Dieting:By this time you may have gained a few pounds and are starting to show. It is important that you do not diet while you are pregnant. You will need about 300 to 800 more calories a day. These extra calories are needed to provide extra energy for tissue growth in both you and the baby. Your baby is using the energy you provide to create and store protein, fat and carbohydrates, and to provide energy for its body processes to function. If enough calories aren't available, protein may be metabolized as a source of energy instead of being used for growth and development.

You will be given prenatal vitamins that contain recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals for you during pregnancy. The prenatal vitamins are different from regular vitamins in that they contain iron, folic acid, zinc. During a pregnancy blood volume increases by about 50 %. This requires more iron than what the average woman will normally get from her diet. Iron can cause constipation, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. It helps to take iron with a meal or if that doesn't help take it before bed. Your iron count should between 12 & 15. If is lower than that it will effect your energy level, you will feel even more tired and run down. If your body doesn't seem to absorb the iron supplement try taking it with orange juice, calcium, or vitamin C. Do not take it with your prenatal vitamin as they somehow counteract each other.

If your iron is low it could result in Anemia. Anemia in the mother has been associated with an increase in maternal mortality during pregnancy and an increased risk of premature labor, fetal distress and perinatal death. A heavy blood loss at the time of delivery in an anemic woman can be very serious. The average blood loss in a vaginal delivery is 15 oz. and almost double that for a C-section. If you are anemic you could lose to much blood and need a blood transfusion.

Folic Acid is taken to prevent Neural-tube defects including spina bifida. anencephaly, encephalocele.These defects occur in about 1 in 1,000 births in the United States. Recommended daily allowance during pregnancy is 0.4mg a day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends any women who has had a child born with a neural-tube defect take 4mg of folic acid a day, preferably one month before she plans to become pregnant. Continue taking this amount through the first trimester. There is evidence that smoking interferes with the absorbtion of folic acid, vitamin B &C. Zinc has been found to help thin women to have healthy babies.