Introduction

An existing medical condition, or one that is acquired during pregnancy, is a risk factor generally for both mother and infant. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is often required for conditions that are associated with pregnancy. Usually, collaboration with other health care providers (multi-discipline and/or multi-agency) is required, and referral to other providers is needed.

MNT is within the scope of practice of the MSS dietitian. The First Steps Policy and Procedure Manual will provide minimal interventions for the MSS risk factors (read the guidelines). Several conditions are reviewed in this module in more detail.

The Institute of Medicine presents MNT for medical issues in a functional framework (IOM, 1992), with attention to:

• Estimating nutrient requirements
• Adapting to changing needs
• Physical and physiologic limitations
• Effects of medical therapies on nutrition (e.g., medications that cause mineral losses, vomiting, diarrhea; affect method of feeding)
• Summarizing and tracking pertinent nutritional data

You may also download a printable version of this module.

Estimated time to complete this module: 60 minutes.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the medical risks and nutritional implications of some common complications which occur with or affect pregnancy

• Describe basic medical nutrition therapy for some common complications associated with pregnancy: gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, underweight, overweight, and obesity