Understanding the growth and development impact of providing women good nutrition during pregnancy, the city of Pagadian formally launched their Milk Feeding Program for Pregnant Women last Monday, May 31, 2021. The program was spearheaded by the City Mayor Hon. Samuel S. Co along with City Administrator and City Nutrition Action Officer Designate Engr. Joseph Isaias M. Quipot VI. The Committee on Health and Social Services, Dr. Priscilla M. Fernandez, City Nutrition Program Coordinators and Barangay Nutrition Scholars were also in attendance.
Initially, there were three (3) barangays included in the program, namely, Barangays Dumagoc, Napolan and Poloyagan. The program targeted twenty (20) pregnant women in each barangay with priority given to nutritionally at-risk such as adolescents and those with low pregnancy weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference. The duration of the program is for 30 days where a bottle (330ml) of soy milk will be given to each beneficiary per day. The supplies of milk will be delivered to the Barangay Health Centers weekly.
Milk or soy milk is a good source of calcium and protein and should be part of the pregnant woman’s diet. Calcium during pregnancy is particularly essential in helping to build strong bones in the growing baby. With this, a pregnant woman needs between 1000 and 1300 mg of calcium per day to meet her body’s daily requirement and to be able to provide adequate amounts of calcium to her developing baby. Drinking milk during pregnancy can meet some of your calcium requirements aside from taking your calcium supplements. Milk is also a vital source of vitamin D for women during pregnancy. While it helps improve bone formation, getting enough Vitamin D during pregnancy can also lower the baby’s risk of developing allergies in the future. Aside from being hassle-free in terms of preparation and distribution, this information aided the city government to decide on choosing milk feeding to assist their pregnant constituents on their nutrient needs.
In addition, the beneficiaries are closely monitored by the nurse or midwife assigned in their respective barangays. To make it as a health and nutrition intervention package, pregnant women are also given other nutrition and health services such as nutrition assessment, counselling, micro-nutrient supplementation and timely prenatal check-up.
PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas
References:
- Ten superfoods during pregnancy
parkwayeast.com.sg/healthplus/article/superfoods-healthy-pregnancy#:~:text=Milk%20or%20soy%20milk%20is,other%20foods%20such%20as%20vegetables.
2. Drinking Milk During Pregnancy – Is It Good?
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/drinking-milk-during-pregnancy-is-it-good-for-you/