Eating adequate vitamin during pregnancy is always important because it helps mother and baby stay healthy. Vitamins do not only affect an unborn baby's health, but also play an important role in current and future health status of a pregnant woman. Prenatal vitamins have been shown to provide the adequacy of diet in meeting nutrient needs during pregnancy.
Folic Acid
The term folic acid refers to a water-soluble B vitamin that helps fetus development during pregnancy. It plays a major role in unborn babies' bone and spinal cord development. According to the East Tennessee State University, the use of folic acid during pregnancy reduces the number of cases of Spina Bifida and brain malformations, known as neural tube defects. Spina Bifia is a condition in which the bones of the spine do not completely form as a fetus develops. A pregnant woman should have 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to reduce the risks of birth defects.
Vitamin C
Throughout pregnancy there are gradual increases in blood volume. With the increase in blood volume, more iron is needed. Iron is needed to produce oxygen-carrying protein in the blood, known as hemoglobin that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissue cells. Doctors usually prescribe iron supplements for pregnant or lactating women. The role of Vitamin C comes into play in absorbing irons from both iron supplement and iron-rich diet, notes the University of Illinois.
Vitamin D
Low Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia, notes the University of Pittsburg. Preeclampsia is a set of complications, such as a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, edema, severe headache and visual disturbances, which may develop in late pregnancy. Preeclampsia can lead to maternal coma and fetal and maternal death. It also increases the risk of stillbirths or newborn deaths. Preeclampsia is also linked to toxemia, an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood.
References
- Brigham Young University: Pregnancy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
- East Tennessee University: Nutrition
- University of Illinois: Healthy Eating for Pregnancy and Lactation
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids (2000)
- University of Pittsburg: Science & Technology/Pitt Study Links Low Vitamin D During Pregnancy to Preeclampsia by Michele D. Baum
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