PREGNANCY: AN OVERVIEW

Pregnancy is the period of fetal development woman's womb or uterus when the body faces physiological and metabolic changes. Anemia remains major problem during pregnancy. About 4 hormones progesterone, estrogen, hGC, prolactin involve in pregnancy changing their concentrations during 3 trimesters. Dietary habits plays a vital role in maintaining healthy pregnancy and balancing the amount of hormones required. It is a well- understood scientific concept that the nutritional status of the pregnant woman affects the outcome of the pregnancy, especially related to birth weight.  Low  birth  weight  is  associated  with  an  increased  risk  for  infant  deaths  and developmental disabilities and seen more often in children from under nourished and underweight  mothers.

Key words: Pregnancy, Trimester, Nutrition