KEMH Medical Library: Nutrition for Women's Health

Maternal Diabetes - Consumer Resources

Cholestasis 

Constipation

Heartburn

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, including Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe pregnancy sickness)

Food Safety and Hygiene in Pregnancy

Listeria in Pregnancy

High Mercury Fish in Pregnancy

Nutrient Requirements in Pregnancy

Pregnancy Supplements

Folate (folic acid) in Normal Pregnancy 

It is recommended to take folic acid oral 0.5mg (500 micrograms) once daily before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. (KEMH Guideline: Folic Acid; UKTIS Folic Acid Fact Sheet ) 

Folate (folic acid)  in High Risk Pregnancy

It is recommended to take folic acid oral 5mg once daily before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for high risk pregnancies such as diabetes, previous pregnancy with neural tube defect, close family history of neural tube defects or taking antiepileptics. (KEMH Guideline: Folic Acid; UKTIS Folic Acid Fact Sheet )

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy

Women who eat very little seafood should consider taking an Omega-3 dietary supplement which may be obtained from fish oil or some commercially available pregnancy supplements. (RANZCOG Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Pregnancy, p.7)

Pamphlets for Pregnant Women

Menopause

Gynaecological Cancer

Fertility

The following supplements are available at King Edward Memorial Hospital and can be ordered through Catering by KEMH Dietitians, or ordered after hours and on weekends by Doctors, Midwives and Nurses.

Dietitians at KEMH can also organise these supplements for delivery to the home of patients who have ongoing needs.

Resource Fruit Flavoured Beverage  

This ready-to-drink juice based drink is a refreshing alternative to milky supplements. It is potassium free and suitable on a clear fluids diet. It is not nutritionally complete.

• Nutrition per tetra: 237ml. 250kcal, 9.0g protein.
• Available in: Peach or Wildberry (and Orange if ordering for home delivery).
• Halal, low in lactose, no gluten-containing ingredients, low residue, fat free.
• Not suitable for strict vegan or kosher diet.

 Fresubin Energy

This ready-to-drink milk and soy based drink is suitable to supplement diets and be used in a nourishing fluids diet. It is nutritionally complete.

• Nutrition per bottle: 200ml, 300kcal, 11.2g protein
• Available in: Chocolate or Vanilla (and Cappuccino if ordering for home delivery).
• Low in lactose and gluten
• Not suitable for strict vegan diet.

                    Fortisip Compact

A ready-to-drink milk and soy supplement to support people with disease related weight loss and fluid restricted diets. It has been formulated to deliver nutrition in a small volume.

• Nutrition per bottle: 125ml, 300kcal, 18g protein.
• Available in: Mocha or Hot Tropical Ginger (and Strawberry if ordering for home delivery).
• Very low in lactose and gluten, Halal, Kosher (except for Strawberry).
• Not suitable for strict vegan diet.

                          Fresubin 2 kcal

This ready-to-drink higher calorie milk and soy based drink is suitable to supplement the diet and be used in a nourishing fluids diet. It is nutritionally complete. One bottle (200ml) provides the minimum effective dose of energy to improve patient's outcome.

• Nutrition per bottle: 200ml, 400kcal, 20g protein.
• Available in: Apricot-Peach (and Cappuccino, Toffee or Vanilla if ordering for home delivery).
• Low in lactose and gluten. 
• Not suitable for strict vegan diet.

Also available from the KEMH Pharmacy are tins of powdered supplements which need to be prescribed by a Doctor.

               Sustagen Powder

This milk based drink is a simple, cost effective nutritional supplement for loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, increased needs and surgical preparation and rehabilitation. It can be mixed with water or milk.

840g tin:

• Nutrition per serve (made with water): 225ml, 225kcal, 13.8g protein, 1.5g fat.
• May contain soy.
• Gluten free.

                 Ensure Powder

This nutritionally complete and balanced powdered nutritional shake is good for poor appetite, involuntary weight loss and disease related malnutrition.

850g tin:

• Nutrition per serve (made with water): 230ml, 230cal, 8.55g protein, 7.5g fat.
• Available in: Vanilla (at KEMH) or Chocolate at pharmacies.
• Halal and Kosher
• Contains soy and milk ingredients.

Clinical Guidelines

Maternal Obesity

Maternal Diabetes

Nutrient Requirements in Pregnancy

Other Pregnancy Complications