JAKARTA - During pregnancy, maternal nutritional needs increased significantly. Proper and balanced intake is needed not only to support fetal growth, but also to maintain maternal health and prevent various complications such as anemia, preeclamia, and even stunting in children.
Important nutrients such as protein, iron, folic acid, calcium, DHA, Omega-3, and fiber are the main components needed in each trimester of pregnancy.
In order to increase knowledge or education about the importance of pregnancy nutrition, collaboration between midwifery professional organizations and the private sector presents a nutritional practical guide for each stage of the pregnancy trimester.
This guide was compiled based on the latest scientific references and adjusted to field conditions to make it easier for midwives to provide direct education to pregnant women and their families.
"The midwife is the starting point for maternal and child health assistance and services in the community. With this guidebook, we hope that the midwife will have an applicative reference to be directly applied in nutrition education for pregnant women, so that the risk of stunting can be reduced early on," explained Dr. Ade Jubaedah SSIT Bdn. MM, MKM, Chairman of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) in a written statement from Prenagen to VOI.
The guidelines also include ways to prevent the risk of complications such as chronic energy deficiency, anemia, and preeclampsia. Education for health workers is considered an important preventive measure, especially when there are still many mothers who do not understand the importance of specific nutrition during pregnancy.
The lack of chronic energy and nutrients during pregnancy is still a serious impact. If not treated, this could increase the risk of a baby born with low weight, stunting, and even complications and bleeding during childbirth. This is where the importance of education given from the beginning of pregnancy by health workers," said Prof. Dr. dr. Noroyono Wibowo, Sp.OG(K), Consultant of Fetomaternal.
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In seminars and webinars held in a hybrid manner, more than 3,500 midwives from all over Indonesia participated in expert presentations on the importance of fulfilling nutrition during pregnancy.
On the occasion, it was also conveyed that understanding specific nutrients such as DHA and Omega-3, calcium, and iron still needed to be improved.
"For example, DHA and Omega-3 are important for the formation of the fetal brain and are still needed after giving birth through breast milk. Meanwhile calcium is needed for fetal bones while maintaining the strength of the mother's bones. These nutrients are not always available in complete daily diets, so education about additional intake options also needs to be given wisely," said dr. Dewi Virdianti Pangastuti, Health Communicator of Kalbe Nutritionals.
The high participation of health workers in this event shows the enthusiasm and shared commitment to create a healthy generation from the womb. With the synergy between proper education and integrated health services, it is hoped that stunting and pregnancy complications in Indonesia can continue to be suppressed.
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