A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential during pregnancy but a prenatal vitamin can help make up for any vitamin deficiencies from food alone. Not all vitamin supplements are created equal. Pregnant women should check the levels of iron, calcium and folic acid in their prenatal formulation.
Folic Acid
Folic acid can help prevent serious birth defects involving development of the brain and spinal cord. Since neural tube development occurs in the first four weeks of pregnancy, the U.S Public Health Department recommends that all women of childbearing age receive 400 mcg of folic acid per day. Green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits are good sources of folic acid. During pregnancy, the Cleveland Clinic recommend that you take a prenatal supplement containing 800 to 1,000 mcg of folic acid.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for bone formation and also for functioning of the nervous system, muscles and circulatory system. A calcium supplement during pregnancy can help prevent loss of the mother's own bone density as the developing fetus draws on calcium reserves. The Cleveland Clinic advises pregnant women to add a calcium supplement of 200 to 300 mg.
Iron
Iron is critical in blood formation and muscle cell development. During pregnancy, blood volume increases to supply the placenta and the developing baby. Extra iron can help prevent anemia by supplying adequate oxygen to all tissues of the body. The March of Dimes recommends that all adult women receive 18 mg of iron per day. During pregnancy, this amount should increase to 27 mg per day.
Other Vitamins
Vitamin D is primarily obtained from exposure to sunlight and many individuals in the northern hemisphere are deficient. Fortified milk and dairy products provide some vitamin D, but if you don't receive regular sunlight your doctor may recommend a supplement. Most prenatal vitamins do not include omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for infant brain and central nervous system development. If your diet does not include fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids you may wish to discuss a supplement with your health-care provider.
Member Comments