At your first doctor's appointment with your obstetrician, you'll most likely be given a prescription for prenatal vitamins. These vitamins are your first defense against common ailments and birth defects, and are an important way to put your baby's health first. Each prenatal vitamin is packed with the daily vitamins you'll need while pregnant. Each vitamin plays a significant role in your child's development, as well as your own health. Make sure to take them daily for the best start for your baby possible.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins to get enough of while pregnant.The American Pregnancy Association recommends that 600 mcg of folic acid should be taken each day to prevent disorders like spina bifida and other neural tube disorders. While food sources are best, a prenatal vitamin can help you reach that daily suggested intake level.
Iron
Iron is necessary while pregnant, because your body is supporting the blood for two people; you and your baby. Your blood can become thin as it is spread and working hard to produce life. As a result, some women are diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, a disorder which makes you feel tired and lethargic. According to pregnancy website BabyCenter.com, taking an iron supplement of 27 mg per day can help ward off anemia and keep your blood functioning well.
Calcium
Unfortunately, a woman who doesn't get enough calcium while pregnant has a lot to lose. When a pregnant women does not consume enough calcium, the body extracts it from her bones to help support her baby. This could leave a pregnant mother with weakened bones that are more susceptible to breakage. According to the American Pregnancy Association, up to 1,300 mg of calcium should be consumed each day, and it is easy to get these from food sources as well as supplements.
Vitamin A
According to the APA, 700 mcg of vitamin A aids in the development of your growing baby's bones, and it can be found in most fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, carrots and squash.
Thiamin
Thiamin is often forgotten about when pregnant; important vitamins like calcium and folic acid usually take center stage. But 1.4 mg of thiamin per day is crucial for your energy level while pregnant, says the APA. Consume some to help you feel more energized, as well as to help regulate your nervous system which can also take a hit while pregnant.
Vitamin C
The APA lets pregnant women know that vitamin C helps to support a healthy immune system, which is important while pregnant because you're usually more susceptible to contracting those illnesses, and even more likely to have minor illnesses turn into big problems. Vitamin C also works hand-in-hand with iron, helping the body to absorb it more efficiently so that you get the maximum benefit from your foods and supplements.
Zinc
Women can contract gestational diabetes while pregnant, due to low insulin production. The condition is temporary and goes away once the baby is born, but it can cause serious problems for mother and baby. The APA recommends that you take 11 to 12 mg of zinc to help produce insulin so that your blood sugar is stabilized and you don't suffer from gestational diabetes or dizziness and fainting.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Make sure that you consume enough docosahexaenoic acid, otherwise known as DHA, while pregnant. According to The March of Dimes, this omega-3 fatty acid aids in your child's brain and eye development. Look specifically for a prenatal vitamin that gives you the required 200 mg of DHA per day.
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