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        Uterus, literally the womb, a muscular organ carries your fetus. As it enlarges abdominal muscles stretch. Placenta is the structure which is the connecting unit between you and the baby, according to Dr Vasundra Thiagarajan, attached to Sree B M Hospital, Nanganallur in suburban Chennai.

        'Anatomically women are superior as they have three separate functions with one organ (external orifice) - to urinate, coital and delivering of baby which men do not have'.

        Common complaints during pregnancy are that women experience varying degree of discomforts such as vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, dizziness and fainting. Other discomfiture are swelling of hands or feet, frequent urination, breast pain and fatigue.

        'During pregnancy, you are your baby's only source of nourishment. Everything you eat during pregnancy affects your growing baby. Hence it is very important for you to eat quality food and also know which food will provide the proper nutrition for your growing child,' the doctor said. Carbohydrates should provide the largest part of your daily food intake. These sugars are the body's main source of energy. Adequate energy is important for the growth and development of the fetus and for the mother's ability to adapt to stresses such as infections etc.

        Example of complex carbohydrates are grains (rice, wheat), potatoes, beans and peas. Proteins are one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy. Proteins contain amino acids, which are required for building various tissues and chemicals in our body. Amino acids are also termed as 'building blocks'. They are similar in function to the bricks that are used in buildings.

        Folic acid has been identified as an important water-soluble vitamin that affects the cell development in the embryo. Low levels of folic acid have been associated with certain outcomes like mental retardation or stillborn baby without brain. Folic acid containing food includes deep green leafy vegetable, legumes (beans, peas), oranges, meat, whole grains and cereals. The intake of a variety of foods from the major food groups is recommended.

        Vitamins are essential for overall health of both mother and child. They are required for normal functioning of the body. Vegetables and fruits are good source of many vitamins. If your doctor thinks your diet is not supplying all the nutrients you and your fetus need, he may prescribe certain vitamin and mineral supplement.

        During pregnancy complex new tissues are produced at a rate of greater than in normal cases. Some of this complex tissues are blood, placenta, amniotic fluid and of course your baby. Protein is essential for this purpose, hence additional intake of proteins during pregnancy is very important. Milk, meat, egg, dal, soya are some of the excellent sources of protein.

        Calcium for bones and teeth of our body are composed of calcium. It also plays an important role in number of other activities of our body. The need for calcium increases from 800 mg to1,200 mg during pregnancy. The additional calcium is required for formation and development of bones in your baby. Milk by far is the best source of calcium though green leafy vegetables are also good calcium food. Calcium supplementation has been advised during pregnancy.

        Iron requirement during pregnancy doubles to about 30 mg. Mother and fetus both require additional iron due to increased blood volume and fetal iron storage. Iron forms a part of red blood cells which carry oxygen to various parts of our body. For optimum development of the body adequate amount of iron has to be taken.

        In the Indian context, iron deficiency is a common occurrence.The food rich in iron are green leafy vegetable, poultry, meat, fish, dals and whole foodgrains. When iron rich food is consumed with food that is rich in vitamin C, absorption of iron is enhanced.