Pregnancy Vitamins
How Important is it for me to supplement when pregnant?
From the time of conception, supplementation of certain nutrients is recommended for the growth and development of a healthy baby. Some of these nutrients are well known, for example, folic acid for the prevention of spina bifida, however some nutrients aren’t as commonly known and can be just as important.
What Nutrients are Important Throughout Pregnancy?
Folic acid is the most important and known nutrient in pregnancy and women are recommended to take it if they are actively trying to conceive as it is most important in the first four weeks of pregnancy, a stage often not known by women if they are pregnant or not. Studies have also shown taking folic acid up to one year before conception can help prevent premature birth.
B Vitamins are also very important during pregnancy and B6 has actually been shown to help prevent morning sickness and/or nausea. Folic acid, B6 and B12, all in combination are responsible for DNA synthesis, cell growth and homocysteine metabolism. A build up of homocysteine can lead to preeclampsia in women and may adversely affect development of the placenta. B12 is also responsible for red blood cell formation and helps keep the pregnant mum to be’s energy levels up as well as helping maintain a healthy appetite.
Iron is also essential for blood cell formation, transportation of oxygen and healthy maternal blood supply to the womb, which can increase up to 50%. Iron is crucial for haemoglobin production for this increased blood supply and is especially important in the second and third trimesters.
Calcium is important for the development of the skeleton in the growing foetus and if the mother’s diet is lacking in calcium it will be taken directly from the mother’s bones. Vitamin D is also important for the absorption of the calcium and also has been shown to reduce the incidence of asthma and atopy in children. Studies have also uncovered a deficiency in vitamin D may be a factor in the development of autism.
Fish oils, are not a commonly known or sought after pregnancy vitamin but have massive importance, in particular DHA which is crucial for central nervous system development and for a healthy brain and is most important in the third trimester as there is a fetal brain growth spurt during this time. It is said that the phrase “baby brain” comes from the fact that if there is inadequate DHA supply, the growing baby will take it from the mother’s brain. It is also extremely important in the prevention and severity of post partum depression in a mother.
Probiotics, also known as beneficial bacteria are massive in the health world and more and more research is being carried out on them. Infant’s guts are practically void of healthy bacteria and they rely on mother to pass on this through ingestion of fluid on the exit through the birth canal, through breastfeeding and through pregnancy. Probiotics have been shown to be extremely beneficial from the beginning of the third trimester and right through breastfeeding to prevent preeclampsia, premature birth, gestational diabetes, IUGR, allergies and eczema in babies. They also help ensure the proper functioning of the immune system and help maintain a healthy weight as well as prevent any inflammatory bowel conditions throughout life.
Are There any Supplements I Shouldn’t Take?
Almost all good pregnancy vitamins will be void of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is teratogenic meaning it can cause abnormalities and deformities in the growing foetus and should be avoided during pregnancy.
In conclusion three good pregnancy vitamins would be a good quality prenatal multivitamin and mineral, a good quality DHA supplement and a multi strain probiotic.