Maternal-Fetal Nutrition
during Pregnancy and
Lactation

Delivery of an optimally grown, viable infant defines
a successful pregnancy. Optimal growth is achieved
by the interaction of maternal, placental, and fetal
systems to deliver maternal nutrients to the placenta,

transfer them to the fetus, and maximize their utiliza-
tion for fetal growth. Pregnancy is characterized by

profound changes in the maternal immune, metabolic,

cardiovascular, and renal systems to ensure a success-
ful pregnancy and adequate fetal growth. The fetal-
placental unit secretes many hormonal signals, the

roles of which include redirecting maternal physiol-
ogy and metabolism to direct substrate toward the

fetus and support normal fetal growth.