While a healthy diet is the best way to get both you and your baby the vitamins you need, the reality of life as a pregnant woman can sometimes get in the way. It's important, therefore, to take vitamin supplements to help make sure you have what you need. If you know what vitamins are safe in the trimesters of pregnancy, you'll be able to keep you and your baby healthier in the long run.
Prenatal Vitamins
If your body will tolerate them, prenatal vitamins are one way to get a bulk of your needed vitamins in one safe format. According to MayoClinic.com, prenatal vitamins contain more folic acid, calcium and iron than typical multivitamins. It may take some time to find a prenatal vitamin that doesn't unsettle your system; work with your doctor to find the right vitamins for you. You should take your prenatal vitamins through all three trimesters of your pregnancy.
Folic Acid
Folic acid helps prevent birth defects in your baby's brain and spinal cord. According to the March of Dimes, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should get 600mg of folic acid daily. Most prenatal vitamins meet or exceed this recommendation, but double-check yours. You should make sure you're getting this folic acid for three months prior to pregnancy if possible as well as during your entire three trimesters of pregnancy.
Vitamin D
During your third trimester, MayoClinic.com reports that you may need a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D helps your body absorb and utilize calcium properly. Your baby is adding a large amount of bone tissue and density in the final trimester, and your body may not have enough vitamin D to absorb all the calcium that's needed. If you don't get eat many vitamin D-fortified foods and dairy products, talk with your doctor to see if you need to add some supplements.
