Diet during pregnancy and nursing ?

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 19:52:37 EDT Subject: FEL-L: nutritional needs...

Most of this post is taken from a personal post I sent regarding nutritional needs during gestation and lactation wherein I was questioning any needed supplementation during this time. Any input greatly appreciated.

>From a nursing standpoint, an increase in the amount of a normal healthy diet would be fine for the increased caloric requirements. However in the human body, certain fat/water soluble vitamins and minerals are leached from the host for the fetus' needs, thus requiring an increase of these in her diet.

I know off the top of my head, that women require extra folate and magnesium during pregnancy. Folic acid is crucial related to the outcome of pregnancy, maternal and fetal health. In fact, it promotes fetal growth and prevents macrocytic, megalobastic anemia of pregnancy. Folate deficiencies can result in abortion, fetal malformations, abruptio placentae, and other bleeding conditions.

Protein intake is usually increased as protein is what supplies the amino acids (nitrogen) that is required for the growth and maintenance of tissue and physiologic functions. The human body starts retaining protein early on in pregnancy, as the protein demands later are great. This is for the development of maternal tissues such as the uterus and breasts, as well as fetal needs.

Fats should also be increased as there is a marked increase in the needs for serum lipids, lipoproteins and fat deposits to the fetus.

Carbohydrate and caloric needs increase too, especially towards the end of pregnancy, as they promote growth of the fetus, placenta and other maternal tissues.

Increased minerals are needed for new tissue growth. Calcium and phosphorus are needed for mineralization of fetal bones and teeth, energy and cell production. I know iodine is another one that is very important. Iodine is excreted in the urine during pregnancy, so it must be replaced with supplements. If its not, it can result in hypothyroidism of the mother and cretinism in the fetus. Zinc also affects the growth factor, and magnesium is essential for cellular metabolism and structural growth. Again, many of these are leached from the mother during pregnancy.

Most obstetricians prescribe prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. An iron supplement is also crucial, as women often become anemic despite adequate nutrition. Again, blame the unborn... They take what they need! :-)

Vitamin C declines throughout pregnancy, being consumed by the placenta. Anyway, I could go on and on, but the point is that there are some very real, very drastic changes regarding nutritional requirements that take place during gestation and lactation. Now all of the above is what I know as it relates to humans, but I'm sure that animals will have their own physiological changes and corresponding nutritional needs.

Something worth investigating! I do know that many manufacturers of feed do indeed provide different feeds with regard to maintenance, growth, lactation, etc... Probably not so easily found in the world of non-domestics though.

So, with all that said, are there any animal nutritionists or veterinarians on the list who can share the unique needs of felines during their gestational and lactation periods? Again, any information greatly appreciated. Jill Rose