The prenatal period is the period of time before birth. A woman’s nutritional needs are high during this time.Prenatal nutrition has a strong influence on birth weight and further development of the infant. Her body weight should be at a desirable level. She should consume a wide range of foods and beverages that contain a variety of nutrients, including an assortment of fruits and vegetables—particularly those that are rich in iron and folate to help prevent anemia and neural tube defects—and calcium for growth, development and repair.