he happy occasion is still months away, but you’re already decorating a nursery and arranging for family leave. As you anticipate the birth of your child, make sure you include a healthy eating plan in your preparations. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your husband informed about your dietary needs while you’re pregnant and when you breast-feed. Your doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements as part of your prenatal care. If it’s possible to plan ahead, begin taking these three months before you want to become pregnant. In particular, folic acid is necessary for healthy brain and spinal cord development. Taking a supplement with folic acid helps prevent birth defects, which can occur during the first two weeks after conception. Also, the extra calcium and iron are important for your baby’s development. Be sure your menu includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and sources of protein such as nonfat diary products, lean meats and fish. If you have special dietary considerations such as for diabetes, your doctor will help you with an appropriate eating plan. Carefully follow your doctor’s guidelines for weight gain. Too much weight can cause complications during late pregnancy and childbirth. Eating for two doesn’t mean you should eat twice as much as usual. It means you’re filling the nutritional needs of another, much smaller person. And excess weight gained can be difficult to lose after your baby’s born. During your first trimester, you probably won’t need to eat anything extra. During the second and third trimesters, you only should consume about 300 extra calories a day. © Your HealthStyle, 1999.