Maternal Nutrition Guide for Pregnancy and Postnatal Care

Clinical resource for use in patient education

Overview

Nutrition plays a critical role in pregnancy and postpartum recovery. As healthcare professionals, we are uniquely positioned to support women in meeting their increased nutritional demands through practical, evidence-based advice, especially during periods of physiological stress, time pressure and heightened nutritional vulnerability.

Maternal nutrition is directly linked to outcomes including:

• Fetal neural tube development (folate)
• Birth weight and gestational age (iron, protein, total energy intake)
• Infant cognitive outcomes (iodine, choline, DHA)
• Postnatal healing, milk production, and mental health

Emerging research also suggests that poor dietary quality may contribute to increased risk of:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
• Preterm birth
• Iron-deficiency anaemia
• Postnatal depression

A nutrient-dense dietary pattern supports both maternal and infant health and reduces the need for reactive interventions.

Nutrient Priorities

Nutrient	Clinical Role	Key Dietary Sources	RDI (Pregnancy)
Folate	DNA synthesis, neural tube closure	Leafy greens, legumes, fortified cereals	600 mcg DFE
Iron	Red blood cell production, oxygen transport	Lean red meat, lentils, spinach, iron-fortified foods	27 mg
Calcium	Skeletal growth, muscle/nerve signalling	Dairy, tofu, fish with bones, leafy greens	1000 mg
Vitamin D	Calcium absorption, immune modulation	Sunlight, fortified foods, supplements	600 IU (15 mcg)
Omega-3 DHA	Fetal brain and retina development	Oily fish, fish oil, algae-based DHA	200–300 mg DHA
Iodine	Thyroid function and fetal neurodevelopment	Iodised salt, eggs, dairy, seafood	220 mcg
Choline	Neural tube and brain development	Eggs, soybeans, lean meat, broccoli	440 mg
Protein	Tissue repair, fetal growth, lactation support	Eggs, dairy, meat, legumes	1.1 g/kg/day

Postnatal Considerations

The postpartum period brings increased nutritional requirements for women who are:

• Recovering from birth (especially caesarean section or perineal trauma)
• Breastfeeding
• Experiencing fatigue, low mood, or appetite changes

Breastfeeding increases needs for:

• Energy (+2000 kJ/day approx.)
• Fluid intake (approx. 8–10 cups/day)
• Iodine (270 mcg/day)
• Vitamin A, B12, choline, and DHA

Safe Food Practices During Pregnancy

To prevent foodborne illness (e.g. listeriosis, salmonella), advise patients to avoid:

• Unpasteurised dairy, soft cheeses, deli meats unless reheated
• Raw/undercooked eggs or meat
• Pre-prepared salads near expiry
• High-mercury fish (e.g. marlin, shark, swordfish)
• Alcohol (no safe threshold)
• Excessive caffeine (limit to <200 mg/day)

Practical Advice for Patients

• Encourage simple, realistic meal planning using pantry staples (e.g. legumes, eggs, oats, tinned fish)
• Recommend use of frozen/canned vegetables to improve access and reduce prep time
• Promote snacks that combine protein, fibre and healthy fats (e.g. yoghurt with fruit, eggs, nut butter on toast)
• Normalise small, frequent meals for patients experiencing nausea or low appetite
• Reinforce that nutrition does not need to be perfect—progress over perfection

Screening and Support

Consider routine assessment of dietary intake during pregnancy/postpartum, especially for patients who:

• Have low BMI, anaemia, or high parity
• Are following restrictive diets (e.g. vegan, low carb, food insecurity)
• Report fatigue, mood concerns, or low appetite
• Are breastfeeding multiples or recovering from surgical birth

Supports

• Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs)
• Local food relief programs (Ask Izzy app)
• Lactation consultants
• Maternal mental health supports (e.g. PANDA, local perinatal MH services)

Quote to Share with Patients

“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean ‘me first,’ it means ‘me too.'”
— L.R. Knost, author and gentle parenting advocate

Use this quote to encourage women to prioritise their own health without guilt. Self-care supports better outcomes for both mother and child.

Further Learning for practitioners

At Meducate, we’re committed to supporting practitioners with practical, evidence-based tools that grow with your practice. We’re here to support you now and as your professional development continues.

 Free CPD-accredited courses 
 Medheads Podcast 
 Meducate YouTube Library

Educational Resource: Breast Milk Science

Unlocking the Secrets of Breast Milk: Benefits Beyond Nutrition with Elena Medo.

This short video explains the bioactive properties of breast milk—including its immunological and cellular functions—ideal for antenatal education or postpartum reinforcement.