Vitamin C is a vitamin that naturally occurs in vegetables and fruits, particularly citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. As an antioxidant, it helps to protect your body and your immune system. Prenatal vitamins often contain vitamin C. Talk to your doctor or health care provider prior to adding an additional vitamin C supplement to your regimen.
Benefits
Vitamin C is important for both your health and the health of your unborn baby. Vitamin C promotes bone growth, aids in wound healing and repairs tissues. It also helps your body to fight the effects of free radicals and protects your cells from damage. During pregnancy, vitamin C may help prevent complications such as pre-eclampsia, as noted by MedlinePlus. Vitamin C may also play an important role in the neurological development of your unborn baby.
Supplementation
If your prenatal vitamin contains vitamin C, you may already be getting the recommended daily dosage of vitamin C. According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women should receive 80 to 85 mg of vitamin C per day. The maximum amount that should be consumed is 2,000 mg per day. If your prenatal vitamin does not contain sufficient vitamin C, speak to your doctor about adding a separate vitamin C supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamin.
Side Effects
Some people experience side effects when taking a vitamin C supplement. Stomach irritation is the most common side effect reported when taking this vitamin. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all frequently occurring side effects. Headaches, heartburn and stomach cramps may also occur. Pregnant women who have a history of kidney stones may experience an increase in stones when taking doses above 1,000 mg per day. Pregnant women who take excessive amounts of vitamin C may increase the risk of preterm birth. Care should be given not to exceed 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
Benefit to Other Supplements
Vitamin C can help to increase the absorption rate of iron. During pregnancy, iron levels are often low, leading to anemia. Taking vitamin C with an iron supplement can help the iron to be absorbed more easily by the body, offering an additional benefit to supplementing with vitamin C.
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