnant women.
Conclusion
The presented media piece is a brochure that contains information about nutrition during pregnancy. It is divided into three parts – explanation of pregnancy-induced body changes, advice for improving eating habits, and the discussion of common beliefs. This brochure should help educate women about healthy practices and dispel myths commonly associated with food and pregnancy. Moreover, it is an effective way of disseminating knowledge on multiple platforms, serving various patient populations.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). Nutrition during pregnancy. Web.
Morrison, J., & Regnault, T. (2016). Nutrition in pregnancy: Optimising maternal diet and fetal adaptations to altered nutrient supply. Nutrients, 8(6), 342.
Schuiling, K. D., & Likis, F. E. (2017). Women’s gynecologic health (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.