I'm Dr. Wong, and I've seen countless new lives born and heartbreaking cases for more than a decade.
Today, I would like to share a case that I remember vividly, and I hope it will be brought to everyone's attention.
She thinks that eating well can only be raised well, and the fetus can develop better.
However, during a routine prenatal check-up, the doctor found that the fetus was developing abnormally.
After a detailed examination and consultation, we found that Xiaoli had consumed too much vitamin A during pregnancy.
Xiaoli is a typical modern urban woman with a successful career and a refined life.
After she became pregnant, she strictly controlled her diet, believing that this would provide the best nutrition for her baby.
Every morning, she eats a bowl of beef liver soup stewed with carrots;
Because she heard that carrots and beef liver are rich in vitamin A, which is good for the development of fetal vision.
For lunch and dinner, she often chooses foods rich in vitamin A, such as liver and egg yolks.
In addition, she also took some health supplements that contained vitamin A.
At first, Xiaoli felt that she had made the best arrangements for the fetus.
As her doctor, I had to do a detailed investigation of her diet and finally found the root of the problem: an excess of vitamin A.
The root of the problem: Excess vitamin A
Many pregnant women believe that vitamin A supplementation can enhance immunity and be good for the visual development of the fetus.
Vitamin A is mainly found in liver, carrots, spinach, egg yolks, and some health supplements;
Excessive intake can lead to a serious excess of vitamin A in the body, which can affect the normal development of the fetus.
Vitamin A's role and risks
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the body's vision, immune system, and reproductive system.
However, excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, especially for pregnant women and fetuses, with a higher risk.
Excess vitamin A can cause abnormalities in the central nervous system, heart, and face of the fetus, and in severe cases, fetal death.
Doctor's advice: Eat a balanced diet and avoid picky eating
To avoid similar tragedies, as a doctor:
I advise all expectant mothers to eat a balanced diet during pregnancy and avoid picky eating or excessive intake of certain nutrients.
During pregnancy, you should eat a varied diet with balanced nutrients, rather than blindly pursuing one nutrient supplement.
Here are some specific suggestions:
Eat a varied diet: Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats every day to ensure a balanced diet.
Control your tonic intake: Use supplements wisely under the guidance of your doctor and avoid excessive intake of certain vitamins or minerals.
Regular prenatal check-ups: Monitor the development of the fetus through regular prenatal check-ups, and detect and correct problems in the diet in a timely manner.
Other foods to watch out for
Sashimi and undercooked seafood: Sashimi and sushi in Japanese cuisine, although delicious, should be kept away from by pregnant women.
To be on the safe side, pregnant women should choose fully cooked seafood to ensure that the pathogens in the food are completely killed.
High-mercury fish: Large fish such as swordfish, sharks, and mackerel have high levels of mercury.
Mercury is a heavy metal that is harmful to the development of the nervous system of the fetus.
It can be supplemented with high-quality protein and Omega-3 fatty acids without the risk of mercury contamination.
Unpasteurized dairy products and juices:
Unpasteurized dairy products and fruit juices may contain listeria monocytogenes;
Pregnant women should choose pasteurized dairy products and juices to ensure food safety.
Excess caffeine:
Try to choose decaffeinated or decaf beverages, such as fruit tea, milk, etc.
Xiaoli's lesson
Fortunately, with our timely intervention and conditioning, Xiaoli finally gave birth to a healthy baby.
During Xiaoli's conditioning period, we formulated a detailed diet plan for her and strictly controlled the intake of vitamin A;
At the same time, other essential nutrients are added to ensure the healthy development of the fetus in later life.