Nutritional needs of expectant mothers Pregnancy is a process of physiological changes in the female body, and nutritional intake is crucial to the health of mother and baby. Expectant mothers need to arrange their diet appropriately according to the needs of different stages, and have adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. In the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus\’s important organs and tissues are forming. Expectant mothers need to prioritize the intake of folic acid, iron, calcium, zinc and other nutrients. In particular, folic acid can prevent fetal neural tube malformations. It is recommended to consume 400 micrograms per day. The second trimester of pregnancy is a critical period for fetal growth and development.