QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND
EXPLAINED FOR COMPLETE
PREPARATION
1. What is consumption advice in making informed choices about fish? -
ANSWER - limit consumption of fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish,
escolar, marlin, and orange roughly 150 g/month, limit consumption
- less limit on white canned tuna to 300 g/week and no limit on
canned light tuna
2. Describe alcohol consumption in pregnancy and breastfeeding in
general? - ANSWER no known safe amount of alcohol use
3. what is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders? - ANSWER - group
conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure
- can cause lifelong physical, behavioural and learning
problems
- leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental
disorders
4. Descibe caffeine and herbal teas in pregnancy? - ANSWER - caffeine
safe below 300 mg/d, ~2-3 cups of coffee per day
- not all herbal teas are safe:
, - avoid chamomile, stinging nettle and others
- citrus, ginger are generally safe
5. what are 4 foods to avoid in pregnant due to increase risk for
foodborne illness in infection for fetus? - ANSWER raw fish
undercooked meat
soft cheese
unpasteurized milk
6. How does foodborne illness impact pregnancy? - ANSWER - more
likely due to a suppressed immune system
- may cause miscarriage or stillbirth
- key pathogens: listeria monocytogenes (deli meats,
unpasteurized dairy, raw and smoked fish)
and toxoplasma gondii (raw and undercooked meats and cat litter)
7. In general what do most pregnancy symptoms reflect? - ANSWER
normmal physiological changes in pregnancy
8. Name 5 common concerns in pregnancy? - ANSWER 1) PICA
9. 2) Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
3) cravings/aversions
4) reflux/heartburn
5) leg cramps
,10. Describe how nausea and vomitting of pregnancy and dietary
strategies? - ANSWER - morning sickness and worst in first trimester
- cause is unclear but likely due to changing hormones
- dietary strategies: small frequent meals, dry crackers, ginger,
B6
11. What are cravings and aversions? - ANSWER - cause unknown
Cravings:
- defieincies
- altered hormones and taste receptors combines with non-
restricted food intake
Aversions:
- often to meat/fish
- may be protective against food borne illness
12. what is reflux/heartburn in pregnancy in pregnant and potential
treatment? - ANSWER Caused by: relaxation of lower espangeal
sphinctor pressure from growing uterus
13. Treatment: small infrequent meals, fluids between meals, remain
upright after eating, avoid late night snacks
14. What is pica and what is the concern and treatment? - ANSWER -
craving to eat non-food substances (dirty, clay, laundry starch)
- concern: may displace nutritious foods, or lead to toxin
ingestion
- treatment: suggest alternatives; ensure nutrients needs are
met
, 15. What are leg cramps in pregnancy, cause and remedies? -
ANSWER - common in 2nd and 3rd trimester
- cause unclear
- remedies: supplements of magnesium or calcium, stretching,
activity, hydration
16. What is fluid retention caused by and treatment? - ANSWER -
cause: pressure from uterus on lower limbs
- treatment: water and resting with legs elevated
- swelling associated with headache, fever or high blood
prpessure may be a sign of pre-eclampsia (fatal disorder)
17. What is the best resources for pregnant women? - ANSWER the
society of obstetricians and gynaecologists of canada
18. In early to mid pregancy how is blood pressure impacted? -
ANSWER lower than non-pregnant, due to vessels relaxing and then
it creeps up slowly reaching the end of pregnancy
19. What are 3 hypertensive disorders of pregnancy? - ANSWER 1)
gestational hypertension
2) pre-eclampsia
3) eclampsia