The protein structures in the bloodstream are very important. They are necessary for the full intrauterine development of the baby and the preservation of the good health of the expectant mother. A lack of protein in the blood can be the cause leading to the formation of various pathologies.
What it is?
Protein components are composed of many different amino acids. Some of them are formed inside the body, while others come from the outside with food. The blood protein has many different functions.
It is necessary for the active work of the immune system and the body's resistance to various infections. Also, protein molecules are necessary for the transport of various nutrients to all internal organs of both the expectant mother and her baby.
Protein is a necessary substance for the active growth and development of a baby. During the carrying of a child, the need for him in the body of the expectant mother increases significantly. The need for protein is especially increased during multiple pregnancies. It is very important for expectant mothers carrying twins or triplets to monitor the dynamics of this clinical indicator in all trimesters.
During pregnancy, not only the active growth of the fetus occurs, but also its placental membranes. Optimal protein balance is especially important before breastfeeding.
If the concentration of protein particles in a woman's blood is slightly reduced, then during breastfeeding the baby may experience a protein deficiency.
Protein plays a very important role in the performance of hematopoietic functions. During pregnancy, the fetus begins to form the cardiovascular and other systems. Low protein in the blood can lead to the formation of various anomalies and pathologies in the work of the forming internal organs.
Maintaining a normal concentration of protein in the body is necessary to maintain osmotic pressure. A decrease in this indicator may lead to the fact that the woman will have severe swelling. In some situations, a decrease in blood protein contributes to the appearance of gestosis in a woman.
Protein metabolism in the body is not isolated. It also actively affects carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Disorders of protein metabolism, as a rule, contribute to the disruption of other vital processes in the body.
If this condition develops for a long time, this can lead to the appearance of various pathologies.
Why is the protein level lowered?
Pregnancy is a time of physiological protein decline. At this time, the concentration of protein particles in the blood of all expectant mothers decreases. Some hormones, which begin to be secreted in large quantities in the female body after the conception of the baby, lead to the development of this condition.
The increasing concentration of progesterone in the blood helps to increase the volume of circulating blood. This reaction is quite physiological and is a kind of preparation for the further intrauterine development of the baby. A pronounced accumulation of fluid in the female body during pregnancy leads to a relative lack of protein.
In the first weeks after conceiving a baby, many women experience severe nausea or even vomiting. This leads to the fact that the expectant mother's appetite decreases. In this state, she consumes much less protein products. If this situation is long enough, it contributes to the formation of various pathologies.
Eating habits can also lead to a decrease in blood protein concentration. This situation develops more often in expectant mothers who practice vegetarian food. It is important to note that any decrease in the intake of all essential amino acids for life already contributes to protein imbalance.
In addition to a physiological decrease in protein in the blood, such the decline can also be pathological. In this case, a variety of pathologies of internal organs lead to the development of this pathology. Quite often, the underlying cause of this condition is anemia or persistent immunodeficiency.
Diseases of the liver and kidneys, especially those accompanied by the development of failure in the work of these organs, can lead to a decrease in the concentration of protein in the blood. Doctors call this pathological condition hypoproteinemia.
Various toxic and drug poisoning can also lead to the development of this pathology. In this case, the concentration of protein in the body decreases rapidly and significantly. To normalize the violations that have arisen in such a situation, an urgent hospitalization of a woman is required in a hospital for intensive treatment.
Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring with impaired absorption of various nutrients, also contribute to the development of this pathological condition. Persistent dysbiosis and irritable bowel syndrome lead to a disruption in the intake of amino acids into the female body.
Pancreatic pathologies are also a fairly common cause leading to the development of disorders in protein metabolism. This organ secretes quite a lot of biologically active substances necessary for protein metabolism. Chronic pathologies of the pancreas over time lead to the fact that there are few protein particles in the blood.
Standards
The content of protein molecules in the blood is a very important and constant indicator. For its assessment, reference (normal) values are used. If, after the analysis, no deviations are found, then this course of pregnancy is healthy. Various violations manifested in this laboratory test require a mandatory interpretation by the attending physician.
Indicators of normal values of total protein for pregnant women are slightly different. For all healthy people, the concentration of protein in the blood is 65-85 g / liter.
During the gestation of a baby, this criterion changes physiologically. So, for expectant mothers, the indicators of total protein in the blood should be in the range of 55-85 g / liter.
In order to determine the concentration of total protein in the blood, doctors prescribe a biochemical test for expectant mothers. You can take it at the clinic or in a private laboratory. If a woman takes this test in an antenatal clinic, she will need a referral. It is issued by an obstetrician-gynecologist or therapist who is observing the expectant mother throughout the entire period of her pregnancy.
Doctors recommend taking this test on an empty stomach. The laboratory should be visited in the morning. A large amount of protein products should not be consumed 2-3 days before the test. Do not limit them at all. To maintain the protein balance, it is quite enough to consume 1-2 servings of protein-containing products per day on the eve of the test.
In biochemical analysis, which is carried out to determine the concentration of a protein in the blood, in addition to its total fraction, there are others.
So, for example, with the development of pregnancy, globulins in the blood of the expectant mother increase. These protective substances help protect a woman and her baby from various infectious pathologies.
At the same time, albumin fractions of proteins begin to decrease. This manifests itself very well by the second trimester of pregnancy. At the final stage of bearing a baby, albumin fractions decrease significantly.
In some situations, there may be disorders associated with an increase in blood protein. A high concentration of protein components can also lead to the development of various pathologies of internal organs.
Hypoproteinemia can be very dangerous. A pronounced decrease in protein in the blood can lead to the fact that the baby in the mother's womb will no longer fully develop. In the mother, this condition contributes to the deterioration of her well-being. Edema begins to appear in a pregnant woman, and fatigue also noticeably increases.
How to raise?
In order to raise the level of protein in the blood, doctors prescribe a whole range of different recommendations to expectant mothers. It is compiled only after additional diagnostic methods have been carried out to identify the cause that led to the development of this condition.
Increase blood protein helps special therapeutic diet. It includes food products that contain quite a lot of different amino acids. Currently, there are a variety of tables in which such products are entered.
To compensate for the violations that have arisen, expectant mothers should remember that they should consume protein products daily.
In the event that, against the background of adhering to a special diet, a woman does not normalize the level of protein in the blood, doctors resort to prescribing special protein preparations. They are usually administered parenterally. For this, the expectant mother is hospitalized in a hospital.
Intensive therapy is also used in cases where the decrease in the concentration of protein in the blood is pronounced. Such situations usually occur as a result of severe burns or subsequently severe pathologies of the liver and other internal organs.
Protein-boosting foods
To compensate for the violations that have arisen, doctors recommend that expectant mothers eat several times a day. To do this, you should eat food at least 4-5 times a day. The portions should be moderate. Any overeating, even protein food, can lead to the fact that the expectant mother will have a problem of excess weight.
It is important to note that a variety of protein sources should be consumed. They contain a variety of amino acids necessary for the body. For optimal growth and development of the baby, the intake of various such substances is required.
This feature leads to the fact that the expectant mother should eat both animal and plant foods.
Seeds and nuts are the record holders for protein content. In addition to protein molecules, they contain quite a lot of healthy fat and vitamins, which are so necessary for the full intrauterine development of the fetus.
There is practically no protein in fruits and fruits. However, the expectant mother should also use them. The vitamins and useful trace elements contained in them allow to normalize protein metabolism and are catalysts of many reactions in the body.
Many amino acids are also found in animal foods. Excellent sources of protein during pregnancy are beef, poultry and game, and rabbit. They contain quite a lot of amino acids and a minimum of fat. Their regular use contributes to the correction of the violations that have arisen.
Fermented milk products and milk are also important components of a therapeutic diet. They contain a variety of amino acids, as well as beneficial microorganisms that normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Fermented milk products should be consumed daily.
Cottage cheese and cheese are also excellent sources of calcium, which is essential for maintaining women's health during pregnancy, as well as for the full development of the baby's musculoskeletal system.
Proteins are found in seafood and fish. These products are truly unique as they contain a lot of phosphorus and iodine. These trace elements are necessary for the full intrauterine development of the baby.
Regular consumption of fish and seafood not only eliminates hypoproteinemia in the body, but also helps to replenish the vitamin imbalance.
For information on what protein is the norm during pregnancy, see the next video.
