Working with a Pregnancy Dietitian: Nourish Your Baby (and Yourself) from Conception to Postpartum

Pregnancy is an exciting and special stage of life, but it can be difficult to navigate all of the information out there. Pregnancy dietitians guide mothers-to-be through the maze of prenatal and postnatal nutrition, while offering tailored help to ensure both you and your baby are nourished properly. A pregnancy dietitian can help you figure out what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. 

What Does a Dietitian Do During Pregnancy?

A pregnancy dietitian wears many hats. They can help both mother and baby during  pregnancy by:

• Looking at an individual’s diet, health, and food needs with consideration for specific dietary restrictions and preferences 

• Helping craft individualized meal plans that fit each person’s lifestyle and needs

• Teaching about key nutrients, food safety, and recommendations throughout each stage of pregnancy

• Ensuring weight gain is on track to help reduce risk of pregnancy-related complications 

• Assessing risk and providing guidance for pregnancy-related complications and, such as gestational diabetes, morning sickness, and food aversions

• Helping new moms eat well while breastfeeding and meet nutrition needs for maintaining a healthy milk supply

Why Proper Nutrition Matters During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your eating habits and patterns affect both you and your baby. This is especially important because:

• Increased energy (calorie) needs and intake of certain nutrients are vital to support the growth and development of your baby

• Following a healthy, nutritious eating plan may help reduce your chances of certain complications, including anemia, low birth weight, and birth defects

• How you eat while you are pregnant can impact both your and your baby’s health after your baby is born

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, adequate nutrition during pregnancy decreases the risk of birth defects, early birth, and low birth weight.

Proper nutrition can help to support the baby’s brain growth, bone development, and overall health. For mothers, pregnancy is an important time to focus on nutrition to help lower risk of common pregnancy complications, including anemia (a condition in which your number of red blood cells is lower than normal) and preeclampsia (a sudden increase in blood pressure that usually happens in the last trimester). 

So, Should You See a Dietitian While Pregnant?

Yes! There are many reasons as to why a dietitian can be helpful during and after pregnancy. Many doctors urge moms-to-be to seek food and nutrition guidance as part of their prenatal care. Pregnancy dietitians can help at any stage, from working towards getting pregnant, all the way to recovery after birth.

While it’s important to check the specifics of your healthcare provider and plan, many health plans do cover nutrition counseling during pregnancy, especially for women with pre-existing health issues. Season Health can help you find a pregnancy dietitian covered by insurance. 

Nutritionist vs. Dietitian for Pregnancy: What's the Difference and What to Choose?

Although the terms "nutritionist" and "dietitian" are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. 

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are certified health professionals who have met specific educational and professional requirements, including rigorous coursework, supervised training and passing a national board exam.  Registered dietitians are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to prevent or manage health conditions. 

• Nutritionists may have different levels of schooling and credentials, based on state-specific requirements. The term “nutritionist” does not guarantee expertise or experience - anyone can use the title “nutritionist”.  Unlike registered dietitians, nutritionists cannot provide medical nutrition therapy. 

For nutrition guidance during pregnancy, it is best to seek help from a dietitian with experience in prenatal and postnatal care. These experts have the training needed to help guide you through the different stages of pregnancy. 

How a Pregnancy Dietitian Can Help You

Pregnancy dietitians provide strategies and tips in supporting moms-to-be during each stage of pregnancy. These strategies can include: 

• Custom Meal Plans: These are food and eating plans that fit the mother’s tastes, preferences, and ever-evolving needs. 

• Nutrient Supplementation: In some cases, a pregnancy dietitian may recommend supplements to ensure a pregnant person is getting enough key nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fats. 

• Food Safety Tips: Dietitians can guide a mother around which foods they should avoid during pregnancy, and how to handle food safely to avoid the risk of illness. This often involves avoiding unpasteurized dairy products, and certain types of fish high in mercury.

• Lifestyle Tweaks: They offer tips on healthy habits, including regular exercise and stress management techniques. This might include suggestions for safe workouts during pregnancy or relaxation methods to manage stress. 

• Monitoring Progress: Throughout pregnancy, a dietitian  will monitor your  progress and change your food plan as your needs evolve. Your nutritional needs change as your pregnancy progresses, and a dietitian can help you adjust accordingly.

A pregnancy dietitian can provide nutrition recommendations that can significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

How to Avoid Gaining Too Much Weight During Pregnancy

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to weight gain during pregnancy. Weight gain recommendations depend on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and weight gain should occur slowly throughout your pregnancy. Gaining too much weight too quickly can increase your risk for certain complications. The Institute of Medicine provides guidelines for healthy weight gain during pregnancy based on pre-pregnancy BMI. Your dietitian and healthcare team can help you understand what these guidelines mean for you and how to achieve them safely.

Pregnancy dietitians help you maintain a healthy weight by:

1. Setting Nutrient Goals: Your dietitian will help you determine how many additional calories you need during each stage of pregnancy, based on factors including your pre-pregnancy weight and activity level. The goal is to ensure you are meeting the increased nutrient needs required for you and your baby. 

2. Suggesting Nutrient-Rich Foods: A dietitian will recommend nutrient-dense foods that provide you and your baby with the necessary vitamins and minerals. These include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat and seafood, beans, and nuts. 

3. Building a Balanced Plate: The core parts of a healthy eating plan during pregnancy are similar to the recommendations for the general population. Your dietitian will guide you in building a balanced plate during mealtimes to ensure you and your baby are well nourished. 

4. Conducting Regular Check-Ins: A dietitian will provide ongoing support and accountability during your pregnancy and throughout the postnatal period.   Regular check-ins help ensure you are staying on the right track by making the necessary adjustments to your nutrition plan throughout your pregnancy.  

5. Providing Pregnancy-Safe Exercise Ideas: Evidence shows that regular exercise during pregnancy may reduce your risk for certain complications, promote health weight gain, and help prepare the body for labor. Your dietitian may suggest resources for gentle workout routines, though it’s important to consult your doctor before starting a new routine or making changes to your current routine. 

Tackling Common Pregnancy Food Worries

While pregnancy can be an exciting time, it can also bring on some not-so-exciting physical changes and symptoms. A dietitian can help you learn how to handle common concerns that come up during pregnancy, such as: 

1. Morning Sickness: They may offer ways to manage common pregnancy symptoms, like nausea and food aversions, while ensuring you are getting enough nutrients for you and your baby. These symptoms can make specific foods seem intolerable all of a sudden. Suggestions may include eating smaller, more frequent meals, incorporating ginger in meals, or trying specific nutrient-dense snacks that are easier to tolerate.

2. Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. If undiagnosed or uncontrolled, gestational diabetes can increase your chances of complications. A dietitian can help create a meal plan that aims to control blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications. 

3. Vegetarian and Vegan Diets: If you follow a vegan or vegetarian eating pattern, your dietitian will work with you to ensure you are meeting your increased nutrient needs during pregnancy.  This includes finding alternative sources for nutrients typically found in animal products, like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Twin or Multiple Pregnancies: For those carrying more than one baby, a dietitian can help you understand the additional nutrients needed throughout pregnancy. This often involves increased calorie and nutrient targets to support the growth of multiple growing babies in the womb.

After-Birth Nutrition Support

A pregnancy dietitian can offer continued guidance and support during the postpartum period. They can help with:

1. Postpartum Recovery: Nourishing yourself during the postpartum period is just as important as when you are pregnant. Your dietitian can help you navigate how to create balanced meals and snacks as you heal and regain your nutrient stores after childbirth. 

2. Breastfeeding Nutrition: Breastfeeding provides your baby with the necessary nutrients to support their growth and development. Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is critical - this includes additional calories to meet your body’s demand for milk production, and increased protein and calcium needs. 

3. Postpartum Weight Management: A dietitian can work with you to create a personalized nutrition plan that promotes healthy weight management strategies during the postpartum period. This typically  involves a gradual, sustainable approach to weight loss that doesn't compromise milk production (for those breastfeeding). 

Finding a Pregnancy Dietitian

To find a good pregnancy dietitian:

• Use Season Health to connect with a dietitian that specializes in pregnancy nutrition and care; 95% of Season patients meet with their Pregnancy Registered Dietitian at no cost.

• Ask your OB-GYN or midwife for a referral; they often work with dietitians and can recommend someone they trust.

• Check with your local hospital or birthing center for nutrition services. Many offer on-site dietitian services or referrals to outside providers. 

• Use the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' "Find a Nutrition Expert" tool to locate registered dietitians who specialize in prenatal care. This tool allows you to search by location and specialty.

• Ask your insurance provider for a list of in-network nutrition professionals. This can help ensure your visits are covered by your insurance plan.

• If in-person visits are challenging for your schedule, look for dietitians who offer virtual consultations.  Note that Season offers online video sessions that are compliant with all HIPAA regulations. 

Ultimately, it's important to feel comfortable with your dietitian as you navigate this important time in your life. 

Remember, every pregnancy is unique, and nutrition needs and recommendations can vary greatly from one woman to another. A pregnancy dietitian can help you navigate these individual differences, ensuring that you get the most fitting and appropriate care throughout your journey to motherhood. 

By working with a pregnancy dietitian, you're not only investing in your health during pregnancy and postpartum, but also setting the stage for your baby's health and wellbeing.