Changes

Preconception dietary and lifestyle regimens of various kinds have been found to have conducive effects on the growth of the fetus. Lipid-based supplementation of micronutrients along with polyunsaturated fatty acids, and minimal amounts of protein and energy along with improved environmental conditions to women planning for conception at least 3 months before conception showed decreases of 44% in stunting, 24% in wasting, and 26% SGA in comparison to the control group in which no preconceptional dietary modification was given.<ref>S.M. Dhaded, K.M. Hambidge, S.A. Ali, M. Somannavar, S. Saleem, O. Pasha, U. Khan, V. Herekar, S. Vernekar, Y. Kumar S., J.E. Westcott, V.R. Thorsten, A. Sridhar, A. Das, E. McClure, R.J. Derman, R.L. Goldenberg, M. Koso-Thomas, S.S. Goudar, N.F. Krebs, Preconception nutrition intervention improved birth length and reduced stunting and wasting in newborns in South Asia: The Women First Randomized Controlled Trial, PLoS ONE. 15 (2020) e0218960. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218960.</ref> Preconceptional diet predominant in fruits, with minimal fast foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and glycemic load, has been found to improve fertility and reduce time to pregnancy.<ref>J.A. Grieger, Preconception diet, fertility, and later health in pregnancy, Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol. 32 (2020) 227–232. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000629.</ref>

Preconception dietary and lifestyle regimens of various kinds have been found to have conducive effects on the growth of the fetus. Lipid-based supplementation of micronutrients along with polyunsaturated fatty acids, and minimal amounts of protein and energy along with improved environmental conditions to women planning for conception at least 3 months before conception showed decreases of 44% in stunting, 24% in wasting, and 26% SGA in comparison to the control group in which no preconceptional dietary modification was given.<ref>S.M. Dhaded, K.M. Hambidge, S.A. Ali, M. Somannavar, S. Saleem, O. Pasha, U. Khan, V. Herekar, S. Vernekar, Y. Kumar S., J.E. Westcott, V.R. Thorsten, A. Sridhar, A. Das, E. McClure, R.J. Derman, R.L. Goldenberg, M. Koso-Thomas, S.S. Goudar, N.F. Krebs, Preconception nutrition intervention improved birth length and reduced stunting and wasting in newborns in South Asia: The Women First Randomized Controlled Trial, PLoS ONE. 15 (2020) e0218960. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218960.</ref> Preconceptional diet predominant in fruits, with minimal fast foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and glycemic load, has been found to improve fertility and reduce time to pregnancy.<ref>J.A. Grieger, Preconception diet, fertility, and later health in pregnancy, Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol. 32 (2020) 227–232. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000629.</ref>

Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy also play a significant role in framing the strength and immunity of the child. This is knowns as prenatal regimen ([[garbhini paricharya]]). The diet in each trimester has been designed in synchronization with the fetal developments. The first-trimester diet comprises food items that are sweet in taste, cold in potency, and is predominantly liquid. This ensures proper nutrition and prevents dehydration. The second-trimester diet focuses on the formation and growth of muscles and organs. It is rich in proteins. The third-trimester diet is mostly about dealing with constipation, water retention, and facilitating the process of parturition. This includes mild laxatives and enemas.<ref>D.B. Koli, PA01.78. Ayurvedic diet in pregnancy, Anc. Sci. Life. 32 (2012) S128.</ref> Epigenetic modifications are changes in gene expression without changes in DNA sequences. They occur due to factors like DNA methylations, histone modifications, and miRNA expression modulation. The presence of excess methyl donors in the maternal diet may lead to an increased risk of allergic airway disease in the offspring, whereas sensitization to certain pathogens reduces the risk. An inappropriately high-fat diet has been identified to be a potential risk factor of fetal non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids was found associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.<ref>A.A. Geraghty, K.L. Lindsay, G. Alberdi, F.M. McAuliffe, E.R. Gibney, Nutrition During Pregnancy Impacts Offspring’s Epigenetic Status—Evidence from Human and Animal Studies, Nutr. Metab. Insights. 8 (2016) 41–47. https://doi.org/10.4137/NMI.S29527.</ref>

Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy also play a significant role in framing the strength and immunity of the child. This is knowns as prenatal regimen (garbhini paricharya). The diet in each trimester has been designed in synchronization with the fetal developments. The first-trimester diet comprises food items that are sweet in taste, cold in potency, and is predominantly liquid. This ensures proper nutrition and prevents dehydration. The second-trimester diet focuses on the formation and growth of muscles and organs. It is rich in proteins. The third-trimester diet is mostly about dealing with constipation, water retention, and facilitating the process of parturition. This includes mild laxatives and enemas.<ref>D.B. Koli, PA01.78. Ayurvedic diet in pregnancy, Anc. Sci. Life. 32 (2012) S128.</ref> Epigenetic modifications are changes in gene expression without changes in DNA sequences. They occur due to factors like DNA methylations, histone modifications, and miRNA expression modulation. The presence of excess methyl donors in the maternal diet may lead to an increased risk of allergic airway disease in the offspring, whereas sensitization to certain pathogens reduces the risk. An inappropriately high-fat diet has been identified to be a potential risk factor of fetal non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids was found associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.<ref>A.A. Geraghty, K.L. Lindsay, G. Alberdi, F.M. McAuliffe, E.R. Gibney, Nutrition During Pregnancy Impacts Offspring’s Epigenetic Status—Evidence from Human and Animal Studies, Nutr. Metab. Insights. 8 (2016) 41–47. https://doi.org/10.4137/NMI.S29527.</ref>

===After birth===

===After birth===