During pregnancy, health concerns rush to the forefront for many mothers. A number of vitamins and minerals play an important role during pregnancy, and through diet and supplements mothers are eager to ingest them. Understanding the key benefits of vitamins and minerals for pregnancy, their role in preventing birth defects, and the health and safety issues related to pregnancy vitamins can give you peace of mind.
Nutrients Promote Maternal Health
While many mothers have their unborn child's health as a top concern, many vitamins and minerals recommended during pregnancy are designed to help preserve good maternal health. Women who struggle with nutrition going into pregnancy need to pursue a careful path to protect their own health and prevent their bodies from initiating nutritional miscarriages, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Some of the most important nutrients for preserving maternal health include calcium and vitamin D, which help with bone strength for both mother and child, as well as iron, which helps prevent anemia while the mother's blood volume levels increase over the course of the pregnancy, according to MayoClinic.com.
Preventing Birth Defects
Another key role for vitamins and minerals during pregnancy is preventing birth defects. While a well-balanced diet should keep all maternal nutrient levels where they need to be, according to MayoClinic.com, supplements can help prevent issues. For example, the Office of Dietary Supplements notes that ensuring good zinc levels prevents growth-related problems, while folic acid helps remove the risk of spina bifida.
Obtaining Good Information
Throughout your pregnancy you will be bombarded by well-meaning bits of advice and hordes of publications about pregnancy health. To ensure you are getting the best information for your specific health level and health needs, such as if you are having twins, be sure to talk with a health professional. Check the credentials of any publication or health provider careful, and don't rely on old wives' tales about nutrition to make your choices.
Safety Concerns
Taking a "if some is good, more is better" attitude toward vitamin and minerals during pregnancy is not without safety risks. It is best to work with a doctor regarding your specific health needs before starting a supplement, especially while pregnant. Elevated levels of certain nutrients can cause pregnancy complications. The "Journal of Maternal - Fetal and Neonatal Medicine" notes that elevated potassium levels raise the risk of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, while the University of Maryland Medical Center cautions pregnant women against taking high doses of vitamins, especially if they have any digestive complaints, due to potential complications.
References
- PubMed.gov: Journal of Maternal - Fetal and Neonatal Medicine: Low potassium level during the first half of pregnancy is associated with lower risk for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus
- MayoClinic.com: Pregnancy Nutrition
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
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